GB2502699A

GB2502699A - Adaptor for a three point linkage

Info

Publication number: GB2502699A
Application number: GB1307798.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shane Nugent; Leigh Falls
Original assignee: NUGENT ENGINEERING Ltd
Current assignee: NUGENT ENGINEERING Ltd
Priority date: 2012-05-08
Filing date: 2013-04-30
Publication date: 2013-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 2033-04-30
Also published as: IE86834B1; GB2502699B; GB201307798D0; GB201208033D0; IE20130146A1

Abstract

An adaptor for coupling two agricultural implements to a three point linkage of a tractor, said adaptor apparatus comprising an elongate frame having a group of primary mounting points 16, 18, 20 provided on a substantially central region of the frame for attaching the adaptor to a three point linkage of a tractor, and first and second groups of secondary mounting points provided on either side of the frame to enable a pair of implements to be mounted onto the frame in side by side. The first and secondary groups of secondary mountings may each comprise a respective pair of lower mounting points 22, 24, 26, 28 and an upper mounting point 34, 36 corresponding to the top link of a three point linkage. The agricultural implements may be bale handlers.

Description

Adaptor for a three point 1inkate This invention relates to an adaptor for a three point linkage of a tractor, and in particular to an adaptor that enables two separate agricultural implements to be mounted side by side on a three point linkage of a tractor or similar vehicle.

The three point linkage, invented by Harry Ferguson in 1928, is positioned at the rear of a tractor and comprises a pair of laterally spaccd lifting or draft arms cxtcnding rcarwardly from the tractor and a top link arm positioned above and centrally between the two draft arms, such that the ends of the draft arms and top link define, between then, a triangular arrangement of mounting points to which an implement can be attached. The two draft arms (and sometimes also the top link) may be raised and lowered hydraulically. The top link is typically adjustable in length, typically by means of threaded end fittings.

Many farm implements are attached to a tractor by means of a three point linkage. A primary advantage of a three point linkage compared to a simple tow hitch is that the three point linkage, by virtue of its three mounting points, allows all or part of the weight of the implement to be transferred to the tractor and, though the use of hydraulic linkages on the drop links, allows the position and/or orientation of the implement attached thereto to be readily adjustcd from thc cab.

One known implement for attachment to a three point linkage of a tractor is a bale handler for handling round bales, in particular silage bales where the bale is covered in a plastic wrap. Such bale handlers typically comprise a pair of substantially parallel horizontally extending tines, extending rearwardly from an A-frame in cantilevered fashion, the A frame having mounting points for attachment to a thrcc point linkage of a tractor. The tines arc arranged to such that a bale can be supported therebetween. The tines are often pivotally mounted on thc frame about a horizontal pivot axis cxtcnding transverse to the tincs to allow the bale to be tipped onto its end.

An object of the present invention is to provide in increase in the carrying capacity of a tractor by cnabling two such b&c handlers to thc fitted to thc tractor at the same time.

According to the present invention there is provided an adaptor for coupling two agricultural implements to a three point linkage of a tractor, said adaptor apparatus comprising an elongate frame having a group of primary mounting points provided on a substantially central region of the frame for attaching the adaptor to a three point linkage of a tractor, and first and second groups of secondary mounting points provided on either side of the frame to enable a pair of implements to be mounted onto the frame in side by side.

PreferaNy said group of primary mounting points is provided on a first side of the frame and said first and second groups of secondary mounting points are provided on a second side of the frame, opposite said first side.

Said first and second groups of secondary mounting points may each comprise a respective pair of lower mounting points, corresponding to the draft arms of a three point linkage, and a respective upper mounting point, mounted above and between the respective lower mounting points, said upper mounting point corresponding to a top link of a three point linkage, such that each group of secondary mounting points represents the mounting arrangement of a three point linkage, enabling an implement adapted to be coupled to a three point linkage to be readily attached to each group of secondary mounting points.

Preferably the position of said upper mounting point of each of said first and second groups of secondary mounting points is adjustable in relation to the respective lower mounting points. Preferably said upper mounting point comprises a second end of a respective linear actuator, more preferably a double acting hydraulic ram, a first end of said linear actuator being pivotally mounted on said frame, preferably at a position between the respective lower mounting points.

In one embodiment, said elongate frame comprises a central section, preferably in the form of an A frame having a pair of upwardly extending angled limbs meeting at an apex, said primary mounting points comprising a pair of spaced lower mounting points provided on lower portion thereof for attachment to the drop links of a three point linkage and an upper mounting located above and between said lower mounting points, preferably provided at the apex of the A frame section, for attachment to a top link of the three point linkage.

Preferably a lower portion of said frame is defined by an elongate beam extending transversely on either side of said central section, a central portion of said elongate beam preferably defining a lower limb of said A frame section. Preferably the lower mounting points of each of said first and second groups of secondary mounting points comprise a pair of laterally spaced mounting plates provided on said beam. A further mounting bracket may be located between each pair of mounting plates for mounting a first end of a respective linear actuator thereon. Preferably each further mounting bracket comprises a pair of spaced mounting p'ates between which said first of the respective linear actuator is mounted via a respective pivot pin extending between said plates.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of an adaptor according to an embodiment of the present invention from the front; Figure 2 is a perspectiveviewofthe adaptorof Figure 1 from the rear; Figure 3 is a perspective view from the front of the adaptor of Figure 1 with a pair of bale handlers mounted thereon; and Figure 4 is a perspective view from the rear of the adaptor of Figure 1 with said pair of bale handlers mounted thereon.

A shown in the drawings, an adaptor 10 for enabling two agricultural implements, in particular bale handlers 2,4, to be fitted to the three point linkage of a tractor in side by side relationship, comprises an elongate frame comprising a lower beam 12, an A-frame section 14 being provided on a central region of the lower beam 12, an upper mounting bracket 16 being provided at apex of the A frame section and a pair of lower mounting brackets 18,20 being provided on either side of the base of the A-frame section on a rear side of the lower beam 12 to provide fitting points for attachment the adaptor 10 onto the three point linkage of a tractor or similar vehicle.

Further mounting brackets are provided on the lower beam 12 of the frame, extending forwardly from the lower beam 12, to define first and second pairs of lower mounts 22,24;26,28 on either side of a central region of the beam 12. A respective frirther mounting bracket 30,32, each comprising a pair of spaced plates, is mounted on a rear side of the lower beam 12 between each pair of lower mounts 22,24;26,28.

A respective double acting ram 34,36 is mounted on each further mounting bracket 30,32 via a respective pivot pin extending between said spaced plates thereof, to extend upwardly and forwardly from the lower beam 12. Each pair of the first and second pairs of lower mounts 22,24;26,28 and a distal end of the respective ram 34,36 associated therewith, define a triangular arrangement of attachment points to which an implement may be attached using the attachment points of the implement normally used for direct connection to a three point linkage. Thus, a pair of implements can be mounted on the adaptor, via said first and second pairs of lower mounts 22,24;26,28 and the rams 34,36, in side by side relationship.

The frame of the adaptor includes a horizontal member 38 extending perpendicularly from a central region of the lower beam 12 in a substantially horizontal direction, a vertical member 40 extending upwardly from the lower beam 12 to define a central region of the A frame 14, a web 42 extending between said horizontal and vertical members to provide additional support to the upper mounting bracket 16 and to separate the two implements 2,4 mounted on the adaptor.

The double acting hydraulic rams 34,36 arc independently operable, preferably via connection to the hydraulic system of the tractor upon which the adaptor 10 is mounted, to enable independent movement and/or operation of the two implements mounted on the adaptor 10.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the adaptor 10 is particularly suitable for mounting a pair of bale handlers 2,4 thereon to enable a tractor to effectively double its carrying capacity by mounting a bale handler 2,4 on each side of the frame. The individual ram 34,36 attached to each bale handles 2,4 enables the bale handlers to be operated independently.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims 1. An adaptor for coupling two agricultural implements to a three point linkage of a tractor, said adaptor apparatus comprising an elongate frame having a group of primary mounting points provided on a substantially central region of the frame for attaching the adaptor to a three point linkagc of a tractor, and first and second groups of secondary mounting points provided on either side of the frame to enabk a pair of impkments to be mounted onto the frame in side by side.
2. An adaptor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said group of primary mounting points is provided on a first side of the frame and said first and second groups of secondary mounting points arc provided on a second side of the frame, opposite said first side.
3. An adaptor as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said fir st and second groups of secondary mounting points each comprise a respective pair of lower mounting points, corresponding to the draft arms of a three point linkage, and a respective upper mounting point, mounted above and between the respective lower mounting points, said upper mounting point corresponding to a top link of a three point linkage, such that each group of secondary mounting points represents the mounting arrangement of a three point linkage, enabling an implement adapted to be coupled to a three point linkage to be readily attached to each group of secondary mounting points.
4. An adaptor as claimed in claim 3, wherein the position of said upper mounting point of each of said first and second groups of secondary mounting points is adjustable in relation to the respective lower mounting points.
5. An adaptor as claimed in claim 4, wherein said upper mounting point comprises a second end of a respective linear actuator, a first end of said linear actuator being pivotally mounted on said frame, preferably at a position between the respective lower mounting points.
6. An adaptor as claimed in claim 5, wherein said linear actuator comprises a double acting hydraulic ram,
7. An adaptor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said elongate frame comprises a central section in the form of an A frame having a pair of upwardly extending angled limbs meeting at an apex, said primary mounting points comprising a pair of spaced lower mounting points provided on lower portion thereof for attachment to the drop links of a three point linkage and an upper mounting located above and between said lower mounting points for attachment to a top link of the three point linkage.
8. An adaptor as claimed in claim 7, wherein said upper mounting is provided at the apex of the central section.
9. An adaptor as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein a lower portion of said elongate frame is defined by an elongate beam extending transversely on either side of said central section, a central portion of said elongate beam preferably defining a lower limb of said A frame.
10. An adaptor as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lower mounting points of each of said first and second groups of secondary mounting points comprise a pair of laterally spaced mounting plates provided on said beam.
11. An adaptor as claimed in claim 10, wherein a further mounting bracket is located between each pair of mounting plates for mounting a first end of a respective linear actuator thereon.
12. An adaptor as claimed in claim 11, wherein each further mounting bracket comprises a pair of spaced mounting plates between which said first of the respective linear actuator is mounted via a respective pivot pin extending between said plates.
13. An adaptor for coupling two agricultural implements to a three point linkage of a tractor substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.