Forward Folding Wing Boom Planter Hitch Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural planters with forward-folding wing booms experience overloading and reduced maneuverability when transported due to the elongation of the hitch required to clear the wing booms, leading to structural stress and difficulty in turning, especially when using telescoping hitches.
Innovation Solution
The planter design includes pivotable wing booms supported by wheel assemblies that rotate downward and caster as folded, with optimized draft links and a wing boom retainer to minimize hitch extension and distribute load, allowing for continuous engagement with the ground and reduced stress on the hitch and rear wheels during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the wing booms are folded forward to reduce width for transport, then the planter width is greatly reduced which is advantageous for exiting the planting surface and for storage, but the outer ends of the wing booms may extend past the hitch of the towing vehicle requiring telescoping hitch extension
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch boom is coupled to a telescoping hitch that can dynamically extend its length. When the wing booms are folded forward, the telescoping hitch automatically extends to provide the necessary clearance between the wing boom outer ends and the tractor hitch, allowing the planter to maintain a compact width while accommodating the extended hitch configuration.
2Shape
If the telescoping hitch is lifted to provide clearance for the wheels when wing booms are folded, then clearance is provided for the wheels above the planting surface, but the hitch loads the rear wheels with a majority of the planter weight causing overloading
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented between multiple components: the wheel assemblies support the wing booms when extended, while the draft links and hitch boom structure share the load when folded. This segmentation prevents any single component from bearing the entire planter weight, reducing the risk of overloading.
Solution Approach 2:
The draft links act as intermediary elements between the wing booms and the hitch boom, distributing the load. When the wing booms are folded forward, the draft links connect the wing boom connection points to the hitch boom, creating a load distribution path that reduces the concentration of weight on the rear wheels and hitch.
3Length of moving object
If the draft links are connected farther out on the wing boom to extend the telescoping hitch, then the telescoping hitch is extended enough to clear the wing booms when folded, but the connection point is structurally insufficient to support the draft links when wing booms are extended
Solution Approach 1:
The wing boom structure incorporates localized reinforcement at the draft link connection points. These specific locations are strengthened to handle the structural loads during the extended working position, while still allowing the draft links to be connected at positions that enable sufficient hitch extension when folded.
4Strength
If heavy hinges are used to connect the draft links to the wing booms to support the structural load, then the connection strength is sufficient, but the wing booms are exposed to greater stress
Solution Approach 1:
The draft links serve as intermediary structural elements that transfer and distribute loads away from the wing booms. By connecting the draft links to both the wing booms and the hitch boom, the load path is created through multiple components, reducing the stress concentration on any single wing boom section while maintaining connection strength.
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.