Self-propelled reversible irrigation machine
OwnerHubert Tidwellinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Oppositely turning continuously driven front and rear traction wheels are carried on a common frame which is rockable on a transverse axis with respect to wide stance carriage wheels. A hose reel located centrally on the rockable frame is driven in rotation about a vertical axis by a power take-off from the drive of the traction wheels. A reversing weight is held by gravity in a first operative position to depress one traction wheel while elevating the other traction wheel. Following contact with an obstruction, the weight is dislodged and slides to a second operative position for depressing the other traction wheel and elevating the previously depressed traction wheel.
Claims6
An irrigation machine comprising a wide stance carriage means, a rockable support frame on the carriage means extending forwardly and rearwardly of a transverse rocker axis on the carriage means, front and rear traction wheels on the rockable support frame on opposite sides of said rocker axis, power drive means on said support frame to drive both of the traction wheels in unison and in opposite directions, irrigation water delivery means on the support frame adapted for connection with a stationary source of water, an inclined front-to-rear track element on the support frame extending forwardly and rearwardly of said rocker axis, and a reversing weight engaged with the track element and adapted to travel rearwardly therealong under the influence of gravity following engagement of the weight with an abutment in the path of movement of the weight when the machine is traveling in one direction, the track element including a weight retaining portion near the forward end of the rockable support frame causing the weight to depress the front traction wheel of the machine and elevate the rear traction wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.