Row unit for agricultural implement

An agricultural row unit for use with a towing frame coupled to a tractor, the row unit comprising:

• a front bracket configured to rigidly mount to the towing frame;
• a parallel-bar linkage assembly including a plurality of linkage bars pivotably attached to the front bracket, and a crossbar extending between and coupled to the linkage bars;
• a row unit frame pivotably connected to the linkage bars of the parallel-bar linkage assembly for pivoting movement relative to the front bracket;
• an agricultural implement mounted on the row unit frame;
• a support bracket rigidly mounted to the front bracket;
• and
• a hydraulic actuator assembly including:
• a housing pivotably coupled to the support bracket, the housing forming therein a fluid cavity configured to receive pressurized fluid, the housing having a rounded shoulder operatively engaging the support bracket such that the housing can tilt with respect to the support bracket,
• a movable ram extending out of the housing and pivotably coupled to the crossbar, the movable ram being selectively movable in response to pressurized fluid received in the fluid cavity to thereby pivot the row unit frame via the linkage bars, the movable ram having a rounded flange operatively engaging the crossbar such that the movable ram can tilt with respect to the crossbar, and
• an energy storage device operatively coupled to the pressurized-fluid cylinder and defining therein a fluid chamber containing a diaphragm.

A method of assembling a pressure control unit for an agricultural implement pivotably attached via a parallel-bar linkage assembly to a towing frame of an agricultural machine, the parallel-bar linkage assembly including a crossbar attached to the agricultural implement, the method comprising:

• providing a support bracket configured to operatively attach to the towing frame or the agricultural implement, or both;
• operatively attaching a housing to the support bracket, the housing forming therein a fluid cavity configured to receive pressurized fluid, the housing having a rounded stem surface operatively engaging and projecting through the support bracket such that the housing can rotate about a first axis with respect to the support bracket;
• and
• disposing a ram at least partially inside of the housing such that the ram extends out of the housing, the ram being movable in response to pressurized fluid received in the fluid cavity to thereby pivot the crossbar, the ram having a rounded stem end configured to operatively engage and project through the crossbar such that the ram can rotate about a second axis with respect to the crossbar.

A pressure control unit for an agricultural implement pivotably attached via a parallel-bar linkage assembly to a towing frame of an agricultural machine, the parallel-bar linkage assembly being pivotably mounted to a front bracket, the front bracket being configured to rigidly mount to the towing frame, the parallel-bar linkage assembly including a linkage bar attached to the agricultural implement, the pressure control unit comprising:

• a support bracket configured to operatively attach to the towing frame or the agricultural implement, or both;
• and
• a hydraulic actuator assembly including:
• a housing forming therein a fluid cavity configured to receive pressurized fluid, the housing being operatively attached to the support bracket such that the hydraulic actuator assembly can rotate about a first axis, and
• a movable ram extending out of the housing, the movable ram being movable in response to pressurized fluid received in the fluid cavity to thereby pivot the linkage bar, the movable ram being configured to operatively attach to the linkage bar such that the hydraulic actuator assembly can rotate about a second axis different from the first axis.