Flexible cultivator implement

A flexible cultivator implement frame includes a center section and two wing sections. The center section has a main portion and two side portions supported at opposing sides of the main portion for pivotal movement relative to the main portion about respective flexing axes. The flexing axes of the center section are sloped to extend forwardly and laterally outwardly relative to the forward working direction. Each wing section has an inner portion and an outer portion pivotally coupled to the inner portion about a respective flexing axis. The flexing axes of the wing sections are sloped to extend forwardly and laterally inwardly relative to the forward working direction so as to be oriented transversely to the flexing axes of the center section of the frame such that the flexible frame follows ground contours while minimizing undesirable stresses in and twisting of various pivots and frame members.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an agricultural cultivator implement including a center frame section and two wing frame sections pivotally connected at laterally opposing sides of the center frame section for floating movement about respective wing axes, and more particularly the present invention relates to a winged cultivator implement in which each of the frame sections is formed of at least two frame portions which are pivotal relative to one another about a diagonal flexing axis oriented transversely to the wing axes.

BACKGROUND

A common structure of an agricultural cultivator implement is to provide a centre frame section with two wing frame sections pivotally connected at laterally opposing sides of the centre frame section for floating movement about respective wing axes oriented generally in the forward working direction of the implement across the ground. The wings can be both pivoted upwardly to reduce the width of the implement for transport in a transport position, or remain floating about the wing axes while extending laterally outwardly in a working position.

To further improve the ability of the frame to flex over varying ground contours, it is further known to separate each frame section into two or more frame portions having some ability to flex relative to one another; however, the additional flexing can provide undesirable stress on the pivotal connections of the frame as well as undesirable twisting of various frame members of the frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a cultivator implement for towing connection to a towing vehicle for movement in a forward working direction across a soil covered ground, the implement comprising:

a frame including a center section and two wing sections extending laterally outwardly from opposing sides of the center section;the center section of the frame comprising a main portion and two side portions supported at opposing sides of the main portion for pivotal movement relative to the main portion about respective flexing axes of the center section; andthe two wing sections being pivotally connected to the side portions of the center section respectively for pivotal movement relative to the center section about respective wing axes oriented generally in the forward working direction;

a hitch supported on the center section for connection to the towing vehicle; and

a plurality of tool mounts for supporting ground working tools on the frame for cultivating the ground as the implement is towed in the forward working direction;

wherein the flexing axes are sloped to extend forwardly and laterally outwardly relative to the forward working direction.

The configuration of the flexible cultivator implement frame as described closely follows ground contours while minimizing undesirable stresses at various pivotal connections of the frame and/or undesirable twisting of various frame members of the frame.

Preferably, the flexing axes of the center section of the frame intersect one another adjacent to a rear end of the frame.

Preferably a transfer link is pivotally coupled at opposing ends to the two side portions of the center section of the frame respectively for pivotal movement about respective transfer link axes. The transfer link axes preferably intersect one another at an intersection of the flexing axes of the center section of the frame adjacent to a rear end of the frame.

The hitch may comprise two hitch arms which are pivotally coupled at respective rear ends of the hitch arms on the two side portions of the center section and which are connected at respective front ends for connection to the towing vehicle. Preferably each hitch arm is pivotally coupled to the respective side portion of the center section of the frame adjacent the respective flexing axis. Each hitch arm is preferably pivotally coupled to the respective side portion of the center section about a multi-axis pivot connection.

The implement may further comprise two center wheel sets pivotally coupled on the two side portions of the center section respectively for supporting the center section for rolling movement along the ground and a hydraulic linkage operatively connected between each center wheel set and the respective side portion of the frame for controlling a height of the wheel set relative to the respective side portion of the frame, the hydraulic linkages of the center wheel sets being hydraulically linked to one another. A mechanical linkage is preferably resiliently coupled between the two center wheel sets.

The implement may be further configured such that each side portion of the center section of the frame is mounted on a center wheel set and wherein each wing section of the frame is mounted a wing wheel set in which each center and wing wheel set comprises: i) a walking beam supporting a pair of rear wheels thereon for pivotal movement about a walking axis of the walking beam; ii) a rear height adjustment linkage controlling height of the walking axis relative to the frame; iii) a front caster wheel forwardly of the walking beam; iv) a front height adjustment linkage controlling height of the front caster wheel relative to the frame; and v) a four bar linkage operatively connected between the front and rear height adjustment linkages for adjusting height of the walking axis and the front caster wheel together.

Each wing section may further comprise an inner portion pivotally coupled to the center section and an outer portion pivotally coupled to the inner portion about a respective flexing axis of the wing section to extend laterally outward relative to the inner portion, wherein the flexing axes of the wing sections are sloped to extend forwardly and laterally inwardly relative to the forward working direction so as to be oriented transversely to the flexing axes of the center section of the frame.

When the wing sections are pivotal relative to the center section about the respective wing axes from a working position extending laterally outwardly from the opposing sides of the center section to a transport position extending generally upwardly from the opposing sides of the center section, the implement may further comprise two hydraulic wing actuators operatively connected between the center section and the wing sections respectively for displacing the wing sections between the working position and the transport position in which the hydraulic wing actuators are pivotally coupled to the center section on the two side portions respectively. Each hydraulic wing actuator may be operatively connected to the respective wing section by a floating connection allowing some floating movement of the wing section relative to the wing actuator as the wing section pivots relative to the center section about the respective wing axis.

When the wing sections are pivotal relative to the center section about the respective wing axes from a working position extending laterally outwardly from the opposing sides of the center section to a transport position extending generally upwardly from the opposing sides of the center section, the implement may further comprise two hydraulic wing actuators operatively connected between the center section and the wing sections respectively for displacing the wing sections between the working position and the transport position in which each hydraulic wing actuator is operatively connected to the respective wing section by i) a crank member pivotally mounted on the wing section at an inner side of the wing section upon which the hydraulic wing actuator is pivotally connected, and ii) a bracing link extending laterally outward in the working position from an inner end pivotally connected to the crank member and an outer end slidably connected to the wing section at a location spaced laterally outward from the crank member.

According to another important independent aspect of the present invention, the hitch comprises two hitch arms which are pivotally coupled at respective rear ends of the hitch arms on the two side portions of the center section and which are connected at respective front ends for connection to the towing vehicle.

According to another important independent aspect of the present invention, the implement further comprises:

two center wheel sets pivotally coupled on the two side portions of the center section respectively for supporting the center section for rolling movement along the ground;

a hydraulic linkage operatively connected between each center wheel set and the respective side portion of the frame for controlling a height of the wheel set relative to the respective side portion of the frame, the hydraulic linkages of the center wheel sets being hydraulically linked to one another; and

a mechanical linkage resiliently coupled between the two center wheel sets.

According to another important independent aspect of the present invention, each side portion of the center section of the frame is mounted on a center wheel set and each wing section of the frame is mounted a wing wheel set, each center and wing wheel set comprising:a walking beam supporting a pair of rear wheels thereon for pivotal movement about a walking axis of the walking beam;a rear height adjustment linkage controlling height of the walking axis relative to the frame;a front caster wheel forwardly of the walking beam;a front height adjustment linkage controlling height of the front caster wheel relative to the frame; anda four bar linkage operatively connected between the front and rear height adjustment linkages for adjusting height of the walking axis and the front caster wheel together.

According to another important independent aspect of the present invention, the wing sections are pivotal relative to the center section about the respective wing axes from a working position extending laterally outwardly from the opposing sides of the center section to a transport position extending generally upwardly from the opposing sides of the center section, the implement further comprising two hydraulic wing actuators operatively connected between the center section and the wing sections respectively for displacing the wing sections between the working position and the transport position, the hydraulic wing actuators being pivotally coupled to the center section on the two side portions respectively.

According to another important independent aspect of the present invention, the wing sections are pivotal relative to the center section about the respective wing axes from a working position extending laterally outwardly from the opposing sides of the center section to a transport position extending generally upwardly from the opposing sides of the center section, the implement further comprising two hydraulic wing actuators operatively connected between the center section and the wing sections respectively for displacing the wing sections between the working position and the transport position, each hydraulic wing actuator being operatively connected to the respective wing section by i) a crank member pivotally mounted on the wing section at an inner side of the wing section upon which the hydraulic wing actuator is pivotally connected, and ii) a bracing link extending laterally outward in the working position from an inner end pivotally connected to the crank member and an outer end slidably connected to the wing section at a location spaced laterally outward from the crank member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the accompanying figures there is illustrated a flexible winged cultivator implement generally indicated by reference numeral10. The implement is particularly suited for cultivating ground when connected by a towing connection to a tractor for movement across the ground with a tractor in a forward working direction.

The implement10generally includes a flexible frame12and a plurality of tool mounts13for supporting respective ground working tools on the frame, for example shovel openers, for cultivating the ground as the implement is towed in the forward working direction.

The flexible frame12is comprised of a centre section14and two wing sections16which extend laterally outwardly from opposing sides of the centre section in a normal working position. Each wing section16is pivotally supported at a respective side of the centre section for relative pivotal movement about a wing axis18oriented generally in the forward working direction. The wing sections are thus pivotal relative to the centre section between a working position extending laterally outward from opposing sides of the centre frame section, and a transport position in which the wing sections extend generally upwardly from the respective sides of the centre section.

The centre frame section14generally includes a main portion20and two side portions22which are pivotally supported at laterally opposing sides of the main portion20. The main portion20comprises a front beam24extending laterally across the front end of the main portion of the centre frame section. A centre beam26extends longitudinally rearward from a central location on the front beam in fixed relation thereto to span the full length of the frame between opposing front and rear ends thereof.

Each side portion22comprises a front beam28extending laterally across the front end of the side portion, a rear beam30extending laterally across a rear end of the side portion, an inner beam32connected between the front and rear beams at the inner side, and an outer beam34connected between the front and rear beams at an outer side of the side portion. An intermediate beam36also extends between the front and rear beams at an intermediate location between the inner and outer beams.

The inner ends of the front beams28are pivotally connected to respective opposing ends of the front beam24of the main portion20by respective front pivots38. The inner ends of the rear beams30are pivotally connected at a common rear pivot40at the rear end of the centre beam26. Each of the front and rear pivots38and40comprise multiaxis ball joint components so as to define two diagonal flexing axes42defining the pivotal movement of the two side portions22relative to the main portion20respectively. Each flexing axis42extends between the rear pivot40and a respective one of the front pivots38such that the two flexing axes of the centre frame section intersect one another at the rear end of the centre frame section. The two flexing axes are thus sloped relative to the forward working direction such that the two axes each extend forwardly and laterally outwardly so as to diverge from one another in the forward direction.

A hitch44is provided for connection to the towing tractor. The hitch includes two hitch arms46which are joined in laterally spaced apart relationship at the rear ends thereof by a rear crossbar48. The hitch arms extend forwardly and towards one another in fixed relation to one another so as to be also joined at the front ends thereof, and at an intermediate location by an intermediate crossbar. The rear ends of the two hitch arms46are pivotally supported on respective ones of the front beams28of the two side portions22respectively. Each rear hitch arm46is connected by a pivot connection at the inner end of the front beam28so as to be in close proximity to the front pivots38respectively. The hitch arms are primarily coupled for pivotal movement about a common horizontal axis extending through the rear ends of the two hitch arms, however each pivot connection at the rear ends of the hitch arms to the respective side portions22of the centre frame section includes a ball joint element to allow some multiaxis relative pivotal movement to accommodate for twisting of the hitch arms relative to the centre frame section about a forwardly oriented axis.

Each side portion22of the centre frame section further includes a rear brace portion comprised of an inner brace member50and an outer brace member52. The inner brace members extend upwardly from the inner ends of the rear beams30respectively at a slight diverging orientation relative to one another. Each outer brace52connects to the top end of the inner brace member50to extend generally laterally outwardly at a downward slope across most of the width of the side portion22for connection to the outer end of the rear beam30at the outer end of the brace member52. The rear brace members50and52are mounted in fixed relation to the respective side portion22of the centre frame section.

A transfer link54extends generally laterally between the top ends of the two inner brace members of the two side portions22of the centre frame respectively at a location spaced above the planes of the remaining frame members of the two side portions22respectively. The transfer link54is pivotally coupled at opposing ends to the two inner brace members50respectively. Each pivotal connection defines a transfer link axis which is sloped downwardly and inwardly such that the two transfer link axes intersect one another at the intersection of the floating axes42at the rear of the centre frame section14. The two transfer link axes are oriented to lie in a common plane which lies generally perpendicularly to the forward working direction in a normal working position on horizontal ground.

Each wing frame section16includes an inner portion56pivotally coupled to the centre frame section and an outer portion58extending laterally outward from the inner portion56. The inner portion and the outer portion of each wing frame section are pivotally coupled for limited pivotal movement relative to one another about a respective flexing axis60which is oriented at a slope to extend forwardly and laterally inwardly between a rear pivot62at the rear end of the wing frame section and a front pivot64at the front end of the wing frame section.

The inner portion56of each wing frame section includes an inner beam66extending longitudinally between front and rear ends of the wing frame section at the inner side thereof and a rear beam68extending laterally along the rear end of the inner portion56across the full width thereof. An outer beam70extends diagonally generally between the front end of the inner beam66and the rear beam68towards the outer end thereof such that the inner portion56of the wing frame section is generally triangular in shape. Additional cross bracing is provided for structural support and to provide support for various ground working elements supported on the frame.

A front wing pivot72pivotally couples the front end of the inner beam66of the wing frame section to the front end of the outer beam34of the respective side portion of the centre frame section. Similarly, a rear wing pivot74pivotally couples the rear end of the inner beam66of the wing frame section to the rear end of the outer beam of the respective side portion of the centre frame section. The respective wing axes18for thus defined as extending longitudinally through the front and rear wing pivots72and74.

The outer portion58of each wing frame section includes a front beam76extending laterally across the front end of the wing frame section, and an outer beam78extending between front and rear ends of the wing frame section at the outer side thereof. An additional crossbar75extends diagonally between the front beam and the outer beam at intermediate locations thereon for structural support such that the outer portion58of each wing frame section is also generally triangular in shape. The inner end of the front beam76is pivotally connected to the inner portion of the frame by the front pivot64. The rear end of the outer beam78is pivotally connected to the inner portion of the frame by the rear pivot62.

As best shown inFIG. 9, the front pivot64includes a pivot shaft supported by support plates on the inner portion of the wing frame section for rotatably supporting a pivot tube thereon in alignment with the flexing axis60to which the corresponding portion of the outer portion of the wing frame section is attached for pivotal movement with the pivot tube relative to the pivot shaft. A front resilient damper member80is coupled between corresponding mounting portions on the inner and outer portions of the wing frame section respectively at a location spaced radially outward from the flexing axis60in proximity to the front pivot64to limit the relative pivotal movement within a small range of angles.

As best shown inFIG. 10, the rear pivot62comprises a pivot shaft supported by support plates below the outer end of the rear beam of the inner portion of the wing frame section. A corresponding pivot tube is rotatably supported on the shaft and is coupled to suitable support plates to the rear end of the outer beam of the outer portion of the wing frame section. The pivot shaft defines the axis of pivotal movement and is aligned with the floating axis60between the inner and outer portions of the wing frame section. A rear resilient damper member82is coupled between the corresponding mounting portions on the inner and outer portions of the wing frame section at a location spaced radially outward from the flexing axis60in proximity to the rear pivot62to aid in limiting the relative pivotal movement between the inner and outer portions of the wing frame section within a small range of angles.

A plurality of wheel sets are provided for supporting the frame sections for rolling movement across the ground. The wheel sets include two centre wheel sets84supported on the outer beams of the two side portions of the centre frame section14respectively, and two wing wheel sets86supported on the outer beams of the outer portions of the two wing frame sections16respectively.

Each of the centre and wing wheel sets84and86generally comprises two rear wheels88in proximity to the rear end of the frame and one front wheel90in proximity to the front end of the frame. The two rear wheels88are rotatably supported at opposing ends of a walking beam92which is oriented generally in the forward working direction for pivotal movement about a lateral walking axle64defining a respective axis centrally located between the two rear wheels88. A rear support arm96is pivotally connected at the rear end of the respective outer beam to extend generally downwardly and forwardly to a pivotal connection of the walking beam thereon at the forward end of the rear support arm. Pivotal movement of the rear support arm relative to the frame section enables the height of the walking axis64and thus the height of the two rear wheels88to be controlled relative to the frame. A hydraulic wheel actuator98is coupled between the corresponding portion of the frame section at a top end, and to a location on the rear support arm96spaced forwardly from the rear pivot thereof such that extension and retraction of the hydraulic wheel actuator98will raise and lower the walking axis64and the height of the rear wheels relative to the frame.

The front wheel90of each wheelset comprises a caster wheel supported on a castor mount100for relative pivotal movement about a vertical castering axis. Two parallel links102are coupled in parallel between the front end of the corresponding frame section and the castor mount100to extend generally and the forward working direction such that pivotal movement of the links102relative to the frame section allows the height of the castor mount and the front castor wheel rotatably supported thereon to be raised and lowered relative to the frame section.

Height of the rear wheels and the height of the associated front wheel within each wheel set can be adjusted together with one another by a suitable linkage connected therebetween. The linkage includes a rear crank member104coupled in fixed relation to the rear support arm96to extend radially from the rear pivot axis thereof in a generally upright orientation. A front crank member106is coupled to one of the parallel links102supporting the front wheel to similarly extend radially from the pivot axis of the link relative to the frame section. A parallel link member108is coupled between the rear crank member104and the front crank member106such that the height of the front wheel and the height of the walking axis between the rear wheels are adjusted together relative to the frame by the actuation of the associated hydraulic wheel actuator98.

The hydraulic wheel actuators98of the two centre frame sections are hydraulically connected with one another such that increased pressure on one of the actuators permits fluid to be transferred to the other actuator in a pressure balancing configuration. Accordingly, when one of the centre wheel sets passes over a raised ground elevation, upward pressure can divert hydraulic fluid to the opposing centre wheelset to raise one wheelset relative to the frame and lower the other wheelset relative to the frame as pressure is balanced.

The centre frame section further includes a mechanical linkage coupled between the two centre wheel sets84to limit the independent movement between the two centre wheel sets within a prescribed limited range of angles. The mechanical linkage includes a transverse tube110which extends laterally substantially the full width between the two centre wheel sets. The transverse tube110is pivotally supported at opposing ends onto the two side portions of the centre frame section coaxially with the pivotal connection of the rear ends of the rear support arms96of the centre wheel sets84. A pair of crank members112are mounted in fixed relation to the transverse tube at laterally opposing ends thereof to extend generally forwardly at a downward slope in proximity to the rear support arms96. A resilient damper114is coupled between each crank member112and the respective rear support arm96of the respective centre wheel set which allows some resilient deflection of each crank member relative to the respective rear support arm of the respective centre wheelset. In this arrangement, the overall flexing movement of the two side portions relative to the main portion and relative to one another within the centre frame section is limited to the range of angles prescribed by the resiliently connected mechanical linkage between the two centre wheel sets.

To control displacement of the wing sections relative to the centre frame section between working and transport positions, two hydraulic wing actuators116are provided. Each hydraulic wing actuator116includes an inner end which is pivotally coupled to the top end of an inner brace member50at the rear of an inner end of a corresponding one of the two side portions of the centre frame section. The wing actuators116extend generally laterally outward away from one another to respective outer ends operatively connected to the inner portions of the two wing frame sections respectively. More particularly each wing frame section pivotally supports a crank member118thereon for pivotal movement about an axis oriented generally in the forward working direction adjacent to the inner end of the wing frame section. In the working position, the outer end of the respective wing actuator116is pivotally supported relative to the crank member at a location spaced above the pivotal connection of the crank member to the wing frame section. A bracing link120is pivotally coupled at an inner end on the crank member at an intermediate location between the pivotal connection of the wing actuator and the pivotal connection to the frame respectively. The bracing link120extends generally laterally outward in the normal working position to an outer end including a longitudinal slot122formed therein which slidably receives a pin124therein which is fixed onto the rear beam of the inner portion of the wing frame section, towards the outer end thereof. The pin124is permitted two longitudinally slide within the slot in the longitudinal direction of the bracing link120to allow some floating movement between the wing actuator and the wing frame section as the wing frame section pivots relative to the centre frame section about the wing axis thereof.

In this arrangement, retracting the hydraulic wing actuators causes the crank members to be pivoted inwardly so that the pin124slides to one end of the slot and continued retraction of the wing actuator causes the wing to be pulled upwardly and inwardly from the working position to the transport position. The pivotal connection between the crank member118and the outer end of the wing actuator includes a rolling contact thereon which engages a corresponding support plate126on the top side of the centre frame section at the rear end in proximity to the outer side thereof as the wing frame section approaches the transport position.

To provide support to the front end of the wing frame section which extends upwardly at a slightly inward slope in the transport position, an additional front brace is provided. The front brace includes a first brace member128pivotally supported on the front end of the inner beam of the wing frame section to extend upwardly at a slight outward slope in the working position, and a second brace member130pivotally connected at the top end of the first brace member128to extend generally laterally outwardly at a downward slope in the working position for pivotal connection at an outer end to the front beam of the outer portion of the wing frame section at an intermediate location between the inner end outer ends thereof. The first brace member128, the second brace member130and the front end of the wing frame section thus form a generally triangular shape. As the wing frame section is pivoted into the transport position, the junction of the first and second brace members abuts a corresponding supporting location on the front end of the respective side portion22of the centre frame section such that the inward slope of the wing frame section in the transport position leans on the first brace member to assist in supporting the wing frame section thereon.