CA1256474A - Track conversion unit for wheel-driven tractor - Google Patents
Track conversion unit for wheel-driven tractorInfo
- Publication number
- CA1256474A CA1256474A CA000550632A CA550632A CA1256474A CA 1256474 A CA1256474 A CA 1256474A CA 000550632 A CA000550632 A CA 000550632A CA 550632 A CA550632 A CA 550632A CA 1256474 A CA1256474 A CA 1256474A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- wheel
- wheels
- track
- tractor
- pair
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
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- Guiding Agricultural Machines (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The disclosure herein describes a conversion unit for converting a wheel-driven tractor having a pair of front steering wheels and a pair of rear driving wheels, to a track-propelled vehicle; the unit includes a front assembly which is adapted to be mounted in replacement of the front axle of the tractor and includes a transverse beam, to each end of which is mounted a tandem-wheel arrangement. The latter consists of a pair of telescopically-engaged wheel supports having a tensioning device for maintaining the track over the frontmost wheel of the tandem and the rear driving wheel. Two rows of longitudinally-spaced guides are secured to the inner face of the track to confine the wheels within the track and, also, to engage lateral tread projections of the driving wheel to thereby drive the track. The width of each wheel is the same so as to be guided within the space separating the rows of guides.
The disclosure herein describes a conversion unit for converting a wheel-driven tractor having a pair of front steering wheels and a pair of rear driving wheels, to a track-propelled vehicle; the unit includes a front assembly which is adapted to be mounted in replacement of the front axle of the tractor and includes a transverse beam, to each end of which is mounted a tandem-wheel arrangement. The latter consists of a pair of telescopically-engaged wheel supports having a tensioning device for maintaining the track over the frontmost wheel of the tandem and the rear driving wheel. Two rows of longitudinally-spaced guides are secured to the inner face of the track to confine the wheels within the track and, also, to engage lateral tread projections of the driving wheel to thereby drive the track. The width of each wheel is the same so as to be guided within the space separating the rows of guides.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The presen-t invention pertains to a conversion unit for converting a wheel-driven tractor to a track-propelled vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is very useful on farms to be able -to convert a land tractor to a snow track-propelled vehicle so that it can be used in all seasons for various agricultural operations. Many attempts have been made to achieve such conversion; however, most systems require technical knowledge, cannot be effected at the farm and be easily and quickly attached and detached to the tractor.
OBJECTS AND STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a conversion unit allowing a land tractor to be converted quickly to a snow track-propelled vehicle whenever required. This is achieved by replacing the front axle and steering wheels of the tractor by an assembly which may be readily mounted to the tractor by the farmer himself without difficulty.
The present invention therefore relates to a conversion unit for converting a wheel-driven -tractor, having a pair of front steering wheels mounted on a front axle and a pair of rear driving wheels mounted on a rear axle, to a track-propelled vehicle, which comprises:
~!r~
A) a front assembly adapted to be mounted to the front of the tractor i.n replacement of the front axle and of the steering wheels of the tractor, assembly including:
i) a transverse beami ii) at-tachment means for securing the element to the -tractor;
iii) a tandem-wheel arrangement pivotally mounted at each end of the transverse beam, each arrangement including:
a) a pair of telescopically-engaged wheel supports extending perpendicularly to the transverse beam;
b) a wheel mounted at opposite ends of the pair of supports, the width of the wheels being identical to one another and to -that of an associated rear driving wheel;
c) tensioning means having one end mounted to one of the telescopically-engaged supports and an opposite end mounted to the other of -the supports; and B) a pair of endless tracks, each track mounted over the fron-tmos-t wheel of the tandem-wheel arrangement and the rear driving wheel associated therewith; each track displaying inner and outer faces and two parallel rows of longitudinally spaced guide means fixed to the inner face, the space be-tween the 7~
rows corresponding substantially to the width of the wheels of the tandem~wheel arrangement and that of the driving wheels.
In a preferred form of the inventlon, the rear drive wheels of the tractor have projecting tread portions which are engaged by the guide means to drive the tracks.
In a further embodiment of the invention, reinforcing brace means are provided to solidify the frame of the tractor; these brace means are connected between the transverse beam and -the rear axle of -the tractor.
Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present i.nvention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that this detailed description, while indicating preferred embodiments of the inven-tion, is given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective vlew of a vehicle equipped with a conversion unit made in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;
- 4 - ~ 4 Fig. 3 is a plan view of -the wheel arrangement over the inner face of the ]ower run of the track;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a guide used on the inner face of each track; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a portion of the conversion unit.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMEN~S
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a tractor 10 which is equipped with a conversion unit made in accordance with the present invention so that it may be used as a snow track-propelled vehicle.
When used for road transportation and farm work, the tractor is equipped with fron-t s-teering wheels which are mounted on a front axle in a known manner (not shown) and which can be steered by means of a steering wheel 12. The tractor includes rear driving wheels 14 driven by an engine provided in the front of the vehicle from a transmission 16 arranged in the region of the rear axle 18 (see Fig. 3).
The conversion unit for converting this land tractor to a snow track-propelled vehicle comprises a front assembly, generally deno-ted 20 in Fig. 5, which, in turns, comprises a transverse beam 22 to which is secured a pair of side plates 24 and 26 adapted to be fixedly attached to the chassis of the tractor by means of bolts (not shown) engaging appropriate holes 30, 32 5 ~ ~25~i~7~
in the plates. A front plate 34 connects the front ends of the two sides plates 24 and 26 and usually extends transversely at -the front of the tractor chassis.
At opposite ends of the transverse beam 22, tandem-wheel arrangements 36 and 38 pivotally mounted at 40 and 42, respectively, each comprises, with reference to tandem arrangement 38, a support struc-ture which is formed of telescopically engaged beams 44 and 46. The extremity of the support beam 44 comprises a shaft 48 to which is rotatably connected the frontmost wheel 50 of the tandem while the opposite extremity of the other support beam 46 comprises a shaft 52 to which is rotatably connected the innermost wheel 54 of the tandem.
Relative movement between the telescopically engaged elements 44, 46 is accomplished by the actuation of a hydraulic arrangement of a cylinder 58 and piston 60 which are respectively connected to the support beams 46 and 44.
The conversion unit also comprises a pair of endless tracks 62 and 64, each formed of two laterally spaced rubber bands 62a, 62b and 64a and 64b. The bands are interconnected by means of L-shaped cleats, generally designated 68, which are fas-tened to the outer face of the bands. To the inner face of the band, and preferably in back-to-back arrangement with - 6 - ~ 4~
the cleats 68 are metallic guides 70, each being formed (see fig. 4) of a base plate 72 and an inverted V-shaped member 74 tha-t includes a substantially vertical portion 74a and an inclined reinforcing portion 74b. Each guide includes a series of holes in its base plate 72 allowing bolts 76 to fasten both the cleats 68 and the guides 70 to the bands. The guides are disposed in two rows which are laterally spaced on the inner face of the tracks. The rows are separated from one another by a space which is substantially equal to the width of the wheels 50 and 54 of the tandem arrangement and to that of the driving wheels 14.
The wheels of the tandem as well as the driving wheels all have the same width, preferably 16 inches. Satisfactory results have been obtained with a conversion unit where the diameter of the tandem wheels is 16 inches while that of the rear driving wheels is inches and where the height of the guides is 5 inches.
The hydraulic system 58-60 serves to maintain the track over the frontmost wheel 50 and the rear driving wheel 14. On the other hand, the -track is driven by the guides 70 which engage the lateral projections 80 of the treads 82 of the drive wheels 14.
To reinforce the structural frame of the tractor as a result of the installation of the _ 7 _ ~ ~6~
conversion unit, a pair of braces ~4 and ~6 is used;
their opposite ends are connected to the transverse beam 22 of the conversion uni-t and to the rear axle 1 of the tractor.
The steering of the tractor, once converted into a track-propelled vehicle, does not form part of the present invention. However, in one preferred system, the steering is accomplished by the implement being pulled by the tractor; in this case, an hydraulic svstem is directly connected between the steering assembly of the tractor and the implement and it is the latter which causes the trac-tor to move right or left as the implement is shifted to left or right. This allows both endless tracks to be driven while the vehicle turns. In another known system, the steering of the vehicle is accomplished by blocking, through the braking system, operation of the tracks.
Although the invention has been described in relation to a specific form, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that it may be refined and modified in various ways. For example, the guides can be made of molded urethane, rubber, or a zinc-aluminum alloy. It is therefore wished to have it understood that the present invention should not be limited in interpretation except by the terms of the following claims.
The presen-t invention pertains to a conversion unit for converting a wheel-driven tractor to a track-propelled vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is very useful on farms to be able -to convert a land tractor to a snow track-propelled vehicle so that it can be used in all seasons for various agricultural operations. Many attempts have been made to achieve such conversion; however, most systems require technical knowledge, cannot be effected at the farm and be easily and quickly attached and detached to the tractor.
OBJECTS AND STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a conversion unit allowing a land tractor to be converted quickly to a snow track-propelled vehicle whenever required. This is achieved by replacing the front axle and steering wheels of the tractor by an assembly which may be readily mounted to the tractor by the farmer himself without difficulty.
The present invention therefore relates to a conversion unit for converting a wheel-driven -tractor, having a pair of front steering wheels mounted on a front axle and a pair of rear driving wheels mounted on a rear axle, to a track-propelled vehicle, which comprises:
~!r~
A) a front assembly adapted to be mounted to the front of the tractor i.n replacement of the front axle and of the steering wheels of the tractor, assembly including:
i) a transverse beami ii) at-tachment means for securing the element to the -tractor;
iii) a tandem-wheel arrangement pivotally mounted at each end of the transverse beam, each arrangement including:
a) a pair of telescopically-engaged wheel supports extending perpendicularly to the transverse beam;
b) a wheel mounted at opposite ends of the pair of supports, the width of the wheels being identical to one another and to -that of an associated rear driving wheel;
c) tensioning means having one end mounted to one of the telescopically-engaged supports and an opposite end mounted to the other of -the supports; and B) a pair of endless tracks, each track mounted over the fron-tmos-t wheel of the tandem-wheel arrangement and the rear driving wheel associated therewith; each track displaying inner and outer faces and two parallel rows of longitudinally spaced guide means fixed to the inner face, the space be-tween the 7~
rows corresponding substantially to the width of the wheels of the tandem~wheel arrangement and that of the driving wheels.
In a preferred form of the inventlon, the rear drive wheels of the tractor have projecting tread portions which are engaged by the guide means to drive the tracks.
In a further embodiment of the invention, reinforcing brace means are provided to solidify the frame of the tractor; these brace means are connected between the transverse beam and -the rear axle of -the tractor.
Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present i.nvention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that this detailed description, while indicating preferred embodiments of the inven-tion, is given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective vlew of a vehicle equipped with a conversion unit made in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;
- 4 - ~ 4 Fig. 3 is a plan view of -the wheel arrangement over the inner face of the ]ower run of the track;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a guide used on the inner face of each track; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a portion of the conversion unit.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMEN~S
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a tractor 10 which is equipped with a conversion unit made in accordance with the present invention so that it may be used as a snow track-propelled vehicle.
When used for road transportation and farm work, the tractor is equipped with fron-t s-teering wheels which are mounted on a front axle in a known manner (not shown) and which can be steered by means of a steering wheel 12. The tractor includes rear driving wheels 14 driven by an engine provided in the front of the vehicle from a transmission 16 arranged in the region of the rear axle 18 (see Fig. 3).
The conversion unit for converting this land tractor to a snow track-propelled vehicle comprises a front assembly, generally deno-ted 20 in Fig. 5, which, in turns, comprises a transverse beam 22 to which is secured a pair of side plates 24 and 26 adapted to be fixedly attached to the chassis of the tractor by means of bolts (not shown) engaging appropriate holes 30, 32 5 ~ ~25~i~7~
in the plates. A front plate 34 connects the front ends of the two sides plates 24 and 26 and usually extends transversely at -the front of the tractor chassis.
At opposite ends of the transverse beam 22, tandem-wheel arrangements 36 and 38 pivotally mounted at 40 and 42, respectively, each comprises, with reference to tandem arrangement 38, a support struc-ture which is formed of telescopically engaged beams 44 and 46. The extremity of the support beam 44 comprises a shaft 48 to which is rotatably connected the frontmost wheel 50 of the tandem while the opposite extremity of the other support beam 46 comprises a shaft 52 to which is rotatably connected the innermost wheel 54 of the tandem.
Relative movement between the telescopically engaged elements 44, 46 is accomplished by the actuation of a hydraulic arrangement of a cylinder 58 and piston 60 which are respectively connected to the support beams 46 and 44.
The conversion unit also comprises a pair of endless tracks 62 and 64, each formed of two laterally spaced rubber bands 62a, 62b and 64a and 64b. The bands are interconnected by means of L-shaped cleats, generally designated 68, which are fas-tened to the outer face of the bands. To the inner face of the band, and preferably in back-to-back arrangement with - 6 - ~ 4~
the cleats 68 are metallic guides 70, each being formed (see fig. 4) of a base plate 72 and an inverted V-shaped member 74 tha-t includes a substantially vertical portion 74a and an inclined reinforcing portion 74b. Each guide includes a series of holes in its base plate 72 allowing bolts 76 to fasten both the cleats 68 and the guides 70 to the bands. The guides are disposed in two rows which are laterally spaced on the inner face of the tracks. The rows are separated from one another by a space which is substantially equal to the width of the wheels 50 and 54 of the tandem arrangement and to that of the driving wheels 14.
The wheels of the tandem as well as the driving wheels all have the same width, preferably 16 inches. Satisfactory results have been obtained with a conversion unit where the diameter of the tandem wheels is 16 inches while that of the rear driving wheels is inches and where the height of the guides is 5 inches.
The hydraulic system 58-60 serves to maintain the track over the frontmost wheel 50 and the rear driving wheel 14. On the other hand, the -track is driven by the guides 70 which engage the lateral projections 80 of the treads 82 of the drive wheels 14.
To reinforce the structural frame of the tractor as a result of the installation of the _ 7 _ ~ ~6~
conversion unit, a pair of braces ~4 and ~6 is used;
their opposite ends are connected to the transverse beam 22 of the conversion uni-t and to the rear axle 1 of the tractor.
The steering of the tractor, once converted into a track-propelled vehicle, does not form part of the present invention. However, in one preferred system, the steering is accomplished by the implement being pulled by the tractor; in this case, an hydraulic svstem is directly connected between the steering assembly of the tractor and the implement and it is the latter which causes the trac-tor to move right or left as the implement is shifted to left or right. This allows both endless tracks to be driven while the vehicle turns. In another known system, the steering of the vehicle is accomplished by blocking, through the braking system, operation of the tracks.
Although the invention has been described in relation to a specific form, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that it may be refined and modified in various ways. For example, the guides can be made of molded urethane, rubber, or a zinc-aluminum alloy. It is therefore wished to have it understood that the present invention should not be limited in interpretation except by the terms of the following claims.
Claims (7)
1. A conversion unit for converting a wheel-driven tractor, having a pair of front steering wheels mounted on a front axle and a pair of rear driving wheels mounted on a rear axle, to a track-propelled vehicle, comprising:
A) a front assembly adapted to be mounted to the front of the tractor in replacement of the front axle and of the steering wheels of the tractor, said assembly including:
i) a transverse beam;
ii) attachment means for securing said beam to said tractor;
iii) a tandem-wheel arrangement pivotally mounted at each end of said transverse beam, each said arrangement including:
a) a pair of telescopically-engaged wheel supports extending perpendicularly to said transverse beam;
b) a wheel mounted at opposite ends of said pair of supports, the width of said wheels being substantially identical to one another and corresponding to the width of an associated rear driving wheel;
c) tensioning means having one end mounted to one of said telescopically-engaged supports and an opposite end mounted to the other of said supports; and B) a pair of endless tracks, each track mounted over the frontmost wheel of said tandem-wheel arrangement and the associated rear driving wheel; said tracks being maintained under tension over said wheels by said tensioning means; each said track displaying an inner face and outer face; ground-engaging means mounted on said outer face; two parallel rows of longitudinally spaced guide means fixed to said inner face, the space between said rows corresponding substantially to the width of the wheels of the tandem-wheel arrangement and that of the driving wheels whereby pressure exerted by each said wheel on said track and said ground-engaging means is substantially identical.
A) a front assembly adapted to be mounted to the front of the tractor in replacement of the front axle and of the steering wheels of the tractor, said assembly including:
i) a transverse beam;
ii) attachment means for securing said beam to said tractor;
iii) a tandem-wheel arrangement pivotally mounted at each end of said transverse beam, each said arrangement including:
a) a pair of telescopically-engaged wheel supports extending perpendicularly to said transverse beam;
b) a wheel mounted at opposite ends of said pair of supports, the width of said wheels being substantially identical to one another and corresponding to the width of an associated rear driving wheel;
c) tensioning means having one end mounted to one of said telescopically-engaged supports and an opposite end mounted to the other of said supports; and B) a pair of endless tracks, each track mounted over the frontmost wheel of said tandem-wheel arrangement and the associated rear driving wheel; said tracks being maintained under tension over said wheels by said tensioning means; each said track displaying an inner face and outer face; ground-engaging means mounted on said outer face; two parallel rows of longitudinally spaced guide means fixed to said inner face, the space between said rows corresponding substantially to the width of the wheels of the tandem-wheel arrangement and that of the driving wheels whereby pressure exerted by each said wheel on said track and said ground-engaging means is substantially identical.
2. A unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said rear driving wheels have tread portions projecting laterally thereof; said guide means of said tracks engaging said tread portions for driving said tracks.
3. A unit as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising reinforcing brace means extending longitudinally of the tractor and having one end connected to said transverse beam and the other end connected to the rear axle of the tractor.
4. A unit as defined in claim 1, wherein each said track consists of a pair of laterally-spaced parallel bands connected together by means of said groung-engaging means; said ground-engaging means consisting of longitudinally spaced transverse cleats having an L-shaped configuration which includes a first base portion secured to the outer face of the track and a flange portion for engaging the terrain over which the vehicle travels.
5. A unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said width of said wheels of said tandem arrangement and said drive wheels is approximately 16 inches.
6. A unit as defined in claim 5, wherein the diameter of the wheels of said tandem arrangement is 16 inches while the diameter of the rear drive wheels is 30 inches.
7. A unit as defined in claim 1, wherein each said guide means consists of a flat base secured to the inner face of said track and inverted V-shaped portion welded to said base portion; said V-shaped portion including a substantially vertical section adapted to engage said tread portions of the rear driving wheel and an inclined reinforcing portion.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000550632A CA1256474A (en) | 1987-10-30 | 1987-10-30 | Track conversion unit for wheel-driven tractor |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000550632A CA1256474A (en) | 1987-10-30 | 1987-10-30 | Track conversion unit for wheel-driven tractor |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1256474A true CA1256474A (en) | 1989-06-27 |
Family
ID=4136754
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000550632A Expired CA1256474A (en) | 1987-10-30 | 1987-10-30 | Track conversion unit for wheel-driven tractor |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1256474A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5183160A (en) * | 1990-10-24 | 1993-02-02 | Mcclain Ray | High volume padding machine |
| US6637840B2 (en) | 2000-11-09 | 2003-10-28 | Tom Zaleski | Track support element for tire engaging track |
-
1987
- 1987-10-30 CA CA000550632A patent/CA1256474A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5183160A (en) * | 1990-10-24 | 1993-02-02 | Mcclain Ray | High volume padding machine |
| US6637840B2 (en) | 2000-11-09 | 2003-10-28 | Tom Zaleski | Track support element for tire engaging track |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |