Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
WALK-BEHIND TRACTOR WITH INCREASED GROUND CLEARANCE
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The instant application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent
Application serial number 62/846,605, filed March 3, 2020 and to U.S. Patent
Application serial number 16/810,489, filed March 5, 2020.
TECHINICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to small agricultural
machinery. More particularly, the present disclosure relates generally to a
walking
tractor, walk-behind tractor, or a two wheel tractor. Specifically, the
present
disclosure relates to a
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0003] A "walking tractor," "walk-behind tractor," or "two wheel
tractor," are
synonymous terms that refer to a two-wheeled version of a four wheeled farm
tractor. However, some walk-behind tractors may have four or more coaxially
aligned
wheels. Typically, walk-behind tractors have the ability to "run" many
different kinds
of implements connected to a conventional hitch on the walk-behind tractor.
Additionally, some walk-behind tractors have the added benefit of the
handlebars
being reversible 180 degrees. This gives some walk-behind tractor front and
rear
power take off (PTO) capabilities.
[0004] Walk-behind tractors are capable for use on steep or rough
terrain
where a four wheel tractor could pose safety issues. Unlike a traditional four
wheel
tractor (having two front wheels and two rear wheels), using a walk-behind
tractor
provides the added benefit of exercise as well as being "more in touch with
the
earth". Additionally, the walk-behind tractor provides the ability to have one
tractor
that runs many different implements rather than having to own and maintain
many
stand-alone pieces of equipment such as lawn mowers, tillers, chippers, and
more.
Having only one engine/power source saves time and money on engine
maintenance.
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[0005] Conventional walk-behind tractors have a straight axle to which
the
wheels are connected. Thus, the ground clearance of the conventional walk-
behind
tractor is measured from the ground to the lower surface of the straight axle.
Typically, the ground clearance of the conventional walk-behind tractor from
ground
to the straight axle is typically in a range from about 6 inches to about 12
inches
depending on the size of the tractor and its wheels.
SUMMARY
[0006] Although walk-behind tractor have provided the aforementioned
capabilities and advantages, they are not without drawbacks. Conventional walk-
behind tractors have a single fixed axle to which the two wheels are
connected.
Thus, the "clearance height" or ground clearance of the machine cannot be
readily
changed. This can be a disadvantage because different plants grow at different
rates
and to different ultimate heights. Thus, there may be a situation when the
plants in a
field "outgrow" a conventional walk-behind tractor because of the ground
clearance
height of the plants that need to pass below the single fixed straight axle.
Thus, a
need continues to exist for a walk-behind tractor with an increased ground
clearance
height.
[0007] In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure
may provide a walk-behind tractor comprising: at least two ground engaging
wheels
that rotate about a wheel axis and the at least two ground engaging wheels are
spaced from each other, wherein the wheel axis is at a first height relative
ground; a
driveshaft for the ground engaging wheels located above the wheel axis at a
greater
second height relative to ground, wherein the driveshaft is coupled with the
two
ground engaging wheels to rotate the two wheels during operation of the walk-
behind tractor; wherein the height of the driveshaft being above the wheel
axis is
adapted to provide a greater clearance height for the walk-behind tractor for
plants to
pass below the driveshaft and between the two ground engaging wheels during
operation of the walk-behind tractor. This exemplary embodiment or another
exemplary embodiment may further provide a first stub axle coupled to a first
ground
engaging wheel; a second stub axle coupled to a second ground engaging wheel;
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wherein the first and second stub axles are coaxial along the wheel axis below
the
driveshaft. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may
further provide a sprocket on the driveshaft that is positioned above another
sprocket
coupled with a first ground engaging wheel; and a looped mechanism coupling
the
sprocket with another sprocket to effect rotational movement of the driveshaft
to be
imparted to the first ground engaging wheel, wherein the looped mechanism is
selected from a group comprising a chain and a belt. This exemplary embodiment
or
another exemplary embodiment may further provide a lower surface of the drive
shaft; a proximal end of a first stub axle below the lower surface of the
drive shaft,
wherein the proximal end of the first stub axle is offset from a longitudinal
centerline;
a proximal end of a second stub axle below the lower surface of the
driveshaft,
wherein the proximal end of the second stub axles is offset from the
longitudinal
centerline opposite the first stub axle; a plant receiving area defined by the
proximal
ends of the first and second stub axles and the lower surface of the
driveshaft,
wherein the plant receiving area has a height measured from the ground to the
lower
surface of the driveshaft and a width measured from the proximal end of the
first stub
axle to the proximal end of the second stub axle, and wherein the height of
the plant
receiving area is greater than the width.
[0008] This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may
further provide a plant receiving space defined below the driveshaft and
between the
two ground engaging wheels having a height of the plant receiving space that
is
greater than a width thereof. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary
embodiment may further provide an inverted U-shaped cross-sectional profile of
a
region below the drive shaft and between the two-ground engaging wheels, and
the
region is adapted to permit taller plants to pass below the walk-behind
tractor when
the taller plants would otherwise not pass below a standard walk-behind
tractor with
two ground engaging wheels coaxial along a standard driveshaft.
[0009] This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may
further provide an extension that is coaxially connected to an end of the
driveshaft
adapted to permit the two ground engaging wheels to be moved to have a greater
wheelbase width. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment
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may further provide a selective first position of the two-ground engaging
wheels
offset a first width from one another; a selective second position of the two-
ground
engaging wheels offset a second width from one another; wherein selecting the
second position widens a wheelbase width between the two ground engaging
wheels
adapted to permit the walk-behind tractor to traverse atop wider plants than
would
otherwise be permissible in the first position.
[0010] This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may
further provide a transverse axis defined by the driveshaft; a wheel axis
about which
the first and second ground engaging wheels rotate, wherein the transverse
axis of
the driveshaft is above the wheel axis. This exemplary embodiment or another
exemplary embodiment may further provide. This exemplary embodiment or another
exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein the transverse axis of the
driveshaft is above wheel axis the forwardly displaced relative to the wheel
axis at an
angle in a range from about 10 degrees to about 50 degrees. This exemplary
embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein the
range of the angle is from about 20 degrees to about 40 degrees. This
exemplary
embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein the
angle is about 30 degrees.
[0011] This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may
further provide a hitch with a flared opening adapted to permit an implement
being
towed by the walk-behind tractor to pivot within a bounded range of motion.
This
exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide a set
screw on the hitch that extends into the flared opening adapted to decrease
the
bounded range of motion for the implement to pivot.
[0012] In yet another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure may provide a walk-behind tractor having an increased ground
clearance
comprising: a wheel axis about which at least two ground engaging wheels
rotate
during operation of the walk-behind tractor, wherein the wheel axis is
disposed at a
first height above ground; a ground clearance second height measured between
the
at least two ground engaging wheels from ground to one of (i) a lower surface
of a
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frame and (ii) a lower surface of a drive assembly; wherein the ground
clearance
second height is in a range from 10% to 100% greater than the first height
adapted
to permit taller plants to pass below the walk-behind tractor during operation
thereof
than would be permitted if the ground clearance second height equaled the
first
height.
[0013] In accordance with another aspect, an exemplary embodiment may
provide a walk-behind tractor has an increased ground clearance to define a
plant
receiving space that has a greater height than a conventional walk-behind
tractor
having a straight axle. The walk-behind tractor has trailing drop arms from a
frame
that carry wheel axles that result in an elevated height of a driveshaft. The
elevated
driveshaft increases the ground clearance for taller plants to pass
therebeneath
during operation of the walk-behind tractor which would otherwise be too tall
to pass
below a conventional straight axle walk-behind tractor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] A sample embodiment of the disclosure is set forth in the
following
description, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly
pointed out and
set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are fully
incorporated herein and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate
various
examples, methods, and other example embodiments of various aspects of the
disclosure. It will be appreciated that the illustrated element boundaries
(e.g., boxes,
groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the
boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in some
examples one
element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be
designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal
component of another element may be implemented as an external component and
vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale.
[0015] Figure 1 is a first side elevation view of one embodiment of a
walk-
behind tractor of the present disclosure;
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[0016] Figure 2 is a second side elevation view of the walk-behind
tractor of
the present disclosure shown in Figure 1;
[0017] Figure 3 is front elevation view of the walk-behind tractor of
the present
disclosure shown in Figure 1;
[0018] Figure 4 is a partial top plan view of the walk-behind tractor
of the
present disclosure shown in Figure 1;
[0019] Figure 4A is a partial top plan view of another embodiment of a
walk-
behind tractor having a wider wheelbase than the embodiment shown in Figure 4;
[0020] Figure 5 is a transverse cross section view of the walk-behind
tractor
taken along line 5-5 in Figure 1;
[0021] Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross section view of the walk-
behind tractor
taken along line 6-6 in Figure 4;
[0022] Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross section view of the walk-
behind tractor
taken along line 7-7 in Figure 4;
[0023] Figure 8 is an assembled perspective view of a hitch assembly
for the
walk-behind tractor according to another aspect of the present disclosure;
[0024] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the hitch assembly
of
Figure 8;
[0025] Figure 10 is an operational second side elevation view of
connecting
an implement to the walk-behind tractor;
[0026] Figure 11 is an operation top plan view of the hitch assembly
coupling
the implement to the walk-behind tractor;
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[0027] Figure 12 is an operational second side elevation view of the
walk-
behind tractor pulling the implement relative to plants in the ground; and
[0028] Figure 13 is an operational cross section view take along line
13-13 in
Figure 12 depicting the walk-behind tractor as having an increase height to
thereby
define a space through which plants pass through and below the walk-behind
tractor
during operation with the implement in tow.
[0029] Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] A walk-behind tractor shown throughout the figures in
accordance with
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown generally at 10. The
walk-behind tractor 10 may also be referred to as a walking tractor or a two-
wheel
tractor. Walk-behind tractor 10 has an increased ground clearance relative to
plants
passing below portions of the tractor 10 and between ground engaging wheels
during operation of the walk-behind tractor 10. Portions of the drive
assembly, such
as a driveshaft, are located above an axis defined by one or more axles for
the
wheels at a greater height relative to the ground to establish the necessary
ground
clearance for plants to pass below the walk-behind tractor during operation
thereof.
[0031] Figure 1 and Figure 2 depict the walk-behind tractor 10 as
having a
front end 12 opposite a rear end 14 defining a longitudinal direction
therebetween.
Walk-behind tractor 10 has a first side 16 opposite a second side 18 defining
a
transverse direction therebetween. Tractor 10 further includes an upper end or
top
20 opposite a lower end or bottom 22 defining a vertical direction
therebetween.
[0032] With continued reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2, walk-behind
tractor
includes a frame 24 supporting an engine 26, a first ground engaging wheel 28,
a
second ground engaging wheel 30, and a rearward extending handle assembly 32.
[0033] Engine 26 supported by frame 24 may be a conventional two-
stroke or
four-stroke engine configured to be powered by gasoline or another combustible
fuel.
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Engine 26 may have various air intake components as well as other
subcomponents
that are common to conventional two-stroke engines or four-stroke engines.
Engine
26 may have a lower surface that is mounted to an upperwardly facing surface
of
frame 24. In one particular embodiment, engine 26 has a crankshaft that acts
as a
power take-off (PTO) which may be utilized by other components of a drive
system
within walk-behind tractor 10 and as will be described in greater detail
herein.
Engine 26 may be offset towards front end 12 of walk-behind tractor 10. In one
particular embodiment, engine 26 is located forwardly from the first ground
engaging
wheel 28 and the second ground engaging wheel 30. In another particular
embodiment, the crankshaft for the power take off of engine 26 is located
forwardly
and above the first and second ground engaging wheels 28, 30. Stated otherwise
and more particularly, the power take off (PTO) of the crankshaft for the
engine 26
may be entirely above an uppermost surface of the first and second ground
engaging wheels 28, 30.
[0034] Frame 24 may include a first longitudinal arm 34 that extends
rearwardly from a forward end to a rearmost end. First longitudinal arm 34 may
be
one of two longitudinal arms that extend generally in parallel in the
longitudinal
direction. Arm 34 may be positioned forwardly from a majority of the first and
second
ground engaging wheels 28, 30 and forwardly from the handle assembly 32. Arm
34
may be position vertically below a majority of engine 26. A kickstand 36 may
be
connected to the longitudinal arm via a pivot relationship about a connector
38.
Kickstand 36 may include a plurality of through-holes 40 which correspond to
complimentary through-holes 42 in the longitudinal member 34. As will be
described
in greater detail, the kickstand may be moved from a grounded position (as
shown in
2 1 and Figure 2) to a raised position where a pin may be inserted through
aligned
through apertures 40, 42 when walk-behind tractor is in operation.
[0035] The frame 24 may define a plurality of weight receiving areas
that are
configured to receive and support supplemental weights 44. In one particular
embodiment, a first weight receiving area is located at forward end of the
walk-
behind tractor and the weights 44 are configured to be vertically stacked and
aligned
and secured with a pin 46. In other embodiments, and as shown in Figure1 and
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Figure2, the walk-behind tractor may have weight receiving slots 48 which are
configured to receive vertically aligned weights 44 therein. While the weight
slots 48
are shown as connected to a drop arm assembly, it is entirely possible that
the
weight receiving slots be directly connected to the frame 24. The weights 44
are
utilized to add mass to the walk-behind tractor 10 to increase traction
thereof during
operation when moving the walk-behind tractor with increased ground clearance
over plants that would ordinarily be too tall to pass below a conventional
walk-behind
tractor.
[0036] Figure1 further depicts that the walk-behind tractor 10 may
include a
shroud or cover 50 that covers a portion of the drive assembly of walk-behind
tractor
10. Cover 50 is configured to protect the components internal to the drive
assembly
200 (Figure7), which will be shown in greater detail herein as if the cover 50
were
removed. Namely, components of the drive assembly 200 such as the crankshaft
PTO, drive pulleys, tension pulleys, and the driveshaft are located behind the
cover
50 which acts as a shroud to protect the drive assembly components during
operation of the walk-behind tractor.
[0037] With continued reference to Figure1, a first drop arm assembly
52 is
connected directly, or at least indirectly, to the frame 24 at one side
thereof. In one
particular embodiment, the first drop arm assembly 52 is on the first side of
the frame
24. A second drop arm assembly 54 (Figure 2) is connected to the frame 24 at
the
second side thereof. First and second drop arm assemblies 52, 54 are connected
to
a rear end of the frame 24 so as to extend downwardly and rearward therefrom.
However, other embodiments may provide for the drop arm assembly to extend
directly downward. Drop arm assemblies 52, 54 extend below the frame which
positions them below and rearward of the engine 26. Additionally, the drop arm
assemblies are generally below the handle assembly 32. First drop arm assembly
52
is operatively connected with the first ground engaging wheel 28 and the
second
drop arm assembly 54 is operatively connected with the second ground engaging
wheel 30. As will be described in greater detail below, a stub axle extends
through
each respective wheel 28, 30 to connect with each respective drop arm assembly
52, 54.
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[0038] The
handle assembly 32 is coupled with the frame 24 and extends
rearward from the frame 24. Handle assembly extends rearward and upward
relative
to drop arm assemblies 52, 54. Additionally, the handle assembly 32 may be
upwardly extended in a longitudinal direction from the rear end of the frame
24 and
the ground engaging wheels 28, 30 to enable an operator to walk behind the
walk-
behind tractor 10 in an upright position. More particularly, handle assembly
32
includes at least one extension member 56 connected, at least indirectly to
frame 24,
and the member 56 which may include a transverse cut out defining detents 58.
Notably, the extension member 56 may be formed form two planar panels on each
respective side of the walk-behind tractor 10. However, any structure
configuration to
effectuate the rearward extension of the handle assembly 32 and height
adjustment
thereof are entirely possible. Namely, detents 58, or other configuration to
effectuate
adjustment, are used to adjust an operatively connected second extension
member
60. The extension member 60 may be formed from two arms that flare upwardly
and
outwardly (as shown in Figure 3) to terminate at respective handles 62 with a
cross
bar 64 extending therebetween. Handles 62 may include one or more triggers 66
which are operatively connected with mechanical linkage 68, which extends
longitudinally through the two arms defining second extension member 60
towards
the engine 26 so as to be operatively connected to the drive assembly shrouded
by
cover 50, and described in greater detail below. More particularly, linkage 68
includes a link arm 70 located above the first extension member 56 that is
adapted to
be pulled in response to trigger 66 movement about a trigger axis 72 during
operation of the walk-behind tractor 10. Actuation of one or both of the
triggers 66
by an operator grasping handle 62 may effectuate operational movement of the
walk-behind tractor 10 by engaging the drive system 200 with the ground
engaging
wheels 28, 30. Additionally, the extensions 60 may be pivotably adjustable
with
respect to the cutout with detents 58 by pivoting the extension 60 about a
pivot axis
and locking the extension 60 at a different angular orientation relative to
the
extension member 56 to make the walk-behind tractor height adjustable for
different
users.
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[0039] As depicted in Figure 2, link arm 70 in an elongated member or
rod that
includes a first end 74 and a second end 76. First end 74 is connected with a
rearward portion of the linkage 68 and the second end 76 is connected with a
support flange 78 of the drive assembly 200 that is configured to pivot as
will be
described in greater detail herein. The first end 74 of the link arm may be
positioned
rearward of the ground engaging wheels 28, 30 while the second end 76 is
positioned forward of the ground engaging wheels. Second end 76 is positioned
forward of the first and second drop arm assemblies 52, 54
[0040] With continued reference to Figure 2, each drop arm assembly
52, 54
includes a leading edge 53 and a trailing edge 55. Leading edge 53 is angled
forwardly and downwardly relative to ground 112. In one particular embodiment,
leading edge 53 is oriented at an angle and arranged from about 10 degrees to
about 40 degrees relative to a horizontal plane 57 intersecting a wheel axis
92
(Figure 3). The trailing edge 55 of each respective drop arm assembly 52, 54
may
be a generally vertical edge extending from an upper end connected with the
frame
24 to a lower terminal end that receives the stub axle therethrough. Thus,
when
viewed from the side, the drop arm assembly 52, 54 may generally resemble the
shape of a triangle, wherein the apex of the triangular shape of the drop arm
assembly 52, 54 is oriented downwardly and receives the stub axles
therethrough to
define wheel axis 92 (Figure 3).
[0041] Figure 3 depicts that the frame 24 may include a first or
forward cross
member 80 and a second or rear cross member 82. The cross members 80, 82
extend transversely to define a width of the frame 24 extending between the
first side
16 and the second side 18. In some embodiments, the ends of the cross members
80, 82 are formed from an elongated rigid member. The cross members may be
formed from rigid square tubing and taper downwardly at an angle at each
respective
end associated with each side of the frame. The length of the cross members
80,82
are aligned in the transverse direction and are sized based on the operational
needs
for the transverse width of the walk-behind tractor. Thus, if the wheelbase
between
the two ground engaging wheels 28, 30 needs to be increased, then the
transversely
aligned length of the cross members 80, 82 will be increased. The cross
members
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80, 82 of frame 24 assist with supporting the engine 26 such that the
components of
engine 26 are positioned above the cross members 80, 82.
[0042] With
continued reference to Figure3, engine 26 includes the crankshaft
PTO 84 which rotates around a crankshaft axis 86. Crankshaft axis 86 is
located
above the first cross member 80. Crankshaft PTO 84 may be generally
transversely
aligned such that the crankshaft PTO 84 is oriented as facing the first side
16 of the
walk-behind tractor 10. Crankshaft PTO 84 is positioned forwardly from ground
engaging wheels 28, 30 and wheel axis 92, and above the drop arm assemblies
52,
54. Being coupled to engine 26, the crankshaft PTO 84 is supported above frame
24.
As will be described in greater detail herein, crankshaft PTO 84 is connected
with the
drive assembly 200, which includes components that are covered by cover 50.
Portions of the drive assembly are connected with a driveshaft 88 (Figure4)
which
defines a driveshaft axis 90. The driveshaft axis 90 is located above a wheel
axis 92
about which the first and second ground engaging wheels 28, 30 rotate during
operation of the walk-behind tractor 10.
[0043] With
continued reference to Figure 3, the wheel axis 92, positioned
below the driveshaft axis 90, is defined by respective stub axles extending
through
the ground engaging wheels on the drop arm assemblies 52, 54. More
particularly,
first drop arm assembly 52 includes an outer flange 94 and an inner flange 96.
A
first stub axle 98 is transversely centered along the wheel axis 92. Stub axle
98
extends transversely along the wheel axis 92 between the outer flange 94 and
the
inner flange 96. Inner flange 96 is located closer or proximal to a
longitudinal
centerline 144 of the walk-behind tractor 10. First ground engaging wheel 28
is
supported by the first stub axle 98 between the outer flange 94 and the inner
flange
96. A looped member 100, which may be a belt or a chain, is positioned between
the ground engaging wheel 28 and the inner flange 96 of the first drop arm
assembly
52. Thus, looped mechanism or member 100 is proximal to the longitudinal
centerline relative to the wheel 28. As will be described in greater detail
herein, the
looped member 100 is connected to a sprocket assembly carried by the first
ground
engaging wheel 28 and a corresponding sprocket or gear operatively connected
to
the driveshaft 88. Sprocket 172 (Figure 6) or sprocket assembly on wheel 28 is
proximal to the longitudinal centerline 144 relative to wheel 28.
Similarly, the
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second drop arm assembly 54 includes an outer flange 102 and an inner flange
104.
A second stub axle 106 extends between the outer flange 102 and the inner
flange
104. The second ground engaging wheel 30 is rotatably supported by the second
stub axle 106. A second looped mechanism or member 108, which may be a chain
or a belt, is operatively connected to a sprocket carried by the second ground
engaging wheel 30 and is operatively connected to a corresponding sprocket on
the
driveshaft 88.
[0044] The first and second stub axles 98, 106 are coaxially aligned
along the
wheel axis 92, which is positioned at a first height 110 above ground 112.
Additionally, as will be described in greater detail below, a plant receiving
space 114
may be defined between the inner flanges 96, 104 of the respective drop arm
assemblies 52, 54. Further, plant receiving space or region 114 is bound by
the
lower surface of the frame 24. More particularly, cross member 80 may have a
lower
surface 116 that bounds the upper limit of the plant receiving space 114.
Thus, a
vertical height of the plant receiving space 114, which may be shown as 118,
may be
measured from ground 112 to lower surface 116 to define the vertical height of
the
plant receiving space 114. Notably, Figure3 depicts kickstand 36 as in a
grounded
position; however, during operation the kickstand 36 will be pivoted about
axis 38
upwardly and out of the way so as to not interfere or interrupt or limit the
size of plant
receiving space 114.
[0045] Figure 4 depicts cover 50 as being offset towards the first
side 16 from
the engine 26. Engine 26 and its crankshaft PTO 84 define a crankshaft axis 86
are
oriented towards a forward end of the cover 50. Crankshaft PTO 84 is
positioned
forward from driveshaft 88 and driveshaft axis 90. Cover 50 includes the
forward end
120 and extends rearwardly to a rear end 122. The forward end 120 of cover 50
is
proximate the crankshaft axis 86 and the rear-end 122 of cover 50 is proximate
the
crankshaft axis 90. Flange 78 is connected with the second end 76 of link arm
70
and is offset towards the second side 18 from the cover 50 between the first
end 120
and the second end 122. The operational components of the drive assembly
covered by cover 50 will be described in greater detail herein.
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[0046] With continued reference to Figure 4, the driveshaft 88 that
defines the
drive axis 90 is positioned longitudinally between the first cross member 80
and the
second cross member 82. The length of the driveshaft 88 extends transversely
between a first end 124 and a second end 126. The first end 124 of driveshaft
88
terminates around a tire longitudinal center line 128 associated with the
first ground
engaging wheel 28. The second end 126 of driveshaft 88 terminates generally
coplanar with a tire longitudinal center line 130 associated with the second
ground
engaging wheel 30. Driveshaft may be a generally cylindrical rigid rod
extending
between the first and second ends 124, 126. Driveshaft 88 may be supported via
mounting brackets and bearings operatively coupled to frame 24 that enable the
driveshaft 88 to rotate about the drive axis 90. Drive axis 90 is located
between first
and second cross members 80, 82. In one particular embodiment, drive axis 90
is
positioned rearward from the engine 26 and its crankshaft axis 86. Drive axis
is
position forward from the second cross member 82. The brackets that support
the
driveshaft 88 connected to the frame 24 may extend upwardly from a lower
portion of
the frame 24 to position the drive axis 90 vertically above first cross member
80. In
one particular embodiment, drive axis 90 is located vertically below the
second cross
member 82; however, it is entirely possible that other vertical orientations
of the drive
axis 90 relative to the cross member 82 are entirely possible. In one
particular
embodiment, the driveshaft 88 perpendicularly intersects the longitudinal
centerline
144.
[0047] With continued reference to Figure 4, the wheelbase of walk-
behind
tractor 10 may be defined by distance between longitudinal center line 128
associated with the first ground engaging wheel 28 and the longitudinal center
line
130 associated with the second ground engaging wheel 30. The transverse
wheelbase 132 may be any wheelbase width depending on the operational needs of
the walk-behind tractor. For example, the overall width of the walk-behind
tractor 10
may be increased if the width of the plants passing below the walk-behind
tractor
through the plant receiving space or region 115 are wider. However, if
narrower
crops are being tended to, then it would be possible to construct a walk-
behind
tractor having a narrower wheelbase 132. Furthermore, the respective width 134
of
each tire 28, 30 may be selectively chosen depending on the desired operation
of
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the walk-behind tractor. When the walk-behind tractor is utilized in softer
terrains, a
wider width 134 with inflatable tires of the ground engaging wheels 28, 30 may
be
desirable. However, as is shown in later embodiments (see Figure4A), a
narrower
width of the tires, which may be inflatable or non-inflatable, may be utilized
which
could be beneficial when the ground 112 is more firm.
[0048] With continued reference to Figure 4, the second cross member
82 is
shown with a break away line 136 to reveal a hitch assembly 138 positioned
below
the cross member 82 on frame 24. Hitch assembly 138 includes a receiver 140
and
a supplemental insertion flared hitch 142. Receiver 140 is rigidly connected
with the
frame and is rearwardly opened to receive an insert extension member of the
flared
hitch 142 therein. In one particular embodiment, the rearwardly opened
receiver is
centered along the longitudinal center line 144 of the walk-behind tractor 10.
As will
be described in greater detail herein, the supplemental flared hitch 142
includes a
rearward opened receiving space that tapers inwardly towards longitudinal
center
line 144 as the sidewalls of the flared hitch extend forwardly towards the
front end 12
along the longitudinal center line 144. While the hitch receiver 140 is shown
as
positioned rearward from the driveshaft 88, other positions are entirely
possible. For
example, receiver 140 may be connected along the longitudinal center line near
the
front end 12 of the walk-behind tractor to enable an implement to be connected
thereto. When the receiver 140 of the hitch assembly 138 is positioned
rearward of
the driveshaft, the walk-behind tractor 10 is configured to tow or pull an
implement
therebehind. Hitch assembly 138 is positioned above the wheel axis 92 and
below
the driveshaft axis 96A
[0049] Figure4A depicts an alternative embodiment of the walk-behind
tractor
generally at 10A. Walk-behind tractor 10A includes similar components to walk-
behind tractor 10 except for it has a wider wheelbase 132A. To accomplish the
wider wheelbase 132A, the cross members 80A, 82A have a greater transversely
aligned length measured from the first side 16 to the second side 18. This
embodiment further shows a narrower set of wheels having tires, which may be
inflatable or non-inflatable, having a narrower wheel width 134A.
Particularly, a first
narrow wheel 28A and a second narrow wheel 30A have narrower wheel widths
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134A than those in the previous embodiment (as measured between wheel
centerlines 128A, 130A, respectively). When implementing the walk-behind
tractor
10A with a wider wheelbase 132A, a modified driveshaft 88A may be utilized to
extend the transversely aligned length thereof between its first end 124A and
a
second end 126A. To extend the length of the driveshaft in the transverse
direction,
one or more couplers 146 can be utilized to add extension portions 148 along
the
driveshaft axis 90A. The extension portions 148 may be connected with the
sprocket
and gear assemblies that respectively couple the first and second wheels 28A,
30A
via looped mechanisms or members 100, 108, respectively, to the driveshaft
88A. In
this configuration, the driveshaft 88A and its extensions 148 coupled via
couplers
146 are disposed longitudinally between the first cross member 80A and the
second
cross member 82A. However, other embodiments may provide driveshaft 88A as a
unibody construction free form couplers 146
[0050] Figure 5 is a cross section view taken along line 5-5 in Figure
1. The
forward facing cross section of Figure 5 depicts a drive belt 150 that is
connected to
driveshaft 88 via a pulley 152. The pulley 152 is coaxial with and rotatable
about the
driveshaft axis 90. Pulley 152 may be rigidly connected to driveshaft 88 and
is
configured to rotate therewith. The looped mechanism or member 100 extends
upwardly from a gear or sprocket 172 (Figure 6) carried by the first ground
engaging
wheel 28 and extends upwardly to a corresponding gear or sprocket 170 (Figure
6)
rigidly connected with the driveshaft 88. Additionally, the loop mechanism or
member 108 operatively coupled to the second ground engaging wheel 30 extends
upwardly to another respective sprocket coupled with the driveshaft 88 that is
rigidly
connected thereto to rotate the wheels during operation of the walk-behind
tractor
10. Pulley 152 may be located to proximal (i.e., closer to) the longitudinal
centerline
144 relative to the sprockets on the driveshaft 88 that respectively couple
the looped
members 100, 108 to the wheels 28, 30.
[0051] The drop arm assemblies 52, 54 are shown as disposing the
wheels
and wheel axis 92 below the drive belt 150 and its corresponding drive pulley
152.
By elevating the driveshaft 88 above the wheel axis 92, the plant receiving
space
114 has an increased height 154 to allow plants to pass there beneath. The
width of
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the plant receiving space may be measured from a few different locations. In
one
particular example, the width of the plant receiving space or region 114 is
measured
between the respective inner surfaces of the loop mechanisms 100, 108. In this
instance, the width 156 is measured between the respective inner surfaces of
the
looped mechanisms 100, 108 and is less than the height 154. Alternatively, the
width 156 of the plant receiving region or space 114 may be measured from
other
locations between the first and second ground engaging wheels 28, 30. For
example, the width 156 may be measured between major surfaces of the
respective
inner flanges 96, 104 on the first and second drop arm assemblies 52, 54. The
height 154 may be measured from the ground 112 to the lower surface of the
frame.
In one particular embodiment, the lower surface of the frame is defined by
lower
surface 116 of first cross member 80. However, the height 154 may be measured
from the ground 112 to other lower portions of the frame 24.
[0052] With continued reference to Figure 5, the first drop arm
assembly 52
may include a transverse upper flange 158 that is rigidly secured to the lower
surface
160 of second cross member 82. Accordingly, the transverse upper flange 158 of
first drop arm assembly 52 may be positioned vertically above the first cross
member
80 on frame 24. Further, upper transverse flange 158 of the drop arm assembly
52
may be positioned vertically above the driveshaft 88 and the drive axis 90.
Similarly,
the second drop arm assembly 54 includes an upper transverse flange 162
extending between its outer flange 102 and its inner flange 104 and is rigidly
connected to the lower surface 160 of the second cross member 82. Each drop
arm
assembly 52, 54 defines a slot-shaped space 164 between its respective inner
and
outer flanges and its upper flange rigidly connected to the lower surface 160
of the
second cross member 82. The slot-shaped space 164 is sized to receive the
wheel/tire, either first ground engaging wheel 28 on the first drop arm
assembly 52 or
the second ground engaging wheel 30 on the second drop arm assembly 54
therein.
Further, the respective looped mechanisms, looped member 100 or looped member
108 therein.
[0053] As depicted in Figure 5, the drive belt 150 is positioned
vertically above
the plant receiving space 114; however, is within the width 156 thereof.
Stated
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otherwise, the drive belt 150 is above but interior (relative to the profile
of the width)
the respective inner flanges 96, 94 on the first and second drop arm
assemblies 52,
54 relative to a longitudinal center line 144 of the walk-behind tractor 10.
Notably, the
drive belt 150 is not within the plan receiving space 114 but above it between
the
longitudinal centerlines 128, 130 of the wheels.
[0054] With continued reference to Figure 5, the first stub axle 98
may include
an interior proximal end 166 that is the closest portion of the first stub
axle 98 relative
to the longitudinal center line. The second stub axle 106 may include an
interior
proximal end 168 that is the closest portion of the second stub axle relative
to the
longitudinal center line. The interior width 156 of the plant receiving space
or region
114 may be defined and bound by a distance measured between the respective
inner proximal ends 166, 168 on the first stub axle 98 and the second stub
axle 106.
The proximal end 166 of the first stub axle 98 is below the lower surface of
the frame
24. Additionally, the proximal end 166 of the stub axle 98 is below the lower
surface
of, and the entirety of, the driveshaft 88. Similarly, the proximal end 168 of
the
second stub axle 166 is below the lower surface of the frame 24 and below the
lower
surface of the driveshaft 88. When using the proximal ends 166, 168 as a
reference
point for defining the plant receiving region or space 114, the plant
receiving area,
region, or space 114 may be defined by the proximal ends 166, 168 of the first
and
second stub axles 98, 106, respectively and a lower portion of either the
frame or
driveshaft. As indicated previously, the height 154, which is also referred to
as the
ground clearance height 154, of the plant receiving space 114 is typically
greater
than its width 156. However, in other embodiments, such as that which is shown
in
Figure 4A (walk-behind tractor 10A), the width 156 of the plant receiving
space 114
may be greater than its height 154.
[0055] The wheel axis 92 is disposed at a height 153 above ground 112.
Similar to conventional walk-behind tractors, the height 153 of the wheel axis
is in a
range from about 6 inches to about 12 inches depending on the size of the
tires of
wheels 28, 30. Walk-behind tractor 10, 10A is distinguishable from the
conventional
straight axle type of walk-behind tractor due to the increased ground
clearance
defined by height 154 of by the plant receiving space. In accordance with an
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exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the ground clearance height 154
located
between the wheels is different and greater than the height 153 of the wheel
axis 92.
In one particular embodiment, ground clearance height 154 is at least 10%
greater
than wheel axis height 92. In one particular embodiment, the ground clearance
height 154 is at least 35% greater than the wheel axis 92. In another
particular
embodiment, the ground clearance height is in a range from 50% to 100% greater
than the height 153 of the wheel axis. Given these parameters, if the wheel
axis
height 153 is about 6 inches, then the ground clearance height 154 may be
either 7
inches, 8 inches, 9 inches, 10 inches, 11 inches, 12 inches or more. If the
wheel axis
height 153 is about 7 inches, then the ground clearance height 154 may be
either 8
inches, 9 inches, 10 inches, 11 inches, 12 inches, 13 inches, 14 inches or
more. If
the wheel axis height 153 is about 8 inches, then the ground clearance height
154
may be either 9 inches, 10 inches, 11 inches, 12 inches, 13 inches, 14 inches,
15
inches, 16 inches or more. If the wheel axis height 153 is about 9 inches,
then the
ground clearance height 154 may be either 10 inches, 11 inches, 12 inches, 13
inches, 14 inches, 15 inches, 16 inches, 17 inches, 18 inches or more. If the
wheel
axis height 153 is about 10 inches, then the ground clearance height 154 may
be
either 11 inches, 12 inches, 13 inches, 14 inches, 15 inches, 16 inches, 17
inches,
18 inches, 19 inches, 20 inches or more. If the wheel axis height 153 is about
11
inches, then the ground clearance height 154 may be either 12 inches, 13
inches, 14
inches, 15 inches, 16 inches, 17 inches, 18 inches, 19 inches, 20 inches, 21
inches,
22 inches or more. If the wheel axis height 153 is about 12 inches, then the
ground
clearance height 154 may be either 13 inches, 14 inches, 15 inches, 16 inches,
17
inches, 18 inches, 19 inches, 20 inches, 21 inches, 22 inches, 23 inches, 24
inches
or more. These examples evidence some exemplary advantages of the present
disclosure which enable the walk-behind tractor 10,10A to have an increased
ground
clearance height 154 that enables tractor 10,10A to pass over taller plants
that would
otherwise not be able to fit below a conventional straight axle walk behind
tractor
having a ground clearance in a range from about 6 to 12 inches.
[0056]
Figure 6 depicts portions of the drive assembly for the walk-behind
tractor 10. Together with Figure 7, the drive assembly is shown generally at
200.
Drive assembly 200 includes the driveshaft 88, which is configured to rotate
about
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the drive axis 90. Sprocket 170 is rigidly coupled with the driveshaft 88.
Sprocket
170 includes teeth that engage the looped mechanism or member 100. The looped
mechanism or member 100 extends around the sprocket 170 and its teeth and
extends downwardly to a corresponding sprocket 172 mounted on the first stub
axle
98. Sprocket 172 rotatably supported by stub axle 98 includes teeth, which are
configured to engage the loop mechanism 100, which may be a drive belt or a
chain
to impart rotational force from the driveshaft 88 into the first ground
engaging wheel
28. Sprocket 172 is disposed rearward and below sprocket 170. Sprocket 172 may
be fixedly attached to a hub on the ground engaging wheel 28 via various
connectors
to ensure a rigid connection such that when the sprocket 172 is rotated by the
looped mechanism 100, it imparts rotational movement to the wheel connected to
stub axle 98 via bearings. Various bearings or other free rotation mechanisms
can
be utilized to ensure that the hub of the ground engaging wheel 28 freely
rotates
about the stub axle 98. Sprocket 173 rotatably supported by stub axle 106
includes
teeth, which are configured to engage the loop mechanism 108, which may be a
drive belt or a chain to impart rotational force from the driveshaft 88 into
the second
ground engaging wheel 30. Sprocket 173 is disposed rearward and below a
corresponding sprocket 171 on driveshaft 88. Sprocket 173 may be fixedly
attached
to a hub on the ground engaging wheel 30 via various connectors to ensure a
rigid
connection such that when the sprocket 173 is rotated by the looped mechanism
108, it imparts rotational movement to the wheel connected to stub axle 106
via
bearings. Various bearings or other free rotation mechanisms can be utilized
to
ensure that the hub of the ground engaging wheel 30 freely rotates about the
stub
axle 106.
[0057] With
continued reference to Figure 6, a vertical plane 174 intersects
the driveshaft 88. A second vertical plane 176 intersects the stub axle 98.
The
wheel axis 92 is offset rearward and downwardly from the driveshaft axis 90.
When
the vertical planes 174, 176 are parallel with each other, the wheel axis 92
is offset
downwardly and rearwardly at an angle from the driveshaft axis 90. In one
particular
embodiment, an angle 178 is defined between an imaginary line 179 extending
centrally from the driveshaft axis 90 to the wheel axis 92 and intersecting
the two
vertical planes 174, 176. The angle 178 may be in a range from about 10
degrees to
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about 50 degrees. In one particular embodiment, the range of angle 178 is from
about 20 degrees to about 40 degrees. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the
angle 178 is about 30 degrees. Stated otherwise, the wheel axis 92 is offset
about
30 degrees downwardly and rearwardly from the driveshaft 88. Positioning the
stub
axle 98 along a wheel axis 92 that is rearward and offset below the driveshaft
88
enables the elevation of the driveshaft to provide an increased ground
clearance of
the walk-behind tractor to allow plants to pass therebeneath.
[0058] Figure 7 depicts that the second ground engaging wheel 30 also
includes a similar sprocket 178 coupled to the hub of the ground engaging
wheel 30
to impart rotational movement of the ground engaging wheel 30 when its looped
mechanism 108 is driven by a corresponding sprocket (similar to that of
sprocket
170) that is coupled on opposite side of the longitudinal center line 144 to
the
driveshaft 88.
[0059] With continued reference to Figure 7 and drive assembly 200,
the drive
assembly 200 includes the drive flange 78, which is generally an L-shaped
member
comprised of a first arm 180 that is aligned generally vertically and a
horizontal
second arm 182. Flange 178 is pivotably mounted to a portion of the frame 24
and
is configured to pivot about a pivot point 184 defining a transverse axis that
is
forward and below the drive axis 90. A tensioner pulley 186 is mounted on the
horizontal second arm 182 of drive flange 78. The first arm 180 is operatively
connected to an extension coil spring 190 that is coupled to the first arm 180
via a
connection point 188 at its first end and is mounted to the frame, at least
indirectly, at
its opposite end. Extension coil spring is configured to put tension on the
drive
flange 78 pending on whether the flange is in its or disengaged position. The
extension coil spring ordinarily biases the drive flange 78 to its disengaged
position
in which the spring is in its contracted position, which rotates the flange
arm 78 in a
counter clockwise direction to disengage the tensioner pulley 186 out of its
engagement with the drive belt 150. The extension coil spring 190 biases the
flange
78 to pivot about the pivot point 184. As will be described in greater detail
below, in
operation, an operator may pull the link arm 70 via its connection at second
end 76
with the drive flange 78 against the biasing force of the spring to pivot the
flange arm
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78 in a clockwise direction about the pivot point 184, which operatively moves
the
tensioner pulley 186 into engagement with the drive belt 150.
[0060] The drive belt 150 is additionally wrapped around a pulley 192
connected to the crankshaft PTO 84 that is configured to rotate about the
crankshaft
axis 86. Thus, the drive belt 150 is a looped member that extends around the
pulley
192 and then extends upwardly and passes the tensioner pulley and rearwardly
to
extend back around the pulley 152 on the driveshaft 88 and then upwardly and
forwardly back towards the pulley 192 connected to the crankshaft 84.
[0061] Figure 8 and Figure 9 depict the hitch assembly 138 in
accordance with
one aspect of the present disclosure. As indicated previously, hitch assembly
138
includes a receiver 140 and a supplemental flared hitch 142. Receiver 140 is
generally formed of a square cross sectional tube having an upper surface, a
lower
surface, and two side surfaces defining an internal bore 202 therein. Upper
surface
204 of receiver 140 may define an aperture 206 configured to receive a pin 208
therethrough. A corresponding aperture may be located in the lower surface
opposite the upper surface 204 to allow the pin 208 to extend fully through
the bore
202 when the supplemental flared hitch 142 is fully inserted into the receiver
bore
202. The supplemental flared hitch 142 includes a squared extension 210 having
a
length that corresponds to the longitudinal length of the bore such that an
aperture
212 formed in the extension 210 aligns with aperture 206 to receive the pin
208
therethrough to couple the extension 210 with the receiver 140. Although the
squared configuration is shown of the receiver 140 and the extension 210,
other
cross sectional configurations are entirely possible provided that the shape
of the
extension 210 compliments the interior shape of the bore 202. Hitch 142
further
includes a flared section 212 that is bound by an upper wall 214, a lower wall
216, a
first tapered sidewall 218 and a second tapered sidewall 220. The upper wall
214
includes a leading edge 222 and a trailing edge 224. The leading edge 222 has
a
shorter length than the trailing edge 224, such that its side edges 226, 228
taper
inwardly from the trailing edge 224 to the leading edge 222. The top wall 214
defines a vertically aligned aperture taper inwardly from the trailing edge
224 to the
leading edge 222. The top wall 214 defines a vertically aligned aperture 230
that
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extends fully through the top wall. The lower wall 212 is similarly shaped to
the top
wall 214 and defines an aperture 232 aligned with the aperture 230 in the top
wall
214. The similar shape of the lower wall 216 provides a leading edge having a
smaller width than a trailing edge. Sidewalls 218, 220 are rigidly connected
to the
side edges 228, 226 such that the sidewalls are essentially planar members
that are
oriented in a manner so as to define a tapering effect from the entrance
opening 234
of the flared hitch towards the forward portion thereof defined by a front
wall 236.
The first sidewall may include transversely aligned apertures 238 that are
vertically
stacked relative to each other to define transversely aligned through openings
through the first sidewall 218. Similarly, the second sidewall 220 may include
stacked transversely aligned apertures 240 extending therethrough. Each
sidewall
218, 220 may include a set screw 242 extending through at least one of the
transversely aligned apertures formed in the respective sidewall. The flared
or
tapered shape of the interior space of the flared or tapered section 212 will
allow
bounded pivotal movement about the vertical axis 244 when a pin 246 is
inserted
through aperture 230 and aperture 232 to pivotably connect and implement to
the
hitch assembly 138. The tapered shape that is defined by the sidewalls may
bound
the region within which the implement may pivot when being pulled by the walk-
behind tractor 10. The set screws may be used to adjust the mount in which the
angle of pivotable rotation is bounded for movement of the implement about the
vertical axis 244.
[0062]
Having thus described the structural configuration of the walk-behind
tractor 10, 10A in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure,
reference will
not be made to its operation. In operation and with reference to Figure10, an
implement 250 may be connected to the walk-behind tractor by inserting a
portion of
the implement into the hitch assembly 138. The implement 250 may be positioned
generally rearward from the first and second ground engaging wheels 28, 30 and
centered along the longitudinal center line of the walk-behind tractor 10, 10k
The
implement 250 may be moved forwardly in the direction indicated by Arrow A to
connect a leading portion of the implement 250 with the hitch assembly 138.
The
leading portion of the implement 250 may be inserted into the flared portion
212 of
the supplemental hitch 142 such that apertures formed in the leading portion
of the
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implement 250 align with apertures 230, 232 to allow pin 246 to be moved along
vertical axis 244 to operatively connect the implement 250 to the hitch
receiver 138.
With the implement 250 connected to the walk-behind tractor 10, 10A, the
kickstand
may be raised from its grounded position to its operative raised position by
pivoting
the kickstand 36 about its pivot axis 38 and connecting a pin 252 to lock the
kickstand in its raised position after being rotated as indicated by Arrow B.
[0063] Figure 11 depicts the forward end 254 of the implement 250
being
connected to the pin 246 within the flared section 212 of hitch 142. The
leading
portion 254 freely rotates about axis 244 as indicated by Arrow C. When the
set
screws 242 are removed, the amount of rotation in the direction indicated by
Arrow C
is bound by the sidewalls 218, 220 of hitch 142. To decrease the amount of
range
that the implement 250 may pivot about axis 244, the set screws may be
inserted
through the apertures in the sidewalls 218, 220 to narrowly bound the pivotal
movement about axis 244.
[0064] In operation and with reference to Figure 7 and Figure 12,
driving the
walk-behind tractor 10, 10A is shown. An operator may actuate trigger 66 by
moving it rearwardly as indicated by Arrow D. The connection of trigger 66
being
moved in the direction of Arrow D moves linkage 68, which in turn pulls link
70 in the
direction indicated by Arrow E. Pulling link 70 in the direction of Arrow E
causes the
flange arm 78 to rotate about pivot axis 184 in the direction of Arrow F
against the
biasing force of spring 190 that ordinarily biases the tensioner to a
disengaged home
position. Pivoting the flange arm 78 about pivot axis 184 against the spring
tension
of spring 190 drives the tensioner pulley 188 into engagement with the drive
belt 150
to establish an engaged position or operative position of the tensioner pulley
186.
[0065] The crankshaft powered by the engine 26 rotates the crankshaft
axis
86 which rotates pulley 192. The rotation of pulley 192 drive the drive belt
150 in its
operational loop. When the tensioner pulley 180 engages the drive belt 150,
the
drive belt 150 has a sufficient amount of tension for the pulley 192 to impart
rotational force to pulley 152 connected to the driveshaft 88. Drive belt 150
rotates
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the driveshaft pulley 152, which imparts rotational movement to the driveshaft
88
about the drive axis 90.
[0066] In operation and with reference to Figure 6, rotational
movement of the
driveshaft 88 about the drive axis 90 causes the sprocket 170 to turn in
conjunction
with the driveshaft 88. The rotating sprocket 170 drives the looped mechanism
100,
which, in turn, imparts rotational movement to the sprocket 172 operatively
connected to the hub on the ground engaging wheels. Rotation of sprocket 172
cause the wheel 28 as indicated by Arrow G. A similar sprocket is connected to
loop mechanism 108 on the second ground engaging wheel to drive the same in
the
same direction as indicated by Arrow G. The rotation of the wheels 28, 30
while
engaging ground 112 effectuates translation movement of the tractor 10, 10A to
move forwardly in an operational direction while towing implement 250.
Notably, the
same rotational movement could be used to push an implement if the implement
were to be connected to the forward end of the tractor 10, 10A such that the
implement would be disposed forward of tractor.
[0067] In operation with reference to Figure 13, the walk-behind
tractor 10
may be moved along a row of plants 300 enabling the plants to pass below the
walk-
behind tractor 10 within the plant receiving space or region 114 such that the
walk-
behind tractor 10 does not disrupt or damage the plants 300 passing
therebeneath.
Accordingly, the walk-behind tractor provides an increased ground clearance
through
this mechanical configuration to elevate the driveshaft 88 above the wheel
axis 92
and the wheels have a sufficient width between them to allow plants 300 to
pass
therebetween. As indicated previously, other embodiments of the wheel
tractors,
such as embodiment 10a would have an increased width which would accommodate
wider plants 300. During construction of walk-behind tractor 10a, the couplers
may
be utilized to increase the length of the driveshaft 88a to accommodate the
wider
width required. As such, the construction of the walk-behind tractor, either
10 or
10a, allows the ground engaging wheels to be selected in different positions
depending on the desired operation of the walk-behind tractor. Thus, there may
be a
selected or selective first position of the two ground engaging wheels offset
at a first
width relative to one another and there may be a selected or selective second
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position of the ground engaging wheels offset a second width from one another
wherein the second width is different from the first width. In this particular
instance,
the second width may correspond to the embodiment of 10a, which is greater
than
the first width. Thus, selecting the second position widens the wheelbase
width
between the two ground engaging wheels, which enables the walk-behind tractor
10a to traverse atop wider plants than would otherwise be permissible when the
walk-behind tractor has wheels in the first position as indicated by tractor
10.
[0068] Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more
methods,
of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the
method
may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be
constructed
in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may
include
performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in
illustrative embodiments.
[0069] While various inventive embodiments have been described and
illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a
variety of
other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the
results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of
such
variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the
inventive
embodiments described herein and the appended the appended claims. More
generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all
parameters,
dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be
exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or
configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for
which the
inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or
be able to
ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the
specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be
understood
that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that,
within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive
embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and
claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each
individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described
herein. In
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addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles,
materials,
kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits,
and/or
methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope
of the
present disclosure.
[0070] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be
understood to
control over dictionary definitions, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined
terms.
[0071] The articles "a" and "an," as used herein in the specification
and in the
claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean
"at
least one." The phrase "and/or," as used herein in the specification and in
the claims
(if at all), should be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements so
conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and
disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with "and/or"
should be
construed in the same fashion, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so
conjoined.
Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically
identified by the "and/or" clause, whether related or unrelated to those
elements
specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to "A
and/or B",
when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising" can
refer,
in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in
another
embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet
another
embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. As
used
herein in the specification and in the claims, "or" should be understood to
have the
same meaning as "and/or" as defined above. For example, when separating items
in
a list, "or" or "and/or" shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the
inclusion of at
least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements,
and,
optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the
contrary,
such as "only one of" or "exactly one of," or, when used in the claims,
"consisting of,"
will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of
elements. In
general, the term "or" as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating
exclusive
alternatives (i.e. "one or the other but not both") when preceded by terms of
exclusivity, such as "either," "one of," "only one of," or "exactly one of."
"Consisting
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essentially of," when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as
used in
the field of patent law.
[0072] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the
phrase "at
least one," in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be
understood to
mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the
list
of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every
element
specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any
combinations of
elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements
may
optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within
the list of
elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related or
unrelated to
those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, "at
least one
of A and B" (or, equivalently, "at least one of A or B," or, equivalently "at
least one of
A and/or B") can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally
including more
than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than
B); in
another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B,
with no
A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another
embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at
least one,
optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other
elements); etc.
[0073] When a feature or element is herein referred to as being "on"
another
feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or
intervening
features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or
element is referred to as being "directly on" another feature or element,
there are no
intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that,
when a
feature or element is referred to as being "connected", "attached" or
"coupled" to
another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled
to the
other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present.
In
contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being "directly
connected",
"directly attached" or "directly coupled" to another feature or element, there
are no
intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with
respect
to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply
to
other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art
that
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references to a structure or feature that is disposed "adjacent" another
feature may
have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.
[0074] Spatially relative terms, such as "under", "below", "lower",
"over",
"upper", "above", "behind", "in front of", and the like, may be used herein
for ease of
description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another
element(s) or
feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the
spatially relative
terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or
operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example,
if a
device in the figures is inverted, elements described as "under" or "beneath"
other
elements or features would then be oriented "over" the other elements or
features.
Thus, the exemplary term "under" can encompass both an orientation of over and
under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other
orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted
accordingly. Similarly, the terms "upwardly", "downwardly", "vertical",
"horizontal",
"lateral", "transverse", "longitudinal", and the like are used herein for the
purpose of
explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.
[0075] Although the terms "first" and "second" may be used herein to
describe
various features/elements, these features/elements should not be limited by
these
terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to
distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first
feature/element discussed herein could be termed a second feature/element, and
similarly, a second feature/element discussed herein could be termed a first
feature/element without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
[0076] An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present
disclosure. Reference in the specification to "an embodiment," "one
embodiment,"
"some embodiments," "one particular embodiment," or "other embodiments," or
the
like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described
in
connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but
not
necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances "an
embodiment," "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "one particular
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embodiment," or "other embodiments," or the like, are not necessarily all
referring to
the same embodiments.
[0077] If this specification states a component, feature, structure,
or
characteristic "may", "might", or "could" be included, that particular
component,
feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the
specification
or claim refers to "a" or "an" element, that does not mean there is only one
of the
element. If the specification or claims refer to "an additional" element, that
does not
preclude there being more than one of the additional element.
[0078] As used herein in the specification and claims, including as
used in the
examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as
if
prefaced by the word "about" or "approximately," even if the term does not
expressly
appear. The phrase "about" or "approximately" may be used when describing
magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or position described
is
within a reasonable expected range of values and/or positions. For example, a
numeric value may have a value that is +/-0.1% of the stated value (or range
of
values), +/-1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/-2% of the stated
value (or
range of values), +/-5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/-10% of
the
stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical range recited herein is
intended
to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.
[0079] Additionally, any method of performing the present disclosure
may
occur in a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, no
sequence
of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitly stated. It is
recognizable that performing some of the steps of the method in a different
order
could achieve a similar result.
[0080] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all
transitional
phrases such as "comprising," "including," "carrying," "having," "containing,"
"involving," "holding," "composed of," and the like are to be understood to be
open-
ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional
phrases
"consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" shall be closed or semi-closed
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transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent
Office
Manual of Patent Examining Procedures.
[0081] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for
brevity,
clarity, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied
therefrom
beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for
descriptive
purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
[0082] Moreover, the description and illustration of various
embodiments of
the disclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exact
details
shown or described.
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