Self-adjusting implement platform for three point hitch and method therefore

Abstract

A three-point hitch drawn platform for an agricultural implement for conditioning soil, crop residue and the like, particularly suitable for use with a disc harrow with at least front and rear disc gangs. A main frame having first and second ends is formed to support said front and rear disc gangs, respectively, so as to facilitate real-time, limited repositioning of the disc gangs relative to first and second stabilizer bars forming part of a subframe which further includes a hitch frame with three-point hitch. The main frame is pivotally connected to the hitch frame at one end, so that other end of said main frame can pivot in response to terrain variations within a predefined distance via first and second stops, each free end of the stabilizer bars engaging the main frame via adjustable helical spring or the like, thereby providing adjustable downward bias transferred to the front and rear disc gangs to accommodate variations terrain during operation, effectively facilitating more consistent tension on the front and rear disc gangs, while providing more enhanced, stable, and consistent terrain penetration during the harrowing process. The present invention further limits or eliminates the issue of alternating right to left thrusting of the discs associated with conventional harrowing implements when three-point hitches are utilized, as well as the associated erratic steering movement on the tractors front steering during same.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.