FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of agricultural equipment and more particularly to tractors.

DEFINITION

As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.

Ground clearance - The term “Ground clearance” is the least distance between an operative bottom surface of the vehicle body or the chassis and the road.

Stay rod - the term “stay rod” is a connecting member that connects parts of a machine.

Kit - the term “kit” is a set of tools and allied equipment that are put together.

BACKGROUND The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.

Horticultural production has been on the rise over the past few years. The crop care activities for growing vegetables required large manpower, particularly when the frequency of crop care activities increases. Developing countries lack adequate machinery and thus fail to meet the increasing demand. Additionally, engaging more manpower raises cost of farming operation. Further, availability of manpower at a desired time is crucial owing to the seasonal nature of a particular crop. Tractors and other allied equipment are currently used to carry out the crop care activities. However, current tractors are unable to access the field after a certain crop stage due to insufficient reach in the vertical direction. The crop cannot be accessed which results in loss of crop produce. Some limited crop care mechanization is available such as self-propelled boom sprayer, but the mechanization is not affordable owing to their high costs. While such specialized equipment takes care of a particular crop care activity, other crop care activities are not facilitated by this equipment. Thus, the specialized equipment is rendered useless which leaves them idle during other stages of crop cultivation. Additionally, no customization options are available for currently available tractor owners.

Thus, there is, therefore a need of an arrangement for increasing ground clearance of a tractor that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks. OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement for increasing ground clearance of a tractor that is easily modified. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement for increasing ground clearance of a tractor that allows ease of access in carrying out activities for tall crops.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement for increasing ground clearance of a tractor that is modular in construction.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement for increasing ground clearance of a tractor that is easily packed and distributed in standard box sizes.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure discloses an arrangement for increasing ground clearance of a tractor comprising vertically-spanning front axle kit and a vertically-spanning rear axle kit configured to be detachably attached between the wheel hub assemblies and an operative bottom portion of the body of the tractor and horizontally-spanning stay-rod kit configured to interconnect the vertically-spanning front axle kit and the rear axle kit. The vertically- spanning front axle kit, the vertically-spanning rear axle kit and the horizontally-spanning stay-rod kit fitted by a user for increasing ground clearance of the tractor.

In a preferred embodiment, an operative top end of the vertically- spanning front axle kit is configured to be attached to a front portion of the tractor, and an operative bottom end of the vertically-spanning front axle kit is configured to be attached to the front wheel hub assemblies of the tractor.

In a preferred embodiment, the vertically-spanning front axle kit is configured to be packaged inside a box of standard specifications, for being easily portable to a remote farm location.

In a preferred embodiment, an operative top end of the vertically-spanning rear axle kit is configured to be attached to the rear axle assembly of the tractor, and an operative bottom end of the vertically-spanning rear axle kit is configured to be attached to the rear wheel hub assembly of the tractor.

In a preferred embodiment, the vertically-spanning rear axle kit is configured to be packaged inside a box of standard specifications, for being easily portable to a remote farm location.

In a preferred embodiment, the vertically-spanning rear axle kit includes an auxiliary power transmission.

In a preferred embodiment, an operative top end of the auxiliary power transmission having an input sprocket is coupled to the drive of the tractor to receive power from the engine of the tractor, and an operative bottom end of the auxiliary power transmission having an output sprocket is coupled to the rear wheel hub assembly of the tractor for power delivery to the wheels of the tractor.

In a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary power transmission includes a chain tensioner to prevent slack in a chain, thereby providing a smooth power transmission from the input sprocket to the output sprocket. In a preferred embodiment, the chain tensioner includes a turnbuckle for preventing slack in the chain.

In a preferred embodiment, an operative front end of the stay-rod kit is configured to be attached to the front axle kit, and an operative rear end of the stay-rod kit is configured to be attached to the vertically-spanning rear axle kit.

In a preferred embodiment, the horizontally-spanning stay-rod kit includes connector tubes, rod front ends, connector rear end assemblies and connector rear end brackets, the rod front ends facilitate attaching the connector tubes with the kingpin sleeves, the connector rear end assemblies are configured to be attached to the bottom beam assembly, and the connector rear end bracket facilitates connecting the connector tubes with the connector rear end assemblies.

In a preferred embodiment, the horizontally-spanning stay-rod kit is configured to be packaged inside a box of standard specifications, for being easily portable to a remote farm location.

In a preferred embodiment, an increase in the ground clearance of tractor achieved is in the range of 0.3 m to 1.5 m.

In a preferred embodiment, a footstep and handhold kit is configured to be removably attached to the tractor to allow an operator to climb onto the tractor.

In a preferred embodiment, the footstep and handhold kit is configured to be packaged inside a box of standard specifications, for being easily portable to a remote farm location.

In a preferred embodiment, fasteners facilitate detachable attachment of each of the vertically-spanning front axle kit, the vertically-spanning rear axle kit, the horizontallyspanning stay-rod kit and the footstep and handhold kit to the tractor.

In a preferred embodiment, a roll over protection system is removably configured on the tractor to provide safety to the operator in case of accidental overturning or side turning of the tractor.

In a preferred embodiment, a speed sensor is configured to be attached proximal to the output sprocket to sense the speed of the tractor.

In a preferred embodiment, a buzzer is configured to be positioned on the handhold and footstep kit to communicate an audio alarm. In a preferred embodiment, the height of the vertically-spanning front axle kit is different from the height of the vertically-spanning rear axle kit to accommodate different heights of the front wheel and rear wheel of the tractor.

In a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary power transmission includes a drive selected from the group consisting of a chain drive, belt drive, a gear drive, a continuously variable transmission drive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

An arrangement for increasing ground clearance of a tractor, of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an arrangement for increasing ground clearance of a tractor, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the front axle kit of the figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the rear axle kit of the figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the stay-rod kit of the figure 1 ;

Figures 5A-5D show isometric views of the footstep and handhold kit of the figure 1 ;

Figure 6 shows a roll over protection system installed on the tractor;

Figure 7 shows a speed sensor installed configured on the tractor; and

Figure 8 shows a buzzer positioned on the tractor.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

50 - tractor

52 - front portion of tractor

100 - front axle kit

102 - operative top end of front axle kit

104 - operative bottom end of front axle kit

110 - front axle box

120 - left kingpin sleeve

130 - right kingpin sleeve

140 - front wheel left hub assembly - front wheel right hub assembly - front support - rear axle kit - operative top end of rear axle kit - operative bottom end of rear axle kit - auxiliary power transmission - top beam assembly - mounting bracket - bottom beam assembly - centre beam assembly a, 240b - rear wheel hub assembly - input sprocket - output sprocket - chain - chain tensioner - turnbuckle - chain cover - stay-rod kit - operative front end of stay-rod assembly - operative rear end of stay -rod assembly - connector tube - rod front end - connector rear end assembly - connector rear end bracket - footstep and handhold kit - bottom footstep bracket - top footstep bracket - left hand holding bracket - right hand holding bracket - roll over protection system - speed sensor - buzzer 1000 - arrangement

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including” and “having” are open-ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element is referred to as being “mounted on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.

Terms such as “inner”, “outer”, “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.

The present disclosure envisages an arrangement for increasing ground clearance of a tractor to facilitate carrying out agricultural activities for tall crops. The arrangement for increasing ground clearance of a tractor hereinafter referred to as “the arrangement” facilitates ease in driving through tall fields, and which is modular in construction.

Referring to the figures 1-8, the arrangement 1000 is shown.

The arrangement 1000 (hereinafter referred to as “arrangement 1000”) comprises a vertically- spanning front axle kit 100 (hereinafter referred to as the front axle kit 100) and a vertically- spanning rear axle kit 200 (hereinafter referred to as the rear axle kit 200) configured to be detachably attached between the wheel hub assemblies 140, 150, 240a, 240b and an operative bottom portion of the body of a tractor 50. The arrangement further comprises a horizontallyspanning stay-rod kit 300 configured to interconnect the vertically-spanning front axle kit 100 and the vertically-spanning rear axle kit 200. The vertically-spanning front axle kit 100, the vertically-spanning rear axle kit 200 and the horizontally-spanning stay-rod kit 300 (hereinafter referred to as the stay-rod kit 300) is fitted by a user for increasing ground clearance of the tractor 50, thereby allowing the tractor 50 to travel over the tall crops in a field and prevent crop damage.

The front axle kit 100 is constructed to carry front mass of the tractor 50, which is 35 percent of the total mass of the tractor 50, as well as the self-mass of the front axle kit 100. The front axle kit 100 is constructed to withstand 35 percent of 3-4 G of acceleration levels incident on experienced by the tractor 50. An operative top end 102 of the front axle kit 100 is configured to be attached to a front portion 52 of the tractor 50. An operative bottom end 104 of the front axle kit 100 is configured to be connected to the front wheel hub assemblies 140, 150 of the tractor 50. The front axle kit 100 includes a left kingpin sleeve 120, a right kingpin sleeve 130 and a reinforcement bracket called a front support 160 and a front axle box 110. In an embodiment, each of the left kingpin sleeve 120 and the right kingpin sleeve 130 is constructed of a hollow circular tube of suitable dimensions. Each of the left kingpin sleeve 120 and the right kingpin sleeve 130 is mounted to the front axle box 110 on an operative top end of the arrangement 1000, as shown in the figure 2. The right kingpin sleeve 130 is attached to a front wheel right hub assembly 150 of the right axle of the tractor 50, and the left kingpin sleeve 130 is attached to a front wheel left hub assembly 140 of the left axle of the tractor 50. The front support 160 is connected between the left kingpin sleeve 120 and the front axle box 110 to impart rigidity to the tractor 50. Similarly, the front support 160 is connected between the right kingpin sleeve 130 and the front axle box 110 to impart rigidity to the tractor 50. The rear axle kit 200 is constructed to carry rear mass of the tractor 50, which is 65 percent of the total mass of the tractor 50 and mass of the other rear kit 200 assemblies. The rear axle kit 200 is constructed to withstand 65 percent of 3-4 Gs of acceleration levels experienced by the tractor 50. The rear axle kit 200 has an operative top end 202 configured to be to the rear axle assembly of the tractor 50. An operative bottom end 204 of the rear axle kit 200 is configured to be connected to the rear wheel hub assemblies 240a, 240b of the tractor 50. In one embodiment, the rear axle kit 200 is a tubular structure is incorporated to attain a ground clearance of 3 feet or about 1 meter. The rear axle kit 200 includes a top beam assembly 210, a bottom beam assembly 220, a centre beam assembly 230 as shown in the figure 3. The top beam assembly 210 includes a left-side top beam assembly and a right-side top beam assembly. The bottom beam assembly 220 includes a left-side bottom beam assembly and a right-side bottom beam assembly. The top beam assembly 210 and the bottom beam assembly 220 are connected to the centre beam assembly 230. The bottom beam assembly 220 is connected to the rear wheel hub assemblies 240a, 240b of each of the rear axles of the wheels of the tractor. The rear axle kit 200 has a symmetric construction. Every component of the rear axle kit 200 described above has a symmetric construction which includes a lefthand side component and a right-hand side component. The dimensions of the left-hand side component and the right-hand side component are identical. Hence, the rear axle kit 200 ensures part commonality of construction.

The rear axle kit 200 includes an auxiliary power transmission 205. The auxiliary power transmission 205 is supported on the rear axle kit 200. The auxiliary power transmission 205 has an operative top end and an operative bottom end. An input sprocket 250 is provided on the operative top end of the auxiliary power transmission 205, and coupled to the drive of the tractor 50 for receiving power from the engine of the tractor 50. An output sprocket 260 is provided on the operative bottom end of the auxiliary power transmission 205, and coupled to the rear wheel hub assemblies 240a, 240b of the tractor 50 for power delivery to the rear wheels of the tractor 50. A chain 270 routed between the input sprocket 250 and the output sprocket 260 facilitates power transfer to the wheels of the tractor. In another embodiment, the drive provided by the auxiliary power transmission 205 includes from the group consisting of a chain drive, a belt drive, a gear drive or a continuously variable transmission drive. A chain-cover 290 is provided to facilitate enclosing of the chain and sprocket drive which offers protection against weather variability. A chain tensioner 280 is coupled to the chain 270 to prevent slack in the chain 270 with usage. Thus, a smooth power transmission from the input sprocket 250 and the output sprocket 260 is realized. The chain tensioner 280 includes a turnbuckle 285 to allow tightening of the chain 170 for preventing slack in the chain 270. The rear axle kit 200 is provided with fasteners including bolted joints to facilitate ease of assembly of the arrangement 1000. The top beam assembly 210 is assembled on the rear axle case (RAC) on both the right side and left side of the tractor with a mounting bracket 215. The centre beam assembly 230 is connected to both the right-side top beam assembly 210 and the left side top beam assembly 210. This facilitates a modular construction of the rear axle kit 200. The height of the rear axle kit 200 is determined by the ground clearance and the rear tire size. The wheel flange to flange distance is determined by maximum track width. The space available to construct the rear axle kit 200 and the power transmission system is defined by the space needed for crop. The space needed for crop corresponds to the space between the rear axle. In an embodiment, the rear axle kit 200 is made of standard square tubes of size 0.065 m having 0.004 m thickness. The rear-axle kit 200 is split into five parts for ease of assembly for offering a kit pack solution.

The horizontally- spanning stay-rod kit 300 includes two sub-assemblies. One sub-assembly is configured to be attached to the left kingpin sleeve 120 and the other sub-assembly is configured to be attached to the right kingpin sleeve 130. In an embodiment, each subassembly includes a stay-rod in the form of a connector tube 310. In another embodiment, each sub-assembly includes a stay rod in the form of a rigid bar. The shape of the cross section of the stay rod is selected from the group consisting of a square, a circle and a rectangle. A rod front end 320 of each sub-assembly of each of the connector tube 310 is configured to be attached to the respective kingpin sleeves 120,130. A connector rear end assembly 330 is configured to be attached to the bottom beam assembly 220. A connector rear end bracket 340 facilitates connecting the connector tube 310 with the connector rear end assembly 330. The stay-rod kit 300 is constructed to sustain longitudinal load during dynamic operating conditions of the tractor 50. The main function of the horizontally-spanning stayrod assembly 300 is to stabilize the front axle kit 100, to distribute shock load coming from the front axle to the rear structure of the tractor 50, to sustain operator load while onboarding/alighting the tractor and to ensure front axle oscillation degree to be same as the tractor 50 would have without the ground clearance increased. In an embodiment, the horizontally-spanning stay-rod kit 300 is a tubular structure to connect the vertically- spanning front axle kit 100 and the vertically-spanning rear axle kit 200. The operative front end and the operative rear end of the tractor 50 is constrained in such a way that the front axle oscillates in both the left hand and right-hand sides.

In a preferred embodiment, the ground clearance achieved with the tractor 50 is within the range of 0.305 m to 0.914 m. Thus, the ground clearance achieved with the tractor 50 is adjustable as desired for a particular crop height.

The arrangement 1000 further comprises a footstep and hand hold kit 400. The footstep and hand hold kit 400 includes a bottom footstep bracket 410, a top footstep bracket 420, a lefthand holding bracket 430 and a right-hand holding bracket 440. In an embodiment, the footstep and hand hold kit 400 facilitates the operator to climb onto the tractor having an elevation of the floor panel approximately 1.2 m from ground level after the ground clearance of the tractor 50 is increased. The construction of the footstep and hand hold assembly 400 satisfies ISO 4254-1: 1999 multi-step configuration for operator entry. The handholds or handrails provided on both sides of the boarding facilitate the operator with increased support while maintaining a three-point contact. In an embodiment, the lower end of the handholds is located no higher than 1.500 m from the ground surface as a safety measure.

In an embodiment, the front axle kit 100, the rear axle kit 200, the stay-rod kit 300 and the footstep and handhold kit 400 is configured for a tractor of 25 HP two- wheel drive as well as four-wheel drive.

In another embodiment, the arrangement 1000 includes a roll over protection system 500 configured on the tractor 50 to ensure operator safety in case of accidental overturning or side turning of the tractor 50.

Since the center of gravity of the tractor 50 is increased, due to increased height of tractor 50, speed of tractor 50 should be limited below 12 kmph. But the tractor 50 without increased ground clearance has max speed of 22 kmph. To ensure that the operator does not cross 12 kmph audio warning device is installed. A speed sensor 600 is installed near output sprocket 260 to sense the speed of the tractor 50. A buzzer 700 (as shown in the figure 8) is positioned on the left hand holding bracket 430. A controller (not shown in figures) is provided to facilitate regulating of the speed of the tractor 50.

Increase in the ground clearance of the tractor 50 is achieved without compromising the functional capabilities of each of the front axle and the rear axle of the tractor 50. The arrangement 1000 facilitates overall high ground clearance and is focused on a modular construction permitting interchange from low ground clearance to a high ground clearance. The base front axle geometry of the tractor 50 is thus retained. Additionally, the steering mechanism of the tractor 50 is left unchanged which minimizes hassles in modifying the construction of the tractor 50. Each of the front axle kit 100, the rear axle kit 200, the stay-rod kit 300 and the footstep and handhold kit 400 is able to be packed in a flat-shaped packing that offers ease in transportation and assembly. The height of the front axle kit 100 and the rear axle kit 200 are different to allow accommodation of different heights of the front wheel and rear wheel of the tractor 50. Additionally, the construction of the arrangement 1000 is based on a knock down approach with high commonality index, which is a metric that assesses the degree of commonality within a product family based on different parameters such as the number of common components, the component costs, and the manufacturing process.

The front axle kit 100, the rear axle kit 200, the stay-rod kit 300, and the footstep and handhold kit 400 are configured to be detachably attached to the tractor 50 by a user for increasing the ground clearance of the tractor 50 to allow the tractor 50 to pass over the grown crops in a field.

Fasteners not shown in figures are used to detachably attach each of the front axle kit 100, the rear axle kit 200, the stay-rod assembly 300, and the footstep and the handhold kit 400 to the tractor 50.

Each of the front axle kit 100, the rear axle kit 200, the stay-rod kit 300, and the footstep and the handhold kit 400 is configured to be packaged inside individual boxes of standard specifications, for being easily portable to a remote farm location as compared to conventional arrangements.

In another embodiment, a vehicle driven on a road surface is configured with the arrangement 1000 to facilitate increased ground clearance.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The present disclosure described hereinabove has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a tractor with ground clearance adjustability, that:

• that is easily modified;

• has the ability to provide access to tall crops;

• is modular in construction;

• offers ease in packaging and distribution to farmers;

• can be easily assembled by an individual;

• is easy to dismantle when increased ground clearance not required;

• offers increased stability; and

• is frugal and offers ruggedness.

The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.