Agco Corporation

Sunflower Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Dennis L Lewallen

Nelson J Palen

Roger L Meek

An agricultural implement frame having at least one beam welded to additional components is formed by cutting the beam into a first tube member and a second tube member having an overlaying portion formed by overlaying ends of the first and second tube members. Each overlaying end has an overlaying wall and a base wall connected by opposing interface side walls. The laser cut forms interface surfaces in the interface side walls. The cut forms a plurality of interlocking load transfer teeth in the interface surfaces. Micro tabs are left uncut in the interface side walls to keep the first and second tube members aligned. The beam is then welded to other components of the implement frame. The micro tabs are broken to separate the first and second tube members so the frame may be folded. When joined, the interface surfaces contact and the interlocking load transfer teeth mesh.

Method for making a tube joint in an agricultural implement frame

A folding agricultural implement is disclosed having a frame including an inner section, a pair of intermediate sections, and a pair of end sections. The inner section and the end sections of the frame are equipped with lift wheel assemblies including a ground engaging wheel and a wheel cylinder connected to the ground engaging wheel for selectively raising and lowering the frame relative to the ground. The intermediate sections have no lift wheel assemblies. The joints between the end sections and the intermediate sections are held rigid when the implement is in the working position, but can be folded to move the implement into the transport position. When the implement is folded, the intermediate sections and end sections are first raised together relative to the inner section. After the intermediate sections and end sections reach a generally vertical position, the end sections are then folded downwardly over the inner section.

Folding agricultural implement

Improved bearing assemblies for agricultural implements and in particular flexible frame towed agricultural implements such as plows and the like are disclosed. The bearing assemblies preferably include a bearing formed from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. The improved bearing assembly includes a flanged cylindrical bearing sleeve adapted for use with a hinge connecting adjacent frame sections of a flexible frame towed agricultural implement. The flanged cylindrical bearing sleeve is positioned within an outer cylindrical metal bearing sleeve which is mounted in the end of a male hinge member in alignment with a pivot pin receiving bore extending therethrough. A pivot pin extending through the flanged cylindrical bearing sleeve connects a hinge clevis on a female hinge member to the male hinge member. A flange on the flanged cylindrical bearing sleeve extends between thrust bearing surfaces on the male hinge member and the female hinge member. A bearing assembly for a coulter for the implement includes an inner cylindrical bearing sleeve positioned between a coulter pivot shaft and an outer bearing sleeve on a coulter arm.

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Beloit, KS, United States of America

Dennis L Lewallen