Fertilizer applicator with in-frame folding actuator for folding an outer frame member relative to an inner frame member

摘要

A fertilizer applicator of increased operating width, e.g., sixty (60) or sixty-five (65) feet, has a carrier frame and a pair of wing sections pivotally mounted to opposite ends of the carrier frame. The wing sections include an inner wing member and an outer wing member. Each wing section includes an actuator for folding/unfolding a respective outer wing member relative to a respective inner wing member. The inner wing member includes a frame member defining an elongated cavity, and the actuator is positioned within the elongated cavity. This allows the actuator to effectively fold/unfold the outer wing member relative to the inner wing member without the physical structure of the actuator impeding movement of the outer wing member thereby allowing the outer wing member to pivot upland to a position against the inner wing member.

主权项

1. A fertilizer applicator comprising:
a frame assembly having a carrier frame and a pair of outer wings pivotally coupled to opposite lateral ends of the carrier frame, the carrier frame adapted to be coupled to a towing vehicle and the outer wings each having an inner wing portion pivotably coupled to the carrier frame, an intermediate wing portion pivotably coupled to the inner wing portion and an outer wing portion pivotally coupled to the intermediate wing portion, and wherein the intermediate wing portion includes an intermediate wing frame member and the outer wing portion includes an outer wing frame member pivotally coupled to the intermediate wing frame member, and wherein each intermediate wing frame member includes an elongated hollow portion formed along a length of the intermediate wing frame member; an actuator assembly that includes a pair of actuators for folding/unfolding the outer wing frame members relative to the intermediate wing frame members, an actuator located in each one of the hollow portions of the intermediate wing frame members, wherein each actuator has a first end coupled to an intermediate wing frame member and a second end, opposite the first end, that is coupled to an outer wing frame member and wherein operation of each actuator causes an associated outer wing frame members to pivot about a pivot connection with an associated intermediate wing frame member; a plurality of ground engaging tools mounted to the frame assembly; and a pair of fold-up actuators for folding/unfolding the inner wing portions relative to the carrier frame.