Oscillating steering system for an agricultural implement

• US 20080048414A1
• Filed: 08/21/2007
• Published: 02/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unverferth Mfg Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Unverferth Mfg Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Schlimgen, Ron, Walvatne, John, Van Mill, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,810,823 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/426
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 69/003 Steering or guiding of machines or implements pushed or pulled by or mounted on agricultural vehicles such as tractors, e.g. by lateral shifting of the towing connection
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 13/005 operated from tractor steering system
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 13/04 for individually-pivoted wheels

Abstract

An oscillating in-line steering system for a pulled agricultural implement includes first and second in-line axles pivotably coupled with a frame. The system also includes at least first and second in-line wheel arrangements pivotably coupled with the first and second axles respectively. Each wheel arrangement has a plurality of pivotable wheel assemblies arranged in-line and wheel linkages coupling the in-line wheel assemblies such that in-line wheel assemblies oscillate together. A right-to-left linkage couples the wheel linkage of the first in-line wheel arrangement to the wheel linkage of the second in-line wheel arrangement so that the first in-line wheel arrangement oscillates at a steering angle proportional to that of the second in-line wheel arrangement.

Claims

1. A multi-wheel oscillating tandem steering system for a pulled agricultural implement, comprising:

first and second in-line axles pivotably coupled with a frame;

at least first and second in-line wheel arrangements pivotably coupled with said first and second axles respectively, each wheel arrangement having a plurality of pivotable wheel assemblies arranged in-line and wheel linkages coupling the in-line wheel assemblies such that in-line wheel assemblies oscillate together; and

a right-to-left linkage coupling the wheel linkage of the first in-line wheel arrangement to the wheel linkage of the second in-line wheel arrangement so that said first in-line wheel arrangement oscillates at a steering angle proportional to that of said second in-line wheel arrangement.

2. The steering system as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for actively controlling movement of the wheel assemblies.

3. The steering system as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for self-aligning the wheel assemblies.

4. The steering system as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one actuating device connected to at least one of said first and second wheel linkages for controlling movement of the wheel assemblies.

5. The steering system as recited in claim 4, wherein said actuating devices include hydraulic cylinders.

6. The steering system as recited in claim 4, wherein said actuating devices includes electric motors.

7. The steering system as recited in claim 1, wherein said wheel linkages each include a rotating coupling pivotably connected to the corresponding in-line axle, and a plurality arms, each arm being connected a wheel assembly to the rotating coupling such that rotation of the rotating coupling causes each of the connected in-line wheel assemblies to turn.

8. The steering system as recited in claim 4, wherein said actuating devices are configured to move said wheel assemblies into a neutral position.

9. The steering system as recited in claim 7, wherein said wheel linkages are arranged such that a first wheel assembly coupled with a first rotating coupling turns in a direction opposite to that of a second wheel assembly coupled with the first rotating coupling.

10. The steering system as recited in claim 1, wherein said wheel linkages and said right-to-left linkage are arranged such that, when the steering system is towed in a turn, an inside wheel arrangement turns at an angle greater than an outside wheel arrangement.

11. The steering system as recited in claim 8, wherein the rotating coupling of each wheel linkages is positioned rearward of a pivot connection between said in-line axle and said frame.

12. The steering system as recited in claim 1, wherein the right-to-left linkage is position on an axis through the center of a pivot connection between said in-line axle and said frame.

13. A steerable in-line tandem axle arrangement comprising:

an axle having first and second in-line wheel assemblies pivotably coupled thereto;

a linkage arrangement rotationally coupling said first and second wheel assemblies such that when said first wheel assembly turns in a first direction, said second wheel assembly turns in an opposite direction.

14. The axle arrangement as recited in claim 13, further comprising an actuating device coupled with said linkage arrangement for turning said wheel assemblies.

15. The axle arrangement as recited in claim 13, wherein said linkage arrangement includes a rotating coupling pivotably connected to the axle and first and second arms respectively connecting said first and second wheel assemblies to the rotating coupling, such that rotation of the rotating coupling causes each of the connected in-line wheel assemblies to turn.

16. The axle arrangement as recited in claim 15, wherein the rotating coupling is positioned rearward of a center point of said axle.

17. The axle arrangement as recited in claim 15, wherein the rotating coupling is positioned rearward of a pivot axis of said axle.

18. A steerable grain cart, comprising:

a grain hopper coupled with a frame;

first and second in-line axles pivotably coupled with the frame;

first and second in-line wheel arrangements pivotably coupled with said first and second axles respectively, each wheel arrangement having a plurality of pivotable wheel assemblies arranged in-line and wheel linkages coupling the in-line wheel assemblies such that in-line wheel assemblies oscillate together; and

a right-to-left linkage coupling the wheel linkage of the first in-line wheel arrangement to the wheel linkage of the second in-line wheel arrangement so that said first in-line wheel arrangement oscillates at a steering angle proportional to that of said second in-line wheel arrangement.

19. The steerable grain cart as recited in claim 18, further comprising a plurality actuating devices are connected to said first and second wheel linkages for controlling movement of the wheel assemblies.

20. The steerable grain cart as recited in claim 19, wherein said actuating devices include hydraulic devices that can be controlled by a towing vehicle'"'"'s hydraulic system.

21. The steerable grain cart as recited in claim 19, wherein said actuating devices includes electric motors.

22. The steerable grain cart as recited in claim 18, wherein said wheel linkages each include a rotating coupling pivotably connected to the corresponding in-line axle, and a plurality arms, each arm being connected a wheel assembly to the rotating coupling such that rotation of the rotating coupling causes each of the connected in-line wheel assemblies to turn.

23. The steerable grain cart as recited in claim 19, wherein said actuating devices are configured to move said wheel assemblies into a neutral position.

24. The steerable grain cart as recited in claim 23, wherein said wheel linkages are arranged such that a first wheel assembly coupled with a first rotating coupling turns in a direction opposite to that of a second wheel assembly coupled with the first rotating coupling.

25. The steerable grain cart as recited in claim 18, wherein said wheel linkages and said right-to-left linkage are arranged such that, when the wagon is towed in a turn, an inside wheel arrangement turns at an angle greater than an outside wheel arrangement.

26. The steerable grain cart as recited in claim 23, wherein the rotating coupling of each wheel linkages is positioned rearward of a pivot connection between said in-line axle and said frame.

27. The steerable grain cart as recited in claim 18, wherein the right-to-left linkage is position on an axis through the center of a pivot connection between said in-line axle and said frame.