Gang angle adjustment for a work machine and method thereof

An agricultural implement, comprising:

• a transversely extending frame forming at least a first frame section, a second frame section, and a third frame section, where the first frame section is disposed between the second and third frame sections;
• a front pair of elongated, generally end-to-end gang assemblies on the first frame section, a rear pair of elongated, generally end-to-end gang assemblies on the first frame section, a front elongated gang assembly on the second frame section, a rear elongated gang assembly on the second frame section, a front elongated gang assembly on the third frame section, and a rear elongated gang assembly on the third frame section, each of the gang assemblies including a plurality of rotatable tillage tools mounted in such a manner that their axes of rotation extend substantially transverse to a path of travel of the frame;
• each of the gang assemblies being horizontally adjustable relative to the frame for adjusting the angles between the path of travel of the frame and the axes of rotation of the tools;
• a hydraulic actuator for each gang assembly for operably controlling the angular adjustment of the gang assemblies;
• and
• a fluid source for supplying hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuators;
• wherein, one of the hydraulic actuators on the second frame section comprises a master hydraulic actuator for two of the four hydraulic actuators on the first frame section, and one of the hydraulic actuators on the third frame section comprises a master hydraulic actuator for the other two hydraulic actuators on the first frame section.

An agricultural implement, comprising:

• a transversely extending frame forming at least a first frame section, a second frame section, and a third frame section, where the first frame section is disposed between the second and third frame sections;
• a front pair of elongated, generally end-to-end gang assemblies on the first frame section, a rear pair of elongated, generally end-to-end gang assemblies on the first frame section, a front elongated gang assembly on the second frame section, a rear elongated gang assembly on the second frame section, a front elongated gang assembly on the third frame section, and a rear elongated gang assembly on the third frame section, each of the gang assemblies including a plurality of rotatable tillage tools mounted in such a manner that their axes of rotation extend substantially transverse to a path of travel of the frame;
• each of the gang assemblies being horizontally adjustable relative to the frame for adjusting the angles between the path of travel of the frame and the axes of rotation of the tools;
• a first hydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of the rear elongated gang assembly on the second frame section;
• a second hydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of the front elongated gang assembly on the second frame section;
• a third hydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of the rear elongated gang assembly on the third frame section;
• a fourth hydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of the front elongated gang assembly on the third frame section;
• a fifth hydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of a first front gang assembly of the pair of front elongated gang assemblies on the first frame section;
• a sixth hydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of a second front gang assembly of the pair of front elongated gang assemblies on the first frame section;
• a seventh hydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of a first rear gang assembly of the pair of rear elongated gang assemblies on the first frame section;
• and
• an eighth hydraulic actuator for controlling angular adjustment of a second rear gang assembly of the pair of rear elongated gang assemblies on the first frame section;
• and
• a fluid source for supplying hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuators;
• wherein, the first hydraulic actuator is the master hydraulic actuator of the fifth hydraulic actuator, and the third hydraulic actuator is the master hydraulic actuator of the sixth hydraulic actuator.