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US 4,383,590 AGranted
Articulated tractor having power units in tandem
OwnerCornelis van der Lelyinventor
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OwnerCornelis van der Lelyinventor
Estimating the term…
A tractor having two power units supported on respective frame portions which are pivotably connected in tandem, each power unit operatively connected to its respective fore or after axle which respectively mounts four or six wheels. The frame portions supporting the power units are joined between the fore and aft axles by vertical and horizontal solid steel pivotable shafts so as to be pivotable within limits about both a vertical axis and a horizontal axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the tractor. Hydraulic piston and cylinder units extending from the frame portion of one power unit to the other on either side of the vertical pivotable shaft provide steering from controls located in a cabin suspended by an inverted "U" structure included in the frame portion of the after power unit. Both power units are provided with large capacity fuel tanks which extend transversely above each set of wheels and have a configuration whereby they function as fenders or mudguards. The forward tank extends to the rear of the forward set of wheels and includes a transverse steel plate which strengthens the tank and adds to its weight whereby the center of gravity of the forward power unit is to the rear of the forward axle and forward of the vertical axes for the vertical pivotable shaft.
A tractor comprising two power units which are, in plan view, mounted one behind the other when the tractor is driving along a straight line which coincides with a vertical plane containing the longitudinal centerline of the tractor, said power units comprising two fuel tanks, one said tank in each said power unit, said tank of the front of said power units being mounted, as seen in plan view, proximate an engine which is included in said front power unit and extending laterally relative to at least one side of said engine whereby said front fuel tank has a width measured in a direction transverse to said straight line which is greater than its length measured along said line and is substantially greater than a further width measured in said transverse direction of said engine of said front power unit, said engine of said front power unit containing the longitudinal centerline of the tractor, each of said power units being supported by a wheel axle with ground engaging wheels on each side of the tractor mounted thereon, each said axle having a width substantially the same as said front fuel tank, the engine included in said rear power unit being located directly behind said engine of said front power unit and both said engines being intersected by said vertical plane, each of said power units being non-pivotally connected to its said corresponding wheel axle, each said engine being secured to an associated frame portion and said frame portions being immovably connected to a said corresponding wheel axle, associated parts of each said engine including cooling means, a clutch, torque conversion means with a differential, with which mechanisms it forms at least part of its corresponding said power unit, each said engine being arranged to drive a separate set of ground engaging wheels, one of said engines being arranged to drive only wheels arranged on the front said axle and the other said engine being arranged to drive only wheels arranged on the rear said axle, the center of gravity of said one power unit, with respect to the intended direction of straight forward travel of the tractor being located between the front said axle and an articulation having a substantially vertical axis located between said power units.
A tractor for extended agricultural operations at locations remote from its sources of supply which comprises:
A tractor for extended agricultural operations at locations remote from its sources of supply which comprises two power units which are, in plan view, mounted one behind the other when the tractor is driving along a straight line which coincides with a vertical plane containing the longitudinal centerline of the tractor, said power units comprising two fuel tanks, one said tank in each said power unit, said tank of the front of said power units being mounted, as seen in plan view, proximate an engine which is included in said front power unit and extending laterally relative to at least one side of said engine whereby said front fuel tank has a width measured in a direction transverse to said straight line which is greater than its length measured along said line and is substantially greater than a further width measured in said transverse direction of said engine of said front power unit, said engine of said front power unit containing the longitudinal centerline of the tractor, said fuel tank of said forward power unit being disposed substantially behind said wheel axle supporting said forward power unit with respect to the intended direction of straight forward travel of the tractor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.