Patent ID: 7623952

Claim:
Apparatus for positioning a farm implement of the type which has an elongated transverse tool bar to travel along a desired path of movement while being drawn by a motor vehicle moving generally along the path, the vehicle having a three point mounting hitch on the rear end thereof, the mounting hitch being configured to permit lateral movement thereof at least about 10 inches relative to the tractor, said apparatus comprising: a guidance system hitch for attachment to the mounting hitch of the vehicle and configured to have the implement mounted thereto, said guidance system hitch having hydraulic means for selectively adjusting the horizontal angular orientation of a connecting portion of said guidance system hitch relative to the mounting hitch, the tool bar being operatively attached to said connecting portion of said guidance system hitch to adjust the horizontal angular orientation of said tool bar relative to said guidance system hitch; a global positioning system (GPS), said GPS including a receiver and an antenna, said antenna being mounted on and above said guidance system hitch, said GPS being operable to detect the position of the tool bar relative to the desired path as the vehicle moves forwardly generally along the desired path and generate a second signal that is indicative of said lateral position; a control system for controlling said hydraulic means to adjust the angular orientation of said guidance system hitch and tool bar so that the implement follows the desired path of movement in response to said second signals from said global positioning system.