Patent ID: 8657026
Filing Date: 2014-02-25
Classification: A01B

Abstract:
1. A ground working implement comprising: an elongate tool bar; ground wheels supporting the tool bar for movement across the ground in a forward working direction at right angles to the tool bar; a plurality of frame sections including a lead section and a pair of secondary sections coupled to the tool bar; a plurality of working elements supported on the frame sections coupled to the tool bar for movement relative the frame sections between opposing first and second positions; a plurality of hydraulic actuators including a pair of lead actuators supported on the lead section and a plurality of secondary actuators supported on the secondary sections respectively; each hydraulic actuator having a first fluid port arranged to extend the actuator when receiving hydraulic fluid therein and a second fluid port arranged to retract the actuator when receiving hydraulic fluid therein; some of the hydraulic actuators being mounted in a first orientation relative to the tool bar so as to be arranged to displace the respective working elements in a first direction from the first position towards the second position when the hydraulic actuator is extended; some of the hydraulic actuators being mounted in a second orientation relative to the tool bar opposite the first orientation so as to be arranged to displace the respective working elements in the first direction from the first position towards the second position when the hydraulic actuator is retracted; the pair of lead actuators being associated with the working elements on the lead section to displace the working elements on the lead section between the opposing first and second positions; each secondary actuator being associated with the working elements on the respective secondary section to displace the working elements on the respective secondary section between the opposing first and second positions; each secondary actuator being connected in series with a respective one of the lead actuators so as to form a common hydraulic circuit in a phasing relationship therewith and so as to be in an opposing orientation relative to said respective one of the lead actuators; the two lead actuators being arranged to communicate with a common hydraulic fluid supply such that the two common hydraulic circuits of the two lead actuators respective are in parallel with one another; the pair of lead actuators being mechanically coupled so as to be arranged for movement together with the working elements of the lead section between the first and second positions of the respective working elements by the mechanical coupling therebetween; each secondary actuator being mounted in an opposing one of the first and second orientations relative to the respective lead actuator such that one of the first and second fluid ports of the secondary actuator is coupled to the same one of the first and second fluid ports of the lead actuator of the respective common hydraulic circuit and such that all of the working elements associated with the both common hydraulic circuits are simultaneously displaced in a common direction when supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure commonly to the lead actuators.