Hydraulically adjustable tie-rod for an agricultural vehicle with an adjustable axle
AssigneeAg-Chem Equipment Co., Inc.
InventorRoger L. Larson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A variable tie-rod assembly for a steering wheel structure of a row crop applicator. The tie-rod assembly can be adjusted and secured in any position between a minimum and maximum track setting. Thus, a selectively variable track width is provided. Toe-in settings are maintained by implementing a dual-cam arrangement with a locking pin to maintain the steering structure in a forward direction during track width adjustment procedures. The track width setting can be adjusted without the operator ever having to leave the cab of the row crop applicator, wherein the track width can be visually ascertained by observing indicia on the telescoping wheel structure.
Claims15
A vehicle, comprising:
- (a) a chassis;
- (b) a steerable axle assembly coupled to said chassis and having a variable steering position for steering said vehicle, said steerable axle assembly being extendable in a longitudinal direction between a first and second position;
- (c) tie-rod means coupled to said axle assembly for maintaining a toe-in relationship of said steerable axle assembly, said tie-rod means having means for adjusting a length of said tie-rod means in the longitudinal direction as said steerable axle assembly is extended from said first to said second position;
- (d) drive means coupled to said steerable axle assembly for extending said axle assembly in the longitudinal direction between said first and second position;
- and
- (e) locking means for selectively locking said steerable axle assembly in a fixed first steering position as said steerable axle assembly is extended.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.