Folding implement with tractor assist
AssigneeCNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
InventorsBrice Magarity, James W. Henry
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A towed implement, such as a cultivator is configured between an unfolded operational position and a folded transport position in which wing sections are pivoted about a vertical axis into a forward direction where they are alongside a telescoping tool bar. Sensors on the cultivator send signals initiating the folding/unfolding sequence to send commands through the implement controller to a tractor controller having a ISOBUS class 3 configuration. The tractor is commanded to forward and rearward movement in synchronism with the folding/unfolding process to steer wing supporting wheel assemblies toward the correct position for the intended transport direction
Claims20
An agricultural implement connected to a towing vehicle capable of commanded forward and rearward movement, said agricultural implement foldable between a laterally extending unfolded operational position and folded transport position, said agricultural implement comprising:
- a center frame having a tow bar for connection to the towing vehicle at the end of the tow bar;
- at least one ground support wheel assembly on said center frame for supporting said center section;
- at least one articulated wing frame displaceable between a laterally extending unfolded operational position and a folded transport position, said tow bar being displaceable between a retracted operational position and an extended transport position as said articulated wing frame is displaced from said field position to said transport position;
- at least one extended support wheel assembly on said at least one articulated wing frame swivel mounted to said frame to permit omni directional movement;
- and,
- a control system responsive to the initiation of folding and unfolding displacement by said at least the wing frame for respectively commanding the towing vehicle toward at least one of the forward and rearward direction in synchronism with the displacement of said at least one wing frame and said tow bar to steer said swivel mounted ground support wheel assembly toward the correct position for the intended transportation direction during the folding and unfolding process while minimizing movement of the ground support wheel assembly relative to the ground.
A method for minimizing stresses on a swivel ground support wheel for an agricultural implement towed by a tractor capable of at least one of commanded forward and rearward movement and having at least one wing frame articulated to be displaced between an unfolded and folded position in which the at least one wing frame pivots at least one of forward and backward, said ground support wheel being connected to the at least one wing frame, said method comprising the steps of:
- initiating displacement between the unfolded and folded positions;
- and,
- commanding the tractor to move forwards and backwards in response to the wing frame displacement in synchronism so that the swivel ground support wheel is steered toward the correct position for the intended transport direction as the wing frame is displaced while minimizing movement of the ground support wheel assembly relative to the ground.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.