Tractor stand

A tractor stand for supporting a front end of a tractor when the tractor is split, the stand comprising:

• a pair of stand assemblies positionable on opposite sides of the tractor;
• wherein each stand assembly comprises:
• a wheel,
• an axle extending outwardly from a center of the wheel,
• a first arm pivotally coupled to the axle at a first end of the first arm, the first arm being pivotally couplable to the tractor at a second end of the first arm, the first arm having a length such that the first arm extends towards a rear of the tractor at an angle between 10 and 40 degrees when the first arm is coupled to the tractor and the wheel rests on a ground surface,
• a second arm pivotally coupled to the axle at a first end of the second arm, and
• an adjustable tension means adapted for coupling a second end of the second arm to a front portion of the tractor;
• a connecting bar for positioning between the stand assemblies, the axle of each stand assembly being insertable into opposite ends of the connecting bar such that the wheels are substantially aligned;
• wherein the tension means comprises:
• a threaded collar coupled to the second end of the second arm,
• a threaded bar, a first end of the threaded bar being extended through the threaded collar such that the threads of the threaded bar engage the threads of the collar,
• a handle assembly for facilitating rotation of the threaded bar, the handle assembly being fixedly attached to a second end of the threaded bar opposite the first end for rotating the threaded bar such that a distance between the second end of the threaded bar and the collar is adjustable by rotating the threaded bar, and
• a tractor engagement means adapted for coupling to a front portion of the tractor, the tractor engagement means being coupled the handle assembly;
• wherein the tractor engagement means is a chain having a first end coupled to a loop member, the loop member being coupled to the handle assembly such that the loop member can rotate freely with respect to the handle assembly such that the chain is not twisted when the handle assembly is rotated;
• the chain having a hook coupled to a second end of the chain, the hook being for engaging a selectable link of the chain such that the chain forms a loop, the loop being adapted for positioning around a front portion of the tractor such that the first arm is prevented from pivoting towards the rear of the tractor when the tractor is split, whereby the weight of the front of the tractor is supported by the stand assembly;
• wherein the first arm includes an elongate member and a substantially planar member extending outwardly from a side of the top of the elongate member such that the planar member is adapted for abutting a side of the tractor, the planar member having a plurality of apertures therethrough such that the planar member is adapted for pivotally coupling to an existing bolt receiver of the tractor;
• wherein the apertures in the planar member are arranged in spaced relationship to each other along a line substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first arm;
• wherein the handle assembly includes a generally rectangular member;
• wherein the threaded bar is fixedly coupled to a first wall of the rectangular member;
• and
• wherein the loop member is coupled to a second wall of the rectangular member such that the loop member has a longitudinal axis substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the threaded bar;
• wherein the handle assembly further includes an elongate handle slidably extending through aligned apertures in the third and fourth walls of the rectangular member such that the handle protrudes outwardly of opposite sides of the rectangular member;
• and
• wherein the handle includes end portions larger than the apertures in the third and fourth walls of the rectangular member such that each end of the handle is prevented from passing through the nearest aperture whereby the handle is slidably coupled to the rectangular member.

A method of splitting a tractor, the steps of the method comprising:

• providing a connecting bar and a pair of stand assemblies, wherein each stand assembly includes a wheel, an axle extending outwardly from a center of the wheel, a first arm pivotally coupled to the axle at a first end of the first arm, a second arm pivotally coupled to the axle at a first end of the second arm, and an adjustable tension means adapted for coupling a second end of the second arm to a front portion of the tractor;
• coupling one of the first arms of the stand assemblies to a side of the tractor at a second end of the first arm such that the first arm extends towards a rear of the tractor at an angle between 10 and 40 degrees when the first arm is coupled to the tractor and the wheel rests on a around surface;
• inserting each axle into opposite ends of the connecting bar such that the wheels are substantially aligned by the connecting bar;
• coupling the other of the first arms to an opposite side of the tractor;
• coupling each tension means to a front portion of the tractor such that each second arm is coupled to the front portion of the tractor;
• adjusting each tension means such that each first arm is prevented from pivoting towards the rear of the tractor;
• and
• splitting the tractor.

A stand for supporting a front end of a tractor when the tractor is split, the stand comprising:

• a pair of stand assemblies positionable on opposite sides of the tractor;
• wherein each stand assembly comprises:
• a wheel,
• an axle extending from the wheel,
• a first arm, the first arm being couplable to the tractor,
• a second arm, and
• a tension means adapted for coupling the second arm to a front portion of the tractor;
• a connecting bar for positioning between the stand assemblies, the axle of each stand assembly being couplable to opposite ends of the connecting bar such that the wheels are substantially aligned;
• an attachment angle structured to have a respective hole on each of a pair of flanges of the attachment angle, the attachment angle being for pivotally coupling to a distal end of the first arm such that the first arm is adaptable for attachment to an oil pan of a frameless tractor;
• and
• wherein each first arm includes a medial aperture for coupling the attachment angle thereto when the attachment angle is not in use.