Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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The invention relates to a propulsion system for
fluent material handling equipment, and in particular to
apparatus for propelling a grain auger and controlling the
direction of travel.
Portable grain augers have been in existence for many
years. A major problem, especially with regard to large
augers used in present day farming is the difficulty in
driving and maneuvering the apparatus around a farm,
particularly where the ground is soft or uneven.
Various arrangements are in existence which attempt
to overcome these difficulties, the most widely used
method being to attach the auger to a tractor hitch, and
utilize the tractor to move the auger and position for
use. One such arrangement can be found in United States
Patent No. 4,526,265, which issued July 2nd, 1985 to Enns.
The major problem with such systems is that they require
considerable space to be operable and are relatively
difficult to maneuver.
Prior systems also exist where the main wheels of the
auger, or an auxiliary wheel, is powered by a small
electric or gasoline engine. One such system can be seen
from U.S. Patent 4,726,459, which issued February 23rd,
1988 to Dirk Vos.
Finally, Canadian Patent No. 1,258,829 was issued in
August 1989 to Edward Tiede. The invention disclosed here
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provided a form of self-propelled auger which comprised
the combination of an auger and a small independently
operator driven vehicle. By positioning the vehicle
within the frame of the auger and driving and steering
wheels of the auger, some degree of additional
maneuverability was achieved over the aforementioned use
of a farm tractor.
While it is accepted, that on dry and somewhat uneven
ground, these wheeled propulsion systems were acceptable,
in wet, heavy, or snow covered ground, it could prove very
difficult to prevent wheel slip and the eventual "bogging
down" of the wheels.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a simple, self-propelled relatively small traction
unit that can be readily attached to the main axle of a
conventional auger.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a
self-contained independently powered traction unit, which
is used to propel an auger in forward or reverse
directions and to steer the auger to thus change the
direction of travel.
Accordingly, the invention comprises a small tracked
propulsion unit, driven by a first power source, the
external power source being powered from a second
power source such as conventionally associated with an
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auger. A beam is positioned above the propulsion unit,
the beam having a plurality of arm means extending
longitudinally and radially therefrom, the distal end of
each arm being fixedly attached to the axle of the auger.
A steering mechanism is included comprising a platform
assembly positioned above the beam, the platform being
supported on a kingpin, the kingpin extending vertically
downwardly through a sleeved or bearing aperture in -the
beam to be fixedly connected with the propulsion unit. At
least one hydraulic steering cylinder is pivotally
attached at one end to the beam, the piston rod end or the
cylinder being attached to a second pin located on the
upper surface of the platform adjacent the peripheral
edge. Means are provided to supply hydraulic operating
fluid to the hydraulic steering- cylinder, such that
actuation of the piston causes the rotation of the
platform and the propulsion unit which is directly coupled
therewith, thus consequently affecting the change in the
direction of travel of the auger being moved.
The invention will now be described by way of example
only, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in
which:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the traction
unit according to the present invention, attached to a
conventional grain auger, the latter being shown in
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maximum lift position for transportation purposes;
Figure 2, is a plan view of the traction unit
according to Figure 1, the steering mechanism positioned
for forward travel;
5Figure 2A is a side elevational view of the traction
unit according to Figure 2;
Figure 3 is a plan view of the traction unit
according to the invention, the steering mechanism
position for forward travel and full steer to the right;
10Figure 3A is a side elevational view of the traction
unit according to Figure 3;
Figure 4 is a plan view, partly in section, showing
the arrangement of the drive system of the traction unit
according to Figure l;
15Figure 4A is a side elevational view of the traction
unit of Figure 4;
Figure 5 is a plan view of the turntable and kingpin
assembly for the steering mechanism;
Figure SA is a side elevational view of the
arrangement according to Figure 5;
Figure 6 is a side elevational view, partly in
section showing the turntable mounting assembly; and
Figure 7 is a hydraulic schematic flow diagram.
Referring now the accompanying drawings, a preferred
embodiment of the invention will now be described. Only
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the essential components of the invention are shown.
Since the traction unit of the invention can be used in
conjunction with any conventional form of auger, the
latter does not form part of the invention. Thus it is
considered unnecessary for the drawings and description to
discuss in depth, structural details of the auger or its
commonly associated components. For example, for clarity,
all hydraulic circuitry is omitted, with the exception of
the inclusion of a schematic flow diagram, Figure 7, and
its related description.
Figure 1 shows a conventional auger 10 in its maximum
lift position, operably attached to the traction unit 11
of the present invention. Traction unit 11 is connected
to the auger axle 12 via a main support beam 13 from which
extend two arms 14, attached at their outer extremities to
axle 12. The attachment of the arms to the axle 12 can be
by any preferred form, but it is preferred that the
attachment could be readily releasable so as to permit
disconnection of the propulsion system when required.
Traction unit 11, as shown in Figures 2 through 4, is
what is generally referred to as a "crawler tractor" style
system and comprises a main rectangular sub-frame 15 which
includes two side members 16 spaced apart and parallel one
with the other. Shafts 17 are mounted transversely of the
sub-frame 15, one carrying an idler sprocket assembly 18,
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the other carrying a drive sprocket assembly 19. Each
said shaft and sprocket assembly being journalled for
rotation. As shown in Figure 4 a drive sprocket and shaft
are preferably driven by a directly coupled hydraulic
motor 20, hydrostatically powered by conventional gas
engine driven gear pump (not shown). However, a chain and
sprocket reduction system could also be utilized. This
type of hydrostatic drive is commonly referred to as an
open centre type. The gas engine used as the prime mover,
is the same engine that is used to power the screw
flighting for the auger.
The sprocket assemblies co-act with and drive an
endless rubber track 21, having cleats 22 on the outer
ground engaging surface, thus providing for effective
ground engagement and increased traction. A lower guide
assembly 23 is included, attached to the sub-frame 15,
between the sprocket assemblies to guide and support the
track during operation. In the embodiment shown, a cover
or splash guard is attached to the main frame above the
sprocket and drive assembly.
The manner in which the traction unit 11 is pivotally
mounted to the main support beam 13 can be seen from
Figures 2A, 3A and 6. Referring specifically to Figure
3A, traction unit 11 is transversely spanned by an
inverted U-shaped member 24 and is mounted between the
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arms 25 on journalled stub-shaft 26, which provide for
limited pivotal movement about the axis of stub-shaft 26.
An upper, transverse cross member 27 is inserted between
arms 25 and located above traction unit 11. The ends of
cross member 27 extend through arms 25 and are pinned
fixedly in place. A second generally U-shaped member 28
is centrally attached as by welding, to transverse cross
member 27.
Extending through support beam 13, and welded to beam
13, is a sleeve member 29 which serves as a pivot bushing
for a vertically positioned kingpin 32. Kingpin 32 also
carries the traction unit 11, at its lower end, and the
steering mechanism generally indicated at 30 at its upper
end.
The steering assembly 30 includes a circular platform
31 ~Figure 5) mounted on the top of kingpin 32 and pinned
in place. At a location adjacent the peripheral edge of
platform 31, and on the upper surface of the platform 31
there is located a second vertically extending pin 33.
Attached to and mounted for pivotal movement relative
to the upper surface of the support beam 13 is a hydraulic
steering cylinder 34 (see for example, Figures 2 and 2A).
Piston 35 of cylinder 34 is attached by a U-joint 36 to
the top of pin 33. Kingpin 32 extends through the sleeve
member into the framework of the traction unit 11 (see
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Figure 6) where it is connected by a sheer bolt 37 to a
knuckle joint (not shown). Thus assembled, there is
provided a system where extension or retraction of the
piston 35 of steering cylinder 34 rotates the platform 31
and since the kingpin 32 is fixedly attached to the
traction unit 11, causes the unit when being driven in
either forward or reverse modes to be directionally
steered. While only one steering cylinder has been shown,
it will be appreciated that twin cylinders could be
utilized one on either side of the platform, or
alternatively, a mechanical cranking method could be used
with rack and pinion driven by a hydraulic orbit motor or
electric motor. It will be further appreciated that with
such a system as has been described, an auger can be
caused to be rotated about its axle center for final
positioning, a feature that has not been successfully
achieved by the prior art.
Finally, with reference to Figure 7, there is shown a
schematic hydraulic circuit. The use of a 3-spool control
valve 38 equipped with a joystick-on-valve mechanism
simultaneously controls the hydraulic drive motor 39 and
the steering cylinder 34. This permits the traction unit
11 to be steered while in motion with little or not
physical effort by an operator. In other words, the
tractor unit 11 can be controlled completely by a single
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lever joystick. The addition and implementation of the
lift cylinder 40 (Figure 1) to elevate the intake end of
auger 10, allows the operator to use hydraulic power to
connect the auger to a tractor or truck for towing or to
reach into a grain bin for unloading purposes. The system
shown in Figure 7 also includes an oil reservoir 41 and
oil filter 32, and a drive motor 43. With the exception
of the lifting cylinder 40 and the steering cylinder 34,
the location of all other hydraulic operating components
and lines is a matter of design choice and therefore does
not form part of this invention.
Since modifications can be made to the invention as
described herein without departing from the scope of the
claims appended hereto, it is intended that the text of
the accompanying specification shall be accepted as
illustrative only and in no manner limiting.
The invention will now be defined by the appended
c laims .
