IMPLEMENT LIFT AND LEVEL SYSTEM WITH A FRONT MOUNTED DIRECT COUPLED ROCKSHAFT

A rockshaft is mounted over the front rank of the implement frame and i s operated by cylinders located at opposite ends of the rockshaft connected to lift arms extending radially adjacent bearing mounts. Fore-and-aft extending links aligned with the lift arms and mounts operate lift wheel assemblies. A hitch arm connected near the center of the rockshaft is directly connected to a hitch turnbuckle for level lift operation. An aligned arrangement of cylinders, cylinder brackets, links and arms provides minimal torsional loading, particularly when the rockshaft is rotat ed to fully raise the implement frame for transport and is in the most susceptible shock Loading condition. Moment arms are controlled to minimize rockshaft torsional loadin g during highest stress conditions. The front-mounted rockshaft provides simplicity a nd advantageous weight distribution.