GB2163931A

GB2163931A - Improvemenis in farm implements

Info

Publication number: GB2163931A
Application number: GB08420464A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Gilchrist
Original assignee: DAISY D Ltd
Current assignee: DAISY D Ltd
Priority date: 1984-08-11
Filing date: 1984-08-11
Publication date: 1986-03-12
Also published as: GB8420464D0

Abstract

A farm implement in the form of a harrow has a central main implement frame 1 and a pair of subsidiary implement frames 2 pivotally connected to the main frame one at either side of the main frame. The subsidiary frames are movable between a first, operating, position in which they extend laterally from the mainframe and a second, transport, position in which they are arranged perpendicular to the main frame. A single hydraulic ram 8 is arranged to move the subsidiary frames between their first and second positions by way of rocker arm arrangements. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in farm implements This invention relates to improvements in farm implements such as harrows.

Increasing the width of farm implements such as harrows is desirable as the harrow can thus cover a larger area of a field each time it is drawn along the length of the field. The time taken to cover a field can thus be reduced. However, the width which such implements can be made is restricted by the necessity to transport such implements between fields by road.

According to the present invention there is provided a farm implement comprising a main implement frame having linkage means for connection to the drawbar of a tractor or the like and a subsidiary implement frame pivotally connected to the main implement frame and movable between a first working position in which it extends laterally from the main implement frame and a second, transport position in which the subsidiary frame lies substantially within the width of the main frame.

Preferably, the plane of the subsidiary implement frame is arranged at an angle to the plane of the main frame in the second position.

Most preferably, the plane of the subsidiary implement frame is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the main implement frame in the second position.

Preferably also, a pair of subsidiary frames are provided arranged one each at laterally opposite sides of the main frame.

Preferably also, mechanical or hydraulic actuating means are provided for moving the subsidiary implement frames between their first and second positions.

Most preferably, the actuating means is a hydraulic ram.

Preferably, the hydraulic ram is pivotally connected at each end to one of a pair of rocker arms which are pivotally connected to the main implement frame, operating arms are pivotally connected at one end to the rocker arms and at the other end to hinge brackets on the subsidiary frames.

The hydraulic ram may be connected to the hydraulic power take off of a tractor.

Preferably also, the farm implement is a harrow.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a part cut away plan view of a farm implement in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line BB of Figure 1 with the farm implement shown in a first position; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB of Figure 1 with the farm implement shown in a second position; Figure 4 is a plan view taken along line CC of Figure 2; and Figures 5 and 6 are respectively side and end views of a rocker arm of the farm implement of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, a farm implement comprises a main implement frame 1 and a pair of subsidiary implement frames 2. The main frame 1 has a drawbar 3 arranged for connection to a tractor or the like. Hinge brackets 4 are fitted to the subsidiary frames 2 and are pivotally connected to hinge plates 5 on the main frame 1 by hinge pins 6.

Harrow apparatus 7 is arranged at the rear parts of the main frame 1 and subsidiary frames 2.

A hydraulic ram 8 is pivotally connected by hinge pins 6 to rocker arms 9 and operating arms 10. The rocker arms 9 are pivotally connected by hinge pins 6 to support brackets 11 on the main frame 1. The operating arms 10 are pivotally connected by hinge pins 6 to the hinge brackets 4. The hydraulic ram 8 is connected to the hydraulic power take off point on a tractor or other towing vehicle.

In use, when the implement is being towed behind a tractor, and the harrow 7 is in operation, the hydraulic ram 8 is fully extended. The rocker arms 9 are in the position shown in Figure 2 such that the operating arms 10 hold the hinge brackets 4, and hence the subsidiary frame 2, in the operating position as shown in Figure 2.

When it is wished to arrange the implement in its transport position the hydraulic ram 8 is operated so as to take up its retracted position as in Figure 3. This causes the rocker arms 9 to pivot towards each other on their support brackets 11 thus drawing the operating arms 10 inwards which causes the hinge breckets 4 to pivot inwardly on the hinge plates 5 thus raising the subsidiary frames 2 into an upright position, substantially within the width of the main frame.

The overall width of the farm implement is thus considerably reduced. The farm implement can thus be more conveniently transported by road whilst still being wide enough in use for economical operation.

The hydraulic ram and rocker arm linkages can be incorporated in farm implements other than harrows.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. Afarm implement comprising a main implement frame having linkage means for connection to the drawbar of a tractor or the like and a subsidiary implement frame pivotally connected to the main implement frame and movable between a first, working, position in which it extends laterally from the main implement frame and a second, transport, position in which the subsidiary frame lies substan tiallywithin the width of the main frame.

2. Afarm implement as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the plane of the subsidiary implement frame is arranged at an angle to the plane of the main frame in the second position.

3. Afarm implement as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the plane of the subsidiary implement frame is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the main implement frame in the second position.

4. Afarm implement as claimed in any one of the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in farm implements This invention relates to improvements in farm implements such as harrows. Increasing the width of farm implements such as harrows is desirable as the harrow can thus cover a larger area of a field each time it is drawn along the length of the field. The time taken to cover a field can thus be reduced. However, the width which such implements can be made is restricted by the necessity to transport such implements between fields by road. According to the present invention there is provided a farm implement comprising a main implement frame having linkage means for connection to the drawbar of a tractor or the like and a subsidiary implement frame pivotally connected to the main implement frame and movable between a first working position in which it extends laterally from the main implement frame and a second, transport position in which the subsidiary frame lies substantially within the width of the main frame. Preferably, the plane of the subsidiary implement frame is arranged at an angle to the plane of the main frame in the second position. Most preferably, the plane of the subsidiary implement frame is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the main implement frame in the second position. Preferably also, a pair of subsidiary frames are provided arranged one each at laterally opposite sides of the main frame. Preferably also, mechanical or hydraulic actuating means are provided for moving the subsidiary implement frames between their first and second positions. Most preferably, the actuating means is a hydraulic ram. Preferably, the hydraulic ram is pivotally connected at each end to one of a pair of rocker arms which are pivotally connected to the main implement frame, operating arms are pivotally connected at one end to the rocker arms and at the other end to hinge brackets on the subsidiary frames. The hydraulic ram may be connected to the hydraulic power take off of a tractor. Preferably also, the farm implement is a harrow. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a part cut away plan view of a farm implement in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line BB of Figure 1 with the farm implement shown in a first position; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB of Figure 1 with the farm implement shown in a second position; Figure 4 is a plan view taken along line CC of Figure 2; and Figures 5 and 6 are respectively side and end views of a rocker arm of the farm implement of Figure 1. Referring to the drawings, a farm implement comprises a main implement frame 1 and a pair of subsidiary implement frames 2. The main frame 1 has a drawbar 3 arranged for connection to a tractor or the like. Hinge brackets 4 are fitted to the subsidiary frames 2 and are pivotally connected to hinge plates 5 on the main frame 1 by hinge pins 6. Harrow apparatus 7 is arranged at the rear parts of the main frame 1 and subsidiary frames 2. A hydraulic ram 8 is pivotally connected by hinge pins 6 to rocker arms 9 and operating arms 10. The rocker arms 9 are pivotally connected by hinge pins 6 to support brackets 11 on the main frame 1. The operating arms 10 are pivotally connected by hinge pins 6 to the hinge brackets 4. The hydraulic ram 8 is connected to the hydraulic power take off point on a tractor or other towing vehicle. In use, when the implement is being towed behind a tractor, and the harrow 7 is in operation, the hydraulic ram 8 is fully extended. The rocker arms 9 are in the position shown in Figure 2 such that the operating arms 10 hold the hinge brackets 4, and hence the subsidiary frame 2, in the operating position as shown in Figure 2. When it is wished to arrange the implement in its transport position the hydraulic ram 8 is operated so as to take up its retracted position as in Figure 3. This causes the rocker arms 9 to pivot towards each other on their support brackets 11 thus drawing the operating arms 10 inwards which causes the hinge breckets 4 to pivot inwardly on the hinge plates 5 thus raising the subsidiary frames 2 into an upright position, substantially within the width of the main frame. The overall width of the farm implement is thus considerably reduced. The farm implement can thus be more conveniently transported by road whilst still being wide enough in use for economical operation. The hydraulic ram and rocker arm linkages can be incorporated in farm implements other than harrows. Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention. CLAIMS

4. Afarm implement as claimed in any one of the preceeding Claims, wherein a pair of subsidiary frames are provided arranged one each at laterally opposite sides of the main frame.

5. Afarm implement as claimed in Claim 4, wherein mechanical or hydraulic actuating means are provided for moving the subsidiary implement frames between their first and second positions.

6. Afarm implement as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the actuating means is a hydraulic ram.

7. Afarm implement as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the hydraulic ram is pivotally connected at each end to a respective one of a pair of rocker arms which are pivotally connected to the main implement frame, and a pair of operating arms are each pivotally connected at one end to a respective rocker arm and at the other end to respective hinge brackets on the subsidiary frames.

8. Afarm implement as claimed in Claim 6 or 7, wherein the hydraulic ram is powered from the hydraulic power take off of a tractor.

9. Afarm implement as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the implement is a harrow.

10. Afarm implement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.