Folding furrow roller for the preparation of seed beds

Abstract

A folding furrow roller that facilitates planting operations and optimization of irrigation and drainage with efficient preparation, configuration, and planting of seed beds. A centrally located fixed drum roller supports a pair of hinged outboard drum roller wings that for maximum implement width are deployed in alignment with the main section during operation. The wings are hydraulically folded into a compact upright position for legal transport over public roads. The implement is constructed so as to provide strength and durability comparable to single-section furrow rollers.

1 - 22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . An agricultural implement comprising: 
 a substantially rectangular center frame member having a front edge, a rear edge, and two side edges;    at least one substantially rectangular wing member, each wing member having a front edge, a rear edge, and two side edges;    a plurality of center frame member hinge plates mounted on the center frame member, wherein at least one of the center frame member hinge plates is proximate to the front edge of the center frame member, and further wherein, at least one of the center frame member hinge plates is proximate to the rear edge of the center frame member; 
 a plurality of wing member hinge plates mounted on each wing member, wherein at least one of the wing member hinge plates is proximate to the front edge of each wing member, and further wherein, at least one of the wing member hinge plates is proximate to the rear edge of each wing member, and further wherein the plurality of center frame member hinge plates are configured to be pivotally connected to the plurality of wing member hinge plates so as to permit any of the wing members to be connected to the center frame member, and further wherein, once connected, the wing member is capable of being rotated between a first extended-working position substantially parallel to and outboard of the first of the side edges of the center frame member and a second folded-transport or storage position substantially above and perpendicular to the first of the side edges of the center frame member.  
   
   
   
       24 . The agricultural implement of  claim 23  further comprising: 
 one or more hinge pins wherein each of the plurality of center frame member hinge plates and each of the plurality of wing member hinge plates are configured to receive one of the hinge pins, and further wherein each said hinge pin connects one or more of the plurality of center frame member hinge plates and one or more of the plurality of wing member hinge plates.    
   
   
       25 . The agricultural implement of  claim 23  further comprising one or more hydraulic cylinders capable of accomplishing the rotation of a wing member connected to the first of the side edges of the center frame member.  
   
   
       26 . The agricultural implement of  claim 25  further comprising one or more cylinder locks wherein each cylinder lock is configured to selectively lock the connected wing member in the first extended-working position or the second folded-transport position.  
   
   
       27 . The agricultural implement of  claim 23  wherein the front edge, the rear edge, and the two side edges of the center frame member define a planar center frame member opening.  
   
   
       28 . The agricultural implement of  claim 27  further comprising at least one center frame member axle assembly rotateably attached to the side edges of the center frame member and spanning the center frame member opening.  
   
   
       29 . The agricultural implement of  claim 28  further comprising at least one cylindrical roller concentrically mounted on at least one of the center frame member axle assemblies.  
   
   
       30 . The agricultural implement of  claim 29  further comprising: 
 at least one seeder bin, wherein the seeder bins are selectively mounted above the cylindrical rollers; and    a plurality of feeder tubes connected to the seeder bins, wherein the feeder tubes are configured to be vertically and angularly adjustable.    
   
   
       31 . The agricultural implement of  claim 29  further comprising at least one scraper plate moveably attached to the agricultural implement, the scraper plates positioned in proximity to the cylindrical rollers so as to continually dislodge accumulations of soil from the cylindrical rollers as the cylindrical rollers rotate.  
   
   
       32 . The agricultural implement of  claim 31  wherein the scraper plates extend for at least part of the length of at least one of the cylindrical rollers; and further wherein each scraper plate is constructed from flat metal of at least 0.64 centimeters (0.25 inches) by 10.16 centimeters (4.0 inches) with a hardened steel wear strip of at least 1.27 centimeters (0.5 inches) by 3.81 centimeters (1.5 inches) connected to the bottom of the flat metal.  
   
   
       33 . The agricultural implement of  claim 23  wherein the front edge, and the two side edges of each of the wing members define a planar wing member opening.  
   
   
       34 . The agricultural implement of  claim 33  further comprising at least one wing member axle assembly rotateably attached to the side edges of the wing members and spanning the wing member opening.  
   
   
       35 . The agricultural implement of  claim 34  further comprising at least one cylindrical roller concentrically mounted on at least one of the wing member axle assemblies.  
   
   
       36 . The agricultural implement of  claim 35  further comprising: 
 at least one seeder bin, wherein the seeder bins are selectively mounted above the cylindrical rollers; and    a plurality of feeder tubes connected to the seeder bins, wherein the feeder tubes are configured to be vertically and angularly adjustable.    
   
   
       37 . The agricultural implement of  claim 35  further comprising at least one scraper plate moveably attached to the agricultural implement, the scraper plates positioned in proximity to the cylindrical rollers so as to continually dislodge accumulations of soil from the cylindrical rollers as the cylindrical rollers rotate.  
   
   
       38 . The agricultural implement of  claim 37  wherein the scraper plates extend for at least part of the length of at least one of the cylindrical rollers; and further wherein each scraper plate is constructed from flat metal of at least 0.64 centimeters (0.25 inches) by 10.16 centimeters (4.0 inches) with a hardened steel wear strip of at least 1.27 centimeters (0.5 inches) by 3.81 centimeters (1.5 inches) connected to the bottom of the flat metal.  
   
   
       39 . An agricultural implement comprising: 
 a substantially rectangular center frame member having a front edge, a rear edge, and two side edges;    at least one substantially rectangular wing member, each wing member having a front edge, a rear edge, and two side edges;    a plurality of plowshares removeably attached to the front edge of the center frame member and the front edge of each of the wing members;    a plurality of axle assemblies rotateably attached to the side edges of the center frame member and the side edges of each of the wing members; and    a plurality of cylindrical rollers configured to be attached to each of the axle assemblies; wherein each of the side edges of the center frame member is configured to receive a side edge of a wing member; and further wherein each of the wing members is configured to be rotated between a first extended-working position substantially parallel to and outboard of the side edge of the center frame member to which the wing member is attached and a second folded-transport or storage position; and further wherein, each of the plowshares is configured to be lowered below grade for plowing of earth when the wing members are rotated into the first extended-working position.    
   
   
       40 . The agricultural implement of  claim 39  further comprising: 
 a plurality of hitch connectors configured for connecting the agricultural implement to a suitable towing device and wherein at least one of the hitch connectors is located no more than 86.4 centimeters (34 inches) from the agricultural implement's center of mass.    
   
   
       41 . The agricultural implement of  claim 39  further comprising: 
 at least one center frame member hinge plate mounted on the center frame member;    at least one wing member hinge plate mounted on at least one wing member; and    one or more hinge pins wherein each center frame member hinge plate and each wing member hinge plate is configured to cooperatively receive one of the hinge pins.    
   
   
       42 . An implement comprising: 
 a substantially rectangular center frame member having a front edge, a rear edge, and two side edges, the four edges defining a substantially planar center frame member opening; and    at least one hitch connector mounted to the implement and configured for connecting the implement to a suitable towing device, wherein at least one of the hitch connectors is located no more than 86.4 centimeters (34 inches) from the implement's center of mass.    
   
   
       43 . The implement of  claim 42  further comprising at least one gauge wheel assembly, each gauge wheel assembly having a wheel and an adjustable linkage, at least one of the gauge wheel assemblies moveably attached to the center frame member, wherein a wheel of at least one of the gauge wheel assemblies is in contact with a field over which the implement is moving, and further wherein the adjustable linkages are configured-to maintain a consistent vertical displacement of the center frame member to the field.  
   
   
       44 . The implement of  claim 42  further comprising: 
 at least one center frame member axle assembly rotateably attached to the side edges of the center frame member and spanning the center frame member opening;    at least one cylindrical roller concentrically mounted on at least one of the center frame member axle assemblies;    a plurality of plow beams moveably attached to the center frame member; and    a plurality of plowshares removeably attached to at least one of the plurality of plow beams.    
   
   
       45 . The implement of  claim 44  wherein the plowshares are configured to be vertically and angularly adjustable.  
   
   
       46 . The implement of  claim 44  further comprising: 
 at least one seeder bin, wherein the seeder bins are selectively mounted above the cylindrical rollers; and    a plurality of feeder tubes connected to the seeder bins, wherein the feeder tubes are configured to be vertically and angularly adjustable.    
   
   
       47 . The implement of  claim 44  further comprising at least one scraper plate moveably attached to the implement, the scraper plates positioned in proximity to the cylindrical rollers so as to continually dislodge accumulations of soil from the cylindrical rollers as the cylindrical rollers rotate.  
   
   
       48 . The implement of  claim 44  wherein the scraper plates extend for at least part of the length of at least one of the cylindrical rollers; and further wherein each scraper plate is constructed from flat metal of at least 0.64 centimeters (0.25 inches) by 10.16 centimeters (4.0) inches with a hardened steel wear strip of at least 1.27 centimeters (0.5 inches) by 3.81 centimeters (1.5 inches) connected to the bottom of the flat metal.  
   
   
       49 . An agricultural implement comprising: 
 a substantially rectangular center frame member having a front edge, a rear edge, and two side edges;    at least one substantially rectangular wing member, each wing member having a front edge, a rear edge, and two side edges;    a plurality of center frame member hinge plates mounted on the center frame member, wherein at least one of the center frame member hinge plates is proximate to the front edge of the center frame member, and further wherein, at least one of the center frame member hinge plates is proximate to the rear edge of the center frame member;    a plurality of wing member hinge plates mounted on each wing member, wherein at least one of the wing member hinge plates is proximate to the front edge of each wing member, and further wherein, at least one of the wing member hinge plates is proximate to the rear edge of each wing member, and further wherein the plurality of center frame member hinge plates are configured to be pivotally connected to the plurality of wing member hinge plates so as to permit one or more of the wing members to be connected to the center frame member, and further wherein, once connected, each wing member is capable of being rotated between a first extended-working position substantially parallel to and outboard of the side edges of the center frame member and a second folded-transport or storage position substantially above and perpendicular to any of the side edges of the center frame member;    at least one hitch connector mounted to the agricultural implement and configured for connecting the agricultural implement to a suitable towing device;    at least one gauge wheel assembly, each gauge wheel assembly having a wheel and an adjustable linkage, at least one of the gauge wheel assemblies moveably attached to a wing member connected to the center frame member, wherein when the attached wing member is in the first extended-working position, the wheels of the gauge wheel assemblies are in contact with a field over which the agricultural implement is moving, and further wherein the adjustable linkages are configured to maintain a consistent vertical displacement of the connected wing member and the center frame member to the field.    
   
   
       50 . The agricultural implement of  claim 49  further comprising a plurality of plow beams moveably attached to the center frame member and to each of the plurality of wing members.  
   
   
       51 . The agricultural implement of  claim 50  further comprising a plurality of plowshares removeably attached to at least one of the plurality of plow beams.  
   
   
       52 . The agricultural implement of  claim 51  wherein the plowshares are configured to be vertically and angularly adjustable.  
   
   
       53 . The agricultural implement of  claim 49  wherein the front edge, the rear edge, and the two side edges of the center frame member define a planar center frame member opening, and further wherein the front edge, the rear edge, and the two side edges of each of the wing members define a planar wing member opening.