Windrower rear axle suspension system
AssigneeCNH America LLC
InventorsKenneth W. McLean, Donald L. Osborne, David M. DeChristopher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A suspension system for the rear axle of a self-propelled agricultural windrower. The axle is split into two components, each having an air spring to absorb shocks. The two air springs are interconnected by a tube to equalize the internal pressure. A pair of pins can be inserted through the respective axle components and a structural member of the tractor to fix the components relative to the unit structure, thereby incapacitating the suspension and permitting effective steering of the tractor in the absence of a header.
Claims20
An agricultural windrower with a longitudinal axis extending between front and opposing rear ends, front and rear wheel pairs supporting a main frame, an engine and drive system supported by said main frame to supply motive power to said front wheel pair, said main frame adapted to support a removable crop-engaging header on said front end thereof, and a rear axle suspension system comprising:
- a transverse member forming part of said main frame and located near said rear end of said windrower;
- first and second suspension members, generally mirror images of each other, each said suspension member having an elongate axle member with first and second opposing ends, said first end vertically pivotably affixed to said transverse member about an axis generally parallel to and adjacent a vertical plane through said longitudinal axis;
- said second end of each said axle member connected to a depending tailfork, said tailfork freely rotatable about a generally vertical axis and supported by one of said wheels making up said rear wheel pair;
- first and second adjustable shock-absorbing units, said first and second shock-absorbing units interconnecting said respective first and second axle members and said main frame;
- and
- mechanisms for selectively locking said axle members in fixed relation to said transverse member, such that said first and second axle members are selectively, independently vertically movable relative to said main frame.
In an agricultural self-propelled windrower with a longitudinal axis extending between front and opposing rear ends, front and rear wheel pairs supporting a main frame, an engine and drive system supported by said main frame to supply motive power to said front wheel pair, said main frame adapted to support a removable crop-engaging header on said front end there, of and a rear axle suspension system, the improvement Comprising:
- a transverse member forming part of said main frame and located near said rear end of said windrower;
- first and second suspension members, generally mirror images of each other, each said suspension member having an elongate axle member with first and second opposing ends, said first end vertically pivotably affixed to said transverse member about an axis generally parallel to and adjacent a veritical plane through said longitudinal axis;
- said second end of each said axle member connected to a depending tailfork, said tailfork freely rotatable about a generally vertical axis and supported by one of said wheels making up said rear wheel pair;
- first and second adjustable shock-absorbing units, said first and second shock-absorbing units interconnecting said respective first and second axle members and said main frame;
- and
- mechanisms for selectively locking said axle members in fixed relation to said transverse member, such that said first and second axle members are selectively, independently vertically movable relative to said main frame.
An agricultural self-propelled implement comprising:
- a main frame with a longitudinal axis extending between front and opposing rear ends;
- front and rear wheel pairs supporting said main frame;
- a source of motive power supported by said main frame;
- said main frame adapted to support a removable crop-engaging header on said front end thereof;
- a rear axle suspension system comprising:
- a transverse member forming part of said main frame and located near said rear end of stud windrower;
- first and second suspension members, genarally mirror images of each other, each said suspension member having an elongate axle member with first and second onposing ends, said first end vertically pivotably affixed to said transverse member about an axis generally parallel to and adjacent a vertical plane through said longitudinal axis;
- said second end of each said axle member connected to a depending tailfork, said tailfork freely rotatable about a genarally vertical axis and supported by one of said wheels making up said rear wheel pair;
- first and second adjustable shock-absorbing units, said first and second shock-absorbing units interconnecting said respective first and second axle members and said main frame;
- and
- mechanisms for selectively locking said axle members in fixed relation to said transverse member, such that said first and second axle members are selectively, independently vertically movable relative to said main frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.