WO2014184812A2

WO2014184812A2 - Bi-directional power take-off system

Info

Publication number: WO2014184812A2
Application number: PCT/IN2014/000333
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rakesh Bahadur VERMA; Subbaiah YEGATEELA
Original assignee: Tractors And Farm Equipment Limited
Priority date: 2013-05-16
Filing date: 2014-05-16
Publication date: 2014-11-20
Also published as: WO2014184812A3

Abstract

A system (100) for bi-directional power take-off (PTO) in a tractor is described. In an embodiment, the system (100) includes a driver gear (120), an idler gear (402) in constant mesh with the driver gear (120), a cluster gear (128) in constant mesh with the idler gear (402), and a driven gear (124) in constant mesh with the cluster gear (128). Furthermore, the system (100) includes a fixed sleeve (126) coupled to a shift sleeve (122), where the shift sleeve (122) is coupleable to the driver gear (120) and to the driven gear (124) through a shifting assembly (300) to provide a forward drive, a reverse drive, and a neutral drive to the PTO output shaft (116). Further, the shifting assembly (300) includes a fork (308) mounted on a rail (302) and coupled with the shift sleeve (122), a selector arm (310) coupled to the rail (302).

Description

BI-DIRECTIONAL POWER TAKE-OFF SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter relates, in general, to a bi-directional power take-off system and, particularly but not exclusively, to a bi-directional power take-off system for tractors.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Typically, a power take-off system is provided on a tractor, for supplying power to an attached farm implement. Generally, the power take-off is described as taking the power generated by an engine of the tractor and providing it to the attached farm implement for its operation. A system implementing the power take-off is known as the power take-off system. The attached farm implements that are operated through the power take-off system in the tractor includes an agriculture implement, such as a harvester, a tiller, cultivator, mower, and the like.

SUMMARY

[0003] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a bidirectional power take-off system for tractors. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0004] In accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter a system for bi-directional power take-off (PTO) in a tractor is described. In an embodiment, the system includes a driver gear mounted on a pump shaft. The pump shaft and the driver gear are driven by a main drive shaft coupled to an engine of the tractor. The system further includes an idler gear mounted on an idler shaft and in constant mesh with the driver gear, and includes a cluster gear mounted on a pinion shaft in constant mesh with the idler gear. Furthermore, the system includes a driven gear mounted on a PTO output shaft and in constant mesh with the cluster gear, and includes a fixed sleeve mounted on the PTO output shaft and coupled to a shift sleeve. The PTO shaft is adapted to be coupled to an implement. Moreover, the shift sleeve is coupleable to the driver gear and to the driven gear through a shifting assembly to provide a forward drive, a reverse drive and a neutral drive to the PTO output shaft. The shifting assembly includes a fork mounted on a rail and coupled with the shift sleeve. The shifting assembly further includes a selector arm coupled to the rail and the selector arm is operable by an operator of the tractor to shift the shift sleeve for the forward drive, the reverse drive and the neutral drive of the PTO output shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0005] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of the system(s) in accordance with the present subject matter are described, by way of examples only, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0006] Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b) illustrate a bi-directional power take-off system in a tractor, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. [0007] Fig. 2(a), Fig. 2(b), and Fig. 2(c) illustrate various drives in the bidirectional power take-off system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0008] Fig. 3(a) and Fig. 3(b) illustrate a shifting assembly of the bidirectional power take-off system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0009] Fig. 4(a) and Fig. 4(b) illustrate an idler gear assembly of the bidirectional power take-off system, in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] The present subject matter relates to a system for bi-directional power take-off system in tractors. Power take-off in a tractor may be described as taking power, in form of a drive, from a power source, such as a running engine or a rotating wheel, and providing the power to drive a farm implement attached to the tractor for performing an agriculture operation. The farm implement may include a rotary cultivator, a mower, a sprayer, a harvester, a trash chopper, a straw reaper, and the like. Generally, tractors with output power of 50 HP and above implement a power take-off (PTO) system to operate the farm implements.

[0011] Typically, during an agriculture operation, for example, harvesting, straw reaping, cultivating and chopping, the farm implement performing the agriculture operation gets choked up or clogged due to the nature of the crop, excess feeding of the crop or moisture in the crop. The clogging results in the stoppage of the farm implement and, hence, the agriculture operation, causing a loss of field productivity. Generally, an operator, i.e., the person operating the tractor, removes the material causing the clogging of the farm implement. For this, the operator has to manually rotate the implement in a reverse direction (direction opposite to that for the normal operation). The manual un-clogging of the farm implement is time consuming and causes a fatigue to the operator.

[0012] Conventionally, tractors are implemented with PTO systems, for example, ground PTO systems, which provide an automated reverse drive to the farm implement for un-clogging the farm implement. Generally, the PTO systems are configured to provide a drive in forward direction, i.e., a forward drive, and a drive in reverse direction, i.e., a reverse drive, to the farm implement. Such PTO systems are commonly known as bi-directional PTO systems.

[0013] Typically, in tractors implemented with a ground PTO system, the drive of the farm implement is synchronized with the drive of the tractor. That is, the motion of the farm implement is synchronized with the rotation of wheels of the tractor. With this, the farm implement is driven in one direction (direction for its normal operation for agricultural operation) by the engine of the tractor, and is driven in the opposite direction by the motion of the tractor in the reverse direction. Thus, with such a conventional PTO system, the tractor has to be moved in reverse direction for reversing the drive of the farm implement. The reversing of the tractor for un-clogging the farm implement is time consuming and results in loss of field productivity. Further, the ground PTO system requires a complicated arrangement for coupling with the engine and the wheels. Typically, the ground PTO system is mounted close to the engine and the front wheels for providing easy access to the engine and the wheels.

[0014] Further, bi-direction PTO systems are implemented in tractors, which provide both forward and reverse drives to the farm implement irrespective of the drive of the tractor. With such PTO systems, the farm implements can be operated in any direction while the tractor is moving forward or reverse, or is in neutral. Conventionally, the bi-directional PTO systems are configured near the front of the tractor, close to the engine or close to the main transmission of the tractor, for providing easy access to the engine. A lever is coupled to a conventional bi-directional PTO system for selection between the forward drive and the reverse drive and is disposed near the operator of the tractor. With the bidirectional PTO system near the front of the tractor, the lever is coupled through multiple mechanical linkages. The multiple linkage assembly has a complicated arrangement, and such assembly is exposed to dust, moisture and other adverse environment conditions. This may cause rusting and frequent failures of mechanical linkages, thus increasing the cost of maintenance of the bi-directional PTO system.

[0015] Further, the bi-directional PTO systems include a shifting assembly for shifting between the forward drive, the reverse drive, and the neutral of the farm implement under the operation of the lever by the operator. Conventional shift assembly has a complex and bulky configuration due to the use of numerous mechanical linkages. These mechanical linkages lead to hard and nosier shifting. Further, resulting in the transfer of vibration generated during operation through the shifting knob to the operator. Thus causing discomfort and operator fatigue.

[0016] Also, due to lack of space to accommodate the shifting assembly within the existing housing, the conventional bi-directional PTO systems have the shifting assembly disposed externally. Thus, the shifting assembly is exposed to dust, moisture and other adverse environment conditions. The effects of outside conditions are increased while performing agriculture operations, as mud, and other particles may clog the shifting assembly. This may cause a break-down of the shifting assembly and further increase in cost of maintenance.

[0017] According to the present subject matter, a system for bi-directional

PTO in a tractor is described. In an embodiment, the system, incorporated in the tractor, obtains a drive from the engine through a main drive shaft and provides the drive to a PTO output shaft to operate a farm implement. The farm implement is attached to the tractor through the PTO output shaft, for performing an agricultural operation. The farm implement, hereinafter, is referred to as the implement. Further, the system includes a driver gear, an idler gear, a cluster gear, and a driven gear. The driver gear is mounted on a pump shaft. The driver gear rotates in conjunction with the pump shaft. The driver gear is in constant mesh with the idler gear. The idler gear is mounted on an idler shaft and is in constant mesh with the cluster gear. The cluster gear is mounted on a pinion shaft and is in constant mesh with the driven gear. Further, the driven gear is mounted on the PTO output shaft. The driver gear is configured to drive the driven gear through the idler gear and the cluster gear.

[0018] According to the described embodiment, the system further includes a fixed sleeve and a shift sleeve. The fixed sleeve is fixedly mounted on the PTO output shaft and is coupled to the shift sleeve. The shift sleeve is shifted to couple the PTO output shaft with the driver gear or the driven gear. Further, for shifting the shift sleeve, the system includes a shifting assembly couple to the shift sleeve. The shift assembly is operated so that a forward drive, a reverse drive and a neutral drive is provided to the PTO output shaft to accordingly operate the implement attached to the tractor. In the forward drive, the pump shaft and the PTO output shaft rotate in the same direction. In the reverse drive, the pump shaft and the PTO output shaft rotate in opposite direction with respect to each other. In the neutral drive, the pump shaft rotates but the PTO shaft is stationary.

[0019] Furthermore, the shifting assembly includes a fork mounted on a rail and coupled to the shift sleeve. The shifting assembly includes a selector arm directly coupled to a selector lever on one end and the rail on the other end. Further, the selector leaver is disposed close to the operator for selecting between the forward drive, the reverse drive and the neutral drive of the PTO output shaft.

[0020] According to the present subject matter, for achieving the forward drive the tractor operator operates the selector lever to a forward position. With this operation, the shifting assembly moves the shift sleeve to engage it with the driver gear. This engagement couples the PTO output shaft with the pump shaft through the driver gear, such that the drive from the pump shaft is transmitted to the PTO output shaft and in turn to the farm implement through the driver gear, the shift sleeve and the fixed sleeve. The PTO output shaft rotates in the direction similar to that of the pump shaft.

[0021] Further, for achieving the reverse drive the tractor operator operates the selector lever to a reverse position. With this operation, the shifting assembly moves the shift sleeve to engage it with the driven gear. This engagement couples the PTO output shaft with the pump shaft through the driven gear, such that the drive from the pump shaft is transmitted to the PTO output shaft and in turn to the farm implement through the driver gear, the idler gear, the cluster gear, the driven gear, the shift sleeve and the fixed sleeve. The PTO output shaft rotates in the direction opposite to that of the pump shaft.

[0022] Furthermore, for achieving the neutral drive the tractor operator operates the selector lever to a neutral position. With this operation, the shifting assembly moves the shift sleeve to not engage it with the driver gear and the driven gear. With this, the PTO output shaft is not coupled with the pump shaft, such that no drive is transmitted from the pump shaft to the PTO output shaft. The PTO output shaft does not rotate.

[0023] The system, as described, is independent of a main drive assembly, such as the main gearbox, the main transmission and a main drive shaft, providing the drive to the tractor for its motion. Thus, this facilitates in configuring the system substantially close to the rear axle and close to the operator. This reduces the number of mechanical linkages between the selector leaver and the shifting assembly of the system. In an example, a single selector lever, at one end, is directly coupled to the selector arm and, at the other end, is disposed close to the operator for selection between the forward drive, the reverse drive and the neutral drive.

[0024] Further, the system is independent of the motion of the tractor, i.e., the system achieves the reverse drive and the forward drive of the PTO output shaft irrespective of the state of the tractor. In other words, the reverse drive and the forward drive of the PTO output shaft are achieved, not only when the tractor is in motion, such as forward movement or reverses movement, but also when the tractor is stationary. Further, the reverse drive of the PTO output is obtained directly from the engine through the system as compared to the ground PTO, thus removing the necessity of reversing the tractor for achieving the reverse drive.

[0025] Further, with a fork and a rail based configuration, the shifting assembly is simple and compact in comparison to that in conventional systems. Thus, the shifting assembly can be mounted inside an existing housing in the tractor. This facilitates in protecting the shifting assembly for moisture, dust and other adverse environment conditions.

[0026] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be more evident to a person skilled in the art in the following detailed description, described in conjunction with the figures.

[0027] While aspects of a system for bi-directional PTO implemented in a tractor may be utilized for providing drive to multiple farm implements and other non-agriculture implements, such as a cement mixer or a pneumatic pump, the embodiments are described in the context of the following exemplary system(s) implemented in a tractor to provider a drive to a farm implement. Further, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. Furthermore, the manner in which a system for bi-directional PTO shall be implemented in a tractor has been explained in details with respect to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4.

[0028] It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the word "connected" and "coupled" is used throughout for clarity in the description and can include either a direct connection or an indirect connection.

[0029] Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b) illustrate a bi-directional power take-off system 100 in a tractor (not shown), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The bi-directional power take-off system 100, hereinafter, is referred to as the system 100. Further, Fig. 1(a) illustrates the system 100 and Fig. 1(b) illustrates an exploded view of the system 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Further, for the sake of avoiding repetition and improving the clarity in understanding of the present subject matter, Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 1(b) have been explained in conjunction. [0030] In an implementation, the tractor has a main drive assembly that obtains a drive from an engine (not shown) of the tractor and provides it to the wheels of the tractor for a forward movement and reverse movement of the tractor. The main drive assembly includes a main drive shaft 102 coupled with the engine of the tractor for obtaining drive from the engine. Further, a PTO drive assembly is configured substantially parallel to the main drive assembly which facilitates in operation of the PTO drive of the present subject matter, independent of the drive and the movement of the tractor.

[0031] The PTO drive assembly includes a hollow pinion drive shaft 104 mounted on the main drive shaft 102. As shown in Fig. 1(a), the hollow pinion drive shaft 104 is connected to a PTO drive shaft 108 through a PTO constant mesh gear 106, such that the drive is transmitted from the main drive shaft 102 to the PTO drive shaft 108.

[0032] Further, the system 100 includes a pump shaft 1 10 which is coupled to the PTO drive shaft 108 through a hydraulic pump 1 12. The system 100 also includes a PTO output shaft 1 16 which is coupled to an implement (not shown). The pump shaft 110 of the system 100 obtains the drive from the PTO drive shaft 108. The system 100 provides the obtained drive to the PTO output shaft 116 for operating the implement.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 1(b), the system 100 includes a driver gear 120, an idler gear (not shown), a cluster gear 128 and a driven gear 124 arranged in a constant mesh configuration. The driver gear 120 is mounted on pump shaft 110 through a hub drive 118, such that the driver gear 120 rotates in conjunction with the pump shaft 1 10. The driver gear 120 is in constant mesh with the idler gear. Further, the cluster gear 128 includes a first cluster gear 128-1 and a second cluster gear 128-2 of substantially equal diameter, mounted on a pinion shaft 132. The pinion shaft 132 is a part of the main drive assembly and is extending co- axially from the main drive assembly. By mounting the cluster gear 128 on the pre-existing pinion shaft 132 of the main drive assembly, the system 100 is made compact in arrangement. Furthermore, the first cluster gear 128-1 is in constant mesh with the idler gear and the second cluster gear 128-2 is in constant mesh with the driven gear 124. The driven gear 124 is freely mounted on the PTO output shaft 1 16.

[0034] The system 100 further includes a fixed sleeve 126, and a shift sleeve 122 mounted on the fixed sleeve 126. The fixed sleeve 126 is fixedly mounted on the PTO output shaft 1 16, and the shift sleeve 122 is moveably mounted on the fixed sleeve 126. The shift sleeve 122 is movable over the fixed sleeve 126 to couple the PTO output shaft 1 16 with the driver gear 120 or with the driven gear 124.

[0035] Further, for shifting the shift sleeve 122, the system 100 includes a shifting assembly (not shown) coupled to the shift sleeve 122. A single selector lever (not shown), at one end, is coupled to the shifting assembly and, at the other end, is directly disposed substantially close to an operator of the tractor. The Operation of the selector lever operates the shifting assembly to move the shift sleeve 122, such that a forward drive, a reverse drive or a neutral drive is provided to the PTO output shaft 1 16 to accordingly operate the implement attached to the tractor.

[0036] Further, the system 100, including the shifting assembly, is disposed near the rear axle of the tractor. With this, the system 100 is configured closer to the operator of the tractor, so that the selector lever can be coupled with the shift assembly in a substantially simple coupling mechanism. Also, the system 100 is enclosed inside a main drive housing 134. The main drive housing 134 is an existing housing of the tractor.

[0037] Fig. 2(a), Fig. 2(b), and Fig. 2(c) illustrate various drives achieved by the bi-directional power take-off system 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. 2(a) illustrates various components of the system 100 during the forward drive of the PTO output shaft 1 16. For achieving the forward drive, the operator of the tractor operates the selector lever to a forward position. Based on the operation of the selector lever, the shifting assembly operates to move the shift sleeve 122. The shift sleeve 122 then engages with the driver gear 120, as shown in Fig. 2(a), such that a coupling is formed between the pump shaft 1 10 and the PTO output shaft 116 through the driver gear 120. Based on the engagement, the drive is transferred from the pump shaft 1 10 to the PTO output shaft 116 through the driver gear 120, the shift sleeve 122, and the fixed sleeve 124. With this, the PTO output shaft 116 rotates in a direction same as that for the pump shaft 110, to achieve the forward drive of the PTO output shaft 116.

[0038] Further, Fig. 2(b) illustrates various components of the system 100 during the reverse drive of the PTO output shaft 1 16. For achieving the reverse drive, the operator of the tractor operates the selector lever in to a reverse position. This operates the shifting assembly to move the shift sleeve 122. The shift sleeve 122 then engages with the driven gear 124, as shown in Fig. 2(b), such that a coupling is formed between the pump shaft 110 and the PTO output shaft 116 through the driven gear 126. Based on the engagement, the drive is transferred from the pump shaft 110 to the PTO output shaft 116 through the driver gear 120, the idler gear, the cluster gears 128-1 and 128-2, the driven gear 124, the shift sleeve 122, and the fixed sleeve 126, With this, the PTO output shaft 116 rotates in a direction opposite to that for the pump shaft 110, to achieved the reverse drive of the PTO output shaft 116.

[0039] Further, Fig. 2(c) illustrates various components of the system 100 during the neutral drive of the PTO output shaft 116. For achieving the neutral drive, the operator of the tractor may operate the selector lever in to a neutral position. This operates the shift assembly to move the shift sleeve 122 to a neutral position, as shown in Fig. 2(c). The shift sleeve 122 is neither in engagement with the driver gear 120 nor with the driven gear 124. With this, no coupling is formed between the pump shaft 110 and the PTO output shaft 116, and, thus, no drive is transferred from the pump shaft 110 to the PTO output shaft 116, to achieve the neutral drive. In the neutral drive, the pump shaft 110 may rotate but the PTO output shaft 116 is stationary.

[0040] Fig. 3(a) and Fig. 3(b) illustrate a shifting assembly 300 of the bi- directional power take-off system 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter. Further, Fig. 3(a) illustrates a top view of the shifting assembly 300 and Fig. 3(b) illustrates a front view of the shifting assembly 300. Further, for the sake of avoiding repetition and improving the clarity in understanding of the present subject matter, Fig. 3(a) and Fig. 3(b) have been explained in conjunction.

[0041] The shifting assembly 300 includes a rail 302 supported on one end by a rail support 304 and on the other end by a bracket 308. The rail support 304 is mounted to the main drive housing 134 and the bracket 308 is mounted on the pinion shaft 132. The rail 302 includes a forward groove, a reverse grove and a neutral groove (not shown). The shifting assembly 300 further includes a fork 306 mounted on the rail 302 and coupled to the shift sleeve 122. Furthermore, the shifting assembly 300 includes a selector arm 310 coupled to the rail on one end and to a selector lever 314 on the other end, as shown. The free end of the selector lever 314 is directly disposed close to the operator of the tractor. [0042] In an example, the selector lever 314 is a single lever with its first end 316 directly coupled to the selector arm 310 and its second end (the free end) disposed close to the operator. Further, based on the operation of the selector lever 314 by the operator, the selector arm 310 and the fork 306 may operate to move the shift sleeve 122, as described previously, to achieve the forward drive, the reverse drive and the neutral drive. The shifting assembly, as described is compact, is enclosed in the existing housing, i.e., the main drive housing 134. Based on such configuration the shifting assembly is protected from determinist environmental conditions.

[0043] For obtaining the forward drive, the operator of the tractor operates the selector lever 314 to the forward position. Based on the operation of the selector lever 314, the selector arm 310 and the rail 302 are operated, such that the fork 308 engages with the forward groove to engage the shift sleeve 122 with the driver gear 120. Based on the engagement, the drive is transferred from the pump shaft 110 to the PTO output shaft 1 16 through the driver gear 120, the shift sleeve 122, and the fixed sleeve 126.

[0044] Further, for obtaining the reverse drive, the operator of the tractor operates the selector lever 314 to the reverse position. Based on the operation of the selector lever 314, the selector arm 310 and the rail 302 are operated, such that the fork 308 engages with the reverse groove to engage the shift sleeve 122 with the driven gear 124. Further based on the engagement, the drive is transferred from the pump shaft 1 10 to the PTO output shaft 1 16 through the driver gear 120, the idler gear, the cluster gears 128-1 and 128-2, the driven gear 124, the shift sleeve 122, and the fixed sleeve 126.

[0045] Further, for obtaining the neutral drive, the operator of the tractor may operate the selector lever 314 in to the neutral position. Based on the operation of the selector lever 314, the selector arm 310, and the rail 302 are operated, such that the fork 308 engages with the neutral groove to place the shift sleeve 122 in a neutral position. In the neutral position, the shift sleeve 122 is neither engaged with the driven gear 124 nor with the driver gear 120. With this, no coupling is formed between the pump shaft 110 and the PTO output shaft 116, and, thus, no drive is transferred from the pump shaft 110 to the PTO output shaft 116.

[0046] Fig. 4(a) and Fig. 4(b) illustrate an idler gear assembly 400 of the bi-directional power take-off system 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter. Further, Fig. 4(a) illustrates a top view of the idler gear assembly 400 of the system 100. Fig 4(b) illustrates a perspective side view of the idler gear assembly 400 of the system 100. For the sake of avoiding repetition and improving the clarity in understanding of the present subject matter, Fig. 4(a) and Fig. 4(b) have been explained in conjunction.

[0047] The idler gear assembly 400 includes a idler gear 402 of the system 100, in constant mesh with the first cluster gear 128-1 and the driver gear 120, as shown in Fig. 4(b). Further, the idler gear assembly 400 includes an idler shaft 404, with one end supported by a bracket 406. The idler shaft 404 is also supported by an idler support 408. The idler support 408 is coupled to the main drive housing 134, and the bracket 406 is coupled to the pinion shaft 132. The idler gear 402 is mounted on the idler shaft 404 and is suspended in a cantilever configuration between the driver gear 120 and the first cluster gear 128-1. The cantilever may be described as a projecting structure that is supported at one end and carries a load at the other end. In the said embodiment, the idler shaft 404 is a cantilever with the idler support 408 at one end, as the support, and the idler gear 402 on the other end, as the load. Thus, the cantilever configuration is described as the idler gear 402 being mounted at the end of the cantilever-type idler shaft 404.

[0048] According the present subject matter, the system 100 implemented in a tractor may be utilized for numerous applications. In an example, the system 100 may be coupled to an implement, such as a farm implement for performing an agricultural operation. In such application, as described, the farm implement may be operated under a forward drive for performing the agricultural operation and operated under a reverse drive for unclogging the farm implement. [0049] In another example, the tractor with the system 100 may be coupled to an implement, such as a centrifugal pump included in a waste management system. In such waste management system, the centrifugal pump may draw impure water from a first tank and supply it to a second tank in the forward drive. Further, impure water may be purified using any method known in the art. In the said example, the reverse drive may be utilized by the centrifugal pump for drawing the purified water from the second tank and supplying it to the first tank.

[0050] Although the system has been described with reference to the specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in limiting sense. Accordingly, the system for bi-directional PTO, i.e., the bi-directional power take-off system is not restricted to the embodiments that are mentioned in the above description. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the subject matter, will become apparent to person skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the subject matter. It is therefore contemplated that such modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present subject matter as defined.

Claims

A system (100) for bi-directional power take-off (PTO) in a tractor, the system (100) comprising: a driver gear (120) mounted on a pump shaft (110), wherein the pump shaft (110) and the driven gear (120) are driven by a main drive shaft (102) coupled to an engine of the tractor;

an idler gear (402) mounted on an idler shaft (404), wherein the idler gear (402) is in constant mesh with the driver gear (120); a cluster gear (128) mounted on a pinion shaft (132), wherein the cluster gear (128) is in constant mesh with the idler gear (402);

a driven gear (124) mounted on a PTO output shaft (116), wherein the driven gear (124) is in constant mesh with the cluster gear (128), and wherein the PTO output shaft (116) is adapted to be coupled to an implement;

a fixed sleeve (126) mounted on the PTO output shaft (116); and a shift sleeve (122) coupled to the fixed sleeve (126), wherein the shift sleeve (122) is coupleable to the driver gear (120) and to the driven gear (124) through a shifting assembly (300) to provide a forward drive, a reverse drive, and a neutral drive to the PTO output shaft (116), and wherein the shifting assembly (300) comprises:

a rail (302);

a fork (308) mounted on the rail (302) and coupled with the shift sleeve (122); and

a selector arm (310) coupled to the rail (302), wherein the selector arm (310) is operable by an operator of the tractor to shift the shift sleeve (122) for the forward drive, the reverse drive, and the neutral drive of the PTO output shaft (116). The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rail (302) includes a forward groove, wherein, in the forward drive, the fork (308) engages with the forward groove to engage the shift sleeve (122) with the driver gear (120), and wherein the PTO output shaft (116) is driven by the pump shaft (110) directly through the driver gear (120), the shift sleeve (122), and the fixed sleeve (126).

The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rail (302) includes a reverse groove, wherein, in the reverse drive, the fork (308) engages with the reverse groove to engage the shift sleeve (122) with the driven gear (124), and wherein the PTO output shaft (116) is driven by the pump shaft (110) through the driver gear (120), the idler gear (402), the cluster gear (128), the driven gear (124), the shift sleeve (122), and the fixed sleeve (126).

The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rail (302) includes a neutral groove, wherein, in the neutral drive, the fork (308) engages with the neutral groove to place the shift sleeve (122) in a neutral position, wherein in the neutral position, the shift sleeve (122) is not engaged with the driven gear (124) and the driver gear (120).

The system (100) as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

a bracket (406) coupled to the pinion shaft (132);

an idler support (408) coupled to a main drive housing (134); and wherein the idler shaft (404) is supported by the bracket (406) and the idler support (408) for suspending the idler gear (402) in a cantilever configuration between the driver gear (120) and the cluster gear (128).

The system (100) as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a single selector lever (314), wherein a first end (316) of the single selector lever (314) is directly connected to the selector arm (310), and wherein a second end of the single selector lever (314) is disposed substantially close to the operator of the tractor for operating the selector arm (310).

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shifting assembly (300) is enclosed inside a main drive housing (134).