Ford New Holland, Inc.

New Holland North America, Inc.

Cnh America LLC

Sperry Corporation

New Holland Inc.

Innovations by Contract, Inc.

Joseph C Hurlburt

Russell William Strong

Gilbert W Linde

Charles A Hansen

Edward H Priepke

Bryant F Webb

Joseph A Rinaldi

Robert D Kurtz, Jr

David J Templeton

Angelo Rondelli

Constantine J Kermes

David L Knight

Horace G McCarty

Charles P Klasen

Randall F Zipser

Guido A LaVecchia

Adam J Chubey

Peter J Torland

A frame configuration that is particularly adaptable for use on a trailer such that the frame configuration is operable in both a tilt mode of operation and a dump mode of operation. An actuating mechanism includes a linear actuator that is supported on the frame by a bracket and a yoke that connects to a load bed to power the vertical movement of the load bed in both tilt and dump functions. The linear actuator is pivotally mounted to permit a re-positioning of the actuator into an inoperative position. The frame configuration is provided with an articulated tilt frame in which the tongue is pivoted thereto allowing the load bed to pivot about a tilt axis which can coincide with the wheel axis of the trailer. The bed frame can be locked to the tilt frame for tilting upon articulation with the tongue, while a disconnection of the bed frame from the tilt frame enables the bed frame to pivot about the dump axis to provide a dump function in addition to the tilt function. The actuator can pivot about the connection thereof to the bed frame to position the actuator into a lowered inoperative transport position generally parallel to the trailer tongue. A modified screw jack can be part of a kit that can be utilized to provide the powered operations of the tilt function for existing gravity-based tilt trailers.

Trailer having tilt and dump functions

A utility vehicle that has a bogey beam suspension for the front steered wheels is also provided with all wheel drive by mounting a drive shaft within the bogey beam so that power can be furnished to the front axle. For a six wheel vehicle the middle axle is mounted on the rear of the bogey beam and driven from the rear drive axle by a universal drive assembly. In the four wheel version in which a resilient member is attached between the vehicle and the rear of the bogey beam, the rear drive axle is interconnected with the rear of the front wheel drive shaft by a universal drive assembly.

All wheel drive utility vehicle with bogey beam suspension

A utility vehicle is provided with a wishbone-shaped frame having a forwardly extending stem terminating rearwardly of the front axle of the vehicle to permit the orientation of the vehicle in a shipping envelope that is significantly smaller in length than the corresponding operating envelope. The floor panel in the operator station is hinged to pivot upwardly, thereby permitting, upon the disconnection of the front axle from the frame, a rearward positioning of the front hood and front axle against the seats of the operator station. A method of configuring the utility vehicle into a compact shipping envelope is also disclosed.

Shipping/operating envelopes for utility vehicles

A utility vehicle is provided with a middle axle that is mounted at the end of a bogey beam for both flotational and oscillatory movement relative to the frame of the vehicle. The middle axle is restrained longitudinally by support links that are pivotally connected to the frame at a location that is forward of the rear drive axle. The middle axle is formed by a pair of stub axles interconnected by a support beam that is pivotally connected to the rearward end of the bogey beam. Vertical movement of the middle axle support wheels results in a corresponding vertical movement of the rearward end of the bogey beam and a rotation of the support beam about its pivotal connection on the bogey beam. The oscillatory movement is accomplished by a pivotal connection via a ball joint between a central support bracket mounting the transverse support beam to the longitudinally extending bogey beam.

Oscillating middle axle for a utility vehicle

A utility vehicle includes a middle axle that is mounted at the end of a bogey beam for flotational movement relative to the frame of the vehicle. The rear axle is carried by a suspension mechanism supported from the frame of the vehicle. The middle axle is formed by a pair of stub axles interconnected by a support beam that is pivotally connected to the rearward end of the bogey beam. The rear suspension mechanism includes a pair of transversely spaced suspension struts interconnecting the frame and a rear axle member having the rear drive wheels mounted thereon. Connecting support links interconnecting the middle and rear axles maintain proper positional spacing between the middle and rear axles.

Rear axle suspension mechanism for utility vehicles

A utility vehicle is provided with a bogey beam on which are mounted the steering axle at the forward end of the bogey beam and the middle axle on the rearward end of the bogey beam. A rear drive axle is supported by the frame of the utility vehicle. The bogey beam is connected to the frame by a pivot assembly defining a transverse pivot axis about which the bogey beam can oscillate. The weight transferred to the bogey beam is proportionately distributed between the front steering axle and middle axle. As a result, the steering characteristics of the steering axle are not impaired by the imposition of a load in the load bed of the utility vehicle, as the middle axle cannot be loaded sufficiently to overpower the front steering axle. The middle axle is rotatably driven by a chain drive transferring rotational power from the rear drive axle. The bogey, beam is provided with a plurality of pivot axis locations to vary the proportions of the load applied to the front and middle axles as a result of the longitudinal movement of the bogey beam pivot.

Adjustable bogey beam support for utility vehicles

A utility vehicle is provided with a bogey beam on which are mounted the steering axle at the forward end of the bogey beam and the middle axle on the rearward end of the bogey beam. A rear drive axle is supported by the frame of the utility vehicle. The bogey beam is connected to the frame by a pivot assembly defining a transverse pivot axis about which the bogey beam can oscillate. The weight transferred to the bogey beam is proportionately distributed between the front steering axle and middle axle. As a result, the steering characteristics of the steering axle are not impaired by the imposition of a load in the load bed of the utility vehicle, as the middle axle cannot be loaded sufficiently to overpower the front steering axle. The middle axle is rotatably driven by the rear drive axle.

Bogey beam axle support for utility vehicles

A utility vehicle includes a bogey beam pivotally connected to the chassis of the vehicle. The bogey beam supports the front axle at a forward end thereof and is connected to a suspension strut at the rearward end thereof. The pivotal connection of the bogey beam to the vehicle chassis is at a point intermediate of the forward and rearward ends. The suspension strut takes the place of a middle axle from a three-axle utility vehicle configuration to permit the construction of a two-axle embodiment of the utility vehicle without requiring a significant change in the configuration of the vehicle. Loads placed on the load bed of the vehicle are still distributed to the front axle through the connection of the chassis with the bogey beam.

Front axle suspension mechanism for utility vehicles

A utility vehicle is provided with a middle axle that is mounted at the end of a bogey beam for flotational movement relative to the frame of the vehicle. The middle axle is restrained longitudinally by support links that are pivotally connected at a location forward of the rear drive axle. The middle axle is formed by a pair of stub axles interconnected by a support beam that is pivotally connected to the rearward end of the bogey beam. Vertical movement of the middle axle support wheels results in a corresponding vertical movement of the rearward end of the bogey beam and a rotation of the support beam about its pivotal connection on the bogey beam. The configuration of the support links provides sufficient slack in the drive mechanism to the middle axle during flotational movement thereof so as to allow a slight twisting of the drive mechanism during oscillation of the middle axle.

Middle axle support apparatus for utility vehicles

A utility vehicle is provided with a steering mechanism that increases the turning angle of the steered wheels without requiring a lengthening of the wheel base of the vehicle. The steering mechanism includes a pair of bell cranks pivotally mounted to the steering axle of the vehicle. A tie rod extends between the two bell cranks to effect coordinated pivotal movement therebetween. A rack and pinion mechanism transfers manipulation of the operator's steering wheel to move the rack connected to the first bell crank and cause pivotal movement thereof. Each bell crank is associated with a steering link connected thereto at a connection point which moves on an arc centered on the respective pivot of the bell crank. The connection point moves forwardly with respect to the inner steered wheel to permit the steering arm of the inner steered wheel to rotate to an orientation that is substantially transverse to provide an enhanced turning angle for the inner steered wheel.

Enhanced steering mechanism for utility vehicles

The invention is a grain tank which pivots about an axis transverse to the direction of travel to facilitate grain flow to the unloading system. The grain tank is sloped and curved to allow the grain to be easily and completely discharged from the tank. Grain is delivered from the clean grain system to a first auger which transports the grain to either a second auger or bubble up auger. The grain can enter the grain tank by the bubble up auger or may be discharged to the unloading system via a second auger. While unloading, the tank pivots from its lowest position to its highest position, only as needed, to maximize output.

Growing community of inventors

Lancaster, PA, United States of America

Joseph C Hurlburt