Telescoping implement tongue

Claim 1

In a tractor-connected implement having a frame elongated transversely of the direction of travel in the operating position and having transport hitch means at one end for optional connection to the tractor in endwise relation to reduce the transport width of the implement, a centrally disposed operating hitch comprising an elongated hitch tongue projecting forwardly from the frame in the operating position thereof, means on the forward end of said tongue for connecting it to the tractor, said tongue being slidably supported on said frame such that it is retractable toward said frame in cooperating relationship with said transport hitch means to reduce the transport width of the implement, restraining means carried by said frame and operatively engageable with the upper surface of said tongue during the telescoping thereof, securing means adapted to preclude the retraction of said tongue from its operating position to a nonoperating position, said securing means being releasable to facilitate the retraction of said tongue when the transportation of said implement is required, and guide means mounted on said frame accommodating the retraction of said tongue horizontally rearwardly from its operating position upon release of said securing means to a nonoperating position, said guide means including a pair of laterally spaced longitudinally extending vertical plate members slidably receiving and laterally confining said tongue, said securing means being optionally operable to secure the tongue to the frame in said retracted nonoperating position.