Adjustable height device for high clearance vehicle
AssigneeAGCO Corporation
InventorsVijay W. Motebennur, James Slawson, John Buchena
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A self-propelled, dirigible agricultural vehicle includes a height-adjustable chassis with an axle and a driven wheel hub. The axle is shiftable between a normal clearance position above the wheel hub and a relatively higher elevated clearance position. The chassis further includes a kingpin and a spacer section that is removably connectable to the kingpin. The axle is in the normal clearance position when the spacer is removed from the kingpin and is in the elevated clearance position when the spacer is connected to the kingpin.
Claims19
In a self-propelled, dirigible agricultural vehicle, a height-adjustable chassis comprising:
- an axle and a driven wheel hub, with the axle being shiftable between a normal clearance position above the wheel hub and a relatively higher elevated clearance position;
- a kingpin presenting opposite upper and lower ends,
- said kingpin being attached relative to the wheel hub adjacent the lower end,
- said kingpin being attached relative to the axle adjacent the upper end,
- said kingpin being rotatable relative to the axle about an upright kingpin axis so that the wheel hub swings as the kingpin rotates;
- a steering mechanism coupled between the axle and wheel hub to effect swinging of the wheel hub;
- and
- a spacer section removably connectable to the kingpin between the axle and the wheel hub, with the axle being in the normal clearance position when the spacer is removed and in the elevated clearance position when the spacer is connected between the axle and the wheel hub, and with the steering mechanism being operable to swing the wheel hub when the axle is in either of the positions.
An axle pivot kit operable to adjust the clearance between an axle and a driven wheel hub of a chassis of a self-propelled, dirigible agricultural vehicle, with the chassis including a removable original equipment kingpin pivotally mounted within a portion of the axle to maintain the axle in a normal clearance position above the wheel hub and further including a steering mechanism coupled between the axle and wheel hub to effect swinging of the wheel hub, said kit comprising:
- a replacement kingpin presenting opposite upper and lower ends, with the replacement kingpin operable to be attached relative to the wheel hub adjacent the lower end and operable to be attached relative to the axle adjacent the upper end,
- said replacement kingpin serving to replace the original equipment kingpin once the latter is removed, and being relatively longer than the original equipment kingpin,
- said replacement kingpin being rotatable relative to the axle about an upright kingpin axis so that the wheel hub swings as the replacement kingpin rotates;
- and
- a spacer section removably connectable to the replacement kingpin between the axle and the wheel hub,
- said spacer section removably coupled to the kingpin above the lower end and operable to engage the axle to locate the axle in an elevated clearance position, with the steering mechanism being operable to swing the wheel hub in either of the positions.
A method of adjusting the clearance between an axle and a driven wheel hub of a chassis of a self-propelled, dirigible agricultural vehicle, with the chassis including a removable original equipment kingpin attached relative to an axle housing and the wheel hub and being rotatable about an upright kingpin axis so that the wheel hub swings as the kingpin rotates, and with the original equipment kingpin maintaining the axle in a normal clearance position above the wheel hub, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) inserting a replacement kingpin in the place of the original equipment kingpin between the axle and wheel hub along the kingpin axis;
- and
- (b) mounting a spacer section into engagement with the axle housing, with the spacer section maintaining the axle in an elevated clearance position located above the normal clearance position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.