Patent ID: 7543657
Filing Date: 2009-06-09
Classification: A01B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for tilling a field, the apparatus comprising: a frame including a rearward frame section having a plurality of tillers; said rearward frame includes a transverse tube and a rear transverse tube connected by supports; a rigid continuous crossbar attached to the rearward frame section by first, second and third mounting bars, the rigid continuous crossbar having an axis in a direction of movement of the apparatus when tilling the field and having first and second portions that are stationary with respect to each other; said rigid continuous crossbar having a lateral axis parallel and adjacent to the rear transverse tube; wherein the rearward frame section and said rigid continuous crossbar rotate about a horizontal fore-aft axis generally through a center of the frame; a left and right outermost wheel support gang pivotably connected to the rigid continuous crossbar such that the outermost wheel support gang pivots with respect to the rigid continuous crossbar about an axis perpendicular to the rigid continuous crossbar; a linkage assembly connected to the rearward frame section and to the rigid continuous crossbar inward from the left and right outermost wheel support gang; an inner wheel support gang pivotably connected to the rigid continuous crossbar by a pivoting mounting bracket of the linkage assembly such that the inner wheel support gang pivots with respect to the rigid continuous crossbar about an axis perpendicular to the rigid continuous crossbar; a first plurality of rotatable press wheels suspended from the inner wheel support gang; a second plurality of rotatable press wheels suspended from the left outermost wheel support gang; a third plurality of rotatable press wheels suspended from the right outermost wheel support gang; wherein the press wheels of the left and right outermost wheel support gangs follow a contour of the field when the apparatus is pulled across the field; and wherein the inner wheel support gang may be pivoted away or toward the direction of the axis of the rigid continuous crossbar such that the press wheels of the inner wheel support gang follow a contour of the field when the apparatus is pulled across the field.