Multiple section drawbar - Patent Review 4821809

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A drawbar adapted to be drawn across the ground comprising:

(a) a three-section boom including a center section and two outer sections with pivotal connections between the adjacent boom sections and in which the two outer booms sections are substantially longer than the center boom section, said center section being generally transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar,

(b) ground engagable wheel means for supporting said boom sections out of contact with the ground,

(c) first coupling means for coupling the center section of the boom to an associated tractor,

(d) releasable second coupling means to couple the outer sections to the said first coupling means and retain said outer sections generally transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar when in the working or field position and in the non-working position,

(e) a plurality of frame members attached to each of said sections and directed generally rearwardly of said sections when in the field or working position,

(f) a plurality of first soil working devices each attached to a said section by means of at least one of said frame members and adapted to be in contact with ground when in the field or working position,

(g) a plurality of second soil working devices each attached to said frame members by a connecting means rearward of said first soil working devices and adapted to be in contact with the ground when in the field or working position,

(i) each said connecting means including a rigid connecting member freely pivotally connected at its forward end to at least one of said frame members about a first horizontal axis transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar in the field or working position,

(ii) said connecting means also including a further free pivotal connection about an axis at its rearward end which is vertical when in the field or working position,

(h) means for pivoting said boom sections about a horizontal boom axis, generally parallel to this length and forward of the said first soil working devices in the field or working position, to move said frame members between the working or field position in which said first soil working devices are adapted to be in contact with the ground and the non-working position in which said first soil working devices are adapted to be in a raised substantially upright position out of contact with the ground an in generally the same position relative to each other and the frame members,

(i) said second soil working devices and said connecting means freely pivoting about said first horizontal axis to be lifted thereby from the ground and hang rearwardly of said first soil working devices, in said non-working position,

(ii) said pivotal connections between said boom sections including axes which are generally upright when in the non-working position so that said outer sections may pivot about said axes upon release of said releasable second coupling means from a position transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar in the non-working position to a position generally parallel to the direction of travel of the drawbar for transport.

2. A drawbar as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wheel means include a pair of wheels connected to each of said outer sections, one of which wheels is rotatable about an axis parallel to the length of said section and supports said section out of contact with the ground in the field or working position, the other of which wheels is rotatable about an axis transverse to the length of said section and supports said section out of contact with the ground in the non-working position and in the transport position.

3. A drawbar as claimed in claim 1 or wherein said connecting means also includes at its rearward end a further free pivotal connection about a second horizontal axis which is generally parallel to the direction of travel when in the working or field position.

4. A drawbar as claimed in claim 3 wherein said connecting means also includes a further free pivotal connection at its rearward end about a third horizontal axis which is generally transverse to the direction of travel when in the working or field position.

5. A drawbar as claimed in claim 4 wherein said free pivotal connection about said third axis includes means for restricting relative movement to prevent said connecting means from contacting the ground.

6. A drawbar as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein adjacent ones of said second soil working devices are trailed at different distances behind the associated boom to allow said second soil working devices to cover completely the working width of the drawbar.

7. A drawbar as claimed in claim 6 wherein alternate ones of said connecting means have a first length and the remaining ones are of a second and different length.

8. A drawbar as claimed in claim 6 wherein alternate ones of said frame members have a first length and the remaining ones are of a second and different length.

9. A drawbar as claimed in claim 8 wherein alternate ones of said connecting means have a first length and the remaining ones are of a second and different length and the shorter connecting means are connected to shorter ones of said frame members.

10. A harrow and packer drawbar adapted to be drawn across the ground comprising:

(a) a three-section boom including a center section and two outer sections with pivotal connections between the adjacent boom sections and in which the two outer boom sections are substantially longer than the center boom section, said center section being generally transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar,

(b) ground engagable wheel means for supporting said boom sections out of contact with the ground,

(c) first coupling means for coupling the center section of the boom to an associated tractor,

(d) releasable second coupling means to couple the outer sections to the said first coupling means and retain said outer sections generally transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar when in the working or field position and in the non-working position,

(e) a plurality of frame members attached to each of said sections and directed generally rearwardly of said sections when in the field or working position,

(f) a plurality of harrows each attached to a said section by means of at least one of said frame members and adapted to be in contact with the ground when in the field or working position,

(g) a plurality of packers each attached to said frame members by a connecting means rearward of said harrows and adapted to be in contact with the ground when in field or working position,

(i) each said connecting means including a rigid connecting member freely pivotally connected at its forward end to at least one of said frame members about a first horizontal axis transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar in the field or working position,

(ii) said connecting means also including a further free pivotal connection about an axis at its rearward end which is vertical when in the field or working position,

(h) means for pivoting said boom sections about a horizontal boom axis, generally parallel to their length and forward of the said harrows in the field or working position, to move said frame members between the working or field position in which said harrow are adapted to be in contact with the ground and the non-working position in which said harrow are adapted to be in a raised substantially upright position out of contact with the ground and in generally the same position relative to each other and the frame members,

(i) said packers and said connecting means freely pivoting about said first horizontal axis to be lifted thereby from the ground and hang rearwardly of said harrows, in said non-working position,

(ii) said pivotal connections between said boom sections including axes which are generally upright when in the non-working position so that said outer sections may pivot about said axes upon release of said releasable second coupling means from a position transverse to the direction of travel of the harrow and packer drawbar in the non-working position to a position generally parallel to the direction of travel of the harrow and packer drawbar for transport.

11. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 10 wherein the wheel means include a pair of wheels connected to each of said outer sections, one of which wheels is rotatable about an axis parallel to the length of said section and supports said section out of contact with the ground in the field or working position, the other of which wheels is rotatable about an axis transverse to the length of said section and supports said section out of contact with the ground in the non-working position and in the transport position.

12. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claims 10 or 11 wherein said connecting means also includes at its rearward end a further free pivotal connection about a second horizontal axis which is generally parallel to the direction of travel when in the working or field position.

13. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 12 wherein said connecting means also includes a further free pivotal connection at its rearward end about a third horizontal axis which is generally transverse to the direction of travel when in the working or field position.

14. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 13 wherein said free pivotal connection about said third axis includes means for restricting relative movement to prevent said connecting means from contacting the ground.

15. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein adjacent ones of said packers are trailed at different distances behind the associated boom to allow said packers to cover completely the working width of the drawbar.

16. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 15 wherein alternate ones of said connecting means have a first length and the remaining ones are of a second and different length.

17. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 15 wherein alternate ones of said frame members have a first length and the remaining ones are of a second and different length.

18. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 17 wherein alternate ones of said connecting means have a first length and the remaining ones are of a second and different length and the shorter connecting means are connected to shorter ones of said frame members.

19. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 10 wherein the said pivotal connection between the said sections is a torque-transmitting universal pivot.

20. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 19 wherein the wheel means include a pair of wheels connected to each of said outer sections, one of which wheels is rotatable about an axis parallel to the length of said section and supports said section out of contact with the ground in the field or working position, the other of which wheels is rotatable about an axis transverse to the length of said section and supports said section out of contact with the ground in the non-working position and in the transport position.

21. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claims 19 or 20 wherein said connecting means also includes at its rearward end a further free pivotal connection about a second horizontal axis which is generally parallel to the direction of travel when in the working or field position.

22. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 21 wherein said connecting means also includes a further free pivotal connection at its rearward end about a third horizontal axis which is generally transverse to the direction of travel when in the working or field position.

23. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 22 wherein said free pivotal connection about said third axis includes means for restricting relative movement to prevent said connecting means for contacting the ground.

24. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claims 19 or 20 wherein adjacent ones of said packers are trailed at different distances behind the associated boom to allow said packers to cover completely the working width of the drawbar.

25. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 24 wherein alternate ones of said connecting means have a first length and the remaining ones are of a second and different length.

26. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 24 wherein alternate ones of said frame members have a first length and the remaining ones are of a second and different length.

27. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 26 wherein alternate ones of said connecting means have a first length and the remaining ones are of a second and different length and the shorter connecting means are connected to shorter ones of said frame members.

28. A drawbar adapted to be drawn across the ground comprising:

(a) a three-section boom including a center section and two outer sections with pivotal connections between the adjacent sections and in which the two outer boom sections are substantially longer than the center boom section, said center section being generally transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar,

(b) ground engagable wheel means for supporting said boom sections out of contact with the ground,

(c) first coupling means for coupling the center section of the boom to an associated tractor,

(d) releasable second coupling means to couple the outer sections to the said first coupling means and retain said outer sections generally transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar when in the working or field position and in the non-working position,

(e) a plurality of frame members attached to each of said sections and directed generally rearwardly of said sections when in the field of working position,

(f) a plurality of first soil working devices each attached to a said section by means of at least one of said frame members and adapted to be in contact with the ground when in the field or working position,

(g) a plurality of second soil working devices each attached to said frame members by a connecting means rearward of said first soil working devices and adapted to be in contact with the ground when in field or working position, said connecting means having a length at least a substantial portion of the length of the frame members,

(i) each said connecting means including a rigid connecting member freely pivotally connected at its forward end to at least one of said frame members about a first horizontal axis transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar in the field or working position,

(ii) said connecting means also including a further free pivotal connection about an axis at its rearward end which is vertical when in the field or working position,

(h) means for pivoting said boom sections about a horizontal boom axis, generally parallel to their length and forward of said first soil working devices in the field or working position, to move said free members between the working or field position in which said first soil working devices are adapted to be in contact with the ground and the non-working position in which said first soil working devices are adapted to be in a raised substantially upright position out of contact with the ground and in generally the same position relative to each other and the frame members,

(i) said second soil working devices and said connecting means freely pivoting about said frist horizontal axis to be lifted thereby from the ground and hang rearwardly of said first soil working devices, in said non-working position,

(ii) said pivotal connection between said boom sections including axes which are generally upright when in the non-working position so that said outer sections may pivot about said axes upon release of said releasable second coupling means from a position transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar in the non-working position to a position generally parallel to the direction of travel of the drawbar for transport.

29. A drawbar as claimed in claim 28 wherein the wheel means include a pair of wheels connected to each of said outer sections, one of which wheels is rotatable about an axis parallel to the length of said section and supports said section out of contact with the ground in the field or working position, the other of which wheels is rotatable about an axis transverse to the length of said section and supports said section out of contact with the ground in the non-working position and in the transport position.

30. A drawbar as claimed in claims 28 or 29 wherein said connecting means also includes at its rearward end a further free pivotal connection about a second horizontal axis which is generally parallel to the direction of travel when in the working or field position.

31. A drawbar as claimed in claim 30 wherein said connecting means also incudes a further free pivotal connection at its rearward end about a third horizontal axis which is generally transverse to the direction of travel when in the working or field position.

32. A drawbar as claimed in claim 31 wherein said free pivotal connection about said third axis includes means for restricting relative movement to prevent said connecting means from contacting the ground.

33. A drawbar as claimed in claim 28 or 29 wherein adjacent ones of said second soil working devices are trailed at different distances behind the associated boom to allow said second soil working devices to cover completely the working width of the drawbar.

34. A drawbar as claimed in claim 33 wherein alternate ones of said connecting means have a first length and the remaining ones are of a second and different length.

35. A drawbar as claimed in claim 33 wherein alternate ones of said frame members have a first length and the remaining ones are of a second and different length.

36. A drawbar as claimed in claim 35 wherein alternate ones of said connecting means have a first length and the remaining ones are of a second and different length and the shorter connecting means are connected to shorter ones of said frame members.

37. A harrow and packer drawbar adapted to be drawn across the ground comprising:

(a) a three-section boom including a center section and two outer sections with pivotal connections between the adjacent boom sections and in which the two outer boom sections are substantially longer than the center section, said center section being generally transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar,

(b) ground engagable wheel means for supporting said boom section out of contact with the ground,

(c) first coupling means for coupling the center section of the boom to an associated tractor,

(d) releasable second coupling means to couple the outer sections to the said first coupling means and retain said outer sections generally transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar when in the working or field position and in the nonworking position,

(e) a plurality of frame members attached to each of said sections and directed generally rearwardly of said sections when in the field or working position,

(f) a plurality of harrows each attached to a said section by means of at least one of said frame members and adapted to be in contact with the ground when in field or working position,

(g) a plurality of packers each attached to said frame members by a connecting means rearward of said harrows and adapted to be in contact with the ground when in the field or working position, said connecting means having a length at least a substantial portion of the length of the frame members,

(i) each said connecting means including a rigid connecting member freely pivotally connected at its forward end to at least one of said frame members about a first horizontal axis transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar in the field or working position,

(ii) said connecting means also including a further free pivotal connection about an axis at its rearward end which is vertical when in the field or working position,

(h) means for pivoting said boom sections about a horizontal boom axis, generally parallel to their length and forward of the said harrows in the field or working position, to move said frame members between the working or field position in which said harrows are adapted to be in contact with the ground and the non-working position in which said harrows are adapted to be in a raised substantially upright position out of contact with the ground and in generally the same position relative to each other and the frame members,

(i) said packers and said connecting means freely pivoting about said first horizontal axis to be lifted thereby from the ground and hang rearwardly of said harrows, in said non-working position,

(ii) said pivotal connections between said boom sections including axes which are generally upright when in the non-working position so that said outer sections may pivot about said axes upon release of said releasable second coupling means from a position transverse to the direction of travel of the harrow and packer drawbar in the non-working position to a position generally parallel to the direction of travel of the harrow and packer drawbar for transport.

38. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 37 wherein the wheel means include a pair of wheels connected to each of said outer sections one of which wheels is rotatable about an axis parallel to the length of siad section and supports said section out of contact with the ground in the field or working position, the other of which wheels is rotatable about an axis transverse to the length of said section and supports said section out of contact with the ground in the non-working position and in the transport position.

39. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claims 37 or 38 wherein said connecting means also includes at its rearward end a further free pivotal connection about a second horizontal axis which is generally parallel to the direction of travel when in the working or field position.

40. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 34 wherein said connecting means also includes a further free pivotal connection at its rearward end about a third horizontal axis which is generally transverse to the direction of travel when in the working or field position.

41. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 40 wherein said free pivotal connection about said third axis includes means for restricting relative movement to prevent said connecting means for contacting the ground.

42. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claims 37 or 38 wherein adjacent ones of said packers are trailed at different distances behind the associated boom to allow said packers to cover completely the working width of the drawbar.

43. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 42 wherein alternate ones of said connecting means have a first length and the remaining ones are of a second and different length.

44. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 42 wherein alternate ones of said frame members have a first length and the remaining ones are of a second and different length.

45. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 44 wherein alternate ones of said connecting means have a first length and the remaining ones are of a second and different length and the shorter connecting means are connected to shorter ones of said frame members.

46. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 37 wherein the said pivotal connection between the said sections is a torque-transmitting universal pivot.

47. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 46 wherein the wheel means include a pair of wheels connected to each of said outer sections, one of which wheels is rotatable about an axis parallel to the length of said section and supports said second out of contact with the ground in the field or working position, the other of which wheels is rotatable about an axis transverse to the length of said section and supports said section out of contact with the ground in the non-working position and in the transport position.

48. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claims 46 to 47 wherein said connecting means also includes at its rearward end a further free pivotal connection about a second horizontal axis which is generally parallel to the direction of travel when in the working or field position.

49. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 48 wherein said connecting means also includes a further free pivotal connection at its rearward end about a third horizontal axis which is generally transverse to the direction of travel when in the working or field position.

50. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 49 wherein said free pivotal connection about said third axis includes means for restricting relative movement to prevent said connecting means from contacting the ground.

51. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claims 46 or 47 wherein adjacent ones of said packers are trailed at different distances behind the associated boom to allow said packers to cover completely the working width of the drawbar.

52. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 51 wherein alternate ones of said connecting means have a first length and the remaining ones are of a second and different length.

53. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 51 wherein alternate ones of said frame members have a first length and the remaining ones are of a second and different length.

54. A harrow and packer drawbar as claimed in claim 53 wherein alternate ones of said connecting means have a first length and the remaining ones are of a second and different length and the shorter connecting means are connected to shorter ones of said frame members.

55. A drawbar adapted to be drawn across the ground comprising:

(a) a boom having at least two sections pivotally connected together at adjacent ends thereof, said boom sections being transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar when they are in a working position,

(b) ground engagable wheel means for supporting said boom sections out of contact with the ground,

(c) first coupling means for coupling a central portion of the boom to an associated tractor,

(d) releasable section coupling means to couple the outer ends of the boom to the first coupling means and to retain the boom transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar when in the working position,

(e) a plurality of frame members attached to each of said sections and directed generally rearwardly of said sections when in the working position, each said frame member being capable of drawing and supporting an associated first soil working device which is attachable to a said section by means of said frame member and adapted to be in contact with the ground when in the working position to provide substantially complete coverage of the ground,

(f) a plurality of connecting means each including

(i) a rigid connecting member freely pivotally connected at its forward end to a respective one of said frame members rearwardly thereof to pivot about a first horizontal axis transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar in working position, and

(ii) a further free pivotal connection about an axis at the rearward end of each said connecting means which axis is vertical when the frame member is in working position,

said connecting means each being adapted to draw an associated second soil working device across the ground in contact therewith for substantially complete coverage of the ground in working position and support it out of contact with the ground in non-working position,

(g) means for pivoting said boom sections about a horizontal boom axis, generally parallel to their length and forward of said frame members in working position, to move said frame members between

(i) the working position, in which any said first soil working devices attached thereto are adapted to be in contact with the ground, and

(ii) a non-working position in which any said first soil working devices are adapted to be in a raised substantially upright position out of contact with the ground and generally in the same position relative to each other and the frame members,

said connecting means freely pivoting about said first horizontal axes at the connections with their respective frame members, to be lifted thereby and raise any said second soil working devices from the ground to hand rearwardly of any said first soil working devices in said non-working position, said pivotal connections at adjacent ends of said sections including at least one axis which is generally upright when in the non-working position so that the other ends of said sections may pivot about said axes upon release of said releasable second coupling means from a position transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar in the non-working position to a position generally parallel to the direction of travel of the drawbar for transport.

56. A drawbar adapted to be drawn across the ground comprising:

(a) a boom having at least two sections pivotally connected together at adjacent ends thereof, said boom sections being transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar when they are in working position,

(b) ground engagable wheel means for supporting said boom sections of contact with the ground,

(c) first coupling means for coupling a central portion of the boom to an associated tractor,

(d) releasable second coupling means to couple the outer ends of the boom to the first coupling means and to retain the boom transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar when in the working position,

(e) a plurality of frame members attached to each of said sections and directed generally rearwardly of said sections when in the working position, each said frame member being capable of drawing and supporting an associated first soil working device which is attachable to a said section by means of said frame member and adapted to be in contact with the ground when in the working position, to provide substantially complete coverage of the ground,

(f) a plurality of connecting means each including

(i) a rigid connecting member freely pivotally connected at its forward end to a respective one of said frame members rearwardly thereof to pivot about a first horizontal axis transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar in working position, and

(ii) a further free pivotal connection about an axis at the rearward end of each said connecting means which axis is vertical when the frame member is in working position, said connecting means each being adapted to draw an associated second soil working device across the ground in contact therewith for substantially complete coverage of the ground in working position and support it out of contact with the ground in non-working position, said frame members and corresponding connecting means adjacent the pivotally connected boom sections being of diffrent lengths so that adjacent ones of any said second soil working devices attached thereto are trailed at different distances behind the boom in working position and do not interfere one with the other upon folding of the boom sections,

(g) means for pivoting said boom sections about a horizontal boom axis, generally parallel to their length and forward of said frame members in working position, to move said frame members between

(i) the working position, in which any said first soil working devices attached thereto are adapted to be in contact with the ground, and

(ii) a non-working position in which any said first soil working devices are adapted to be in a raised substantially upright position out of contact with the ground and generally in the same position relative to each other and the frame members,

said connecting means freely pivoting about said first horizontal axes at the connections with their respective frame members, to be lifted thereby and to raise any said second soil working devices from the ground to hang rearwardly of any said first soil working devices in said non-working position, said pivotal connections at adjacent ends of said sections including at least one axis which is generally upright when in the non-working position so that the outer ends of said sections may pivot about said axes upon release of said releasable second coupling means from a position transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar in the non-working position to a position generally parallel to the direction of travel of the drawbar for transport.

57. A drawbar adapted to be drawn across the ground comprising:

(a) a three section boom including a center section and two outer sections with the adjacent boom sections pivotally connected together at adjoining ends thereof, the two outer sections being substantially longer than the center section and said boom sections being transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar when they are in working position,

(b) ground engagable wheel means for supporting said boom sections out of contact with the ground,

(c) first coupling means for coupling the center section of the boom to an associated tractor,

(d) releasable second coupling means to couple the outer sections of the boom to the first coupling means and to retain the boom transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar when in the working position,

(e) a plurality of frame members attached to each of said sections and directed generally rearwardly of said sections when in the working position, each said frame member being capable of drawing and supporting an associated first soil working device which is attachable to a said section by means of said frame member and adapted to be in contact with the ground when in the working position to provide substantially complete coverage of the ground,

(f) a plurality of connecting means each including

(i) a rigid connecting member freely pivotally connected at its forward end to a respective one of said frame members rearwardly thereof to pivot about a first horizontal axis transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar in working position, and

(ii) a further free pivotal connection about an axis at the rearward end of each said connecting means which axis is vertical when the frame member is in working position,

said connecting means each being adapted to draw an associated second soil working device across the ground in contact therewith for substantially complete coverage of the ground in working position and support it out of contact with the ground in non-working position,

(g) means for pivoting said boom sections about a horizontal boom axis, generally parallel to their length and forward of said frame members in working position, to move said frame members between

(i) the working position, in which any said first soil working devices attached thereto are adapted to be in contact with the ground, and

(ii) a non-working position in which any said first said working devices are adapted to be in a raised substantially upright position out of contact with the ground and generally in the same position relative to each other and the frame members,

said connecting means freely pivoting about said first horizontal axes at the connections with their respective frame members, to be lifted thereby and to raise any said second soil working devices from the ground to hang rearwardly of said first soil working devices in said non-working position, the pivotal connections at adjoining ends of said boom sections each including at least one axis which is generally upright when in the non-working position so that the outer said sections may pivot about said axes upon release of said releasable second coupling means from a position transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar in the non-working position to a position generally parallel to the direction of travel of the drawbar for transport.

58. A drawbar adapted to be drawn across the ground comprising:

(a) a three section boom including a center section and two outer sections with the adjacent sections pivotally connected together at adjoining ends thereof, the two outer sections being substantially longer than the center section and said boom sections being transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar when they are in working position,

(b) ground engagable wheel means for supporting said boom sections out of contact with the ground,

(c) first coupling means for coupling the center section of the boom to an associated tractor,

(d) releasable second coupling means to couple the outer sections of the boom to the first coupling means and to retain the boom transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar when in the working position,

(e) a plurality of frame members attached to each of said sections and directed generally rearwardly of said sections when in the working position, each said frame member being capable of drawing and supporting an associated first soil working device which is attachable to a said section by means of said frame member and adapted to be in contact with the ground when in the working position, to provide substantially complete coverage of the ground,

(f) a plurality of connecting means each including

(i) a rigid connecting member freely pivotally connected at its forward end to a respective one of said frame members rearwardly thereof to pivot about a first horizontal axis transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar in working position and

(ii) a further free pivotal connection about an axis at the rearward end of each said connecting means which axis is vertical when the frame member is in working position,

said connecting means each being adapted to draw an associated second soil working device across the ground in contact therewith for substantially complete coverage of the ground in working position and support it out of contact with the ground in non-working position, said frame members and corresponding connecting means adjacent the pivotally connected boom sections being of different lengths so that adjacent ones of any said second soil working devices attached thereto are trailed at different distances behind the associated tractor in working position and do not interfere one with the other upon folding of the boom sections,

(g) means for pivoting said boom sections about a horizontal boom axis, generally parallel to their length and forward of said frame members in working position, to move said frame members between

(i) the working position, in which any said first soil working devices attached thereto are adapted to be in contact with the ground, and

(ii) a non-working position in which any said first soil working devices are adapted to be in a raised substantially upright position out of contact with the ground and generally in the same position relative to each other and the frame members,

said connecting means freely pivoting about said first horizontal axes at the connections with their respective frame members, to be lifted thereby and to raise any said second soil working devices from the ground to hang rearwardly of said first soil working devices in said non-working position, the pivotal connections at adjoining ends of said boom sections each including at least one axis which is generally upright when in the non-working position so that the outer said sections may pivot about said axes upon release of said releasable second coupling means from a position transverse to the direction of travel of the drawbar in the non-working position to a position generally parallel to the direction of travel of the drawbar for transport.