Auger downforce unit for use on tractor 3-point hitch mounted earth augers

Abstract

We have invented a way to create mechanical downforce for using post hole augers or other implements on tractor 3-point hitches. Our invention allows the user to switch the post hole auger from conventional mode to downforce mode by removing one hitch pin and inserting two others. Our invention makes it possible to create downforce sufficient for digging in hard, rocky or frozen soils without resorting to unsafe methods. The invention creates a secondary pivot point and a variable attachment point, resulting in the lifting force of the tractor's hitch being reversed into usable downforce at the auger bit. The invention permits the user of a tractor-driven earth auger to generate mechanical downforce at the auger, without the use of additional hydraulics for easier digging in hard or rocky soils.

1 . We claim a new device to create downforce for a tractor-mounted post hole auger or other farm implement, with said downforce unit being comprised of several components:
 a) an Upper Mount which captures the proximal end of the auger boom and includes an angled, straight or curved slot which defines the travel path of said proximal end of auger boom. Said angulation or curvature of said slot serves to compensate the the distal portion of the Auger Boom traveling through an arc, and changes that arc travel to a substantially vertical plane of travel such that holes are more easily created vertically in the ground. Said Upper Mount includes a multitude of mounting holes to permit affixing of other farm implements when the Auger is removed. Said Upper Mount further includes holes below said slots, for the purpose of anchoring the proximal portion of Auger Boom in the lowermost position of said slots, for use in Conventional Mode, without downforce. Said Upper Mount further includes holes for the mounting of diagonal support bars to support the distal portion of the Lower mount.   b) a Lower Mount which extends rearward from the tractor's pulling hitch. Said Lower Mount's purpose is to provide a stable lower anchor pivot point for the Vertical Bars which comprise the Downforce Pivot Point. Said Lower mount is further supported by two diagonal support bars connecting the rearward, distal point of the Lower Mount with the lateral aspects of the Upper Mount which is bolted to the tractor.   c) Vertical Bars which extent vertically from the distal end of the Lower Mount, with a multitude of holes or notches, for purpose of anchoring/indexing with Outer Slider tubes.   d) Outer Sliders, which slide longitudinally over said Vertical Bars and have a set of corresponding holes such that pins can be inserted through Outer Sliders and Vertical Bars anchoring them together. Alternatively Outer Sliders can incorporate spring loaded pins or teeth which index in notches in the Vertical Bars, in a ratcheting method. Said Outer Sliders bolt together on either side of a mounting tab on the superior aspect of the Auger Boom, at a point proximate to halfway along its length. Said bolted union of Outer Sliders and Auger Boom comprises the Downforce Pivot Point which allows the generation of downforce when the proximal end of the Boom is unpinned from the anchor holes in said Upper Mount and permitted to travel vertically.   e) optional addition of a two-piece clamshell type assembly which surrounds and captures the auger boom and provides an attachment point for the secondary pivot. This is only necessary when using the downforce unit with an auger boom which does not have a suitable hole for a secondary pivot point.   
   
   
       2 . We claim a method of mechanically creating downward force for tractor-mounted implements, through the creation of a secondary pivot point of variable height, located away from the tractor and the creation of a variable-height proximal attachment point at the rear of the tractor. This secondary pivot point makes it possible for the lifting action of the tractor's 3-point hitch to be translated into downward force on the opposite end of the secondary pivot point, greatly facilitating the use of implements such as post hole augers as well as making said augers safer to use and easier to control.