Agricultural apparatus and method

An agricultural applicator, comprising:

• a frame structure having a longitudinal axis and laterally opposed sides;
• a first wheel on one side of the frame structure, and a second wheel on an opposite side of the frame structure for allowing movement of the applicator during transport and operation;
• a container coupled to the frame structure and adapted to hold a material to be applied;
• first and second main wings respectively coupled for pivoting movement relative to the laterally opposed sides of the frame structure, the first and second main wings each including inner and outer wing sections, the first main wing on one side of the frame structure and the second main wing on an opposite side of the frame structure, and the first and second main wings being pivotable about respective axes of rotation between extended positions in which the first and second main wings extend laterally outward from respective opposite sides of the frame structure, and retracted, storage positions in which the first and second main wings extend generally along a length of the frame structure for shipping or transport;
• first and second auxiliary wings, the first and second auxiliary wings each separately pivotable between a raised, retracted storage position oriented transverse to the first and second main wings for shipping or transport and a laterally extending position;
• and
• dispensers respectively coupled to the first and second main wings and the first and second auxiliary wings;
• wherein the first and second main wings include respective raised sections each configured to extend over a respective wheel on a corresponding side of the frame structure in the storage position, and the raised sections are each comprised of a frame having a generally concave shape receiving a portion of one of the first and second wheels in the storage position.

An agricultural applicator, comprising:

• a frame structure having a longitudinal axis and laterally opposed sides;
• a first wheel on one side of the frame structure, and a second wheel on an opposite side of the frame structure for allowing movement of the applicator during transport and operation;
• a container coupled to the frame structure and adapted to hold a material to be applied;
• first and second main wings respectively coupled for pivoting movement relative to the laterally opposed sides of the frame structure, the first and second main wings each including inner and outer wing sections, the first main wing on one side of the frame structure and the second main wing on an opposite side of the frame structure, and first and second auxiliary wings each separately pivotable between a raised, retracted storage position oriented transverse to the first and second main wings for shipping or transport and a laterally extending position;
• and
• respective dispensers coupled to each of the first and second main wings and to the first and second auxiliary wings, wherein the dispensers coupled to the first and second auxiliary wings are positioned between the dispensers coupled to the first and second main wings;
• wherein the first and second main wings include respective raised sections each configured to extend over a respective wheel on a corresponding side of the frame structure in the storage position, and the raised sections are each comprised of a frame having a generally concave shape receiving a portion of one of the first and second wheels in the storage position.

A method for operating an agricultural applicator, the agricultural applicator including a frame structure having a longitudinal axis and laterally opposed sides, a first wheel on one side of the frame structure, and a second wheel on an opposite side of the frame structure for allowing movement of the applicator during transport and operation, a container coupled to the frame structure and adapted to hold a material to be applied, first and second main wings each including inner and outer wing sections, respective dispensers coupled to the first and second main wings, the first main wing on one side of the frame structure and the second main wing on an opposite side of the frame structure, wherein the first and second main wings each include a raised, concave section, and the method comprising:

• rotating the first and second main wings about respective vertical axes of rotation to extended positions in which the first and second main wings extend laterally outward from the frame structure for an applicator operation, and
• rotating the first and second main wings about the respective vertical axes of rotation from the extended positions to respective retracted, storage positions generally along a length of the frame structure for shipping or transport, wherein each of the raised, concave sections extends over a respective one of the first or second wheels on a corresponding side of the frame structure in the storage position.

An agricultural apparatus, comprising:

• a frame structure having a longitudinal axis and laterally opposed sides;
• a center tool bar coupled to the frame structure;
• first and second main wings respectively coupled for pivoting movement relative to opposite end portions of the center tool bar, the first and second main wings each including inner and outer wing sections, the first main wing on one side of the frame structure and the second main wing on an opposite side of the frame structure, and the first and second main wings being pivotable about respective axes of rotation between extended positions in which the first and second main wings extend laterally outward from respective opposite sides of the frame structure, and retracted, storage positions in which the first and second main wings extend generally along a length of the frame structure for shipping or transport;
• first and second auxiliary wings, the first and second auxiliary wings each separately pivotable between a raised, retracted storage position oriented transverse to the center tool bar for shipping or transport and a laterally extending position;
• and
• respective sets of tools coupled to each of the center tool bar, the first and second main wings and the first and second auxiliary wings, wherein the sets of tools coupled to the first and second auxiliary wings are positioned between the sets of tools coupled to the first and second main wings;
• wherein the first and second main wings include respective raised sections comprised of a frame having a generally concave shape.