Multipurpose and self-moving argicultural machine

• US 4,897,987 A
• Filed: 06/16/1989
• Issued: 02/06/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pier L. Spalla
• Original Assignee: Pier L. Spalla
• Inventors: Spalla, Pier L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui, Thuy M.
• Application Number:
  US07/367,089
• Time in Patent Office: 235 Days
• Field of Search: 56/16.7, 56/16.9, 56/14.7, 56/208, 56/210, 56/211-217, 56/DIG. 11, 56/10.1, 280/6.12, 280/490.1, 280/491.1
• US Class Current: 56/16.7
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/0636 displaceable along a linear path
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 49/0607 Straddle tractors, used for instance above vine stocks, rows of bushes, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 49/0635 using additional ground engaging means, e.g. endless tracks vehicles with endless tracks and either additional or alternative ground wheels B62D55/02, B62D55/04
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/06 with tracks without ground wheels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 56/11 Hydraulic

Abstract

A multipurpose and self-moving agricultural machine is provided comprising: mobile bearing member (3, 4), a frame (2) borne by the mobile bearing members (3, 4), a main engine (7) borne by a frame (2) and operating at least on the mobile bearing members (3, 4), an operation and driving place (26) supported by the frame (2), engagement members (2a), suitable to support the main engine (7) alternatively in an upper position, placed above the frame (2), and in a lower position, beside the mobile support members (3, 4), and driving members (16) extending between the main engine (7) and the mobile bearing members (3, 4) and adaptable to both the upper and lower positions of the main engine (7).

Claims

1. Multipurpose and self-moving agricultural machine, comprising:

mobile bearing members (3,

     4), defining a direction of movement of said machine,

a frame (2) borne by said mobile bearing members (3,

     4) and having a transversal direction, extending transversally to said direction of movement, and a longitudinal direction perpendicular to said transversal direction,

a main engine (7) borne by said frame (2) and acting at least on said mobile bearing members (3,

     4),

a plurality of engaging means (31a, 31b) provided on that frame (2) and suitable to engage operative structures for agricultural works,

and an operation and driving place (26) borne by said frame (2);

characterized in that said frame (2) includes engagement means (2a) suitable to bear said main engine (7) alternatively in an upper position, said upper position being substantially above said frame (2), and in a lower position, said lower position being substantially beside said mobile bearing members (3,

     4),

driving members (16) being provided between said main engine (7) and said mobile bearing members (3,

     4), said driving members being adaptable for both said upper and lower positions of said main engine (7).

2. Agricultural machine according to claim 1, in which said engagement means (2a) include fluid-operated lifting cylinders (8) suitable to translate said main engine (7) upon control between said upper and lower positions.

3. Agricultural machine according to claim 1, in which said driving members (16) consist of flexible hoses, and in which at least one fluid-operated motor (17) is provided, said motor being powered by said main engine (7) trough said flexible hoses (16) and engaged with said mobile bearing members (3, 4).

4. Agricultural machine according to claim 1, in which said frame (2) defines in a lower part a channel-type hollow (6) suitable for housing said main engine (7) in said lower position and extending parallel to said longitudinal direction, between said bearing mobile members (3, 4).

5. Agricultural machine according to claim 4, in which said frame (2) defines in an upper part a holding plane (5) placed above said mobile bearing members (3, 4), and in which said main engine (7) in said upper position is placed substantially above said holding plane (5).

6. Agricultural machine according to claim 4, in which said frame (2) has longitudinal portions (2b) substantially parallel to said longitudinal direction and engaged with said mobile bearing members (3, 4), and in which said engagement means (2a) are provided on said longitudinal portions (2b) of said frame (2), beside said channel-type hollow (6).

7. Agricultural machine according to claim 6, in which said frame (2) comprises transversal portions (18), said portions being telescopically extendable and spanning said longitudinal portions (2b), and suitable to change the distance between said longitudinal portions (2b).

8. Agricultural machine according to claim 7, in which said transversal telescopic portions (18) are of a tubular type, and in which fluid-operated dilating cylinders are provided (21), said cylinders being inserted inside said transversal telescopic portions (18), said fluid-operated dilating cylinders (21) controlling the movement of said longitudinal portions (2b) approaching to and removing from each other.

9. Agricultural machine according to claim 7, in which said engagement means (2a) include fluid-operated lifting cylinders (8) suitable, when so operated, to translate said main engine (7) between said upper and lower positions, said fluid-operated lifting cylinders (8) rising up to an elevation equal to or lower than a maximum elevation of said main engine (7), and flexible cables (9) connecting said fluid-operated lifting cylinders (8) to said main engine (7), each of them having a length greater than the maximum change in distance between said mobile bearing members (3, 4).

10. Agricultural machine according to claim 7, in which said telescopic transversal portions (18) of said frame (2) have central bodies (19) in a fixed position, and in which guiding members (10, 11) are provided to guide the movements of said main engine (7) between said upper and lower positions, said members being formed in correspondence with said central bodies (19) in a fixed position.

11. Agricultural machine according to claim 10, in which said guiding members (10, 11) include lands (10) and grooves (11), the grooves being of reciprocal shape with respect to said lands (10) and extending substantially in a vertical direction, said guide members being formed between said central bodies (19) having a fixed position and said main engine (7).

12. Agricultural machine according to claim 4, in which said frame (2) includes suspension members (22) having fluid-operated suspension pistons (23a) engaging oscillable levers (23b) directly connected with said mobile bearing members (3, 4), and in which sensing means are provided, known per se, suitable to sense the tilt of said frame (2) relative to an horizontal plane and to selectively control said suspension members (22).

13. Agricultural machine according to claim 4, in which said frame (2) includes connecting means (25) suitable to support said operation and driving place (26), said connecting means comprising:

a transversal slide guide (28), said guide being mobile parallel to said transversal direction, an horizontal fluid-operated cylinder (27) engaged between said frame (2) and said guide (28), and a vertical fluid-operated cylinder (30), engaged between saidi guide (28) and said operation and driving place (26).

14. Agricultural machine according to claim 13, in which a bearing (30a) is provided between said guide (28) and said vertical fluid-operated cylinder (30), the bearing being positionable along said guide (28).

15. Agricultural machine according to claim 14, in which a cylindrical sleeve (30c) is provided between said bearing (30a) and said vertical fluid-operated cylinder (30), said sleeve acting as a swivel joint between the same bearing (30a) and vertical fluid-operated cylinder (30).