Field conditioner

Claim 2

An implement carrier comprising: an implement supporting frame having a transversely extending center section and a pair of outrigger sections; means connecting the frame to a longitudinally extending draft frame for pivotal movement about a transverse axis from a lowered generally horizontal working position to a raised transport position; hinge means interconnecting the outrigger sections with the center section for vertical swinging movement of the outrigger sections relative to the center section about generally longitudinally extending axes when the implement supporting frame is in its lowered position; telescopic brace means interconnecting each of the outrigger sections with the draft frame; each brace means including first and second rigid pole sections connected to an outrigger section and the draft frame, respectively, and having adjoining ends interconnected for free telescopic relative movement; and stop means carried by one of the pole sections engageable with abutment means on the other pole section to limit the free telescopic relative movEment of the pole sections and rearward movement of the corresponding outrigger section to a position in which it extends transversely of the center section.

Claim 3

The implement carrier set forth in claim 1 wherein the adjoining ends of the first and second pole sections are overlapping, the means interconnecting the adjoining ends of the first and second pole sections includes a pair of guide members slidably embracing one of the pole sections and secured to the other pole section, the guide members form the abutment means, and the stop means is mounted on the one pole section between the guide members.

Claim 4

The implement carrier set forth in claim 2 wherein each of the guide members includes a U-shaped bracket positioned over the one pole section and having the free ends of its legs secured to the other pole section.

Claim 5

The implement carrier set forth in claim 2 wherein the means interconnecting the first pole section to the outrigger section includes a first bracket secured to the outrigger frame, a second bracket secured to the first pole section for pivotal movement about a first axis, and means interconnecting the first and second brackets for relative pivotal movement about a second axis normal to the first axis, and the means interconnecting the second pole section to the draft frame includes pivot means having a generally vertically extending pivot axis.

Claim 6

The implement carrier set forth in claim 2 wherein the stop means is removably mounted on the one pole section and the first pole section is releasably interconnected with the outrigger section.

Claim 7

An implement carrier comprising: a transversely extending implement supporting frame having a center section and a pair of outrigger sections; a draft frame including a longitudinally extending draft beam securable at its forward end to a propelling vehicle, and a pair of forwardly converging members secured at their forward ends to an intermediate portion of the draft beam; means interconnecting the implement supporting frame to the rear ends of the forwardly converging members for movement about a transverse axis from a lowered generally horizontal ground-working position to a raised transport position; extensible and retractable power means connected between the implement supporting frame and the draft frame to move the implement supporting frame between its raised and lowered positions; hinge means interconnecting the outrigger sections with the center section for upward swinging movement of the outrigger sections relative to the center section when the implement supporting frame is in its lowered position and for forward movement of the outrigger sections relative to the center section when the implement supporting frame is in its raised position; wheel means secured to forward portions of and supporting the implement supporting frame; and telescopic brace means interconnecting each outrigger section and the draft frame; each brace means including first and second rigid pole sections having adjoining ends interconnected for free telescopic movement, means pivotally connecting the first and second pole sections to the outrigger section and draft frame respectively, and stop means carried by one of the pole sections engageable with abutment means on the other pole section to limit the free telescopic movement of the pole sections and rearward movement of the corresponding outrigger section to a position in which it extends transversely of the center section.

Claim 8

An implement carrier comprising: a transversely extending implement supporting frame having a center section and a pair of outrigger sections; a draft frame including a longitudinally extending draft beam securable at its forward end to a propelling vehicle, and a pair of forwardly converging members secured at their forward ends to an intermediate portion of the draft beam; means interconnecting the implement supporting frame to the rear ends of the forwardly converging members for movement about a transverse axis from a lowered generally horizontal ground-working position to a raised transport position; extensible and retractable power means connected between the implement supporting frame and the draft frame to move the implement supporting frame between its raised and lowered positions; hinge means interconnecting the outrigger sections with the center section for upward swinging movement of the outrigger sections relative to the center section when the implement supporting frame is in its lowered position and for forward movement of the outrigger sections relative to the center section when the implement supporting frame is in its raised position; wheel means secured to forward portions of and supporting the implement supporting frame; and telescopic brace means interconnecting each outrigger section and the draft frame; each brace means including first and second rigid pole sections having adjoining ends interconnected for free telescopic movement, means pivotally connecting the first and second pole sections to the outrigger section and draft frame respectively, and stop means carried by one of the pole sections engageable with abutment means on the other pole section to limit the free telescopic movement of the pole sections and rearward movement of the corresponding outrigger section to a position in which it extends transversely of the center section.

Claim 9

The implement carrier set forth in claim 6 wherein outrigger section transport supports are provided on forward portions of the forwardly converging members, brace transport supports are provided on rear portions of the forwardly converging members, the means connecting the first pole sections to the outrigger sections are releasable, the adjoining ends of the first and second pole sections of each brace means are overlapping, the means interconnecting the adjoining ends of each of the first and second pole sections of each brace means includes a pair of guide members slidably embracing one of the pole sections and secured to the other pole section, the guide members form the abutment means, and the stop means is removably mounted on the one pole section between the guide members, whereby, when the implement supporting frame is in its raised position, the outrigger sections can be folded to a road transport position by releasing the means connecting the first pole sections to the outrigger sections, removing the stop means, telescoping the first and second pole sections together and placing them on the brace transport supports, and folding the outrigger sections forwardly and placing them on the outrigger section transport supports.