Patent ID: 8528308

Claim:
A movable frame for connecting a plurality of like implements to an agricultural tractor, the moveable frame comprising: a main frame configured for connection to the tractor and movable by the tractor in an operational direction and a generally opposite transport direction; a first wing frame and a second wing frame each pivotally connected to said main frame at first and second swing joints, for rotation about generally vertical axes between an operating position and a transport position; first and second elongate wing extensions having respective first and second pivot ends and free ends, said first and second pivot ends connected to said first and second wing frames, respectively, said first and second wing extensions extending generally transverse to the tractor from opposing sides of said main frame when said first and second wing frames are in said operating position, said first and second wing extension extending generally longitudinally to the tractor when said first and second wing frames are in said transport position wherein said first and second wing extensions are each connected to said first and second wing frames, respectively, by a generally horizontally aligned pivot joint that enables said first and second free ends of said wing extension to move generally vertically relative to said main frame as support wheels connected to the wing extensions encounter undulations in the ground; first and second suspension systems, each connecting one of the plurality of implements to said first and second wing extensions, respectively, each said suspension system configured to allow at least vertical movement between the implement and the connected wing extension and wherein the implement includes a cutterbar; and elongate first and second controlling suspension arms each pivotally connected at one end to respective first and second wing frames for rotation about an axis generally parallel to an operating length of the respective implements, an opposing end of each of said first and second controlling suspension arms being connected to one of the plurality of implements whereby said first and second controlling suspension arms maintain lateral spacing between the plurality of connected implements within a pre-determined limit.