CA1068534A - Agricultural machinery - Google Patents
Agricultural machineryInfo
- Publication number
- CA1068534A CA1068534A CA249,301A CA249301A CA1068534A CA 1068534 A CA1068534 A CA 1068534A CA 249301 A CA249301 A CA 249301A CA 1068534 A CA1068534 A CA 1068534A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- arms
- tractor
- unit
- link
- shaft
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 101150056961 linX gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01B—SOIL WORKING IN AGRICULTURE OR FORESTRY; PARTS, DETAILS, OR ACCESSORIES OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINES OR IMPLEMENTS, IN GENERAL
- A01B59/00—Devices specially adapted for connection between animals or tractors and agricultural machines or implements
- A01B59/06—Devices specially adapted for connection between animals or tractors and agricultural machines or implements for machines mounted on tractors
- A01B59/061—Devices specially adapted for connection between animals or tractors and agricultural machines or implements for machines mounted on tractors specially adapted for enabling connection or disconnection controlled from the driver's seat
- A01B59/062—Devices specially adapted for connection between animals or tractors and agricultural machines or implements for machines mounted on tractors specially adapted for enabling connection or disconnection controlled from the driver's seat the connection comprising a rigid interface frame on the tractor
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Soil Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Agricultural Machines (AREA)
- Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A unit for attachment to a tractor, particularly at the front of a tractor, enables any tractor quickly and easily to be equipped with a three-point linkage for coupling to implements and ancillary equipment, A linkage comprising a top link, two lower links, connecting means and one or more actuators is fitted as a unit to a frame which can be secured to the tractor. Preferably all three links are moved jointly by the actuator through the connecting means therebetween.
The actuators may comprise two hydraulic rams positioned one at each side of the unit leaving the centre of the unit open and free for auxiliary equipment.
A unit for attachment to a tractor, particularly at the front of a tractor, enables any tractor quickly and easily to be equipped with a three-point linkage for coupling to implements and ancillary equipment, A linkage comprising a top link, two lower links, connecting means and one or more actuators is fitted as a unit to a frame which can be secured to the tractor. Preferably all three links are moved jointly by the actuator through the connecting means therebetween.
The actuators may comprise two hydraulic rams positioned one at each side of the unit leaving the centre of the unit open and free for auxiliary equipment.
Description
~O~t353`~
-:.
This invention relates to tractor units which constitute attachments for tractors by means of which a three-point linkage ma~ be provided on a tractor.
Three-point linkages on tractors are well known.
These comprise three links, two of which lie substantially in the same horizontal plane, and the third or top link belng centrally disposed above the lower links. In the known systems the three links are individuall~ connected directly to the tractor frame and the outer ends of the three llnks which define the three points of the linkage can be coupled to various implements, either directly or , by using an automatic coupling system.
; 15 In general, such three-point linkages have been provided at the rear of tractors. It has also been proposed, for example as referred to in British patent specification 1 293 927, to provide a three-point linkage at the front and at the rear of a tractor. However, in all these known arrangements the three link elements are individually connected -dlrectly to the tractor frame and are thus an inte~ral part of the tractor, being built into its basic design and fitted as a permanent structural part of the tractor during manufacture ' .
It 1~ the main object of the present inventlon to provide .
-:.
This invention relates to tractor units which constitute attachments for tractors by means of which a three-point linkage ma~ be provided on a tractor.
Three-point linkages on tractors are well known.
These comprise three links, two of which lie substantially in the same horizontal plane, and the third or top link belng centrally disposed above the lower links. In the known systems the three links are individuall~ connected directly to the tractor frame and the outer ends of the three llnks which define the three points of the linkage can be coupled to various implements, either directly or , by using an automatic coupling system.
; 15 In general, such three-point linkages have been provided at the rear of tractors. It has also been proposed, for example as referred to in British patent specification 1 293 927, to provide a three-point linkage at the front and at the rear of a tractor. However, in all these known arrangements the three link elements are individually connected -dlrectly to the tractor frame and are thus an inte~ral part of the tractor, being built into its basic design and fitted as a permanent structural part of the tractor during manufacture ' .
It 1~ the main object of the present inventlon to provide .
- 2 -106~3534 1 a tractor unlt as an attachment for a tractor which is such that it can be attached to a conventional existing tractor. Although the tractor unit of the present invention can be fitted as a unit on the production line, the most important advantage is in its application to existing tractors. Existing tractors are in general extremely limited in the operations which can be carried out at the front of the tractor because of the complete absence heretofore of any means for readily coupling lmplements or tools to the front of a tractor. ;
The tractor unit of the present invention, although - -capable of being fittea at the rear of a tractor, is primarily designed for attachment to the front of a tractor ln order to convert an existing tractor lnto a vehicle having much greater versatillty, in that when fltted with the unit of the present invention the operator has the option of front and rear ~ounting of implements, enabling existing implements to be used at the front and/or at the rear of a tractor.
By the provision in accordance with the present inventlon of a tractor unit which can readily be fltted to any existing tractor the tractor becomes a much more flexible vehicle, being able to pull or push lmplements, or to act as an implement carrier, resulting in savings in wear, lncreased output and greatly reduced fuel consumption by comparison - . . .
. . : ,- ~ . . . . . . . .
` 1068534 with existing methods of performing the same operations. The versatility of the tractor unit of the present invention means that it can readily be fitted to any design of tractor, either on the farm or on the initial production line in the manufacture of new tractors.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a tractor unit comprising a linkage which includes an upper link arm, two lower link arms, connecting means connecting the link arms in such manner as to leave the outer ends of the arms spaced in a triangular configuration and free for connection to ancillary equipment, and actuator means operative to effect joint movement of all said arms by -virtue of said connecting means therebetween, said connecting means including a pivotable intermediate link between said link arms with said actuator means coupled to said intermediate link to effect pivotal movement thereof, the unit including detachable coupling means by which it can be coupled as an assembled unit to a tractor, said connecting means comprising a shaft extending transversely across the unit, a pair of lift arms mounted on said shaft for pivotal movement about its axis, under the control of said actuator means, and a pair of drop arms pivotally connected between respective ones of said lift arms and the respective lower link arms; said connecting means including support means on the one hand connected to the inner end of said upper link arm and on the other hand mounted on said shaft for pivotal movement about the axis of said shaft jointly with movement of said lift arms.
The frame may be attached to the tractor in any suitable manner, for example by being bolted to the tractor, or welded ~o the tractor.
~' 10ti8S3~
In one embodiment the actuator means comprises a pair of rams positioned one at each side of the unit in order to leave the centre of the unit open for auxiliary equipment.
Alternatively, a single centrally positioned ram may be used.
A number of embodiments in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of tractor attachment in accordance with the invention;
Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the main frame of the attachment of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a side view of a second embodiment of tractor attachment in accordance with the invention; and, Fig. 4 is a front view of the attachment of Fig. 3, the right-hand half showing just the main frame.
The attachment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a main frame 10 having a pair of spaced side arms 12 provided with appropriately spaced holes therethrough to enable the frame to be attached to suitable attachment points on a vehicle, e.g. a tractor. The frame 10 may be fitted to the front end or to the rear end of the tractor. The frame may be secured to the tractor by suitable alternative means, such as by welding for example. Between the frame arms 12 there extends a transverse beam 14, and adjacent to the centre of the beam are fitted two lower support brackets 16. Secured to each--~ 5 10~853~
1 frame arm 12 is a triangular side plate 18. A pair of lower link arms 20 are connected respectlvely to the side plates 18 by pivot pins 22.
A pair of upper support brackets 24 are provided on the respective frame arms 12, i.e. one at each side of the attachment, and a shaft 26 extends between the brackets 24 and is journalled therein. Connected to the shaft 26 ad;acent to the middle of the shaft are a pair of link plates 28. A pin 30 extending between a thicker portion of the plates 28 ls secured to the upper end of a piston rod 32 of a hydraulic ram 34, which is thus positioned at the centre of the linkage. The cylinder of the ram 34 is journalled pivotally between the support brackets 16.
Also mounted on the shaft 26 for joint rotational movement with the shaft ahd with the link plates 28 are a palr of llft arms. The lift arms 36 are posltioned one at each side of the attachment outside the respectlve support brackets 24. These elongated llft arms 36 are pivotally connected at thelr free ends to respective drop arms 38, the lower ends of whlch are pivotally connected to a chosen one of a plurality of holes in the lower link arms 20.
A pivot pin 40 extends between a thinner portion of the two central link plates 28 and carrles one end of a top link which is indicated generall~ at 42 and which here comprises - a telescopic arm. The end of the top link 42 remote from 1~i8S3 ~
l the pivot pin 40 carries a connecting pin 44. As shown in Flg. l, the three terminating points of the linka~e are connected to a tractor triangle 46 of conventional form, the ends of the lower link arms 20 being connected to the ~ottom corners of the triangle and the end of the top link 42 being connected by way of the connecting pin 44 to one of a plurality of alternative connecting holes in a bracket 48 secured ad;acent to the top of the triangle. At the apex of the tractor triangle 46 there is provided a roller 50 to allow the tractor triangle 46 to be fitted into the apex of a çorresponding trlangle on an implement when coupling the two triangles together for use of the implement.
In operation, the driver of the vehicle operates the ram 34 to cause extension of the piston rod 32. The ram actlng at a point of the linkage between the top llnk 42 and the lower arms 20 causes the link plates 28 and lift arms 36 to be rotated jointly about the axis of the shaft 26, thereby causing the pivot pin 30 to move upwards ln an arcuate path and causing the top link 42 and lower link arms 20 to be ; 20 ralsed, as shown partially in chain-dotted outline in Fig.l.
With the lower link arms 20 initially set at a downwardly inclined angle relative to the horizontal, one can arrange that the full stroke of the ram 34 will raise the lower linX
arms 20 to about the same angle of inclination above the ~5 horizontal, whereby the two lower points of the three-point .
-1 - linkage deflned by the free ends of the lower link arms 20 wlll be lifted ~n a substantiall~ vertical plane. This is particularly advantageous. Retraction of the ram piston rod wlll cause a reverse movement and lowering of the three link arms.
Although the linkage is shown as being fitted with the trlangle 46, this is not essential to the invention which in its broadest aspect is concerned with the provision of a three-point linkage on a tractor attachment. However, the provision of the trlangle 46 is of particular advantage ln that it permits automatic coupl~ng to an equivalent triangle on an agricultural implement, whereby an existing tractor can be converted by means of the attachment of the invention to an implement carrier, and also to a vehlcle capable of pulling or pushing an implement or other piece of machinery.
In the second embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4 those parts of the tractor attachment which are equivalent to corresponding parts in the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numbers increased by 100.. In thls embodiment the frame llo for the mounting of the lin~age to a tractor comprises a pair of side arms 112 and a transverse - front plate 113. The side arms 112 are adapted to be secured to suitable attachment points or structural parts of the tractor. A pair o~ rlgid side plates 115 are secured one on each outer ~ace of the frame arms 112. Adjacent to the 106853~
1 bottom of each side plate 115 is a support plate 117 having a flange 119 extending parallel to the adjacent side plate 115.
In contrast to the first embodiment which has a single central ram, in this embodiment a pair of lifting rams 134 are provided, one at each side of the main frame. This has the advantage of leaving the centre of the linkage open, as shown particularly clearly in Fig. 4, for ancillary equipment such as a power take-off shaft. The cylinder of each ram 134 is plvotally mounted on a pin 121 extending between the slde plate 115 and the adjacent flange 119. The piston rod 132 of each ram 134 is pivotally connected by a pin 130 to a ;
pair of parallel links 131 which are rlgldly secured one to each side of a lift arm 136.
The lower end of each lift arm 136 carries a horizontally `extending axle 137 on which the upper end of a drop link 138 is pivotally mounted. Each of the two drop links 138 is ad~ustable in length by havlng an upper, smaller diameter portion 8 lidable within a bore ln a lower, larger diameter portlon with pin and hole locking means to hold the parts in their adjusted 20 - positlon. The lower end of each drop link 13~ comprises a bifurcated bracket 139 which is pivotally secured by a pin 141 to one of a plurality of holes 143 in a lower link arm 120.
One end of the lower link arm 120 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 122 between the side plate 115 and the suppor~ plate 2~ ~lange 119. The other end of the lower link arm 120 may be .
~0~8534 .
1 left free or provided with any appropriate connectlng means for the coupling of the linkage to ancillary equipment, such as the tractor trlangle shown in Fig. 1.
The upper end of each llft arm 136 terminates in a cylindrical hub 151 which is mounted on a shaft 126 for ~oint rotational movement therewith. The shaft 126 extends across the whole width of the attachment and between the two slde plates 115 passes through a hollow spacer tube 153. `~
Two link plates 128 are located towards the centre of the shaft 126, and in the embodiment shown are rotatable with the shaft. The link plates 128 are shown as having three alternative connection holes 155 for the pivotal securement therein of a pin 140 at one end of a top link 142, here shown as an inextensible strut.
As shown in Fig. 4, a tie bar 157 which may be fixed or ad~ustable in length may be secured between each lower llnk arm 120 and a pa~t of the frame or of the tractor itself to provide additional bracing for the linkage.
In operation, extension of the two side rams, actlng on an lntermediate point of the linkage between the lower llnk arms 120 and the top link 142, will cause rotation of the lift arms 136 about the shaft 126, thereby ~ointly drawing up the lower link arms 120 and causing pivotal movement of the top link 142. Retraction of the rams will cause a reverse movement.
106~S3~
1 Various modifications may be made to the embodiments described above. By way of example, the main frame to which the linkage is secured may consist of just the side arms, such as 112, without a transverse plate 113, or alternatively it may comprises a U-frame. The drop links may be hydraulically adjustable under the control of the tractor operator, and may be flexible instead of rigid.
The top link 142, instead of being movable pivotally, may be held fixed at its inner end by making the link plates 128 rigid with the spacertube 153. Although the illustrated embodiments show only one common cross-shaft 26, 126 for - the linkage one can mount the linkage on more than one cross-shaft. The linkage can be operated hydraulically, pneumatically or mechanically by the provision of appropriate power means.
The tractor unit of the present invention, although - -capable of being fittea at the rear of a tractor, is primarily designed for attachment to the front of a tractor ln order to convert an existing tractor lnto a vehicle having much greater versatillty, in that when fltted with the unit of the present invention the operator has the option of front and rear ~ounting of implements, enabling existing implements to be used at the front and/or at the rear of a tractor.
By the provision in accordance with the present inventlon of a tractor unit which can readily be fltted to any existing tractor the tractor becomes a much more flexible vehicle, being able to pull or push lmplements, or to act as an implement carrier, resulting in savings in wear, lncreased output and greatly reduced fuel consumption by comparison - . . .
. . : ,- ~ . . . . . . . .
` 1068534 with existing methods of performing the same operations. The versatility of the tractor unit of the present invention means that it can readily be fitted to any design of tractor, either on the farm or on the initial production line in the manufacture of new tractors.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a tractor unit comprising a linkage which includes an upper link arm, two lower link arms, connecting means connecting the link arms in such manner as to leave the outer ends of the arms spaced in a triangular configuration and free for connection to ancillary equipment, and actuator means operative to effect joint movement of all said arms by -virtue of said connecting means therebetween, said connecting means including a pivotable intermediate link between said link arms with said actuator means coupled to said intermediate link to effect pivotal movement thereof, the unit including detachable coupling means by which it can be coupled as an assembled unit to a tractor, said connecting means comprising a shaft extending transversely across the unit, a pair of lift arms mounted on said shaft for pivotal movement about its axis, under the control of said actuator means, and a pair of drop arms pivotally connected between respective ones of said lift arms and the respective lower link arms; said connecting means including support means on the one hand connected to the inner end of said upper link arm and on the other hand mounted on said shaft for pivotal movement about the axis of said shaft jointly with movement of said lift arms.
The frame may be attached to the tractor in any suitable manner, for example by being bolted to the tractor, or welded ~o the tractor.
~' 10ti8S3~
In one embodiment the actuator means comprises a pair of rams positioned one at each side of the unit in order to leave the centre of the unit open for auxiliary equipment.
Alternatively, a single centrally positioned ram may be used.
A number of embodiments in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of tractor attachment in accordance with the invention;
Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the main frame of the attachment of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a side view of a second embodiment of tractor attachment in accordance with the invention; and, Fig. 4 is a front view of the attachment of Fig. 3, the right-hand half showing just the main frame.
The attachment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a main frame 10 having a pair of spaced side arms 12 provided with appropriately spaced holes therethrough to enable the frame to be attached to suitable attachment points on a vehicle, e.g. a tractor. The frame 10 may be fitted to the front end or to the rear end of the tractor. The frame may be secured to the tractor by suitable alternative means, such as by welding for example. Between the frame arms 12 there extends a transverse beam 14, and adjacent to the centre of the beam are fitted two lower support brackets 16. Secured to each--~ 5 10~853~
1 frame arm 12 is a triangular side plate 18. A pair of lower link arms 20 are connected respectlvely to the side plates 18 by pivot pins 22.
A pair of upper support brackets 24 are provided on the respective frame arms 12, i.e. one at each side of the attachment, and a shaft 26 extends between the brackets 24 and is journalled therein. Connected to the shaft 26 ad;acent to the middle of the shaft are a pair of link plates 28. A pin 30 extending between a thicker portion of the plates 28 ls secured to the upper end of a piston rod 32 of a hydraulic ram 34, which is thus positioned at the centre of the linkage. The cylinder of the ram 34 is journalled pivotally between the support brackets 16.
Also mounted on the shaft 26 for joint rotational movement with the shaft ahd with the link plates 28 are a palr of llft arms. The lift arms 36 are posltioned one at each side of the attachment outside the respectlve support brackets 24. These elongated llft arms 36 are pivotally connected at thelr free ends to respective drop arms 38, the lower ends of whlch are pivotally connected to a chosen one of a plurality of holes in the lower link arms 20.
A pivot pin 40 extends between a thinner portion of the two central link plates 28 and carrles one end of a top link which is indicated generall~ at 42 and which here comprises - a telescopic arm. The end of the top link 42 remote from 1~i8S3 ~
l the pivot pin 40 carries a connecting pin 44. As shown in Flg. l, the three terminating points of the linka~e are connected to a tractor triangle 46 of conventional form, the ends of the lower link arms 20 being connected to the ~ottom corners of the triangle and the end of the top link 42 being connected by way of the connecting pin 44 to one of a plurality of alternative connecting holes in a bracket 48 secured ad;acent to the top of the triangle. At the apex of the tractor triangle 46 there is provided a roller 50 to allow the tractor triangle 46 to be fitted into the apex of a çorresponding trlangle on an implement when coupling the two triangles together for use of the implement.
In operation, the driver of the vehicle operates the ram 34 to cause extension of the piston rod 32. The ram actlng at a point of the linkage between the top llnk 42 and the lower arms 20 causes the link plates 28 and lift arms 36 to be rotated jointly about the axis of the shaft 26, thereby causing the pivot pin 30 to move upwards ln an arcuate path and causing the top link 42 and lower link arms 20 to be ; 20 ralsed, as shown partially in chain-dotted outline in Fig.l.
With the lower link arms 20 initially set at a downwardly inclined angle relative to the horizontal, one can arrange that the full stroke of the ram 34 will raise the lower linX
arms 20 to about the same angle of inclination above the ~5 horizontal, whereby the two lower points of the three-point .
-1 - linkage deflned by the free ends of the lower link arms 20 wlll be lifted ~n a substantiall~ vertical plane. This is particularly advantageous. Retraction of the ram piston rod wlll cause a reverse movement and lowering of the three link arms.
Although the linkage is shown as being fitted with the trlangle 46, this is not essential to the invention which in its broadest aspect is concerned with the provision of a three-point linkage on a tractor attachment. However, the provision of the trlangle 46 is of particular advantage ln that it permits automatic coupl~ng to an equivalent triangle on an agricultural implement, whereby an existing tractor can be converted by means of the attachment of the invention to an implement carrier, and also to a vehlcle capable of pulling or pushing an implement or other piece of machinery.
In the second embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4 those parts of the tractor attachment which are equivalent to corresponding parts in the first embodiment are indicated by the same reference numbers increased by 100.. In thls embodiment the frame llo for the mounting of the lin~age to a tractor comprises a pair of side arms 112 and a transverse - front plate 113. The side arms 112 are adapted to be secured to suitable attachment points or structural parts of the tractor. A pair o~ rlgid side plates 115 are secured one on each outer ~ace of the frame arms 112. Adjacent to the 106853~
1 bottom of each side plate 115 is a support plate 117 having a flange 119 extending parallel to the adjacent side plate 115.
In contrast to the first embodiment which has a single central ram, in this embodiment a pair of lifting rams 134 are provided, one at each side of the main frame. This has the advantage of leaving the centre of the linkage open, as shown particularly clearly in Fig. 4, for ancillary equipment such as a power take-off shaft. The cylinder of each ram 134 is plvotally mounted on a pin 121 extending between the slde plate 115 and the adjacent flange 119. The piston rod 132 of each ram 134 is pivotally connected by a pin 130 to a ;
pair of parallel links 131 which are rlgldly secured one to each side of a lift arm 136.
The lower end of each lift arm 136 carries a horizontally `extending axle 137 on which the upper end of a drop link 138 is pivotally mounted. Each of the two drop links 138 is ad~ustable in length by havlng an upper, smaller diameter portion 8 lidable within a bore ln a lower, larger diameter portlon with pin and hole locking means to hold the parts in their adjusted 20 - positlon. The lower end of each drop link 13~ comprises a bifurcated bracket 139 which is pivotally secured by a pin 141 to one of a plurality of holes 143 in a lower link arm 120.
One end of the lower link arm 120 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 122 between the side plate 115 and the suppor~ plate 2~ ~lange 119. The other end of the lower link arm 120 may be .
~0~8534 .
1 left free or provided with any appropriate connectlng means for the coupling of the linkage to ancillary equipment, such as the tractor trlangle shown in Fig. 1.
The upper end of each llft arm 136 terminates in a cylindrical hub 151 which is mounted on a shaft 126 for ~oint rotational movement therewith. The shaft 126 extends across the whole width of the attachment and between the two slde plates 115 passes through a hollow spacer tube 153. `~
Two link plates 128 are located towards the centre of the shaft 126, and in the embodiment shown are rotatable with the shaft. The link plates 128 are shown as having three alternative connection holes 155 for the pivotal securement therein of a pin 140 at one end of a top link 142, here shown as an inextensible strut.
As shown in Fig. 4, a tie bar 157 which may be fixed or ad~ustable in length may be secured between each lower llnk arm 120 and a pa~t of the frame or of the tractor itself to provide additional bracing for the linkage.
In operation, extension of the two side rams, actlng on an lntermediate point of the linkage between the lower llnk arms 120 and the top link 142, will cause rotation of the lift arms 136 about the shaft 126, thereby ~ointly drawing up the lower link arms 120 and causing pivotal movement of the top link 142. Retraction of the rams will cause a reverse movement.
106~S3~
1 Various modifications may be made to the embodiments described above. By way of example, the main frame to which the linkage is secured may consist of just the side arms, such as 112, without a transverse plate 113, or alternatively it may comprises a U-frame. The drop links may be hydraulically adjustable under the control of the tractor operator, and may be flexible instead of rigid.
The top link 142, instead of being movable pivotally, may be held fixed at its inner end by making the link plates 128 rigid with the spacertube 153. Although the illustrated embodiments show only one common cross-shaft 26, 126 for - the linkage one can mount the linkage on more than one cross-shaft. The linkage can be operated hydraulically, pneumatically or mechanically by the provision of appropriate power means.
Claims (8)
1. A tractor unit comprising a linkage which includes an upper link arm, two lower link arms, connecting means connecting said link arms in such manner as to leave the outer ends of the arms spaced in a triangular configuration and free for connection to ancillary equipment, and actuator means operative to effect joint movement of all said arms by virtue of said connecting means therebetween, said connecting means including a pivotable intermediate link between said link arms with said actuator means coupled to said intermediate link to effect pivotal movement thereof, the unit including detachable coupling means by which it can be coupled as an assembled unit to a tractor; said connecting means comprising a shaft extending transversely across the unit, a pair of lift arms mounted on said shaft for pivotal movement about its axis, under the control of said actuator means, and a pair of drop arms pivotally connected between respective ones of said lift arms and the respective lower link arms; said connecting means including support means on the one hand connected to the inner end of said upper link arm and on the other hand mounted on said shaft for pivotal movement about the axis of said shaft jointly with movement of said lift arms.
2. A tractor unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the lift arms are positioned at the respective ends of said shaft adjacent to and laterally outwardly of respective side support plates connecting with or forming part of the frame.
3. A tractor unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the actuator means comprises a pair of rams positioned one at each side of the unit.
4. A tractor unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the maximum stroke of the actuator means is arranged to raise the lower link arms from a position inclined at a predetermined angle below the horizontal to a position inclined at sub-stantially the same angle above the horizontal.
5. A tractor unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the length of the drop arms is adjustable, and the point of connection between the lower end of each drop arm and the associated lower link arm is adjustable.
6. A tractor unit as claimed in claim 1, fitted at the outer ends of the three link arms with a triangle adapted to be coupled to a matching triangle on an implement to be connected to the tractor.
7. A tractor unit as claimed in claim 1, fitted to a substantially U-shaped frame having side arms adapted to be secured to a tractor.
8. A tractor unit as claimed in claim 7, in which the frame includes tie bars for connection to the lower link arms.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB13303/75A GB1547560A (en) | 1975-04-01 | 1975-04-01 | Tractors and attachments therefor |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1068534A true CA1068534A (en) | 1979-12-25 |
Family
ID=10020506
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA249,301A Expired CA1068534A (en) | 1975-04-01 | 1976-03-31 | Agricultural machinery |
Country Status (15)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AT (1) | AT354789B (en) |
| AU (1) | AU511047B2 (en) |
| BE (1) | BE840292A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1068534A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2613718C2 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK149376A (en) |
| ES (1) | ES446585A1 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI760879A7 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2305926A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1547560A (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1058043B (en) |
| NL (1) | NL183622C (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ180493A (en) |
| SE (1) | SE7603787L (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA761918B (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2448843A1 (en) * | 1979-02-16 | 1980-09-12 | Lemoine Attelages Sa | "THREE POINT" HITCH THAT CAN BE USED AS WELL BEFORE AS AT THE BACK OF AN INDUSTRIAL, AGRICULTURAL VEHICLE, FOR PUBLIC WORKS, OR FORESTRY, FOR EXAMPLE A TRACTOR |
| JPS56105142A (en) * | 1980-01-21 | 1981-08-21 | Kubota Ltd | Front-fitted 3-points link apparatus |
| JPS621855Y2 (en) * | 1980-07-23 | 1987-01-17 | ||
| GB2218891B (en) * | 1988-05-23 | 1992-05-27 | Kubota Ltd | Device for attaching working machine to vehicle |
| DE4116200C1 (en) * | 1991-05-17 | 1992-07-23 | Friedrich Moertl Schleppergeraetebau Gmbh & Co Kg, 8780 Gemuenden, De | |
| DE10342403A1 (en) * | 2003-09-13 | 2005-04-07 | Deere & Company, Moline | Device for coupling a working device to a working vehicle |
| CN110217154B (en) * | 2019-06-06 | 2024-02-20 | 中道汽车救援产业有限公司 | Barrier removing device and tractor barrier removing vehicle |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB787268A (en) * | 1955-04-14 | 1957-12-04 | County Commercial Cars Ltd | Improvements in or relating to implement supporting mechanism for tractors |
| FR1196633A (en) * | 1958-06-04 | 1959-11-25 | Traktorenwerk Schonebeck Veb | Adjustable three-point linkage with lifting gear, for tractor |
| DE1107011B (en) * | 1958-08-21 | 1961-05-18 | Nassauische Pflugfabrik Wagner | Coupling and lifting device for attachments on tractors |
| NL275314A (en) * | 1961-02-28 | |||
| CH519291A (en) * | 1968-10-07 | 1972-02-29 | Lely Nv C Van Der | Self-propelled agricultural machine that can be used as a tractor |
| DE2102480B2 (en) * | 1971-01-20 | 1979-08-02 | Kloeckner-Humboldt-Deutz Ag, 5000 Koeln | Implement attachment device |
-
1975
- 1975-04-01 GB GB13303/75A patent/GB1547560A/en not_active Expired
-
1976
- 1976-03-30 SE SE7603787A patent/SE7603787L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1976-03-30 ZA ZA761918A patent/ZA761918B/en unknown
- 1976-03-31 DK DK149376A patent/DK149376A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1976-03-31 DE DE2613718A patent/DE2613718C2/en not_active Expired
- 1976-03-31 CA CA249,301A patent/CA1068534A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-03-31 IT IT7648810A patent/IT1058043B/en active
- 1976-04-01 FR FR7609543A patent/FR2305926A1/en active Granted
- 1976-04-01 ES ES446585A patent/ES446585A1/en not_active Expired
- 1976-04-01 FI FI760879A patent/FI760879A7/fi not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1976-04-01 BE BE165774A patent/BE840292A/en unknown
- 1976-04-01 AT AT236776A patent/AT354789B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1976-04-01 NL NLAANVRAGE7603400,A patent/NL183622C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1976-04-01 NZ NZ180493A patent/NZ180493A/en unknown
- 1976-04-01 AU AU12544/76A patent/AU511047B2/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU1254476A (en) | 1977-10-06 |
| AU511047B2 (en) | 1980-07-24 |
| ATA236776A (en) | 1979-06-15 |
| ES446585A1 (en) | 1977-06-16 |
| DE2613718A1 (en) | 1976-10-14 |
| FI760879A7 (en) | 1976-10-02 |
| GB1547560A (en) | 1979-06-20 |
| NZ180493A (en) | 1978-11-13 |
| FR2305926A1 (en) | 1976-10-29 |
| SE7603787L (en) | 1976-10-02 |
| BE840292A (en) | 1976-08-02 |
| AT354789B (en) | 1979-01-25 |
| DK149376A (en) | 1976-10-02 |
| DE2613718C2 (en) | 1986-10-09 |
| NL183622C (en) | 1988-12-16 |
| NL183622B (en) | 1988-07-18 |
| NL7603400A (en) | 1976-10-05 |
| ZA761918B (en) | 1977-03-30 |
| IT1058043B (en) | 1982-04-10 |
| FR2305926B1 (en) | 1982-11-05 |
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