Agricultural Implement Frame With Front Folding Wings And Transport Wheels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wide agricultural implements, such as seeders and plows, face challenges in transitioning from a planting to a transport position due to the complexity and weight distribution issues caused by support wheels, which limit configuration options and increase stress on the hitch and folding mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of wheel assemblies that can be stored in front of row units and extended to lift the implement off the ground during transport, allowing the wings and wheels to interleave, thereby reducing the overall width and improving stability and load balancing by shifting the weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If support wheels are added to enable transport position, then the implement can be lifted off the ground for transport, but the device complexity increases and configuration options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the support wheel assembly with the existing wing folding mechanism, integrating multiple functions into a single structural unit. The support wheels are mounted on the wing assemblies themselves, allowing the wheels and wings to move together during folding operations, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining transport capability
Solution Approach 2:
The wing assemblies serve dual purposes: they provide structural support for the row units during planting operations and simultaneously function as mounting structures for support wheels during transport. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated transport mechanisms, reducing complexity
2Ease of operation
If support wheels are added to enable transport position, then the implement can be lifted off the ground, but stress on the hitch and folding mechanisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the support function from a vertical dimension (hitch lifting the entire implement) to a distributed dimension where support wheels at the wing tips provide localized elevation. This dimensional shift allows the implement to be lifted through wheel contact rather than hitch force, significantly reducing stress on the hitch and folding mechanisms
3Length of moving object
If wings are folded forward to reduce width, then transport width is minimized, but the support wheels interfere with crop row spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the support wheels forward of the row units on the wing assemblies, creating a nested arrangement where the wheels are located in the space between the wing structure and the row units. This nesting allows the wheels to be part of the folded configuration without protruding beyond the overall envelope, preventing interference with crop row spacing while maintaining compact transport width
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural implement arrangement is disclosed that may provide wheel assemblies that are stored in front of wing assemblies and row units mounted thereon. The arrangement may include actuators to extend the wheel assemblies in order to lift the row units off the ground to move to a transport position. When in a fully-folded position, the wing wheel assemblies may interleave. The arrangement may also shift the weight of the wing assemblies while in transport position to the hitch of the tractor and center the rearward weight over the central wheel assembly.