Abstract:
An agricultural device for transporting planting units which has a first stationary toolbar and a pair of toolbars spaced away and separate from the stationary toolbar and carrying a plurality of planting units thereon at fixed intervals. The pair of toolbars are moved between a first position where the fixed toolbar and the pair of toolbars are positioned with their longitudinal axes generally colinear and a second position where the pair of toolbars are spaced from the fixed toolbar and the longitudinal axes of the fixed toolbar and the pair of toolbars are parallel. The agricultural device is incapable of positioning the planting units carried thereby in at least two different spacings depending upon whether the pair of toolbars are in the first or the second positions thereof.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As the size of farms has grown and improvements have been made in agricultural methods permitting the farmer to perform farming functions more efficiently, equipment has been developed and is used for performing most agricultural functions on a multiple row basis. As larger and larger equipment became available enabling the farmer to perform a particular function on many rows in a single pass, it became increasingly difficult for the farmer to transport this wide equipment over the road to his fields. Thus, folding toolbars have been developed which serve the purpose of reducing the overall width of the multiple row equipment. Typically, the outer ends or wings of the toolbar are constructed so as to permit them to be folded approximately 90° upward, forward or rearward from their extended position. In many instances, these folded toolbars provide a configuration that is relatively unstable rendering them somewhat unsafe when transported over the road. 
     More importantly, when the toolbar is folded, the orientation of the tools or other components attached to the toolbar is completely altered rendering them useless in the folded position. 
     In the cornbelt the most popular corn row width is 30 inch, but for soybeans the trend is toward a row width of 15 inch. Frequently, both crops are grown by the same farmers. Thus, planting crops in two different row widths requires that the farmer purchase and maintain two specialized planters or that substantial mechanical modifications be performed on a single planter to prepare it for the different row widths. While some manufacturers offer removable attachments or a removable tandem unit with planters attached, the tandem units (which serve to divide the frontrow width) are of no use during the planting of the wider row crop. 
     There is therefore a need for an improved toolbar which will provide a stable unit during transportation in a folded position. There is further need for a toolbar which easily, efficiently and completely converts to use in either row width. It is highly desirable then, that when in the folded position, the toolbar can perform a useful function such as narrow row (or inter-row) planting. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a planter frame in which a plurality of planting and tillage units are mounted on a non-movable frame member and on two movable frame members so as to provide two different spacings, 30 inch spacing for corn and a 15 inch spacing for soybeans. Additionally, the invention relates to a device which also has a travel position in which in the profile of the device is narrower than in the 15 inch planting position to provide a better rotation configuration. 
     According it is an object of the present invention to provide an agricultural device for transporting planting units having containers for storing and dispensing seed, fertilizer, and the like, including tillage attachments through a field at difference spacings by motor vehicle wherein the different spacings are accommodated by swinging movements of toolbars, both laterally and vertically from position to another. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an agricultural device of the type set forth with second and third toolbars are provided spaced and separate from the first toolbar and hydraulic mechanism is provided in communication with the second and third toolbars for moving them between a first position when all three toolbars are in position with their longitudinal axis generally co-linear and a second position when the second and third toolbars are hydraulically elevated and thereafter spaced from the first toolbar such that the longitudinal axis of the first toolbar is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second and third toolbars. 
     Another object of the invention of the invention is to provide a agricultural device of the type set forth in which the hydraulic mechanism is capable of positioning one of multiple toolbars in two different fixed positions with respect to another one of the toolbars, one of the fixed positions being an operating position wherein the agricultural device is capable of performing agricultural passes and the other fixed position is a transportation position wherein the overall width of the agricultural device is reduced during transportation along roads and highways. 
     Finally, another object of the invention is to provide an agricultural device for transporting planting units having containers for storing and dispensing seed, fertilizer and the like including tillage attachments through a field at different spacings including a tongue connection to a motored vehicle, a first toolbar having a longitudinal axis extending generally perpendicularly to the direction of travel of the motored vehicle and carrying a plurality of planting units mounted thereon at fixed intervals, a sleeve mounted for sliding movement on said tongue having a cross piece fixed thereto for sliding movement on said tongue toward and away from said first toolbar, second and third toolbars spaced from said first toolbar and each having a longitudinal axis extending generally parallel to said first toolbar and each carrying a plurality of planting units thereon at fixed intervals, struts pivotally connected to said cross piece and said second and third toolbars, hydraulic mechanism in communication with said sleeve and said second and third toolbars for moving said second and third toolbars between a first position wherein said first, second and third toolbars are positioned with their longitudinal axes generally co-linear and a second position wherein said sleeve moves relative to said first toolbar with said second and third toolbars being elevated to pass over at least some planting units mounted on said first toolbar and thereafter spaced from said first toolbar such that the longitudinal axis of said first, toolbar, said second and third toolbars in the second positions thereof positioning the planting units carried thereon intermediate the planting units carried on said first toolbar, whereby to provide an agricultural device capable of positioning the planting units carried thereby in at least two different spacings depending upon whether said second and third toolbars are in the first or the second positions thereof. 
     The invention consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated. 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of the planter frame in the corn planting condition; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the planter in the position illustrated in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of the planter frame in the narrow or soybean planting condition; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the planter in the position illustrated in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the planter in the road transport condition; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged portion side elevational view of the planter frame members in the corn planting condition; and 
     FIGS. 7-9 show perspective views of reinforcing mechanism for the planter. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, there is disclosed a folding planter frame  20  which includes an elongated center tube  21  which is generally hollow and square in transverse cross-section and has provided therearound a short tubular section or sleeve  22  which is dimensioned to slide with respect to the tube  21 . A pair of horizontally extending apertured mounting plates  24  and  25  are fixedly welded to a vertically extending plate  26  at the front end of the tube  21 , for connection to a tractor type vehicle, all as is well known in the art. A fixed cross member or toolbar  30  is fixedly welded to the bottom of tubular frame member  21  and a tubular frame member  35  is fixedly welded to the top of the slidable tubular frame member or sleeve  22 . The cross bar or frame member  35  is provided with diagonally extending brace members  36  which interconnect the forward end of the tube  22  with the cross bar or frame member  35  near the ends thereof to form a relative rigid construction movable with respect to the center tubular frame member  21 . 
     Referring now to drawings  1  to  4 , there is shown left and right wing members or toolbars  40 . The toolbars or wing members  40  are identical in construction and operation and therefore, only one will be described, it being understood that the operation of each wing bar is the same and the movement thereof is the same. The wing member  40  is a piece of tubular material substantially the same as the crossbars  30  and  35  and is connected to the folding planter frame  20  and more particularly to the movable cross bar  35  by means of an inboard or inner strut  50  connected to the cross bar  35  by means of a apertured clevis  51  having a pair of arms  51   a  having aligned apertures therein. A pin  52  extends through the apertures in clevis arms  51   a  and through the strut  50  pivotally to mount the strut  50  to the clevis  51  for relative movement of the strut  50  with regard to the cross bar  35 . A pin  53  extends downwardly through the strut  50  for horizontal movement of the strut  50  with respect to the cross bar  35 . Have shaft  51   d  extends from the base of the clevis  51  through aligned apertures in the top and bottom surfaces of the member  35  and is surrounded by a bearing  51   e  for rotational movement of the strut  50  with respect to the member  35 . The shaft  51   d  is provided with an aperture  51   f  at the bottom thereof, for a purpose hereafter set forth. A pivot pin  54  is at the outboard end of the inboard strut  50  and is received in a shaft  56  which extends vertically from the strut  50  to the wing member  40 . A strap  57  connects the shaft  56  to the wing member  40  and wraps therearound securely. 
     Finally, a pair of stops  58  angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the inboard strut  50  are mounted on opposite sides of the strut  50  for a purpose hereinafter set forth. 
     An outboard strut  60  extends from near the outboard end of the cross piece  35  to the right wing member  40 . The outboard strut  60  is connected at the inboard end to a apertured clevis  61  in the same manner as the inboard strut  50  is connected to the clevis  51  and pin  54 . The outboard strut  60  moves in the same manner as the inboard strut  50 . At the outboard end of the outboard strut  60  is a pivot  64  similar in shape and construction to the pivot pin  54  extending into a shaft  66  which is connected to the wing member  40  by straps  67 , similar to the straps  57 , securely to connect the wing member  40  to the outboard strut  60 . At the outboard end of the strut  60  is a pivot pin  63  similar to the pivot pin  53  and for the same purpose. At the bottom of the outboard strut  60  is a rest member  68  which preferably is a section of the same tubular material which forms the strut  60  having a rest surface  69  at the bottom thereof. Finally, a pair of stops  65  are arranged on the outer surfaces of the outboard strut  60  and extend outwardly therefrom for a purpose hereinafter set forth. 
     The fixed crossbar  30  is provided with an inner stand  70  and an outer stand  80 . The inner or inboard stand  70  includes an inboard or upper notch  71  and an outboard or lower notch  72 . An angular flange  73  extends inwardly from the stand  70  and a divider piece  74  separates the upper notch  71  from the lower notch  72 . Finally, an angular flange  76  extends outboard of the stand  70  from the lower notch  72 . 
     An outer or outboard stand  80  is similarly constructed to the inner or inboard stand  70  and is provided with an upper inboard notch  81  and a lower outboard notch  82 , the inboard notch  81  having an inwardly extending flange  83  with a divider  84  between the inner and outer notches  81  and  82 , respectively, and finally an angular flange  86  extends outboard of the lower notch  82 . It should be observed that the lower notch  82  is positioned sufficiently low enough to accommodate the rest member  68  thereon, as will be explained. 
     In order to facilitate movement of the wing members  40  between the 30 inch corn planting position illustrated in FIG.  1  and the 15 inch soybean planting position illustrated in FIG. 3, there is provided a swing cylinder  90  mounted on the underside of the movable member  35  as illustrated in FIG.  6 . The swing cylinder  90  is connected to a bracket  91  mounted to the movable cross member  35  and includes a cylinder  92  having a hydraulically operated piston  93  extending therefrom terminating at have  94  which is pivotally connected to an arm  96  fixedly connected to the shaft  51   d  or opening (not shown) so that movement of the piston shaft  93  causes the pin  53  to rotate thereby causing the wing member  40  to swing between the position illustrated in FIG.  1  and the position illustrated in FIG.  3 . The arm  96  connected to the shaft  51   d  is maintained in place in the clevis  94  by means of a pivot pin (not shown). 
     In order to effect movement of the wing member  40  from the 30 inch corn planting position of FIG. 1 to the 15 inch soybean planting position of FIG. 3 or for that matter, to the transport position with is inboard of the 15 inch planting position shown in FIG. 5, the wing members  40  must be moved rearwardly and elevated with respect to the center unit  30  and more particularly, the wing members  40  must be elevated so that the inboard strut  50  and the outboard strut  60  can pass over the fixed cross bar  30  and the devices mounted thereupon. In order to elevate the wing members  40  and the devices carried thereon, there is provided an inboard lift cylinder  100 , best seen in FIGS. 1 and 6, that is mounted at one end thereof to the pin  51   d  and includes a hydraulic cylinder body  102  having a piston  103  extending therefrom. The end of the piston  103  away from the cylinder body  102  is pivotally mounted to a pair of links  107  by means of a pivot pin  107   b . The links  107  are pivotally mounted by a pin  107   a  to a mounting block  108  fixedly mounted to the top of the inboard strut  50 . During lifting, the links  107  come in contact with the stop members  58 , as will be described. 
     There is further provided an outboard lift cylinder  110  which is preferably slaved to the inboard lift cylinder  100  so that the two cylinders operate together. The outboard lift cylinder  110  includes a mounting bracket  111  connected to a shaft  61   d  like shaft  51   d  and includes a cylinder body  112  having a piston  113  extending outwardly therefrom. Mechanism  114  connects the cylinder body  112  to the bracket  111  and is provided with a pivot pin (not shown) which allows the cylinder  112  to pivot rotationally with respect to the shaft  63 . The outer end of the piston  113  is pivotally connected to two links  117  by means of a pivot pin  117   b . At the other end of the links  117   a  pivot pin  117   a  pivotally connects the links to a fixture  118  fixedly mounted to the top of the outboard strut  60 , such as by welding. During operation of the outboard lift cylinder  110 , the links  117  contact the stop members  65  mounted on the opposite sides of the outboard strut  60 , as will be explained. 
     Mechanism used in moving the folding planter frame  20  from the 30 inch planting position as illustrated in FIG. 1 to the 15 inch planting position or transport position shown in FIG. 3 is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The mechanism  120  includes a hydraulic cylinder  121  mounted to the underside of center support tube  21  and more particularly to the support plate  27 . The hydraulic cylinder  121  has a piston  122  connected to a sleeve or tube  22  which slides along the support tube or tongue  21  from a forward position shown in FIG. 1 for 30 inch spacing to a rearward position shown in FIG. 3 for narrower or 15 inch spacing. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, there are illustrated four lift wheels  140  mounted to the fixed bar  30  at predetermined spaced intervals with two of the lift wheels  140  being positioned on each side of the frame member or tongue  21  and the sleeve  22  thereon. Each of the wing members  40  is provided with two lift wheels  145  and each of the lift wheels  140  and  145  is provided with a well known mechanism (not shown) for lifting the wheels  140  and  145  when planting (see FIG. 4) and lowering the wheels  140  and  145  when transporting the planter frame  20 , as seen in FIG. 5 
     A plurality of row units  180 , each identical, are mounted to the fixed bar  30  and the outboard wing members  40 . As illustrated, each wing member  40  carries four row units  180  and the fixed center bar  30  carries eight row units  180 . A center-line row unit  200  which is the same as the row units  180  is provided when the planter is in the 15 inch planting position to avoid leaving a 30 inch opening which would occur if the center-line unit  200  were not provided. 
     Turning now to the row units  180 , each of the row units is provided with platform structure  181  which is generally rectangular and is provided with side walls  182  including an end wall. Hoppers  183  and  184  are mounted on the platform  181  in a well known manner. Each of the row units  180  is mounted to the respective bar  30  or member  40  by means of mounting structure  186  connected to the respective bar  30  or member  40  by a pair of upper links  187  and a pair of lower links  188  pivotally mounted to the structure  186  and to the platform structure  181  to permit the individual row units  180  to move up and down with respect to the bar  30  or member  40  to accommodate variations in terrain. Positioned below the platform structure  181  is an undercarriage frame  190  which carries a gauge wheel  191  and a pair of inwardly canted closing wheels  192 . It is understood that various other structures may be mounted on the row units  180  such as opening wheels, planting mechanism or the like. The gauge wheels  191  as well as the closing wheels  192  operate in a manner well known to those of ordinary skill in this art. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, the folding frame planter  20  is in the transport portion. In the transport position swing cylinder  90  is positioned so that the inboard strut  50  and the outboard strut  60  are in alignment with the upper notches  71  and  81  in the stands  70  and  80  respectively. The cylinders, both the inboard and the outboard lift cylinders  100  and  110  which are slaved have been extended so that the links  107  and  117  respectively bear against the stops  58  and  65  to lift the inboard strut  50  and the outboard strut  60  to the position illustrated in FIG.  5 . Because of the rest member  68  on the bottom of the outboard strut  60 , the outboard stand  80  is lower than the inboard stand  70  thereby providing clearance for the struts  50  and  60  as they swing from the 30 inch planting position to either the 15 inch planting position or the transport position. In the transport position, with the inboard struts  50  and  60 , respectively positioned on their associated stands  70  and  80 , the lift wheels  140  are moved downwardly by mechanism (not shown) so as to elevate the respective row units  180  on the fixed bar  30  with respect to the lift wheels  140 . In this position, the folding planter frame  20  is in condition to be trailed down the road. Preferably, in the lift position, the wheel mechanism operates independently for the center lift wheels  140  and the wing lift wheels  145  to allow the center lift wheels  140  to be lowered for the transport position. It should be noted that because the inboard and outboard struts  50  and  60 , respectively, are mounted on the inboard notch  71  and outboard notch  81  of the stands  70  and  80 , the width of the folding planter frame  20  is 30 inches narrower in the transport position than in the 15 inch planting position. This facilitates transport of the folding planter frame  20 . 
     When the folding planter frame  20  is moved from the transport position illustrated in FIG. 5 to the 15 inch row planting position illustrated in FIG. 3, the lift cylinders  100  and  110  are actuated to raise the wing members  40  relative to the bar  30  in order to free the inboard strut  50  and outboard strut  60  from the stands  70  and  80  respectively. Thereafter, the swing cylinder  90  is actuated and the struts  50  and  60  are moved from above the upper notches  71  and  81 , respectively, to above the lower notches  72  and  82 . Thereafter, the lift cylinders  100  and  110  are retracted to the lower the struts  50  and  60  into the outboard notches  72  and  82 . The lift wheels  145  are lowered by suitable mechanism so that the lift wheels  145  and the lift wheels  140  are generally coplanar as are the row units  180  mounted on the fixed bar  30  and the wing members  40 . When the frame  20  is in the 15 inch row position, the center line row unit  200  is attached as previously discussed to provide 15 inch spacing center line to center line for all of the row units  180 , there being 17 row units in the 15 inch planting position and 16 row units in the 30 inch planting position. 
     When it is desired to move the unit  20  from the 15 inch planting position to the 30 inch planting position, suitable mechanism is actuated to raise the wing member lift wheels  145 . Thereafter, the lift cylinders  100  and  110  are actuated to extend the pistons  103  and  113 , respectively, to cause the links  107  and  117 , respectively, to engage the stops  58  and  65  to raise the inboard strut  50  and the outboard strut  60  simultaneously thereby elevating the wing members  40  with respect to the center bar  30 . After the wing members  40  are elevated sufficiently to clear the angle iron  76  and  86  of the stands  70  and  80 , respectively, the swing cylinders  90  are actuated to swing the wing members  40  outboard of the center unit  30 . The mechanism  120  is thereafter actuated to move the sleeve  22  and the wing members  40  carried thereby forwardly. When the wing members  40  have reached a position wherein the wing members  40  are in alignment with the center bar  30 , the swing cylinders  90  are deactuated and the wing lift wheels  145  lowered to the planting position by the standard mechanism. Locking mechanism (not shown) is engaged between each of the wing members  40  and the central bar  30  to provide rigidity to the entire unit. The planter frame  20  is now in the 30 inch row planting condition and may be moved along in this position to plant rows of corn, to fertilize or to perform other tasks as desired. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, there is shown a stabilizing mechanism for when the planter  20  is in the corn planting position illustrated in FIG.  1  and the cross bars  30  and wing bars  40  are coaxially aligned. In such a position, it is desirable to have a stabilizing bar  210  connected between the wing bars  40  and the central fixed cross bar  30  to prevent the wing bars  40  from being dragged through friction out of coaxial alignment with the bar  30  during forward and rearward movement through the field. The stabilizing bars  210 , of which there are two, are mounted through a strap  211  mounted near each end of the fixed bar  30  and mounting members  213  at the end board end of each wind member  40  and a mounting member  214  in board of the strap  211  on the fixed member  30 . Each of the mounting members  213  and  214  are provided with apertures through which a pin  220  can be inserted so as position the stabilizing bars  210  in the position shown in FIG. 7 for stabilizing the planter  20  when it is in the configuration shown in FIG.  1  and for maintaining the stabilizing bar  210  out of stabilizing position as shown in FIG. 8 when the planter  20  is either in the 15 inch or sow bean planting position or in the travel position, previously discussed. As seen from FIGS. 7-9, pins  220  are used to fix the stabilizing bars  210  either in the position shown in FIG. 7 or in the position shown in FIG. 8, so as easily to enable the planter  20  to be in a position shown in FIG. 1 or in position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 without requiring an undue amount of time or effort. 
     In order to move the folding planter frame  20  from the 30 inch planting position to the transport position, the following steps are taken: first the locks between the center bar  30  and the wing members  40  are disengaged. Thereafter, the lift cylinders  100  and  110  are actuated to lift the wing members  40  to an elevated position. Thereafter, the mechanism  120  is actuated to move the sleeve  22  and the movable bar  35  rearwardly along the center tube  21 , that is the slidable sleeve  22  is moved rearwardly along the center tube  21  to the position shown in FIG.  3 . Thereafter, the swing cylinders  90  are actuated to move the wing members  40  to the position where the struts  50  and  60  are in registry with the upper notches  71  and  81  of the inner and outer stands  70  and  80 , respectively. Thereafter, the pistons  103  and  113  of lift cylinders  100  and  110  are withdrawn to permit the struts  50  and  60  to settle downwardly onto the notches  71  and  81 , respectively. In this position, the planter frame  20  is in condition to be transported along the road. Of course, the lift wheels  140  mounted on the center bar have to be lowered into the transport position by actuation of standard mechanism and thereafter the unit  20  can be trailed along the road as previously described. 
     While there has been disclosed what is considered to be the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, there is shown a stabilizing mechanism for when the planter  20  is in the corn planting position illustrated in FIG.  1  and the cross bars  30  and wing bars  40  are coaxially aligned. In such a position, it is desirable to have a stabilizing bar  210  connected between the wing bars  40  and the central fixed cross bar  30  to prevent the wing bars  40  from being dragged through friction out of coaxial alignment with the bar  30  during forward and rearward movement through the field. The stabilizing bars  210 , of which there are two, are mounted through a strap  211  mounted near each end of the fixed bar  30  and mounting members  213  at the end board end of each wind member  40  and a mounting member  214  in board of the strap  211  on the fixed member  30 . Each of the mounting members  213  and  214  are provided with apertures through which a pin  220  can be inserted so as position the stabilizing bars  210  in the position shown in FIG. 7 for stabilizing the planter  20  when it is in the configuration shown in FIG.  1  and for maintaining the stabilizing bar  210  out of stabilizing position as shown in FIG. 8 when the planter  20  is either in the 15 inch or sow bean planting position or in the travel position, previously discussed. As seen from FIGS. 7-9, pins  220  are used to fix the stabilizing bars  210  either in the position shown in FIG. 7 or in the position shown in FIG. 8, so as easily to enable the planter  20  to be in a position shown in FIG. 1 or in position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 without requiring an undue amount of time or effort.