Device for automatically landing a semi-integral moldboard plow

Claim 2

A landing device for a plow for use with a tractor having a source of fluid under pressure and a fluid reservoir, said plow including a frame, at least one plow body mounted on the frame, hitch means securable to the tractor, means securing the hitch means to the plow frame for lateral movement of the frame relative to the hitch means, the landing device comprising: hydraulic means operatively connected between the hitch means and frame to move the frame laterally with respect to the hitch means; a furrow finding member pivotally interconnected with the frame for swinging movement about either one or both of a foreand-aft extending axis and a transversely extending axiS; the furrow finding member having a vertically extending portion, a horizontally extending portion normally adapted to contact the wall of a previously formed furrow adjacent the foremost plow body, and a curved intermediate portion extending between the vertically extending portion and the horizontally extending portion, the intermediate portion being angled inwardly toward the plow frame; means normally biasing the furrow finding member into contact with the previously formed furrow wall; and control means interconnecting the hydraulic means with the source of fluid under pressure and the fluid reservoir in the tractor, the control means being operatively connected to and responsive to the position of the furrow finding member to cause the hydraulic means to move the frame laterally to the right or to the left whereby a desired distance between said furrow wall and the foremost plow body is maintained and, when contacting unplowed land, the furrow finding member will move outwardly from the plow when the plow is moved forwardly.

Claim 3

The landing device set forth in claim 1 in which said control means comprises a three-position control valve operable when in one position to direct fluid from the source of fluid under pressure to one side of the hydraulic means to cause the plow frame to shift relative to the hitch means in one direction, in a second position to direct fluid from the source of fluid under pressure to the other side of the hydraulic means to cause the plow frame to shift relative to the hitch means in another direction, and in a third position to prevent flow from the source of fluid under pressure to either side of the hydraulic means.

Claim 4

In combination with a semi-integral plow for use with a tractor having a source of fluid under pressure, a fluid reservoir, and vertically movable lower draft links, said semi-integral plow including a frame, vertically movable rear wheel means carried on said frame, a plurality of plow bodies mounted obliquely on said frame, a transversely extending hitch crossbar securable at its ends to the lower draft links of the tractor, and means mounting the frame on the hitch crossbar for transverse shifting movement, a landing device comprising: an extensible and retractable hydraulic cylinder secured at one end to said plow frame and at the other end to said hitch crossbar and operable upon extension and retraction to shift the plow frame transversely relative to the tractor; an arm secured to and extending generally laterally outwardly from the plow frame; furrow finder means pivotally interconnected with said arm to swing inwardly and outwardly with respect to the plow and operable when contacting unplowed ground when the plow is in its lowered position to move outwardly from the plow when the plow is moved forwardly; means normally biasing the furrow finding means inwardly toward the plow; and control means interconnecting the hydraulic cylinder with the source of fluid under pressure and the fluid reservoir on the tractor, said control means being operatively connected to and responsive to the position of the furrow finding means to cause the hydraulic cylinder to shift the frame to the right or to the left relative to the hitch crossbar whereby a desired distance between a previously formed furrow wall and the foremost plow body is maintained.

Claim 5

In combination with a semi-integral plow for use with a tractor having a source of fluid under pressure, a fluid reservoir, and vertically movable lower draft links, said semi-integral plow including a frame, vertically movable rear wheel means carried on said frame, a plurality of plow bodies mounted obliquely on said frame, a transversely extending hitch crossbar securable at its ends to the lower draft links of the tractor, and means mounting the frame on the hitch crossbar for transverse shifting movement, a landing device comprising: an extensible and retractable hydraulic cylinder secured at one end to said plow frame and at the other end to said hitch crossbar and operable upon extension and retraction to shift the plow frame transversely relative to the tractor; an arm secured to and extending generally laterally outwardly from the plow frame; furrow finder means pivotally interconnected with said arm to swing inwardly and outwardly with respect to the plow and operable when contacting unplowed ground when the plow is in its lowered position to move outwardly from the plow when the plow is moved forwardly; means normally biasing the furrow finding means inwardly toward the plow; and control means interconnecting the hydraulic cylinder with the source of fluid under pressure and the fluid reservoir on the tractor, said control means being operatively connected to and responsive to the position of the furrow finding means to cause the hydraulic cylinder to shift the frame to the right or to the left relative to the hitch crossbar whereby a desired distance between a previously formed furrow wall and the foremost plow body is maintained.

Claim 6

The combination set forth in claim 3 in which the furrow finding means is pivotally interconnected with said arm for rearward swinging movement, said furrow finding means including a member having a vertically extending portion, a horizontally extending portion normally adapted to contact the previously formed furrow wall of the furrow adjacent the foremost plow body, and a curved intermediate portion extending between the horizontally extending portion and the vertically extending portion, the intermediate portion extending inwardly toward the plow frame.

Claim 7

In combination with a semi-integral plow for use with a tractor having a source of fluid under pressure, a fluid reservoir, and vertically movable lower draft links, said semi-integral plow including a frame, vertically movable rear wheel means carried on said frame, a plurality of plow bodies mounted obliquely on said frame, a tranversely extending hitch crossbar securable at its ends to the lower draft links of the tractor, and means mounting the frame on the hitch crossbar for transverse shifting movement, a landing device comprising: an extensible and retractable hydraulic cylinder secured at one end to said plow frame and at the other end to said hitch crossbar and operable upon extension and retraction to shift the plow frame transversely relative to the tractor; an arm pivotally interconnected for vertical movement with the plow frame; furrow finding means interconnected with said arm for swinging movement about a generally fore-and-aft extending axis; spring means extending between the plow frame and the furrow finding means and operable to normally bias the furrow finding means inwardly towards the plow frame; and control means interconnecting the hydraulic cylinder with the source of fluid under pressure and the fluid reservoir on the tractor, said control means being operatively connected to and responsive to the position of the furrow finding means to cause the hydraulic cylinder to shift the frame to the right or to the left relative to the hitch crossbar whereby a desired distance between a previously formed furrow wall and the foremost plow body is maintained.

Claim 8

In combination with a semi-integral plow for use with a tractor having a source of fluid under pressure, a fluid reservoir, and vertically movable lower draft links, said semi-integral plow including a frame, vertically movable rear wheel means carried on said frame, a plurality of plow bodies mounted obliquely on said frame, a tranversely extending hitch crossbar securable at its ends to the lower draft links of the tractor, and means mounting the frame on the hitch crossbar for transverse shifting movement, a landing device comprising: an extensible and retractable hydraulic cylinder secured at one end to said plow frame and at the other end to said hitch crossbar and operable upon extension and retraction to shift the plow frame transversely relative to the tractor; an arm pivotally interconnected for vertical movement with the plow frame; furrow finding means interconnected with said arm for swinging movement about a generally fore-and-aft extending axis; spring means extending between the plow frame and the furrow finding means and operable to normally bias the furrow finding means inwardly towards the plow frame; and control means interconnecting the hydraulic cylinder with the source of fluid under pressure and the fluid reservoir on the tractor, said control means being operatively connected to and responsive to the position of the furrow finding means to cause the hydraulic cylinder to shift the frame to the right or to the left relative to the hitch crossbar whereby a desired distance between a previously formed furrow wall and the foremost plow body is maintained.

Claim 9

A landing device for a plow for use with a tractor having a source of fluid under pressure and a fluid reservoir, said plow including a frame, at least one plow body mounted on the frame, hitch means securable to the tractor, means securing the hitch means to the plow frame for lateral movement of the frame relative to the hitch means, the landing device comprising: hydraulic means operatively connected between the hitch means and frame to move the frame laterally with respect to the hitch means; a mounting bracket secured to said plow frame; a first arm extending outwardly from said mounting bracket and pivotally secured to said mounting bracket for movement about a generally fore-and-aft extending axis; a furrow finding member pivotally secured to said second arm for rearward swinging movement about a generally transverse extending axis; a first spring extending between said mounting bracket and said second arm and operable to normally bias said second arm and the furrow finding member inwardly toward said plow; and second spring means mounted between the second arm and the furrow finding member operable to normally bias the furrow finding member to a forward position but operable to permit rearward swinging movement of the furrow finding member when it contacts unplowed ground; and control means interconnecting the hydraulic means with the source of fluid under pressure and the fluid reservoir on the tractor, the control means being operatively connected to and responsive to the position of the furrow finding member to cause the hydraulic means to move the frame laterally to the right or to the left whereby a desired distance between a previously formed furrow wall and the foremost plow body is maintained.

Claim 10

A landing device for a plow for use with a tractor having a source of fluid under pressure and a fluid reservoir, said plow including a frame, at least one plow body mounted on the frame, hitch means securable to the tractor, means securing the hitch means to the plow frame for lateral movement of the frame relative to the hitch means, the landing device comprising: hydraulic means operatively connected between the hitch means and frame to move the frame laterally with respect to the hitch means; a mounting bracket secured to said plow frame; a first arm extending outwardly from said mounting bracket and pivotally secured to said mounting bracket for movement about a generally fore-and-aft extending axis; a furrow finding member pivotally secured to said second arm for rearward swinging movement about a generally transverse extending axis; a first spring extending between said mounting bracket and said second arm and operable to normally bias said second arm and the furrow finding member inwardly toward said plow; and second spring means mounted between the second arm and the furrow finding member operable to normally bias the furrow finding member to a forward position but operable to permit rearward swinging movement of the furrow finding member when it contacts unplowed ground; and control means interconnecting the hydraulic means with the source of fluid under pressure and the fluid reservoir on the tractor, the control means being operatively connected to and responsive to the position of the furrow finding member to cause the hydraulic means to move the frame laterally to the right or to the left whereby a desired distance between a previously formed furrow wall and the foremost plow body is maintained.

Claim 11

The combination set forth in claim 6 in which said control means is mounted on said first arm, there being a spring strap extending upwardly from the second arm and interconnected with said control means.

Claim 12

In combination with a semi-integral plow for use with a tractor having a source of fluid under pressure, a fluid reservoir, and vertically movable lower draft links, said semi-integral plow including a frame, vertically movable rear wheel means carried on said frame, a plurality of plow bodies mounted obliquely on said frame, a transversely extending hitch crossbar securable at its ends to the lower draft links of the tractor, and means mounting the frame on the hitch crossbar for transverse shifting movement, a landing device comprising: an extensible and retractable hydraulic cylindEr secured at one end to said plow frame and at the other end to said hitch crossbar and operable upon extension and retraction to shift the plow frame transversely relative to the tractor; an arm pivotally interconnected with the plow frame for movement about a generally fore-and-aft extending axis; furrow finding means pivotally secured to the outer end of said arm for movement about a generally fore-and-aft extending axis; and control means interconnecting the hydraulic cylinder with the source of fluid under pressure and the fluid reservoir on the tractor, said control means being operatively connected to and responsive to the position of the furrow finding means to cause the hydraulic cylinder to shift the frame to the right or the left relative to the hitch crossbar whereby a desired distance between a previously formed furrow wall and the foremost plow body is maintained; said control means including a three-position valve having a shiftable spool therein, said three-position valve being mounted on said arm, and spring link means extending between said furrow finding means and said shiftable spool.

Claim 13

In combination with a semi-integral plow for use with a tractor having a source of fluid under pressure, a fluid reservoir, and vertically movable lower draft links, said semi-integral plow including a frame, vertically movable rear wheel means carried on said frame, a plurality of plow bodies mounted obliquely on said frame, a transversely extending hitch crossbar securable at its ends to the lower draft links of the tractor, and means mounting the frame on the hitch crossbar for transverse shifting movement, a landing device comprising: an extensible and retractable hydraulic cylindEr secured at one end to said plow frame and at the other end to said hitch crossbar and operable upon extension and retraction to shift the plow frame transversely relative to the tractor; an arm pivotally interconnected with the plow frame for movement about a generally fore-and-aft extending axis; furrow finding means pivotally secured to the outer end of said arm for movement about a generally fore-and-aft extending axis; and control means interconnecting the hydraulic cylinder with the source of fluid under pressure and the fluid reservoir on the tractor, said control means being operatively connected to and responsive to the position of the furrow finding means to cause the hydraulic cylinder to shift the frame to the right or the left relative to the hitch crossbar whereby a desired distance between a previously formed furrow wall and the foremost plow body is maintained; said control means including a three-position valve having a shiftable spool therein, said three-position valve being mounted on said arm, and spring link means extending between said furrow finding means and said shiftable spool.

Claim 14

In combination with a plow for use with a tractor having a source of fluid under pressure and a fluid reservoir, the plow including a frame extending generally diagonally to the normal direction of travel of the plow, wheel means, means mounting the frame on the wheel means, a plurality of plow bodies mounted on and depending from the frame, elongated forwardly extending hitch means having its rear end pivotally connected to the frame intermediate the ends thereof, and the hitch means including means at its forward end securable to the tractor for pivotal movement of the hitch means relative to the tractor about a generally upright axis, a landing device comprising: extensible and retractable hydraulic means mounted on and extending between the frame and hitch means; a furrow finder member pivotally interconnected with the frame for swinging movement about either one or both of a fore-and-aft extending axis and a transversely extending axis; the furrow finding member having a vertically extending portion, a horizontally extending portion normally adapted to contact the wall of a previously formed furrow adjacent the foremost plow body, and a curved intermediate portion extending between the vertically extending portion and the horizontally extending portion, the intermediate portion being angled inwardly toward the plow frame; means normally biasing the furrow finding member into contact with the previously formed furrow wall; and control means interconnecting the hydraulic means with the source fluid under pressure and the fluid reservoir, the control means being interconnected with and responsive to the position of the furrow finding member to cause the hydraulic means to move the frame laterally with respect to the hitch means a desired distance between the previously formed furrow wall and the foremost plow body is maintained, and, when contacting unplowed ground, the furrow finder member will move outwardly from the plow when the plow is moved forwardly.

Claim 15

In combination with a plow for use with a tractor having a source of fluid under pressure and a fluid reservoir, the plow including a frame extending generally diagonally to the normal direction of travel of the plow, wheel means, means mounting the frame on the wheel means, a plurality of plow bodies mounted on and depending from the frame, elongated forwardly extending hitch means having its rear end pivotally connected to the frame intermediate the ends thereof, and the hitch means including means at its forward end securable to the tractor for pivotal movement of the hitch means relative to the tractor about a generally upright axis, a landing device comprising: extensible and retractable hydraulic means mounted on and extending between the frame and hitch means; a furrow finder member pivotally interconnected with the frame for swinging movement about either one or both of a fore-and-aft extending axis and a transversely extending axis; the furrow finding member having a vertically extending portion, a horizontally extending portion normally adapted to contact the wall of a previously formed furrow adjacent the foremost plow body, and a curved intermediate portion extending between the vertically extending portion and the horizontally extending portion, the intermediate portion being angled inwardly toward the plow frame; means normally biasing the furrow finding member into contact with the previously formed furrow wall; and control means interconnecting the hydraulic means with the source fluid under pressure and the fluid reservoir, the control means being interconnected with and responsive to the position of the furrow finding member to cause the hydraulic means to move the frame laterally with respect to the hitch means a desired distance between the previously formed furrow wall and the foremost plow body is maintained, and, when contacting unplowed ground, the furrow finder member will move outwardly from the plow when the plow is moved forwardly.

Claim 16

In combination with a plow for use with a tractor having a source of fluid under pressure and a fluid reservoir, the plow including a frame extending generally diagonally to the normal direction of travel of the plow, wheel means, means mounting the frame on the wheel means, a plurality of plow bodies mounted on and depending from the frame, elongated forwardly extending hitch means having its rear end pivotally connected to the frame intermediate the ends thereof, and the hitch means including means at its forward end securable to the tractor for pivotal movement of the hitch means relative to the tractor about a generally upright axis, a landing device comprising: extensible and retractable hydraulic means mounted on and extending between the frame and hitch means; an arm pivotally interconnected with the plow frame for vertical movement and normally extending generally laterally therefrom; furrow finding means pivotally interconnected with the arm for swinging movement about a generally fore-and-aft extending axis; spring means extending between the plow frame and the furrow finding means and operable to normally bias the furrow finding means inwardly toward the plow frame; and control means interconnecting the hydraulic means with the source of fluid under pressure and the fluid reservoir, the control means being interconnected with and responsive to the position of the furrow finding means to cause the hydraulic means to move the frame laterally with respect to the hitch means whereby a desired distance between a previously formed furrow wall and the foremost plow body is maintained.

Claim 17

In combination with a plow for use with a tractor having a source of fluid under pressure and a fluid reservoir, the plow including a frame extending generally diagonally to the normal direction of travel of the plow, wheel means, means mounting the frame on the wheel means, a plurality of plow bodies mounted on and depending from the frame, elongated forwardly extending hitch means having its rear end pivotally connected to the frame intermediate the ends thereof, and the hitch means including means at its forward end securable to the tractor for pivotal movement of the hitch means relative to the tractor about a generally upright axis, a landing device comprising: extensible and retractable hydraulic means mounted on and extending between the frame and hitch means; an arm pivotally interconnected with the plow frame for vertical movement and normally extending generally laterally therefrom; furrow finding means pivotally interconnected with the arm for swinging movement about a generally fore-and-aft extending axis; spring means extending between the plow frame and the furrow finding means and operable to normally bias the furrow finding means inwardly toward the plow frame; and control means interconnecting the hydraulic means with the source of fluid under pressure and the fluid reservoir, the control means being interconnected with and responsive to the position of the furrow finding means to cause the hydraulic means to move the frame laterally with respect to the hitch means whereby a desired distance between a previously formed furrow wall and the foremost plow body is maintained.

Claim 18

The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein the control means includes a three-position valve mounted on said arm and having a shiftable spool therein and link means extend between and operatively interconnect the furrow finding means and the shiftable spool.

Claim 19

In combination with a plow for use with a tractor having a source of fluid under pressure and a fluid reservoir, the plow including a frame extending generally diagonally to the normal direction of travel of the plow, wheel means, means mounting the frame on the wheel means, a plurality of plow bodies mounted on and depending from the frame, elongated forwardly extending hitch means having its rear end pivotally connected to the frame intermediate the ends thereof, and the hitch means including means at its forward end securable to the tractor for pivotal movement of the hitch means relative to the tractor about a generally upright axis, a landing device comprising: extensible and retractable hydraulic means mounted on and extending between the frame and hitch means; a mounting bracket secured to said plow frame, a first arm extending outwardly from said mounting bracket and pivotally secured to said mounting bracket for movement about a generally fore-and-aft extending axis, a second arm secured to said first arm for pivotal movement about a fore-and-aft extending axis, a furrow finding member pivotally secured to said second arm for rearward swinging movement about a generally transverse extending axis, a first spring extending between said mounting bracket and said second arm and operable to normally bias said second arm and the furrow finding member inwardly toward said plow, second spring means mounted between the second arm and the furrow finding member and operable to normally bias the furrow finding member to a forward position but operable to permit rearward swinging movement of the furrow finding member when it contacts unplowed ground, and control means interconnecting the hydraulic means with the source of fluid under pressure and the fluid reservoir, the control means being interconnected with and responsive to the position of the furrow finding member to cause the hydraulic means to move the frame laterally with respect to the hitch means whereby a desired distance between the previously formed furrow wall and the foremost plow body is maintained.

Claim 20

In combination with a plow for use with a tractor having a source of fluid under pressure and a fluid reservoir, the plow including a frame extending generally diagonally to the normal direction of travel of the plow, wheel means, means mounting the frame on the wheel means, a plurality of plow bodies mounted on and depending from the frame, elongated forwardly extending hitch means having its rear end pivotally connected to the frame intermediate the ends thereof, and the hitch means including means at its forward end securable to the tractor for pivotal movement of the hitch means relative to the tractor about a generally upright axis, a landing device comprising: extensible and retractable hydraulic means mounted on and extending between the frame and hitch means; a mounting bracket secured to said plow frame, a first arm extending outwardly from said mounting bracket and pivotally secured to said mounting bracket for movement about a generally fore-and-aft extending axis, a second arm secured to said first arm for pivotal movement about a fore-and-aft extending axis, a furrow finding member pivotally secured to said second arm for rearward swinging movement about a generally transverse extending axis, a first spring extending between said mounting bracket and said second arm and operable to normally bias said second arm and the furrow finding member inwardly toward said plow, second spring means mounted between the second arm and the furrow finding member and operable to normally bias the furrow finding member to a forward position but operable to permit rearward swinging movement of the furrow finding member when it contacts unplowed ground, and control means interconnecting the hydraulic means with the source of fluid under pressure and the fluid reservoir, the control means being interconnected with and responsive to the position of the furrow finding member to cause the hydraulic means to move the frame laterally with respect to the hitch means whereby a desired distance between the previously formed furrow wall and the foremost plow body is maintained.

Claim 21

The combination set forth in claim 12 in which said control means is mounted on said first arm, there being a spring strap extending upwardly from the second arm and interconnected with said control means.