Tongue latch mechanism

In an agricultural mower towed by a tractor comprising a tongue pivotally affixed to the tractor at a hitch, said mower having a trailframe supported by a pair of implement tires, said tongue pivotally attached to the trailframe by a tongue pivot, said mower capable of being placed on a trailer, the improvement comprising:

• a. a tongue latch mechanism for selectively affixing the tongue, while in a lateral transport position, to the trailframe;
• b. the tongue latch mechanism further comprising:
• i. a tongue latch frame affixed to the tongue and supporting a tongue pin;
• ii. a tongue handle pivotally affixed to the tongue latch frame for slidably moving the tongue pin;
• c. an angle strike plate affixed to the trailframe, the strike plate having a tongue pin hole, therein, the tongue pin hole for receiving the tongue pin;
• d. a lock plate affixed to the tongue latch frame, the lock plate having a lock plate slot, therein;
• and
• e. a lock bar pivotally attached to the handle, the lock bar having a notch, therein, the notch having selective contact with the lock plate slot.

A method of detaching a tongue of a pull type agricultural implement while in a lateral transport position from a trailframe comprising the steps of:

• a. removing a tongue pin from a tongue pin hole in a strike plate;
• b. sliding a notch in a lock bar into a lock plate slot;
• and
• c. rotating the trailframe relative to the tongue.