Patent ID: 8336639

Claim:
A pull-type implement adapted for attachment to a towing vehicle, the pull-type implement comprising: a frame comprising a front cross-member, a rear cross-member positioned substantially parallel to the front cross-member, and at least two frame rails joining the front cross-member to the rear cross-member; a vertically adjustable rear wheel suspension rotatably mounted to the frame rails of the frame comprising a lift axle assembly and at least two laterally spaced ground-engaging wheels rotatably mounted to the lift axle assembly, the vertically adjustable rear wheel suspension further comprising at least one actuator operably connected to the lift axle assembly, wherein the actuator is configured to actuate the vertically adjustable rear wheel suspension to move the frame between a lowered, working position and a raised, transport position; a tongue coupled to the front cross-member via at least one pivot joint, wherein the at least one pivot joint is operative to allow vertical movement between the tongue and the frame about a first pivot axis; a leveling arrangement coupled to the front cross-member about a second pivot axis, the leveling arrangement comprising a first lever comprising a first pivot limiter and a second pivot limiter, a second lever, and a locking actuator comprising a first section operably coupled to the first pivot limiter and a second section operably coupled to the second pivot limiter, wherein the locking actuator is operative to extend from a fully retracted position to allow movement of the tongue about the first pivot axis, and wherein the locking actuator is further operative to retract to the fully retracted position to prevent movement of the tongue about the first pivot axis; and a leveling linkage coupled between the lift axle assembly of the vertically adjustable rear wheel suspension and the first lever of the leveling arrangement, wherein the leveling linkage is operative to maintain the frame in a substantially level orientation when the frame is being moved between the lowered, working position and the raised, transport position.