# US 2016/0355221 A1 · Track assembly for farm implement

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- Number: US 2016/0355221 A1
- Document ID: US20160355221A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/243,517
- Filed: 2016-08-22
- Published: 2016-12-08
- Earliest claimed: 2014-04-02
- Assignees: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
- Applicants: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
- Inventors: Michael D. VAN MILL; Christopher M. SELF; John Walvatne
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160355221A1

## CPC

- B62D 55/305: {acting on pivotably mounted idlers}
- B60P 3/22: Tank vehicles ({vehicles convertible from transport of fluids to transport of other types of goods B60P3/426}; tank aspects B65D90/00, F17C)
- B62D 55/06: with tracks without ground wheels
- B62D 55/084: Endless-track units or carriages mounted separably, adjustably or extensibly on vehicles, e.g. portable track units (B62D55/07 takes precedence)
- B62D 55/0842: {Tracked vehicle with track carriages suspended on three points, e.g. by an equaliser bar}
- B62D 55/10: Bogies; Frames (track-tensioning means B62D55/30)
- B62D 55/104: Suspension devices for wheels, rollers, bogies or frames (vehicle suspension in general B60G)
- B62D 55/108: with mechanical springs, e.g. torsion bars
- B62D 55/112: with fluid springs, e.g. hydraulic pneumatic
- B62D 55/14: Arrangement, location, or adaptation of rollers
- B62D 55/15: Mounting devices, e.g. bushings, axles, bearings, sealings {(with lubrication means B62D55/092)}
- B62D 55/24: of continuously flexible type, e.g. rubber belts
- B62D 55/30: Track-tensioning means
- B60Y 2200/22: Agricultural vehicles
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)
- B60P: VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS (vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00)
- B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY

## Abstract

A mobile farm implement includes a track assembly with a plurality of arms that are pivotally coupled to support idler wheels and bogie wheels such that the track assembly is able to better conform to the terrain when the implement is towed behind a tractor or otherwise moved.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A farm implement comprising:
a frame;
a track assembly for assisting in moving the farm implement along a ground surface in a line of travel, wherein the track assembly includes:
a camber arm coupled to the frame;
a tilt arm coupled to the camber arm so as to be pivotable relative to the frame about a first axis parallel to the ground surface and perpendicular to the line of travel and pivotable relative to the camber arm about a second axis parallel to the line of travel;
a rear idler wheel coupled to the tilt arm;
a front idler wheel coupled to the tilt arm and positioned in front of the rear idler wheel along the line of travel;
an alignment arm pivotally coupled to one of said tidler wheels so as to allow the pivotally-coupled idler wheel to pivot about a third axis that is vertical relative to the tilt arm; and
a track belt looped around the front idler wheel and the rear idler wheel to make contact with the ground surface.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The farm implement of claim 1, further comprising:
a first bogie arm coupled to the tilt arm; and
a first bogie wheel coupled to the bogie arm between the front idler wheel and the rear idler wheel.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The farm implement of claim 2, wherein the bogie arm is movable relative to the tilt arm so as to allow the bogie wheel to move in a vertical direction relative to the tilt arm.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The farm implement of claim 3, wherein the first bogie wheel is rotatably mounted to the bogie arm at a first location and the first bogie arm is pivotally coupled to the tilt arm at a second location so as to allow the bogie wheel to move in a vertical direction relative to the tilt arm.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The farm implement of claim 4, wherein the first bogie arm is pivotally coupled at a third location to the alignment arm such that when the first bogie wheel is moved in a vertical direction relative to the tilt arm, the alignment arm and the pivotally-coupled idler wheel are moved in an opposite vertical direction relative to the tilt arm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The farm implement of claim 2, further comprising:
a second bogie arm coupled to the tilt arm; and
a second bogie wheel coupled to the second bogie arm between the first bogie wheel and the rear idler wheel along the line of travel.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The farm implement of claim 6, wherein the second bogie arm is movable relative to the tilt arm so as to allow the second bogie wheel to move in a vertical direction relative to the tilt arm.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The farm implement of claim 1, further comprising:
a tensioner arm operatively coupled to one of said idler wheels for moving the coupled idler wheels in a forward or rearward direction along the line of travel to increase or decrease the distance between the front idler wheel and the rear idler wheel.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The farm implement of claim 8, further comprising:
a first bogie arm coupled to the tilt arm;
a first bogie wheel coupled to the bogie arm between the front idler wheel and the rear idler wheel along the line of travel,
wherein the first bogie arm is movable relative to the tilt arm so as to allow the first bogie wheel to move in a vertical direction relative to the tilt arm, and
wherein the first bogie wheel is rotatably mounted to the first bogie arm at a first location and the first bogie arm is pivotally coupled to the tilt arm at a second location, and pivotally coupled to the tensioner arm at a third location such that when the first bogie wheel is moved in a vertical direction relative to the tilt arm, the tensioner arm and the idler wheel coupled to the tensioner arm are moved in an opposite vertical direction relative to the tilt arm.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The farm implement of claim 8, further comprising:
a shock absorber pivotally coupled to the tensioner arm at a first end and pivotally coupled to the tilt arm at a second end.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The farm implement of claim 10, wherein the shock absorber is in the form of a spring.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The farm implement of claim 10, wherein the shock absorber includes a hydraulic cylinder.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The farm implement of claim 1, further comprising:
a pivot stop coupled to the track assembly so as to limit the distance that the tilt arm can be pivoted about the first axis.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The farm implement of claim 13, wherein the tilt arm is coupled to the camber arm such that the tilt arm and the camber arm pivot together about the first axis, and wherein the pivot stop is mounted on the camber arm.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The farm implement of claim 14, wherein the frame includes a slot and the pivot stop is received within the slot.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The farm implement of claim 15, further comprising:
a suspension assembly, wherein the frame is coupled to the track assembly via the suspension assembly.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The farm implement of claim 16, wherein the suspension assembly includes a telescoping arm that allows the lateral distance between the track assembly and the frame to be adjusted.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The farm implement of claim 1, further comprising:
a second track assembly for assisting in moving the farm implement along a ground surface in a line of travel, the second track assembly including:
a second camber arm coupled to the frame;
a second elongate tilt arm coupled to the second camber arm so as to be pivotable relative to the frame about a first axis parallel to the ground surface and perpendicular to the line of travel and pivotable relative to the camber arm about a second axis parallel to the line of travel;
a second rear idler wheel coupled to the second tilt arm;
a second front idler wheel coupled to the second tilt arm and positioned in front of the second rear idler wheel along the line of travel;
a second alignment arm pivotally coupled to one of said second idler wheels so as to allow the second pivotally-coupled idler wheel to pivot about a third axis that is vertical relative to the second tilt arm; and
a second track belt looped around the second front idler wheel and the second rear idler wheel to make contact with the ground surface
wherein the first track assembly and the second track assembly are positioned on opposite lateral sides of the frame and independently pivotable relative to the frame.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The farm implement of claim 1, further comprising:
a hitch coupled to the frame so as to allow the farm implement to be towed in the line of travel; and a tank supported by the frame and configured to hold agricultural chemicals.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The farm implement of claim 1, further comprising:
a hitch coupled to the frame so as to allow the farm implement to be towed in the line of travel; and a hopper supported by the frame and configured to receive and store granular agricultural material.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

The farm implement of claim 1, wherein the tilt arm is elongate, having a first end and a second end.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The farm implement of claim 21, wherein the camber arm is U-shaped, with a pair of upright portions extending upwardly from a generally horizontal base portion and located between the first end and second end of the tilt arm.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The farm implement of claim 22, wherein the second axis extends through the base portion of the camber arm.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The farm implement of claim 23, wherein the first axis extends through the pair of upright portions of the camber arm.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The farm implement of claim 24, wherein the second pivot axis is under the first pivot axis.

### Claim 26 (depends on 21)

The farm implement of claim 21, wherein the camber arm is pivotable relative to the frame about the first axis.

### Claim 27 (depends on 1)

The farm implement of claim 1, further comprising:
a tensioner arm operatively coupled to one of said idler wheels for moving the coupled idler wheel in a forward or rearward direction along the line of travel to increase or decrease the distance between the front idler wheel and the rear idler wheel.

### Claim 28 (depends on 21)

The farm implement of claim 21, wherein the camber arm sits within an opening formed in the tilt arm, wherein the second pivot axis is in the same plane as the first pivot axis.

### Claim 29 (depends on 6)

The farm implement of claim 6, further comprising:
a third bogie arm coupled to the tilt arm; and
a third bogie wheel coupled to the third bogie arm between the first bogie wheel and the second bogie wheel along the line of travel.

### Claim 30 (depends on 29)

The farm implement of claim 29, wherein the third bogie arm is movable relative to the tilt arm so as to allow the third bogie wheel to move in a vertical direction relative to the tilt arm.

### Claim 31 (depends on 29)

The farm implement of claim 29, further comprising:
a fourth bogie arm coupled to the tilt arm; and
a fourth bogie wheel coupled to the fourth bogie arm between the first bogie wheel and the third bogie wheel along the line of travel.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

The farm implement of claim 31, wherein the fourth bogie arm is movable relative to the tilt arm so as to allow the fourth bogie wheel to move in a vertical direction relative to the tilt arm.

### Claim 33 (depends on 1)

The farm implement of claim 1, further comprising an elastic member connected between the camber arm and the tilt arm.