US 5,255,756 A · Caddy with guidance system for agricultural implements

Abstract

A caddy with a guidance system for towing agricultural implements is provided for row crop farming. The caddy converts mounted agricultural implements to pull-type implements, allowing larger implements to be pulled by relatively small tractors. A guidance system automatically maintains the desired position of the implement and the caddy with respect to the crop rows. The frame assembly of the caddy includes a tongue assembly for attachment to a tractor. The tongue is pivotally connected to an axle which is rotatable about a vertical axis at the rear of the caddy. A three-point hitch is provided in association with the axle of the caddy for attachment to a mounted implement. The guidance system of the invention is provided as a sensor-activated hydraulic mechanism having at least one hydraulic cylinder to rotate the axle about the vertical axis to steer the caddy and provide the necessary correction to its path of travel.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A caddy adapted to be towed by a tractor and equipped to pull an agricultural implement therebehind, the caddy comprising:

attachment means for pivotally connecting the caddy to a single pivot hitch on a tractor;
an axle having wheels mounted on the ends thereof and pivotally connected to said attachment means, said ends of said axle extending laterally away from said attachment means and said axle being rotatable around a vertical axis to vary the angular orientation of said axle relative to said attachment means;
and
guidance means for rotating said axle around said vertical axis to steer the caddy along a desired path of travel when the caddy is towed behind a tractor, said guidance means having a pair of sensor wands extending beneath said attachment means, each of said sensor wands positioned along the circumference of a circle centered about said vertical axis.

1 more element

A caddy adapted to be towed by a tractor and equipped to pull an agricultural implement therebehind, the caddy comprising:

a tongue member having a first and second end thereon, said first end adapted for attachment to a pivot hitch on a tractor;
an axle having wheels mounted on the ends thereof and pivotally attached to said second end of said tongue member, said wheels positioned laterally with respect to said tongue member, said axle being rotatable around a vertical axis to vary the angular orientation of said axle relative to said tongue member;
a frame assembly affixed to said axle and extending beneath said tongue member between said axle and said first end of said tongue member;
a three-point hitch affixed to said axle for towing an agricultural implement, said hitch being rotatable around said vertical axis with said axle;
and
guidance means for automatically rotating said axle around said vertical axis to steer the caddy along a desired path of travel when towed behind a tractor.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Caddy with guidance system for agricultural implements

Life of this patent

Caddy with guidance system for agricultural implements

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20