Patent ID: 6334491
Filing Date: 2002-01-01
Classification: A01B

Abstract:
A field marker comprising:a mounting member arranged for mounting on an agricultural implement at one side thereof; a marker arm attached to the mounting member for movement between a deployed position extending outwardly of the implement to one side thereof and a retracted position; a marker element carried on a free end of the marker arm for engaging the ground, when the arm is in the deployed position, and forming a mark on the ground parallel to movement of the implement across the ground; the marker arm including an inner arm portion having an inner end attached to the mounting member and an outer arm portion attached to an outer end of the inner arm portion with the marker element on an outer end of the outer arm portion; the inner arm portion being mounted on the mounting member for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis to allow the marker arm to move upwardly and downwardly relative to the implement; a ground support wheel mounted on the inner arm portion so as to support the outer end of the inner arm portion relative to the ground; the outer arm portion being mounted on the outer end of the inner arm portion for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis to allow the marker element to move upwardly and downwardly relative to the implement; a deployment member for effecting pivotal movement of the marker arm about a generally upright axis from the deployed position to a retracted position approximately 90Â° to the deployed position in which the marker arm trails rearwardly of the mounting member; the deployment member and the ground wheel being arranged relative to the marker arm such that the marker arm, in the deployed position of the marker arm, in_the retracted position of the marker arm and in any location between the deployed_position and the retracted position, is supported relative to the ground by contact of the ground wheel with the ground and is free to pivot relative to the mounting member about the horizontal axis.