US3003785A - Weights and weight-mounting means for tractors and the like - Google Patents

Description

OCt- 10,' 1961 R. D. STRASZHEIM ETAL 3,003,785

WEIGHTS AND WEIGHT-MOUNTING MEANS FOR TRACTORS AND THE LIKE Filed om. 2o, 195s s sheets-sheet 1 OCt- 10, 1961 R. D. sTRAszHElM Erm. 3,003,785

WEIGHTS AND WEIGHT-MOUNTING MEANS FOR TRACTORS AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 20, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. K. J.LOWIN 8| RD, STRASZHEIM Oct. 10, 1961 R. D. sTRAszHElM Erm. 3,003,785

WEIGHTS AND WEIGHT-MOUNTING MEANS FOR TRACTORS AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 20, 1958 l 3 Sheets-Shea*I 3 INVEN TOR. K. J. LOWIN 8 R. D. STR ASZHEIM 3 003 'lss wEIGHrs AND WEiGHir-MOUNTING MEANS Fon TRAcToRs AND 'mn LIKE Y Robert D. Straszheim, Waterloo, and Kenneth J. Lowin,

Cedar Falls, Iowa, assignors to Deere & Company, Moline, Ill., a corporation of DelawareY Filed Oct. 20, 1958, Ser. No. 768,428 20 Claims. (Cl. 230 150) Y This invention relates to weights and weight-mounting means for tractors and similar implements.

As is known to those versed in the art, the use of weights, for increasing tractive elort, stability, ete., in tractors and similar machinery is a relatively common practice, but there is still considerable room for improvement in weights per se, weight mounting means and provision for multiplication of weights where nec-y essary. According to the present invention, the entire weight system is simplified by the provision of a weight arrangement incorporating a plurality of identical weights that may be readily used singly and in multiples, according to the task at hand. It is afurther object to provide improved and novel mounting means whereby successive weights may be added to those already in place by means of fasteners insertable from the front so that each added 4weight is carried by the weight preceding it and whereby each weight may be readily removed withoutdisturbing those desired to be left in place. Significant objects reside in the utilization of symmetrically designed weights that may be turned about their foreand-aft centerlines so as to enable proper offsetting of bolts or equivalent fasteners used in attaching the multiple series of weights to a tractor o r similar support; the utilization of inclined slot means so designed as to be capable of retaining the fasteners or bolts while additional weights are being installed; the utilization of such slots at opposite angles so that vertical shifting of the weights and consequent loosening of the fasteners is avoided; and such other objects and features, inherent in and encompassed by the invention, as will become apparent from the disclosure of a preferred embodiment of the invention, by Way of example, in the ensuing specilcation and accompanying sheets of drawings, the several figures of which are described below.

FIG. l is a side elevational view, on a reduced scale, of a typical agricultural tractor equipped with the novel weight system.

FIG. 2 is a plan exploded view showing the arrangement of the weights and mounting means relative to the tractor, in detached or pre-assembled position.

FIG. 3 Ais a side elevational exploded view of the structure shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view, on an enlarged scale, of the weight system as seen along the line 4-4 of FIG. l.

FIG. 5 is a plan view, enlarged, and partly in section as seeny along the staggered line 5-5-5-5 on FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the combined weight and mounting means as seen along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2. jFIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are respectively front views as seen along the lines 7-7, 8 8 and 9-9 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a rear view, partly in section, as seen along the line 10-10 of FIG. 2. Y

FIG. 1l is a fragmentary rear view as seen along the line 11-11 of FIG. 2.

FIG. l2 is a section as seen along the line 12-12 of FIG. 7. Y Y 7 FIG. 13 is a section as seen on the line FIG. 7. y

The tractor chosen for purposes of illustration may be taken as representative of a typical agricultural or industrial tractor and as such has a-main fore-and-aft body 20 carried on front and rear wheels V22 and24.

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Thebody 20 has a transverse horizontal front end 26 and opposite' right and left hand fore-and-aft sides 28 and 3() respectively (FIG. 5).

The transverse front end 26 has a pair of fore-and-V aft tapped bores 32 and 34 which are laterallyV equidistant from or at opposite sides of the fore-and-aftY center line xx of the tractor body. 'I'hese tapped bores respectively carry a pair of upper front mounting studs 36 and 38, which are externally threaded as shown. Rear parts of the body, comprising rear portions ofthe opposite sides 28 and 30, respectively carry transversely coaxial side studs or Ibolts 40 and 42, the side portions being respectively apertured at 44 and 46 for this purpose. These apertures are preferably square to receive the squared portions of the bolts 40 and 42 which, as will be readily seen, may be typical carriage bolts having threaded outer ends which respectively carry nuts 48 and 50. As best shown in FIG. 3, the side studs 40 and 42 are coaxial at a level below that of the level of the front studs 36 and 38, and it will be further seen that the transverse front end 26 of the body has a lower pair of transversely spaced apart fore-and-att tapped bores 52 and 54 (see also FIG. 4). The level of the common axis of the side studs 40 and 42 lies in a horizontal plane represented by the line y-y (FIGS. 3, 4 and 6). The studs 36 and 3S are on a level spaced above this plane, and the lower tapped bores 52 and 54 are spaced below this plane by a distance equal to the distance between the plane and the common level of the upper studs 36 and 38. In otherr words, the vertical distance between each upper stud 38 andthe tapped bore 54 therebelow it is twice the amount of the vertical oiset between the level of the upper studs and the level y-y of the side studs. Although the lower tapped bores 52 and 54 are not necessary, they are illustrated merely to suggest the interchangeability of the studs 36 and 38. In any event, the vertical offset between the level of the side studs and that of the upper studs is significant in the design and use of a portion of the weight and weight-mounting means disclosed here.

For present purposes, it will be assumed that the tractorV front end 26 -is equipped with only the upper studs 36 and 38, which are normally retained in place as by jam nuts 56 and 58 respectively.

The combined weight and mounting means is designated in its entirety by the numeral 60 and is here shown as comprising a pair of identical weight halves 62 and 64. Each half is L-shaped as seen lfrom above, and the half 62 has a transversel front portion 66 and an integral side portion 68. The front portion 66 is long enough to extend substantially half way across the front end 26 of the body, and the terminal part of the side portion 68 is slotted at 70 to be received by the right hand side stud 40. The half 64 has a transverse front portion 72 and an integral side portion 74 which has a rearward slot 76 for receipt by the right hand side stud 42. As will appear, the two halves 62 and 64 are symmetrical at opposite sides of the median plane of the tractor `as represented bythe line x-x. Y

Part ofthe symmetry and identity asbetween the halves 62 and 64 resides in the duality of apertures for receiving the studs 36 and 38, depending upon which side of the tractor the weight halves are used. In other words, the weight halves are interchangeable and Vthere are no rights and lefts. For this purpose, and referring now to the weight half 64, the front portion 72 of this weight half has a pair of vertically spaced apertures 78 and 80,'the vertical spacing of which is twice the vertical distance between the level of the front studs 36 and 38Y and that of the side studs 40 and 42. In the position vof the weight half 64 as shown, the'upper aperture 78 receives the left hand lfront stud 38, and the weight is ,additionally 4VaperfV tured at 82 in the area of the aperture 78 to accommodate the jam nut 58. The lower aperture 80 is similarly bordered by a recess 84 for Vthe same purpose when this half is interchanged with the other half 62. The half 62 has similar vertically spaced apertures 86 and 88, each ofV Y provided with an upper inner front recess 98 and a similar recess 100 is Asymmetrically provided on the other weight Ahalf 64. Corresponding lower front recesses occur at 102 :andt104frespectively. Y

' \From the description thus far, it will be seen that either weight half can be Vused at either side of the tractor, and that because of the vertical offset of the front studs 36 and 38 Vrelative to the horizontal plane of the side studs 40 and 42, the dual sets of apertures 78-80 and 86-88 are provided. It will Y'be ,further seen that if the level of the studs 36 and 38 were the same as that ofthe side studs 40 and 42, only a single Set of apertures would be required in the weight and mounting means 60 in place of the double set presently aorded. In either event, the weight and mounting .means would be symmetrical from side to side. The same result would beV obtained if the two weight halves were made Vin one piece, it being noted that the two-piece construction simplifies the mounting and dismounting.

Considered as a combined or integral weight element, the means 60 is further provided with right and left hand slots 106 and 108 respectively. In the two-piece construction illustrated, the slot 106 is in the right hand half 62 and the slot 108 is in the left hand half 64. The slots are symmetrically arranged as to size, shape and location, relative to the associated apertures 78-80 and 86-88, and relative to right and left hand forwardly projecting ribs 110 and 112, which are centered on the line y--y. Likewise, `the slot 106 is centered on this line and is of double keyhole shape, having an enlarged part 114 and a pair of divergent narrow parts 116 and 118. These parts diverge at equal angles from the line y--y. The slot 108 is similarly constructed but is reversed as to position in order to retain symmetry between the two halves. Thus, the slot 108 has Yan enlarged part 120 and a pair of inwardly diverging narrow parts 122 and 124. Each of the slot 106 and 108 opens at the front face of its half and is adapted to' receive a rearwardly insertable headed fastener, the details of which will presently appear. For this purpose, the half 62 immediately behind the delineation of the slot 106 is milled or otherwise cut out to alord a recess 126 for accommodating the head of such fastener. A similar recess 128 occurs in the other half 64, likewise similarly arranged relative to the slot 108. j

The halves 62 and 64 are rigidly secured in place by the nuts 48 and 50 on the side studs 40 and 42 and by additional nuts 130 and 132 received respectively by the forwardly projecting front studs 36 and 38. These nuts are respectively housed in the recesses 94' and 96 at the front ofthe weight and mounting means 60 (FIG. 5). Thus, the means 60, when rigidly mounted, becomes an integral part of the tractor, in elect. In the broader aspects of the invention, the means 60 may be specifically other than that disclosed, since it may be replaced, for example, with front means constructed without the side members 68 and 74. As will be seen, the means 60 is mounted by the studs 36 and 38 entirely independently or exclusively of the slots 106 and 108, leaving these slots available for receipt of headed fasteners such as carriage bolts 134 and 136. Because of the enlarged parts 114 and 120 of the slots 106 and 108, the two carriage bolts may be rearwardly inserted into the slots 4and may be then shifted downwardly and inwardly respectively in the narrow slot parts 118 and 124. The slot portions, like the slot portions '116 and 122, have straight sides for receiving the square portions of the carriage bolts so that the bolts are held against turning. It is preferred that each bolt be moved rearwardly and then laterally inwardly and downhill inthe downhill narrow slot part, because it will tend to stay in that part preparatory to attaching further weight means, as will be presently described. For example, if the bolts were moved uphill in the slot portions 116 and 122, it would require additional manual effort to retain them there. As best seen in FIG. 5, the rear portions of each weight half is closed immediately behind the narrow portions of the slots, las at 138 so as to limit rearward movement of the bolt to an extent leaving a sufcient forward portion thereof available for attaching another weight or whatever means is to be attached. Because of the recessing of the slots as at 126 and 128, already described, the carriage bolts cannot drop forwardly Iunless shifted back to the enlarged parts of the slots. Consequently, these fasteners .or bolts are temporarily retained in position preparatory to mounting the next means.

'I'he means to be mounted on the combined weight and mounting means 60 is here represented by a plurality of identical weights designated for convenience as A, B and C. Even though these are identical, they are alternately reversed as to position in forwardly superposed relation to each other and to the means 60' and for that reason the different reference letters A, B and C are used but in other respects similar reference characters will be applied to corresponding parts in the different weights.

As best seen in FIG. 2 and 5, the general chevron shape of the front part of the means 60 dictates the chevron shape of each of the weights A, B and C; although, this is not a limitation on the exploitation of the principles of the invention.

As previously described, the kmeans 60 carries, via the narrow parts 118 and 124 of the slots 106 and 108, the pair of forwardly projecting carriage bolts 134-and 136. The weight A is rearwardly mountable on these carriage bolts by a pair of lower fore-and-aft through apertures 140 and 142. These apertures lie in a common horizontal plane and are equidistantly spaced from the centerline of the weight system, which is represented by the line x-x, previously described as the centerline of the tractor body. In this sense, the expression centerline of the tractor body must be taken yas a reference line and may not represent the true centerline of the tractor body since it is not uncommon for tractors to be constructed with the actual centerline between the wheels, for example, non-coincident with the actual center line through the engine, for example. Hence, lthe expression is used broadly, and as indicated, as a reference.

The weight A is provided with an additional pair of fore-and-aft through apertures 144 and 146, and these are offset so as to be at a higher level than the apertures 140 and 142 and are also laterally offset so as ,to be Amore distantly spaced from the centerline of the weight. The rear face of the weight is provided with a pair of vertically elongated recesses 148 and 150 for respectively accommodating the nuts 130 and 132 on the front studs 36 and Y 38 (FIG. V5). In addition, the front face of the weight A is provided with a plurality of recesses respectively in the areas of Vthe fronts of the apertures 140, 142, 144 and 146, and these recesses are designated respectively by the numerals 152, 154, 156 and 158. As will already be clear, the weight A is mounted on the mounting means V60 via the carriage bolts 134 and 136, and these bolts respectively receive nuts 160 and 162 for rigidly securing the weight A in place. The nuts are accommodated respectively by the recesses 152 and '154. In this particular instance, the apertures 144 and 146 are idle, but, as will presently ap-V pear, they are useful in the application of other weights to the system. The mounting of the weight A on the means 60 is facilitated Vby upper and lower lug means V164 Vand 166, the upper one of which projects rearwardly in this case to nest with thel upper recesses 98 and 100 of the means 60, and the lower of which, in this case, projects forwardly or stated otherwise, the lower portion of the weight is recessed to afford the lug 166. The opposite lower rear corners ofthe weight are provided with rearwardly projecting lugs or pads 168 and 170, which abut corresponding lower front portions of the means 60 to stabilize the weight A on that means.

From the description thus far, -it Vwill be seen that the weight A is mounted on the means 60 via the forwardly projecting carriage bolts 134 and 136 which are received respectively by the weight apertures 140 and 142, and that the additional weight apertures 144 and 146 are idle in this position. However, as will presently appear, the apertures 144 and 146 have utility in the mounting of the second weight B and in the mounting of alternate weights occupying the relative position of the weight B as respects the entire assembly. In other words, weights A and C are similarly arranged Yand weights B and an additional weight (not shown) would occupy the same relative positions. Alternate weights are inverted or turned 180 about their longitudinal centerline, which is capable of being achieved because of the symmetry of the weights at opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline.

For the purpose of mounting the weight B, the weight A is Vprovided with right and left hand keyhole slots 172 and 174. The right hand slot 172 has an enlarged central portion 176, an inwardly and upwardly inclined cornmunicating narrow portion 178 and an outwardly and downwardly inclined communicating narrow portion 180. The slot 174 is identical, except reversely angled, having an enlarged central portion 182, an inner and upwardly directed narrow portion 184 and a downwardly and outwardly directed narrow portion 186. As indicated, the slots are symmetrically arranged and, inthe case of the slot 172, the terminal inner end of its narrow portion 178 is in vertical alinement with the aperture 140 and in transverse alinement with the aperture 144. The terminal end of its portion 180 is in vertical alinement with the aperture 144 and in transverse alinement` with the aperture 140. A symmetrical relationship among the portions 184 and 186 and apertures 142 and 146 will be clear without further description. The area of the weight A behind each slot is cut away or recessed, as at 188 and 190 respectively. The recess 188 is extended at 192 in a vertical direction to join the rear part of the associated aperture 144, which affords an upright slot for accommodating the rib 110 on the right hand side of the means 60. A similar slot 194 is aiorded at the opposite end of the back of the weight A for the other rib 112.

The slot means 172 and 174 in the weight A respectively carry forwardly projecting fasteners, here in the form of carriage bolts 196 and 198, for mounting the second weight B. Because of the construction of each of the slots 172 and 174, the bolts are respectively rearwardly insertable into the central portions of theslots and are moved respectively downhillV and laterally outwardly to the lower outerportions 180 and 186 of these slots, again following the principle of moving the bolts to positions in which they will tend to remain by gravity, as distinguished from attempting to hold them in uphill positions, a principle which has been outlined above in connection with the double keyhole slots 106 and 108 in the means 60. As best seen in FIG. 5, the weight A is mounted on the means 60 by means of the carriage bolts 134 and 136 which respectively utilize the apertures 140 and 142. When the carriage bolts 196 and 198 are used in the slots 172 and 174 and are moved laterally outwardly to the lower downhill portions 180 and 186, they become generally horizontally aliued with the apertures 140 and 142 but are respectively separate from these apertures. Also as best shown in FIG. 5, relative to the carriage bolt 198, it will be seen that the forward rib or boss 112 on the means 60 projects into the slot 194 and therefore forms an obstacle against which the head of the carriage bolt abuts so as'to prevent complete rearward displacement or loss of the carriage bolt,rleaving a sucient forward threaded portion of the bolt availf able to mount the weight B.

As best shown in `FIG. 8, the weight B is a duplicate of the weight A but in position is turned 180 about its longitudinal centerline so that the slots 172 and 174 are reversed, or are at opposite sides of the centerline. This also causes areversal of the positions of the apertures 140, 144, 142 and 146, placing the aperture 146 in foreand-aft register with the carriage bolt 196 in the lower end 180 of the slot 172 in the weight A, and placing the outer aperture 144 in the weight B in fore-and-aft register with the carriage bolt 198 in the outer downhill end 186 of the slot 174 in the weight A. Nuts 200 and 202 are used respectively in conjunction with the bolts 196 and 198 to rigidly secure the weight B in place on the weight A.V The lug means 164 and 166 on the weight B will also be inverted as respects those on the weight A, and therefore Ithe lug 166 on the weight A, at the lower portion thereof, will cooperate with the rearwardly projecting lug 164 now at the lower portion of the weight B. Similarly, the pads 168 and 170 are inverted and therefore will occur` at the upper rearward portions of the weight B for cooperation with corresponding portions of the front face of the weight A.

The weight C, which is identical to the weights A and B, is disposed so that it has the same position as the weight A; that is, it is inverted as respects the weight B, and it is mounted on the weight B by a pair of carriage bolts 204 and 206 respectively having nuts 208 and 210.

In this case, the carriage bolts 204 and 206 are rearwardly insertable respectively in the central enlarged portions 176 and 182 of the weight B (FIG. 8) but are slid inwardly and downhill to the respective downhill narrow slot portions 178 and 184, these portions occupying respectively left and right hand positions as distinguished from the upper right and left hand positions inthe case of the weights A and C. Again, there will occur an inversion of the lug means 1'64 and 166 and the pads 168 and 170, all of which will be clear from the preceding description. Additional weights, not shown, constructed identically to the weights A, B and C may be forwardly superposed ahead of the forwardly superposed weights A, B and C -by using additional carriage bolts of the type noted.

As seen in FIG. 5, the rearward displacement of the temporarily inserted carriage bolt 206 is prevented because its head will abut the front portion of the next rearward carriage bolt 136. This is true throughout, as will be clear when it is considered that an additional weight mounted ahead of the weight C will have its carriage bolt head abutted by the front of the carriage bolt 198, the same situation occurring symmetrically at opposite sides of the centerline x-x.

The symmetrical construction of the. weights, lending to the facility of interchangeability thereto, is one of the major features of the invention. Another feature is the reverse inclination of the slots which receive the respective carriage bolts to mount the weigths one on the other. Since these slots are reversely` angled as respects those with which they are paired in each individual weight, the

bolts cannot work uphill and inwardly or uphill and outwardly since they work against each other.V Therefore, there is an inherent interlock. In addition, the weights interlock among each other via the lug means 164 and 166. It is a further feature of the invention to exploit the design whereby the carriage bolts or equivalent fasteners are insertable'fromthe front, thereby facilitating the superposing or stacking ofthe weights'one on the other. In any event, a weight may be added without disturbing the mounting of the previously mounted weights. Succeeding weights, from front to rear, may

be removed without disturbing those behind. 'I he narrow portions of all slots have straight sides to cooperate with'the square portions of the respective carriage bolts,

7 thereby holding the carriage 'bolts against turning, which facilitates mounting and dismounting of the Weights. The several recesses, such as 148, 150 etc., accommodate the various nuts so that the forwardmost weight presents a generally. flush front surface without extremely forwardly projecting fasteners.

Features in addition to those above enumerated will readily occur to those versed in the art, as will modifications and alterations in the preferred embodiment disclosed, all of which may be achieved without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A multiple weight system of the class described, comprising: a iirst weight element having mounting means for the afiixation thereof to a support or the like and further having an outer face and provided with a pair of slots openingat said face and oppositely inclined away from each other, each slot havingV a .fastener-receiving portion and a fastener-retaining portion spacedV along said slot from said receiving portion; a pair of fasteners inwardly received respectively in the slots via the receiving portions and shifted respectively to theretaining portions toV project outwardly from said weight means; and a second weight element outwardly of the rst weight element and having a pair of apertures spaced apart on the order of the fastener-retaining portions and respectively receiving the retained fasteners.

2. The invention deiined in claim l, in which: each slot is of keyhole shape having its receiving portion enlarged and its retaining portion relatively narrower; and the fasteners are respectively headed bolts inwardly insertable respectively in said receiving portions and retained by said retaining `portions against outward displacement.

3. The invention defined in claim 2, in which: the outer faceis upright and the slots are so inclined as to dispose the retaining portions downhill Vso that the fasteners tend to remain in said portions against upward shifting preparatory to mounting the second weight means. j

4. The invention defined in claim 1, in which: the outer face is upright and the slots are so inclined as to dispose the retaining portions downhill so that the fasteners tend to remain in said portions against upward shifting preparatory to mounting the second weight means. Y l

5. The invention defined in claimV l, in which: the mounting means is separate from the first weight element; the first weight element has an inner face overlying the mounting means; the slots open also at said inner face;

and the mounting means has spaced outwardly projectingV portions therein respectively in register with the retaining portions of the slots to prevent inward displacement of the retained fasteners. i

6. A weight of the class described, comprising: a hori- Zontal element having opposite ends, a top and a ybottom and front and rear faces; and a pair of identical slot and aperture means in the member respectively adjacent to said ends and located and arranged symmetrically at opposite sides of a centerline midway between said ends, each means including a slot opening to the front face and inclining downwardly and outwardly toward the proxi-A mate end of the member so as to have a relatively high inner end portion and a relatively low outer end portion andV each slot being enlarged midway between its end portions to receive the head of a bolt so that such bolt maybe moved selectively inwardly uphill or youtwardly downhill respectively in said slot end portions, and each means further including aninner low fore-and-aft through aperture below l,and vertically alined vu'th the high end portion of theY associated slot and horizontally Yalined with the low end portion of said associated slot and an outer high fore-and-aft through aperture above and vertically alined with the low end portion of the associated slot and horizontally alined with the high end portion of said associated slot.

7. The invention Vdefined in claim 6, in which: the rear face of the `element is forwardly recessed in the area of each slot to accommodate thev head of a bolt at least within theplane of said rear face.

8. The invention defined lin claim 6, in which: the element has-centrally thereof and adjacent its top a rearwardly projecting lng means and further has forwardly projecting ilug means-centrally thereof and at its bottom. Y 9. 'Ihe invention defined -in -claim 8, in which: the element has additional lug means projecting rearwardly from its bottomrespectively at each of its ends.

10. The-invention defined in claim 6, in which: the element has lug means projecting rearwardly from its bottom respectively at each of its ends.

- 11. A weight -of the class described, comprising: a horizontal element having opposite ends, a top and a bottom and front andV rear faces; and a Apair of identical slot and aperture means in the member respectively adjacent to said endsand located and arranged symmetrically at opposite sides of a centerline midway Vbetween said ends, each means including a slot opening to the .front face and inclining downwardly andV outwardly toward the proximate end of the member so as to have a relatively high inner Yend portion and a relatively low outer end portion `and Vadapted to receive a fore-and-aft fastener selectively in either of said slot end portions, and each means further including an inner low fore-and-aft through aperture below and vertically alined with the high end portion of `the associated slot and horizontally alined with the low end portion of said associated slot and an outer high fore-and-aft through aperture above and vertically alined with the low end portion of the associated slot and horizontally alined with the high end portion of said associated slot.

l2. The invention deiined in claim 1l, in which: the element has centrally thereof and adjacent its top a rearwardly projecting lug means and further has forwardly projecting lug means centrally thereof and at its bottom.

13. A multiple weight `arrangement for a tractor having a fore-and-aft body including a transverse front end and opposite sides, comprising: a rst transverse weight ahead of and centered on the `centerline of said front end and having a front face, a pair of v'fore-and-aft through apertures equidistant laterally at each side of said centerline and a pair of forwardly opening slots arranged symmetrically at opposite sides of said centerline, each slot having a irst, fastener-receiving part and a second fastener-retaining part and Vsaid slots being disposed so that the second slot parts have the same lateral spacing as the apertures and are oifset from the first slot parts in a generally transverse upright plane; Va first pair of fasteners received respectively in said first slot parts and shifted respectively to and retained by the second slot parts to project forwardly from said weight; means mounting said weight on the tractor front end including a pair of tractorcarried fasteners projecting forwardly into and received respectively by the apertures exclusively of the slots; a plurality of additional weights disposed ahead of said first weight in forwardly successive relation, each additional weight khaving slots and apertures so matched as to spacing and offset with those of the iirst weight that the apertures in each additional weight are respectively registrable fore-and-aft with the second slot parts of the Weight irnmediately behind whereby the apertures in the additional weight neXt ahead of the rst weight respectively receive said fasteners of said first pair; and a plurality of additional fasteners, one in the second slot part of each additional weight except the forward most weight and received by the registered aperture of the weight next ahead.

14. The invention dened in claim 13, in which: the mounting means incorporates weight means therein and includes opposite` fore-and-aft portions extending rearwardly respectively/'along the sides of the body.

15. The invention defined in claim 13, in which: the mounting means comprises a pair of identical weight halves separated along the fore-and-at median plane of the tractor body.

16. The invention dened in claim 13, in which: each weight has its pair of slots inclined at opposite equal angles to the horizontal so as to dispose the second slot parts at a level different from that of the apertures in said weight; and alternate weights are turned 180 about their centerline so as to achieve the fore-and-aft register among second slot parts in one weight and apertures in the weight next ahead.

17. Weight and weight-mounting means for a tractor having a fore-and-aft body including a transverse front end and opposite fore-and-aft sides, comprising: front mounting means including a pair of transversely horizontally alined front studs projecting forwardly from said front end and spaced equally at opposite sides of the fore-and-aft centerline of the body; side mounting means including a pair of side studs projecting laterally outwardly respectively from opposite sides of the body and transversely coaxial on a line at a level dierent from that of the front studs; and a pair of identical weights, each having a transverse front portion ahead of and extending generally half-way across the body front end and a side portion extending along the proximate side of the body, each side portion having an aperture therein receiving the proximate side stud and each front portion having a first fore-and-aft aperture therein receiving the proximate front stud and a second fore-and-aft aperture vertically alined with and spaced vertically from said rst lfront portion aperture by a distance equal to twice the vertical distance 1between the level of the front studs and the level of the side studs whereby either Weight may be used at either side of the tractor body.

18. The invention defined in claim 17, in which: the Weight has a front face and is provided with a slot opening at said face, each slot having an enlarged part laterally oiset from the front apertures and centered on the level of the side aperture and a pair of narrow parts diverging laterally from the enlarged part at equal angles to the level of said side aperture, said slots in the two weights being symmetrical as respects the fore-and-aft centerline of the tractor body.

19. Weight `and weight-mounting means for a tractor having a fore-and-att body including a transverse front end and opposite fore-and-aft sides, comprising: front mounting means including a pair of transversely horizontally alined front studs projecting forwardly from said front end and spaced equally at opposite sides of the foreand-aft centerline of the body; side mounting means including a pair of side studs projecting laterally outwardly respectively from opposite sides of the body and transversely coaxial on a line at a level different from that of the front studs; and weight means having a transverse front portion ahead of and extending across the body front end and a pair of side portions extending respectively along the sides of the body, each side portion having an aperture therein receiving the proximate side stud and said front portion having a iirst pair of fore-and-aft apertures therein respectively receiving the front studs and a second pair of fore-and-aft apertures respectively vertically alined with and spaced vertically from said first front apertures by a distance equal to twice the vertical distance between the level of the front studs and the level of the side studs whereby said weight means may be turned about its fore-and-aft centerline and will still tit the tractor body.

20. The invention dened in claim 17, in which: the weight means has a front face and is provided with a pair of slots opening at said face, each slot having an enlarged part laterally oset from the front apertures and centered on the level of the side aperture and a pair of narrow parts diverging laterally from the enlarged part at equal angles to the level of said side aperture, said slots being symmetrical as respects the fore-and-aft centerline of the weight means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 434,503 Corry Aug. 19, 1890 1,277,434 Leadbeater Sept. 3, 1918 2,003,599 Le Tourneau June 4, 1935 2,440,550 Martin Apr. 27, 1948 2,701,728 Miller Feb. 8, 1955 2,733,786 Drake Feb. 7, 1956

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