An implement for clipping weeds in a field, where the weeds are standing taller than the crop. The implement comprises a plurality of rotatable blades on a frame, with variable height adjustment means to elevate the frame and position the blades above the crop but at a level sufficient to clip the upper portions of the weeds, The blades are powered by PTO-driven shaft segments, the segments connected by U-joints, wherein the implement further comprises alignment means for aligning the U-joints so that the frame can be folded for transport without damaging the shafts or U-joints.

In one aspect, a method is disclosed for transporting an autonomous agricultural vehicle and an operator-driven agricultural vehicle from a first agricultural work site to a second agricultural work site. Each of the vehicles may have respective front ends and rear ends, and each of the respective rear ends may include a respective hitch. The method may include arranging the autonomous agricultural vehicle and the operator-driven agricultural vehicle such that the rear end of the autonomous agricultural vehicle faces the rear end of the operator-driven agricultural vehicle. The method may include coupling the hitch of the autonomous agricultural vehicle with the hitch of the operator-driven agricultural vehicle. The method may include towing the autonomous agricultural vehicle behind the operator-driven agricultural vehicle with the rear end of the autonomous agricultural vehicle facing a forward travel direction of the operator-driven agricultural vehicle.

A hitch swing cylinder mounting point repositioning mechanism for use on an agricultural mower that enables the draft tongue to be pivoted through a swing range during mower operation when the mounting point is in a first position. Repositioning the mounting point to a second position enables the swing cylinder to pivot the draft tongue to a position generally perpendicular to the normal operating direction of travel thereby enabling lateral transport of the mower.

A lift system and method for transporting agricultural implements. The lift system includes a pair of lower linkage arms, an upper link, and at least four carriage wheels for transporting the lift system along carriage guide rails of a trailer frame. A load lift assembly is mounted on the trailer and is movable between lowered, loading position, a raised position, and a transport position. It is capable of connecting to a load having a three-point hitch. A gas strut may optionally be equipped to aid in the lifting process. A telescoping light bar may be included to increase safety while in transport.

A vehicle-attached lifting device and tool support is provided. The device comprises a dual-rail frame supported in an upright configuration by the vehicle tow hitch, wherein an internal subassembly support frame is positioned between the rails for the purposes of supporting different lifting and tool support subassemblies. Along the sides of the upright frame is a pair of ground support members that extend downward towards the ground to support the frame during operation, preventing the load from compressing the vehicle suspension or damaging the same. A winch controls the vertical positioning of the support frame within the dual-rail frame, which controls the position of a lifting or tool support subassembly. Many subassemblies are contemplated for use with the present invention for the purposes of assisting a user without requiring manual input therefrom. The device can also adjust with relation to the vehicle using different trailer hitch attachments.

A header for a crop harvesting machine includes front and rear wheel arrangements that pivot about respective upright axis between a field orientation and a perpendicular transport orientation, while having respective suspensions arrangements movable between different suspended heights. A biasing spring provides lift assist to carry weight of the wheel arrangement during adjustment of the suspension elevation while being isolated from the suspension once set at any one elevation. The front wheel arrangement includes an anti-rotation latch that locks the front wheel in the field orientation automatically upon disconnection of a hitch arm. A second wheel of the rear wheel arrangement can be held in a raised position relative to a first wheel in a field orientation. Load bearing surfaces between the suspended rear wheels and the header frame abut one another when latching to the header frame to isolate the suspension from the header frame in the transport orientation.

An agricultural vehicle including a chassis and a sectional header system carried by the chassis. The sectional header system includes a center section connected to the chassis and having a pair of lateral ends, at least one additional section, and at least one coupling assembly. The at least one coupling assembly includes at least one actuator and at least one connector. The at least one coupling assembly removably connects the center section to the at least one additional section. The at least one additional section is coupled to the center section in harvesting of a crop material and the at least one additional section is decoupled from the center section in transportation of the sectional header system.

An agricultural implement for use with a tractor. The agricultural implement comprises a main body, a hitch, a plurality of wheel support assemblies, and a pair of wheels coupled to each of the wheel support assemblies. Each of the wheel support assemblies includes a longitudinal support assembly extending rearward from the main body. The wheel support assemblies further include a transverse support assembly coupled to the longitudinal support assembly, with each of the wheels of the pair of wheels being disposed on opposite sides of the transverse support assembly, and with the transverse support assembly being rotatable relative to the main body, such that raising one wheel of the pair of wheels causes the corresponding lowering of another wheel of the pair of wheels. The wheel support assemblies also include a rotational damping mechanism for restricting rotation of the transverse assembly and the pair of wheels relative to the main body.

An agricultural harvesting head for an agricultural combine has a first gauge wheel assembly coupled to a laterally extending frame that is convertible from (a) a harvesting position in which the first gauge wheel assembly supports the frame during crop harvesting, to (b) a transport position in which the first gauge wheel assembly supports the at least one section for transport on the road.

A hitch assembly for use by an agricultural machine, in particular a self-propelled windrower, allowing the adjustable position of a hitch for use in both the towing of implements during field operations and the transportation of implements from one location to another. The adjustable hitch advantageously provides stability during the transportation position and is up and out of the way of crop flow during field use.