Guidance system for pull-type equipment

An implement guidance system for manipulating the angular positioning of a drawbar of a towing vehicle for towing an implement attached to the towing vehicle comprising:

• a mounting apparatus secured to the towing vehicle;
• a drawbar mounted on the mounting apparatus for movement to a plurality of positions offset to either side of the mounting apparatus;
• an automatic implement position-relative (“AIPR”) signal generator for generating a signal to manipulate the drawbar position;
• an actuator connected to the mounting apparatus and the drawbar and responsive to the signal for moving the drawbar to the plurality of offset positions;
• and
• a drawbar position feedback (“DPF”) signal generator, wherein the AIPR signal generator is in electronic communication with the actuator, and in further electronic communication with the DPF signal generator, comprising a system capable of automatically determining the position of an implement relative to its working environment and moving the drawbar relative thereto.

In combination with an implement and a towing vehicle having a towing vehicle drawbar, the improvement of an implement guidance system attaching the towing vehicle drawbar to the implement in a towing relationship, which system comprises:

• a mounting apparatus including:
• a fastening assembly fixedly fastening the mounting apparatus on the towing vehicle drawbar;
• a top plate mounting the fastening assembly;
• and a bottom plate attached to and depending from said top plate in spaced relation below same;
• an ancillary drawbar including a front end located between and pivotally mounted on said top and bottom plates and a back end, said ancillary drawbar being pivotally movable between right and left side positions offset to either side of the mounting apparatus;
• said ancillary drawbar back end being pivotally attached to the implement;
• a signal generator generating a signal to move the ancillary drawbar position with respect to said mounting apparatus to a plurality of positions offset to either side of the mounting apparatus;
• and
• an actuator including a first end connected to the mounting apparatus and a second end connected to the ancillary drawbar, said actuator responding to the signal for moving the drawbar to the plurality of offset positions.

An implement guidance system for manipulating the angular positioning of a drawbar of a towing vehicle for towing an implement attached to the towing vehicle comprising:

• a mounting apparatus secured to the towing vehicle;
• a drawbar mounted on the mounting apparatus for movement to a plurality of positions offset to either side of the mounting apparatus;
• a signal generating means for generating a signal to manipulate the drawbar position;
• an actuator responsive to the signal for moving the drawbar to the plurality of offset positions;
• and
• a draw bar position feedback means, wherein the signal generating means is in electronic communication with the actuator, and in further electronic communication with the drawbar position feedback means, comprising a system capable of automatically determining the position of an implement relative to its working environment and moving the drawbar relative thereto.