Steering connection assembly

An agricultural implement towed by a tow vehicle moving a turn angle from a forward direction of travel, the tow vehicle having a drawbar to be attached to the agricultural implement, comprising:

• at least one caster wheel assembly in support of a frame;
• and
• a steering connection assembly interconnecting the frame of the agricultural implement to the tow vehicle, the steering connection assembly including:
• a tow bar having a forward end pivotally connected by a first pin at the drawbar of the tow vehicle so as to rotate about a first vertical axis, and a rearward end fixed attached at the frame;
• a drive linkage having a forward end pivotally connected by a second pin to the drawbar tow of the vehicle so as to rotate about a second vertical axis spaced apart from the first vertical axis;
• a steering linkage interconnecting the rearward end of the drive linkage member to the at least one caster wheel assemblies, and
• a hitch coupling member interconnecting the drive linkage member at the drawbar of the tow vehicle;
• wherein the hitch coupling member is keyed so as define a first leg and a second leg to receive the drawbar therebetween;
• wherein in response to the turn angle of the tow vehicle from the forward direction of travel about the first vertical axis, the drive linkage communicates a turn signal to the steering linkage, and wherein in response to the signal, the steering linkage steers the at least one caster wheel assembly to turn in a direction of the turn angle of the tow vehicle.

A method of steering an agricultural implement towed behind a tow vehicle having a draw bar and hitch, the agricultural implement having a tow bar pivotally attached at the drawbar so as to rotate about a first vertical axis defined by a coupling pin interconnected therebetween, the method comprising:

• turning the tow vehicle and drawbar a turn angle from a forward direction of travel;
• turning a hitch coupling member fixed attached with the drawbar, the coupling member pivotally attached to a drive linkage so as to rotate about a second vertical axis spaced from the first vertical axis;
• communicating a turn signal generated by the hitch coupling member via the drive linkage to a caster wheel assembly at the agricultural implement, the turn signal representative of the turn angle of the tow vehicle;
• wherein the communicating step includes:
• rotating a steering linkage pivotally attached by a third pin at a frame of the agricultural implement so as to rotate about a third vertical axis defined by the third pin;
• and
• moving a steering rod member in a lateral direction generally perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the implement, the steering rod member interconnected between the steering linkage and the caster wheel assembly, wherein moving of the steering arm in the lateral direction causes rotation of the caster wheel assembly in the direction of the turn angle of the tow vehicle;
• and
• steering the caster wheel assembly of the agricultural implement in a direction of the turn angle of the tow vehicle in response to the turn signal.