Folding Draft Links for Agricultural Planter Hitch Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural planters with forward-folding wing booms face issues with excessive hitch loading and reduced maneuverability during transport due to the elongation of wing booms, which leads to structural stress and difficulty in cornering, necessitating heavy hinges and telescoping hitches that increase the length required for clearance.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates pivotable wing booms supported by rotating wheel assemblies that caster during transport, optimized draft links with actuators to minimize hitch extension, and a wing boom retainer for limited movement, reducing stress on the hitch and improving maneuverability while maintaining engagement with the planting surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the wing booms are extended to increase seed unit capacity, then the planting productivity is improved, but the hitch loading and structural stress increase during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The draft links are designed to change their configuration dynamically between working and transport positions. During transport, the draft links fold to a compact configuration that reduces their effective length and lever arm, thereby reducing the moment load on the hitch while maintaining structural integrity. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to handle both the extended wing booms for productivity and the reduced load requirements for transport.
2Ease of operation
If the telescoping hitch is extended to provide clearance for folded wing booms, then the transport maneuverability is improved, but the length of tow and cornering area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The draft link assembly is segmented into multiple connected segments that can fold relative to each other. This segmentation allows the draft links to be extended when needed for structural support during working operations and folded into a compact configuration during transport. The segmented design enables the system to achieve both the structural support function and the compact transport profile without requiring excessive hitch extension.
3Reliability
If heavy hinges are used to support the draft links on extended wing booms, then the structural reliability is improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The draft links utilize a dynamic folding mechanism that changes their effective length and structural role based on the operational state. In the working position, the draft links extend to provide structural support for the extended wing booms. In the transport position, the draft links fold to a compact configuration, reducing the span and leverage on the hinge connections. This dynamic reconfiguration reduces the continuous load on the hinges, allowing for simpler, lighter hinge designs while maintaining structural reliability during both operational phases.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration reduces the load on the hitch and rear wheels, enhances maneuverability during transport, and maintains rigidity for working positions by minimizing hitch extension and distributing weight effectively, allowing for efficient folding and operation.
Implementation Method 1
The wing booms are supported by respective wheels assemblies having wheels that may be rotated downward as the wing booms are folded forward and then allowed to caster as the planter is towed.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural implement includes a hitch boom to which a pair of wing booms is pivotably connected. The wing booms are designed to fold forward from an extended position to a transport position. The wing booms are supported above a surface by wheels that provide the aforementioned support when the wing booms are in an extended position as well as the transport position. Maintaining surface contact of the wheels in both positions reduces the load placed on the hitch to which the hitch boom is coupled as well as the hitch boom itself. Multi-link draft links are connected between the hitch boom and the wing booms to provide support for the wing booms when the wing booms are in the extended position. The relative length of the draft links dictates how far the hitch telescopes when the wing booms are folded to the stowed or transport position.