A traction unit drawn agricultural implement for treating a field along repeated generally parallel longitudinal swaths has a hydraulic system for lifting and lowering a ground engaging implement portion at the beginning and end respectively of each swath. A system for aligning the beginning of one swath with the termination of the previous swath determines initial lift and lower times and adjusts the hydraulic system to bring the times into closer conformity. Automatic lifting and lowering may utilize GPS information, or the system may be manually controlled by an implement operator.

An obstacle warning system having sensors solely positioned adjacent the lateral extremities of an implement towed by a tractor for determining the presence of an object within a given distance. An alarm generator positioned within an operator cab for the tractor provides a visual or audible signal indicating the presence of an obstacle in the forward path of the lateral extremities of the implement.

A hitch apparatus for laterally shifting a hitch point of a trailer when towed behind a towing vehicle to effectively adjust an alignment of a longitudinal axis of the trailer with respect to a longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle. The hitch apparatus may comprise a pivot frame including a forward portion configured for attachment to a towing vehicle, a rearward portion configured for attachment to the trailer, and a central portion pivotally connecting the forward and rearward portions together. At least one actuator may be connected to at least two portions of the pivot frame to pivot the portions with respect to each other. Actuation of the actuator may move the forward portion of the pivot frame between shifted left condition and a shifted right condition with respect to the rearward portion and a trailer when the rearward portion is mounted on a trailer.

An agricultural implement has front flotation wheels with a significantly increased diameter, increasing flotation and improving rolling characteristics, especially in soft soil conditions. The implement has a frame supported on front and rear wheels. Front flotation wheels are pivotally mounted to the frame about vertical axes. A hitch tongue is pivotally attached to the frame about a vertical hitch pivot axis. A wheel control mechanism connects the front flotation wheels to the hitch tongue, and is configured such that when the hitch tongue is in a neutral position the front flotation wheels roll in the operating direction, and pivoting the hitch tongue causes the front flotation wheels to pivot in the same direction.

An agricultural hitch with a system for management and guidance of maneuvers and a method employed by the hitch is provided. The hitch includes a tractor, an agricultural machine hitched by an articulated linkage, and a system for management and guidance of maneuvers, provided with a computing and control unit. The computing and control unit or of the hitched agricultural machine constitutes the master unit of the system for management and guidance of maneuvers, and is adapted to compute a set path for a maneuver to come, by employing an algorithm for prediction of paths and an algorithm for optimization of path settings, and to automatically execute the maneuver or of assisting in semiautomatic execution of the maneuver by steering the tractor and by recording, during maneuvering, the differences between the predefined set path and the real or currently estimated path.

A remote steering control and row finder, used with a tractor towing a vehicle or trailer. The remote steering control that can be retrofit to a conventional tractor and towed vehicle, and includes self-guiding features for finding a row of crops to maintain a center steer. The remote tractor includes a guide arm with an arm extension having a pivot tab proximate to a pivot block on the arm extension. The pivot block hinges about the arm extension at a block hinge. A pivot switch mounts to the arm extension, activated by the rotation of the pivot tab on the pivoting of the pivot block about the guide hinge. With the opening and closing of the pivot switch, either a hard-wired or a wireless remote console on the towed vehicle controls the steering mechanism of the remote tractor, guiding the direction of travel of the remote tractor.

The adjustable hitch assembly of the present invention is mounted to the 3 point hitch system or quick attach frame on the rear of a tractor, and allows equipment, tools and implements to be hitched thereto. The hitch assembly includes a frame for mounting to the tractor, a carriage slidably mounted to the frame, and a hitch plate extending rearwardly from the carriage. The hitch assembly also includes an actuator for adjusting the lateral position of the hitch plate relative to the tractor. The actuator is coupled to the hydraulic system of the tractor. The actuator can be controlled remotely from the cab of the tractor.

An agricultural vehicle has an implement connection hitch which is moveable relative to a rear axle of the vehicle. A system for controlling movement of the connection hitch is coupled with position sensors such as a GPS receiver. During turning maneuvers, the control system moves the hitch relative to the rear axle of the vehicle until it reaches an offset position such as to reduce the turning circle of the vehicle and a connected implement. The extent of offset may be determined automatically by the control system on identification of a connected implement.

A pull-type crop engaging machine such as a rotary mower comprises a frame mounted on transversely spaced field ground wheels for movement with a hitch arm extending to a tractor and a transport assembly attached behind the frame for moving downwardly to a transport position so that in the transport position the hitch arm extends from one end of the frame generally in the transverse direction for towing the machine in the transverse direction. The transport includes a transport ground wheel which acts to raise the frame to pass underneath the crop engaging system to support the machine on the wheel, on a second wheel behind the frame and on the hitch. The movement of the hitch and the wheel is connected and started at a position of the hitch so that the machine remains balanced. A shield behind the frame includes a portion which moves with the transport wheel.

An implement operating apparatus has a U-shaped drive frame supported on drive wheels, each pivotally mounted about a vertical wheel pivot axis. A steering control selectively pivots each drive wheel. A power source is connected through a drive control to rotate the drive wheels in either direction. First and second implements are configured to perform implement operations and to rest on the ground and when the drive frame is maneuvered to an implement loading position with respect to each implement, the implement is connectable to the drive frame and movable to an operating position supported by the drive frame. When the implement is in the operating position, the steering and drive controls are operative to move and steer the drive frame and implement along a first travel path or a second travel path oriented generally perpendicular to the first travel path.