GB2059241A - Means for mounting an implement on a carrying vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Means for mounting an implement on a carrying vehicle 4 has a main support member 5 adapted to be attached to the vehicle and a second support member 8 adapted to be pivotally mounted on the main support member about an axis which is inclined, typically at 20 DEG to the vertical in such a manner that rotation of the implement about the axis moves the implement in an upward path. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Means for mounting an implement on a carrying vehicle This invention relates to means for mounting an implement on a carrying vehicle, such as a tractor, such means permitting the implement to yield in the event that it encounters an obstacle, for example, thereby minimising the risk of damage to the implement.

It is desirable forthe implement to be raised as it yields, since this enables the implement to clear an obstacle more readily. Various yielding mechanisms are known which rely on a spring or fluid pressure means for controlling the yielding action, but these either do not raise the implement during yielding, or are excessively complicated in construction.

An object of the present invention is to provide means for mounting an implement on a carrying vehicle in such a manner as to enable the implement to be raised automatically as it yields, upon encountering an obstacle for example, without recourse to the use of spring or fluid pressure means, and which permits the implementto return to its working position without the intervention of an operative.

According to the invention, means for mounting an implement on a carrying vehicle comprises a main support member adapted to be attached to the vehicle, and a second support member adapted to be pivotally mounted on the main support member about an axis which is inclined to the vertical forwardly or rearwardly of the vehicle, whereby with the implement carried on the second support member outwardly of said axis, rotation of the implement about the axis moves the implement in an upward path.

Preferably, return of the implement to its initial position is effected by gravity although the return movement may be damped by spring or fluid pressure means, for example, if required.

It is also preferable to provide restraint means for limiting pivotal movement of the implement away from its initial position and this may conveniently be in the form of a mechanical stop acting between the main and second support members.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa side elevation of a tractor with an implement mounted thereon by way of the mounting means of the present invention, and Figure 2 is an enlarged detail of a restraint means incorporated in the mounting means of Figure 1 but not shown therein.

Referring to Figure l,this shows means, indicated generally at 1, for mounting an implement 2, and in this case its associated support mechanism indicated generally at 3, on a carrying vehicle shown as a tractor 4. The mounting means comprises a main support member 5 which is rigidly secured to the tractor 4 by way of the conventional tractor threepoint linkage, the upper link of which is illustrated at 6 and one of the lower links at 7. The mounting means further comprises a second support member in the form of a king post 8 which is pivotally connected to the main support member 5 by a pair of co-axial pivot pins 9.The implement 2 and support mechanism 3 are carried by a frame member rigidly secured to the king post 8 and the support mechanism would normaliy be of a type permitting the implement to move in generally vertical and horizontai directions to enable its working position to be adjusted.

The pivotal axis A of the pins lies in a vertical plane which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tractor, the axis being angled in that plane in a direction towards the tractor, leaving the upper pivot further forward than the lower one. A typical practical value for the inclination of the axis A is 20 . As a result of the inclination of the axis A, pivotal movement of the post 8 such as to move the support mechanism 3 away from the tractor (as indicated by arrow B) will constrain the implement 2, which projects laterally of the tractor, to follow an upward path indicated by the arrow C.Thus, when the tractor is traveiling in a forward direction and the implement 2 is performing a working operation, such as hedge or grass cutting for example, the implement 2 will cease to move forwards, in the event that it encounters an obstacle, and continued forward movement of the tractor will cause pivotal movement between the members 5 and 8 about the axis A, providing both a yielding effect for the implement and also tending to raise the implement because of its movement along the path C referred to above. Such raising of the implement will enable itto rise above the obstacle and thus facilitate its passage thereover, while the yielding effect minimises damage to the implement.

When the obstacle has been cleared, there is no longer any force tending to pivot the implement in the direction B, and because of the inclination of the axis A, the implement will now tend to return, under gravity, to its original working position, without any intervention by the vehicle driver. If desired, the return movement may be damped by spring or fluid pressure means to prevent excessive impact of the members 5 and 8 one against the other, these members being provided with abutment surfaces for supporting the member 8 against the member 5.

The pivotal movement of the implement in the direction B is limited by restraint means which are not shown in Figure 1 but illustrated in the larger scale view of Figure 2. This shows the main support member 5 which is secured to the tractor and also a horizontal frame member 10 which is secured to the king post 8 and carries the support mechanism 3.

Rigidly secured to the member 10 is a restraint bar 11 which passes through a loop formation 12 rigidly secured to the post 5, the bar 11 having thereon a stop formation 13 which cannot pass through the formation 12. It will thus be seen that the degree of pivotal movement of.the implement in the direction B is governed by abutment of the formation 13 against the formation 12, the abutting position of the formation 13 being indicated in dotted lines in the drawing. The raised position of the member 10 at the maximum extent of the pivotal movement of the implement in the direction B is also indicated in dotted lines.

A pin 14 is carried and guided by a bracket 15 secured to the member5 or means fast therewith, and can be raised to an inoperative position and retained therein by turning it so that a flanged portion 16 thereof engages behind the bracket 15, as shown in Figure 2. The yielded position of the implement may be used to provide a convenient transport position for the implement and its support mechanism 3 since, with the implement in the yielded position, the mechanism 3 can be operated to swing the implement to a position such that it lies behind the tractor with little or no lateral projection beyond the sides of the tractor.The arrangement of the pin 14 facilitates the locking of the implement in its transport position by enabling the driver two disengage the flange 16 from the bracket 15 by raising and turning the pin, whereupon the pin will fall and rest on the upper surface of the bar 11. By restraining the implement2, as by resting it on the ground for example, and driving the tractor forwards, the bar 11 is broughtto the position shown in Figure 2 in which the stop 13 engages the formation 12, whereupon the pin 14 falls under gravity so as to lie behind the end of the bar 11 and thus prevent its retraction. This position of the pin 14 is shown in dotted lines.

Various modifications can be made to the construction illustrated and described; for example, the two pins 9 may be replaced by a single pin of sufficient length to provide adequate supportforthe post 8, the axis of the single pin being inclined in the same manner as axis A. Any other convenient means for providing a pivotal movement about an inclined axis may be employed. In some applications, it may be possible to incline the axis A in a direction away from the carrying vehicle and the axis A may be inclined in other planes, according to requirements.

Claims (8)

1. Means for mounting an implement on a carrying vehicle comprising a main support member adapted to be attached to the vehicle, and a second support member adapted to be pivotally mounted on the main support member about an axis which is inclined to the vertical forwardly or rearwardly of the vehicle, whereby with the implement carried on the second support member outwardly of said axis, rotation of the implement about the axis moves the implement in an upward path.

2. Mounting means according to Claim 1 wherein return of the implement to its initial position from a yielded position is effected by gravity.

3. Mounting means according to Claim 2 wherein damping means are provided to damp said return movement.

4. Mounting means according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein restraint means is provided for limiting pivotal movement of the implement away from its initial position.

5. Mounting means according to Claim 4 wherein said restraint means is a mechanical stop acting between the main and second support members.

6. Mounting means according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the inclination of said axis is 20 .

7. Mounting means according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein the restraint means comprises a bar attached to one support member passing through a formation attached to the other support member, the bar carrying an abutment which engages said formation atthe limit of said implement pivotal movement

8. Means for mounting an implement on a carrying vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.