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US 12,178,154 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for mounting a flail mower
AssigneeVenture Products, Inc.
InventorsMichael S. Hoffman, Corey Gerber
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for attaching a forward-mounted implement that may allow pivotal movement of the implement around a longitudinal axis to better maintain proper operational height when operating on uneven or sloped terrain. Further provided, the attachment mechanism of the present disclosure may allow for a secure and safe attachment to an associated tractor or other similar vehicle while simultaneously providing for a reduced production cost and less maintenance requirements.
Claims24
An attachment frame for a tractor mounted implement comprising:
- a first side member operable to connect to a frame of a tractor;
- a second side member spaced laterally apart from the first side member operable to connect to the frame of the tractor;
- a first cross member disposed between the first and second side members;
- and
- a second cross member forward of and connected to the first cross member operable to connect an implement to the first cross member, wherein the second cross member and the implement are rotatable relative to the first cross member about a longitudinal axis defined by a longitudinal centerline of the attachment frame.
2 more elements
A method of maintaining a level orientation of an implement relative to a ground surface comprising:
- traversing a ground surface in a first condition with a tractor carrying an implement thereon;
- traversing the ground surface in a second condition with the tractor and implement;
- rotating the implement about a longitudinal axis defined by a centerline of an attachment frame connecting the implement to the tractor from a first position wherein the implement is generally horizontal relative to a cross member of the attachment frame to a second position wherein the implement is angled relative to the cross member of the attachment frame in response to the change of the ground surface from the first condition to the second condition;
- and
- biasing the implement back to the first position with a spring assembly when the level of the ground surface reverts to the first condition;
- wherein the spring assembly is entirely placed on a single side of the attachment frame relative to the centerline of the attachment frame.
3 more elements
An attachment frame for a tractor mounted implement comprising:
- a first side member operable to connect to a frame of a tractor;
- a second side member spaced laterally apart from the first side member operable to connect to the frame of the tractor;
- a first cross member disposed between the first and second side members;
- a second cross member operable to connect an implement to the first cross member;
- and
- at least one pivot assembly connecting the first cross member and the second cross member with one another, the at least one pivot assembly comprises:
- a pivot linkage connected to the first cross member on a first end thereof;
- a pivot ball carried by the pivot linkage at a second end thereof;
- and
- at least one pivot bolt operable to connect the pivot ball and second end of the pivot linkage to the second cross member.
7 more elements
An attachment frame for a tractor mounted implement comprising:
- a first side member operable to connect to a frame of a tractor;
- a second side member spaced laterally apart from the first side member operable to connect to the frame of the tractor;
- a first cross member disposed between the first and second side members;
- a second cross member forward of and connected to the first cross member operable to connect an implement to the first cross member, wherein the second cross member and the implement are rotatable relative to the first cross member about a longitudinal axis defined by a longitudinal centerline of the attachment frame;
- and
- a spring assembly carried by the second cross member and placed on a single side of the attachment frame relative to the longitudinal centerline of the attachment frame, wherein the spring assembly is operable to bias the second cross member into a horizontal position that is substantially parallel to the first cross member.
3 more elements
An attachment frame for a tractor mounted implement comprising:
- a first side member having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end and being operable to connect to a frame of a tractor;
- a second side member spaced laterally apart from the first side member, the second side member having a third end and a fourth end opposite to the third end and being operable to connect to the frame of the tractor;
- a first cross member disposed between the first and second side members;
- and
- a second cross member forward of and connected to the first cross member operable to connect an implement to the first cross member, wherein the second cross member and the implement are rotatable relative to the first cross member about a longitudinal axis defined by a longitudinal centerline of the attachment frame;
- wherein the second end of the first side member and the fourth end of the second side member are rearward of the first cross member and the second cross member.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.