Multi-unit adjustable plow system

Abstract

A plow system includes a number of individual plow units mounted on a beam which is inclined relative to the direction of travel of a traction vehicle. The units are mounted for continuous rotation about vertical axes so that they may be opened or closed to adjust the width of a cut between adjacent units over a continuous, wide range. The plow unit is supported by a forward furrow wheel located to ride in previously-plowed ground and a rear furrow wheel, and the main frame is pulled by a tongue or draft member connected between a tractor hitch and an intermediate location of the inclined beam. A hydraulic unit adjusts the individual plow units in unison, and at the same time, through a linkage, adjusts the tongue relative to the inclined beam to keep the forward furrow wheel at a constant distance from the rear tractor wheel for all width adjustments. A steering mechanism adjusts a steerable wheel, which may be the rear furrow wheel, to toe in such a manner as to offset the moment force on the system tending to rotate the system about the tractor hitch, and this offset or counter force caused by the toeing of the steerable wheel is adjusted to counteract the moment force which changes as the cutting width is varied. Further, the inclined beam is provided in modular form so that additional plow units may be added using standard parts or elements, as desired.