GB2078634A

GB2078634A - Agricultural multi-purpose vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2078634A
Application number: GB8119730A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Claas KGaA mbH
Current assignee: Claas KGaA mbH
Priority date: 1980-06-30
Filing date: 1981-06-26
Publication date: 1982-01-13
Also published as: FR2485461B1; FR2485461A1; GB2078634B

Abstract

According to one aspect (Fig. 1) the invention provides an agricultural multi-purpose vehicle, such as a tractor, comprising a driving cabin 14 which is movable into at least two operative positions and in which operating elements are arranged, the operating elements being permanently connected to the main part of the vehicle by way of at least one flexible connecting line, wherein the driving cabin 14 is releasable from the parts (carrier plates 5, 34) of the vehicle, which carry the driving cabin in he operative positions. According to another aspect (Fig. 7) the invention provides a self-propelled agricultural multi-purpose vehicle, such as a tractor, having a driving cabin 2 which is movable into at least two operative positions, wherein an auxiliary frame 54 onto which the driving cabin 2 can be set down is connected to one of the vehicle axles 4, wherein the support plant of the auxiliary frame has approximately the same ground clearance as the vehicle axle 4, and wherein the operating elements passing from the cabin 2 to the vehicle 1 are of an electrical, electronic, pneumatic or hydraulic nature and are of such a length that connection thereof to the vehicle is ensured, even when the cabin is set down onto the auxiliary frame. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Agricultural multi-purpose vehicle The invention is concerned with an agricultural multi-purpose vehicle, in particular a selfpropelled vehicle such as a tractor, comprising a driving cabin which is disposed thereon and in which operating and actuating means are disposed, the connection thereof to the vehicle being effected in an exclusively flexible manner, such as for example by electric cables or hydraulic and pneumatic hoses.

In a multi-purpose vehicle, as disclosed in German Patent Specification No. 1 949 978, the driving cabin is mounted on a pivotal arm which can be pivoted into two positions and which can be locked in the desired positions. The disadvantage of such a construction is that, with the relatively long cantilever length of the pivot arm, the pivot arm must be of very large dimensions so that it has sufficient strength to meet the requirements in respect of safety on turning over, as set by the trade union or liability insurance association.A further disadvantage is that irregularities in the ground cause relative movements between the cabin, when it is pivoted into the region of the swing axle of a multipurpose vehicle for the purposes of observing for example a forage harvester unit connected thereto, and the implement, and such relative movements result in the driver being impeded and under some circumstances may also result in the freedom of movement of the implements being hindered by the cabin.

According to the invention, there is provided an agricultural multi-purpose vehicle, such as a tractor, comprising a driving cabin which is movable into at least two operative positions and in which operating elements are arranged, the operating elements being permanently connected to the main part of the vehicle by way of at least one flexible connecting line, wherein the driving cabin is releasable from the parts of the vehicle, which carry the driving cabin in the operative positions. Desirably the driving cabin can be selectively connected to and locked to the vehicle via at least two mounting means which are fixed to the vehicle, or the driving cabin can be connected and locked to the implements which are carried or pulled by the vehicle.It has been found to be particularly advantageous for at least one respective mounting means for the driving cabin to be secured both to the frame structure and also to an axle of the multi-purpose vehicle, and for a lifting and turning means which can be connected to the driving cabin to be provided separately from the mounting means. The advantage of such a design is essentially that the lifting means itself is only subjected to load when the cabin is to be pivoted. Accordingly, it may be of small and weak dimensions. The plates which are arranged separately from each other afford the advantage that they are fixedly connected to the frame structure and an axle respectively so that it is possible to ensure a firm mounting by using simple locking mechanisms.It is also possible for the cabin to be connected to the vehicle in such a manner as to be insulated in respect of sound transmitted through the structure, as the cabin is no longer connected to the lifting means in its operative position.

Further features of this aspect of the invention are set forth in the subsidiary claims.

In multi-purpose vehicles, the driving cabin must be pivoted out beyond the drive wheels, in order to have optimum vision conditions when for example a forage harvester is attached to the vehicle. However, the drive wheels of such highpowder vehicles are of large diameter so that the overall height is about four metres. Transporting vehicles of this kind by rail or on a low loader is generally possible only by removing the cabin, and in this operation all connections have to be broken. This involves time-consuming assembly operations at the places at which the vehicle is loaded and unloaded.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a self-propelled agricultural multi-purpose vehicle, such as a tractor, having a driving cabin which is movable into at least two operative positions, wherein an auxiliary frame onto which the driving cabin can be set down is connected to one of the vehicle axles, wherein the support plane of the auxiliary frame has approximately the same ground clearance as the vehicle axles, and wherein the operating elements passing from the cabin to the vehicle are of an electrical, electronic, pneumatic or hydraulic nature and are of such a length that connection thereof to the vehicle is ensured, even when the cabin is set down onto the auxiliary frame.

A design of this kind has the advantage that the driving cabin can be easily set down into the auxiliary frame by means of a crane which is generally available at the place of loading, or a lift stacker, while nonetheless remaining independently manoeuvrable. The multi-purpose vehicle can therefore be driven up onto the loading truck and driven down again therefrom, without outside assistance.

Advantageously, a three-point suspension linkage to which the auxiliary frame is removably secured is connected to the rear axle of the multipurpose vehicle. This arrangement provides that one and the same fixing points are present both for any working implements which are possibly to be attached at the place of use, and also for the auxiliary frame. In order to ensure that the driving cabin, when standing on the auxiliary frame, cannot slip therefrom during transportation of the vehicle, the auxiliary frame should be provided with a locking means. In an advantageous embodiment, the locking means comprises pins which are connected to the auxiliary frame and onto which locking sleeves welded or otherwise fixed to the cabin can be placed.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in greater detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a multi-purpose vehicle, Figure 2 shows a plan view of the multipurpose vehicle as illustrated in Figure 1, Figure 3 shows a modified view on an enlarged scale of the part within the circle in Figure 1, Figure 4 shows a side view of the lower part of the driving cabin, Figure 5 shows a view of the lower part of the driving cabin in section taken along line V-V in Figure 6, Figure 6 shows a plan view of the lower part of the driving cabin in section taken along line VI--VI in Figure 4, and Figure 7 shows a side view of another form of multi-purpose vehicle.

Reference numeral 1 denotes the frame structure of a multi-purpose vehicle 2, which is carried by the front axle 3 and the rear swing axle 4 (pivoted to the vehicle along a longitudinal central axle of the vehicle), a three-point suspension linkage for implements (not shown) being connected to the axle 4. Fixedly connected to the frame structure 1 is a carrier plate 5 which has four upwardly tapering pins 6. Fitted onto the pins 6 are fitting members 7 which are fixedly welded to an intermediate frame 9 by way of gusset plates 8. The intermediate frame 9 has outside brackets 10 to which flexible rubber elements 11 are bolted on one side. The other side of each rubber element 11 is secured to the gusset plates 12 which are welded to the actual frame 13 on the driving cabin 14.In order to ensure that the fitting members 7 are not unintentionally released from the pins 6, the fitting members 7 have slots 15, with each two slots serving to guide a respective locking bar member 1 6 and 1 7 respectively. The two locking bar members are pivotally connected to a linkage means 1 8 which, by means of the force of the spring 19 which bears against the frame 9 at one end, presses the bar members 1 6 and 17 through the slots 1 5 into recesses 20 in the pins 6 and thereby locks the pins 6 to the fitting members 7.

For releasing the locking action, the rod 21 of the linkage means 18 is pulled in the direction indicated by arrow A (see Figure 6), against the force of the spring 19, this being effected by actuation of an angled lever 22 which is mounted pivotally in a bracket 23 which is welded to the frame 1 3. More particularly, the angled lever 22 engages with one end thereof behind a pin 25 which is mounted in a fork 24, with the other end being lifted by an adjustable abutment 26. As can be seen from Figure 6, abutments 27 are bolted to the intermediate frame 9 and ensure that the locking bar members 1 6 and 17 which are pivotally connected to the linkage means 1 8 only by respective levers 28 and 29 are actually drawn out of the recesses 20 and 21.The abovementioned abutments 27 also limit the travel movement of the bar members 16 and 17 so that they are always supported by the slots 1 5 in the fitting members 7. As the rod 21 is also mounted displaceably in the frames 9 and 13, the entire locking mechanism is connected to the driving cabin 14.

As can be seen from Figures 1 and 2, a hydraulic or pneumatic piston-cylinder unit 30 is installed on one longitudinal member of the frame structure 1, and has a carrier arm 31 secured thereto. The carrier arm 31 is provided with two gripping means 32 and with an adjustable abutment 26 (see Figure 4). If now the cabin is to be pivoted out of the position shown by solid lines in Figure 1, into the position shown by broken lines, the piston-cylinder unit is raised. When this occurs, the angled lever 22 is firstly pivoted by the abutment 26, whereby the frame 9 is unlocked from the plate 5. At the same time, the gripping means 32 come into engagement in two lifting pockets 33 which are fixedly connected to the driving cabin 14, and lift the cabin 14 from the pins 6.Then, the cabin 14 is pivoted about the vertical centre line of the cylinder unit 30, either manually or by virtue of the piston-cylinder unit 30 being in the form of a rotary piston-cylinder unit, until the cabin is disposed above a second carrier plate 34 which, like the plate 5, is also provided with pins 35. The cabin 14 is then let down onto the pins 35 and, because the abutment 26 moves downwardly and releases the angle lever 22, the cabin is locked again by virtue of the force of the spring 1 9. As can be seen from Figure 2, the plate 34 is at a laterally displaced position so that on the one hand there remains sufficient space for attaching implements, and on the other hand, the plate 34 projects beyond the frame structure 1 so that the driver has a direct view onto the implements connected to the vehicle.Because the implement to be attached to the vehicle is connected directly to the swing axle 4 by way of the three-point suspension linkage (not shown), and also the plate 34 is directly connected to the axle 4 by way of a tube 37, there is no relative movement between the cabin and the implement, and this makes it considerably easier for the driver to view the implement attached to the vehicle.

Figure 1 shows that a flexible hose 36 goes from the driving cabin 14 to the vehicle. Disposed in the hose 36 are all operating members and conduits which are required for operation. All operating and actuating members from the cabin to the vehicle are exclusively of an electrical, electronic, hydraulic or pneumatic kind in this arrangement. In this way, the cabin can be pivoted without having to disconnect any operating elements. A further advantage is that the cabin is connected to the vehicle without any bridges for transmitting sound through solid material. The flexible rubber elements 11 are also provided for this purpose.

As shown in Figure 3, instead of the tube 37 which is used in Figure 1 to support the plate 34, it is possible to provide two tubes 38 and 39 which engage telescopically one into the other, of which the tube 38 is connected to the swing axle 4 while the mounting means 40 is connected to the tube 39. The tubes 38 and 39 can then be extended, by way of a piston-cylinder unit 41 in the tube 39, so that the driver has an even better view. The mounting means 40 comprises a plate 42 which is fixedly connected to the square or rectangular tube 39 and which is provided with guide means and on which the plate 43, which is provided with mounting pins 44 for the cabin, is fitted in such a way that it is displaceable in the iliustrated direction, but also transversely thereto, and can be locked thereon.By displacement of the cabin, the driver can then take up the observation position which is the best one for him.

Referring to Figure 7 of the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a multi-purpose vehicle for agricultural purposes, comprising a driving cabin 2 which is disposed in one of the two positions shown in broken lines, while the machine is in use, the position depending on whether the vehicle is being used as a tractor or as a drive machine with a forage harvester attached to the rear swing axle 4. As can be seen from the drawing, secured to the swing axle 4 is an auxiliary frame 54 onto which the driving cabin 2 can be set, for example for railway transport so that the vehicle does not exceed the permitted railway dimensions. The cabin is transferred from one of the two operative positions onto the auxiliary frame 54 by means of a crane, fork lift stacker or the like. The support plate of the auxiliary frame 54 has approximately the same ground clearance as the axle 3. For the purposes of locking the cabin 2 to the auxiliary frame 54, the latter has a plurality of upwardly conically tapering pins 6 which engage into locking sleeves or fitting members 7 connected to the cabin as previously described. Also, as in the Figure 1 embodiment, a flexible hose 36 which surrounds and protects all operating and transmission elements leads from the cabin 2 to the vehicle and the operating and transmission elements are exclusively of an electrical, electronic, pneumatic or hydraulic nature so that they do not need to be removed when the cabin 2 is set down onto the auxiliary frame 54. This has the great advantage that the vehicle can be driven up onto and down from a railway truck, under its own power. This also saves the time-consuming operation of fitting operating and transmission elements.

Claims

1. An agricultural multi-purpose vehicie, such as a tractor, comprising a driving cabin which is movable into at least two operative positions and in which operating elements are arranged, the operating elements being permanently connected to the main part of the vehicle by way of at least one flexible connecting line, wherein the driving cabin is releasable from the parts of the vehicle, which carry the driving cabin in the operative positions.

2. A multi-purpose vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the driving cabin can be coupled to and locked to the vehicle via at least two mounting means which are fixed on the vehicle.

3. A multi-purpose vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the driving cabin can be connected and locked to implements carried or pulled by the vehicle.

4. A multi-purpose vehicle according to claim 2 wherein there is provided a lifting and turning means for the driving cabin, which can be connected to the driving cabin, independently of the mounting means.

5. A multi-purpose vehicle according to claim 4 wherein the lifting and turning means comprises a hydraulic or pneumatic piston-cylinder unit which is connected to the frame structure.

6. A multi-purpose vehicle according to claim 5 wherein the part of the piston-cylinder unit which can be lifted relative to the frame structure has a carrier arm which is provided with two gripping means which can be engaged into lifting pockets fixedly connected to the driving cabin.

7. A multi-purpose vehicle according to claims 5 or 6 wherein the piston-cylinder unit is connected to the frame structure at a laterally displaced position with respect to the longitudinal centre line of the multi-purpose vehicle.

8. A multi-purpose vehicle according to any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein the lifting means is secured to the frame structure in such a way that it can be removed or swung away.

9. A multi-purpose vehicle according to any one of claims 2 and 4 to 8 wherein the mounting means are in the form of carrier plates of which one is connected to the frame structure substantially centrally between the vehicle axles and the other is connected to one of the axles at a laterally displaced position.

10. A multi-purpose vehicle according to any one of claims 2 and 4 to 9 wherein the mounting means projects rearwardly beyond the back of the vehicle.

11. A multi-purpose vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein one of the vehicle axles is a swing axle, to which a three-point suspension linkage is connected.

12. A multi-purpose vehicle according to claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the cabin has a base frame which is connected by way of flexible rubber elements to a second frame which can be selectively locked to the mounting means.

1 3. A multi-purpose vehicle according to claim 12 wherein the mounting means have conical pins and fitting members which are fixedly connected to said second frame are capable of being brought into engagement with said pins.

14. A multi-purpose vehicle according to claim 1 3 wherein the pins and the fitting members are provided with slots into which locking bar members can be inserted.

15. A multi-purpose vehicle according to claim 14 wherein the locking bar members are mounted and held in the slots in the fitting members by a linkage means.

1 6. A multi-purpose vehicle according to claim 15 wherein a pin is mounted at the end of a rod of the linkage means which pin is operatively connected to an angled lever which is mounted on a bracket connected to the cabin.

1 7. A multi-purpose vehicle according to claim 16 wherein the arm of the angled lever which is not operatively connected to the pin is pivotable by an abutment which moves when the cabin is to be lifted.

18. A multi-purpose vehicle according to any one of claims 1 5 to 1 7 wherein the linkage means is stressed by the force of a spring in the direction of locking movement of the locking bar members.

19. A multi-purpose vehicle according to claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon wherein a tube carrying one of the mounting means is telescopic and comprises two interengaging tube members.which are movable relative to each other by means of a hydraulic piston-cylinder unit.

20. A multi-purpose vehicle according to claim 1 9 wherein the mounting means carried by the tube comprises an elongate first plate which is connected to the tube and which is provided with guide means, and a second plate which is displaceably guided with reference to the first plate and which is provided with mounting pins.

21. A multi-purpose vehicle according to claim 1 9 or 20 wherein the interengaging tubes are square or rectangular tubes.

22. A self-propelled agricultural multi-purpose vehicle, such as a tractor, having a driving cabin which is movable into at least two operative positions, wherein an auxiliary frame onto which the driving cabin can be set down is connected to one of the vehicle axles, wherein the support plane of the auxiliary frame has approximately the same ground clearance as the vehicle axles, and wherein the operating elements passing from the cabin to the vehicle are of an electrical, electronic, pneumatic or hydraulic nature and are of such a length than connection thereof to the vehicle is ensured, even when the cabin is set down onto the auxiliary frame.

23. A self-propelled agricultural multi-purpose vehicle according to claim 22 wherein a threepoint suspension linkage to which the auxiliary frame is removably secured is connected to the said axle of the multi-purpose vehicle and the said axle is the rear axle.

24. A self-propelled agricultural multi-purpose vehicle according to claim 23 wherein the auxiliary frame is provided with a locking means.

25. A self-propelled agricultural multi-purpose vehicle according to claim 24 wherein the locking means comprises pins which are connected to the auxiliary frame and onto which locking sleeves which are fixed to the cabin can be placed.

26. An agricultural multi-purpose vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1-6 or Figure 7 of the drawings.