Configuration of a two-track tractor

• US 9,359,021 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2014
• Issued: 06/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CLAAS Industrietechnik GmbH (CLAAS KGaA mbH)
• Original Assignee: CLAAS Industrietechnik GmbH (CLAAS KGaA mbH)
• Inventors: Janzen, David C., Satzler, Ronald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Boehler, Anne Marie
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARCE, MARLON ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US14/249,662
• Publication Number:
  US 20140216828A1
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 180/9.38
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/016 characterised by their responsiveness, when the vehicle is travelling, to specific motion, a specific condition, or driver input B60G17/017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 11/10 using gearings with differential power outputs on opposite sides, e.g. twin-differential or epicyclic gears
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 11/24 Endless track steering specially adapted for vehicles having both steerable wheels and endless track
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 29/008 predominantly of light alloys, e.g. extruded
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 37/04 by means of movable masses
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 49/00 Tractors of walk type B62D51/04; endless- track features B62D55/00 ; transport specially adapted for underground galleries E21F13/02
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 49/0621 comprising traction increasing arrangements, e.g. all-wheel traction devices, multiple-axle traction arrangements, auxiliary traction increasing devices anti-skid or anti-slip devices fitted onto the wheels B60B15/02, B60B39/12; arrangements of transmission for driving both front and rear wheels or tandem wheels of vehicles B60K17/34, B60K17/36
• 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 55/02 with tracks and additional ground wheels for multi-purpose tractors B62D49/0635
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/116 Attitude or position control of chassis by action on suspension, e.g. to compensate for a slope

Abstract

An agricultural tractor includes a pair of track assemblies including rubber treads with track bars, a front wheel assembly and a controller. The track assemblies are interconnected by respective front and rear axles extending substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel. The controller automatically controls a load imposed on the front wheel assembly in order to control the load imposed at the front axle of the track assemblies to minimize rubber tread wear.

Claims

1. An agricultural tractor, comprising

a pair of track assemblies including rubber treads with track bars, the track assemblies interconnected by respective front and rear axles extending substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel;

a front wheel assembly;

a front axle load sensor for monitoring a weight on the front wheel assembly; and

a controller that automatically controls a load imposed by the weight of the vehicle on the front wheel assembly, as detected by the front axle load sensor, in order to control a load imposed by the weight of the vehicle at the front axle of the track assemblies to minimize rubber tread wear during travel on roads.

2. The two-track tractor as set forth in claim 1, wherein the controller controls turn angle geometry to maintain correct alignment for a pivot turn.

3. The two-track tractor as set forth in claim 1, wherein the controller controls the load when carrying a front mounted implement.

4. The two-track tractor as set forth in claim 1, wherein the track assemblies and the front wheel assembly include respective weight profiles or loads controlled by the controller.

5. The two-track tractor as set forth in claim 1, wherein the track assemblies are mounted on pivot shafts such that a moment is applied to the track assemblies via a hydraulic cylinder with a moment arm.

6. The two-track tractor as set forth in claim 5, wherein the front wheel assembly reacts to moments generated about a track assembly mounting pivot.

7. The two-track tractor as set forth in claim 1, further including spring elements for suspension of the track assemblies.

8. The two-track tractor as set forth in claim 7, further including an accumulator for suspension of the track assemblies.

9. The two-track tractor as set forth in claim 1, further comprising additional sensors, wherein the controller receives and processes signals from the additional sensors.

10. The two-track tractor as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the two track assemblies is attached to a hydraulic cylinder and wherein another end of the hydraulic cylinder is attached to a center structure of the tractor.