Routing hydrostatic ground drive hoses in a self-propelled agricultural product applicator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10647197-B2
Application number	US-201715850676-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 21, 2017
Priority date	Dec 21, 2017
Publication date	May 12, 2020
Grant date	May 12, 2020

Abstract

A ground drive hose routing system and method for a self-propelled agricultural product applicator utilize segments of a hose arrangement that are constrained to lie and move primarily in only one direction, to isolate horizontal hose movement related to track-width adjustment from vertical hose movement resulting from action of suspension members. For steerable wheels, an additional pivotable segment is utilized to accommodate turning motion while maintaining isolation between other primarily horizontally and vertically constrained movable segments of the hose arrangement.

First claim

I claim:

1. A ground drive hose routing system for a self-propelled agricultural product applicator having a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid mounted on an applicator main frame supported above a ground surface by a ground engaging wheel operatively connected to the frame by an independent suspension and propulsion unit mounted on a horizontally movable axle member for adjusting track width of the wheel, the suspension and propulsion unit also having a hydraulic propulsion motor that is movable horizontally with respect to the frame under action of the movable axle, and movable vertically with respect to both the frame and the movable axle member under action of the suspension, the ground drive hose routing system comprising:
a hydraulic hose arrangement connected in fluid communication between the source of hydraulic fluid on the frame and the propulsion motor on the independent suspension and propulsion unit;
the hydraulic hose arrangement also defining a horizontally constrained movable segment and a vertically constrained movable segment of the hose arrangement;
the horizontally constrained segment and the vertically constrained segment being connected in fluid communication with one another in such a manner that movements of the hose arrangement in response to horizontal movement of the axle member, and vertical movement of the propulsion motor under action of the suspension are isolated from one another.

2. The ground drive hose routing system of claim 1 , wherein the hose arrangement has a first end fixedly attached to the frame, a second end fixedly attached to the propulsion motor, and an intermediate hose attachment point disposed between the first and second ends of the hose arrangement and attached to the movable axle member in a manner constraining the horizontally constrained movable segment of the hose arrangement to lie and move primarily along a substantially horizontal plane, and also constraining the vertically movable segment of the hose arrangement to lie and move primarily along a substantially vertical plane, to thereby isolate movements of the hose arrangement in response to horizontal movement of the axle member from movements of the hose arrangement in response to vertical movement of the propulsion motor under action of the suspension.

3. The ground drive hose routing system of claim 2 , wherein:
the frame defines substantially perpendicular longitudinal and transverse axes of the frame and applicator, with the longitudinal and transverse axes extending respectively between front and rear ends and left and right sides of the applicator, such that the longitudinal and transverse axes define a horizontal plane extending substantially parallel to a level ground surface under the applicator;
the movable axle member has proximal and distal ends thereof, with the proximal end being adapted for transversely movable engagement with the frame;
the hydrostatic propulsion motor is operatively connected to the distal end of the movable axle by a vertically movable independent suspension system operatively connecting the wheel and propulsion motor to the distal end of the movable axle member in a manner providing for vertical movement of the wheel and propulsion motor with respect to the distal end of the movable axle element and the frame.

4. The ground drive hose routing system of claim 3 , wherein:
the horizontally constrained movable hose segment has a first end fixedly attached to the frame, and a second end fixedly attached to the movable axle member at the hose connection point for transverse movement of the second end of the transversely movable hose segment with the movable axle member relative to the frame; and
the horizontally constrained hose segment also has a length thereof constrained to lie and move in a direction substantially parallel to the horizontal plane defined by the longitudinal and transverse axes of the frame.

5. The ground hose routing system of claim 3 , wherein:
the substantially vertically constrained movable hose segment has a first end fixedly attached to the movable axle member at the hose attachment point, and a second end fixedly attached for vertical movement of the second end of the vertically movable hose segment with respect to the movable axle member and the frame; and
the vertically constrained hose segment also has a length thereof constrained to lie and move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane defined by the longitudinal and transverse axes of the frame.

6. The ground drive hose routing system of claim 3 , wherein:
the horizontally constrained movable hose segment has a first end fixedly attached to the frame, and a second end fixedly attached to the movable axle member at the hose connection point for transverse movement of the second end of the transversely movable hose segment with the movable axle member relative to the frame;
the horizontally constrained hose segment also has a length thereof constrained to lie and move in a direction substantially parallel to the horizontal plane defined by the longitudinal and transverse axes of the frame;
the substantially vertically constrained movable hose segment has a first end fixedly attached to the movable axle member at the hose attachment point, and a second end fixedly attached for vertical movement of the second end of the vertically movable hose segment with respect to the movable axle member and the frame;
the vertically constrained hose segment also has a length thereof constrained to lie and move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane defined by the longitudinal and transverse axes of the frame;
the first end of the horizontally constrained hose segment is adapted for fluid connection to the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid;
the first end of the vertically constrained hose segment being connected in fluid communication at the hose attachment point with the second end of the vertically constrained hose segment; and
the second end of the vertically constrained hose segment is connected in fluid communication to the propulsion motor, in such a manner that the ground drive hose routing system provides fluid communication between the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and the propulsion motor.

7. The ground drive hose routing system of claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic hose arrangement further includes a pivotable hose segment disposed between the horizontally and vertically constrained movable segments of the hose arrangement.

8. The ground drive hose routing system of claim 7 , wherein the independent suspension and propulsion system is pivotably connected to the movable axle at a steering axis such that the wheel is steerable, and the vertically constrained segment of the hose arrangement is routed to substantially pass through the steering axis and be attached to the independent suspension and propulsion system at a second hose attachment point adjacent the steering axis, to thereby define the pivotable hose segment of the hose arrangement.

9. The ground drive hose routing system of claim 8 , wherein the second hose attachment point is disposed above the first hose attachment point, such that the pivotable and vertically constrained hose segments substantially loop upward over the movable axle and through the steering axis between the first hose attachment point and the propulsion motor.

10. A self-propelled agricultural product applicator having a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid mounted on an applicator main frame supported above a ground surface by a ground engaging wheel operatively connected to the frame by an independent suspension and propulsion unit mounted on a horizontally movable axle member for adjusting track widt

Assignees

• Cnh Ind America Llc

Inventors

• Trowbridge Jeffrey C

Classifications

• A01B69/00

  Steering of agricultural machines or implements; Guiding agricultural machines or implements on a desired track · CPC title

• A01C19/00

  Arrangements for driving working parts of fertilisers or seeders {(A01C17/005 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B60K17/30

  the ultimate propulsive elements, e.g. ground wheels, being steerable · CPC title

• B60K17/14 Primary

  the motor of fluid or electric gearing being disposed in, or adjacent to, traction wheel · CPC title

• A01C23/047

  Spraying of liquid fertilisers · CPC title