Chassis for farm implements

Claim 2

In a support framework for farm implements, a pair of elongated, substantially horizontal beams; pivot means interconnecting the beams for swinging movement of one of the beams about an upright axis to preselected operating conditions extending laterally at an angle in either of two opposite directions from the other beam; a wheel and axle assembly; a support for said wheel and Axle assembly; and means including an overcenter toggle mechanism between the support and said one beam pivotally attaching the support to said one beam for movement of the assembly between a pair of different positions, there being a position corresponding to each respective condition of said one beam said attaching means including means yieldably holding the assembly in either of said positions.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1, wherein said support includes an elongated member pivotally coupled at one end thereof to said one beam for swinging movement about an upright axis, said yieldable means being secured to the beam and to said member.

Claim 4

The invention of claim 4, wherein is included a pair of spaced-apart stop elements engageable by the member and carried by said one beam for limiting the swinging of the member with respect thereto, each stop being disposed to limit the assembly in a respective one of said positions.

Claim 5

For use with a towing vehicle having a pair of rear wheels and with a farm implement having a line of draft angularly offset to the normal path of travel of the implement when towed by said vehicle, a hitch comprising: an elongated, normally horizontal tow bar adapted for attachment to said vehicle behind said wheels in perpendicular relationship to said path of travel; a coupling adapted for attachment to said implement and provided with upright pivot means about which the implement swings relative to said vehicle during turning of the latter. said coupling being disposed in overlying relationship to said tow bar and being freely reciprocable along the tow bar longitudinally of the latter, whereby to automatically maintain said line of draft in a position passing through a point substantially centered between said wheels during towing of the implement by the vehicle; and means for supporting said implement remotely from said coupling, said supporting means including a shaft, a pair of wheels mounted on the shaft, means pivotally mounting the shaft on the implement for rocking movement about a generally fore and aft axis and for swinging movement about an upright axis, and means engageable with said mounting means for limiting the extent of said rocking movement.

Claim 6

For use with a towing vehicle having a pair of rear wheels and with a farm implement having a line of draft angularly offset to the normal path of travel of the implement when towed by said vehicle, a hitch comprising: an elongated, normally horizontal tow bar adapted for attachment to said vehicle behind said wheels in perpendicular relationship to said path of travel; a coupling adapted for attachment to said implement and provided with upright pivot means about which the implement swings relative to said vehicle during turning of the latter. said coupling being disposed in overlying relationship to said tow bar and being freely reciprocable along the tow bar longitudinally of the latter, whereby to automatically maintain said line of draft in a position passing through a point substantially centered between said wheels during towing of the implement by the vehicle; and means for supporting said implement remotely from said coupling, said supporting means including a shaft, a pair of wheels mounted on the shaft, means pivotally mounting the shaft on the implement for rocking movement about a generally fore and aft axis and for swinging movement about an upright axis, and means engageable with said mounting means for limiting the extent of said rocking movement.

Claim 7

A support framework for a farm implement comprising: a pair of elongated, substantially horizontal beams; pivot means interconnecting the beams for swinging movement of one of the beams about an upright axis to preselected operating conditions extending laterally at an angle in either of two opposite directions from the other beam; hitch means at one end of said other beam adapting the same for attachment to a towing vehicle capable of lifting said one end of said other beam; wheel means pivotally secured to the end of said one beam remote from said vehicle for supporting the one beam; power means operably coupled to said wheel means and to said one beam for selectively raising and lowering the latter; and a gauge wheel secured to the end of said one beam remote from said wheel means and operable to support said other end in predetermined vertically spaced relationship from the ground when the one beam is lowered by said power means, said gauge wheel being disposed to clear the ground when the one beam is in its raised position.

Claim 8

A support framework for a farm implement comprising: a pair of elongated, substantially horizontal beams; pivot means interconnecting the beams for swinging movement of one of the beams about an upright axis to preselected operating conditions extending laterally at an angle in either of two opposite directions from the other beam; hitch means at one end of said other beam adapting the same for attachment to a towing vehicle capable of lifting said one end of said other beam; wheel means pivotally secured to the end of said one beam remote from said vehicle for supporting the one beam; power means operably coupled to said wheel means and to said one beam for selectively raising and lowering the latter; and a gauge wheel secured to the end of said one beam remote from said wheel means and operable to support said other end in predetermined vertically spaced relationship from the ground when the one beam is lowered by said power means, said gauge wheel being disposed to clear the ground when the one beam is in its raised position.