Patent ID: 8109531

Claim:
A system for push-steering an implement comprising: a pair of links, each link connecting the implement to a front portion of a motorized vehicle having a first longitudinal axis in a fore and aft direction of the vehicle, the implement having a second longitudinal axis in a fore and aft direction of the vehicle, and rotatably carrying at least two spaced wheels, wherein the front portion includes a frame, to which the pair of links are both rotatably mounted to permit arcuate movement of the links with respect to a horizontal plane and the links' connections to the frame; one of the links having a pivotable connection to the implement and rotatably connected to the front portion, the remaining link having rotatable connections between the front portion of the motorized vehicle and the implement, the pair of connected links between the motorized vehicle and the implement being non parallel to each other, wherein a weight transfer system connects the one link of the pair of links to the frame, the weight transfer system configured for selective adjustment for varying the distribution of weight of the implement between the wheels of the implement and the vehicle, and wherein the weight transfer system includes at least one resilient device connected between the frame and one of the links by a rotatable linkage, the resilient device configured to apply a retraction force between the frame and the one of the links for urging the end of that link away from a driving surface; in a home position, one link of the pair of links is disposed at a first angular position with respect to the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis is disposed at a second angular position with respect to the first longitudinal axis; an intersection of longitudinal extension lines from forward ends of the pair of links defining an instantaneous center forward of the front portion and between the at least two wheels; in response to the motorized vehicle traveling at a first predetermined steering angle with respect to the first longitudinal axis, causing the motorized vehicle and the implement to travel along a substantially arcuate path, a traction element developed between the at least two wheels of the implement and the driving surface rotatably urging the one link toward a predetermined offset angle from the first angular position in a rotational direction opposite of the first predetermined steering angle, the pair of links simultaneously rotatably urging the implement to be steered toward a second predetermined steering angle from the second angular position in the same rotational direction as the first predetermined steering angle, wherein the pair of links is configured to laterally displace the implement.