Flotation drive wheel for a self-propelled irrigation system
OwnerLynn W. Mettenbrinkinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flotation drive wheel is provided for a self-propelled irrigation system such as a center pivot irrigation system, a linear irrigation system or a corner irrigation system. The flotation drive wheel of this invention comprises a hub portion which is directly attached to an associated gearbox of the conventional drive tower. A metal band or plate is welded to the outer periphery of the hub portion of the wheel with a plurality of pivotal flotation shoes being attached to the band or plate. The pivotal shoes include structure for preventing soil from being pushed laterally of the flotation wheel and from being pushed forwardly from the drive wheel. The flotation wheel of this invention substantially eliminates the creation of wheel ruts or tracks.
Claims14
A flotation drive wheel for a self-propelled irrigation system, comprising:
- a circular hub portion having opposite sides and an outer peripheral portion;
- a ring-shaped band having inner and outer surfaces, secured to said outer peripheral portion so as to extend laterally from both sides thereof;
- a plurality of generally rectangular shoes;
- each of said shoes having a flat base portion with inner and outer surfaces, first and second ends, and first and second sides;
- each of said shoes being pivotally secured intermediate its length to said band about a horizontal axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive wheel;
- said shoes being secured to said band in a radially-spaced manner;
- each of said shoes having a first inverted V-shaped angle member secured to said outer surface of said base portion at said first end thereof which extends between said first and second sides of said base portion;
- each of said shoes having a second inverted V-shaped angle member secured to said outer surface of said base portion at said second end thereof which extends between said first and second sides of said base portion;
- each of said shoes having a third inverted V-shaped angle member secured to said outer surface of said base portion between said first and second angle members;
- said third inverted V-shaped angle member extending between said first and second sides of said base portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.