Agricultural implement standard mount

An agricultural implement including a coupling mechanism for coupling to a vehicle and a frame having a tool tube with a top, which is coupled to the coupling mechanism. The frame is adapted to be pulled by the vehicle. The agricultural implement includes a plurality of wheel assemblies coupled to the frame, which support the frame above a surface. The agricultural implement includes a tool tube bracket coupled to the tool tube. The agricultural implement includes a standard having a mounting portion and a tool-receiving portion. The mounting portion is coupled to the tool tube bracket for translational adjustment of a position of the standard relative to the tool tube. The agricultural implement includes a tool coupled to the tool-receiving portion of the standard.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to agricultural implements for conditioning soil, and more particularly to adjustable standard mounts for agricultural implements.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

In order to mount a standard to an agricultural implement, agricultural implements commonly include two square u-bolts. The square u-bolts mount over a top of a gang tube of a frame of the agricultural implement.

Each square u-bolt then passes through a first bracket, beside the standard, and through a second bracket having an underside. The square u-bolts are secured to the underside of the second bracket with nuts. This embodiment is used on the Landoll® 6230 Disc and on the Sunflower® 1212 Disc.

Alternatively, each square u-bolt mounts over the top of the gang tube and passes through a hole in the standard. The square u-bolts are secured with at least one nut. This embodiment is used on the John Deere® 2410 Chisel Plow.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one embodiment, an agricultural implement includes a coupling mechanism for coupling to a vehicle. The agricultural implement includes a frame having a tool tube with a top. The frame is coupled to the coupling mechanism and extends from the coupling mechanism. The frame is adapted to be pulled by the vehicle in a direction of travel. The agricultural implement includes a plurality of wheel assemblies coupled to the frame. The wheel assemblies support the frame above a surface. The agricultural implement includes a tool tube bracket having an adjustment feature. The tool tube bracket is coupled to the tool tube without extending over the top and the top of the tool tube, above the tool tube bracket, is exposed. The agricultural implement includes a standard having a mounting portion and a tool-receiving portion. The mounting portion is coupled to the adjustment feature for translational adjustment of a position of the standard relative to the tool tube. The agricultural implement includes a tool coupled to the tool-receiving portion of the standard.

In another embodiment, an agricultural implement includes a coupling mechanism for coupling to a vehicle. The agricultural implement includes a frame having a tool tube with a top that is coupled to the coupling mechanism and extends from the coupling mechanism. The frame is adapted to be pulled by the vehicle in a direction of travel. The agricultural implement includes a plurality of wheel assemblies coupled to the frame. The wheel assemblies support the frame above a surface. The agricultural implement includes a tool tube bracket having an elongated slot. The tool tube bracket is coupled to the tool tube wherein the top of the tool tube, above the tool tube bracket, is exposed. The agricultural implement includes a standard having a mounting portion and a tool-receiving portion. The mounting portion is coupled to the elongated slot for translational adjustment of a position of the standard relative to the tool tube. The agricultural implement includes a tool coupled to the tool-receiving portion of the standard.

In yet another embodiment, an agricultural implement includes a coupling mechanism for coupling to a vehicle. The agricultural implement includes a frame having a tool tube with a top that is coupled to the coupling mechanism and extends from the coupling mechanism. The frame is adapted to be pulled by the vehicle in a direction of travel. The agricultural implement includes a plurality of wheel assemblies coupled to the frame. The wheel assemblies support the frame above a surface. The agricultural implement includes a tool tube bracket having a first elongated slot and a second elongated slot. The tool tube bracket is coupled to the tool tube wherein the top of the tool tube, above the tool tube bracket, is exposed. The agricultural implement includes a disk gang assembly and fasteners. The agricultural implement includes a standard having a mounting portion and a tool-receiving portion. The disk gang assembly is coupled to the tool receiving portion. The mounting portion is coupled to the first elongated slot with a first fastener of the fasteners and the second elongated slot with a second fastener of the fasteners.

Other features and aspects will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-3illustrate an agricultural implement10. Referring toFIG. 1, the illustrated agricultural implement10includes a coupling mechanism15for coupling to a vehicle (not shown).

A frame20having a plurality of tool tubes23, each with a top25, is coupled to the coupling mechanism15. The frame20extends rearwardly from the coupling mechanism15in a direction opposite of a direction of travel30.

A plurality of wheel assemblies35are coupled to the frame20. The wheel assemblies35support the frame20above a surface40.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of tool tube brackets45are coupled to each tool tube23. Each tool tube bracket45is coupled to the tool tube23without extending over the top25and the top25of the tool tube23, above the tool tube bracket45, is exposed such that no plates, fasteners, or other structure extends over the top25. The tool tube bracket45may be welded to the tool tube23or attached with fasteners. Welding enables a more rigid attachment method.

A standard90having a mounting portion95, a tool-receiving portion100, and an aperture (not shown) is coupled to the tool tube bracket45. The tool-receiving portion100of the standard90is coupled to a tool105(FIG. 1). The tool105may be a disk gang assembly107.

Each tool tube bracket45has an adjustment feature50. The mounting portion95of the standard90is coupled to the adjustment feature50, which is configured for translational adjustment of a position of the standard90relative to the tool tube23. Such translational adjustment is, for example, a lateral adjustment of the position of the standard90relative to the direction of travel30.

The adjustment feature50of the tool tube bracket45includes a first elongated slot55and a second elongated slot60. The adjustment feature50may include greater than or less than two slots.

The tool tube bracket45may be H-shaped such that the tool tube bracket45includes a first side portion65having a first pair of upwardly-directed opposing flanges70. The first side portion65includes the first elongated slot55. The tool tube bracket45also includes a second side portion75having a second pair of upwardly-directed opposing flanges80. The second side portion75includes the second elongated slot60. Referring toFIG. 3, the tool tube bracket45further includes a connecting portion85that connects the first side portion65to the second side portion75. The tool tube23of the frame20is positioned between the first pair of upwardly-directed opposing flanges70and the second pair of upwardly-directed opposing flanges80. The tool tube23may be welded to the first and second pairs of upwardly-directed opposing flanges70,80.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, a first standard bracket110is coupled to the mounting portion95of the standard90opposite the tool tube bracket45. The first standard bracket110may be substantially rectangular or substantially triangular. The standard bracket110that is substantially rectangular allows for fine adjustments. A second standard bracket115is coupled to the first elongated slot55of the first side portion65opposite the mounting portion95of the standard90.

A first fastener120and a second fastener125pass through the first standard bracket110, beside the standard90, through the first elongated slot55, and through the second standard bracket115such that the first fastener120and the second fastener125are each in sliding engagement with the first elongated slot55when the first and second fasteners120,125are loosened. The first and second fasteners120,125are re-positionable in the first elongated slot55lengthwise thereof or laterally relative to the direction of travel30.

A third fastener130passes through the aperture of the standard90, through the second elongated slot60, and through a washer135such that the third fastener130is in sliding engagement with the second elongated slot60when the third fastener130is loosened. The third fastener130is re-positionable in the second elongated slot60lengthwise thereof or laterally relative to the direction of travel30. Alternatively, the third fastener130may first pass through the first standard bracket110or the third fastener130may pass through the aperture of the standard90, through the tool tube bracket45, and through a washer135.

Various features are set forth in the following claims.