Drawbar apparatus of an agricultural implement

Abstract

A drawbar apparatus for coupling an earth-working tool to a frame of an agricultural implement. The drawbar apparatus comprises a drawbar. The drawbar comprises a first portion coupled to the frame and a second portion. A joint comprises a first bracket comprising a protrusion. The protrusion defines a first aperture. The first bracket is coupled to one of the second portion of the drawbar and the earth-working tool. A second bracket defines a channel configured to receive the protrusion. The channel defines a second aperture on a first side of the channel and a third aperture on a second side of the channel. The second bracket is coupled to the other of the second portion of the drawbar and the earth-working tool. A fastener is positioned through the first aperture, the second aperture, and the third aperture. The protrusion is configured to move laterally in the channel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drawbar apparatus for coupling an earth-working tool to a frame of an agricultural implement, the drawbar apparatus comprising:
 a drawbar comprising a first portion coupled to the frame and a second portion; and   a joint comprising a first bracket comprising a protrusion, the protrusion defining a first aperture, the first bracket coupled to one of the second portion of the drawbar and the earth-working tool, a second bracket defining a channel configured to receive the protrusion and defining a second aperture on a first side of the channel and a third aperture on a second side of the channel, the second bracket coupled to the other of the second portion of the drawbar and the earth-working tool, and a fastener comprising a longitudinal axis, the fastener positioned through the first aperture, the second aperture, and the third aperture, the fastener coupling the first bracket and the second bracket;   wherein the protrusion of the joint is configured to move laterally in the channel along the longitudinal axis of the fastener.   
     
     
         2 . The drawbar apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a ball joint coupled to the first aperture, the ball joint configured to enable relative pivotal movement between the first bracket and the second bracket. 
     
     
         3 . The drawbar apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is tapered to provide a clearance allowing relative movement between the first bracket and the second bracket transverse to the longitudinal axis of the fastener. 
     
     
         4 . The drawbar apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an extendable and retractable hydraulic cylinder comprising a first end coupled to the frame and a second end coupled to the drawbar. 
     
     
         5 . The drawbar apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the earth-working tool comprises a rolling basket. 
     
     
         6 . A drawbar apparatus for coupling an earth-working tool to a frame of an agricultural implement, the drawbar apparatus comprising:
 a first drawbar comprising a first portion coupled to the frame and a second portion;   a first joint comprising a first bracket comprising a protrusion, the protrusion defining a first aperture, the first bracket coupled to one of the second portion of the first drawbar and the earth-working tool, a ball joint coupled to the first aperture, a second bracket defining a channel configured to receive the protrusion and defining a second aperture on a first side of the channel and a third aperture on a second side of the channel, the second bracket coupled to the other of the second portion of the first drawbar and the earth-working tool, and a fastener comprising a longitudinal axis, the fastener positioned through the first aperture, the second aperture, and the third aperture, the fastener coupling the first bracket and the second bracket;   a second drawbar comprising a first portion coupled to the frame and a second portion; and   a second joint comprising a first bracket comprising a protrusion, the protrusion defining a first aperture, the first bracket coupled to one of the second portion of the second drawbar and the earth-working tool, a ball joint coupled to the first aperture, a second bracket defining a channel configured to receive the protrusion and defining a second aperture on a first side of the channel and a third aperture on a second side of the channel, the second bracket coupled to the other of the second portion of the second drawbar and the earth-working tool, and a fastener comprising a longitudinal axis, the fastener positioned through the first aperture, the second aperture, and the third aperture, the fastener coupling the first bracket and the second bracket;   wherein the ball joints of the first joint and the second joint are configured to enable relative pivotal movement between the first bracket and the second bracket.   
     
     
         7 . The drawbar apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the protrusions of the first joint and the second joint are configured to move laterally in the channels along the longitudinal axes of the fasteners. 
     
     
         8 . The drawbar apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a first extendable and retractable hydraulic cylinder comprising a first end coupled to the frame and a second end coupled to the first drawbar. 
     
     
         9 . The drawbar apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a second extendable and retractable hydraulic cylinder comprising a first end coupled to the frame and a second end coupled to the second drawbar. 
     
     
         10 . The drawbar apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the earth-working tool comprises a rolling basket. 
     
     
         11 . An agricultural implement comprising:
 a coupling mechanism for coupling to a vehicle;   a frame coupled to the coupling mechanism and extending from the coupling mechanism and adapted to be pulled by the vehicle;   a plurality of wheel assemblies coupled to the frame, the wheel assemblies supporting the frame above a surface;   an earth-working tool; and   a drawbar apparatus for coupling the earth-working tool to the frame, the drawbar apparatus comprising a first drawbar comprising a first portion coupled to the frame and a second portion, a first joint comprising a first bracket comprising a protrusion, the protrusion defining a first aperture, the first bracket coupled to one of the second portion of the first drawbar and the earth-working tool, a ball joint coupled to the first aperture, a second bracket defining a channel configured to receive the protrusion and defining a second aperture on a first side of the channel and a third aperture on a second side of the channel, the second bracket coupled to the other of the second portion of the first drawbar and the earth-working tool, and a fastener comprising a longitudinal axis, the fastener positioned through the first aperture, the second aperture, and the third aperture, the fastener coupling the first bracket and the second bracket, a second drawbar comprising a first portion coupled to the frame and a second portion, and a second joint comprising a first bracket comprising a protrusion, the protrusion defining a first aperture, the first bracket coupled to one of the second portion of the second drawbar and the earth-working tool, a ball joint coupled to the first aperture, a second bracket defining a channel configured to receive the protrusion and defining a second aperture on a first side of the channel and a third aperture on a second side of the channel, the second bracket coupled to the other of the second portion of the second drawbar and the earth-working tool, and a fastener comprising a longitudinal axis, the fastener positioned through the first aperture, the second aperture, and the third aperture, the fastener coupling the first bracket and the second bracket;   wherein the ball joints of the first joint and the second joint are configured to enable relative pivotal movement between the first bracket and the second bracket and the protrusions of the first joint and the second joint are configured to move laterally in the channels along the longitudinal axes of the fasteners.   
     
     
         12 . The agricultural implement of  claim 11 , further comprising a first extendable and retractable hydraulic cylinder comprising a first end coupled to the frame and a second end coupled to the first drawbar. 
     
     
         13 . The agricultural implement of  claim 12 , further comprising a second extendable and retractable hydraulic cylinder comprising a first end coupled to the frame and a second end coupled to the second drawbar. 
     
     
         14 . The agricultural implement of  claim 11 , wherein the earth-working tool comprises a first rolling basket and a second rolling basket. 
     
     
         15 . The agricultural implement of  claim 11 , wherein the earth-working tool comprises a rolling basket. 
     
     
         16 . The agricultural implement of  claim 11 , further comprising a coulter disk gang assembly coupled to the frame. 
     
     
         17 . The agricultural implement of  claim 11 , further comprising a disk gang assembly coupled to the frame. 
     
     
         18 . A drawbar apparatus for coupling an earth-working tool to a frame of an agricultural implement, the drawbar apparatus comprising:
 a drawbar comprising a first portion coupled to the frame and a second portion defining a drawbar aperture; and   a joint comprising a bracket defining a channel, the bracket defining a first aperture on a first side of the channel and a second aperture on a second side of the channel, the bracket coupled to the earth-working tool, and a fastener positioned through the drawbar aperture, the first aperture, and the second aperture, the fastener coupling the drawbar and the bracket;   wherein the drawbar is configured to move laterally within the channel along a longitudinal axis of the fastener.   
     
     
         19 . The drawbar apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising a stop configured to limit the orientation of the drawbar. 
     
     
         20 . The drawbar apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the fastener is tapered to provide a clearance allowing relative movement between the drawbar and the bracket transverse to the longitudinal axis of the fastener.