Patent ID: 6397952
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: A01B

Abstract:
A field marker for mounting on an agricultural implement comprising:an elongated arm adapted to project outwardly laterally of the implement when in an outwardly projecting operating position and being adapted to carry a field marking device at its outer distal end for making a score mark on the ground, said elongated arm including an inner arm section and an outer arm section interconnected by a folding joint permitting said inner and outer arm sections to be folded and brought into a folded transport position; a mount for said elongated arm at an inner proximal end thereof allowing pivoting of said arm about first and second generally transverse axes such that said elongated arm can swing upwardly and downwardly about said first axis when operating on uneven ground while also allowing said arm to swing around said second axis from its outwardly projecting operating position into another position; a breakaway link including a pair of telescoping members pivotally connected to said mount and extending alongside said arm to retain said arm in the operating position but which permits said arm to swing relative to said mount about the second axis away from the operating position when an obstacle is encountered by said arm and a predetermined force on said arm has been exceeded; a resetting device associated with said breakaway link to assist in returning said arm to the operating position once the obstacle has been cleared; and an actuator for effecting movement of said folding joint to move said inner and outer arm sections between said operating position and said transport position, said actuator also being operable to hold said inner and outer arm sections in general alignment as said elongated arm is moved rearwardly when an obstacle is encountered thereby.