Patent US4270621A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4270621A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Articulated tractor powered by tandem engines
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1979-01-17
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Granted: 1981-06-02
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Expires: 1999-01-17
Abstract
Abstract A tractor with two engines arranged in tandem, each carried by a frame portion pivotable relative to the other counterbalances about a vertical axis under the rear engine. The body of the tractor is narrow forward and to the rear wherein axles for front and rear sets of ground engaging wheels extend laterally and mount six wheels each. The front engine and rear engines extend forward of the respective front and rear sets of ground wheels. The front frame portion is turnable axially relative to the rear frame portion under the rear engine and steering is accomplished by the relative pivoting of the portions about the aforesaid vertical axis. A fuel tank forms a guard over the rear set of wheels and includes a depression for an operator's seat. The fuel tank has a central partition and is optionally hinged in its outer portions whereby the width of the tractor is reduced by removing the outer wheels and pivoting the outer portions of the fuel tank to the rear. A lifting device extends aft between the central rear wheels which is clearly visible from the operator's seat. The distribution of weight of the frame portions counterbalances loads on the lifting device to minimize stress at the pivot between the frame portions.
Inventors
- 👤 Cornelis van der Lely
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:38
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D49/00; B62D49/06; B62D49/0621; B60; B60K; B60K5/00; B60K5/08; B62D53/00; B62D53/02; B62D53/025; B62D53/026; B62D61/00; B62D61/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S180/00; Y10S180/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A tractor for extended agricultural operations at sites remote from sources for refueling which comprises a frame, at least one engine carried by said frame, ground engaging wheels mounted to extend outwardly on opposite sides of said frame to support said frame from a front axle and rear axle connected to said frame, said ground engaging wheels being mounted on said rear axle in a row, at least a portion of said ground engaging wheels operatively connected to said engine, at least one high volumetric capacity fuel tank having a width transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tractor substantially greater than its length parallel to said axis and extending outwardly on each of its lateral sides beyond said frame, at least part of said fuel tank being disposed vertically above said row of said ground engaging wheels on each side of said frame provided to support said tractor frame, a driver's seat arranged immediately above the top of said fuel tank, and a lifting device mounted on said frame to extend to the rear of said tractor from between said ground engaging wheels of said row, the relationship between said driver's seat and said lifting device being such that an operator in said driver's seat is provided with a substantially unobstructed view of implements mounted on said lifting device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
A tractor for extended agricultural operations at sites remote from sources for refueling which comprises a frame, at least one engine carried by said frame, ground engaging wheels mounted to extend outwardly on opposite sides of said frame to support said frame from a front axle and rear axle connected to said frame, said ground engaging wheels being mounted on said rear axle in a row, at least a portion of said ground engaging wheels operatively connected to said engine, at least one high volumetric capacity fuel tank having a width transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tractor substantially greater than its length parallel to said axis and extending outwardly on each of its lateral sides beyond said frame, at least part of said fuel tank being disposed vertically above said row of said ground engaging wheels on each side of said frame provided to support said tractor frame, a driver's seat arranged immediately above the top of said fuel tank, and a lifting device mounted on said frame to extend to the rear of said tractor from between said ground engaging wheels of said row, the relationship between said driver's seat and said lifting device being such that an operator in said driver's seat is provided with a substantially unobstructed view of implements mounted on said lifting device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A tractor as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least part of said fuel tank is disposed vertically and entirely above said rear axle on which said ground engaging wheels are mounted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A tractor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the width of said fuel tank is disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tractor and is at least twice said length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tractor as claimed in claim 3, wherein said fuel tank extends throughout substantially the entire of the width of the tractor including said row of ground engaging wheels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tractor as claimed in claim 4, wherein said fuel tank is divided into compartments by at least one longitudinally extending partition provided therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A tractor as claimed in claim 5, comprising a further engine to power the tractor wherein each said compartment is adapted to contain fuel for a corresponding single one of said two engines provided to power the tractor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A tractor as claimed in claim 4, wherein said fuel tank is provided with a wash-bulkhead.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A tractor as claimed in claim 4, wherein said fuel tank is shaped on its bottom side to correspond to the adjacent upper configuration of said ground engaging wheels mounted on said single axle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
A tractor as claimed in claim 8, wherein, as seen in plan view, said fuel tank extends substantially only as far forwardly with respect to the intended direction of forward travel of the tractor as the front portions of said ground engaging wheels mounted on said single axle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tractor as claimed in claim 9, wherein the top of said fuel tank is substantially horizontally disposed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A tractor as claimed in claim 10, wherein a driving seat and associated control members are arranged on top of said fuel tank.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A tractor as claimed in claim 11, wherein said driving seat is positioned in a countersunk depression provided in said fuel tank at a location substantially in register with a vertical plane of substantial symmetry of the tractor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
A tractor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driving seat is selectively movable about an upwardly extending axis beneath said seat whereby it may be positioned to face either forward or to the rear.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A tractor as claimed in claim 4, wherein said fuel tank comprises at least one portion which is displaceable relative to a further adjacent portion thereon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
A tractor as claimed in claim 14, wherein said displaceable fuel tank portion is mounted relative to said further portion whereby upon effecting such displacement, the over-all length of said major dimension of the fuel tank is reduced.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tractor as claimed in claim 4, wherein said fuel tank has a volumetric capacity of substantially twelve hundred liters.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
220 words
A tractor of at least 100 H.P. for long extended agricultural operation remote from fuel sources which comprises a frame, at least one engine carried by said frame, ground engaging wheels mounted to extend outwardly on opposite sides of said frame to support said frame from a front axle and rear axle connected to said frame, said ground engaging wheels being mounted on at least one of said axles in a row, said row comprising at least two ground engaging wheels at each side of said frame, at least a portion of said ground engaging wheels operatively connected to said engine, at least one high capacity fuel tank extending outwardly on each of its lateral sides beyond said frame, substantially all of said fuel tank being disposed vertically above said row of said ground engaging wheels on each side of said frame, the major dimension of said fuel tank being disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tractor, the bottom of said tank having a configuration whereby it is closely adjacent throughout to the upper configuration of said ground engaging wheels thereunder and the top of said fuel tank being substantially horizontal on its lateral sides where it extends beyond said frame, and a lifting device mounted on said frame to extend to the rear of said tractor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
220 words
A tractor of at least 100 H.P. for long extended agricultural operation remote from fuel sources which comprises a frame, at least one engine carried by said frame, ground engaging wheels mounted to extend outwardly on opposite sides of said frame to support said frame from a front axle and rear axle connected to said frame, said ground engaging wheels being mounted on at least one of said axles in a row, said row comprising at least two ground engaging wheels at each side of said frame, at least a portion of said ground engaging wheels operatively connected to said engine, at least one high capacity fuel tank extending outwardly on each of its lateral sides beyond said frame, substantially all of said fuel tank being disposed vertically above said row of said ground engaging wheels on each side of said frame, the major dimension of said fuel tank being disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tractor, the bottom of said tank having a configuration whereby it is closely adjacent throughout to the upper configuration of said ground engaging wheels thereunder and the top of said fuel tank being substantially horizontal on its lateral sides where it extends beyond said frame, and a lifting device mounted on said frame to extend to the rear of said tractor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
53 words
A tractor as claimed in claim 17, wherein a driver's seat is arranged immediately above the top of said fuel tank, the relationship between said driver's seat and said lifting device being such that an operator in said driver's seat is provided with an unobstructed view of implements mounted on said lifting device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-06-01 | 1984-12-01 | 1985-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-06-01 | 1988-12-01 | 1989-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-06-01 | 1992-12-01 | 1993-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |