Side delivery rake

Claim 2

A hydraulically-controlled side delivery rake adapted to be mounted to the front of a tractor comprising: a frame assembly having ground engaging means to limit the downward travel thereof; raking means carried by said frame assembly; mounting frame means adapted for attachment to said tractor; linkage means pivotally connecting said frame assembly to said mounting frame means for vertical movement relative thereto; hydraulic lifting means operatively associated with said linkage means for raising said frame assembly relative to said mounting frame means; and means interconnecting said lifting means and said linkage means, said interconnecting means being operative to permit separation of said linkage means from said lifting means in response to forces transmitted from said ground-engaging means to said linkage means by said frame assembly.

Claim 3

The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said linkage means comprises upper link means pivotally connected to said frame assembly and extending to a pivotal mounting to said mounting frame means about a substantially horizontal axis.

Claim 4

The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said upper link means comprises a pair of links extending from laterally spaced pivotal connections to said frame assembly to fixed connections at opposite ends of a transverse shaft rotatably carried by said mounting frame means.

Claim 5

The invention in accordance with claim 3 and a pair of lower links extending from pivotal connections at opposite ends of said frame assembly to pivotal connections to said mounting frame means.

Claim 6

The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein said linkage means further comprises a balance lever mounted to said transverse shaft intermediate the ends thereof, said lifting means being adapted to engage a portion of said balance lever to lift said frame assembly.

Claim 7

The invention in accordance with claim 5 wherein balancing springs means connect said balance lever to said mounting frame means to balance a portion of the weight of said rake.

Claim 8

The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said mounting frame means comprises a supporting frame mounted on said tractor, said supporting frame comprising a pair of substantially vertical members, a transverse rockshaft being pivotally mounted in each of said members.

Claim 9

The invention in accordance with claim 7 wherein a portion of said linkage means is affixed to said rockshaft to rotate therewith.

Claim 10

The invention in accordance with claim 7 wherein said supporting frame is transversely adjustable with respect to said tractor.

Claim 11

A hydraulically controlled side delivery rake adapted to be mounted to the front of a tractor comprising: a frame assembly; raking means carried by said frame assembly; mounting frame means adapted for attachment to said tractor; linkage means pivotally connecting said frame assembly to said mounting frame means for vertical movement relative thereto; hydraulic lifting means operatively associated with said linkage means for raising said frame assembly relative to said frame means; means interconnecting said lifting means and said linkage means, said interconnecting means being operative to permit vertical movement of said linkage means relative to said lifting means in response to forces transmitted to said linkage means by said frame assembly; and spring balancing means connecting said linkage means to said mounting frame means and operatively disposed to counterbalance a portion of the weight of said rake.

Claim 12

A hydraulically controlled side delivery rake adapted to be mounted to the front of a tractor comprising: a frame assembly; raking means carried by said frame assembly; mounting frame means adapted for attachment to said tractor; linkage means pivotally connecting said frame assembly to said mounting frame means for vertical movement relative thereto; hydraulic lifting means operatively associated with said linkage means for raising said frame assembly relative to said frame means; means interconnecting said lifting means and said linkage means, said interconnecting means being operative to permit vertical movement of said linkage means relative to said lifting means in response to forces transmitted to said linkage means by said frame assembly; and spring balancing means connecting said linkage means to said mounting frame means and operatively disposed to counterbalance a portion of the weight of said rake.

Claim 13

The invention in accordance with claim 10 and said frame assembly having ground-engaging means to limit the downward travel thereof.

Claim 14

A hydraulically controlled side delivery rake adapted to be mounted to the front of a tractor comprising: a frame assembly; raking means carried by said frame assembly; mounting frame means adapted for attachment to said tractor; linkage means pivotally connected to said frame assembly and extending to a pivotal mounting to said mounting frame means about a substantially horizontal axis to permit relative vertical movement therebetween; hydraulic lifting means operatively associated with said linkage means for raising said frame assembly relative to said mounting frame means, said lifting means comprising a lift arm pivotally mounted for free rotation about said horizontal axis, said linkage means being provided with means for arresting said rotation of said lift arm relative to said linkage means to effect lifting of said linkage means, said arresting means being operative to permit vertical movement of said linkage means relative to said lifting means in response to forces transmitted to said linkage means by said frame assembly.

Claim 15

A hydraulically controlled side delivery rake adapted to be mounted to the front of a tractor comprising: a frame assembly; raking means carried by said frame assembly; mounting frame means adapted for attachment to said tractor; linkage means pivotally connected to said frame assembly and extending to a pivotal mounting to said mounting frame means about a substantially horizontal axis to permit relative vertical movement therebetween; hydraulic lifting means operatively associated with said linkage means for raising said frame assembly relative to said mounting frame means, said lifting means comprising a lift arm pivotally mounted for free rotation about said horizontal axis, said linkage means being provided with means for arresting said rotation of said lift arm relative to said linkage means to effect lifting of said linkage means, said arresting means being operative to permit vertical movement of said linkage means relative to said lifting means in response to forces transmitted to said linkage means by said frame assembly.

Claim 16

The invention in accordance with claim 12 wherein said lifting means further comprises a hydraulic cylinder connecting said lift arm and said mounting frame means, said cylinder being adapted for remote actuation.

Claim 17

The invention in accordance with claim 13 wherein balancing spring means connects said linkage means to said mounting frame means, said balancing spring means operatively disposed to balance a portion of the weight of said rake.

Claim 18

The invention in accordance with claim 13 and a hydraulic drive motor driving said raking means, conduit means establishing a parallel fluid connection of said motor and said hydraulic lift cylinder with a single control valve adapted for connection to a source of fluid power for effecting driving and vertical movement of said rake.

Claim 19

The invention in accordance with claim 15 and restrictive means associated with said drive motor to prevent the operation thereof when said lift cylinder is operated to raise said rake.

Claim 20

A hydraulically controlled side delivery rake adapted to be mounted to the front of the tractor comprising a frame assembly, raking means carried by said frame assembly, mounting frame means comprising a supporting frame mounted on said tractor, said supporting frame having a pair of substantially vertical members, a transverse rockshaft pivotally mounted in each of said members, linkage means pivotally connecting said frame assembly to said mounting frame means for vertical movement relative thereto, a portion of said linkage means being affixed to said rockshaft to rotate therewith, hydraulic lifting means operatively associated with said linkage means for raising said frame assembly relative to said mounting frame means, said lifting means comprising an arm pivotally mounted for rotation about said rockshaft, means being provided to arrest said rotation to effect lifting of said rake, said arresting means being operative to permit vertical movement of said linkage means reLative to said lifting means in response to forces transmitted to said linkage means by said frame assembly.

Claim 21

A hydraulically controlled side delivery rake adapted to be mounted to the front of the tractor comprising a frame assembly, raking means carried by said frame assembly, mounting frame means comprising a supporting frame mounted on said tractor, said supporting frame having a pair of substantially vertical members, a transverse rockshaft pivotally mounted in each of said members, linkage means pivotally connecting said frame assembly to said mounting frame means for vertical movement relative thereto, a portion of said linkage means being affixed to said rockshaft to rotate therewith, hydraulic lifting means operatively associated with said linkage means for raising said frame assembly relative to said mounting frame means, said lifting means comprising an arm pivotally mounted for rotation about said rockshaft, means being provided to arrest said rotation to effect lifting of said rake, said arresting means being operative to permit vertical movement of said linkage means reLative to said lifting means in response to forces transmitted to said linkage means by said frame assembly.

Claim 22

The invention in accordance with claim 17 wherein said supporting frame has a fixed transverse member and said lifting means further comprises a hydraulic cylinder connecting said transverse member to said arm, said cylinder being remotely actuable.

Claim 23

The invention in accordance with claim 18 wherein a balancing spring means connects said linkage means to said transverse member, said spring means being operatively disposed to counterbalance a majority of the weight of said rake.

Claim 24

Apparatus for mounting a side delivery rake, said rake having a frame, to the front end of a tractor comprising: a mounting frame assembly mounted to the front of said tractor, said frame assembly having a transverse shaft; ground-engaging means attached to and depending downwardly from said rake frame to limit the downward travel thereof; linkage means pivotally connecting said rake frame to said mounting frame assembly for vertical movement of said rake frame relative to said mounting frame assembly, a portion of said linkage means being adapted to rotate about the axis of said transverse shaft; lifting means connected to said mounting frame assembly and adapted to engage a portion of said linkage means to effect lifting of said rake, said lifting means being disengageable from said linkage means to permit said linkage means to move independently thereof.

Claim 25

Apparatus for mounting a side delivery rake, said rake having a frame, to the front end of a tractor comprising: a mounting frame assembly mounted to the front of said tractor, said frame assembly having a transverse shaft; ground-engaging means attached to and depending downwardly from said rake frame to limit the downward travel thereof; linkage means pivotally connecting said rake frame to said mounting frame assembly for vertical movement of said rake frame relative to said mounting frame assembly, a portion of said linkage means being adapted to rotate about the axis of said transverse shaft; lifting means connected to said mounting frame assembly and adapted to engage a portion of said linkage means to effect lifting of said rake, said lifting means being disengageable from said linkage means to permit said linkage means to move independently thereof.

Claim 26

The invention in accordance with claim 20 wherein said mounting frame assembly is selectively transversely adjustable relative to said tractor.

Claim 27

The invention in accordance with claim 20 wherein said ground-engaging means provides ground contact parallel to the line of travel and over a distance substantially equal to the diagonal projection of said rake in the direction of travel.

Claim 28

Apparatus for mounting a side delivery rake, said rake having a frame, to the front end of a tractor comprising: a mounting frame assembly mounted to the front of said tractor said frame assembly having a transverse shaft rotatably carried thereby; linkage means pivotally connecting said rake frame to said mounting frame assembly for vertical movement of said rake frame relative to said mounting frame assembly, a portion of said linkage means being fixed to said shaft for rotation therewith; lifting means connected to said mounting frame assembly and adapted to engage a portion of said linkage means, said lifting means comprising an arm rotatable relative to said shaft, said portion of said linkage means having means engageable by said arm to cause said shaft and said linkage means to rotate to lift said rake, said lifting means being disengageable from said linkage means to permit said linkage means to move independently thereof.

Claim 29

Apparatus for mounting a side delivery rake, said rake having a frame, to the front end of a tractor comprising: a mounting frame assembly mounted to the front of said tractor said frame assembly having a transverse shaft rotatably carried thereby; linkage means pivotally connecting said rake frame to said mounting frame assembly for vertical movement of said rake frame relative to said mounting frame assembly, a portion of said linkage means being fixed to said shaft for rotation therewith; lifting means connected to said mounting frame assembly and adapted to engage a portion of said linkage means, said lifting means comprising an arm rotatable relative to said shaft, said portion of said linkage means having means engageable by said arm to cause said shaft and said linkage means to rotate to lift said rake, said lifting means being disengageable from said linkage means to permit said linkage means to move independently thereof.

Claim 30

The invention in accordance with claim 23 wherein actuating means are provided to rotate said arm relative to said shaft to lift said rake.

Claim 31

The invention in accordance with claim 24 wherein said actuating means comprises a hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected at one end to said arm and at the other end said mounting frame assembly.

Claim 32

The invention in accordance with claim 25 wherein said linkage means comprises a four bar parallel linkage, the upper links thereof being fixed at opposite ends of said transverse shaft.