Drawbar assembly for a motor grader

A method of manufacturing a drawbar assembly for a motor grader, the method comprising:

• providing a first frame member that defines a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end along a first longitudinal axis, the first frame member including:
• a first base member extending along the first longitudinal axis between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end, and
• a first mating portion at the first longitudinal end and bent away relative to the first base member to extend transversely relative to the first longitudinal axis;
• providing a second frame member that defines a third longitudinal end and a fourth longitudinal end along a second longitudinal axis, the second frame member including:
• a second base member extending along the second longitudinal axis between the third longitudinal end and the fourth longitudinal end, and
• a second mating portion at the third longitudinal end and bent away relative to the second base member to extend transversely relative to the second longitudinal axis;
• aligning the first mating portion of the first frame member and the second mating portion of the second frame member such that the first longitudinal axis aligns with the second longitudinal axis to define a longitudinal axis of the drawbar assembly;
• and
• joining the first mating portion to the second mating portion to form a connection joint therebetween, facilitating the first frame member and the second frame member to together support a circle assembly of the motor grader thereunder.

A motor grader comprising:

• a main frame;
• a circle assembly supporting an implement of the motor grader;
• and
• a drawbar assembly being supported and disposed underneath the main frame, the drawbar assembly defining a longitudinal axis and including:
• a first frame member defining a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end along the longitudinal axis, the first frame member including:
• a first base member extending along the longitudinal axis between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end, and
• a first mating portion at the first longitudinal end and bent away relative to the first base member to extend transversely relative to the longitudinal axis;
• and
• a second frame member defining a third longitudinal end and a fourth longitudinal end along the longitudinal axis, the second frame member including:
• a second base member extending along the longitudinal axis between the third longitudinal end and the fourth longitudinal end, and
• a second mating portion at the third longitudinal end and bent away relative to the second base member to extend transversely relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the second mating portion is joined to the first mating portion to form a connection joint therebetween;
• and
• a mounting member coupled to the circle assembly and being attached underneath the first frame member and the second frame member.