CA2063450A1 - Device for attaching working implements to a tractor - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for attaching an agricultural implement (34) to a tractor (1) has a coupling frame (5) secured to the tractor (1) and a connecting frame (35) secured to the implement (34) which can be coupled to the coupling frame (5). The power take-off shaft (13) of the tractor (1) is connected via a propeller shaft (14) to a coupling component (15) arranged to rotate in the coupling frame (5). The coupling component (15) on the coupling frame (5) can be connected to a coupling component (55) on the connecting frame (35). The coupling component (15) on the coupling frame (5) can move radially, axially and angularly in the plane of the coupling frame (5).

Description

. ~:

' . DEC 2~ '91 16:5S FT8~T~616-381-5465 P.~14 , 20~3~0 .
DEVICE FOR ATTACHING WORKING IMPLEME~TS To A ~RACTO~

The invention relates to an appara~us for attaching ~gricultural and municipal implements ~o the front ox : rear si~e of a trac~or, acco~din~ to the preamble or Clai~ 1.
~ uch an apparatus is known from Austria~ Patent Mo.
379 048. In order to connec~ two ooupling paxts to ~ach other in the c~se of the known apparatus, the coupling - par~ mounted on the connecting ~rame is of an axially displaceable design. This involves a relatively lo complicated mechanis~ which is prone to ~aults and is time consuming to operate. A high level o~ wear on the two coupliny parts is also to be noted.
An object of the invention is to si~plify the connection of t~e drive shaf~ o~ the working imple~ent to the power take-o~f of the tractor and ~o ma~e it mo~e solid and reliable than hither~o.
This is achieved according to ~he invention by the apparatus defined in Claim 1~ Advan~ayeoUs developments of the inven~ion are given in the subclaims.
If the a~taching fram~ ls hung in at the poin~ of the coupling ~r~me and th~ coupling rame is then swung against the attac~iny frame, according to the invention ~he ~ir~t coupling part and the ~econd coupling part are automatically inserted one into the o~her. ~n other ,, .

.. ,. , . - , ............................................. .

- ~ . , DEC 26 '~1 16: 58 FT~T/616--~81 5465 P. 3/14 20~3~0 ~

words, the rotational connection between the power take-o~ of the ~ractor and the drive shaft of the working : imple~en~ is inevitably esta~lished in a very simple way. At ~he same time, the ~wo inter-engaging coupling parts may be of a rel ~lvely long design, so th~t satisfactory powe~ transmi~sion is ensured. ~ backlash bet~een the coupling frame and the connec~ing ~rame also does no have an~ disadvantageous effec~s on the connection o- ihe two coupling parts.
lo The invention is explaine~ in more de~il below with xeference to the at~ached drawing, in which: -~i~ure 1 diagrammatically shows a side vlew o~ a :-: front or a tractor wi~h a forwardly arra~ged ~oupling ~ra~e;
Figure 2 diayrammatically shows a ~ront ~ie~l o~ the : coupling frame;
:` Figure 3 diagrammatically shows a top view of the front portion or the tractor, the coupling ~rame and a connec~ing frame with a working implement fas~ened . 20 ~hereto;
Figure 4 diagrammatically shows a sectional view - through a couplin~ part moYably supported on the coupling frame;
~igure 5 diagrammatically shows a rear view of the c~nnecting ~ramei :; Figure 6 diagrammatically sho~s a sec~ion taken along the line VI-VI in Figure 5;
~igure 7 diagra~matically shows a longitudinal ; sectional view through a~other embodiment of the 0 connecting fxame; and ~igure 8 diagrammatically shows a sectional view through a further embodiment of ~he coupling part suppoxted on the coupling frame.
According to Fiyure 1, the front end o~ a tractor 1 has a thr~e-point lifting mechanism, which comprises a length-adjustable upper link 2 and two lower links 3, 4.

.
:

, . .
:, . - . - , -' " ' ' ' ' ' , ' , ' , ' .
' ., ' ' ' ' '' ", ''''',, ' ', ' ' ,, " ', ,. '. ~ ' ,. ' ' ~ '' ' ,.' ' : ~' ' DE~ 26 '91 16: 55 FTB~T/616--381--5465 P. 4/14 20~3~0 The uppe~ link 2 and the lower ~inks 3, 4 bear a coupling ~rame ~, an~ are pivotally coupled by me~ns c~
swivel pins ~, ? and swivel pins 8, 9, 10 respeotively to the trac~or 1 and to the coupling ~rame 5.
~ he coupliny frame ~ is desi~ned essentially as triangle, the upwardly direc~ed point 11 o~ whioh is inclined forwardl~ away from ~he ~ractor 1. For heigh~
adjustabili~y o~ the coupling frame 5, working cylinders 12 are articulaled on the one ha~d on the tractor 1 and lo on the other hand on the lower links 3, 4.
~ointedly connected ro a power take-off 13 o~ the tractor 1 is a lengtn adjus~able univers~l drive shart 14, which is connected at its other end, li~ewise jointedly, to a coupling pa~t 15.
Ac~or~iny to ~igure 2, t~e -triangular ~oupling rrama 5 includes ~T~O side parts 1~, 17 o~ a, for exampl~, boY.-shaped pro~ile, a top part 18 With the point 11, and a plate-shaped cross-piece 19 extending between the two si~e parts 16, 17~
As can be seen in par~icular ~rom Figure 4, the coupling part 15 has a socket o~ a jaw 15', which is provided on ~he inside with spline~ 20. The jaw 15' or the coupling p~rt 15 passe3 through a corresponding openin~ 21 in the cross-piece 19. ~or supporting the coupling part 15 on the cross-piece 19, a ball bearing : or si~ilar r411ing bearing 22 is provided.
on the outer race 23 of the rolling bearing ~2 there are t~o or more circumferentially distributed radial projections 2~, 25. Arranged between each projection . 30 24, 25 and the cross-piece 19 is a f~exible element 26, 27, ~or example of rubber or so~e other elastomeric material, As explained with rererence to the rubber elemen~ 27, vulcaniZed onto an end sUr~ace o~ the element 27 ~acin~ the proiection 25 is a plate 28, which serves for fas~ening the eleme~t ~7 onto the projection 25 with a bolt 29. The fastenir.g of the rubber ele~en~s - . . . .. . ..

- ~ ,. .. . . .
- , ,.... , ~ . ..

DEC 26 ' gl 17: 00 ETB~T/blb-3131-5465 P . ~/14 2 0 ~ 3 ~ ,~ o 2 6, 27 onto the cross-piece 1~ c~n like-~ise be per~ormed ~y vU1canizing it on, adheslvely ~ixing it, or by similar fas~ening measures. By cor~esponding deformation o~ the rubber elements 26, 27, it is ensured that the bearing 2 2, and conse~uently the couplin~ part 15, are supported on the co~pling frame 5 for movement radially, axially and angularly with respect to a plane Or the coupling frame 5.
Instead o~ the rub~er elements 26, 27, there may alternatively be provided a ~lexible element ~6', which circumferentially encloses the outer race 23~ o~ th~
bearing 22 ~ and is fastened to the cross-piece 19 of the couplin~ fra~e 5 (see Figure ~).
As re~ealed by Figure 3, ~he swi~el pins 9, 10 on the co~pling rrame 5, on whioh the lower links 3, 4 act, are in each case fastened between two tractor-side butt straps 30, 31 and 32, 33 respecti~ly arranged at the lower end o~ the side parts 16, 17. ConseqUently, a satis~actory transmission o~ the tractive force F ~rom the lower linXs 3, 4 to ~he coupling frame 5 i~ ensured, without ~ea~ o~ a shearing-of~ or other deformation o~
the swivel pins 9, 10.
As is also evident from Figure 3, the coupling frame 5 serves ~or co~pling to an a~ricultural or mu~icipal impleme~ 3~ by means o~ a connecting f~ame 35 on which the implement 34 is ~irml~ attached. The implement 34 m~y be, ro~ example, a mower, a swather or the li~e.
Accordihg to Figure 5, the co~necting ~rame 3 5 is designed in a manner ~orresponding to the coupling ~rame as a ~riangle, that is to say with two side parts 36, 37, a top part 38, and a cross-piece 39 extending between the two side parts 36, 37. According to Figure 6, the side parts 35, 37 have a ~ox~shape profile and are provided with a projec~ion 43, which pro~rudes ~oward the coupliny frame 5 and is inclined outward at its end nearest the coupling ~rame 5.

: ,, ~, :' :
' : ' ' ': :~ ' : , DE:- Z6 '91 17~ FT~T/61b-_,æl--5465 P. 6~'14 _ 5 _ 2 ~3~,~o The top part 38 has, between ~o side plat~s 40, 41, a bolt 42 o~ a ~orresponding h~n~i~g par~ hich can reach over the point ll o~ the head part 1~ of the coupling r~ame 5 when the connec~ing ~rame 35 with the implement 34 is coupled onto the coupling frame 5. The :: point l1 protrudes ~eyond the plane o~ the coupling frame S in the direction or the conneoting frame 3S.
; When the connecting frame 35 has been hung by ~he han~ing par~ or bolt 42 on the point ll of the coupling lO frame 5, the coupling frame 5 and the connecting ~r~me 35 are S~,JUng toyether. When this happens, the coupl ing fra~e 5 ~s posi~ivel~ gripped b~ the proieGtions 43 on the connecting ~me 35.
For loo~ing the conneGting frame 3S on the coupling frame 5, a loc~ing device is provided, whi~h according - to Figure 2 comprise~ a single~ao~ir,g working c~linder ; 4~ which is fastened to the coupling frame 5. The ~ working cylinde~ 44 has, apar~ ~rom a piston rod 45, a :~ rod 46, which is fast~ned to the oylinder housiny on an .
~0 end thereof opposite from the pis~on ro~ 45. The rods . 45, 4~ are gui~ed in bores in the inner butt straps 31, 33 2nd, in the extended s~te or the working cylinder . 44, additionally engaye bores in the outer butt straps 30, 34.
~he connecting fra~e 35 h~s at the lower ends of the two side parts 36, 37 respective projectionS 47, 48, which project toward ~he coupling ~rame 5 and have respective bores 49, 50. When ~he connecting ~ra~e 35 . and the coupling frame 5 have b~en s~ung toyether, the :. 30 projections ,~7, 4a of the connec~ing frame 35 extend between the butt straps of a respective pair 30, 31 and - 32, 33 on the coupling frame 5, t~e bores 49, 50 of the projectlon5 41, 48 aligning wi~h the bores in the butt straps 30 to 3~. ~n this position, upon extending the working cylinde~ 4a, the rods 4~, 46 are pushed ~hrough the bores ~, SO in ~he projeot~ons ~, 48 o~ the , . -.: ,, ., , ., ; ~... . . : .:. . .

- : . . , .~ . : . .
- . . . : . . .

- DEC Z6 'gl 17:01 ~TB~T/61~----81--54~,5 P.7~14 - 6 - 2~

connecting ~ra~e 35 and, consequently, the conn~ctin~ :
fra~e 35 is rirmly lo~ed on ~he coupling ~rame 5. ~ :
In order to a~ lly center the sin~le-acting working cylinder ~4, two s~ops are provided, in par~icular a ..
ring 51 faste~ed on the piston rod 45 be~ween the inner butt strap 31 of the coupliny frame 5 and the working cylinder ~4, and a projection ~2 ~ast~ned on the cross-piece ~9 of the coupling frame S b~tween the ring 51 an~
the workiny ~ylinder 44.
When the pis~on rod 45 is retra~ted from the locking position o~ the workin~ cyli~der ~ represen~ed in Pigure 2, the stops 51, 52 come into c~n~act, as a result of which the cylinder ~ is Grawn toward the stop ~2 so ~hat the piston rod ~6, fixed ~o the cylinder, is likewi~e retracted, whereby ~he projec~ions ~7, 48, and consequen~ly the connecting frame 35, ara unlocked.
The w~rkin~ cyli~der 4~ thus changes its axial position in a manner corresponding to the arrow P in ~igure 2 upon locking and unlocking. This can be r; 20 ~tilized ~o actuâte a device arranged on the imple~ent, : . for example a support (not s~own) on the implement 34, which sUpport is ~oved downward when the working cylinder 4~ is moved into the unlocked position, in order to support the implemen~ 34 once i~ has been uncoupled from the ~rac~or 1. For this purpose, on the working cylinder ~4 there are p~o~ided projectio~S 53, 54 which levers, drawing means or similar components can engaye, in order to actuate the corresponding device.
~he drive shaft 34' of the implement 34, that is for : 30 example the ~owe~ or swather, is ~onnected to a second coupling part 55. The coupling parl 55 may be desiyned a~ a sha~t end provided with splines 56 co~pleme~ting the splines 2~ of the jaw 15' of the coupling part 15 on the coupli~y frame 5~
As is evident in particular from Figure 7, the coupling part or the shaft end S~ is mounted by a : - . . . - . , , . . . . .. :
, . . : .. .. .
- - ~
,. . . ~ . .
- . ~ . . . ..

:- . : . . . .

r3E~ 26 'gl 17:0~ FTB:~T/616-301-5465 P.~14 2Q~3~

.
rolling bearing such as a ball bearin~ 57, on the cross-piece 39 o~ the connecting fr~me 35.
With connecting frame 35 coupled to the co~pling frame S, the shaft end 55 with the splines 56 is inserted into the jaw 15' on the coupling fra~e 5, in order to connect the ~irst coupling part 15 to the sha~t end or to the second coupling p~t 55 and consequently connect the drive shart of the implement 3~ to the power take-o~f ~3 o~ the tractor 1.
1o Acc~rdirg to ~he invention, the implement 3~ may be attached bo~h on th~ rront side and oh the rear side of the ~ractor 1.
; The con~ecting ~rame 35~ according to ~iyure 7 is in this case intended particularly ~or rear attachment, in particular for implements whicn are, for example, drawn : by a tow-ba~, ~or example a trailer. In this case, a : trailer coUpling 69, designed ~or example as ~ drawiny jaw, is fasten~d to the cross-piece 59 of the connecting frame 35 1, ~he drive shaft oP t~e drawn item of e~uipment, that is for example ~he trailer, being - connected to the shaft end 55 by m~ans o~ a uni~ersal ~ drive shaft (which is no~ illustrated but is similar to . the universal drive sha~t 14 in Figure 1).
: ~he trailer coupling 69 is ar~a~yed, according to Figure 7, above the shaft end 55. If, however, the drive shaft o~ the i~plement lies a~ove i~s tow-bar, the ~ trail~r coupling 6~ may alternatively be fastened at 70.
: In the e~ent that the connecting frame 35' of E'igure 7 is used ~or connec~ing a drawn item of e~uipment, the coupling ~rame 5 may be connected rigidly to the ~ractor 1 instead o~ by the links 2 to 4. In order to permi~ :
coupling to the conne~ting fral~e 3~', howevex, the coupling ~rame 5 must then be desiyned in such a w~y that it can be swive}ed ~gainst the connectin~ ~rame 35'. :

' .

: ' ' ' ' ' ,' . ; ~ ' , . ' ', ' , ' . ~ ' .
I . . . . .

DE~ 26 '9l 17:~3 FTB~T/616~ 1-5465 P.9/14 ... .
2~3~30 In order to conne~t hydraulic, pneumatic or electric lines of the trailer 3~ ~o the tractor 1, plu~ couplings 71, 7~ are respectively provided on the cross-piece 19 of the coupling frame 5 and on the cross-piece 39 of t~e connecting frame 35.
The point 11 of the coupling frame 5 is inclined toward the connecting Irame ~5, 35' and protrudes beyond the plane of the coupling ~rame 5 so tha~, ~Jhen hanginy ~he connec~i.ng frame on the point 11, the coupling f ra~e - lo 5 advantageously has to be ~ilted with respect to the connec~ing f rame 3 5, ~ 5 ' onl~ by a relatively s~all angle, nam~ly only by the length by which the shaft end 55 prot~udes Irom the bearing 57.
Ins~ead o~ the fasteniny b6ari~g 22 d~sc~ibed above ; for movably supporting the îirst coupling part 15 on the ; coupling frame 5, the bearing 57, ~ha~ is to say the .: second COUpling par~ 55, ~a~ alternatively be mova~ly ,. supported on the connecting frame 3S, 35~. It is also - conceivable to support bo~h bearin~s 22 and 57 movably, even if pro~lems may then axise owing to the i~deter-minacy of the mu~ual arranqement of the two coupliny parts 15 and 55.
: As is evident fro~ Figure ~, the rirst coupling part 15 is designed as a u~itary part which may be cast or forged. In addition to the jaw 15~ with the splines 20, ~ this unit comprises a fork 15~ ro which the universal '................ drive s~aft 1~ 1~ connected, as represented in Fi~ure 1.
In a correspondinq way, the axle shaft end 55 is designed as a uni~ary par~ with a for~ 55', to which the driv~ shaft 3~ ~ can be connected, if need be via a .:
universal drive shaft.
In the case of the embodiment represented in Figure ~, the ~irst coupling part 15 is likewise desig~ed as a . unitary part. Instead of the fork }5ll, however, a connectinq part 60 is pro~ided for the universal drive - sha~t 1~, designed as a constan~ velocity universal ~,' ' ' . . .

, - - , ' : .:

:

DEC Z6 '91 17:E13 FTE;~CT/bl6-3~1-54b5 P. 10/14 2~634~0 drive shaft. In other ~Jords, the uni~ersal drive shaft 14 is provided wi~h a spherical swivel head 61, which is mounted in the dish-shaped connecting pa~t 6~ in such a way that ~he universal drive shaf~ 14 and t~e coupliny part 15 are angularly movable with ~espect to each other. For the rota~ionally fiY.ed connec~ion of the coupling part 15 to the universal drive sha~t 1~, balls 62 are provided, which engage groo~es extending in the axial direction in the inner face of ~he dish-shaped o ~onnecting part 60 and in the spherical swivel head 31.
A~cording to ~i~ura 2, a coveri~g device is provided on the couplin~ ~ame 5 to prolect th~ coupling part ~5 a~ainst soiling. The covering device is designed as a cove~ing plate ~3, ~,Jhich may ~e rastened rotatably or displaceably on the cross-piece 19. With the coveriny plate 63, the pl~g couplings ~1 can also be protec~ed against dirt. The cove~ing plate 63 may be desiqned in such a way that it is actuated automatically when the coupliny frame ~ mo~es agains~ the connecting fra~e 35, 35', ln order to release the coupling par~ 15 or the plug couplings 71.
According to Figure 2, there ~ay also be arranged on thè coupliny frame S a central a~just~ng device, T~hich has a sha~ 64 and is mounted on the cross-piece l9, and .
by ~hich a ~evice o~ the implemer.- 3 4 can be actuated.
The central ~djusting device or _he shaft 64 may be ~ :
driven, for example, by an elect~ic motor, or pneumati~ally ox hydraulically. I~ may serve for controlling an operator controlled device on the implement 34, ~or example to set the hei~ht of a . swather, or to regulate the discharge rate of :~.
fertili~er, seeds, herbicides, e~c.
~he coupling part ~5 ~ounted in ~he connec~ing ~rame 35, 3S' may be conneoted, instea~ of to t~e coupling part 15 ~ounted in ~he coupling ~~me 5, also direc~ly to the universal drive sha~t l~, .

. . . ..

Claims (10)

DEVICE FOR ATTACHING WORKING IMPLEMENTS TO A TRACTOR

Patent claims

1. An apparatus for attaching agricultural and municipal implements to the front or rear or a tractor, comprising a coupling frame which is connected to the tractor, and a connecting frame which is connected to the implement and is designed in a manner corresponding to the coupling frame and can be coupled to the latter, a first coupling part which is connected to a power take-off of the tractor by means of a universal drive shaft and is supported rotatably on the coupling frame, a second coupling part which is connected to a drive shaft of the implement and is supported rotatably on the connecting frame and can be coupled to the first coupling part, and a locking device for the mutual locking of coupling frame and connecting frame, wherein a bearing (22, 57) for the first coupling part (15) and/or for the second coupling part (55) is supported respectively on the coupling frame (5) or the connecting frame, (35, 35') for movement radially, axially and angularly with respect to a plane of the coupling frame (5) or the connecting frame (35, 35').

2. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein an outer race (23) of the bearing (22) is supported on. the respective coupling frame (5) or connecting frame (35, 35') by at least one flexible element (26, 27).

3. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the outer race (22) has at least one radial projection (24, 25), by means of which the bearing (22) is fastened to the flexible element (26, 27) on the respective coupling frame (5) or connecting frame (35, 35').

4. An apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible element (26, 27) includes rubber or some other elastomeric material.

5. An apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling part (15) movable radially, axially and angularly with respect to a plane of the coupling frame (5) or connecting frame (35, 35') has a jaw (15'), and the other coupling part (55) has a shaft end (15') which can be inserted into the jaw (15').

6. An apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling part (15) has a fork (15") for the connection of a universal drive shaft (14) or a connecting part (60) for a constant velocity universal drive shaft,

7. An apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking device has a projection (53, 54) for actuating a device arranged on the implement (34).

8. An apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling frame (5) has for engagement with the connecting frame (35, 35') a point (11) inclined in the direction of the connecting frame (35, 35')

9. An apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting frame (35') has a trailer coupling (69) for connection to a drawn implement, and the second coupling part (55) is coupled to the drive shaft of the implement by a universal drive shaft.

10. An apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein on the coupling frame (5) there is provided a covering device (63) for protection of the first coupling part (15) and/or of plug couplings (71) arranged on the coupling frame (5).