Patent Publication Number: US-2022225558-A1

Title: Toolbar system for an agricultural implement

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 16/741,310, filed Jan. 13, 2020, which is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 15/809,495, filed Nov. 10, 2017, now (U.S. Pat. No. 10,531,604), which is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 14/612,849, filed Feb. 3, 2015, now (U.S. Pat. No. 9,839,175), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/040,857, filed Aug. 22, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an agricultural implement with a foldable toolbar system, and, more specifically, to an agricultural implement with a toolbar system having one or more wings adapted to be moveable between an operating position, a transport position, and a shipping position. 
     DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND ART 
     In agriculture, implements with folding toolbars are used to perform various tasks, such as spraying various types of liquids, such as fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, etc., to agricultural crops as the implement is pulled or pushed across a field. In order to cover a large area during operation, the toolbars are positioned horizontally, perpendicular to the implement&#39;s direction of travel. When the implement is not in operation, however, it may be difficult to transport or ship the implement to another location due to its dimension and size. Therefore, some toolbars are adapted to fold upwardly or against a side of the implement, but even when folded, the toolbars increase the height or width of the implement, making transport and storage difficult. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an agricultural implement with a toolbar system mounted on a carriage for performing tasks, such as spraying liquid, such as liquids for fertilizing soil. Various components of the toolbar system may be operable to move between an operating position, an end use transport position, and a shipping position. 
     The agricultural implement may comprise a frame having a longitudinal axis and laterally opposed sides, at least one wheel on each side of the frame, a hitch coupled to the frame and adapted for connection to a tow vehicle, and a tank coupled to the frame in order to hold a liquid to be sprayed. The toolbar system mounted on the agricultural implement may include a toolbar frame, an elevator assembly, including a shaft and an elevator, and a plurality of wings, including at least a first wing. The elevator assembly may be coupled to the toolbar frame and moveable vertically relative to the shaft between a first height and a second height. The first wing may include one or more tools, such as a coulter, knife, spike, tine, ripper point, or any combination thereof. The one or more tools coupled to the first wing are adapted to be rotatable relative to a longitudinal axis of the first wing from an operating position below the first wing to a shipping position about the first wing. The first wing may be on one side of the frame and may have an inner portion coupled to the elevator and an outer portion. 
     The first wing may be pivotable about a first vertical axis of rotation adjacent to the elevator assembly between an extended position where the first wing extends laterally outward from the toolbar frame and a folded position where the first wing is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame of the agricultural implement. For example, the first wing may be pivotable when the elevator assembly is pivotable about the first vertical axis of rotation so that the first wing pivots with the elevator assembly. In addition, the first wing may be adapted to be moveable so as to position the first wing higher than the wheel on the same side of the agricultural implement in the folded position. 
     The first wing of the toolbar frame may be pivotable about a first horizontal axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame so as to tilt the first wing at a first angle relative to a horizontal plane, such as the ground. The first angle from the horizontal plane is such that the first wing is positioned higher than the wheel on the same side of the implement in the folded position. Further, the first angle and the second height of the elevator, in combination, are such that the first wing is positioned higher than the wheel on the same side of the agricultural implement in the folded position. The second height of the elevator is such that the first wing is positioned higher than the wheel on the same side of the agricultural implement in the folded position. The first horizontal axis of rotation may be adjacent to the first vertical axis of rotation and the first horizontal axis may be moveable vertically relative to the toolbar frame between the first height and the second height associated with the elevator assembly. 
     The toolbar system may include a second wing having an inner portion pivotably coupled to the outer portion of the first wing to pivot about a second horizontal axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame between an extended position projecting laterally outward from the first wing and a folded position overhanging the first wing. Additionally, the toolbar system may include a third wing coupled to the toolbar frame. The third wing may be positioned adjacent to the elevator assembly and parallel to the horizontal plane. The second wing and the third wing may also include one or more tools, such as a coulter, knife, spike, tine, ripper point, or any combination thereof. 
     A method for operating a toolbar system of an agricultural implement is provided, where the agricultural implement may include a frame having a longitudinal axis and laterally opposed sides and at least one wheel on each side of the frame. The toolbar system may have a toolbar frame, an elevator assembly including a shaft and an elevator such that the elevator may be moveable vertically relative to the shaft between a first height and a second height, a first wing coupled to the elevator, and one or more tools coupled to the first wing. The method may comprise rotating, relative to a longitudinal axis of the first wing, the one or more tools coupled to the first wing from an operating position below the first wing to a shipping position above the first wing, pivoting the first wing about a first vertical axis of rotation adjacent to the elevator assembly between an extended position wherein the first wing extends laterally outward from the toolbar frame and a folded position wherein the first wing is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame. The method may further comprise moving the first wing so as to position the first wing higher than the wheel on the same side of the agricultural implement in the folded position, and rotating the one or more tools coupled to the first wing such that the one or more tools are positioned approximately parallel to the same side of the agricultural implement. 
     Additionally, the method may comprise pushing the first wing, in a downward direction, about a first horizontal axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame such that the first wing is positioned approximately parallel to the same side of the agricultural implement, and pushing the one or more tools coupled to the first wing in a downward direction. For example, moving the first wing includes pivoting the first wing about the first horizontal axis of rotation so as to tilt the first wing at a first angle relative to a horizontal plane, and the first angle is such that the first wing is positioned higher than the wheel on the same side of the agricultural implement in the folded position. The first angle and the second height of the elevator, in combination, may be such that the first wing is positioned higher than the wheel on the same side of the agricultural implement in the folded position. Further, the second height of the elevator may be such that the first wing is positioned higher than the wheel on the same side of the agricultural implement in the folded position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an agricultural implement with a toolbar system mounted on a carriage in the operating position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system mounted on a carriage in the operating position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system mounted on a carriage in the operating position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system mounted on a carriage in the operating position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system with two sets of wings mounted on a carriage in the operating position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system with two sets of wings mounted on a carriage in the operating position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system with two sets of wings in which the outer wings have been positioned above the middle wings according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system with two sets of wings in which the outer wings have been positioned above the middle wings according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system with two sets of wings in which the middle wings and outer wings have been positioned approximately parallel to a direction of travel according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system with two sets of wings in which the middle wings and outer wings have been positioned approximately parallel to a direction of travel according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system with two sets of wings mounted on a carriage in the end user transport position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a side view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system with two sets of wings mounted on a carriage in the end user transport position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system with two sets of wings mounted on a carriage in the shipping position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a front view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system with two sets of wings mounted on a carriage in the shipping position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a side view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system with two sets of wings mounted on a carriage in the shipping position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a front view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system mounted on a carriage in the end user transport position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a top view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system mounted on a carriage in the end user transport position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a side view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system mounted on a carriage in the end user transport position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a perspective view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system mounted on a carriage in the end user transport position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a perspective view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system mounted on a carriage in the shipping position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a front view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system mounted on a carriage in the shipping position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a top elevation view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system mounted on a carriage in the shipping position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23  illustrates a side view of the agricultural implement showing the toolbar system mounted on a carriage in the shipping position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 24  illustrates a perspective view of an elevator assembly for the toolbar system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 25  illustrates a perspective view of the elevator assembly for the toolbar system in which the elevator has been raised according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 26  illustrates a perspective view of the elevator assembly for the toolbar system in which the elevator has been raised and rotated backwards according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 27  illustrates an exploded view of the elevator assembly for the toolbar system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 28  illustrates a side view of the toolbar system according to an embodiment of the present invention showing the flipping of the middle wing coulters in which the positions of the coulters moving from the operating to transport positions are overlayed according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 29  illustrates a side view of the toolbar system according to an embodiment of the present invention showing the middle wing coulters in a transport position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 30  illustrates a side view of the toolbar system according to an embodiment of the present invention showing the middle wing coulters between a transport position and an operating position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 31  illustrates a side view of the toolbar system according to an embodiment of the present invention showing the middle wing coulters in an operating position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 32  illustrates a front view of an elevator assembly for the toolbar system in an operating position according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 33  illustrates a front view of the elevator assembly of  FIG. 32  in which the elevator has been raised. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, a number of illustrative embodiments are described herein with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as providing examples and not intended to limit the invention to the preferred embodiments described and/or illustrated herein. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the toolbar system includes a plurality of wings, including at least one outer wing, at least one middle wing, and at least one inner wing. In an embodiment of the present invention, the toolbar system may include at least one inner wing and one or more middle wings. In another embodiment, the toolbar system may include only one or more middle wings. The toolbar system may also include one or more tools, such as coulters, attached to one or more of the wings and configured to work or condition the soil in some way. However, the present invention is not restricted to coulters, and it will be appreciated that any suitable tools may be coupled to the wings of the toolbar. The toolbar may be operable to move between an operating position, an end user transport position, and a shipping position, which will be described in greater detail below. 
       FIGS. 1-6  illustrate an agricultural implement  300  with a toolbar system  100  in the operating position according to an embodiment of the present invention. The toolbar system  100  may include one set of wings, as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , or two sets of wings, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The implement  300  may be an agricultural sprayer and may include a storage tank  301 , a frame  303 , carriage wheels  305  and a hitch  308 . Storage tank  301  may be supported by frame  303  which is mounted on wheels  305  for transport. In the embodiment shown, two wheels  305  are mounted on opposite lateral sides of the frame  303 . In alternative embodiments, frame  303  may be mounted on tracks for transport. The hitch  308  may extend from frame  303  and may be configured to mate with a coupling on a tow vehicle, such as a tractor, to permit the implement to be towed behind the tow vehicle. Examples of suitable couplings include, e.g., a three-point connection, a draw bar, or any other type of suitable tow coupling known in the industry. The toolbar system  100  may be mounted to the frame  303  of the implement  300 . In an embodiment, the toolbar system  100  is mounted to frame  303  between storage tank  301  and hitch  308 . 
     The toolbar system  100  may include an outer wing  201 , a middle wing  203 , an inner wing  205 , a toolbar frame  206 , and an elevator assembly or system  405 . In an embodiment, wings  201 ,  203 , and  205  may include a series of spaced nozzles for spraying liquids from storage tank  301 . The toolbar system may include gauge wheels  221  and  223  coupled to the wings. It is appreciated that the toolbar system  100  can be used with or without the gauge wheels. Each of the wings may further include a set of tools, such as coulters, e.g., the outer wing  201  may include outer wing coulters  501 , the middle wing  203  may include middle wing coulters  503 , and the inner wing  205  may include inner wing coulters  505 . In an embodiment of the present invention, tools or equipment other than coulters may be mounted to the wings, such as knives, spikes, tines or ripper points. It will also be appreciated that no tools may be mounted to some of the wings, e.g., the inner wing may have no tools mounted on it. The toolbar frame  206  is configured to mount to frame  303  and support the wings. For example the toolbar frame  206  may include a top frame member  207 , transverse frame members  209  and  211 , a bottom frame member  213 , elevator supports  215  and toolbar system coupling mechanisms  217 . The transverse members  209  and  211  extend between the top frame member  206  and the bottom frame member  213  and inner wing  205 . The bottom member  213  is positioned approximately behind the inner wing  205 , and the bottom member may also have coulters and wheels mounted on it. The elevator supports  215  are positioned between the inner wing  205  and bottom frame member  213 , and are configured to support the elevator assembly  405 . The toolbar system coupling mechanisms  217  are coupled to the bottom frame member  213  at a first end and the carriage frame  303  at a second end. In an embodiment of the present invention, the toolbar system coupling mechanisms  217  may be a four bar linkage with an actuator configured to move the position of the bottom frame member  213  relative to the implement  300 . Adjusting the actuator may lower or raise the rest of the toolbar system relative to the ground, e.g., contracting the actuator may move the rest of the toolbar system closer to the ground and extending the actuator raises the rest of the toolbar system. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the wings  201 ,  203  and  205  may be a separate component from the toolbar frame  206 . In this configuration, the toolbar frame  206  may be mounted to the carriage frame  303  and the toolbar system coupling mechanism  217  may be coupled to the wings  201 ,  203 ,  205  such that the wings  201 ,  203 ,  205  may move relative to the carriage frame  303  via the toolbar system coupling mechanism. 
     The toolbars in  FIGS. 1-6  are shown in an extended or operating position in which middle wing  203  extends laterally outward from toolbar frame  206  and outer wing  201  extends laterally outward from an outer end of middle wing  203 . In an embodiment, respective longitudinal axes of middle and outer wings  203  and  201  are aligned and collinear. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , an inner end of the outer wing  201  is pivotably coupled to the outer end of the middle wing  203  such that the outer wing  201  may be rotated about a first horizontal axis of rotation relative to the middle wing  203 . In an embodiment of the present invention, a hinge or a linkage with an actuator  407  may be coupled to the middle wing  203  and the outer wing  201  that allows the outer wing  201  to rotate about the first horizontal axis of rotation. In the embodiment with the linkage and actuator  407 , the actuator may be used to pivot the outer wing  201  between an operating and transport or shipping position, and the actuator may be a hydraulic cylinder. In an embodiment, the first horizontal axis of rotation is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the middle wing  203  such that the outer wing  201  can be folded over and on top of the middle wing  203 . In the folded position, the tools on the outer wing preferably extend upwardly as shown. In an embodiment, middle wing  203  may include a pair of parallel wing members  302  spaced apart from one another, with one of the wing members  304  carrying tools, and the outer wing  201  may be positioned to fold over and on top of the other middle wing member which provides an advantage that the tools coupled to the outer wing  201  do not interfere or touch the tools that may be coupled to the middle wing  203 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9-12 , an inner end of the middle wing  203  may be pivotably coupled to the elevator assembly or system  405  such that the middle wing  203  may rotate about a second horizontal axis of rotation. In an embodiment, the second horizontal axis of rotation is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the middle wing  203  so that middle wing can be pivoted upwardly and downwardly about the second horizontal axis of rotation. When the middle wing  203  is pivoted about the second horizontal axis of rotation, the outer wing  201  folded on top of the middle wing rotates with the middle wing as a unit. In an embodiment of the present invention, a middle wing actuator  611  may be coupled to the elevator assembly or system  405  and the middle wing  203  to cause the middle wing  203  to pivot about the second horizontal axis of rotation. The toolbar system may include gauge wheels  221  and  223  coupled to the wings. It is appreciated that the toolbar system  100  can be used with or without the gauge wheels. The toolbar system may include gauge wheels  221  and  223  coupled to the wings. It is appreciated that the toolbar system  100  can be used with or without the gauge wheels. Moreover, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the toolbar system may consist of more than one middle wing and more than one outer wing, i.e., a middle wing and an outer wing on each side of the implement. Alternatively, the toolbar system may only include a middle wing. 
     The elevator assembly or system  405  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 24-27  according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The elevator assembly  405  may include an elevator or mast  601 , a shaft  602 , a vertical actuator  603 , an elevator system actuator  605 , a vertical hinge  607 , a middle wing actuator  611 , a horizontal hinge  609 , and an elevator floor  613 . The elevator assembly  405  may also include rollers  621  and  623 . The elevator  601  includes an opening, and the elevator  601  is positioned such that the shaft  602  engages the opening of the elevator  601  and guides the elevator  601  when it is elevated from a first height to a second height. For example, the first height may be where the elevator  601  engages the lowermost portion of the shaft  602 . The second height may be anywhere between the first height and the uppermost portion of the shaft  602 . Thus, the vertical actuator  603  may be adapted to elevate the elevator  601  to its respective height along the shaft  602 . 
     The middle wing  203  is pivotably coupled to the elevator  601  such that the middle wing  203  may pivot about a second horizontal axis of rotation, as discussed above. For example, the horizontal axis of rotation may correspond to the horizontal hinge  609 . The middle wing actuator  611  is pivotably coupled to the elevator  601  at a first end and to the middle wing  203  at an opposite end. The middle wing  203  may pivot about the second horizontal axis of rotation by extending or contracting the middle wing actuator  611 . In that regard, the middle wing (and the pivotably coupled outer wing) may tilt up or down relative to a horizontal plane, such as the ground, by extending or contracting the middle wing actuator  611 . For instance, as the middle wing actuator  611  contracts, the middle wing may pivot about horizontal hinge  609  to tilt away from the ground at a particular angle. This angle may vary depending on the range of contraction or extension of the middle wing actuator  611 . The physical length of the middle wing actuator  611  may also change the range of the angle of tilt. By way of example, if the middle wing actuator  611  is shorter in length, the middle wing may be able to tilt at a greater angle. In an embodiment of the present invention, the actuator  611  may be a hydraulic cylinder. 
     The elevator assembly  405  is pivotably coupled to the toolbar frame  206  such that the elevator assembly  405  may pivot about a vertical axis of rotation relative to the toolbar frame  206 . In an embodiment of the present invention, the shaft  602  may be pivotably coupled to the frame by vertical hinge  607 , which allows shaft  602  and the elevator  601  to rotate about a vertical axis of rotation. In an embodiment of the present invention, the elevator  601  is configured such that when the wings are in an operating position the elevator  601  is positioned and “locked” between the inner wing  205  and the bottom frame  213 , which prevents the elevator system  405  from rotating about the vertical axis. The elevator system actuator  605  is pivotably coupled to the top frame member  207  at a first end and to the shaft  602  on an opposite end. The shaft  602  may pivot about a vertical axis approximately perpendicular relative to the inner wing  205  by extending or contracting the elevator system actuator  605 . For example, when the elevator system actuator  605  is fully contracted, the elevator  601  and the middle wing coupled to the elevator  601  may be in an extended position, where the middle wing extends laterally outward from the toolbar frame  206 . When the elevator system actuator  605  extends, it causes the shaft  602  to pivot. As such, the elevator  601  and the middle wing may be in a folded position, where the middle wing is oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the toolbar frame  206 . In that regard, moving the middle wing (and the outer wing) from the extended operating position to the folded position may reduce the overall width of the agricultural spray implement to place for transporting or shipping same. 
     The elevator assembly  405  may have its own floor  613  or the elevator support  215  may function as the elevator floor. When the elevator assembly  405  has its own floor  613 , the floor  613  is coupled to the elevator support  215 . When the elevator assembly  405  does not have its own floor  613 , the shaft  602  may include an opening on the bottom that engages a protrusion on the elevator support  215 . In an embodiment of the present invention, the floor  613  is coupled between inner wing  205  and bottom frame  213  with elevator support  215  being coupled to floor  613 . In an alternative embodiment, the inner wing  205  could be separated from the bottom frame  213  and top frame member  207 , and the top frame and bottom frame members would be attached to frame  303  or hitch  308  such that they would not be moved by the toolbar system coupling mechanism  217 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 25 , the elevator  601  may be elevated by extending the vertical actuator  603 , which causes the middle wing  203  pivotably coupled to the elevator  601  to be raised to a certain height above the inner wing  205 . The vertical actuator  603  is attached to the elevator  601  on a first end and attached to the shaft  602  on an opposite end such that the elevator  601  is elevated or lowered by extending or contracting the vertical actuator  603 , as noted above. The actuators  603 ,  605 , and  611  may be a hydraulic cylinder or other devices that can move or control components of the toolbar system  100 . 
     As depicted in  FIG. 26 , the vertical movement of the elevator  601  and the tilting feature of the middle wing via the middle wing actuator  611 , individually or in combination, may allow the middle wing to be positioned higher than the wheel on the same side of the agricultural spray implement in the folded position. Subsequently, as will be further described below, the middle wing may be lowered in the folded position via the elevator  601  and/or the tilting feature to reduce the overall height of the agricultural spray implement in the transport or shipping position. For example, the elevator  601  may be elevated from a first height to a second height to sufficiently clear the carriage wheels  305  on the same side of the spray implement when the middle wing pivots about the vertical axis. In another example, only the middle wing may be titled away from the ground at an angle so as to sufficiently clear the carriage wheels  305  on the same side of the spray implement when the middle wing again pivots about the vertical axis. In yet another example, the elevator  601  may be elevated to a certain height and the middle wing tilted away from the ground at a particular angle, in combination, so that the middle wing may be able to clear the carriage wheels  305  on the same side of the spray implement in the folded position. Then, the middle wing may be lowered via the elevator  601  and/or tilted back toward the ground using at least the middle wing actuator  611  to reduce the overall height of the spray implement and to place it in the transport or shipping position. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 28-31 , the middle wing coulters  503  may be adapted to move or rotate relative to the middle wing  203  between an operating position in which the coulters  503  extend downwardly relative to the middle wing  203  and a transport or shipping position in which the coulters  503  are positioned above the middle wing  203 . The middle wing coulters  503  are pivotably coupled to the middle wing  203  by a coulter linkage  701 . The coulter linkage  701  includes an actuator  703 , a first linkage member  705  and a second linkage member  707 . The actuator  703  may be a hydraulic cylinder. The actuator is pivotably coupled to the middle wing  203  at a first end and to a second end of the first linkage member  705  at a second end. The first end of the first linkage member  705  is pivotably coupled to the coulter support  709 , and the second end of the first linkage member  705  is pivotably coupled to the first end of the second linkage member  707 . The second end of the second linkage member  707  is pivotably coupled to the coulter base  709 . The coulter base  709  is also pivotably coupled to the coulter support  711 . The actuator  703  may move or rotate the coulters  503  relative to the longitudinal axis of the middle wing between an operating position below the middle wing to a transport or shipping position above the middle wing. For example, extending or contracting the hydraulic cylinder actuator  703  moves or rotates the coulters  503  below or above the middle wing, respectively. In another embodiment, the second end of the actuator  703  may be coupled to the second linkage  707  or to both the first linkage  705  and second linkage  707 . In that regard, an operator of the toolbar system may move or rotate the coulters  503  by extending or contracting the hydraulic cylinder actuator  703 , as opposed to rotating the entire middle wing in order to rotate the coulters. 
     In the operating position, the wings are positioned such that the outer wing  201 , the middle wing  203 , and the inner wing  205  are approximately parallel and approximately the same height from the ground, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In the operating position, the coulters are positioned such that they may engage the ground to fertilize the soil. The coulters may be lowered to engage the ground by adjusting the actuator of the toolbar system coupling mechanisms  217  such that the toolbar system is lowered. 
     In one illustrative example, to move the toolbar system  100  into the shipping or transport position, the middle wing  203  may be pivoted about the horizontal hinge  609  such that the middle wing  203  and outer wing  201  are tilted away from the ground and are no longer parallel to the inner wing  201 , as depicted in  FIG. 7 . This step may also include extending the actuator of the toolbar coupling mechanism  217  such that the toolbar frame  206  is moved upwards (away from the ground) and towards the implement  300 . Next, the coulters  503  on the middle wing are rotated from an operating position below the middle wing  203  to a transport or shipping position in which the coulters  503  are positioned above the middle wing  203 , i.e., the coulters  503  are positioned away from the ground. Following this step, the outer wing  201  may be pivoted about hinge  407  such that it is positioned above the middle wing  203 . In an embodiment of the present invention, the middle wing coulters  503  are offset relative to the outer wing  201  such that the coulters  503  do not interfere with the outer wing  201  moving into the position above the middle wing  203 . In the alternative, the outer wing  201  may be pivoted about the hinge  407  to a position above the middle wing  203  first, and then the coulters  503  may be rotated to a transport or shipping position. 
     Next, in the illustrative example, the middle wing  203  is elevated by the elevator assembly  405 . The outer wing  201  is also elevated in this step because it is coupled to the middle wing  203 . The middle wing  203  may be elevated to a position above the inner wing  201 . Following the elevation step, the elevator assembly  405  is rotated about a vertical axis of rotation to a folded position such that the middle wing  203  and outer wing  201  are positioned approximately orthogonal to the inner wing  201  or approximately parallel to a direction of travel. As described above, the middle wing  203  may be positioned above the carriage wheels  305  using the elevator assembly  405 , the middle wing actuator  611 , or a combination of both. For instance, the middle wing in  FIG. 10  is positioned above the carriage wheels by both tilting and elevating it. When the middle wing  203  and outer wing  201  are rotated into this position, the toolbar system  100  is in an end user transport position. The middle wing may also be pivoted about the horizontal hinge  609  to tilt the middle wing and outer wing downward, which will reduce the overall height of the agricultural spray implement. The middle wing  203  may be tilted such that it is approximately parallel relative to the ground. 
     To place the toolbar system  100  into a shipping position in the illustrative example above, the coulters  503  and  501  of the middle wing  203  and outer wing  201  may be circularly rotated at their respective coupling points on the middle wing in order to decrease the width of the unit. Also, the coulter assemblies  503  and  501  may be lowered relative to their respective wing segments  203  and  201  to lower the height of the unit. The middle wing  203  may then be pivoted relative to the elevator assembly about the first horizontal axis of rotation such that it is approximately parallel to the ground and the elevator assembly  405  may lower the middle wing  203  such that the highest point of the middle wing  203 , outer wing  201  and the coulters coupled to them is below the top of the implement  300 . Also, the gauge wheels  221  and  223  of the middle wing and the outer wing may be removed or relocated to another position on the toolbar system  100  (e.g., a gauge wheel on the outer wing may be moved to the middle wing and vice versa) in the shipping position. In another embodiment, the toolbar system coupling mechanism  217  may be used to lower the toolbar to reduce the height. 
       FIGS. 32 and 33  depict an elevator assembly  805  according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. For example, the elevator assembly  805  may include an elevator  806 , a shaft  808 , a set of parallel arms  810 , an elevator actuator  812 , hinges  814  and  816 , a hinge  818  coupling the middle wing and the elevator  806 , and a tilt actuator  820 . As shown in  FIGS. 32 and 33 , the elevator  806  is coupled to the shaft  808  via the set of parallel arms  810  at hinges  814  and  816 . Further, one end of the actuator  812  may be coupled to the lower portion of the shaft  808  and the second end of the actuator  812  may be coupled to the top portion of the elevator  806  adjacent to hinges  816 . Accordingly, as the actuator  820  extends or contracts, the set of parallel arms  810  may move up and down, which also allows the elevator  806  to move up and down with the parallel arms  810 . Actuator  820  may be used to pivot the toolbar about pivot  818  between the horizontal position shown in  FIGS. 32 and 33  and an upwardly tilted position (not shown). Shaft  808  may be rotatable about a vertical axis to permit folding/unfolding of the toolbar between laterally extended and retracted positions in the manner described above for the other elevator embodiment. While the number of parallel arms in the set of parallel arms  810  is shown as two, it will be understood that more than two arms, or even one arm, may be used to couple the elevator  806  to the shaft  808 . 
       FIG. 32  shows the elevator assembly  805  in the operating (lowered) position. By way of example only, the actuator  812  is in the contracted position such that the set of parallel arms  810  slope in a downward direction toward the ground. Also,  FIG. 32  depicts the hinges  816  positioned below hinges  814 . Thus, as shown, the bottom portion of the elevator  806  is aligned and collinear with the bottom portion of the shaft  808  or the bottom portion of the toolbar frame  206 . Moreover, in an embodiment, the tilt actuator  820  is in an extended position such that the longitudinal axis of the middle wing is also aligned and collinear with the bottom beam of the toolbar frame  206 . 
       FIG. 33  depicts the elevator assembly  805  in an elevated position so that the toolbar system may be moved to a transport or shipping position. For instance, the actuator  812  of the elevator assembly  805  may be in an extended position such that the elevator  806  lifts up and the set of parallel arms  810  slope in an upward direction away from the ground. As depicted, the hinges  816  are now positioned above the hinges  814 . Accordingly, the longitudinal axis of the middle wing is positioned above the bottom beam of the toolbar frame  206  and no longer aligned and collinear with the bottom beam. The degree of extension of the actuator  812  and/or the position of the hinges  814  may determine how high the elevator  808  is elevated. Once the elevator  808  is elevated to a particular height, the elevator assembly  805  may pivot about a vertical axis of rotation relative to the toolbar frame  206 , in a manner similar to that described above. 
     An advantage of the invention is that by lifting and folding the toolbar, the overall width of the agricultural spray implement may be reduced. Narrower road transport width may be beneficial to the operators by making it safer and more convenient to transport the spray implement on the roads. Further, when the toolbar is lowered in the folded position and all the tools coupled to the wings are pushed down, the height and width of the spray implement may be reduced, thereby reducing the overall shipping height and width of the implement. It may also beneficial to dealers as they have minimum labor and time in setting up the toolbar system once delivered. Moreover, adapting the one or more tools coupled to the middle wing to be rotatable relative to the middle wing to a transport/shipping position above the middle wing may make it safer and more convenient for the operators to move the toolbar into the transport/shipping position, as opposed to rotating the entire middle wing to reposition the tools. 
     It will also be appreciated that the above example components and operations are illustrative only, and that an embodiment of the present application may have fewer or more components or operations than those illustrated above, and have operations arranged in an order different than that illustrated above. For example, the above system may be used with an implement with tracks rather than wheels, and the focus on reducing the height and width of the unit in the end user transport position and the shipping position will still apply. These and other modifications and changes apparent to those of skill in the art are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.