Agricultural toolbar transport system
A toolbar transport system for extending and retracting a large agricultural toolbar. Forward and rearward folding segments of the toolbar allow the toolbar assembly to retract against the sides of the vehicle without interfering with the steering wheels. A forward-folding segment and rearward-folding segment of each lateral toolbar section connect to provide steering wheel clearance in the transfer position and an integrated lateral toolbar with regularly-spaced ground-engaging implements in the application position. Gauge wheel assemblies assist in the extension and deployment of the toolbar assembly.
1. An agricultural vehicle comprising:
(a) a frame;
(b) a wheel coupled to the frame;
(c) a motor coupled to the frame;
(d) a steering assembly coupled to the wheel;
(e) a tank coupled to the frame;
(f) a toolbar mount;
(g) a ground engaging toolbar comprising:
(i) a boom assembly comprising:
a. a center boom assembly;
b. a first boom coupled to the center boom;
c. a second boom coupled to the center boom; and
d. wherein the first boom comprises;
(1) a first forward-folding segment;
(2) a first rearward-folding segment coupled to the first forward-folding segment at a first point on the first forward-folding segment;
(3) a latch assembly coupled to the first forward-folding segment at a second point and coupled to the first rearward-folding segment;
(4) wherein the first point is located at least one-half meter from the second point;
e. wherein the second boom comprises:
(1) a second forward-folding segment;
(2) a second rearward-folding segment coupled to the second forward-folding segment at a third point on the second forward-folding segment;
(3) a second latch assembly coupled to the second forward-folding segment at a fourth point and coupled to the second rearward-folding segment;
(4) wherein the third point is located at least one-half meter from the fourth point;
(ii) a third ground-engaging agricultural implement coupled to the second forward-folding segment;
(iii) a fourth ground-engaging agricultural implement coupled to the second rearward-folding segment; and
(iv) wherein the third ground-engaging agricultural implement, the fourth ground-engaging agricultural implement, and the second boom define an open area which extends at least one meter vertically from the ground when the first ground-engaging agricultural implement is engaged to the ground.
2. The agricultural vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator secured to the first rearward-folding segment and the center boom.
3. The agricultural vehicle of claim 2 , further comprising a linkage coupled between the first forward-folding segment and the center boom.
4. The agricultural vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a linkage coupled between the first forward-folding segment and the center boom.
5. The agricultural vehicle of claim 4 , further comprising a fifth ground-engaging agricultural implement coupled to the center boom.
6. The agricultural vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a fifth ground-engaging agricultural implement coupled to the center boom.
7. The agricultural vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising an extensible ground-engaging gauge wheel assembly coupled to the center boom.
8. The agricultural vehicle of claim 7 , further comprising a supplemental extensible ground-engaging gauge wheel assembly coupled to the first rearward-folding segment.
9. The agricultural vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising a supplemental extensible ground-engaging gauge wheel assembly coupled to the first rearward-folding segment.
10. The agricultural vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising;
(a) a first extensible ground-engaging gauge wheel assembly coupled to the center boom;
(b) a first extension actuator coupled to the first extensible ground-engaging gauge wheel assembly;
(c) a second extensible ground-engaging gauge wheel assembly coupled to the first rearward-folding segment;
(d) a second extension actuator coupled to the second extensible ground-engaging gauge wheel assembly;
(e) a third extensible ground-engaging gauge wheel assembly coupled to the second rearward-folding segment; and
(f) a third extension actuator coupled to the third extensible ground-engaging gauge wheel assembly.
11. A ground engaging toolbar comprising:
(a) a center boom assembly;
(b) a first side boom assembly coupled to the center boom assembly;
(c) a second side boom assembly coupled to the center boom assembly;
(d) wherein the first side boom assembly comprises:
(i) a forward-folding segment; and
(ii) a rearward-folding segment hingably coupled to the forward folding segment;
(e) wherein the first side boom assembly is pivotable between the first orientation wherein:
(i) the forward-folding segment is folded forward;
(ii) the rearward-folding segment is folded rearward;
(iii) the forward-folding segment is in a generally end-to-end and parallel configuration with the rearward-folding segment;
(iv) the first side boom is generally parallel to the forward vehicle direction of travel;
and a second orientation wherein:
(i) the forward-folding segment is extended laterally;
(ii) the rearward-folding segment is extended laterally;
(iii) the forward-folding segment is in a generally side-by-side and parallel configuration with the rearward-folding segment;
(iv) the first side boom assembly is generally perpendicular to the forward vehicle direction of travel.
12. The ground engaging toolbar of claim 11 , further comprising a first latch coupled to the forward-folding segment and a second latch coupled to the rearward-folding segment, wherein the first latch fits into mating engagement with the second latch.
13. The ground engaging toolbar of claim 11 , further comprising a first ground-engaging agricultural implement coupled to the forward-folding segment and a second ground-engaging agricultural implement coupled to the rearward-folding segment, wherein the first ground-engaging agricultural implement and the second ground-engaging implement are each at least one meter in length.
14. The ground-engaging toolbar of claim 11 , further comprising an actuator secured to the first rearward-folding segment and the center boom.
15. The ground-engaging toolbar of claim 11 , further comprising a linkage coupled between the first forward-folding segment and the center boom.
16. The ground-engaging toolbar of claim 11 , further comprising an extensible ground-engaging gauge wheel assembly coupled to the center boom.
17. The ground-engaging toolbar of claim 11 , further comprising;
(a) a first extensible ground-engaging gauge wheel assembly coupled to the center boom;
(b) a first extension actuator coupled to the first extensible ground-engaging gauge wheel assembly;
(c) a second extensible ground-engaging gauge wheel assembly coupled to the first rearward-folding segment;
(d) a second extension actuator coupled to the second extensible ground-engaging gauge wheel assembly;
(e) a third extensible ground-engaging gauge wheel assembly coupled to the second rearward-folding segment; and
(f) a third extension actuator coupled to the third extensible ground-engaging gauge wheel assembly.
18. A method for articulating a ground-engaging toolbar comprising:
(a) providing a ground-engaging toolbar comprising:
(i) a center boom assembly;
(ii) a first side boom assembly coupled to the center boom assembly;
(iii) a second side boom assembly coupled to the center boom assembly;
(iv) wherein the first side boom assembly comprises:
(1) a forward-folding segment having a free end; and
(2) a rearward-folding segment hingably coupled to the forward folding segment;
(b) folding the forward-folding segment forward of the center boom assembly;
(c) folding the rearward-folding segment rearward of the center boom assembly;
(d) folding the forward folding segment generally parallel with the center boom assembly;
(e) folding the rearward-folding segment generally parallel with the center boom assembly; and
(f) securing the free end of the forward-folding segment to the rearward-folding segment in a generally parallel configuration.
19. The method for articulating a ground-engaging toolbar of claim 18 , further comprising providing a gauge wheel assembly comprising:
(a) an extensible leg coupled to the center boom;
(b) a gauge wheel assembly coupled to the extensible leg; and
(c) applying upward pressure on the center boom by extending the extensible leg.
20. The method for articulating a ground engaging toolbar of claim 18 , further providing:
(a) a first ground-engaging agricultural implement coupled to the center boom;
(b) a second ground-engaging agricultural implement coupled to the first side boom assembly;
(c) a third ground-engaging agricultural implement coupled the second side boom assembly, and
(d) wherein the first ground-engaging agricultural implement, the second ground-engaging agricultural implement, and the third ground-engaging agricultural implement are at least one meter in height.