Patent ID: 8256526

Claim:
Apparatus for positioning a pull type farm implement which has an elongated tongue fixedly attached to an elongated transverse tool bar while being drawn by a motor vehicle moving generally along a desired path, the vehicle having a vehicle hitch on the rear end thereof configured for attachment to a front end portion of the tongue, said apparatus comprising: a hydraulic hitch mechanism having an elongated main frame separate from the vehicle, said mechanism including a forwardmost component configured for attachment to the vehicle hitch and being configured to pivot relative to said main frame about a first vertical axis, and a rearwardmost component connected to said main frame at an opposite end portion opposite said forwardmost component and configured to be attached to the tongue of the implement in a non-pivoting manner, said rearwardmost component being configured to pivot relative to said main frame about a second vertical axis distinct from said first vertical axis, said hitch mechanism having at least one hydraulic cylinder connected to said main frame and to said rearwardmost component of said mechanism external to said main frame for selectively adjusting the lateral position of the front end portion of the tongue relative to the vehicle hitch in a manner whereby a pull point of the motor vehicle is relatively unchanged; a global positioning system (GPS), said GPS including a receiver and an antenna, said antenna being mounted on the implement, 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 repeatedly generate signals that are indicative of said detected position; and means for controlling said at least one hydraulic cylinder to adjust the lateral position of the front end of the tongue so that the implement follows the desired path of movement in response to said GPS signals.