Utility vehicle, in particular an agricultural tractor

• US 8,011,466 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2007
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AGCO GmbH (AGCO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: AGCO GmbH (AGCO Corporation)
• Inventors: Nägele, Guido, Mariner, Gerhard, Schwarz, Georg, Honzek, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Restifo; Jeffrey J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Avery; Bridget
• Application Number:
  US11/740,145
• Publication Number:
  US 20070246278A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,595 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.1, 180/54.1, 180/242, 180/247, 180/291, 180/305, 180/307, 180/311, 180/312, 280/782
• US Class Current: 180/68.4
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/02 comprising longitudinally or transversely arranged frame members
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/17 forming fluid or electrical conduit means or having other means to accommodate the transmission of a force or signal

Abstract

A vehicle, in particular an agricultural tractor, is disclosed with a vehicle chassis, which is formed at least partly from two laterally spaced side members (1, 2) with C-shaped profile, comprising a vertical bar (1a, 2a) and two horizontal flanges (1b, 2b) and containing hydraulic lines in the space between the flanges, and with a radiator sub-assembly (5), fitted to the vehicle chassis, which consists of a carrier plate (6) fitted to the side members and several oil coolers (8, 9) supported by the carrier plate. In order to improve the routing of the hydraulic lines to the oil coolers and to provide unhindered assembly and simple subsequent maintenance, it is proposed that the open sides of the C-profile of the side members (1, 2) should point to the vehicle exterior, that at least one subsection (6b) of the carrier plate (6) extends into the region between the side members (1, 2) and that ducts (6g, 6h, 6j, 6k), connected to the oil coolers (8, 9) are integrated into the at least one subsection (6b) of the carrier plate (6) and flow into lateral ports (6l, 6m, 6n, 6p) turned towards the vertical bars (1a, 2a) and can be connected through recesses (1c, 2c) in the bars (1a, 2a) to hydraulic lines (12, 13, 14, 15) laid between the flanges (1b, 2b).

Claims

1. A utility vehicle with a vehicle chassis, the vehicle chassis comprising:

two laterally spaced side members with a C-shaped profile, each side member having a vertical bar and two horizontal flanges and containing hydraulic lines in the space between the flanges, and

a radiator sub-assembly,

wherein the radiator sub-assembly has a carrier plate fitted to the side members and several oil coolers supported by the carrier plate, a bearing surface of the carrier plate being located above the side members,

wherein the open sides of the C-profile of the side members point to the vehicle exterior,

wherein at least one subsection of the carrier plate extends into a lower position between the side members into direct proximity with the vertical bars of the side members, and

wherein ducts connected to the oil coolers are integrated into the at least one subsection of the carrier plate and flow into lateral ports turned towards the side member vertical bars and are connected through recesses in the bars to hydraulic lines laid between the horizontal flanges.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1 in which the carrier plate is formed as a casting.

3. A vehicle according to claim 1 in which the carrier plate is welded or bolted onto the side members.

4. A vehicle according to claim 1 in which further ducts are provided in carrier plate which are connected to hydraulic lines laid between the flanges, these further ducts are connected to a valve block arranged on the carrier plate through which pressurised hydraulic fluid can be provided to operate attachments carried on the vehicle.

5. A vehicle according to claim 1 in which the vehicle is an agricultural tractor.