AGRICULTURAL STACKER TOOL BAR

Abstract

An agricultural tool bar is provided with outer wings foldable between a lowered use or field position and a raised transport position. A primary pair of hydraulic cylinders fold and unfold the wings, while a secondary pair of hydraulic cylinders initially incline the wings from the horizontal use position before folding to the transport position. The secondary set of cylinders allow the tool bar to be used for narrow row planting without interference from seed boxes mounted on the toolbar center frame and the wings. The primary cylinders extend to push the wings to the transport position and retract to pull the wings to the use position.

Claims

1. An agricultural tool bar having a center frame assembly and opposite left and right wings which pivot between a lowered use position and a raised transport position, comprising: left and right fold arms, each having an inner end pivotally attached to the center frame assembly and each having an outer end pivotally attached to the left and right wings, respectively; left and right hydraulic fold cylinders residing between and connected between the center frame and the left and right fold arms, respectively; and the hydraulic fold cylinders extending to fold the wings to the raised transport position and retracting to unfold the wings to the lowered use position.

2. The agricultural tool bar of claim 1 wherein the fold arms are inclined downwardly from an inner end to an outer end when the wings are in the use position.

3. The agricultural tool bar of claim 1 wherein the fold cylinders are inclined upwardly from an inner end to an outer end when the wings are in the use position.

4. The agricultural tool bar of claim 1 wherein the left fold arms and the left fold cylinders are inclined oppositely to one another, and the right fold arms and right fold cylinders are inclined oppositely to one another, when the wings are in the use position.

5. The agricultural tool bar of claim 1 further comprising left and right hydraulic flex cylinders operatively connected to the left and right wings respectively, to pivot the wings to and from an inclined position between the use and transport positions.

6. The agricultural tool bar of claim 5 further comprising a control valve to activate and deactivate the flex cylinders.

7. The agricultural tool bar of claim 1 further comprising a male and female coupling between each wing and the center frame when the wing is in the use position.

8. The agricultural tool bar of claim 1 further comprising an adjustable arm connecting each wing to the center frame.

9. The agricultural tool bar of claim 1 wherein the fold cylinders reside beneath the fold arms.

10. An agricultural tool bar having a center frame assembly and opposite left and right wings which pivot between a lowered use position and a raised transport position, comprising: left and right hydraulic flex cylinders connected to inner ends of the left and right wings, respectively, to move the wings between the use position and an upwardly inclined position between the use and transport positions.

11. The agricultural tool bar of claim 10 further comprising left and right control valves operatively connected to the left and right flex cylinders, respectively, to selectively allow the wings to float, to be fixed, or to be raised and lowered by the flex cylinders.

12. The agricultural tool bar of claim 10 further comprising left and right hydraulic fold cylinders operatively connected to the left and right wings, respectively, to move the wings between inclined position and the transport position.

13. The agricultural tool bar of claim 10 further comprising a center frame with the wings pivotally connected to the center frame, and a stop member between each wing and the center frame when the wings are in the use position.

14. An agricultural tool bar having a center frame assembly with outer ends and opposite left and right wings having inner ends pivotally connected to the outer ends of the center frame for movement between a lowered use position and a raised transport position, comprising: male and female couplings on the wing inner ends and the central frame outer ends, and the couplings engaging when the wings are in the use position.

15. The agricultural tool bar of claim 14 wherein the couplings include horizontal shafts and notches.

16. The agricultural tool bar of claim 15 further comprising left and right hydraulic cylinders operatively attached to the left and right wings, respectively, to pivot the wings for engagement and disengagement of the notches to and from the shafts.

17. A method of folding left and right outer wings of an agricultural tool bar between a lowered use position and a raised transport position, comprising: actuating a first pair of hydraulic cylinders to raise the wings from the use position to an inclined positions; and then actuating a second pair of hydraulic cylinders to raise the wings from an inclined position to a transport position.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising actuating the second pair of cylinders to lower the wings from the transport position to the inclined position, and then actuating the first pair of cylinder to lower the wings from the inclined position to the transport.

19. A method of folding left and right outer wings of an agricultural tool bar between a lowered use position and a raised transport position, comprising: extending left and right primary hydraulic cylinders operatively connected to the left and right wings, respectively, to raise the wings to the transport position; and retracting the hydraulic cylinders to lower the wings to the use position.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising retracting left and right secondary hydraulic cylinders before extending the primary hydraulic cylinders so as to pivot the wings to an upwardly inclined position and extending the secondary hydraulic cylinders after retracting the primary hydraulic cylinders so as to pivot the wings to a horizontal position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIGS. 1-2 show the stacker tool bar of the present invention with the wings unfolded downwardly to a field use position.

[0022] FIGS. 3-4 show the stacker tool bar with the wings folded upwardly in the transport position.

[0023] More particularly, FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the stacker tool bar in the use position, without any planter equipment (such as row units with seed hoppers) mounted thereon.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the stacker tool bar.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the stacker tool bar with wings folded up in the transport position (and with some of the vacuum tubes for seed planting removed for clarity).

[0026] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the stacker tool bar shown in FIG. 3.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the stacker tool bar shown in FIG. 3.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the stacker tool bar showing the wings in an upwardly flexed position.

[0029] FIG. 7 is a front elevation of the wings in a downwardly flexed position.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of one end of the stacker toolbar in the use position.

[0031] FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view showing a portion of the center frame and one wing in the use position.

[0032] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view from beneath the stacker toolbar showing the stop and flex limit structure of the stacker tool bar.

[0033] FIG. 11 is an upper perspective view showing control components for the stacker tool bar of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 12 is a rear elevation view showing interference between narrow row units when the wing is folded in a conventional horizontal manner.

[0035] FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 22 showing the wing flexed upwardly for clearance between the narrow row units during wing folding, in accordance to the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 14 is a rear elevation view showing the wing in the field use position with closely spaced row units mounted on the center frame and the wing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] The stacker toolbar 10 of the present invention includes a center frame assembly 12 and opposite folding wings 14. The wings 14 are movable between a lowered field use position, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, and a raised transport position, as shown in FIGS. 3-4. A pair of hydraulic cylinders 16 can be actuated to fold and unfold the wings 14.

[0038] Since the wings 14 are mirror images of one another, the following description for one wing also applies to the other wing.

[0039] As best seen in FIG. 3, a fold arm 18 has an outer end pivotally connected to the inner end of the wing 14, and an inner end pivotally connected to the center frame assembly 12. The hydraulic fold cylinder 16 is pivotally connected by a pin 17 at its fixed end to the center frame 12, while the rod 20 of the cylinder 16 is pivotally connected by a pin 21 to the fold arm 18, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. This position of the fold cylinder 16 on top of the center frame 12 and beneath the fold arm 18 provides a larger, unobstructed open area between the fold arms 18 when the wings 14 are folded up to the transport position, as seen in FIG. 4. This open area between the fold arms 18 allows other structural components to be mounted on the center frame 12 without interference by the folding wings 14. For example, a bulk seed fill system may be installed on the center frame 12 between the folded arms 18, which will position the bulk seed system closer to the tractor, thus reducing the lift load on the tractor/tool bar three-point hitch assemblies, while helping to eliminate the need for undesirable lift assist wheel assemblies on the tool bar. The position of the fold cylinders 16 on the bottom of the fold arm also increases the lifting capacity of the cylinder, since the cylinder can push more than it can pull. This extra lifting capacity is beneficial due to the larger load requirements which are becoming more common on tool bars.

[0040] As best shown in FIGS. 8-10, the wing 14 is connected to the fold arm 18 by a pair of mounting plates 22 residing on opposite sides of the wing 14 and the arm 18. A shaft 24 extends through the plates 22 to define the pivot axis for the wing 14. As shown in FIG. 9, the fold arm 18 is pivotally mounted to the center frame 12 by a second shaft 26 defining an inner pivot axis for the fold arm 18. As further shown in FIG. 9, when the wing 14 is in the unfolded use position, the fold arm 18 extends slightly downwardly from the inner pivot axis 26 to the outer pivot axis 24, while the fold cylinder 16 extends slightly upwardly from the fixed end axis 17 to the connection axis 21 of the rod 20 to the fold arm 18. In other words, the axis 26 is at a higher elevation than the axis 24, and the cylinder axis 17 is at a lower elevation than the rod axis 21, when the wing 14 is unfolded down. The opposite inclinations of the cylinder 16 and the fold arm 18 provide a mechanical advantage when the rod 20 is being extended or pushed to fold the wing 14 from the use position to the transport position. The downward incline of the fold arm 18 also provides a mechanical advantage with the fold cylinder 16 to hold or urge the wing 14 downwardly in the field position.

[0041] The plates 22 each include a lower notch 28 to receive a shaft or stop pin 30 at the bottom outer end of the center frame 12, as best seen in FIG. 10. The mounting plates 22 and the receipt of the stop shaft 30 in the notches 28 of the plate 22 provides a male/female coupling to assure that the wing 14 is properly positioned and centered for use in the field. The pin 30 with the plates 22 also functions to limit and minimize draft twist on the wing 14 during planting operations. The pin 30 is retained on the center frame 12 by bolt or clip 32. The pin 30 can be easily removed and replaced if excessive wear occurs.

[0042] Each wing 14 also has the ability to flex upwardly and downwardly during use in the field to accommodate uneven or unlevel ground as the tractor traverses the field. As shown in FIG. 10, a pin 34 extending through the plates 22 at the inner ends of the wing 14 and defines a flex pivot axis. Thus, the wings 14 can flex upwardly to approximately 18 (FIG. 6) and downwardly approximately 12 (FIG. 7) about the flex axis 34.

[0043] The flex feature provides another benefit during folding and unfolding the wings 14. More particularly, most conventional stacker tool bars raise and lower the wings by maintaining the wings horizontal and parallel to the center frame. This conventional system is typically used for wider row space configurations, such as 30 and 38 row space. However, due to higher yield potential and reduced weed control chemical cost, many farmers are opting to plant soybeans and other crops in narrower rows, such as 15 and 20 row space configurations. These narrow row configurations create interference of the row unit seed boxes 36 on the outer row units of the center section 12 and row unit gauge wheels 38 and disc openers on the inner end of the wing 14. See FIG. 12. In order to overcome this interference, each wing 14 is provided with a hydraulic cylinder 40 connected to the mounting plates 22 and to wing plates 23. This hydraulic flex cylinder 40 can be actuated to pivot the wing 14 upwardly about the flex pin axis 34, such that the gauge wheels 38 on the row unit on the inner end of the wing 14 will clear the seed box 36 on the row unit on the outer end of the center frame 12, when the wing 14 is folded upwardly to the transport position and downwardly to the use position, as shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 shows the wing 14 in a transport position, with the narrowly spaced row units 42.

[0044] A wing adjustor arm 48 is provided between the mounting bracket 22 and the center frame 12. The adjustor arm includes a threaded shaft 45 (FIG. 8) which can be turned to fine tune positioning of the wing 14 (similar to a turn buckle), particularly when unfolded to the use position for accurate positioning of the notches 28 of the plates 22 on the pin 30.

[0045] The stacked tool bar 10 of the present invention also includes a selector valve 46 (FIG. 11) which can selectively actuated or deactuated to control the hydraulic flex cylinder 40. When the valve 46 is turned off, the wing 14 is free to float. When the valve 44 is actuated, hydraulic fluid may be provided to the flex cylinder 40 to extend and retract the cylinder rod so as to flex the wing 14 upwardly and downwardly, or to lock the cylinder 40 against flexing by maintaining constant fluid pressure within the cylinder 40.

[0046] In the preferred embodiment, the stacker tool bar 10 also includes a radio-controlled receiver 48 (FIG. 11) to control the hydraulic functions of the fold cylinders 16 and flex cylinders 40. An SCV in the tractor controls fluid that flows the hydraulic hoses, with remote wireless instructions from the operator in the cab, via the receiver 48. The receiver 46 eliminates the need for a wire harness from the tractor cab to the tool bar 10.

[0047] Once the unfolding process is completed, and the mounting plates 22 are resting on the stop/anti-twist shaft or pin 30, the tractor hydraulic remote SCV is placed in a float position to allow the rod of the wing flex cylinder 40 to float back and forth and allow the wing to flex up and down to follow the ground contour. Alternatively, the wing 14 can be held rigid to maintain a parallel relationship between the wings 14 and the center frame 12 by leaving the tractor remote (SCV) in the centered or non-float position.

[0048] When there are narrow row units 42 on the center frame 12 and the wing 14, the folding sequence from the use position to the transport position requires the wing flex cylinder 40 to retract first to flex the wing to its maximum angle, and then wing fold cylinder 16 extends to raise the wing fold arm 18 and the attached wing 14 without interference between the seed box 36 and the gauge wheels 38. The process is reversed when lowering the wing 14 from the transport position to the field position. This hydraulic sequence is controlled by the operator via radio controlled hydraulic selector valve 46 mounted on the tool bar and a cab mounted radio control pendant sending signals to the receiver 48.

[0049] When the tractor approaches the end of the field, the wing flex cylinder 40 can be retracted by the tractor SCV so as to lift the wing upwardly, which disables the flex function. After the field turn is completed, the flex cylinder 40 can be extended by the SCV and restore the floating function of the wing 14.

[0050] During transportation, with the wings 14 folded upwardly, a pin 49 can be inserted through a slotted hole 50 (FIGS. 4 and 10) in the mounting plates 22 and wing plates 23 in order to keep the wing 14 from flexing downwardly.

[0051] It is understood that the drawings show additional structures on the toolbar 10 which are not a part of the present invention, but which are part of the overall toolbar assembly used during planting and other operations. For example, vacuum tubes 52 and hoses 54 provide operational air to the seed planters of the row units mounted on the toolbar 10. (The hoses 54 have been removed in FIGS. 3-7 for simplification of the drawings). Also, a pair of retractable legs 56 are provided on the center frame 12 for use when the tool bar 10 is disconnected from the tractor. The legs 56 are raised or removed the toolbar 10 is mounted to the three-point hitch of the tractor. The hydraulic hoses or lines 58 connect the cylinders 16 and 40 to the tractor hydraulic fluid tank (not shown).

[0052] The invention has been shown and described above with the preferred embodiments, and it is understood that many modifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.