Down-pressure system for agricultural implement

Apparatus for applying down-pressure to a tool-bar of an agricultural implement, wherein:

• the tool-bar is in sections, being a main section and a wing-section;
• each section of the tool-bar is provided with ground-engaging elements;
• the apparatus includes an operable means for raising the wing-section, relative to the main section, to a stowed condition, and for lowering the wing-section to an operational condition in which the wing-section is in co-operative alignment with the main section;
• the apparatus includes an operable wing-press-down actuation means, which is effective, when operated, and when the wing is in the operational condition, to apply a wing-press-down-force onto the wing-section in a direction to urge the ground-engaging elements thereon downwards;
• the apparatus includes a means for directing at least a potion of the upwards reaction to the aforesaid wing-press-down-force against the main-section;
• the apparatus includes a wing-press-down-force-regulator, which is effective, when the wing is in the operational condition, to control and regulate the wing-press-down-force, to a level at which the elements can effectively work the ground, and to do so over an operational range of radical movement;
• the aforesaid operational range of vertical movement being a range of movement between the main section and the wing-section, in which the sections remain in co-operative alignment during operational use of the apparatus in working the ground;
• and the apparatus includes an operable wing blocking means, which is effective, when operated, to block downwards movement of the wing-section below a predetermined height of the wing-section, being a height intermediate between the stowed condition and the operational condition of the wing-section.