GB2043413A - Implement frame - Google Patents

Abstract

An agricultural implement frame consists of a longitudinally extending frame member 1 which is pivotally attached to a second, implement-bearing frame member 5 and attachable thereto in a selected one of a plurality of angular positions so that the frame member 5 may be towed in a selected angular relationship with the tractor. The frame member 5 may thus be used to vary the angle of attack of an implement, e.g. a discer that it carries, or alternatively it may be used with any of a variety of implements which may require to be towed at different angles. Steering for wheels 16 on the frame member 5 may be provided by racks 24 carried on a slide within the frame member 5, the slide being driven by a rack co- operating with a pinion on a shaft 8 which is given steering motion by means of a link rod 19. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Implement frame This invention relates to frames for agricultural implements.

According to the present invention, I provide a frame for an agricultural implement comprising a longitudinally extending frame member, adapted for attachment at one end to a tractor, and a second frame member connected to the longitudinally extending frame member at the other end thereof and adapted to be secured in fixed angular relationship to the longitudinally extending frame member at any one of a plurality of positions.

Preferably, the frame includes means for pivotally conneting the said longitudinally extending first and second frame members and plates attached to one of the frame members and having a series of holes to receive a pin to restrain the other frame members against relative angle movement.

Also, the second frame member may have a further frame member attached thereto.

By having a frame which is adjustably locatable, it will be understood that it may be used for an implement which may be used in a variety of positions, such as a discer in which the discs may thus have a plurality of selectively usable working angles. Also, different implements may be attached to the frame, thereby cutting the cost of producing a complete frame for each type of implement.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a form of frame according to the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view illustrating details of Fig. 1; and Figure 3 is a plan view showing some components.

As shown in Fig. 1, a first, longitudinally extending frame member 1 is pivotally attached at one end to a cross-member 2 forming part of an A-frame of a tractor implement hitch. A reinforcing and lifting chain is indicated at 4.

A second frame member 5 is adapted to carry implement, which may be directly mounted on the frame or by means of a subframe, and the frame member 5 has welded thereto a pair of plates 6 (see also Fig. 2) each provided with a set of holes 7 arranged in an arc and aligned with corresponding holes in the other plate 6.

A shaft 8 is mounted in the plates 6 by means of bearing bushes 9, and the frame member 1 has apertures co-operating with the external surfaces of the bearing bushes 9 so that it is pivotally mounted in relation to the plates 6. The frame member 1 also has a pair of aligned holes 11 and 1 2 which may be selectively aligned with any given pair of holes 7 and secured in relationship thereto by means of a pin 1 3 passing through the four aligned holes and secured in position by means of a nut 1 4 and spring washer 1 5. An alternative to the use of a nut and spring washer, a cotter pin or spring pin may be used.

It will thus be seen that the frame members 1 and 5 may be connected together in any of the positions allowed by the respective pairs of holes 7, so that the angular relationship of the frame member to the A-frame 3, in the normal towing position, can be varied. In order to provide for steering of wheels 1 6 provided on the frame member 5, this frame member may house a sliding member 1 7 provided with a rack cooperable with a pinion 1 8 on the shaft 8. Steering motion to the shaft 8 is provided by means of a link rod 1 9 acting through an arm 21, and connected at its forward end to an arm 22 fixed in relation to the cross-member 2 of the A-frame so that pivotal motion of the frame member 1 relative to the cross-member 2 gives rise to steering motion.Thea slide 1 7 carries further racks 24 for co-operation with pinions 25, to impart steering motion to the wheels 16.

In this connection attention is drawn to my co-pending application No. 79 093 54, filed simultaneously herewith and entitled "Im- proved Steering Linkage".

Fig. 1 also shows a further selectively positionable frame member 31 attached to one end of the frame member 5, and this frame member 31 carries a steerable wheel 32, of which the steering is co-ordinated with that of the wheels 1 6 by means of a link 33.

The frame member 31 may be used to provide further support for the implement on the frame member 5, or alternatively it may be a link member to enable a further implement carrying frame member 36 to be coordinated with the frame member 5 as illustrated in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the additional frame member 36 is freely pivotally attached to the intermediate frame member 31 by means of a pin 37, and it carries a steering slide, similar to the slide 17, although not illustrated, and this slide is actuated by means of the link 22 and a further link 38 acting through an arm 39 to operate a shaft 41 carrying a pinion, not shown, to move the slider longitudinally of the frame member 36 and imparts steering movement to a wheel at the remote end thereof (not shown).

By such an arrangement, the single tractor may be used to draw two implements, e.g.

discers, and co-ordinated steering may be provided for the wheels of both.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

For instance, certain types of implements, such as swathers, alternatively known as windrowes, needs to have the connection be tween the longitudinal and transverse frame members at or adjacent one end of the transverse frame member. For this purpose, the location of the plates 6 and associated paths may need to be altered. For a multi-purpose frame an additional connector location may be provided by means of an additional pair of plates 6', together with a slot for access to a further rack on the shaft.

Claims (9)

1. A frame for an agricultural implement comprising a longitudinally extending frame member, adapted for attachment at one end to a tractor, and a second frame member connected to the longitudinally extending frame member at the other end thereof and adapted to be secured in fixed angular relationship to the longitudinally extending frame member at any one of a plurality of portions.

2. A frame as claimed in claim 1, including means for pivotally connecting the said longitudinally extending first and second frame members and plates attached to one of the frame members and having a series of holes to receive a pin to restrain the other frame members against relative angular movement.

3. A frame as claimed in claim 2, wherein the said other frame member has holes therein alignable with selected holes in the plates to receive the pin.

4. A frame as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the said second frame member receives a slide therein, the said slide having a rack thereon to co-operate with a pinion to receive steering motion for wheels on the said frame member.

5. A frame as claimed in claim 4, as dependent on claim 2, in which the said pinion is coaxial with the pivotal connection between the frame members.

6. A frame as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising a further frame member attached to the said second frame member.

7. A frame as claimed in claim 6, in which the said further frame member is adapted to be secured in fixed angular relationship to the second frame member in any one of a plurality of fixed positions.

8. A frame as claimed in claim 6 or 7, in which the said further frame member is a linking frame member between the said second frame member, which supports or is adapted to support an implement, and a further implement-supporting frame member.

9. A frame for an agricultural implement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.