Great Plains Manufacturing, Incorporated

Michael J Dresher

Stanley R Clark

Eric Johnson

Timothy J Ptacek

Roger L Meek

A stack folding implement has a transverse frame that includes a center section and two opposite wing sections half as wide as the center section. Each of the wing sections is connected in a four bar linkage relationship with the center section so that as the wings are lifted by cylinders coupled with the linkages, the wing sections stay generally level and upright, causing the wing sections to come into stacked relationship with the center section directly above the latter and beside one another. In order to reduce the overall height of the stack-folded machine the linkage for each wing section is connected to the wing adjacent the inner end of the wing so that the wing is supported in a cantilever manner. The main lifting link of the linkage is designed to swing through an arc greater than 90.degree. to permit the wing sections to settle down close to the center section in their final positions of rest. In one embodiment the inner stabilizing link of the linkage for each wing includes a telescoping piston and cylinder assembly and a rocker lever that pivotally connects the anchor end of the cylinder to the center frame section. In a second embodiment the inner stabilizing link comprises a non-extensible, rigid link having a lost-motion pivot coupling with the center frame section.

Low transport height stack fold implement

The residue wheel has a plurality of multiply bent spring-steel tines that project outwardly from their central hub at such angles that straight foot portions of the tines engage and lie flatly against the ground as the tines sweep residue rearwardly and outwardly during rotation of the wheel about an axis oblique to the path of travel of the planting machine. The tines are equally spaced about the wheel but are arranged in pairs, comprising individual legs of a generally U-shaped, integral unit having a bight at the inner ends of the the legs that joins the legs together and serves as a means by which the unit can be clamped between opposed, flat plates of the hub. Short downturned driving prongs at the outer ends of the legs provide traction for the wheel during use.

Spring-tine residue wheel for planters

A stationary, formed metal cap covers the bearing assembly of the rotatable firming wheel to protect the bearings against the ingress of mud, residue and moisture. A smooth, convex, exposed outer surface on the cap discourages the accumulation of residue and mud between the rotating wheel and its stationary support arm so as to keep the wheel freely rotating during its rolling movement in the seed trench. A flat, band-like, circular edge around the periphery of the convex surface is received within a circular groove on the face of the wheel to obstruct the ingress of moisture and materials at that location and disposes the marginal periphery of the convex surface in a substantially flush condition with the surface of the wheel to prevent wrapping and accumulation of trash.

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Canton, KS, United States of America

Michael J Dresher