1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to a mounting assembly for operating agricultural implements such as, for example, hay or grass rakes. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a mounting assembly for operationally attaching an agricultural implement to a tractor or other similar vehicle, in order to operate such implement in a controlled, effective, and efficient manner. More particularly still, the present invention pertains to a mounting assembly for operationally attaching an agricultural implement to the front or leading surface of a tractor or other motor vehicle.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Agricultural operations can be labor and equipment-intensive work. Many such agricultural operations are multi-step processes. For example, one such common agricultural operation, baling of grass or hay, is typically performed as a three step process; grass is first cut during one operation using a cutting implement, raked into rows in a second operation using a rake implement, and then formed into bails using a bailer during yet a third operation. In some cases, inclement weather can delay one or more of these steps, thereby extending the length of the overall operation.
If at least two steps of a multi-step process can be combined, a user can save time and expense by making the overall operation more efficient. For example, after grass has been cut, combining the raking and bailing operations can significantly reduce the length and cost of the overall operation; in certain circumstances, this reduction can help avoid inclement weather and unwanted delays associated therewith. Further, combining of multiple operations can also conserve fuel consumption and reduce pollution including, without limitation, exhaust emissions.
One way to accomplish a combination of multiple operations would be to push or tow a first implement in front of a tractor or other motorized vehicle, while simultaneously pulling a second implement behind said tractor or other vehicle. However, to date, pushing or towing of an agricultural implement in front of a tractor or other vehicle has not been a viable option because such a configuration would create a variety of different problems including, without limitation, accurately steering said implement while maintaining said implement in a relatively level and stable orientation, particularly over uneven or difficult terrain.
Thus, there is a need for a mounting assembly that permits operational attachment of an agricultural implement to the front or leading surface of a tractor or other motorized vehicle. The mounting assembly should beneficially permit control, maneuverability, and efficiency throughout performance of an agricultural operation including, without limitation, a multi-step operation. More particularly, the mounting assembly should beneficially permit operational attachment of a separate/different agricultural implement to the rear or trailing surface of a tractor or other motorized vehicle.
The present invention generally comprises a mounting assembly for use in operationally attaching an agricultural implement to a tractor or other motorized vehicle including, without limitation, to the front or forward facing surface of said tractor or other vehicle. More specifically, the mounting assembly of the present invention permits front mounting of an implement (including, without limitation, a front-mounted implement that is typically towed behind a tractor) and operation thereof in a controlled and effective manner.
In a preferred embodiment, the mounting assembly of the present invention comprises a frame assembly having a elongate and substantially rigid central beam member. A connection assembly is disposed at a first end of said frame in order to operationally attach said mounting assembly to a tractor or other motorized vehicle. Said connection assembly is sufficiently rigid to have desirable strength characteristics, while also being sufficiently flexible to beneficially permit said frame to “float” over different types of terrain.
In a preferred embodiment, the mounting assembly of the present invention also comprises a steering system. Said steering system can be “passive”, such that an operationally attached agricultural implement can alternatively turn and/or straighten (typically in response to a turn by a tractor). Further, said steering system can work in conjunction with a suspension assembly, thereby properly sustaining full and substantially consistent contact between a mounted implement and an underlying surface and/or vegetation situated thereon. Said suspension assembly keeps such an implement from lifting while turning, and thus, skipping large sections of underlying terrain or associated vegetation.
In a preferred embodiment, said steering system can comprise a slip-joint type rear steering mechanism. The leading end of an agricultural implement operationally attached to the mounting assembly is “pulled”; as such, the remainder of the mounting assembly can thus pivot about a fixed radius in order to assist in turning. Even during turning operations, an attached implement is maintained in proper contact with an underlying surface. When steering is straightened, a forward motion of the front hitch can bring said attached implement back to a straight row operation.
Additionally, steering of said mounting assembly can be dampened and/or controlled by at least one optional motor. Further, a “centering” mechanism can be employed in order to center the mounting assembly while said mounting assembly is being lifted and transported, thereby providing a means to lock said mounting assembly in place as an additional safety measure.
The foregoing summary, as well as any detailed description of the preferred embodiment, is better understood when read in conjunction with the drawings and figures contained herein. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings and figures show certain preferred embodiments. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific methods and devices disclosed in such drawings or figures.
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Although other connection interfaces can be contemplated without departing from the scope of the present invention, in a preferred embodiment said rear mounting assembly 120 forms a substantially rectangular frame for operational attachment to loader arms 301 of tractor 300. Said mounting frame 120 comprises rigid horizontal frame members 122 that extend between rigid vertical frame members 121. At least one adjustable jack stand 123 can be attached to said mounting frame 120, while gusset support frame 113 reinforces and provides structural support to the connection of central beam 110 to mounting frame 120. As depicted in
Central swivel hub 130 is disposed at distal end 112 of central beam member 110. Rigid forward extension member 150 has proximate end 151 and distal end 152; proximate end 151 is mounted to central swivel hub 130, while gusset plate member 153 provides structural support between said extension member 150 and central swivel hub 130. In a preferred embodiment, rigid forward extension member 150 is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of central beam 110.
A conventional hitch assembly 215 having upward facing hitch ball 217 (not visible in
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Central swivel hub 130 is disposed at distal end 112 of central beam member 110. Rigid forward extension member 150 has proximate end 151 and distal end 152; proximate end 151 is mounted to central swivel hub 130, while gusset plate member 153 provides structural support between said extension member 150 and central swivel hub 130. Said rigid forward extension member 150 is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of central beam 110. A hitch connection assembly 160 is disposed at distal end 152 of rigid forward extension member 150.
In a preferred embodiment, steering arm 140 having forward end 141 and trailing end 142 is moveably attached to central swivel hub 130. Specifically, forward end 141 is pivotally attached to said central swivel hub 130 and can rotate about a pivot axis passing through said central swivel hub 130; trailing end 142 can move about a predetermined radius of travel. Elongate slot or aperture 143 is disposed near said trailing end 142 of steering arm 140.
Rotatable mounting post 171 is slidably received within said elongate slot 145, while mounting plate 172 is attached to said mounting post 171. Upper shock/strut arms 173 extend laterally from said mounting plate 172, while lateral upper shock/strut mounts 174 are disposed near the outer ends of said upper shock/strut arms 173. Lower mounting sleeve 175 can be operationally attached to frame body member 210 of rake assembly 200. Lower shock/strut arms 176 extend laterally from said lower mounting sleeve 175, while lateral lower shock/strut mounts 177 are disposed near the outer ends of said shock/strut arms 176. Shock/strut members 170 are mounted between and attached to upper strut mounts 174 and lower strut mounts 177.
Central swivel hub 130 is disposed at distal end 112 of central beam member 110. Proximate end 151 of rigid forward extension member 150 is mounted to central swivel hub 130, while hitch connection assembly 160 is disposed at distal end 152 of rigid forward extension member 150. Gusset plate member 153 is disposed between said extension member 150 and central swivel hub 130, while gusset plate member 161 is disposed between said extension member 150 and hitch connection member 160. When not attached to a tractor or other motorized vehicle, adjustable front jack stand 162 can be used to stabilize and support hitch connection assembly 160 off of the ground or other underlying support surface.
Steering arm 140 having forward end 141 and trailing end 142 is moveably attached to central swivel hub 130. Specifically, forward end 141 is pivotally attached to said central swivel hub 130 and can rotate about a pivot axis passing through said central swivel hub 130. Rotatable mounting post 171 is slidably mounted to said trailing end 142 (within said elongate slot 145, not visible in
Steering arm 140 having forward end 141 and trailing end 142 is moveably attached to central swivel hub 130. Forward end 141 is pivotally attached to said central swivel hub 130 and can rotate about a pivot axis passing through said central swivel hub 130, while trailing end 142 can move about a predetermined radius of travel. Elongate slot or aperture 143 is disposed near said trailing end 142 of steering arm 140.
Rotatable mounting post 171 is slidably received within said elongate slot 143, while mounting plate 172 is attached to said mounting post 171. Upper shock/strut arms 173 extend laterally from said mounting plate 172, while lateral upper shock/strut mounts 174 are disposed near the outer ends of said upper shock/strut arms 173. Lower shock/strut arms 176 extend laterally from said lower mounting sleeve 175, while lateral lower shock/strut mounts 177 are disposed near the outer ends of said shock/strut arms 176. Shock/strut members 170 are mounted to and disposed between upper strut mounts 174 and lower strut mounts 177. Lower mounting sleeve 175 can be operationally attached to frame body member 210 of rake assembly 200 using fasteners 178.
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In a preferred embodiment, the steering system of mounting assembly 100 is “passive”, such that the operational attachment of a rake assembly 200 (or other agricultural implement) to said mounting assembly 100 can alternatively turn and straighten by way of a “pull” from hitch connection member 160. Put another way, with the leading end of rake assembly 200 being “pulled” from hitch connection member 160, steering arm 140 can pivot about a desired radius in order to assist in turning, while still being able to keep an operationally attached implement in proper contact with an underlying surface. When said mounting assembly 100 is straightened, a forward motion of the front hitch can bring said mounting assembly back to a straight operation (such as, for example, straight row raking).
Further, said steering system can work in conjunction with a suspension assembly (including, without limitation, shock/struts 170) thereby properly sustaining full and constant contact between rake assembly 200 and an underlying ground or other surface. Mounting assembly 100 further keeps such an operationally attached rake or other implement from undesired lifting off of the ground or other underlying surface while turning, and thus, skipping large sections of said underlying surface. Said mounting assembly 100 is sufficiently flexible to beneficially permit an operationally attached implement to “float” over different types of terrain.
Additionally, steering of said mounting assembly 100 can be dampened and/or controlled by at least one optional motor. Further, a “centering” mechanism can be employed in order to center mounting assembly 100 while said mounting assembly 100 is being lifted and transported, thereby providing a means to lock said mounting assembly 100 in place as an additional safety measure.
The above-described invention has a number of particular features that should preferably be employed in combination, although each is useful separately without departure from the scope of the invention. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described herein, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than herein specifically illustrated or described, and that certain changes in form and arrangement of parts and the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made within the underlying idea or principles of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62243741 | Oct 2015 | US |