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AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorsJames Thomas Noonan, Paul David Parker, David Alan Payne, Brian Thomas Mosdal
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A multi-section implement frame includes outer wing sections which fold relative to inner wing sections and then over a main center frame to a transport position. The wing sections include selectively extendable and retractable structure such as lift wheel assemblies which, if extended in the transport position, can interfere with each other. Transducers detect the position of the inner wing sections during folding and unfolding and provide signals to an implement control unit (ICU) to automatically operate the lift wheel assemblies to prevent interference during folding and unfolding and to assure the lift wheels are extended before the implement frame reaches the fully unfolded position. Proximity switches supported above the center frame or other transducer devices such as mercury switches on the wing sections responsive to section angle provide the signals to the ICU. During folding, the ICU causes the lift structure to retract after both switches are activated. During unfolding, the lift structure is extended only after there is no longer potential interference between components. Extension of the lift assemblies during unfolding is controlled by the ICU so that the frame is generally level in the fully unfolded position. The outer wing sections can be folded to narrow the machine when the ground is difficult to penetrate or when a narrow working width is required while still retaining implement operation under the control of the ICU.
A folding agricultural implement having a transversely extending central frame supported a distance above the ground, wing sections pivotally supported from opposite outer ends of the central frame for movement between an outwardly extending field-working position and a folded transport position over the central frame, lift assemblies connected to the wing sections and movable between extended working and retracted positions, the lift assemblies projecting towards each other when the wing sections are in the folded transport position, an implement control unit connected to the lift assemblies and controlling extension and retraction of the lift assemblies, wing position transducers connected to the implement control unit and responsive to movement of the wing sections between the field-working and transport positions and providing position signals to the implement control unit, and wherein the implement control unit is responsive to the position signals to retract the lift assemblies prior to the wing sections reaching the folded transport position to thereby prevent lift assembly interference in the transport position.
A folding agricultural implement having a transversely extending central frame supported above the ground, first and second inner wing sections pivotally supported from opposite outer ends of the central frame for movement between an outwardly extending field-working position and a folded transport position over the central frame, first and second outer wing sections pivotally connected to the first and second inner wing sections, respectively, and pivotable between outwardly directed working positions and compact positions generally overlying the inner wing sections, lift wheel assemblies connected to the first and second outer wing sections and movable between extended ground support and retracted positions, the lift wheel assembly on the first outer wing section projecting towards the second outer wing section when the inner wing sections are in the folded transport position and the outer wing sections are in the compact positions, an implement control unit connected to the lift wheel assemblies and controlling extension and retraction of the lift wheel assemblies, wing position transducers connected to the implement control unit and responsive to movement of the first and second inner wing sections between the field-working and transport positions and providing position signals to the implement control unit, and wherein the implement control unit is responsive to the position signals and operates the lift wheel assemblies during movement of the inner wing sections to move the wheel assemblies out of interfering relationship prior to the first and second inner wing sections reaching the transport position.
A multi-section implement supporting earthworking tools and having a plurality of lift assemblies, folding structure connected to the sections and operable to move the sections between extended field-working positions and folded transport positions, an implement control unit connected to the lift assemblies and controlling the lift assemblies for maintaining the tools in preselected positions relative to the ground when the sections are in the field-working positions, transducer structure connected to the implement control unit providing a fold signal in response to the movement of the sections between the field-working and transport positions, and wherein the implement control unit is responsive to the fold signal to operate the lift assemblies to move the lift assemblies to a retracted position when the folding structure is operated to move the sections to the folded transport positions and to an extended position when the folding structure is operated to move the sections to the extended field-working positions.
A multi-section implement including a main frame section and wing frame sections hinged to the main frame section, the sections supporting earthworking tools and having a plurality of lift assemblies having extended and retracted positions, folding structure connected to the wing frame sections and operable to move the wing frame sections between a transversely extended field-working position and a folded transport position over the main frame with the wing frame sections in close proximity to each other, wherein the lift assemblies, in the extended positions, are in an interfering relationship when the wing frame sections are in the transport position, an implement control unit (ICU) connected to the lift assemblies and controlling the lift assemblies for maintaining the tools in preselected positions relative to the ground when the wing frame sections are in the field-working positions, means responsive to movement of the sections between the field-working and transport positions for providing a fold condition signal to the ICU, and wherein the ICU is responsive to the fold condition signal for moving the lift assemblies towards the retracted position to prevent the interfering relationship when the wing frame sections are pivoted over the main frame and towards the extended position when the wing frames are pivoted back towards the field-working position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.