Forward cab articulated tractor

• US 7,694,772 B1
• Filed: 06/16/2008
• Issued: 04/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: M-B Companies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: M-B Companies, Inc.
• Inventors: Doll, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris; Lesley
• Assistant Examiner(s): Scharich; Marc A
• Application Number:
  US12/157,952
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 180/235, 180/6.64, 180/418, 180/419
• US Class Current: 180/235
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/686 in hydraulic systems or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/02 Arrangements of pumps or compressors, or control devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 12/00 Steering specially adapted for vehicles operating in tandem or having pivotally connected frames steering endless tracks or the like B62D11/00; steering specially adapted for trailers B62D13/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/07 Supply of pressurised fluid for steering also supplying other consumers ; control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/02 comprising a uniaxle tractor unit and a uniaxle trailer unit see B60B11/00 - B60B11/08

Abstract

This invention of a “FORWARD CAB ARTICULATED TRACTOR” comprises a front cab section and an articulating joint attached to the rear of the front cab section and a rear section attached to the rear of the articulated joint with the front of the rear section attached to the rear section of the articulated joint and a gas driven internal combustion engine mounted in the rear section of the forward cab articulated tractor, and the gas driven engine connected to drive a hydraulic fluid pump to provide hydraulic fluid to a manifold and the manifold to supply hydraulic fluid to lines connected to disc brakes and to steer the forward cab articulated tractor by activating hydraulic fluid from the manifold to cylinders attached to the articulated joint and to the rear of front cab section. The front wheels are provided with brakes activated by hydraulic fluid from the manifold and the brakes are further activated by a spring loaded cylinder which is activated by shut off of hydraulic fluid from the manifold.

Claims

1. A forward cab articulated tractor wherein the improvement consists of:

(a) a forward cab section including an operator space and controls for said forward cab articulated tractor,

(b) said forward cab section attached to an articulating hinge,

(c) a rear section pivotally attached to said articulating hinge and located aft of said forward cab section,

(d) said rear section including a power source comprising an internal combustion engine,

(e) said internal combustion engine connected to a hydraulic fluid pump located in said rear section of said forward cab articulated tractor,

(f) hydraulically driven front and rear drive wheels disposed on said forward cab section and said rear section, respectively, each of said front drive wheels and said rear drive wheels having an adjacent hydraulic drive wheel motor associated therewith,

(g) said hydraulic fluid pump providing hydraulic fluid into a manifold on said rear section, said manifold having flow dividers directing said hydraulic fluid to said hydraulically driven front and rear drive wheels via hydraulic fluid lines having at least one control valve connected thereto,

(h) hydraulic steering cylinders attached between said forward cab section and said rear section for actuating turning of said articulating hinge, said hydraulic steering cylinders receiving said hydraulic fluid directed from said flow dividers on said manifold via said hydraulic fluid lines, and

(i) hydraulic drive wheel disc brakes on each of said front drive wheels adjacent said front hydraulic drive wheel motors, said hydraulic drive wheel disc brakes connected via said hydraulic fluid lines to said manifold to provide braking function to said forward cab articulated tractor.