GB2200603A

GB2200603A - Raisable bedless trailer

Info

Publication number: GB2200603A
Application number: GB08702304A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Philip Matthews
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-02-02
Filing date: 1987-02-02
Publication date: 1988-08-10
Also published as: GB8702304D0

Abstract

A trailer has a bedless steel girder chassis 10 which can support two rows of pallets (conventional or "Dumpys"). The unhitched trailer can be hydraulically raised vertically, while a fertilizer spreader 21 can be reversed underneath any "Dumpy" bag 19, which when cut will flow into the spreader. The trailer has a long drawbar (17), Fig 6 and can be hitched on the pick-up hitch underneath a fertilizer spreader 21. This means that one man with tractor, spreader and trailer can spread an off field or farm. This usually takes two men with tractor, spreader, loader tractor and trailer. It can also be filled when at a merchants with eight "Dumpys", which then need no further loader handling. The trailer can be filled with six conventional pallets (2J) Fig 7 forming a flatbed bale trailer, or with parallel heavy channels (27), to form a vehicle low loading trailer and inspection lift. <IMAGE>

Description

RAISABLE BEDLESS TRAILER This invention relates to a raisable bedless trailer.

Currently when using "Dumpy" fertilizer bags (750Kg bag on a small pallet made by I.C.I.) it is necesary to have a loader to unload a conventional flatbed trailer and load them into a fertilizer spreader. However with a raisable bedless trailer it is not necesary to use a loader tractor.

The raisable bedless trailer can be raised with a full load of "Dumpy bagel under which a fertilizer spreader can be reversed and filled by cutting open the bag through the trailer chassis Cbedless).

This trailer can also carry a load of conventional fertilizer pallets. The trailer filled with just these pallets and fitted with bale riggers becomes a conventional flat bed trailer.

If parrallel lengthways heavy steel channels are dropped into the trailer chassis and used for small rear ramps the trailer becomes a vehicle low loading trailer, and a vehicle inspection lift.

According to the present invention there is provided a raisable bedless trailer, comprising of a chassis which can support "Dumpy" bags, but allow clear flow through the chassis, of fertilizers when cut open, a hydraulic lifting system to lift the chassis high enough to load into a fertilizer spreader, a drawbar and an axle (axles).

A specific enbodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I shows the side elevation, the trailer loaded with "Dumpy" bags in the raised position.

Figure 2 shows the side elevation of the trailer loaded with "Dumpy" bags in the lower position.

Figure 3 illustrates an end elevation of the trailer in the raised position loaded with "Dumpy"bags, one of it has been cut and is now running into the fertilizer spreader which has been reversed underneath the trailer.

Figure 4 shows the end elevation of the trailer in the lowered position, fitted with bale ladders.

Figure 5 illustrates a side elevation of the trailer being loaded with a crawler.

Figure 6 illustrates a side elevation of a fertilizer distributor hitched over the long drawbar.

Figure 7 shows plan view of trailer loaded with one conventional fertilizer pallet, one "Dumpy" pallet and one steel vehicle supporting girder.

Figure 8 shows cross section of length ways side girder at point 32 showing 25mm high lip which retains the pallets.

Referring.to the drawing of the trailer which comprises of a bedless chassis I0, a front pairuof jack legs II, a rear pair of jack legs and trailer axle (axles) I2, hinged at points I3 and I4 perspectively, a double acting hydraulic ram I5, (can be single acting if legs are not jacked beyond verticle and have a return spring). On rear-legs and also one I6 on front legs, a drawbar I7 and pickup hitch I8.

Also (not shown) some means of ram stops to secure rams open when the trailer is raised and hydraulic hoses to connect the rams to a tractor, (also not shown).

In order to raise trailer from normal trailer position Fig 2, un-hitch the tractor from the pickup hitch 18 and drive it foreward just clear of the trailer. Then connect up hydraulic hoses, each ram to a seperate spool valve. Also make sure the trailer brakes are off.

Then raise each ram I5 and 16, equally to keep trailer chassis flat till fully raised. (Shown as legs II and I2 being verticle in Figure 'I,but if trailer is using double acting ram legs it may be jacked to beyond verticle to allow more clearence on end "Dumpy bags" I9 for a wide fertilizer spreader).

Now the ram stops (not shown) can be dropped into place and the rams closed slightly, to take the weight of the trailer on the ram stops so that there is no pressure in the hoses so that they can be disconected.

To lower the trailer chassis the 'steps described above are carried out in the reverse'sequence.

To fill a.fertilizer spreader with fertilizer from a "Dumpy bag" I9, the then disconected tractor 20, and lowered spreader 21, is reversed under one of the full "Dumpy bags" I9, on one side of the trailer, the bag is then cut open between the steel girders of the trailer chassis 10. Fertilizer 22, then freely flows' into the spreader and can be spread. A linkage spreader 21, has been illustrated in Figure 3, but the same proceedure can be used with a trail fertilizer spreader.

I Figure 4, the trailer is fitted with bale'rigger's 23,.fitted' at points 24, by a pair of bolts or similar mea'ns (not shown').

The chassis I0, of the. trailer is fitted with six (depending on length of trailer) conventional pallets 25. The trailer in this form can be used for all a conventional flat bed trailers uses' such as carrying round and conven'tional bales'. Also wh'en' unloading conventional bales the 'trailer' can be''raised' to aid loading a top of the shed, rick or lorry.

Figure 5, shows' trailer fitted wi'th two' loading ramps 26,and four dropped in vehicle carrying girders 27, all of which can be slid sideways to match the (track) width of the vehicle. The trailer can then be used as a vehicle low loading trailer (Figure 3. being loaded with a crawler) by raising either end of the trailer and lowering the other. To lower-front end-to the floor the drawbar can be disconnected at point 28, (by a large pin or other means) then hinged or removed at point 29, (by large pin or other means).

Then it is possible to drive a vehicle on.

The trailer can also in this form, with a vehicle loaded on it and then raised become a vehicle inspection lift.

Figure 6, shows the use of the trailers longer than usual drawbar I7, so that a fertilizer spreader 21, can be hitched on at the same time as a trailer so that only one tractor (or one 'trip) is necesary to go to the field.

Figure 7, shows a plan view of the trailer' in the raised' position showing the spacing of the steel girders. It shows the location of the hydraulic rams I6 and 17, a dropped in conventional' pallet 25, a vehicle carrying girder 27, and an empty "Dumpy pallet" 30.

A "Dumpy pallet" 30 is 50mm narrower than a conventional pallet 25, so a piece of wood (75mm .X 75mm not shown)mmust be dropped in lengthways along the centre length of the trailer, being fastened in place at points 31, thus preventing the "Dumpy pallets" 30, from moving about.

Figure 8, shows a verticle cross section of an outside lengthways girder at point 32, showing the 25mm high' lip,33, which retains the pallets. This lip is also present on each end of the trailer.

Claims

I A raisable bedless trailer comprises of a chassis capable of supporting conventional and "Dumpy" pallets, with sufficient gaps for each "Dumpy" pallets bag to be cut from underneath and allowed to flow out. A hydraulicly powered mechanism capable of raising this chassis high enough to reverse an agricultural fertilizer underneath. A drawbar and pick-up hitch and a wheeled axle (axles).

2 A raisable bedless trailer as claimed in claim I wherein two rows of pallets (either conventional or "Dumpys") are supported by four lengthways girders (three if the centre girder is wide enough) supporting the inner and outer edges of the pallets.

This leaves a gap inbetween for the "Dumpy" bags to be cut open, and freely flow into the spreader.

3 A raisable bedless trailer as claimed in Claim I whereon using a hydraulic ram (rams), powered from a tractor, lifts the chassis vertically using either telescopic legs or pivoted leveraged steel legs (either of which may be fitted with an axle)

4 A raisable bedless trailer as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the lift mechanism, hydraulic rams and axles,when the trailer is raised are situated allowing ample clearance for a fertilizer spreader to be reversed underneath any "Dumpy" pallet carried.

Therefore the legs, rams and axles when raised are situated at both ends and down the centre line of the trailer.

5 A raisable bedleSs trailer as claimed in Claim I wherein means to fasten bale riggers to both ends of the trailer.

6 A raisable bedless trailer as claimed in Claim I wherein steel girders (being wide and strong enough to take a heavy vehicle) can be fitted between the structure of the chassis and also at either end so that the trailer can carry a vehicle.

7 A raisable bedless trailer as claimed in Claim I and 3 wherein each end of the trailer can be independently raised, allowing one end to be fully raised and the other end lowered, dropping the chassis to the floor.

8 A raisable bedless trailer as claimed in Claim I, 6, and7 wherein the trailer can be used as a vehicle low loading trailer.

9 A raisable bedless trailer as claimed in Claim I, 6 and7 where, when the trailer is fully raised it can be used as a vehicle inspection lift trailer.

10 A raisable bedless trailer as claimed in Claims I and 6 wherein the steel girders can be moved sideways to suit the vehicles wheel width.

II A' raisable bedless trailer as claimed in Claim I wherein the drawb'ar can be hinged clear or removed by means of heavy fastenin -g pins, so as-.the drawbar does not obstruct the use of the trailer as in Claim 8.

I2 A raisable bedless trailer as claimed in Claim I wh'erein the drawbar is long enough (possibly extendable)' to allow' a three' point linkage fertilizer spreader to be hitched to the''tractor' between the trailer and above 'the 'drawb.ar.

I3 A raisable bedless trailer as claimed in Claim I wherei'n the' trailer being wide enough for two. rows of conventional pallets is too wide for two'rows of "Dumpy" pallets, so a length ways space'r' must be dropped in and possibly fastened.

15 A raisable bedless trailer as claimed in Claim I wherein there is a lip on the outside edge of the trailer chassis top high'enough to retain pallets, but not too high to obstruct the passage 'of' pallet forks.

I6 A raisable bedless trailer substantially as described here in with reference to Figures I-8 of the accompanying drawings.