FARM TRAILER WITH LOAD BALANCING MEANS

• US 3,608,645 A
• Filed: 12/04/1968
• Issued: 09/28/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Elmo R. Meiners
• Original Assignee: Elmo R. Meiners
• Inventors: Meiners, Elmo R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coughenour, Clyde I.
• Application Number:
  US04/781,062
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 Days
• Field of Search: 172/611 111/7 221/185 222/176 239/149,142 280/15C 248/128,129
• US Class Current: 172/491
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 23/023 for liquid or gas fertilisers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 111/925 Tank and hopper trailers

Abstract

A fertilizer tank mounted on a two-wheeled frame with a tractor hitch includes the improvement of a hydraulically driven linkage for moving the tank forward and rearward on rails incorporated in the frame. The tank is moved on the frame to counterbalance implements that may be attached to the frame.

Claims

1. In a trailer of the type including a front-end hitch connected to a frame, a movable assembly mounted on said frame and wheels attached to said frame, the improvement comprising, in combination:

at least one rail fixed on said frame, at least one track on said movable assembly, said track slidably positioned on said fixed rail to permit movement of said movable assembly, an assembly driving unit connected between said frame and said movable assembly for moving said movable assembly on said rail and adjusting the distribution of weight of said assembly on said frame, said unit including a rotatable shaft mounted in said frame substantially perpendicular to the direction of trailer travel, a lever arm fixed to said shaft, driving means for driving said lever arm and thereby rotating said shaft, a bracket also attached to said shaft and a notched plate driven by said bracket, said plate also engaging said assembly to move said assembly in response to rotation of said shaft.

2. The improvement of claim 1 including first and second rails on said frame arranged substantially parallel to the direction of trailer travel and also including first and second tracks riding respectively on said first and second rails.

3. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said plate includes a plurality of notches to engage said movable assembly.

4. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said driving means comprise an expandable piston connected between said frame and said lever arm.

5. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said bracket comprises an extension of said lever arm attached to said shaft and extending in a straight line from said lever arm.

6. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said notched plate is removable and reversible to change the direction of motion when driving said driven assembly.

7. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said assembly is a fertilizer tank.

8. The improvement of claim 1 including means for locking said track on said rail.

9. The improvement of claim 1 including a second hitch at the rear end of said frame for attachment of implements, said second hitch being drivingly connected with said shaft to raise and lower an implement attached to said second hitch.

10. In a trailer of the type including a front-end hitch connected to a frame, a movable assembly mounted on said frame and wheels attached to said frame, the improvement comprising, in combination:

at least one rail fixed on said frame, at least one track on said movable assembly, said track slidably positioned on said fixed rail to permit movement of said movable assembly, an assembly driving unit connected between said frame and said movable assembly for moving said movable assembly on said rail and adjusting the distribution of weight of said assembly on said frame, said unit including a rotatable shaft mounted in said frame substantially perpendicular to the direction of trailer travel, a lever arm fixed to said shaft, driving means for driving said leveR arm and thereby rotating said shaft, means connecting said shaft and said assembly to provided movement of said assembly on said rail in response to rotation of said shaft, and a second hitch at the rear of said frame for attachment of implements, said second hitch drivingly connected with said shaft to provide movement of an implement attached to said second hitch.

11. The improvement of claim 10 including first and second rails on said frame arranged substantially parallel to the direction of trailer travel and also including first and second tracks riding respectively on said first and second rails.

12. The improvement of claim 10 wherein said means connecting said shaft and said assembly include a bracket extending from said shaft and a notched plate having a plurality of notches, said plate connectable between said bracket and said assembly.

13. The improvement of claim 10 wherein said driving means comprise an expandable piston.

14. The improvement of claim 12 wherein said plate is removable and reversible to change the direction of motion when driving said assembly.

15. The improvement of claim 10 wherein said assembly is a fertilizer tank.

16. The improvement of claim 10 including means for locking said track on said rail.