US3145489A

US3145489A - Land levelers

Info

Publication number: US3145489A
Application number: US168753A
Authority: US
Inventors: Rawlen T Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-01-25
Filing date: 1962-01-25
Publication date: 1964-08-25
Anticipated expiration: 1981-08-25

Description

R. T. SMITH LAND LEVELERS Aug. 25, 1964 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Jan. 25, 1962 INVENTOR.

RAWLEN T. SMITH Attorneys R. T. SMITH LAND LEVELERS Aug. 25, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 25, 1962 INVENTOR. RAWLEN T. SMITH Attorneys United States Patent 3,145,439 LAND LEVELERS Rawien T. Smith, 4170 Rover Court, Arvada, Colo. Fiied Jan. 25, 1962, Ser. No. 168,753 Claims. {611. 31-179) This invention relates to earth moving equipment and more particularly to land leveiers.

In many farming operations it is conventional to periodically level fields for subsequent planting. This is accomplished by the use of land or earth levelers. Earth levelers usually include a prime mover portion, blade portion, and a float portion all interconnected through a relatively long bridge of which the prime mover body is an integral part. An intermediate portion of the bridge is usually broken by an articulated joint. Such a joint or hinge is a substantially vertical pivotal connection which permits limited sidewise movement of the trailing portions of the bridge and the float.

In larger earth levelers, the bridge may be wheeled at both ends, and it includes an integral prime mover and a joint as above discussed. The blade is attached at an intermediate point beneath the bridge. In some earth levelers the float and a bridging A-frame member are pivotally attached to the rear of a separate prime mover which may be a tractor. This pivotal connection has the characteristics of limited sidewise but no vertical movement just discussed. In this arrangement, the A frame and prime mover together serve as the bridge.

Due to the inherent geometry of such earth levelers and the manner in which component parts cooperate, turns cause the blade to dip and gouge the ground. Also, ground depressions and rises cause relative rise or drop of a side of the blade when the wheels of the prime mover run over such contours. Even relatively shallow dips are troublesome since the range of blade movement or the are through which an end thereof travels is the result of the relative movement of the wheel magnitied by a lever arm equal to the length of the bridge joint.

Because of these inherent characteristics of land levelers, the skill of the operator is normally the limiting factor of satisfactory operation. In rough terrain the speed of the leveler must be unduly reduced to prevent undesirable gouging.

proved earth levelers which include an arrangement adapted to compensate for vertical movement of the land leveler wheels and prevent movement resultant therefrom from being transmitted to the earth leveler blade.

it is still another object of the invention to provide improved land leveler construction which prevents the scraper blade of a land leveler fromdipping on turns whereby much sharper turns may be accomplished in the operation of the leveler.

Briefly, in one embodiment, an earth leveler embodying the concepts of this invention includes a tractor hav ing a rear mounted scraper blade with a rearwardly extending float supporting A-frame which is pivotally interconnected with the tractor. A pair of additional side A-frame members are included which extend between the float and the pivotal interconnection with the prime mover. Each of the side A-frames have their respective apexes in fixed relation to opposed end portions of the blade. The respective lower legs of the side A-frames are fixed adjacent a lower portion of the joint and lower 7 leg of the central A-frame member. The respective upper legs of each of the side A-frames are disposed adice jacent an upper portion of the joint and upper leg of the central A-frame and are interconnected thereto through separate adjustable lost motion arrangements whereby limited movement is allowed between the respective upper arms of the side A-frame members and the joint.

Other objects and further features and advantages of earth leveler construction embodying the concepts of this invention will become obvious to one skilled in the art from a study of the following detailed description with reference to the exemplary drawings in which like reference numerals are used to designate like parts in the several views. In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a land leveler embodying the concepts of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational detail of a portion of the construction of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the construction of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top elevation, in partial section of a portion of the construction of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FTG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation in partial sec tion of a portion of the arrangement of FIG. 4;

PEG. 6 is a fragmentary front elevation, in partial section, of the arrangement of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top elevation, in partial section, of a portion of the arrangement of FIGS. 2 and 3.

The earth leveler of FIG. 1 includes a prime mover 1t and a scraper blade 13 interconnected to an A-frame assembly 12 which is included along with the body of the prime mover as the bridge structure of the whole assembly. The prime mover it) may be, as shown, a tractor. conventionally, the scraper 13 is included in the assembly forward of the bridge joint so as to permit adjustment for depth of cut. A substantially centrally located A-frame member 14 and a pair of

side A-frame members

15 and 16 extend from a float 11 to a first yoke 17. Thefirst yoke 17 is interconnected to the scraper 13 and to the respective A-frames to form the bridge joint. A clevis 1.8 is spaced forwardly of scraper 13 and has a pair of rearwardly extending articulated legs 19 and 20' fixed at their respective rear ends to the scraper 13. A pair of frame members 2]; and 22 extend for Wardly from the knee of the clevis 18 and are interconnected with an adjacent portion of the prime mover 10. The top of clevis 18 is connected to the tractor through the adjustable jackscrew assembly 25 for vertical adjustment of the assembly. A hand wheel 27 provides ready adjustment of the jackscrew 25 and thus the upright positioning of clevis 13 can be varied.

A bar 30 extends from the top of clevis 18 to the top of yoke 17. Thus forward and rearward movement of the clevis 18 to a selected upright position causes a similar movement and positioning of yoke 17. The bottom of the legs of yokel? are fixed on a bracket 31 rearwardly of scraper 13. The respective lower legs of each of'the A-

frames

14, 1S and 15 are pivotally connected to the bracket 31 by pivot 40a generally between the legs of yoke 17. The upper leg of A-frame 14 is pivotally fixed to the top of yoke 17. The apex of central A-frame 14 is fixed centrally of iioat 11. The apexes of each of the outer A-

frames

15 and 16 are fixed adjacent respective opposed end portionsof the fioat 11. The upper leg ofA-frame 14, as best seen in PEG. 2, is pivotally connected to the top of yoke 17 by a pin 49. A pair of spring-loaded

rods

42 and 43 extend between the lower leg of A-frame 14 and at spaced positions on bracket 31. Each end mounting of

rods

42 and 43 is pivotal. Thus sidewise movement of the float is limited, and the spring load tends to pre vent side oscillation.

The respective end portions of the upper legs of each of the

side A-frame members

15, and 16 are positioned adjacent but spaced from the. end of the upper le'g'of A- frame 14. The end of each of the upper legs of the 3 side A-frame members has an extending externally threaded rod 45 adapted to pass through an apertured plate 46 mounted on the upper leg of A-frame 14. These rods are maintained therein by nut assemblies 47 and nut 47a. The plates 46 extend from the bottom and forwardly in acute angular relation with the lengthwise axis of A-frame 14 as is best seen in FEGS. 4 and 5. The apertures of plates 46 through which rods 45 pass are of a larger diameter than the external diameter of rods 45 so the rods are free to move back and forth therethrough as limited by the end of the

respective frames

15 and 16 and nut assemblies 47. By suitable adjustment of the nuts 47 and 47a this range of movement may be varied.

From the foregoing it should be clear that the main frat e 14 is free to swing in a limited arc to either side about its pivot pins 49 and 451 a which interconnect its legs to bracket 31 and yoke 1'? as limited by spring-loaded

rods

42 and 43. However, the A-frame 14 is generally not permitted to move in the vertical or up and down direction. By suitable adjustment of the jack-screw through interconnecting linkage elements the relative upright position of yoke 17 and thus the position of blade 13 may be varied.

Since the lower legs of side

A-irame members

14, 15 and 16 and bracket 31 are fixed relative to each other in relation to vertical movement, they assist in maintaining the blade 113 in the desired horizontal position relative to the ground. However, because of the lost motion arrangement of rods 45, plates 46 and

nuts

47 and 47a, when a wheel of the prime mover drops or rises, as the case may be, as a wheel passes over surface irregularities relative movement of the pins through the apertures in plates 4-6 prevents commensurate movement of the blade. This arrangement also overcomes undesirable twisting torque from being transmitted through the central A- frame member 14 to the blade.

As noted above, in previous earth levelers when a relatively sharp curve was undertaken, the prime mover first entered the arc of the curve whereas the float being dragged behind tended to follow a relatively straight path due to the frictional resistance and engagement thereof with the ground being worked. However, eventually the angle between the bridge portion represented by the prime mover, and the bridge portion carrying the blade, becomes so great that twisting torque is exerted on the bridge joint causing it to move outward relative to the vertical thereby causing an undesirable dipping and ground gouging by the outer end of the blade. However, with the instant arrangement the two side A-frames prevent the twisting torque and the subsequent gouging by the blade. The float thus supports the bridge during turning movement. The amount of compensation to the twist may be adjusted by the adjustment of the lost motion joint.

Having thus described my invention in detail and with sufiicient particularity as to enable those skilled in the art to practice it, what I desire to have protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the following claims:

1. In a land leveler including a prime mover, a leveling blade, a float interconnected so as to form a bridge, and a joint in the bridge allowing relative pivotal sidewise movement between adjacent portions of the bridge but preventing vertical movement therebetween, the im-v provement comprising a pair of side frame members, respective rear portions of the side frame members being in fixed relation to opposed end portions of the float, re spective forward and lower portions of the side frame members pivotally connected adjacent a lower portion of the joint and arranged to follow the relative horizontal movements of the bridge, respective upper and forward portions of the same side frame members disposed adjacent an upper portion of the joint and interconnected thereto through lost motion means, whereby limited twisting movement is allowed between the respective upper portions of the side frame members and the joint without transmission of such movement to the blade.

2. In a land leveler including a prime mover, a leveling blade, a fioat interconnected so as to form a bridge, and a joint in the bridge allowing relative pivotal sidewise movement between adjacent portions of the bridge but preventing vertical movement therebetween, the improve ment comprising a pair of side frame members,respective' rear portions of the side frame members being in fixed relation to opposed end portions of the float, respective forward and lower portions of the side frame members pivotally connected adjacent a lower portion of the joint and arranged to follow the relative horizontal movements of the bridge, respective upper and forward portions of the same side frame members disposed adjacent an upper portion of the joint and interconnected thereto through adjustable lost motion means, whereby limited twisting movement is allowed between the respective upper portions of the side frame members and the joint without transmission of such movement to the blade.

3. In a land leveler including a prime mover, a leveling blade, 21 float interconnected so as to form a bridge, and a pivotal joint in the bridge allowing relative sidewise movement between adjacent portions of the bridge but preventing vertical movement therebetwecn, the improvement comprising a pair of side A-frame members, the respective apexes of the side frame members being in fixed relation to opposed end portions of the float, respective forward portions or" the lower legs of the side frame members pivotally fixed adjacent a lower portion of the pivotal joint and arranged to follow the relative horizontal movements of the bridge, respective forward portions of the upper legs of the side frame members disposed adjacent" an upper portion of the joint and interconnected thereto through adjustable lost motion means, whereby limited twisting movement is allowed between the respective upper portions of the side frame members and the joint without transmission of such movement to the blade.

4. In a land leveler including a'priine mover, a leveling blade mounted forwardly of an extending central A-frame member supported at its rear on a float, and an elongated vertical joint connecting the prime mover and the A-frame allowing relative pivotal sidewise movement between adjacent portions of the bridge but preventing vertical movement therebetween, the improvement comprising a pair of side A-frame members, the respective apexes of the side frame members being in fixed relation to opposed end portions of the float, respective forward portions ofthe lower legs of the side frame members pivotally fixed adjacent a lower portion of the joint on the float side thereof and arranged to follow the relative horizontal movements of the central A-fr'ame, respective forward portions of the upper legs of the side frame members disposed adjacent an upper portion of the joint and interconnected thereto through adjustable lost motion means on the float side of said joint, whereby limited tiling movement of the joint is allowed without transmission of such movement to the blade.

5. In a land leveler including a prime mover, a leveling blade mounted "forwardly of an extending central A-frame member supported at its rear on a float, and an elongated vertical joint connecting the prime mover and the A-frarne allowing relative pivotal sidewise movement between adjacent portions of the bridge but preventing vertical movement therebetween, the improvement com.- prising a pair of side A-frame members, the respective apexes of the side frame members being in fixed relation to opposed end portions of the float, respective forward portions of the lower legs of the side frame members pivotally fixed adjacent a lower portion of the joint-on the float side thereof and arranged to follow the relative horizontal pivotal movements of the central A-frame, re-

spective forward portions of the upper legs of the side fra'me members disposed adjacent an upper portion of the joint and interconnected thereto through adjustable 6 lost motion means, whereby limited tilting movement of References Cited in the file of this patent said joint is allowed without transmission of such move- UNITED STATES PATENTS ment to the blade, and means extending between the prime 12 1 5 Toms A 30 1372 mover and the central A-frame member adapted to limit 2,795,060 Geiszler June 11, 1957 the relative horizontal arc thru which the central A-frame 5 FOREIGN PATENTS mayswing felaliveto theioint- 158,320 Australia Aug. 18, 1954

Claims

1. IN A LAND LEVERLER INCLUDING A PRIME MOVER, A LEVELING BLADE, A FLOAT INTERCONNECTED SO AS TO FORM A BRIDGE, AND A JOINT IN THE BRIDE ALLOWING RELATIVE PIVOTAL SIDEWISE MOVEMENT BETWEEN ADJACENT PORTIONS OF THE BRIDGE BUT PREVENTING VERTICAL MOVEMENT THEREBETWEEN, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A PAIR OF SIDE FRAME MEMBERS, RESPECTIVE REAR PORTIONS OF THE SIDE FRAME MEMBERS BEING IN FIXED RELATION TO OPPOSED END PORTIONS OF THE FLOAT, RESPECTIVE FORWARD AND LOWER PORTIONS OF THE SIDE FRAME MEMBERS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED ADJACENT A LOWER PORTION OF THE JOINT AND ARRANGED TO FOLLOW THE RELATIVE HORIZONTAL MOVEMENTS OF THE BRIDGE, RESPECTIVE UPPER AND FORWARD PORTIONS OF THE SAME SIDE FRAME MEMBERS DISPOSED ADJACENT AN UPPER PORTION OF THE JOINT AND INTERCONNECTED THERETO THROUGH LOST MOTION MEANS, WHEREBY LIMITED TWISTING MOVEMENT IS ALLOWED BETWEEN THE RESPECTIVE UPPER PORTIONS OF THE SIDE FRAME MEMBERS AND THE JOINT WITHOUT TRANSMISSION OF SUCH MOVEMENT TO THE BLADE.