Central product delivery system
A stack-fold implement having a central bulk fill hopper assembly is provided. The bulk fill hopper assembly is mounted to the center frame section of the stack-told implement and does not affect the narrowness of the stack-fold implement when it's in a stacked, transport position, The hopper assembly includes a pair of bulk fill hoppers or tanks supported by cradle that is in turn supported by a pair of wheels. The cradle is removably coupled to the center frame section by a plurality of rigid frame members.
1. A central product delivery system operative to provide particulate material to a plurality of row units of a stack-fold planter, the central product delivery system comprising:
a plurality of frame members configured to be removably coupled to a rearward end of the stack-fold planter;
first and second knuckles coupled to the plurality of frame members;
first and second parallel linkages extending rearwardly from the first and second knuckles, respectively, each of the first and second parallel linkages having a fixed length;
first and second wheel mounts coupled to an aft end of the first and second parallel linkages, respectively;
first and second wheels coupled to the first and second wheel mounts, respectively;
a cradle configured to support at least one bulk fill hopper;
first and second lift arms extending downwardly from the cradle at an angle to the first and second knuckles, respectively, the first and second lift arms having a fixed length; and
first and second hydraulic cylinders interconnected between the first and second wheel mounts and the first and second knuckles, respectively, and wherein the first and second hydraulic cylinders are configured to raise and lower the cradle and wherein the first and second lift arms remain above the first and second parallel linkages throughout a range of motion of the cradle.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a platform coupled to the cradle, the platform positioned rearward of the at least one bulk fill hopper.
3. The system of claim 2 further comprising a ladder movable from a stowed position beneath the platform to a working position rearward of the platform.
4. The system of claim 2 wherein the at least one bulk fill hopper includes first and second bulk fill hoppers.
5. The system of claim 1 further comprising an air blower mounted beneath the cradle.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of frame members includes two outer members and an inner member generally centered between the pair of outer members.