GB1595392A

GB1595392A - Pushing and towing vehicles and frames therefor

Info

Publication number: GB1595392A
Application number: GB4254/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Hallam Eng Leicester Ltd E C
Current assignee: Hallam Eng Leicester Ltd E C
Priority date: 1978-02-02
Filing date: 1978-02-02
Publication date: 1981-08-12
Also published as: AU4378879A; ZA79251B

Description

(54) PUSHING AND TOWING VEHICLES AND FRAMES THEREFOR (71) We, E. C. HALLAM ENGINEERING (Leicester) LIMITED, a British Company of Brook House, Smeeton Westerby, Leicestershire, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The invention relates to pushing and towing vehicles referred to herein for convenience as tug units and frames therefor. Tug units are used for shifting trailers on docksides and to pull aircraft to a parking position, shift loads on railway sidings or may be used for other similar materials handling operations.

The invention is particularly concerned with tug units made by converting a massproduced agricultural or industrial tractor by re-arranging the parts thereof and attaching pushing and pulling frames. In the Specification reference is someties made to "normal" use of parts of the tractor. Such normal use refers to the use of the parts of the whole agricultural or industrial tractor in the absence of re-arrangement. It is the purpose of the invention to provide an improved form of frame for a tug unit obtained by converting a mass-produced agricultural or industrial tractor.

According to this invention there is provided a tug unit including a front axle support casting, centre casting, transmission casting and rear axle casting normally forming a main structural body of an industrial or agricultural tractor and a pulling and pushing frame having a pair of longitudinally extending transversely spaced frame members connected at front and rear ends to a front and rear pusher blade and/or towing bracket respectively and means interconnecting the body and the frame including means on the frame for rigidly securing to lugs on the rear axle casting normally used for mounting lower link arms and means on the frame for securing to hitching positions normally used for attaching equipment on the front axle support casting and/or transmission casting for aligning the frame longitudinally with the tug unit while permitting longitudinal movement so as to transmit longitudinal forces on the frame to the lug unit mainly to the rear axle casting lugs.

Longitudinal forces whether arising at the front or rear pusher blades and towing brackets are mainly transmitted to the rear axle casting lugs, with the securing means at the front of the unit and/or intermediate position serving predominantly to maintain longitudinal alignment. Strains on the main structural body are reduced and the connection between the body and frame remain secure after prolonged use.

Preferably the frame members extend in a straight path under the main structural body, each aligned with one of a pair of the lugs on each side of the rear axle casting and the members each have an upstanding and longitudinally extending flange with an aperture for locating between the respective lugs by means of a pin.

Preferably the frame members extend under a front axle pivotably mounted on the front axle support casting and the frame further includes a formed extension mounted at one end on the frame members behind the front axle and extending over it for connection to the front pushing blade, which forked extension is bolted onto what is normally used as the front axle support casting hitching position. By passing bolts through slightly elongated holes in the forked extension the desired amount of longitudinal sliding movement can be provided. Conveniently the frame includes a cross-member extending across the frame member and bolted to what normally is used as the transmission casting hitching position. The steering equipment actually used may differ from that normally used to adapt the tug unit for heavy duty operation.

Preferably the tug unit includes a flat counterweight plate located over the rear axle casting and borne by a pair of transversely spaced beams secured respectively to sideways projecting parts of the rear axle casting. This provides a good weight distri bution and loading of the rear wheels without unduly restricting a driver's view of a rear towing position. The space above counterweight plate may be utilised for providing additional seats or working space. The transversely spaced beams may be connected at one end to the rear pushing blade and at the other end to what are normally hitching positions in the sides of the transmission casting and/or the aforementioned cross-member. The beams can thus be used to provide additional support for operating or seating platforms extending sideways from the main structural body.

Advantageously, steering equipment, fuel tank and battery compartment normally used are removed from the tractor so as to provide a larger and more forward operating and driving platform and a reduced front height for the tug unit. Replacement steering and control equipment may be mounted on one side of the main structural body, a replacement battery may be accommodated to the side of the frame, and a replacement fuel tank may be accommodated at the rear of the rear axle casting between the frame and counterweight plate. The driver's seat can then be located forward of a rear wheel mud-guard Advantageously the front and rear pusher blades are removably connected to the frame to provide access to engine and transmission components.

The frame and main structural body can then be covered with plates, panels etc. as may be necessary.

The invention also provides a frame adapted for the tug unit previously described. The body and frame register accurately enabling good all round visibility to be obtained particularly to the towing brackets, most components remain readily accessible for servicing and whilst the tug unit matches or improves on the characteristics of custom-built tug units, it utilizes predominantly the spares and parts distributed widely for mass-produced tractors.

The invention is particularly described with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of main structural body and frame components (disassembled) for a tug unit according to the invention; Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the (assembled) tug unit of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the (assembled) tug unit of Figure 1.

With reference to Figure 1, a tug unit is made up out of the main parts illustrated. A main structural body 10 of a mass-produced agricultural or industrial tractor such as a Massey-Fergusson MF 30 or MF 50 tractor, particularly those having an instant reverse transmission, includes a front axle support casting 2, a centre casting 4, a transmission casting 6 and a rear axle casting 8. Each casting supports the engine, transmission and drive components normally used. A tug frame 12 includes a pair of longitudinal solid bars 14 spaced tranversely by bars 16 welded to the bars 14. A front pusher blade 18 can be bolted centrally and removably to the foremost bar 16 by matching brackets 20a and 20b on the blade and frame respectively.

A rear pusher blade 22 can be similarly bolted on by means of brackets 24a and 24b.

The rear axle casting 8 carries on each side a pair of lugs 26 with pin holes 28 normally used for lower-link arms of a rear towing position on the tractor. The members 14 have welded thereto a pair of flange plates 30 with a recess 32 and hole 34 to fit between the lugs and align with the holes 28 for subsequent fastening by locking bolts threadedly engaging a lug 26, nuts and split pins (not shown). Thus the fastening is very secure and rigid.

A pair of forked extensions 36 are bolted by means of brackets 38 to the frame members 14. The extensions 36 have slightly elongate bolt apertures 40a (allowing horizontal movement of it" each way) corresponding to bolt holes 40b at a position normally used as the front axle support casting hitch position.

The extensions 36 have further bolt apertures 44a for securing the extensions 36 to upper brackets 44b on the front pusher blade 18. A cross-member 46 is welded to the frame members 14 at an intermediate position and supports an adaptor plate 48 which extends sideways from the frame 12. Central bolt apertures 50a which are slightly elongate, are provided in the member 46 and plate 48 corresponding to the bolt hole positions 50b normally used for the lower transmission casting hitch position.

The combination of components so far described may be used to convert an agricultural or industrial tractor without major rearrangement of its control and servicing facilities. The driver will in this case remain in a central position over the rear axle casting.

Any counterwieght will have to be positioned to the rear of the driver, obscuring his view in that direction. It will only be possible to accommodate seats over the mudguard for additional operatives further obscuring the view of the operator.

It is therefore preferred that the components so far described be used in conjunction with a platform subframe as follows. A platelike counterwieght 52 is supported over the rear axle casting 8 by means of a pair of transversely spaced hollow beams 46 secured by brackets and bolts 58 to a housing 54 for rear wheel drive shafts of the reer axle casting 8. The beams 56 are interconnected by a transverse member 60 at one end. The member 60 is bolted by means of brackets 62a and 62b to an upper part of the rear pusher blade 22.

The beams 58 have forward extensions 63 with sideways projecting parts 64 having brackets 65a for fastening to bolt positions 65b which are normally used as the transmission casting side hitch positions. The extensions 63 rest on the adaptor plate 48.

The various tug frame and platform subframe components can be bolted together around the body 10. The resulting structure can then be covered with plates and panels to provide a tug unit as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Rear wheel shafts 68 are accommodated under a rear wheel mudgard 67 aligned with the front ends of the beams 56. Front wheel stub shafts 70 are located under a front wheel mudgard 71 supported by means of the bracket 69 shown in Figure 1. The controls for the engine and transmission components, fuel tank, and battery are removed from the position normally used, thus shortening the raised part of the tractor. The engine compartment can be shielded by a forwardly located panel 73. A steering and control position 72 is provided on one side of the tug unit, leaving a large low platform 74 which can be used to accommodate seats for additional operatives. A rear towing bracket 76 is easily observed by the driver. A similar bracket can be provided at the front. An engine bonnet 78 is low (as it does not house a fuel tank) to provide good forward visibility.

The fuel tank can be accommodated conveniently between the weight 52 and the members 14. A battery is located under the platform on the side opposite to the driver next to the beam 63 providing easy access.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A tug unit including a front axle support casting, centre casting, transmission casting and rear axle casting normally forming a main structural body of an industrial or agricultural tractor and a pulling and pushing frame having a pair of longitudinally extending transversely spaced frame members connected at front and rear ends to a front and rear pusher blade and/or towing bracket respectively and means interconnecting the body and the frame including means on the frame for rigidly securing to lugs on the rear axle casting normally used for mounting lower link arms and means on the frame for securing to hitching positions normally used for attaching equipment on the front axle support casting and/or transmission casting for aligning the frame longitudinally with the tug unit while permitting longitudinal movement so as to transmit longitudinal forces on the frame to the tug unit mainly to the rear axle casting lugs.

2. A tug unit according to Claim 1 in which the frame members extend in a straight path under the main structural body, each aligned with one of a pair of the lugs on each side of the rear axle casting and the members each have an upstanding and longitudinally extending flange with an aperture for locating between the respective lugs by means of a pin.

3. A tug unit according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the frame members extend under a front axle pivotably mounted on the front axle support casting and the frame further includes a forked extension mounted at one end on the frame members behind the front axle and extending over it for connection to the front pushing blade, which forked extension is bolted onto what is normally used as the front axle support casting hitching position.

4. A tug unit according to claim 3 in which the front extension has bolt apertures elongated in the longitudinal direction of the unit to align the frame yet permit longitudinal movement.

5. A tug unit according to claim 3 or 4 in which the frame includes a cross-member extending across the frame members and bolted to what normally is used as the transmission casting hitching position.

6. A tug unit according to claim 5 in which the cross-member has bolt apertures elongated in the longitudinal direction of the unit to align the frame yet permit longitudinal movement.

7. A tug unit according to any of the preceding claims which includes a flat counterweight plate located over the rear axle casting and borne by a pair of transversely spaced beams secured respectively to sideways projecting parts of the rear axle casting.

8. A tug unit according to claim 7 in which the transversely spaced beams are connected at one end to the rear pushing blade and at the other end to what are normally hitching positions in the sides of the transmission casting and/or the aforementioned cross-member.

9. A tug unit according to claim 7 or claim 8 in which a driver's position is provided sideways of an engine of the main structural body and forward of a rear wheel.

10. A tug unit substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

11. A pushing and pulling frame for a tug unit including a pair of longitudinally extending transversely spaced frame members connected at front and rear ends to a front and rear pusher blade and/or towing bracket respectively and means on the frame for rigidly securing to lugs on a rear axle casting of a main structural body of an industrial or agricultural tractor and means on the frame including apertures elongated in the longitudinal direction of the frame for securing to hitching positions on a front axle support casting and/or transmission casting of the body.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. with sideways projecting parts 64 having brackets 65a for fastening to bolt positions 65b which are normally used as the transmission casting side hitch positions. The extensions 63 rest on the adaptor plate 48. The various tug frame and platform subframe components can be bolted together around the body 10. The resulting structure can then be covered with plates and panels to provide a tug unit as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Rear wheel shafts 68 are accommodated under a rear wheel mudgard 67 aligned with the front ends of the beams 56. Front wheel stub shafts 70 are located under a front wheel mudgard 71 supported by means of the bracket 69 shown in Figure 1. The controls for the engine and transmission components, fuel tank, and battery are removed from the position normally used, thus shortening the raised part of the tractor. The engine compartment can be shielded by a forwardly located panel 73. A steering and control position 72 is provided on one side of the tug unit, leaving a large low platform 74 which can be used to accommodate seats for additional operatives. A rear towing bracket 76 is easily observed by the driver. A similar bracket can be provided at the front. An engine bonnet 78 is low (as it does not house a fuel tank) to provide good forward visibility. The fuel tank can be accommodated conveniently between the weight 52 and the members 14. A battery is located under the platform on the side opposite to the driver next to the beam 63 providing easy access. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A tug unit including a front axle support casting, centre casting, transmission casting and rear axle casting normally forming a main structural body of an industrial or agricultural tractor and a pulling and pushing frame having a pair of longitudinally extending transversely spaced frame members connected at front and rear ends to a front and rear pusher blade and/or towing bracket respectively and means interconnecting the body and the frame including means on the frame for rigidly securing to lugs on the rear axle casting normally used for mounting lower link arms and means on the frame for securing to hitching positions normally used for attaching equipment on the front axle support casting and/or transmission casting for aligning the frame longitudinally with the tug unit while permitting longitudinal movement so as to transmit longitudinal forces on the frame to the tug unit mainly to the rear axle casting lugs.

10. A tug unit substantially as described with reference to the drawings.