Steerable Wheel for an Agricultural Conveyor

• US 20090145721A1
• Filed: 12/03/2008
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bernie John Toews
• Original Assignee: Bernie John Toews
• Inventors: Toews, Bernie John
• Granted Patent: US 8,033,384 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 198/300
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 75/008 Tool-carrying means
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 13/005 operated from tractor steering system
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 13/04 for individually-pivoted wheels

Abstract

An agricultural conveyor is supported on a pair of steerable wheels such that the steerable wheels are pivotal relative to the conveyor frame about respective upright axes. A hydraulically actuated steering mechanism is arranged to commonly pivot the steerable wheels together relative to the conveyor frame. A hydraulic connector is arranged to connect the hydraulically actuated steering mechanism to a controllable hydraulic output of the towing vehicle.

Claims

1. A steering kit for steering a conveyor comprising a conveyor housing for conveying material therein from an inlet end to an outlet end, a conveyor frame supporting the conveyor housing for rolling movement on conveyor wheels, and a hitch connector for hitching the conveyor to a towing vehicle, the kit comprising:

a pair of steerable wheels arranged to replace the conveyor wheels to support the conveyor frame thereon such that the pair of steerable wheels are pivotal relative to the conveyor frame about respective upright axes;

a hydraulically actuated steering mechanism arranged to commonly pivot the steerable wheels together relative to the conveyor frame; and

a hydraulic connector arranged to connect the hydraulically actuated steering mechanism to a controllable hydraulic output of the towing vehicle.

2. The kit according to claim 1 wherein the hydraulically actuated steering mechanism comprises a connecting member connected between the pair of steerable wheels and a single hydraulic actuator for steering both steerable wheels together.

3. The kit according to claim 2 wherein the connecting member is adjustable in length.

4. The kit according to claim 2 wherein the hydraulic actuator is arranged to directly pivot one of the steerable wheels relative to the conveyor frame.

5. The kit according to claim 1 wherein the steerable wheels are supported for pivotal movement relative to the frame by a suitable mounting bracket secured to the conveyor frame by threaded fasteners.

6. The kit according to claim 1 wherein the steerable wheels are pivotally supported relative to the conveyor frame by respective mounting brackets which support the steerable wheels on the conveyor frame independently of one another.

7. The kit according to claim 1 wherein the steerable wheels are arranged to be supported on the conveyor frame at a wider spacing than the conveyor wheels.

8. The kit according to claim 1 in combination with a towing vehicle having an operator controllable hydraulic output to which the hydraulically actuated steering mechanism is coupled.

9. The kit according to claim 1 in combination with a conveyor comprising an auger conveyor having a screw supported in the housing for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the housing to convey material from the inlet end to the outlet end of the conveyor housing.

10. A steerable conveyor for towable connection to a towing vehicle, the conveyor comprising:

a conveyor housing for conveying material therein from an inlet end to an outlet end;

a conveyor frame supporting the conveyor housing for rolling movement on a pair of steerable wheels;

a hitch connector arranged for hitching the conveyor housing to the towing vehicle;

the pair of steerable wheels being pivotal relative to the conveyor frame about respective upright axes;

a hydraulically actuated steering mechanism arranged to commonly pivot the steerable wheels together relative to the conveyor frame;

a hydraulic connector arranged to connect the hydraulically actuated steering mechanism to a controllable hydraulic output of the towing vehicle.

11. The conveyor according to claim 10 wherein the hydraulically actuated steering mechanism comprises a connecting member connected between the pair of steerable wheels and a single hydraulic actuator for steering both steerable wheels together.

12. The conveyor according to claim 11 wherein the connecting member is adjustable in length.

13. The conveyor according to claim 11 wherein the hydraulic actuator is arranged to directly pivot one of the steerable wheels relative to the conveyor frame.

14. The conveyor according to claim 10 wherein the steerable wheels are supported for pivotal movement relative to the frame by a suitable mounting bracket secured to the conveyor frame by threaded fasteners.

15. The conveyor according to claim 10 wherein the pair of steerable wheels are pivotally supported relative to the conveyor frame by respective mounting brackets which support the steerable wheels on the conveyor frame independently of one another.

16. The conveyor according to claim 10 wherein the two steerable wheels are the only wheels supporting the conveyor frame thereon.

17. The conveyor according to claim 10 in combination with a towing vehicle having an operator controllable hydraulic output to which the hydraulically actuated steering mechanism is coupled.

18. The conveyor according to claim 10 comprising an auger conveyor having a screw supported in the housing for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the conveyor housing to convey material from the inlet end to the outlet end of the conveyor housing.

19. A method of steering a conveyor comprising a conveyor housing for conveying material therein from an inlet end to an outlet end, the method comprising:

supporting the conveyor housing for rolling movement across the ground on a pair of steerable wheels which are pivotal relative to the conveyor frame about respective upright axes;

providing a hydraulically actuated steering mechanism arranged to commonly pivot the steerable wheels together relative to the conveyor frame;

hitching the conveyor housing to a towing vehicle; and

connecting the hydraulically actuated steering mechanism to a controllable hydraulic output of the towing vehicle.

20. The method according to claim 19 including connecting a connecting member between the pair of steerable wheels and steering both steerable wheels together using a single hydraulic actuator.