GB2529129A

GB2529129A - Trailer with all wheel drive system (powered by a tractor)

Info

Publication number: GB2529129A
Application number: GB1406681.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham John Simcock
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-04-14
Filing date: 2014-04-14
Publication date: 2016-02-17
Also published as: GB201406681D0

Abstract

A trailer having all wheels mechanically driven comprises at least two driven axles with wheels and tyres E (which may be of an agricultural or road type). The axles are mounted to the trailer via suspension means C and incorporate a transmission means C coupled to a gearbox F which is mounted to a chassis D. A towing hitch B may incorporate a retarding or braking means. Drive train A which may be a propeller or drive shaft may be coupled to the power take off or PTO of a tractor or truck unit which may be an agricultural tractor, see Figure 2. The trailer may have at least two axles. The trailer may be fitted with a demountable body using a hook lift or roll on roll off (roro) arrangement. The trailer is intended for use off road in agriculture or forestry applications.

Description

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DESCRIPTION & BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern demands imposed by supermarkets and the like have brought about subtle changes in operation for farmers. Included within these changes as been the need to harvest crop, such as potatoes, carrots, beet etc, within a much smaller timescale in order to satisfy exacting product specifications as laid down by the consumer.

It is known that under current harvesting conditions, due to variable weather etc that standard trailers with non powered axles do have difficulty in maintaining crop extraction due to soft, slippery and/or rough ground conditions.

This Trailer with the benefit of an All Wheel Drive system will alleviate such issues, thus having a reduction on downtime during the extraction process. Therefore ensuring continued supply in the crop extraction process in adverse conditions.

As a result the trailer is able to remain in the field working in conjunction with the harvester (or similar) on a continuous basis. The device is able to be fitted with a demountable (Hook Lift or Roll On Roll Off) body to enable the extracted crop/load to be deposited near the roadside edge for other forms of road going trailer (standard Hook LifVRoll On Roll Off) to collect for continuance of supply into the food chain.

Another benefit is that of alleviating the transfer of soil/debris being deposited onto the Public Highway, as it is known that this issue is a problem with some current crop extraction methods, or also with any other associated material handling within the same or related industries.

Whilst considering these factors, the Inventor became aware that solutions to the problem of preventing standard trailers getting stuck in soft ground, during the crop extraction process, were not easily identifiable or available.

Using a mixture of Self Design chassis and proprietary parts, the Inventor has created an all wheel drive articulated Trailer design that satisfies all of the factors listed.

The solution has been built and tested, and has proven to work satisfactorily in a number of Agricultural and Industrial environments.

The Inventor has tested the Trailer with a Hook Lift device mounted on it, although the Trailer may also be used for many other different purposes than Hook Lift.

The Inventor anticipates that this device will be successful within not only the Agricultural sector, but will also have applications to Forestry, Quarries, Rescue and Military Sectors. This list may not be exhaustive.

DESCRIPTION OF THE IN VENT/ON

The invention is a Trailer with an All Wheel Drive system.

It benefits from a direct Drive System that is coupled with an agricultural or other tractor. The tractor also provides steering capability via a hitch towing arrangement at the forward pad of the trailer. The attachment facility allows the trailer to be towed and manoeuvred around tight turns.

The All Wheel Drive System allows the articulated trailer to be used for a variety of purposes over soft, inclined, slippery and/or rough ground The Drive System including the transmission is designed in such a way to allow the trailer to be driven across, turned, and extracted from the said ground (conditions) at a consistent speed, in a straight line, or turning to prevent it from sinking and/or getting stuck. It achieves this by applying even and constant drive to the axles of the trailer.

The drive is transferred mechanically to the axles, the means of which is kept within the chassis of the trailer The means of the power transfer is via a gearbox arrangement The Drive System is compact, and is housed completely within the chassis of the Trailer. This mounting a arrangement enables sufficient clearance to provide transport over rough ground and to cope with sudden changes in gradient The chassis of the trailer is purpose built to suit and manufactured from steel box section and steel channel. This provides the necessary stiffness and rigidity to fulfil the trailers role. Suspended from the chassis are two or more drive axles with suitable gearing for the application. The transmissions within each axle are suitable for the application. The axles are suspended from the chassis via suspension linkages, which provide suitable articulation, which benefits the purpose(s) of the trailer.

The axles are located in tandem, and can be twin, or more depending on the nature of the trailer purpose. The pitch of the axles (being the spacing between the axles) is dictated by the purpose of the trailer. Also suspended from the chassis is the tow hitch, which is the mechanical means of engagement to the pulling tractor The tow hitch also provides a means of retarding the trailer, being the brake operation active upon the tractor unit This is particularly useful when the trailer is being extracted from steep ground, and also allows the trailer to be towed safely from the point of storage to the point of use,

DRAWINGS OF THE INVENTION

Diagram I Key: A Drive Train B Hitch C Suspension and Transmission D Chassis E Agricultural Wheels and Tyres (or Road going, dependant of main mode of usage) F Gear Box Arrangements

Claims

I claim that: 1. A powered articulated trailer, in combination with an agricultural tractor or other tractor/unit, having a tandem (or greater) axle arrangement, and all wheel driven, being: (a) Connected to a source of power for generating forward and rearward movement of the trailer; (b) The source of power being mechanical, namely direct Power Take Off, to allow manoeuvrability and negotiation over soft, slippery, inclined and/or rugged ground; (c) Constructed in such a way as to maintain serviceability in difficult working conditions, and designed so as to maintain its function of maintaining towed movement over said grounds;
2. The combination of Claim 1, wherein the said source of power is mechanical.
3. The combination of Claim 1, wherein the said power source is used to drive a Tandem (or greater) axle assembly, thereby being of four (or more) wheel driven
4. The method of Claim 3, wherein the drive transmission is contained within the chassis of the trailer.