Tractor with a front loader and a backhoe attachable thereto

• US 6,769,860 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2002
• Issued: 08/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kubota Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kubota Corporation
• Inventors: Shimada, Hiroshi, Yoshii, Takashi, Osuga, Masashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Lillis, Eileen D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lowe, Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/077,587
• Publication Number:
  US 20030099534A1
• Time in Patent Office: 900 Days
• Field of Search: 414/686, 414/687, 172/272, 172/273, 172/274, 172/275, 280/791, 280/792, 296/203.01, 374/10
• US Class Current: 414/686
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/964 of several tools mounted on one machine E02F3/962 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/0808 Improving mounting or assembling, e.g. frame elements, disposition of all the components on the superstructures for disposition of specific components, E02F9/0858
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/085 Ground-engaging fitting for supporting the machines while working, e.g. outriggers, legs for vehicles in general B60S9/00, for cranes B66C23/78
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/0866 Engine compartment, e.g. heat exchangers, exhaust filters, cooling devices, silencers, mufflers, position of hydraulic pumps in the engine compartment

Abstract

A tractor has a vehicle frame with a pair of right and left elongate frame members spaced from each other and extending in a longitudinal direction and interconnected in intermediate positions by a cross member, an engine supported by the elongate frame members in a front region of the vehicle frame, a rear axle unit connected to rear axle connecting members fixed to the elongate frame members in a rear region of the vehicle frame, and a drive transmitting mechanism for transmitting drive from the engine to the rear axle unit. A front loader and/or a backhoe are/is attachable to a front and a rear of the tractor as supported by the vehicle frame. A reinforcing frame unit is provided for reinforcing the vehicle frame. The reinforcing frame unit is connected to the vehicle frame by reinforcing frame connecting members spaced horizontally and/or vertically from the rear axle connecting members.

Claims

1. A tractor having a vehicle frame with a pair of right and left elongate frame members spaced from each other and extending in a longitudinal direction and interconnected in intermediate positions by a cross member, an engine supported by the elongate frame members in a front region of the vehicle frame, a rear axle unit connected to rear axle connecting members fixed to the elongate frame members in a rear region of the vehicle frame, and a drive transmitting mechanism for transmitting drive from the engine to the rear axle unit, a backhoe attachable to a rear of the tractor as supported by the vehicle frame, said tractor comprising:

a reinforcing frame unit for reinforcing said vehicle frame; and

reinforcing frame connecting members for connecting said reinforcing frame unit to said vehicle frame;

wherein;

said reinforcing frame unit is in form of a gate-shaped frame including a pair of right and left side members and a horizontal member interconnecting upper positions of said side members; and

said reinforcing frame connecting members are formed in lower end regions of said side members and rear end regions of said elongate frame members in positions spaced horizontally from rear axle connecting members; and

said side members further forming backhoe attaching members.

2. A tractor as defined in claim 1, further comprising brace members each connected at one end thereof to one of said side members, and at the other end to a position of one of said elongate frame members vertically spaced from one of said rear axle connecting members.

3. A tractor as defined in claim 2, wherein connections between respective said brace members and said elongate frame members are provided in positions spaced vertically from said rear axle connecting members.

4. A tractor as defined in claim 1, wherein said reinforcing frame connecting members are formed in lower end regions of said side members and in rear end regions of said elongate frame members in positions spaced horizontally and vertically from said rear axle connecting members.

5. A tractor having a vehicle frame with a pair of right and left elongate frame members spaced from each other and extending in a longitudinal direction and interconnected in intermediate positions by a cross member, an engine supported by the elongate frame members in a front region of the vehicle frame, a rear axle unit connected to rear axle connecting members fixed to the elongate frame members in a rear region of the vehicle frame, and a drive transmitting mechanism for transmitting drive from the engine to the rear axle unit, one of a front loader and a backhoe attachable to a front and a rear of the tractor as supported by the vehicle frame, said tractor comprising:

a reinforcing frame unit for reinforcing said vehicle frame; and

reinforcing frame connecting members for connecting said reinforcing frame unit to said vehicle frame;

wherein;

said reinforcing frame unit includes a pair of right and left elongated reinforcing frames extending along outer faces of said elongate frame members, respectively, and a gate-shaped frame interconnecting said reinforcing frames, said gate-shaped frame forming a backhoe attaching member;

said elongate frame members have front loader post support members projecting laterally outwardly of longitudinally intermediate portions thereof;

said reinforcing frame connecting members are formed in a forward end region of each of said reinforcing frames and each of said front loader post support members;

said reinforcing frames are connected to said rear axle unit in longitudinally intermediate positions thereof spaced laterally from said rear axle connecting members; and

said gate-shaped frame interconnects rear end regions of said reinforcing frames in positions spaced horizontally from connectors with said rear axle connecting members.