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AssigneeInternational Harvester Company
InventorsIngemar R. Andersson, Charles Boetto
Estimating the term…
A transversely and linearly elongated tractionally supported tool-carrying frame for agricultural implements having caster wheels which are shiftable individually and vertically relative to the frame to move the latter, and consequently the tools, between raised inoperative and lower earth-working positions. A central tractor hitch on the frame enables the latter to be pulled in broadside fashion forwardly for earth-working purposes when the frame and tools are in their lowered earth-working positions, and a second tractor hitch at one end of the frame enables the latter to be pulled linearly sidewise for transport purposes when the frame and tools are raised. A salient feature of the invention resides in a novel arrangement for automatically latching one of the caster wheels against free caster trailing during such sidewise transport movement of the implement to thereby lend a stabilizing influence to the implement and inhibit side sway.
In an agricultural implement, in combination, an elongated transversely extending tool-carrying framework designed for reception of earth-working tools thereon in laterally spaced relationship, a first tractor hitch mounted on said framework in the medial region thereof for enabling the implement to be towed forwardly so that said framework advances in broadside fashion, a second tractor hitch mounted on one end of the framework for enabling the implement to be towed sidewise so that the framework advances endwise, a plurality of ground-engaging caster wheels carried by and operatively supporting the framework, all of said wheels being of the free-trailing caster type, and means automatically effective to lock one of said caster wheels for rotation in a plane parallel to the framework when the implement is towed endwise by said second hitch, said automatically effective locking means for said one caster wheel embodying a caster yoke for said wheel, a detent plate mounted on said yoke for movement in unison therewith and having a ramp portion thereon, and a locking pin movably mounted on the framework, slidably engageable with said ramp portion, and designed for locking cooperation with an opening which is formed in said detent plate and which moves into register with the locking pin when the caster wheel moves into its position of parallelism with said framework.
In an agricultural earth-working implement, in combination, a rigid transversely extending horizontal support bar, a pair of normally aligned transversely extending horizontal tool bars designed for reception of earth-working tools thereon in laterally spaced relation and having their adjacent ends pivotally connected to the support bar on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis of the implement, front and rear ground-engaging caster wheels mounted on the outer ends of each said tool bar whereby each said bar is constrained to rise and fall in conformity with an undulatory ground pattern, a central ground-engaging caster wheel mounted on said support bar and disposed rearwardly thereof, said support bar being provided with a centrally disposed tractor hitch for enabling the implement to be towed forwardly so that said support bar and tool bars advance in broadside fashion, one of said tool bars being provided with a second tractor hitch at its outer end for enabling the implement to be towed sidewise so that the support bar and tool bars advance endwise, all of said caster wheels being of the free-trailing caster type, and means automatically effective to lock said central caster wheel for rotation in a plane parallel to said support bar and tool bars when the implement is towed endwise by said second tractor hitch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.