Patent ID: 9185837
Filing Date: 2015-11-17
Classification: A01B,A01D

Abstract:
1. A pull-type crop engaging machine for towed movement by a tractor comprising: a frame mounted on at least one field ground wheel for forward movement during field operation across ground carrying a crop; a crop engaging system mounted in a transverse direction across a front of the frame so that the frame carries the crop engaging system in the forward direction generally at right angles to the transverse direction into the crop; a hitch arm extending from the frame to a coupling hitch arranged for attachment to a hitch connector of a tractor; wherein the hitch arm is mounted at a center position of the frame; a mounting connecting the hitch arm to the frame, wherein the mounting is operable to cause movement of the hitch arm to a field position in which the hitch arm is movable by a steering system to different angles of the field position relative to the frame between a first end field position inclined forwardly and outwardly toward a first end of the frame and a second end field position inclined forwardly and outwardly toward a second end of the frame; wherein the mounting connecting the hitch arm to the frame is operable to cause movement of the hitch arm to a transport position separate from the field position in which the hitch arm extends from the frame generally in the transverse direction during transport for towing the machine in the transverse direction; at least one transport ground wheel attached to the frame for engaging the ground and supporting the frame during transport; and a deployment apparatus for deploying movement of said at least one transport ground wheel relative to the frame; said deployment apparatus including an actuating apparatus for deploying said movement relative to the frame and components responsive to positioning of the hitch arm at a predetermined intermediate angle of the field position relative to the frame, said intermediate angle being located between said first end field position and said second end field position; wherein said actuating apparatus is initiated when said hitch arm is detected by said components to be at said predetermined intermediate angle.