High clearance vehicle

• US 6,454,294 B1
• Filed: 07/14/1998
• Issued: 09/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Miller St. Nazianz
• Inventors: Jennings, Richard E., Ridenour, Marcus J., Bittner, Roy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUM VANNUCCI, LEE SIN YEE
• Application Number:
  US09/115,259
• Time in Patent Office: 1,533 Days
• Field of Search: 280/677, 280/678, 280/781, 280/788, 280/6.157, 180/900, 180/902, 180/68.4, 180/68.6, 384/420, 384/425, 384/426
• US Class Current: 280/677
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 51/026 of the automotive vehicle type, e.g. including driver accommodation A01B51/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 180/90 Argicultural-type tractors

Abstract

A high clearance vehicle includes a walking beam frame and an independent suspension. The frame consists of a main frame, A-shaped frames, a main truss, leg braces, and an axle. Pins which are used to join each A-shaped frame and leg braces to the main truss act as pivot points, as does the pin that attaches the axle to the main frame. Each leg brace may connect to each A-shaped frame by an elastic member to provide the independent suspension. Legs are at each corner of the frame. At the bottom of each leg is a wheel hub mount with a wheel drive assembly operably connected to a wheel for propelling the vehicle. At the top of the front legs are tapered kingpins which carry segmented thrust washers having a knob and receiving portion. A boom having extension arms and spray nozzles may also be attached. The walking beam frame may include a crab steering device which shifts the rear axle off-center so that the vehicle dog legs. A hinge stacked assembly includes a self-cleaning screen, a condenser, oil cooler, and a radiator. Angled hinges allow a door to be opened away from the vehicle and the rear tire so that the stacked assembly is easily accessible to maintenance. A knee action suspension may also provide independent suspension to the vehicle. The boom may have upper and lower lift arms. An elastic member may be provided for supporting the lower lift arm.

Claims

1. An agricultural vehicle comprising:

an independent suspension for minimizing irritant of the vehicle;

a walking beam frame connected to the independent suspension for providing support to the vehicle;

a stacked assembly for cooling the vehicle including a condenser. an oil cooler connected to the condenser, and a radiator connected to the condenser;

a door covering the stacked assembly;

a generally cylindrical screen operably associated with the door;

a plastic cover covering the screen;

a fan blade for drawing air through the screen;

an axle connected to the fan blade;

internal baffles in communication with the axle; and

a radiator fan for drawing air through the fan blade.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle has a ground clearance of about six feet under the beam frame and suspension.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a tank carried by the frame having several integrated compartments including a product compartment for containing product.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the walking beam frame comprises:

a main frame;

a main truss connected to the main frame;

a pair of leg braces connected to the main truss;

an elastic member connected to each leg brace;

a swing arm connected to each elastic member; and

a rear telescoping axle beam connected to the main frame by a pin.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a first side set and a second side set of wheels in operable association with the main frame, wherein the distance between first side set of wheels to the main frame is constant and wherein the distance between the main frame and the second side set of wheels can be adjusted relative of the main frame.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the beam frame comprises a main frame which includes two weldments, and the main frame is pivotally attached to an elastic member.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the beam frame has a variable width in relation to at least one side set of wheels.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

tandem propel pumps for propelling the vehicle;

a first drive motor connected to at least one propel pump to drive a first set of wheels on one side of the vehicle; and

a second drive motor connected to at least one propel pump to drive a second set of wheels on an other side of the vehicle.

9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the drive motors act in combination with the walking beam frame to maintain near equal weight distribution of each side set of wheels and assures positive drive capability.

10. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the tandem pumps are co-axially and directly mounted to an engine center line.

11. The vehicle of claim 1, further including at least one wheel and wherein the vehicle has a center of gravity having a generally equal distance to each of the at least one wheel so that there is positive drive to the wheel independent of unlevel ground conditions.

12. The vehicle of claim 1, further including a plurality of wheels having a wheel load pressure and wherein the frame distributes its weight evenly over the wheels such that the frame equalizes the wheel load pressure.

13. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a boom connected to the frame which includes valves mounted directly on the boom to allow for easy removal.

14. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

an extension arm including a primary member and a secondary member connected to the primary member; and

a hydraulic cylinder directly attached to the primary member. wherein the second member of the arm folds approximately 180°

when the cylinder strokes one full stroke for the first 90°

of rotation to extend the secondary member past a pivot over center and then retracts for the remaining 90°

to achieve a completed folded position.

15. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical screen is a hinged rotary screen for facilitating access to the radiator.

16. The vehicle of claim 3, further comprising a primary product pump mounted generally forward of the product compartment to improve flow characteristics.

17. The agricultural vehicle of claim 1, further comprising at least one leg connected to the axle, a kingpin integral with the leg, and a thrust washer including a plurality of interlocking segments for ease of maintenance carried by the kingpin.