Patent ID: 7040552
Filing Date: 2006-05-09
Classification: A01C,A01M,F15B

Abstract:
1. In an applicator apparatus comprising a vehicle adapted for movement along the ground, a conventional hydraulic source supplied by a pump from a hydraulic fluid reservoir, an applicator boom extending laterally from the vehicle and pivotally attached to the vehicle such that the applicator boom can pivot up and down with respect to the vehicle, an extendable hydraulic shoulder cylinder operatively connected between the vehicle and the applicator boom and connected to the conventional hydraulic source such that the shoulder cylinder moves in a first direction to lower the applicator boom when a conventional valve control directs hydraulic fluid through a lowering conduit into a lowering port of the shoulder cylinder, and moves in an opposite second direction to raise the applicator boom when the conventional valve control directs hydraulic fluid through a raising conduit into a raising port of the shoulder cylinder, a gauge member kit for attachment to the applicator apparatus, the kit comprising: a gauge member adapted to ride along a surface of the ground and adapted for attachment to an outer portion of the applicator boom to support the applicator boom such that the applicator boom can move up and down with the gauge member as the gauge member rides along the ground; an active hydraulic circuit adapted for operative connection to the raising conduit wherein an active operating pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the raising conduit can be controlled, and wherein hydraulic fluid can pass from the pump through the active hydraulic circuit to the raising conduit, and from the raising conduit through the active hydraulic circuit to the hydraulic fluid reservoir, whereby the shoulder cylinder extends and retracts in response to forces exerted thereon that are greater or less than a force exerted by the active operating pressure, and wherein the active operating pressure is controlled to allow the shoulder cylinder to extend and retract as required to allow the applicator boom to move up and down with the gauge member as the gauge member rides along the ground; an active control operative to switch the boom from conventional mode, wherein the conventional valve control directs hydraulic fluid through the raising conduit into the raising port of the shoulder cylinder and the active hydraulic circuit is disconnected, to active mode wherein the active operating pressure of the hydraulic fluid is present in the raising conduit.