Winged Agricultural Implement

摘要

In a winged agricultural implement having two wing frame sections pivotal relative to a center frame section between a laterally extending working position and a rearward trailing transport position, two brace members are pivotally supported on the center frame section to selectively retain and support the wing frame sections in the working position. A hydraulic actuator pivots each brace member between a latched position and a released position relative to the wing frame section. A biasing linkage is provided in series with each hydraulic actuator to provide positive pressure to retain the brace member in a latched position as the wing frame section pivotally floats relative to the center frame section during movement across an agricultural field in a forward working direction.

主权项

1. A winged agricultural implement arranged to be towed in a forward working direction by a towing vehicle, the implement comprising:
a center frame section arranged for connection to the towing vehicle; a pair of wing frame sections having respective inner ends which are pivotally coupled at laterally opposing sides of the center frame section for movement between a working position extending laterally outwardly in opposing directions from the center frame section and a transport position trailing rearwardly from the center frame section; at least one ground engagement member supported on each frame section so as to be arranged to engage the ground as the implement is towed in the forward working direction; a pair of brace members pivotally supported on the center frame section at the laterally opposing sides respectively; a first latching element supported on each brace member; a second latching element supported on each wing section so as to be arranged to be selectively engaged by the first latching element of a respective one of the brace members; a pair of hydraulic actuators operatively connected between the center frame section and respective ones of the brace members, each hydraulic actuator being operable in a respective longitudinal direction of the hydraulic actuator between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein:
the respective first and second latching elements are engaged to retain the respective wing frame section in the working position in one of the extended position or the retracted position; andthe first latching element is released from the second latching element such that the respective wing frame section is pivotal from the working position to the transport position in another one of the extended position or the retracted position; and a pair of biasing linkages associated with the hydraulic actuators respectively, wherein:
each biasing linkage is connected in series with the respective hydraulic actuator between the center frame section and the respective brace member;each biasing linkage is operable between a first position and a second position in which an overall effective length of the biasing linkage and the hydraulic actuator between the center frame section and the respective brace member is longer in the second position than in the first position; andeach biasing linkage is biased from one of the first position or the second position towards another one of the first position or the second position in a direction such that the respective brace member is biased towards the latched position.