System for and method of locking a roll suspension arrangement for a boom assembly mounted on an agricultural sprayer

An agricultural sprayer, comprising:

• a boom assembly that includes a central frame in pivotal support of each of a first boom located opposite a second boom between an extended position and a folded position about a vertical axis;
• a roll suspension arrangement including a pivot which defines a generally horizontal, fore-and-aft aligned axis about which the boom assembly rotates independently of a carrier frame;
• a dampening system configured to slow movement of the boom assembly about the roll suspension arrangement in relation to the carrier frame, the dampening system including an actuator cylinder configured to transfer a fluid flow solely with an accumulator, the actuator cylinder having a first end and a second end movable in a linear direction with respect to the first end, the first end connected at the carrier frame and the second end connected at the boom assembly;
• and
• a lock system configured to restrain movement of the actuator cylinder of the dampening system and the boom assembly, the lock system including a lock valve in fluid communication between the actuator cylinder and the accumulator,
• wherein the lock valve in a closed position prevents the fluid flow therethrough so as to restrain movement of the actuator cylinder and pivoting of the boom assembly about the suspension arrangement independently of the carrier frame, and wherein the lock valve in an open position releases movement of the actuator cylinder and pivoting of the boom assembly about the roll suspension arrangement independently of the carrier frame.

A method of restraining a boom assembly from moving independently about a roll suspension arrangement with respect to a carrier frame, the method comprising the steps of:

• sensing a movement of the boom assembly between an extended position generally perpendicular to a direction of travel and a folded position generally in parallel with the direction of travel;
• automatically transmitting a signal to a lock valve connected in fluid communication isolated between an actuator cylinder and an accumulator, the signal indicative of the movement of the boom assembly, the actuator cylinder having a first end connected at the carrier frame and a second end connected at the boom assembly;
• and
• closing the lock valve in response to the signal so as to prevent a fluid flow therethrough,
• wherein the lock valve in the closed position prevent a fluid flow to or from the actuator cylinder so as to restrain movement of the actuator cylinder and the boom assembly relative to the carrier frame.