US3703216A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tractor drive conversion
Assignee: STANDARD ALLIANCE IND Inc
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Filing: 1971-06-30
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Granted: 1972-11-21
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Expires: 1991-06-30
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a means to convert a conventional two wheel drive tractor to four wheel drive utilizing the original tractor power unit, the transmission-differential and the frame comprising two walking beam frame assemblies connected to the original rear drive axle, each housing a sprocket for a front wheel, a sprocket for a rear wheel, a means to drive these wheels, and a chain to take the power from the drive means and transfer it to the wheel sprockets. The drive sprocket is connected to the tractor rear axle transmission-differential on each side of the tractor so that the power from the tractor is transmitted to the front and rear wheel sprockets by the continuous chain. A ball joint is added to each wheel which is connected to the wheel sprocket in the frame, a hydraulic cylinder is connected to each ball joint with a steering arm allowing the wheel to be steered hydraulically. A vertical hydraulic cylinder is connected to a yoke which extends over the hood of the tractor allowing the power unit to be raised or lowered hydraulically without affecting the plane of the four wheels of the tractor and acting as an oscillator on the front wheels.
Inventors
- 👤 John L Thibodeau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:02
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K17/00; B60K17/34; B60K17/342; B62; B62D; B62D61/00; B62D61/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
350 words
A conversion unit for replacing the original rear wheels of a conventional two wheel drive tractor and for adding an additional pair of driven front wheels to said conventional two wheel drive tractor to convert said conventional two wheel drive tractor into an optional four wheel drive tractor and wherein said conventional tractor comprises a longitudinally extending body supporting a power unit connected to a single transmission differential axle unit having a drive assembly extending laterally on each side of said body for normally driving the original rear wheels of said conventional two wheel tractor, and an original pair of non-driven front wheels connected to said body, said conversion unit comprising: a rear beam assembly mounted on each side of said tractor body, each of said rear beam assemblies being mounted at a first end to said drive assembly; a front beam assembly mounted to each of said rear beam assemblies, each of said front beam assemblies being mounted by a pivotal mounting means at a first end to a second end of said rear beam assembly; a front wheel mounting means mounted to a second end of each of said front beam assemblies; a rear wheel mounting means mounted to said first end of each of said rear beam assemblies; a rear drive means in each of said rear beam assemblies, connected to said drive assembly, to said rear wheel mounting means, and to said pivotal mounting means for transmitting movement to said pivotal mounting means and to said rear wheel mounting means; a front drive means in each of said front beam assemblies, connected to said pivotal mounting means and to saiD front wheel assembly for transmitting movement thereto; means for connecting a wheel to each of said wheel mounting means to be driven therefrom and thereby converting said conventional tractor into a four wheel drive tractor; and a hydraulic suspension means connected between said front beam assembly and said tractor frame wherein said front beam assembly may be raised so as to render said driven front wheels inoperative and wherein said original non-driven front wheels become operative.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
350 words
A conversion unit for replacing the original rear wheels of a conventional two wheel drive tractor and for adding an additional pair of driven front wheels to said conventional two wheel drive tractor to convert said conventional two wheel drive tractor into an optional four wheel drive tractor and wherein said conventional tractor comprises a longitudinally extending body supporting a power unit connected to a single transmission differential axle unit having a drive assembly extending laterally on each side of said body for normally driving the original rear wheels of said conventional two wheel tractor, and an original pair of non-driven front wheels connected to said body, said conversion unit comprising: a rear beam assembly mounted on each side of said tractor body, each of said rear beam assemblies being mounted at a first end to said drive assembly; a front beam assembly mounted to each of said rear beam assemblies, each of said front beam assemblies being mounted by a pivotal mounting means at a first end to a second end of said rear beam assembly; a front wheel mounting means mounted to a second end of each of said front beam assemblies; a rear wheel mounting means mounted to said first end of each of said rear beam assemblies; a rear drive means in each of said rear beam assemblies, connected to said drive assembly, to said rear wheel mounting means, and to said pivotal mounting means for transmitting movement to said pivotal mounting means and to said rear wheel mounting means; a front drive means in each of said front beam assemblies, connected to said pivotal mounting means and to saiD front wheel assembly for transmitting movement thereto; means for connecting a wheel to each of said wheel mounting means to be driven therefrom and thereby converting said conventional tractor into a four wheel drive tractor; and a hydraulic suspension means connected between said front beam assembly and said tractor frame wherein said front beam assembly may be raised so as to render said driven front wheels inoperative and wherein said original non-driven front wheels become operative.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
350 words
A conversion unit for replacing the original rear wheels of a conventional two wheel drive tractor and for adding an additional pair of driven front wheels to said conventional two wheel drive tractor to convert said conventional two wheel drive tractor into an optional four wheel drive tractor and wherein said conventional tractor comprises a longitudinally extending body supporting a power unit connected to a single transmission differential axle unit having a drive assembly extending laterally on each side of said body for normally driving the original rear wheels of said conventional two wheel tractor, and an original pair of non-driven front wheels connected to said body, said conversion unit comprising: a rear beam assembly mounted on each side of said tractor body, each of said rear beam assemblies being mounted at a first end to said drive assembly; a front beam assembly mounted to each of said rear beam assemblies, each of said front beam assemblies being mounted by a pivotal mounting means at a first end to a second end of said rear beam assembly; a front wheel mounting means mounted to a second end of each of said front beam assemblies; a rear wheel mounting means mounted to said first end of each of said rear beam assemblies; a rear drive means in each of said rear beam assemblies, connected to said drive assembly, to said rear wheel mounting means, and to said pivotal mounting means for transmitting movement to said pivotal mounting means and to said rear wheel mounting means; a front drive means in each of said front beam assemblies, connected to said pivotal mounting means and to saiD front wheel assembly for transmitting movement thereto; means for connecting a wheel to each of said wheel mounting means to be driven therefrom and thereby converting said conventional tractor into a four wheel drive tractor; and a hydraulic suspension means connected between said front beam assembly and said tractor frame wherein said front beam assembly may be raised so as to render said driven front wheels inoperative and wherein said original non-driven front wheels become operative.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
350 words
A conversion unit for replacing the original rear wheels of a conventional two wheel drive tractor and for adding an additional pair of driven front wheels to said conventional two wheel drive tractor to convert said conventional two wheel drive tractor into an optional four wheel drive tractor and wherein said conventional tractor comprises a longitudinally extending body supporting a power unit connected to a single transmission differential axle unit having a drive assembly extending laterally on each side of said body for normally driving the original rear wheels of said conventional two wheel tractor, and an original pair of non-driven front wheels connected to said body, said conversion unit comprising: a rear beam assembly mounted on each side of said tractor body, each of said rear beam assemblies being mounted at a first end to said drive assembly; a front beam assembly mounted to each of said rear beam assemblies, each of said front beam assemblies being mounted by a pivotal mounting means at a first end to a second end of said rear beam assembly; a front wheel mounting means mounted to a second end of each of said front beam assemblies; a rear wheel mounting means mounted to said first end of each of said rear beam assemblies; a rear drive means in each of said rear beam assemblies, connected to said drive assembly, to said rear wheel mounting means, and to said pivotal mounting means for transmitting movement to said pivotal mounting means and to said rear wheel mounting means; a front drive means in each of said front beam assemblies, connected to said pivotal mounting means and to saiD front wheel assembly for transmitting movement thereto; means for connecting a wheel to each of said wheel mounting means to be driven therefrom and thereby converting said conventional tractor into a four wheel drive tractor; and a hydraulic suspension means connected between said front beam assembly and said tractor frame wherein said front beam assembly may be raised so as to render said driven front wheels inoperative and wherein said original non-driven front wheels become operative.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The conversion unit of claim 1 wherein said hydraulic suspension means comprises: a yoke-like rigid member fastened on either side of said tractor body; and hydraulic cylinder means fastened between said yoke-like member and each of said front beam assemblies thereby causing each of said driven front wheels to be independently suspended.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The conversion unit of claim 2 wherein said wheel connecting means further comprises a means for providing pivotal movement of each of said driven front wheels about a substantially vertical axis relative to said front beam assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The conversion unit of claim 3 further comprising power steering means connected to said connecting means for each of said front wheels whereby said power steering means pivots said wheels about said vertical axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The conversion unit of claim 4 wherein said rear drive means and said front drive means each comprise a continuous chain.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The conversion unit of claim 5 further comprising an idler means mounted in each of said front and rear beam assemblies whereby said idler means is adapted to maintain tension in each of said drive means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
221 words
A conversion unit for use in combination with a conventional two-wheel drive tractor having a power unit, a transmission-differential drive axle and a tractor body, the improvement which comprises: two front beam assemblies, each disposed at a respective side at the front portion of said tractor body for movement relative thereto; two rear beam assemblies connected to said tractor body; a front wheel mounting means connected to each of said front beam assemblies; a rear wheel mounting means connected to each of said rear beam assemblies; a pivot means for connecting each said front beam assembly to a corresponding one of said rear beam assemblies; a rear drive means connected between said rear wheel mounting means, said transmission-differential drive axle and said pivot means for transmitting movement from said power unit to said rear wheel mounting means connected on each side of said tractor body and to said pivot means; a front drive means for transmitting movement from said pivot means to said front wheel mounting means; a hydraulic suspension means connected between said front beam frame assembly and said tractor body wherein said driven front wheel mounting means are independently suspended and wherein said driven front wheel mounting means may be raised so as to render them inoperable; and a steering means connected to said driven front wheel mounting means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
221 words
A conversion unit for use in combination with a conventional two-wheel drive tractor having a power unit, a transmission-differential drive axle and a tractor body, the improvement which comprises: two front beam assemblies, each disposed at a respective side at the front portion of said tractor body for movement relative thereto; two rear beam assemblies connected to said tractor body; a front wheel mounting means connected to each of said front beam assemblies; a rear wheel mounting means connected to each of said rear beam assemblies; a pivot means for connecting each said front beam assembly to a corresponding one of said rear beam assemblies; a rear drive means connected between said rear wheel mounting means, said transmission-differential drive axle and said pivot means for transmitting movement from said power unit to said rear wheel mounting means connected on each side of said tractor body and to said pivot means; a front drive means for transmitting movement from said pivot means to said front wheel mounting means; a hydraulic suspension means connected between said front beam frame assembly and said tractor body wherein said driven front wheel mounting means are independently suspended and wherein said driven front wheel mounting means may be raised so as to render them inoperable; and a steering means connected to said driven front wheel mounting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The conversion unit of claim 7 wherein said hydraulic suspension means comprises: a yoke-like rigid member fastened on either side of said tractor body; and hydraulic cylinder means fastened between said yoke-like member and each of said front beam assemblies
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The conversion unit of claim 8 wherein each of said front and rear drive means comprise continuous chains.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-21 | 1976-05-22 | 1976-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-21 | 1980-05-22 | 1980-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-21 | 1984-05-22 | 1984-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |