Central Bulk Fill System Having Stowable Ladder For Stack-Fold Farm Implement

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one bulk fill hopper configured to provide particulate matter to a plurality of row units mounted to a set of tool bars of a stack-fold planter, wherein the set of tool bars include an inner tool bar and first and second outer tool bars that are adapted to be raised from an extended, field working position and moved over the inner tool bar when the stack-fold planter is in a transport position;
• a frame structure supporting the bulk fill hopper;
• a platform mounted to the frame structure and extending rearward of the bulk fill hopper;
• an elongated receiver formed adjacent a lower surface of the platform;
• and
• a ladder movable in and out of the elongated receiver to move the ladder between a stowed position in which the ladder is positioned in the receiver and an in-use position in which the ladder extends from a rearward portion of the platform;
• and
• means for raising and lower the frame structure to elevate the bulk fill hopper to a raised, transport position and lower the frame structure from the raised, transport position to a lowered, field-working position.