US2753639A - Levee building and terracing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

July 0, 1956 M. T. HUEBNER ET AL 2,753,639

LEVEE BUILDING AND TERRACING APPARATUS Filed April 4, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l fa i L49 /7 l l I E l A I m L i (/0/7/7 A. Huebner I MONO/7 7: Huebner INVENTORS 'EI 'E w 2 M ATTORNEYS July 10, 1956 M. T. HUEBNER ETAL LEVEIE BUILDING AND TERRACING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 4, 1951 Mar/0n 7T Huebner INVENTORJ M M ATTORNEYS July 10, 1956 M. T. HUEBNER ETAL LEVEE BUILDING AND TERRACING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 4 1951 a/o/m A. Huebner Mar/on 7T Huebner INVENTORS E ZELJW ATTORNEYJ LEVEIE BUlLDllNGAND lllERRACING APPARATUS Marion T. l-luebner and John A. Huebner, Bay City, Tex. Application April 4, 1951, Serial No. 219,285 3 Claims. (Cl. 37-466) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in levee building and terracing apparatus.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus which is particularly adapted for use in. building rice field contour levees and lateral canals and in constructing hillside terrace levees for the prevention of erosion.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved levee building and terracing machine including a single frame member forming the. main structural element of the machine, which member is adapted to be coupled directly to the tractor or other pulling vehicle; the construction not only simplifying manufacture and providing the necessary strength and rigidity but also permitting backing or reverse movement of the machine by said tractor, whereby the levee building and terracing operations are facilitated.

A particular object is to provide a machine, of the character described, which is so constructed that forward somersaulting or overturning of the machine onto the pullingvehicle, in the event the forward points of the blades engage too deeply into the ground, is positively prevented whereby safety in operation is assured.

Another object is to provide a levee building and tfil'r' racing .machinewherein the raising andulowering of the blades of the machineis accurately controlled from the drivers seat of thepulling vehicle and also whereinthe power requiredfor controlling the depth of the cut taken by .theblades is obtained from the power takeoff of the pulling vehicle.

A furtherobject isltoprovide a machine, of the characterdescribed, wherein therear ends of the blades of said machine are full floating which automatically preventsoverloading and choking to. assure efficient grading operations; the rear ends of the blades being rigidly connected together to insure uniform operation thereof when operating .over uneven terrain.

Still another objectis to provide an improvedlevee building and terracing machine, wherein the forward portions of the blades are.connected through rigid connections to the central'framememb'er at substantially the point where the forward pulling force is applied, whereby a rigidforward propulsion of the blades may be accomplished; the connections to the blades being such that there is. no interference with any pivoting or movement of. the blades which may be necessary for control and adjustment.

Another object is to provide a machine, of the character described, wherein the blades are connected by truss rods which are secured to the blades below the plane in which the main axle of the machine is disposed to assure alignment of the bladesand relieve strain on the axle by-effebting a transfer of any. side thrust from one blade to an other to thereby balancesaid thrust.

A particular object is to provide an improved machine, of the character described, wherein the supporting wheels of the machine are capable of inward movement relative to the longitudinal center of the machine whereby the overall width of the machine may be reduced to within the usual highway limitations to allow said machine to be towed on an ordinary highway.

States Patent 6 The construction designed to carryout the invention will be hereinafter described together withother features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood 'froma reading, of the following specification and by reference to' the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a levee building andterracing machine constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is aside elevation of the machine with one of the supporting'wheels removed andshowing the blades engaging'the ground,

Figure 3 isa view similar to'Figure' 2 of the rear pur tion of the machine andillustr'atingthe blades in araised position,

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of one-half ofthe supporting axle and illustrating one of tl1ewlieelsup porting crank arms,

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken'longitudinally of the wheel supporting crank arm on the lineS-S ofFigure i',

Figure 6 is a transverse'sectionalview taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4, and

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional View taken on the line 7 -701? Figure 4.

Iirthe drawings, the numeral 10 designates anelongate l-beam whichforms the main supporting-element ofthe machine. The forward portion of the: beamltyhas a suitable eye or loop 11 welded or otherwise'secure'd thereff to whereby said beam may be readily attached by the usual hitch (notshown) to a tractor or other pulling vehicle. The rear portion of the l beam is inclined'of directed upwardly as indicated at l2to form an upwardly inclined beam section. At a pointg'ust forwardly ofth'e inclined beam section 12, the beam lltl isatt'achedto a tubular axle or shaft 13 (Figure7) which extendsat sub? stantially a right angle or transversely of the beam. A' hearing block 14 having a centralopeningdfi through whichthe shaft 13 extends is secured to" the base flange 10a oftheI-beamby suitable U-bolt s 161 lt will thusbe evident that the beam 10 is supported upon the main axle or shaft 13 at substantially the central portion thereof while the shaft or 'axleis rotatable within the opcninglti of the bearing block and is therefore rotatable with re, spect'tothe central beam or supportlll. 1

Each outer end of the axle or shaftl3 has a wheel supporting crank arm 17 secured theretoin a mannertrl be hereinafter explained. The outer end of each crank arm 17 carries an axle stud 13 on which one of the ground wheels19are mounted. Each crank arm 17 is keyed to the axle or shaft 13 so that a rotation of the'shaft will result in a swinging of said crank arms. Because ground wheels rest upon the ground it will be evident that a swingingof the crank arms will result ina raising orlowering ofthe axle or shaft 13 with a resultant raising or lowering of the central beam or support 1d of the machine.

For eifecting a rotation of the axle or shaft 13 in order to swing the wheel supporting crank arms 17, a centra l crank member 20 is secured'to the central portion of the shaft? The crank arm 20 comprises a pairof spaced side bars 20a which are connected at theirouter ends byf a connecting pin 21 (Figure 1). That end ofeach side bar 2% whichis remote from the connecting pin21fis formed with an opening 22 through which the main axle" or shaft 13 extends (Figure 7). Connectingfianges 23 which are welded to the external surface of the main axle-*or shaft 13are bolted bysuitable bolts 24 to the side bars 20aof the crank 20 and in this manner the crank 20 is attached to the shaft 13. With this arrangel atentecl July lid, 1956 nected thereto.

3 shaft 13. Since the wheel supporting crank arms 17 are secured to the outer ends of the main axle or shaft 13, rotation of the latter will impart swinging movement to said cranks to raise and lower the frame.

For swinging the central crank 20 to control rotation of the main shaft or axle 13, the connecting pin 21 at the outer end of the crank is provided with a clevis 25 to which is attached a suitable pulley block 26. A lifting cable 27 (Figure 2) has one end attached to the block 26 and passes around the pulley of an idler block 28 which is attached to an upstanding lug 2 3a welded to the upper surface of the central beam 10. The cable 27 then passes around the pulley 26a of the block 26 and has its opposite end wound about a suitable winch or drum 29. With this arrangement it will be evident that a rotation of the winch or drum 29 will result in a tightening or loosening of the operating cable 27, and this will result in a swinging of the central crank arm 20. It is obvious that the weight of the machine is upon the ground wheels which will tend to swing the central crank in the direction of the arrow in Figure 2 and the cable will function to limit this swinging movement. By winding the cable further upon the drum 29, the crank 20 will be swung to a direction to the left in Figure 2 which will actually result in a lifting of the central beam 10 of the machine.

For imparting rotation to the drum or winch 29 a suitable reversing mechanism M is mounted upon the central beam. This mechanism includes a main shaft 30 which is arranged to impart rotation to a driven shaft 31 through either a gear drive 32 or a chain drive 33. A clutch 34 selectively controls the transmission of motion from the main shaft 30 to the driven shaft 31 and obviously when the drive is through the gears, the shaft 31 is rotated in one direction and when the drive is through the chain, rotation of the shaft 31 is in an opposite direction. The shaft 31 is connected through a gear box 35 with the winch. The clutch 34 is controlled from the drivers seat of the pulling vehicle through a control rod 36 and lever 37 so that the operator may control rotation of the winch without leaving the pulling vehicle. The required power to drive the main shaft 30 is provided through a drive shaft 38 which is adapted to be connected to the power take-oft (not shown) of the tractor or pulling vehicle.

From the foregoing it will be evident that the machine provides the central supporting frame and the main supporting axle. The ground wheels 19 are carried by the cranks 17 and upon swinging of the central crank the axle and central beam are raised and lowered.

The ground engaging blades or mould boards A are supported one on each side of the machine and each of these blades are mounted in an identical manner with the forward portion of each blade being secured to the main shaft or axle. The mounting of the forward portion of each blade A is clearly shown in Figures 4, 6 and 7, and as illustrated therein, the end of the shaft 13 is provided with a longitudinal key 39. A tubular sleeve 40 surrounds the end portion of the shaft and is slidable longitudinally of the shaft while being rotatably con- Each crank arm 17 which includes spaced flanges 42 connected by a web has its end split as shown in Figure 5 and is adapted to be clamped by bolts 41 upon the sleeve 40 so as to be attached to and movable with the sleeve. With this arrangement it will be obvious that the crank is actually carried by the sleeve 40 which is in turn keyed upon the main axle or shaft, and thus rotation of the main shaft imparts rotative movement to the sleeve and crank. At the same time the sleeve 40 is adjustable longitudinally on the vmain axle or shaft so that each crank arm 17 and its wheel may be moved inwardly of said shaft. A suitable clamping ring 43 is provided at the inner end of each sleeve 40 for clamping said sleeve against longitudinal movement when the machine is operated. The purpose of adjustably mounting the ground wheels 19 on the shaft 13 is to permit said ground wheels to be moved inwardly to the position shown in full lines in Figure 1, in which the overall width of the machine is within the usual highway limitations. When the machine is in operation the wheels are moved outwardly to gain maximum operating width of the blades.

For supporting each balde A at its forward portion a supporting collar 44 (Figures 6 and 7) surrounds the sleeve 40 and a U-shaped hanger member 45 is welded or otherwise secured to this collar. The main shaft and sleeve 4d are freely rotatable within the bore of the hanger collar 44 but said collar is restricted against longitudinal movement with respect to the sleeve by confinement between one of the flanges 42 and a stop ring 46.

Each hanger member is formed with forwardly directed supporting brackets 47, each of which is provided with an opening 49: through which a supporting post 49 extends. The lower portion of the post 49 engages the back side of its respective blade and is welded or otherwise secured thereto while the upper portion of the post extends through the openings 48 in the hanger brackets 47 A suitable retaining ring 54 welded to the upper end of the post 49 prevents disengagement of the hanger from the post.

It will be obvious that each hanger 45 which supports one of the blades A is so mounted that the main axle I or shaft 13, sleeve 44? and wheel supporting cranks 17 may rotate with respect thereto whereby rotation of the shaft will not cause a swinging of the hanger bracket. For transmitting a direct pull to the forward portion of the blade, a collar 51 is rotatable on the supporting post 49 and is confined between the brackets 47 of the hanger. Each collar 51 has a forwardly extending lug 52 to which is attached a rigid tie rod 53. The forward portion of each tie rod 53 is connected to a plate 53a welded to the base flange 10a of the main beam 10 at the forward portion of said beam with multiple adjustment holes 53b therein to facilitate wheel and blade width adjustment. Thus, when a forward pull is exerted on the beam, such pull is transmitted directly through the tie rods 53 to the posts 49 which are attached to the forward portions of the blades A. This provides for a direct transmission of power to the blades. At the same time, since the tie rods are rigid and since the beam 10 is the central supporting element and also because these members are directly attached to the pulling vehicle, it is obvious that the vehicle may be utilized to impart a rearward movement or backing to the machine.

The rear portions of the blades A are rigidly connected to each other by means of a cross bar 54 with the connection between each end of the cross bar and the blade being made through an upstanding post 55 having its lower end welded to the blade and its upper end attached to the cross bar by U-bolts 56. The cross bar is adapted to be connected through a flexible chain 57 with the inclined beam section 12 at the rear of the machine. Normally, the weight of the blades will maintain the same in engagement with the ground but in the event the forward portions of the blades dig too deeply into the ground, this will result in the rear portions of the blades riding upwardly. Such upward movement of the rear portions of the blades will tend to lift the rear portion of the main beam, with the lifting being transmitted through the axle 13, because of the length of the beam forwardly of the shaft any upward lifting force on the beam at the axle will tend to urge the forward end downwardly toward the ground. This forward end is attached to the tractor and therefore by reason of the elongate center beam, it is impossible to overturn the machine in a forward direction. This is a definite safety feature. The provision of the rigid cross bar between the rear portions of the blades will insure uniform operation of the blades because it combines the weight of both blades onto one or the other when the machine is operating over uneven ground. The floating rear portion of the blades also automatically prevents overloading or choking of the blades and therefore assures more efficient operation.

For absorbing side thrusts the front and rear portions of the blades are connected by crossed truss rods 58 and 59. Suitable turnbuckles 60 are connected in these rods. The rear portion of each truss rod is connected to a plate 61 which is welded to the rear portion of the blade while the forward portion of each rod is connected to a plate 62 which is disposed below each hanger 45. It is noted that the plates 61 and 62 to which the truss rods are connected are located in a plane below the axle, and this arrangement provides for perfect alignment of the blades and also relieves the strain on the axle by efliciently transferring side thrusts from one blade to the other, thereby providing for proper balance during operation. The construction also permits the blades A to be made relatively long and by locating the ground wheels at the extreme outer ends of the axles a relatively low angle of attack on the dirt being moved is possible. Adjustment of the sleeves 40 which move the ground wheels inwardly and outwardly of the center of the machine also functions to permit adjustment of the angle of the blades since the hangers 45 are mounted on said sleeves. The particular hanger mounting not only provides for easy adjustment of the blades but also permits the direct pull arrangement formed by the tie rods 53.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a very simple machine of rigid construction is provided. The blades are mounted so that they may be properly adjusted to suit particular conditions. The rear portions of the blades are free floating because of their connection to the central support or beam through the flexible chain. The raising and lowering of the axle which in turn controls the raising and lowering of the blades is quickly and easily accomplished from the drivers seat of the pulling vehicle through the control rod 36 which con trols operation of the winch or cable drum 29. When the winch is operated the central crank 20 is swung and this results in a swinging of the wheel supporting cranks 17 to raise and lower the frame. Not only does the single central supporting beam simplify the construction, but it also makes possible easier manipulation of the machine, because said machine may be reversed in its movement as well as pulled forwardly by the tractor or other pulling vehicle.

As illustrated and described, the ground wheels are adjustable inwardly and outwardly of the main shaft or axle but it is pointed out that this adjustment could be omitted. It is evident that the wheel supporting cranks could be fixed in position on the axle, in which event reduction of overall width of the machine could not be accomplished. In such case, the hanger assembly which attaches the forward position of each blade to the axle would, of course, remain adjustable so that the blade may be properly positioned at the desired angle.

Having described the invention, we claim:

1. An apparatus of the character described including, a single elongate longitudinally extending frame member, a transversely extending supporting shaft having its central portion rotatably secured to said frame member at a point nearer the rear end of said frame member, a crank element mounted on each end of the shaft, a ground wheel journaled on the outer end of each crank element, whereby rotation of the shaft and swinging of the crank elements varies the elevation of the shaft and frame member with respect to the ground, a pair of ground engaging blades having their forward ends disposed between the frame member and each ground wheel and extending rearwardly of said ground wheel, means for supporting the forward portion of each blade from the shaft comprising an upright member which has its lower end secured to the blade and its upper end secured to a bracket which is mounted on the shaft and within which the shaft is rotatable, a rigid tie rod extending from said bracket to the forward end of the frame whereby a direct forward or rearward force upon the forward end of the frame member is transmitted directly through the tie rods and brackets to the blades, and flexible means for connecting the rear portion of each blade to the frame member whereby said rear portion is suspended from said frame member.

2. An apparatus of the character described including, a single elongate longitudinally extending frame member, a transversely extending supporting shaft having its central portion rotatably secured to said frame member at a point nearer the rear end of said frame member, a crank element mounted on each end of the shaft, a ground wheel journaled on the outer end of each crank element whereby rotation of the shaft and swinging of the crank element varies the elevation of the shaft and frame member with respect to the ground, a pair of ground engaging blades having their forward ends disposed between the frame member and each ground wheel and extending rearwardly of said ground wheel, means for supporting the forward portion of each blade from the shaft comprising an upright member which has its lower end secured to the blade and its upper end secured to a bracket which is mounted on the shaft and within which the shaft is rotatable, a rigid tie rod extending from said bracket to the forward end of the frame whereby a direct forward or rearward force upon the forward end of the frame member is transmitted directly through the tie rods and brackets to the blades, flexible means for connecting the rear portion of each blade to the frame member whereby said rear portion is suspended from said frame member, and crossed truss rods, each truss rod extending from the rear portion of one blade to the forward portion of the other blade and with the connections between the truss rods and blades being disposed in a plane below the shaft.

3. An apparatus of the character described including, a longitudinally extending main frame member, a transversely extending supporting shaft having its central portion rotatably secured to the frame member, a crank element mounted on each end of the shaft and movable inwardly and outwardly to various positions whereby the position of the crank element relative to the longitudinal center of the apparatus may be changed, a ground wheel journaled on the outer end of each crank element whereby rotation of the shaft and swinging of the crank elements varies the elevation of the shaft and frame member with respect to the ground, a ground engaging blade on each side of the main frame member and disposed between the member and each ground wheel, a supporting bracket for the forward portion of each ground wheel, each bracket being mounted on the shaft and having the shaft rotatable therein, an upright member connecting each bracket to the forward portion of its associated blade, a flexible connection between the rear portion of each blade and the rear end of the main frame member, and a rigid tie rod extending from each bracket to the forward end of the main frame member, whereby a forward or rearward force upon the forward end of the frame member is transmitted directly through the tie rods and brackets to the forward ends of the blades.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 908,645 Bonney Jan. 5, 1909 1,226,637 Bunker May 22, 1917 1,294,812 Lage Feb. 18, 1919 1,514,039 Dreger Nov. 4, 1924 1,540,688 Fickes et a1 June 2, 1925 1,605,078 Silver Nov. 2, 1926 1,624,421 Meyer Apr. 12, 1927 1,671,939 Smith May 29, 1928 2,454,475 Owen Nov. 23, 1948 2,662,311 Chattin Dec. 15, 1953

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