TRANSPORT LOAD SPREADING DEVICE

Abstract

An agricultural or industrial implement has a main frame including longitudinal and cross frame members. Rear main lift wheels are connected to rear lift wheel arms that are pivotally connected to the main frame and can be raised and lowered using a hydraulic lift cylinder. Each hydraulic lift cylinder is connected to a center pivot of a lug. The lug has a lower connection point connected to a lug anchor, which is connected to a rear cross frame member. The lug also has an upper connection point connected to two load members. One of the load members extends diagonally forward from the upper connection point and connects to one of the longitudinal frame members located to the left of the lug. Another of the load members extends diagonally forward from the upper connection point and connects to one of the longitudinal frame members located to the right of the lug.

Claims

1. An agricultural or industrial implement, comprising: a main frame including at least two longitudinal frame members, at least one fore cross frame member, and at least one aft cross frame member; at least one rear main lift wheel connected to at least one rear lift wheel arm, each said at least one rear lift wheel arm being pivotally connected to said main frame and being actuated between a raised position and a lowered position by a hydraulic lift cylinder; each said hydraulic lift cylinder being connected to a center pivot of a lug, each said lug having a lower connection point being connected to a lug anchor, each said lug anchor being connected to said at least one aft cross frame member, each said lug having an upper connection point being connected to at least two connecting load members; one of said at least two connecting load members extending diagonally forward from said upper connection point of each said lug and connecting to one of said at least two longitudinal frame members located to the left of said lug; and another of said at least two connecting load members extending diagonally forward from said upper connection point of each said lug and connecting to one of said at least two longitudinal frame members located to the right of said lug.

2. The agricultural or industrial implement of claim 1, wherein: said connecting load member connecting to said longitudinal frame member located to the left of each said lug using a left attachment plate; and said connecting load member connecting to said longitudinal frame member located to the right of each said lug using a right attachment plate.

3. The agricultural or industrial implement of claim 2, wherein: said longitudinal frame member located to the left of each said lug and said longitudinal frame member located to the right of each said lug each being in the form of a truss with an upper longitudinal frame member and a lower longitudinal frame member; said left attachment plate being attached to said upper longitudinal frame member and to said lower longitudinal frame member of said longitudinal frame member located to the left of each said lug; and said right attachment plate being attached to said upper longitudinal frame member and to said lower longitudinal frame member of said longitudinal frame member located to the right of each said lug.

4. The agricultural or industrial implement of claim 2, wherein: said left attachment plate being attached to said longitudinal frame member located to the left of each said lug at a point where said longitudinal frame member intersects said at least one fore cross frame member; and said right attachment plate being attached to said longitudinal frame member located to the right of each said lug at a point where said longitudinal frame member intersects said at least one fore cross frame member.

5. The agricultural or industrial implement of claim 4, wherein: each of said left attachment plate and said right attachment plate describes a hook about said at least one fore cross frame member.

6. The agricultural or industrial implement of claim 1, wherein: said at least one rear main lift wheel and said at least one rear lift wheel arm further comprises at least two rear main lift wheels and at least two rear lift wheel arms.

7. The agricultural or industrial implement of claim 6, wherein: said at least two rear lift wheel arms being pivotally connected to said main frame using a rockshaft, said rockshaft coordinating the motion of said at least two rear lift wheel arms.

8. The agricultural or industrial implement of claim 7, further comprising: a hinged pull hitch extending forward from said main frame; and a rockshaft to pull hitch linkage assembly connected to said rockshaft and to said hinged pull hitch, said rockshaft to pull hitch linkage assembly causing said hinged pull hitch to rotate downward when said at least two rear lift wheel arms are rotated into the lowered position.

9. The agricultural or industrial implement of claim 1, further comprising: at least one wing section.

10. The agricultural or industrial implement of claim 9, wherein: each said at least one wing section having a wing frame including at least two longitudinal wing frame members, at least one fore wing cross frame member, and at least one aft wing cross frame member; each said at least one wing section having at least one rear wing lift wheel connected to at least one wing lift wheel arm, each said at least one wing lift wheel arm being pivotally connected to said wing frame and being actuated between a raised position and a lowered position by a hydraulic wing lift cylinder; each said hydraulic wing lift cylinder being connected to a center pivot of a wing lug, each said wing lug having a lower connection point being connected to a wing lug anchor, each said wing lug anchor being connected to said at least one aft wing cross frame member, each said wing lug having an upper connection point being connected to at least two wing connecting load members; one of said at least two wing connecting load members extending diagonally forward from said upper connection point of each said wing lug and connecting to one of said at least two longitudinal wing frame members located to the left of said wing lug; and another of said at least two wing connecting load members extending diagonally forward from said upper connection point of each said wing lug and connecting to one of said at least two longitudinal wing frame members located to the right of said wing lug.

11. A main lift wheel assembly of an agricultural or industrial implement having a main frame including at least two longitudinal frame members, at least one fore cross frame member, and at least one aft cross frame member, and a pull hitch extending forward from the main frame, comprising: at least one rear main lift wheel connected to at least one rear lift wheel arm, each said at least one rear lift wheel arm being pivotally connected to the main frame and being actuated between a raised position and a lowered position by a hydraulic lift cylinder; each said hydraulic lift cylinder being connected to a center pivot of a lug, each said lug having a lower connection point being connected to a lug anchor, each said lug anchor being connected to the at least one aft cross frame member, each said lug having an upper connection point being connected to at least two connecting load members; one of said at least two connecting load members extending diagonally forward from said upper connection point of each said lug and connecting to one of the at least two longitudinal frame members located to the left of said lug; and another of said at least two connecting load members extending diagonally forward from said upper connection point of each said lug and connecting to one of the at least two longitudinal frame members located to the right of said lug.

12. The main lift wheel assembly of claim 11, wherein: said connecting load member connecting to the longitudinal frame member located to the left of each said lug using a left attachment plate; and said connecting load member connecting to the longitudinal frame member located to the right of each said lug using a right attachment plate.

13. The main lift wheel assembly of claim 12, wherein: the longitudinal frame member located to the left of each said lug and the longitudinal frame member located to the right of each said lug each being in the form of a truss with an upper longitudinal frame member and a lower longitudinal frame member; said left attachment plate being attached to said upper longitudinal frame member and to said lower longitudinal frame member of the longitudinal frame member located to the left of each said lug; and said right attachment plate being attached to said upper longitudinal frame member and to said lower longitudinal frame member of the longitudinal frame member located to the right of each said lug.

14. The main lift wheel assembly of claim 12, wherein: said left attachment plate being attached to the longitudinal frame member located to the left of each said lug at a point where the longitudinal frame member intersects the at least one fore cross frame member; and said right attachment plate being attached to the longitudinal frame member located to the right of each said lug at a point where the longitudinal frame member intersects the at least one fore cross frame member.

15. The main lift wheel assembly of claim 14, wherein: each of said left attachment plate and said right attachment plate describes a hook about the at least one fore cross frame member.

16. The main lift wheel assembly of claim 11, wherein: said at least one rear main lift wheel and said at least one rear lift wheel arm further comprises at least two rear main lift wheels and at least two rear lift wheel arms.

17. The main lift wheel assembly of claim 16, wherein: said at least two rear lift wheel arms being pivotally connected to the main frame using a rockshaft, said rockshaft coordinating the motion of said at least two rear lift wheel arms.

18. The main lift wheel assembly of claim 17, further comprising: a hinge connecting the pull hitch to the main frame; and a rockshaft to pull hitch linkage assembly connected to said rockshaft and to the hinged pull hitch, said rockshaft to pull hitch linkage assembly causing the hinged pull hitch to rotate downward when said at least two rear lift wheel arms are rotated into the lowered position.

19. A method of providing an agricultural or industrial implement that is reconfigurable between an operating configuration and a transport configuration, comprising the steps of: providing a main frame including at least two longitudinal frame members, at least one fore cross frame member, and at least one aft cross frame member; providing at least one rear main lift wheel connected to at least one rear lift wheel arm, pivotally connecting each said at least one rear lift wheel arm to said main frame and actuating each said at least one rear lift wheel arm between a raised position when in said transport configuration and a lowered position when in said operating configuration using a hydraulic lift cylinder; connecting each said hydraulic lift cylinder to a center pivot of a lug, connecting a lower connection point of each said lug to a lug anchor, connecting each said lug anchor to said at least one aft cross frame member, and connecting an upper connection point of each said lug to at least two connecting load members; extending one of said at least two connecting load members diagonally forward from said upper connection point of each said lug and connecting it to one of said at least two longitudinal frame members located to the left of said lug; and extending another of said at least two connecting load members diagonally forward from said upper connection point of each said lug and connecting it to one of said at least two longitudinal frame members located to the right of said lug.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: providing at least one wing section, each said at least one wing section having a wing frame including at least two longitudinal wing frame members, at least one fore wing cross frame member, and at least one aft wing cross frame member; providing each said at least one wing section with at least one rear wing lift wheel connected to at least one wing lift wheel arm, pivotally connecting each said at least one wing lift wheel arm to said wing frame and actuating each said at least one wing lift wheel arm between a raised position when transitioning to said transport configuration and a lowered position when transitioning to said operating configuration using a hydraulic wing lift cylinder; connecting each said hydraulic wing lift cylinder to a center pivot of a wing lug, connecting a lower connection point of each said wing lug to a wing lug anchor, connecting each said wing lug anchor to said at least one aft wing cross frame member, connecting an upper connection point of each said wing lug to at least two wing connecting load members; extending one of said at least two wing connecting load members diagonally forward from said upper connection point of each said wing lug and connecting it to one of said at least two longitudinal wing frame members located to the left of said wing lug; and extending another of said at least two wing connecting load members diagonally forward from said upper connection point of each said wing lug and connecting it to one of said at least two longitudinal wing frame members located to the right of said wing lug.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a top front isometric view of a center frame section of an agricultural tillage implement according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0020] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a rear lift wheel arm and main hydraulic lift cylinder arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0021] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a rear lift wheel arm and main hydraulic lift cylinder arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0022] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a rear lift wheel arm and main hydraulic lift cylinder arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a top view of a rear lift wheel arm and main hydraulic lift cylinder arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0024] FIG. 6 is a top front isometric view of a wing frame section of an agricultural tillage implement according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-5, there is shown an agricultural tillage implement 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the form of a field cultivator 10 for tilling and finishing soil prior to seeding. The field cultivator 10 is configured as a multi-section field cultivator, and includes a center frame section 12, left inner wing section 14A, right inner wing section 14B, left outer wing section 16A (not shown), and right outer wing section 16B (not shown). Center frame section 12 is the center section that is directly towed by a traction unit, such as an agricultural tractor (not shown), in a travel direction 22. Center frame section 12 carries main shank frame 24 for tilling the soil, and is connected to pull hitch 18, which extends forward from main shank frame 24 of center frame section 12 in travel direction 22. Pull hitch 18 may be connected to the center frame section 12 by way of a pull hitch hinge 20. Main shank frame 24 carries cultivator shanks 30 with shovels 32 at their lower ends for tilling the soil, as do the wing shank frames 26A, 26B, 28A, and 28B (not shown).

[0027] Main shank frame 24 includes longitudinal frame members 34, fore cross frame members 36, and aft cross frame members 38. Note that longitudinal frame members 34 may be in the form of trusses, such that longitudinal frame member 34 includes an upper member 34A and a lower member 34B interconnected by plates and/or by the perpendicular cross frame members 36, 38. Rear main lift wheels 40 are used for raising and lowering the main shank frame 24 using main hydraulic lift cylinders 42 connected to rear lift wheel arms 44. Rear lift wheel arms 44 may be attached to a rockshaft 54, which serves to coordinate motion between the rear lift wheel arms 44, and may further actuate a rockshaft to hinged pull hitch link 56. The rockshaft to hinged pull hitch link 56 transmits motion to the hinged pull hitch 18 by way of a link to hitch bell crank 58 and a bell crank to hinged pull hitch turnbuckle 60, causing the pull hitch 18 to rotate about the pull hitch hinge 20. Front gauge wheels 62 are used to level the field cultivator 10 fore and aft during a field operation.

[0028] During use, it is periodically necessary to move the field cultivator 10 from an unfolded (operating) position to a folded (transport) position. First, each outer wing section 16A and 16B (not shown) are folded approximately 180° laterally inward and over a respective inner wing section 14A and 14B, using outer wing fold cylinders 68 (not shown). With the outer wing sections 16A and 16B in the folded state, the inner wing sections 14A and 14B are then folded inward over the center frame section 12 using inner wing fold cylinders 66. To unfold the field cultivator 10 and reconfigure the field cultivator 10 back to the field or operating position, the folding sequence described above is simply reversed.

[0029] Commonly the wing sections 14A, 14B, 16A, and 16B are placed in the folded transport position when the field cultivator 10 is prepared for transport between fields. At this point, the main hydraulic lift cylinders 42 lift the entire weight of the field cultivator 10 onto the rear main lift wheels 40, which weight may be substantial. Further, by extending the main hydraulic lift cylinders 42 and rotating the rear lift wheel arms 44 downwards, the rockshaft 54 pivots the rockshaft to hinged pull hitch link 56 forward. The rockshaft to hinged pull hitch link 56, acting through the link to hitch bell crank 58 and a bell crank to hinged pull hitch turnbuckle 60, thereby rotates the pull hitch 18 downward about the pull hitch hinge 20. This action further lifts the front of the field cultivator 10, providing additional clearance above the ground surface for the cultivator shanks 30 and shovels 32.

[0030] Therefore, all of the force necessary to raise the body of the field cultivator 12, including the wing sections 14A, 14B, 16A, and 16B, as well as the force necessary to lift the front of the field cultivator using the hinged pull hitch 18, is generated by the two main hydraulic lift cylinders 42. In order to provide an anchor point for the two main hydraulic lift cylinders 42, while distributing the reaction force over a greater part of the main shank frame 24 of the center frame section, lugs 46 are provided each having a center pivot point 46B to which the main hydraulic lift cylinder 42 is connected. The lugs 46 also have end connection points 46A, 46C, the lower one 46C of which is connected to a lug anchor 48 attached to an aft cross frame member 38, and the upper one 46A of which is connected to connecting load members 50.

[0031] In the embodiment of the present invention shown, there are two connecting load members 50 for each lug 46, which are connected to the uppermost connection point 46A of the lug 46 and extend diagonally forward to connecting load member attachment plates 52. The connecting load member attachment plates 52 are attached to longitudinal frame members 34 of the main shank frame 24 of the center frame section 12 on either side of the lug 46 and main hydraulic lift cylinders 42. The connecting load member attachment plates 52 may, when used with a main shank frame 24 having longitudinal frame members 34 in the form of trusses having upper members 34A and lower members 34B, connect to the upper members 34A and lower members 34B.

[0032] Further, the connecting load member attachment plates 52 may attach to the longitudinal frame members 34 at a point where a fore cross frame member 36 passes through the longitudinal frame member 34 so that the connecting load member attachment plate 52 extends forward of the fore cross frame member 36 in its attachment to the longitudinal frame member 34 and wraps around the fore cross frame member 36, both above and below the fore cross frame member 36. In this embodiment, the connecting load member attachment plate 52 describes a “hook” around the fore cross frame member 36. The connecting load member attachment plate 52 may be welded to the longitudinal frame member 34 or to the fore cross frame member 36, or to both. The connecting load member attachment plate 52 may extend upwards and rearwards at an angle from the longitudinal frame member 34 and inwards at an angle towards the lug 46, providing an attachment point for the connecting load members 50.

[0033] Turning now to FIG. 6, left outer wing section 16A is shown, illustrating how wing lift wheels 64 are used for raising and lowering the left outer wing shank frame 28A using wing hydraulic lift cylinders 70 connected to wing lift arms 72. Each wing lift wheel 64 of left inner wing section 14A, right inner wing section 14B, left outer wing section 16A, and right outer wing section 16B (not shown) has a similar wing hydraulic lift cylinder 70 actuating a wing lift wheel arm 72. Left inner wing shank frame 26A, right inner wing shank frame 26B, left outer wing shank frame 28A, and right outer wing shank frame 28B (not shown) are thereby raised and lowered using wing hydraulic lift cylinders 70 connected to wing lift wheel arms 72. Wing lift wheel arms 72 may again be attached to a rockshaft 82.

[0034] Each wing hydraulic lift cylinder 70 may be connected to a lug 74, lug anchor 76, and connecting load member 78 arrangement similar to the lug 46, lug anchor 48, and connecting load members 50 used with the main hydraulic lift cylinders 42. Lugs 74 each have a center pivot point 74B to which the wing hydraulic lift cylinder 70 is connected. The lug 74 also has end connection points 74A, 74C, the lower one 76C of which is connected to the lug anchor 76 attached to an aft cross frame member 38, and the upper one 74A of which is connected to connecting load members 78. Due to the lighter load of wing hydraulic lift cylinder 70 supporting the wing section 14A, 14B, 16A, or 16B, only a single connecting load member attached to a fore cross frame member 36 may be used. Alternately, as shown, two connecting load members 78 may be used for each lug 74 of each wing hydraulic lift cylinder 70, along with connecting load member attachment plates 80 attached to longitudinal frame members 34, in the same way that such lug 46, lug anchor 48, connecting load members 50, and connecting load member attachment plates 52 are used with the main hydraulic lift cylinders 42.

[0035] Note that longitudinal frame members 34 of wing sections 14A, 14B, 16A, and 16B may again be in the form of trusses, such that longitudinal frame member 34 includes an upper member 34A and a lower member 34B interconnected by plates and/or by the perpendicular cross frame members 36, 38. As with the center frame section 12, the connecting load member attachment plates 80 may attach to the longitudinal frame members 34 at a point where a fore cross frame member 36 passes through the longitudinal frame member 34 so that the connecting load member attachment plate 80 extends forward of the fore cross frame member 36 in its attachment to the longitudinal frame member 34 and wraps around the fore cross frame member 36, both above and below the fore cross frame member 36. In this embodiment, the connecting load member attachment plate 80 also describes a “hook” around the fore cross frame member 36. The connecting load member attachment plate 80 may be welded to the longitudinal frame member 34 or to the fore cross frame member 36, or to both. The connecting load member attachment plate 80 may extend upwards and rearwards at an angle from the longitudinal frame member 34 and inwards at an angle towards the lug 74, providing an attachment point for the connecting load members 78.

[0036] Although the rear main lift wheels 40 using main hydraulic lift cylinders 42 connected to rear lift wheel arms 44 and to lugs 46 connected to lug anchors 48 and to at least two connecting load members 50, and the wing lift wheels 62 using wing hydraulic lift cylinders 70 connected to wing lift wheel arms 72 and to lugs 74 connected to lug anchors 76 and to at least two connecting load members 78 as described above are shown used with an agricultural tillage implement 5 in the form of a field cultivator 10, it is contemplated that this arrangement may be employed in any agricultural or industrial implement wherein it is advantageous to raise and lower the implement while spreading the load over the frame of the implement.

[0037] While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.