Dual stage lift system for a snow wing
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsBruce Raymond Vahling, Benjamin J. Kovalick, Nathaniel Keith Harshman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In some implementations, a lift assembly for a moldboard of a snow wing assembly of a motor grader may include a first lifting mechanism mechanically coupled to an undercarriage assembly of the motor grader. The first lifting mechanism may be configured to lift the moldboard of the snow wing assembly a first portion of a bench height associated with the moldboard. The lift assembly may include a second lifting mechanism mechanically coupled to the first lifting mechanism and the moldboard. The second lifting mechanism may be configured to lift the moldboard of the snow wing assembly a second portion of the bench height associated with the moldboard.
Claims20
A lift assembly for a moldboard of a snow wing assembly of a motor grader, comprising:
- a first lifting mechanism mechanically coupled to an undercarriage assembly of the motor grader, wherein the first lifting mechanism is configured to lift the moldboard of the snow wing assembly to a first portion of a bench height associated with the moldboard;
- and
- a second lifting mechanism mechanically coupled to the first lifting mechanism and the moldboard, wherein the second lifting mechanism is configured to lift the moldboard of the snow wing assembly a second portion of the bench height associated with the moldboard, wherein the second lifting mechanism comprises at least one of:
- a curved member, connected to the first lifting mechanism and a plate of a hinge slidably coupled to a bar, to lift the moldboard,
- a collar, slidably mounted about the hinge, configured to contact an upper plate or a lower plate, of the hinge, to cause the hinge to slide along the bar to lift the moldboard, or
- a first hydraulic cylinder, mounted within a vertical member of the first lifting mechanism or a mast of the second lifting mechanism, including a rod coupled to the hinge to lift the moldboard.
A snow wing assembly, comprising:
- a moldboard;
- and
- a lifting assembly configured to lift the moldboard to a bench height, wherein the lifting assembly includes:
- a four-bar linkage coupled to an undercarriage assembly of a vehicle, wherein the four-bar linkage is configured to lift the moldboard to a first portion of the bench height via a first hydraulic cylinder associated with the four-bar linkage;
- and
- a lifting mechanism coupled to the four-bar linkage and the moldboard, wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to lift the moldboard to a second portion of the bench height, and wherein the lifting mechanism comprises at least one of:
- a curved member, connected to the four-bar linkage and a plate of a hinge slidably coupled to a bar, to lift the moldboard,
- a collar, slidably mounted about the hinge, configured to contact an upper plate or a lower plate, of the hinge, to cause the hinge to slide along the bar to lift the moldboard, or
- a second hydraulic cylinder, mounted within a vertical member of the four-bar linkage or a mast of the lifting mechanism, including a rod coupled to the hinge to lift the moldboard.
A motor grader, comprising:
- a snow wing assembly including a moldboard;
- and
- a lifting assembly for lifting the moldboard to a bench height, wherein the lifting assembly is coupled to an undercarriage assembly of the motor grader, and wherein the lifting assembly includes:
- a first lifting mechanism mechanically coupled to the undercarriage assembly, wherein the first lifting mechanism is configured to lift the moldboard of the snow wing assembly to a first portion of the bench height;
- and
- a second lifting mechanism mechanically coupled to the first lifting mechanism and the moldboard, wherein the second lifting mechanism is configured to lift the moldboard of the snow wing assembly to a second portion of the bench height, and wherein the second lifting mechanism comprises at least one of:
- a curved member, connected to the first lifting mechanism and a plate of a hinge slidably coupled to a bar, to lift the moldboard,
- a collar, slidably mounted about the hinge, configured to contact an upper plate or a lower plate, of the hinge, to cause the hinge to slide along the bar to lift the moldboard, or
- a first hydraulic cylinder, mounted within a first vertical member of the first lifting mechanism or a mast of the second lifting mechanism, including a rod coupled to lift the moldboard.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.