Heavy duty traction intensifyer including flexible frame means with flex- limiting means for agricultural wheeled tractors, harvesting combines and the like

摘要

Disclosed is a heavy duty retractable traction intensifyer for adding utility and maximizing performance of agricultural tractors, harvesting combines and the like. The device has a series of aggressive and thin spades, which in fields slice into stronger subsurface layer of soil, thereby increasing drawbar pull and decreasing wheel slip and soil compaction. The series of spades is arranged in groups, each secured to a length of sturdy wire rope which is threaded through a series of tubes, whereby each group can be rotated and thus expeditiously retracted for driving on roads. The series of tubes is the outermost portion of a flexible frame, bolted to an accompanying powered tire-wheel assembly via a spacer. For obtaining a comfortable ride during heavy pulling in fields said frame includes a series of resilient semicircle-shaped loops, formed from flat stock of high-strength spring-like steel, extending radially outward from a circular band forming the innermost portion thereof. For assuring satisfactory durability and reliability of the device said frame further includes various devices for keeping magnitude of flexing within safe limits and a spade-lock. The application of wire rope is as unique as it is useful. Not only does it provide a simple way of securing and supporting the series of spades but its inherent capacity for flexing is here fully utilized, resulting in the feature of ultra-quick conversion from "rubber-drive" for roads to "steel-drive" for fields and vice versa.