US 8,342,255 B2Granted

Steerable agricultural implement with equalized steering effort

AssigneeCNH America LLC

InventorsMichael J. Connors, Brian Anderson, Marvin A. Prickel, Leonard A. Bettin

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An agricultural implement is provided that includes a hitch assembly configured to couple the agricultural implement to a tow vehicle, and a carrier frame pivotally coupled to the hitch assembly. The agricultural implement also includes a pair of wheel assemblies each rotatably coupled to the carrier frame by a respective pivot joint. The agricultural implement further includes an actuator assembly configured to rotate each wheel assembly about the respective pivot joint in a first direction by applying a first torque, and to rotate each wheel assembly about the respective pivot joint in a second direction, opposite the first direction, by applying a second torque. A magnitude of the first torque and a magnitude of the second torque are substantially equal.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An agricultural implement, comprising:

a hitch assembly configured to couple the agricultural implement to a tow vehicle;
a carrier frame coupled to the hitch assembly;
first and second wheel assemblies each rotatably coupled to the carrier frame by a respective pivot joint;
at least one actuator configured to rotate the wheel assemblies about the respective pivot joints in a first direction by applying a first torque, and to rotate the wheel assemblies about the respective pivot joints in a second direction, opposite the first direction, by applying a second torque, wherein a magnitude of the first torque and a magnitude of the second torque are substantially equal, wherein the at least one actuator comprises a first actuator coupled to the first wheel assembly, and a second actuator coupled to the second wheel assembly;
a tie rod extending between the first wheel assembly and the second wheel assembly, wherein the tie rod is configured to transfer torque between the pair of wheel assemblies, and wherein the tie rod and the at least one actuator are coupled to a first side of each wheel assembly forward of the respective pivot joint along a direction of travel;
and
at least one wheel rotatably coupled to a second side of each wheel assembly, opposite the first side, rearward of the respective pivot joint along the direction of travel.

4 more elements

An agricultural implement, comprising:

a hitch assembly configured to couple the agricultural implement to a tow vehicle;
a carrier frame pivotally coupled to the hitch assembly;
a first wheel assembly rotatably coupled to the carrier frame by a first pivot joint;
a first hydraulic cylinder extending between the first wheel assembly and the carrier frame, wherein the first hydraulic cylinder is configured to rotate the first wheel assembly about the first pivot joint;
a second wheel assembly rotatably coupled to the carrier frame by a second pivot joint;
a second hydraulic cylinder extending between the second wheel assembly and the carrier frame, wherein the second hydraulic cylinder is configured to rotate the second wheel assembly about the second pivot joint;
a tie rod extending between the first wheel assembly and the second wheel assembly, wherein the tie rod is configured to transfer torque between the wheel assemblies, and wherein the tie rod and the first hydraulic cylinder are coupled to a first side of the first wheel assembly forward of the first pivot joint along a direction of travel, and the tie rod and the second hydraulic cylinder are coupled to a first side of the second wheel assembly forward of the second pivot joint along the direction of travel;
and
at least one wheel rotatably coupled to a second side of the first wheel assembly, opposite the first side, rearward of the first pivot joint along the direction of travel, and at least one wheel rotatably coupled to a second side of the second wheel assembly, opposite the first side, rearward of the second pivot joint along the direction of travel.

6 more elements

An agricultural implement, comprising:

a hitch assembly configured to couple the agricultural implement to a tow vehicle;
a carrier frame pivotally coupled to the hitch assembly;
a first wheel assembly rotatably coupled to the carrier frame by a first pivot joint;
a first actuator configured to rotate the first wheel assembly about the first pivot joint in a first direction and a second direction;
a second wheel assembly rotatably coupled to the carrier frame by a second pivot joint;
a second actuator configured to rotate the second wheel assembly about the second pivot joint in the first direction and the second direction, wherein the first and second actuators apply a first aggregate torque in the first direction and a second aggregate torque in the second direction, and wherein the first and second aggregate torques are substantially equal;
a tie rod extending between the first wheel assembly and the second wheel assembly, wherein the tie rod is configured to transfer torque between the wheel assemblies, and wherein the tie rod and the first actuator are coupled to a first side of the first wheel assembly forward of the first pivot joint along a direction of travel, and the tie rod and the second actuator are coupled to a first side of the second wheel assembly forward of the second pivot joint along the direction of travel;
and
at least one wheel rotatably coupled to a second side of the first wheel assembly, opposite the first side, rearward of the first pivot joint along the direction of travel, and at least one wheel rotatably coupled to a second side of the second wheel assembly, opposite the first side, rearward of the second pivot joint along the direction of travel.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/608,453Filed 29 Oct 2009
Published: US 2011/0100657 A15 May 2011
Granted: 1 Jan 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

B62D 13/00
Steering specially adapted for trailers
A01B 63/006
Devices for adjusting or regulating the position of tools or wheels: lateral adjustment of wheels
A01B 63/16
For implements drawn by animals or tractors: with wheels adjustable relatively to the frame
A01B 73/00
Means or arrangements to facilitate transportation of agricultural machines or implements