Walk-behind tractor with increased ground clearance

A walk-behind tractor having an increased ground clearance comprising:

• a wheel axis about which at least two ground engaging wheels rotate during operation of the walk-behind tractor, wherein the wheel axis is disposed at a first height above ground;
• a ground clearance second height measured between the at least two ground engaging wheels from ground to one of (i) a lower surface of a frame and (ii) a lower surface of a drive assembly;
• wherein the ground clearance second height is in a range from 10% to 100% greater than the first height adapted to permit taller plants to pass below the walk-behind tractor during operation thereof than would be permitted if the ground clearance second height equaled the first height;
• a selective first position of the two-ground engaging wheels offset a first width from one another;
• a selective second positon of the two-ground engaging wheels offset a second width from one another;
• and
• wherein selecting the second position widens a wheelbase width between the two ground engaging wheels adapted to permit the walk-behind tractor to traverse atop wider plants than would otherwise be permissible in the first position.

A walk-behind tractor comprising:

• at least two ground engaging wheels that rotate about a wheel axis and the at least two ground engaging wheels are transversely spaced from each other, wherein the wheel axis is at a first height relative to ground;
• a driveshaft for the ground engaging wheels located above the wheel axis at a greater second height relative to ground, wherein the driveshaft is coupled with the two ground engaging wheels to rotate the two wheels during operation of the walk-behind tractor;
• wherein the second height of the driveshaft being above the wheel axis is adapted to provide an increased ground clearance for the walk-behind tractor for plants to pass below the driveshaft between the two ground engaging wheels during operation of the walk-behind tractor;
• a selective first position of the two-ground engaging wheels offset a first width from one another;
• a selective second positon of the two-ground engaging wheels offset a second width from one another;
• and
• wherein selecting the second position widens a wheelbase width between the two ground engaging wheels adapted to permit the walk-behind tractor to traverse atop wider plants than would otherwise be permissible in the first position.

A walk-behind tractor comprising:

• at least two ground engaging wheels that rotate about a wheel axis and the at least two ground engaging wheels are transversely spaced from each other, wherein the wheel axis is at a first height relative to ground;
• a driveshaft for the ground engaging wheels located above the wheel axis at a greater second height relative to ground, wherein the driveshaft is coupled with the two ground engaging wheels to rotate the two wheels during operation of the walk-behind tractor;
• wherein the second height of the driveshaft being above the wheel axis is adapted to provide an increased ground clearance for the walk-behind tractor for plants to pass below the driveshaft between the two ground engaging wheels during operation of the walk-behind tractor;
• and
• a hitch with a flared opening adapted to permit an implement being towed by the walk-behind tractor to pivot within a bounded range of motion.

A walk-behind tractor comprising:

• at least two ground engaging wheels that rotate about a wheel axis and the at least two ground engaging wheels are transversely spaced from each other, wherein the wheel axis is at a first height relative to ground;
• a driveshaft for the ground engaging wheels located above the wheel axis at a greater second height relative to ground, wherein the driveshaft is coupled with the two ground engaging wheels to rotate the two wheels during operation of the walk-behind tractor;
• wherein the second height of the driveshaft being above the wheel axis is adapted to provide an increased ground clearance for the walk-behind tractor for plants to pass below the driveshaft between the two ground engaging wheels during operation of the walk-behind tractor;
• a transverse axis defined by the driveshaft;
• a wheel axis about which the first and second ground engaging wheels rotate, wherein the transverse axis of the driveshaft is parallel to and above the wheel axis;
• and a forward displacement of the driveshaft above the wheel axis, wherein the forward displacement is at an angle in a range from about 10 degrees to about 50 degrees.