Rotating lift system and method
A lift system and method for transporting agricultural implements. The lift system includes a pair of lower linkage arms, an upper link, and at least four carriage wheels for transporting the lift system along carriage guide rails of a trailer frame. A load lift assembly is mounted on the trailer and is movable between lowered, loading position, a raised position, and a transport position. It is capable of connecting to a load having a three-point hitch. A gas strut may optionally be equipped to aid in the lifting process. A telescoping light bar may be included to increase safety while in transport.
1. A system for placing a load on a vehicle including a vehicle frame, which load-placing system comprises:
a load lift assembly having a first, lowered position for connecting to a load, a second, raised position with said load lifted above a level of said vehicle frame, and a third, transport position with said load positioned over and connected to said vehicle frame;
a lift actuator connected to said load lift assembly and configured for moving said load lift assembly between its lowered and raised positions;
a transfer actuator connected to said load lift assembly and configured for moving said load lift assembly between its raised and transport positions axially along said vehicle frame;
said load lift assembly including a lower linkage assembly including a pair of lift arms configured for connecting to two points of said three-point hitch;
said load lift assembly including a top link configured for connecting to a third point of said three-point hitch;
said top link being pivotally pinned to a pair of mounting brackets affixed to said load lift assembly;
a hydraulic reservoir assembly configured to operate said lift actuator and said transfer actuator;
a motor assembly configured to provide power to said hydraulic reservoir assembly;
a control assembly configured to send control signals to said hydraulic reservoir assembly;
a first hydraulic arm connected to a front end of said vehicle frame, said hydraulic arm configured for moving said load lift assembly between said second, raised position in proximity to a rear end of said vehicle frame and said third, transport position in proximity to said front end of said vehicle frame; and
a second hydraulic arm configured to pivot said lower linkage assembly about said lift arm weldment.
2. The load-placing system according to claim 1 wherein said load includes a three-point hitch and said system includes:
said lower linkage assembly including a lift arm weldment, said pair of lift arms affixed to said lift arm weldment; and
said lift arm weldment pivotally engaging at least one mounting bracket affixed to said load lift assembly.
3. The load-placing system of claim 1 , which includes:
a pair of carriage guides mounted on said vehicle frame in proximity to a respective side of said vehicle frame;
said carriage including a pair of carriage wheels each rollingly engaging a respective carriage guide; and
said pair of carriage guides configured to guide said load lift assembly longitudinally along said vehicle frame between said first, transport position and said second, raised position.
4. The load-placing system of claim 1 , which includes:
a stabilizer arm assembly connected to said frame and adapted for stabilizing said frame while said load is in said raised and transport positions by interlocking with a weldment receiver mounted to said lower linkage assembly; and
said stabilizer assembly being movable between a locked position engaging a stabilizer arm receiver, and a disengaged position disengaged from the stabilizer arm receiver.