Method And Apparatus For A Folding Marker For An Agricultural Implement

An agricultural implement, comprising:

• a toolbar;
• a folding marker connected to an end of the toolbar, the folding marker including:
• a marker shoulder pivot configured for connection to the toolbar;
• an inner arm pivotally connected to the marker shoulder pivot;
• a double acting hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected to the marker shoulder pivot and connected approximately in parallel with the inner arm;
• a middle arm bracket pivotally connected to the inner arm and the double acting hydraulic cylinder;
• a middle arm connected to the middle arm bracket, the middle arm including a first beam and a second beam extending from the middle arm bracket and terminating at an outer arm pivot, a crossbrace connected between the first beam and the second beam, and a third beam connected between the middle arm bracket and the crossbrace;
• an outer arm pivot bracket pivotally connected to the outer arm pivot;
• an outer arm connected to the outer arm pivot bracket, the outer arm having a first leg and a second leg each connected at one end to the outer arm pivot bracket, the first leg and the second leg connected at an other end to a plate assembly, the first leg and the second leg defining a channel therebetween;
• and
• an adjustable arm assembly slidably connected within the channel, the adjustable arm assembly including an extension element insertable within the channel and lockable along the extension element with the plate assembly, and a marking element connected to the extension element.

A method of manufacturing a folding marker for connection to a toolbar of an agricultural implement, comprising the steps of:

• providing a marker shoulder pivot configured for connection to the toolbar, an inner arm pivotally connected to the marker shoulder pivot, a double acting hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected to the marker shoulder pivot and connected approximately in parallel with the inner arm, a middle arm bracket pivotally connected to the inner arm and the double acting hydraulic cylinder;
• fabricating a middle arm including a first beam and a second beam extending from the middle arm bracket and terminating at an outer arm pivot, a crossbrace connected between the first beam and the second beam, and a third beam connected between the middle arm bracket and the crossbrace;
• connecting the middle arm to the middle arm bracket;
• assembling an outer arm pivot bracket pivotally connected to the outer arm pivot;
• forming an outer arm connected to the outer arm pivot bracket, the outer arm having a first leg and second leg each connected at one end to the outer arm pivot bracket, the first leg and the second leg connected at an other end to a plate assembly, the first leg and the second leg defining a channel therebetween;
• and
• slidably connecting an adjustable arm assembly within the channel, the adjustable arm assembly including an extension element insertable within the channel and lockable along the extension element with the plate assembly.

A method of actuating at least one folding marker for connection to a toolbar of an agricultural implement, comprising the steps of:

• providing a double acting hydraulic cylinder connected to at least one arm of a first folding marker;
• fluidly communicating a hydraulic system with the double acting hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic system having a marker valve assembly including a fixed orifice in an inlet of the marker valve assembly;
• and
• controlling a lift speed and a lower speed of the folding marker using the fixed orifice.