Rotary hoe

Claim 2

An integral rotary hoe comprising: a single elongated tool bar extending generally transversely to the normal direction of movement of the rotary hoe; means secured to the tool bar for integral connection with a vertically movable and power-operated tractor hitch; a plurality of generally transversely aligned sets of front and rear gangs of hoe wheels; each gang of hoe wheels including a generally transversely extending shaft and a plurality of hoe wheels mounted on the shaft; a plurality of leaf springs spaced along the tool bar and rigidly connected directly to the tool bar; there being at least one leaf spring for each set of gangs of hoe wheels; and each leaf spring being connected to the shaft of both the front and rear gangs of one of the sets of gangs, whereby, when the tool bar is raised by the tractor hitch, the gangs of hoe wheels are resiliently suspended from the tool bar by the leaf springs; and, when the tool bar is lowered by the tractor hitch, the weight of the tool bar is transferred through the leaf springs to the gangs of hoe wheels.

Claim 3

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 1 wherein each set of gangs is supported by a pair of leaf spring means, and the front and rear gangs of each set of gangs are maintained in spaced relationship by rigid link means extending between and having opposite ends journaled to the shafts of the front and rear gangs.

Claim 4

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 2 wherein each leaf spring means is generally of inverted U-shape; one leg of each leaf spring means is mounted on the tool bar; and each of the link means is rotatably mounted intermediate its ends to the free leg of one of the leaf spring means.

Claim 5

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 3 wherein draft link means extends between and is pivotally connected to the forward end of each of the first mentioned link means and the tool bar.

Claim 6

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 4 wherein the shafts of the front and rear gangs are carried on the ends of the first-mentioned link means by universal bearing means which afford limited universal pivotal movement of each shaft with respect to the link means.

Claim 7

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 5 wherein each of said first mentioned link means is generally of inverted V-shape and is rotatably mounted at the apex thereof to the free leg of the corresponding leaf spring means.

Claim 8

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 6 wherein the ends of said first mentioned link means are spaced a fore-and-aft distance apart less than the diameter of the hoe wheel, whereby the hoe wheels of the front and rear gangs overlap.

Claim 9

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said leaf spring means is generally of arcuate shape, is mounted mediallY its ends to the tool bar and has its ends extending generally downwardly below the tool bar in fore-and-aft alignment, and each set of front and rear gangs is mounted on and carried by the ends of a single leaf spring means.

Claim 10

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 8 wherein each set of front and rear gangs is carried by a subframe having front and rear ends connected to the ends of one of the leaf spring means.

Claim 11

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 9 wherein each subframe is mounted to the corresponding leaf spring means for rotation about a generally fore-and-aft extending axis.

Claim 12

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 10 wherein the ends of each leaf spring means are interconnected with the corresponding ends of each adjacent leaf spring means by transversely extending link means which limit lateral deflection of any single one of the leaf spring means.

Claim 13

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 11 wherein said transversely extending link means include lost motion means whereby each of said leaf spring means has a limited degree of movement independent of the movement of the adjacent leaf spring means.

Claim 14

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said leaf spring means is generally of arcuate shape, is mounted medially its ends to said tool bar with its ends projecting below said tool bar in fore-and-aft alignment, and wherein the forward and rearward ends of each pair of leaf spring means carry the front and rear gangs, respectively, of one set of gangs.

Claim 15

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 13 wherein rigid link means extend between the front and rear gangs of each set of gangs and maintain the front and rear gangs a fixed distance apart.

Claim 16

A rotary hoe comprising: a set of tandem gangs of hoe wheels; a pair of rigid link means extending between and journaled to the shafts of the front and rear gangs of said set by universal bearing means which afford limited universal pivotal movement of each shaft with respect to the links; each of said link means being of generally inverted V-shape; and resilient means suspending each of the link means from a tool bar; each of the link means being rotatably mounted at its apex to the resilient means.

Claim 17

A rotary hoe comprising: a set of tandem gangs of hoe wheels; a pair of rigid link means extending between and journaled to the shafts of the front and rear gangs of said set by universal bearing means which afford limited universal pivotal movement of each shaft with respect to the links; each of said link means being of generally inverted V-shape; and resilient means suspending each of the link means from a tool bar; each of the link means being rotatably mounted at its apex to the resilient means.

Claim 18

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 15 wherein the fore-and-aft distance between the ends of each of said link means is less than the diameter of a hoe wheel whereby the wheels of said gangs will be in overlapping relationship.

Claim 19

A rotary hoe comprising: a transversely extending elongated tool bar; a plurality of sets of tandem gangs of rotary hoe wheels positioned rearwardly of the tool bar; a pair of leaf springs resiliently suspending each set of tandem gangs from the tool bar with each leaf spring being connected to both gangs of its respective set of tandem gangs whereby the sets of tandem gangs can move vertically with respect to the tool bar and with respect to each other by flexing the springs; and force-transmitting means including rigid links connected to the sets of tandem gangs and extending forwardly therefrom to a connection with the tool bar to transmit the resistance of the rotary hoe wheels to movement through the soil to the tool bar.

Claim 20

A rotary hoe comprising: a transversely extending elongated tool bar; a plurality of sets of tandem gangs of rotary hoe wheels positioned rearwardly of the tool bar; a pair of leaf springs resiliently suspending each set of tandem gangs from the tool bar with each leaf spring being connected to both gangs of its respective set of tandem gangs whereby the sets of tandem gangs can move vertically with respect to the tool bar and with respect to each other by flexing the springs; and force-transmitting means including rigid links connected to the sets of tandem gangs and extending forwardly therefrom to a connection with the tool bar to transmit the resistance of the rotary hoe wheels to movement through the soil to the tool bar.

Claim 21

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 17, and further including means for rocking said tool bar about an axis extending generally parallel thereto.

Claim 22

A rotary hoe comprising: a transversely extending elongated frame member; a plurality of sets of tandem gangs of rotary hoe wheels positioned rearwardly of the frame member; each set of tandem gangs including rigid link means extending between and interconnecting the front and rear gangs of the set; a plurality of resilient members interconnecting the sets of tandem gangs and the frame member; each of said resilient members being fixedly mounted adjacent one end directly to the frame member and extending over the front gang of one of the sets of tandem gangs, and having its other end connected to one of the link means intermediate the front and rear gangs; whereby said sets of tandem gangs can move verticaLly with respect to said frame member and with respect to each other by flexing said resilient members.

Claim 23

A rotary hoe comprising: a transversely extending elongated frame member; a plurality of sets of tandem gangs of rotary hoe wheels positioned rearwardly of the frame member; each set of tandem gangs including rigid link means extending between and interconnecting the front and rear gangs of the set; a plurality of resilient members interconnecting the sets of tandem gangs and the frame member; each of said resilient members being fixedly mounted adjacent one end directly to the frame member and extending over the front gang of one of the sets of tandem gangs, and having its other end connected to one of the link means intermediate the front and rear gangs; whereby said sets of tandem gangs can move verticaLly with respect to said frame member and with respect to each other by flexing said resilient members.

Claim 24

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 19 wherein each of said resilient members is a leaf spring.

Claim 25

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 19 wherein each of said resilient members is generally of inverted U-shape, has one leg fixedly connected adjacent the end thereof to said frame member, and has the other end pivotally connected to one of the link means.

Claim 26

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 19 and further including draft link means extending between each set of tandem gangs and the frame member.

Claim 27

A rotary hoe comprising: a transversely extending elongated frame member; a plurality of sets of tandem gangs of hoe wheels positioned rearwardly of the frame member; means interconnecting the front and rear gangs of each set of tandem gangs; means resiliently suspending each set of tandem gangs from the frame member to permit vertical movement of the sets of tandem gangs with respect to the frame member; said last-mentioned means being connected directly to said frame member, extending over the front gangs of the sets of gangs, and being connected to said first-mentioned means; and draft means connected to each set of tandem gangs and extending forwardly therefrom to a connection with the frame member.

Claim 28

A rotary hoe comprising: a transversely extending elongated frame member; a plurality of sets of tandem gangs of hoe wheels positioned rearwardly of the frame member; means interconnecting the front and rear gangs of each set of tandem gangs; means resiliently suspending each set of tandem gangs from the frame member to permit vertical movement of the sets of tandem gangs with respect to the frame member; said last-mentioned means being connected directly to said frame member, extending over the front gangs of the sets of gangs, and being connected to said first-mentioned means; and draft means connected to each set of tandem gangs and extending forwardly therefrom to a connection with the frame member.

Claim 29

A rotary hoe comprising: a frame member extending generally transversely to the normal direction of movement of said rotary hoe; means on the frame member for connection with a propelling vehicle; a plurality of sets of tandem gangs of hoe wheels positioned rearwardly of said frame member; means interconnecting the front and rear gangs of each set of tandem gangs; means suspending each set of tandem gangs from said frame member; said last-mentioned means extending over the front gangs of the sets of tandem gangs and being connected to the frame member and the means interconnecting the front and rear gangs; at least a portion of the suspending means being resilient to allow the sets of gangs to move generally vertically relative to the frame member by deflecting the resilient portion of the suspending means; and draft means extending between the frame member and the sets of tandem gangs.

Claim 30

A rotary hoe comprising: a frame member extending generally transversely to the normal direction of movement of said rotary hoe; means on the frame member for connection with a propelling vehicle; a plurality of sets of tandem gangs of hoe wheels positioned rearwardly of said frame member; means interconnecting the front and rear gangs of each set of tandem gangs; means suspending each set of tandem gangs from said frame member; said last-mentioned means extending over the front gangs of the sets of tandem gangs and being connected to the frame member and the means interconnecting the front and rear gangs; at least a portion of the suspending means being resilient to allow the sets of gangs to move generally vertically relative to the frame member by deflecting the resilient portion of the suspending means; and draft means extending between the frame member and the sets of tandem gangs.

Claim 31

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 24 wherein each of the suspending means is generally of inverted U-shape, has its forward leg secured to the frame member and the lower end of its rear leg pivotally connected to one of the means interconnecting the front and rear gangs.

Claim 32

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 25 wherein an integral extension of the front leg of the suspending means extends below the frame member, the draft means includes a plurality of rigid draft links, and each draft link is pivotally connected at its forward end to the integral extension of the forward leg of one of the suspending means and extends rearwardly to a pivotal connection with one of the means interconnecting the front and rear gangs.

Claim 33

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 26 wherein each of the means interconnecting the front and rear gangs includes a rigid, generally inverted V-shaped link having its opposite ends journaled to the gang shafts of the front and rear gangs of one of the sets of tandem gangs, and the lower end of the rear leg of each suspending means is pivotally connected to the apex of one of the rigid V-shaped links.

Claim 34

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 27 wherein each of the suspending means is a leaf spring.

Claim 35

A rotary hoe comprising: a transversely extending elongated frame member; a plurality of gangs of hoe wheels positioned rearwardly of the frame members; each of the gangs including a gang shaft and a plurality of hoe wheels rotatably mounted on the shaft; a pair of resilient bars suspending each gang from the frame member; each of the resilient bars being secured adjacent one end to the frame member and having its opposite end journaled to the shaft of the associated gang by universal bearing means which affords limited universal pivotal movement of the shaft with respect to the bar.

Claim 36

A rotary hoe comprising: a transversely extending elongated frame member; a plurality of gangs of hoe wheels positioned rearwardly of the frame members; each of the gangs including a gang shaft and a plurality of hoe wheels rotatably mounted on the shaft; a pair of resilient bars suspending each gang from the frame member; each of the resilient bars being secured adjacent one end to the frame member and having its opposite end journaled to the shaft of the associated gang by universal bearing means which affords limited universal pivotal movement of the shaft with respect to the bar.

Claim 37

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 29 further including draft link means extending from the gangs forwardly to the frame member to transmit the resistance of the hoe wheels to movement through the soil to the frame member.

Claim 38

A rotary hoe comprising: a tool bar extending generally transversely to the normal direction of movement of the rotary hoe; means on the tool bar for integral connection with a vertically movable and power-operated tractor hitch; a plurality of sets of tandem gangs of hoe wheels positioned rearwardly of the tool bar; means interconnecting the front and rear gangs of each set of tandem gangs; means supporting each set of tandem gangs from the tool bar; the last-mentioned means extending over the front gangs of the sets of gangs and being connected to the frame member and the means interconnecting the front and rear gangs; the supporting means including resilient means yieldable to permit the sets of gangs to move generally vertically relative to the tool bar; and draft means extending between the tool bar and the sets of tandem gangs.

Claim 39

A rotary hoe comprising: a tool bar extending generally transversely to the normal direction of movement of the rotary hoe; means on the tool bar for integral connection with a vertically movable and power-operated tractor hitch; a plurality of sets of tandem gangs of hoe wheels positioned rearwardly of the tool bar; means interconnecting the front and rear gangs of each set of tandem gangs; means supporting each set of tandem gangs from the tool bar; the last-mentioned means extending over the front gangs of the sets of gangs and being connected to the frame member and the means interconnecting the front and rear gangs; the supporting means including resilient means yieldable to permit the sets of gangs to move generally vertically relative to the tool bar; and draft means extending between the tool bar and the sets of tandem gangs.

Claim 40

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 31 wherein each of the supporting means is generally of inverted U-shape, has its forward leg secured to the tool bar and the lower end of its rear leg pivotally connected to one of the means interconnecting the front and rear gangs.

Claim 41

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 32 wherein an integral extension of the front leg of the supporting means extends below the tool bar, the draft means includes a plurality of rigid draft links, and each draft link is pivotally connected at its forward end to the integral extension of the forward leg of one of the supporting means and extends rearwardly to a pivotal connection with one of the means interconnecting the front and rear gangs.

Claim 42

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 33 wherein each of the means interconnecting the front and rear gangs includes a rigid, generally inverted V-shaped link having its opposite ends journaled to the gang shafts of the front and rear gangs of one of the sets of tandem gangs, and the lower end of the rear leg of each supporting means is pivotally connected to the apex of one of the rigid V-shaped links.

Claim 43

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 34 wherein each of the supporting means is a leaf spring.

Claim 44

An integral rotary hoe comprising: a single elongated tool bar extending generally transversely to the normal direction of movement of the rotary hoe; means secured to the tool bar for integral connection with a vertically movable and power-operated tractor hitch; a plurality of generally transversely aligned sets of front and rear gangs of hoe wheels positioned rearwardly of the tool bar; each gang of hoe wheels including an elongated shaft and a plurality of hoe wheels mounted on the shaft; rigid link means extending between and journaled to the shafts of the front and rear gangs of each set of gangs; a plurality of suspension means spaced along the length of the tool bar, secured to the tool bar, and extending from forward ends slightly beneath the tool bar upwardly along a side of the tool bar, rearwardly over the front gangs of the sets of gangs, and downwardly to ends connected to the rigid link means; and a draft link pivotally connected to the forward end of each rigid link means and extending forwardly to a pivotal connection with the forward end of one of the suspension means.

Claim 45

An integral rotary hoe comprising: a single elongated tool bar extending generally transversely to the normal direction of movement of the rotary hoe; means secured to the tool bar for integral connection with a vertically movable and power-operated tractor hitch; a plurality of generally transversely aligned sets of front and rear gangs of hoe wheels positioned rearwardly of the tool bar; each gang of hoe wheels including an elongated shaft and a plurality of hoe wheels mounted on the shaft; rigid link means extending between and journaled to the shafts of the front and rear gangs of each set of gangs; a plurality of suspension means spaced along the length of the tool bar, secured to the tool bar, and extending from forward ends slightly beneath the tool bar upwardly along a side of the tool bar, rearwardly over the front gangs of the sets of gangs, and downwardly to ends connected to the rigid link means; and a draft link pivotally connected to the forward end of each rigid link means and extending forwardly to a pivotal connection with the forward end of one of the suspension means.

Claim 46

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 36 wherein at least a portion of each suspension means is resiliently yieldable to afford vertical movement of the gangs with respect to the tool bar.

Claim 47

The rotary hoe set forth in claim 37 wherein each of the rigid link means is of inverted V-shape, and the rear end of each suspension means is pivotally connected to the apex of one of the rigid link means.

Claim 48

A rotary hoe comprising: a transversely elongated frame member; a plurality of gangs of hoe wheels positioned rearwardly of the frAme member; a pair of leaf springs resiliently suspending each gang of hoe wheels from the frame member whereby the gangs can move vertically with respect to the frame member by flexing the springs, said gangs being connected to the leaf springs by universal bearing means which afford limited universal pivotal movement of the gangs with respect to the springs; and draft means interconnecting the frame member and gangs to transmit the resistance of the hoe wheels to movement through the soil to the frame member, the draft means including draft links each pivotally connected at one end to one of the gangs and extending forwardly to a pivotal connection with the frame member at its opposite end.

Claim 49

A rotary hoe comprising: a transversely elongated frame member; a plurality of gangs of hoe wheels positioned rearwardly of the frAme member; a pair of leaf springs resiliently suspending each gang of hoe wheels from the frame member whereby the gangs can move vertically with respect to the frame member by flexing the springs, said gangs being connected to the leaf springs by universal bearing means which afford limited universal pivotal movement of the gangs with respect to the springs; and draft means interconnecting the frame member and gangs to transmit the resistance of the hoe wheels to movement through the soil to the frame member, the draft means including draft links each pivotally connected at one end to one of the gangs and extending forwardly to a pivotal connection with the frame member at its opposite end.