GB2160167A

GB2160167A - Improvements in or relating to tractors

Info

Publication number: GB2160167A
Application number: GB08414218A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Trevor Frederick Spencer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-06-04
Filing date: 1984-06-04
Publication date: 1985-12-18
Also published as: GB2160167B; GB8414218D0

Abstract

An adjustable load-counterbalancing weight arrangement for tractors comprises fixed and relatively movable parts 2, 3. The fixed part 2 is attached to the tractor. The movable part 3 is moved relatively to the fixed part and forwardly of the tractor by hydraulic-rams 13. At its forward end, the movable part has a transverse weight-carrying bar 14 onto which are hooked load- counterbalancing weights 18. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to tractors This invention relates to tractors and more particularly to accessory arrangements for carrying loadcounterbalancing weights.

It is well-known, in the use of tractors particularly for some agricultural duties, that vertical loads are applied to the rear of the tractor tending to lift the tractor front and thereby lose wheel-grip and steering control and even tractor stability. To counterbalance such loads, it is known to provide a transverse weight-carrying bar on the front of a tractor, onto which can be hooked a required number of weights.

The present invention provides an improved structure for receiving such weights by which the effective counterbalancing moment of such weights may be varied.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a tractor having a weight support framework comprising fixed and movable parts, the fixed part being attached to the tractor and the movable part being slideable longitudinally of the tractor relatively to the fixed part, the movable part supporting a weight-carrying bar at its forward end and hydraulic- ram means being provided for sliding said movable part forwardly relatively to said fixed part to a required extent.

Short Description of the Drawings One embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side-elevation view showing a counterbalance-weight support extensible framework mounted on a tractor; Figure 2 is a half plan view showing the righthand side of the weight-support arrangement of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a detail plan view of the extensible framework shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a side-elevation view of the extensible framework of Figure 3, together with an operating hydraulic ram.

Description of the Specific Embodiment Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a tractor 1, represented in broken-line outline only, upon the chassis of which is mounted an extensible framework comprising a fixed part 2 and a movable part 3.

As shown in the views of Figures 2 and 3, the fixed part 2 of the extensible framework is secured to the tractor chassis by countersunk side bolts 4 and 5 and by front-end bolts 6 and 7. The movable part 3 is U-shaped in plan view, see Figure 3, and has right and left side-arms 8 and 9, respectively, of box-section. The fixed part 2 has two side-arm guides 10 and two side-arm guides 11, which respectively receive the right and left side-arms 8 and 9 of the movable part and provide sliding bearing surface for the box-section members.

A third and rearward side-arm guide is also provided at each side of the fixed part 2 by rear-end mountings 12 of a pair of hydraulic rams 13, see Figures 1 and 2. Other bearing surfaces, such as roller bearings, may be used if desired, but are not shown in the drawings.

At the front end of the movable part 3 is mounted a transverse weight-carrier 14. In this example, the weight-carrier 14 is that provided for the tractor 1 and it is unbolted from the front transverse member of the tractor chassis, when the fixed part 2 is mounted, and is bolted to the front transverse member 15 of the movable part 3 at corresponding bolt locations 16 and 17, see Figure 3.

Referring again to Figure 1 and 2, there are shown a series of hook-on weights 18, up to a maximum weight of some 550 kilograms, provided for the tractor weight carrier 14.

At each side of the extensible framework, the rear-end mounting 12 carries an upwardly-extending lug 19 to which is pinned the cylinder connector 20 of the hydraulic ram 13. At each side, also, the side-arm 8 or 9 has a forward upwardly-extending lug 21 to which is pinned the piston connector 22 of the hydraulic ram 13. The pair of hydraulic rams 13 are powered from the tractor hydraulic system by way of hydraulic hoses, not shown. In Figures 1, 2 and 4, the hydraulic rams 13 are shown in their retracted positions. When extended, the hydraulic rams 13 carry forward the movable framework part 3, in the direction of the arrows 23, by a maximum extension of 1.1 metres, in the present example.The weights 18 may thereby be extended beyond the tractor chassis by a preferred distance up to this 1.1 metres limit, the counterbalancing moment of the weights 18 being adjustable correspondingly.

Hydraulic power supply to the rams 13 is conveniently controlled from the tractor cab, so that the driver has continuous control of the counterbalancing moment of the weights used as the working load varies from time to time. Thereby, the stability of the tractor is enhanced and front wheel ground adhesion is increased, so that steering is improved and front-wheel drive is improved in the case of four-wheel drive tractors.

1. For a tractor, a weight support framework comprising fixed and movable parts, the fixed part being attachable to the tractor and the movable part being slideable longitudinally of the tractor relatively to the fixed part, the movable part supporting a weight-carrying bar at its forward end and hydraulic-ram means being provided for sliding said movable part forwardly relatively to said fixed part to a required extent.

2. A weight support framework as claimed in Claim 1, in which the movable part is U-shaped in plan view and has right and left side arms.

3. A weight support framework as claimed in Claim 2, in which the fixed part has right and left side-arm guides adapted both to receive and to

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to tractors This invention relates to tractors and more particularly to accessory arrangements for carrying loadcounterbalancing weights. It is well-known, in the use of tractors particularly for some agricultural duties, that vertical loads are applied to the rear of the tractor tending to lift the tractor front and thereby lose wheel-grip and steering control and even tractor stability. To counterbalance such loads, it is known to provide a transverse weight-carrying bar on the front of a tractor, onto which can be hooked a required number of weights. The present invention provides an improved structure for receiving such weights by which the effective counterbalancing moment of such weights may be varied. Accordingly, the present invention provides a tractor having a weight support framework comprising fixed and movable parts, the fixed part being attached to the tractor and the movable part being slideable longitudinally of the tractor relatively to the fixed part, the movable part supporting a weight-carrying bar at its forward end and hydraulic- ram means being provided for sliding said movable part forwardly relatively to said fixed part to a required extent. Short Description of the Drawings One embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side-elevation view showing a counterbalance-weight support extensible framework mounted on a tractor; Figure 2 is a half plan view showing the righthand side of the weight-support arrangement of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a detail plan view of the extensible framework shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a side-elevation view of the extensible framework of Figure 3, together with an operating hydraulic ram. Description of the Specific Embodiment Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a tractor 1, represented in broken-line outline only, upon the chassis of which is mounted an extensible framework comprising a fixed part 2 and a movable part 3. As shown in the views of Figures 2 and 3, the fixed part 2 of the extensible framework is secured to the tractor chassis by countersunk side bolts 4 and 5 and by front-end bolts 6 and 7. The movable part 3 is U-shaped in plan view, see Figure 3, and has right and left side-arms 8 and 9, respectively, of box-section. The fixed part 2 has two side-arm guides 10 and two side-arm guides 11, which respectively receive the right and left side-arms 8 and 9 of the movable part and provide sliding bearing surface for the box-section members. A third and rearward side-arm guide is also provided at each side of the fixed part 2 by rear-end mountings 12 of a pair of hydraulic rams 13, see Figures 1 and 2. Other bearing surfaces, such as roller bearings, may be used if desired, but are not shown in the drawings. At the front end of the movable part 3 is mounted a transverse weight-carrier 14. In this example, the weight-carrier 14 is that provided for the tractor 1 and it is unbolted from the front transverse member of the tractor chassis, when the fixed part 2 is mounted, and is bolted to the front transverse member 15 of the movable part 3 at corresponding bolt locations 16 and 17, see Figure 3. Referring again to Figure 1 and 2, there are shown a series of hook-on weights 18, up to a maximum weight of some 550 kilograms, provided for the tractor weight carrier 14. At each side of the extensible framework, the rear-end mounting 12 carries an upwardly-extending lug 19 to which is pinned the cylinder connector 20 of the hydraulic ram 13. At each side, also, the side-arm 8 or 9 has a forward upwardly-extending lug 21 to which is pinned the piston connector 22 of the hydraulic ram 13. The pair of hydraulic rams 13 are powered from the tractor hydraulic system by way of hydraulic hoses, not shown. In Figures 1, 2 and 4, the hydraulic rams 13 are shown in their retracted positions. When extended, the hydraulic rams 13 carry forward the movable framework part 3, in the direction of the arrows 23, by a maximum extension of 1.1 metres, in the present example.The weights 18 may thereby be extended beyond the tractor chassis by a preferred distance up to this 1.1 metres limit, the counterbalancing moment of the weights 18 being adjustable correspondingly. Hydraulic power supply to the rams 13 is conveniently controlled from the tractor cab, so that the driver has continuous control of the counterbalancing moment of the weights used as the working load varies from time to time. Thereby, the stability of the tractor is enhanced and front wheel ground adhesion is increased, so that steering is improved and front-wheel drive is improved in the case of four-wheel drive tractors. CLAIMS

3. A weight support framework as claimed in Claim 2, in which the fixed part has right and left side-arm guides adapted both to receive and to provide bearing surfaces for said right and left side arms of said movable part, respectively.

4. A weight support framework as claimed in Claim 3, each side arm of said movable part having one end of a hydraulic ram attached thereto, the other end of each hydraulic ram being attached to the fixed part of said framework.

5. A tractor having a weight support framework comprising fixed and movable parts, the fixed part being attached to the tractor and the movable part being slideable longitudinally of the tractor relatively to the fixed part, the movable part supporting a weight-carrying bar at its forward end and hydraulic-ram means being provided for sliding said movable part forwardly relatively to said fixed part to a required extent.

6. A tractor as claimed in Claim 5, having a plurality of load-couterbalancing weights mounted side by side upon said weight-carrying bar.

7. A weight support framework, as claimed in Claim 1, constructed substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A tractor as claimed in Claim 5, constructed substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.