U.S. patent application number 17/446698 was filed with the patent office on 2022-03-31 for road grader attachment for a skid steer.
The applicant listed for this patent is Deere & Company. Invention is credited to Brett S. Graham, Kyle A. Holl, Nilesh T. Kumbhar, Giovanni A Wuisan.
Application Number | 20220098822 17/446698 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-03-31 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20220098822 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kumbhar; Nilesh T. ; et
al. |
March 31, 2022 |
ROAD GRADER ATTACHMENT FOR A SKID STEER
Abstract
In accordance with the present disclosure, a motor grader
attachment for a skid steer work machine is disclosed. The
attachment may comprise of a chassis, a plurality of traction
devices, a motor grade circle, a grader blade, an articulation
joint, and an attachment hydraulic control valve coupled to the
chassis. The motor grade circle may be coupled to the chassis and
positioned between the front traction device and the work machine.
The grader blade may coupled to the motor grade circle for rotation
about a blade axis. The articulation joint to the chassis at a rear
end of chassis may permit pivotal articulation of the chassis about
the ball joint at the rearward end relative to a skid steer frame.
The attachment hydraulic control valve may be coupled to the
chassis, and meter flow of hydraulic fluid from an auxiliary port
located on the skid steer to the hydraulic circuit.
Inventors: |
Kumbhar; Nilesh T.; (Karad,
IA) ; Graham; Brett S.; (Dubuque, IA) ;
Wuisan; Giovanni A; (EPWORTH, IA) ; Holl; Kyle
A.; (Durango, IA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Deere & Company |
Moline |
IL |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/446698 |
Filed: |
September 1, 2021 |
International
Class: |
E02F 3/76 20060101
E02F003/76; E02F 3/34 20060101 E02F003/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 25, 2020 |
IN |
202021041592 |
Claims
1. A motor grader attachment for a skid steer work machine, the
attachment comprising: a chassis; a plurality of traction devices
positioned to support the chassis and including at least one front
traction device; a motor grade circle coupled to the chassis and
positioned between the front traction device and the work machine;
a grader blade coupled to the motor grade circle for rotation about
a blade axis; an articulation joint coupled to the chassis at a
rear end of chassis, permitting pivotal articulation of the chassis
about the ball joint at the rearward end relative to a skid steer
frame; and an attachment hydraulic control valve coupled to the
chassis, metering a flow of hydraulic fluid from an auxiliary port
located on the skid steer to a hydraulic circuit for driving
movement of a plurality of actuators coupled to the chassis.
2. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the plurality of actuators
comprises: at least one steering actuator, the steering actuator
coupled to the front traction device, enabling steerability of the
front traction device.
3. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the plurality of actuators
comprises: at least one lift actuator, the lift actuator coupled to
the blade, enabling a lift of the blade.
4. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the plurality of actuators
comprises: at least one side shift, the side shift actuator coupled
to the blade, enabling side shifting of the blade.
5. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the plurality of actuators
comprises: at least one blade pitch actuator coupled to the blade,
enabling pitching of the blade.
6. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the plurality of actuators
comprises: at least one circle rotate actuator, the circle rotate
actuator enabling the motor grade circle to turn about a motor
grade circle axis.
7. The attachment of claim 1, wherein the plurality of actuators
comprises: at least one wheel lean actuator enabling the front
traction device to lean.
8. A skid steer work machine including an auxiliary port, the work
machine comprising: a skid steer frame; a boom assembly; a chassis
including: a plurality of traction devices positioned to support
the chassis and including at least one front traction device; a
motor grade circle coupled to the chassis and positioned between
the front traction device and the skid steer frame; a grader blade
coupled to the motor grade circle for rotation about a blade axis;
an articulation joint coupled to the chassis at a rear end of
chassis, permitting pivotal articulation of the chassis about the
ball joint at the rearward end relative to the skid steer frame; an
attachment hydraulic control valve coupled to the chassis, metering
flow of hydraulic fluid from the auxiliary port located on the skid
steer to a hydraulic circuit for driving movement of a plurality of
actuators coupled to the chassis.
9. The work machine of claim 8, wherein the plurality of actuators
comprises: at least one steering actuator, the steering actuator
coupled to the front traction device, enabling steerability of the
front traction device.
10. The work machine of claim 8, wherein the plurality of actuators
comprises: at least one lift actuator, the lift actuator coupled to
the blade, enabling a lift of the blade.
11. The work machine of claim 8, wherein the plurality of actuators
comprises: at least one side shift, the side shift actuator coupled
to the blade, enabling side shifting of the blade.
12. The work machine of claim 8, wherein the plurality of actuators
comprises: at least one blade pitch actuator, coupled to the blade,
enabling pitching of the blade.
13. The work machine of claim 8, wherein the plurality of actuators
comprises: at least one circle rotate actuator, the circle rotate
actuator enabling the motor grade circle to turn about a motor
grade circle axis.
14. The work machine of claim 8, wherein the plurality of actuators
comprises: at least one wheel lean actuator enabling the front
traction device to lean.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] N/A
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an attachment for a skid
steer or compact track loader.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Skid steers and compact track loaders find heavy use in
urban areas because the smaller work machines are typically easy to
maneuver and transport through narrow areas, and those areas with
sharp turns. Skid steers are especially versatile in the numbers of
accessories available for attachment. It becomes desirable in some
applications, for example backfilling or trail building, to have
the ability to grade, or alternatively plow, a narrow area. Therein
lies a need for a small work machine with an ease of
maneuverability for grading operations.
SUMMARY
[0004] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts that are further described below in the detailed
description and accompanying drawings. This summary is not intended
to identify key or essential features of the appended claims, nor
is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the
appended claims.
[0005] The present disclosure includes a road grader attachment for
a skid steer work machine. The attachment may comprise of a
chassis, a plurality of traction devices, a motor grade circle, a
grader blade, an articulation joint, and an attachment hydraulic
control valve. The plurality of traction devices may be positioned
to support the chassis and include at least one front traction
device. The motor grade circle may be coupled to the chassis and
positioned between the front traction device and the work machine.
The grader blade may be coupled to the motor grade circle for
rotation about an upright axis. The articulation joint may be
coupled to the chassis at a rear end of chassis, permitting pivotal
articulation of the chassis about the ball joint at the rearward
end relative to a skid steer frame. The attachment hydraulic
control valve may be coupled to the chassis, metering the flow of
hydraulic fluid from an auxiliary port located on the skid steer to
a hydraulic circuit for driving movement of a plurality of
actuators coupled to the chassis.
[0006] The plurality of actuators may comprise at least one
steering actuator wherein the steering actuator is coupled to the
front traction device, enabling steerability of the front traction
device.
[0007] The plurality of actuators may comprise of at least one lift
actuator, the lift actuator coupled to the blade, and enabling a
lift of the blade.
[0008] The plurality of actuators may comprise of at least one side
shift wherein the side shift actuator may be coupled to the blade
and enabling pitching of the blade.
[0009] The plurality of actuators may comprise of at least one
blade pitch actuator coupled to the blade and enabling a pitch of
the blade.
[0010] The plurality of actuators may comprise at least one circle
rotate actuator wherein the circle rotate actuator enables the
motor grade circle to turn about a blade axis.
[0011] The plurality of actuators may comprise of at least one
wheel lean actuator enabling the front traction device to lean.
[0012] These and other features will become apparent from the
following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein
various features are shown and described by way of illustration.
The present disclosure is capable of other and different
configurations and its several details are capable of modification
in various other respects, all without departing from the scope of
the present disclosure. Accordingly, the detailed description and
accompanying drawings are to be regarded as illustrative in nature
and not as restrictive or limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The detailed description of the drawings refers to the
accompanying figures in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a skid steer with
a motor grader attachment;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a front view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1
with an exemplary wheel lean of the front traction device;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of an articulation
joint of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic of a hydraulic circuit for an
embodiment of a road grader attachment shown in FIG. 1; and
[0019] Like reference numerals are used to indicate like elements
throughout the several figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The embodiments disclosed in the above drawings and the
following detailed description are not intended to be exhaustive or
to limit the disclosure to these embodiments. Rather, there are
several variations and modifications which may be made without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0021] FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate a work machine 100, extending
in a fore-aft direction 115 (marked by an F for fore and A for
aft), depicted as a skid steer with a road grader attachment 105
operatively coupled to the work machine 100. It should be
understood, however, that the work machine may also be a compact
track loader, and other work machines that would benefit from a
road grader attachment 105. The work machine as shown, has a frame
110, having a ground-engaging mechanism 155 that supports the frame
110 and an operator cab 160 on a surface. The engine (not shown) is
coupled to the frame 110 of the work machine and is operable to
move the work machine 100. The illustrated work machine includes
wheels, but other embodiments can include one or more tracks that
engage the ground surface.
[0022] The road grader attachment 105 may be used for spreading and
leveling dirt, gravel, or other materials. The road grader
attachment 105 includes a chassis 120; plurality of traction
devices positioned to support the chassis 120 and including at
least one front traction device 125; a motor grade circle 135
coupled to the chassis 120 and positioned between the front
traction device 125 and the work machine 100); a blade 140 coupled
to the motor grade circle 135 for rotation about a blade axis 145.
The blade axis 145 may be perpendicular to the fore-aft direction
115 or substantially perpendicular to the fore-aft direction 115
because of changes in lift and pitch of the blade 140. Side shift
actuators 195 may be mounted between the motor grade circle 135 and
the blade 140 for extension of the blade 140 in either sideways
direction. Lift actuators 190 may be mounted between the motor
grade circle 135 and a lifter bracket to raise, lower and tilt
(side-to-side) the motor grade circle 135, and thereby the blade
140. A circle rotate actuator 205 may be mounted to the drawbar
coupled to the motor grade circle 135 to cause the motor grade
circle 135 and the blade 140 to be rotated relative to a vertical
axis (or otherwise upright axis relative to the chassis).
[0023] The road grader attachment 105 may also comprise of an
articulation joint 165 coupled to the chassis 120 at a rear (aft
direction) end of the chassis 120, permitting pivotal articulation
of the chassis 120 about the ball joint 170 (shown in FIG. 4) at
the rearward end relative to a skid steer frame 110. FIG. 2
demonstrates exemplary positions of the road grader attachment 105
as it pivots about the ball joint 170 with the dotted lines. The
articulation joint 165 with ball joint 170 advantageously reduces
the turning radius and substantially improves grading efficiency.
FIG. 5 demonstrates the articulation actuators (167a, 167b) that
may be coupled to chassis 120 to assist in changing direction with
the articulation joint 165.
[0024] Now turning to FIG. 5 with continued reference to FIG. 1, an
attachment hydraulic control valve 175 coupled to the chassis 120
may meter a flow of hydraulic fluid from an auxiliary port 180
located on the skid steer 100 to a hydraulic circuit 182 (shown in
FIG. 5) for driving movement of a plurality of actuators. Hydraulic
control valve 175 receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from
hydraulic pump 177, which generally may be coupled to the engine or
alternative power source and directs such hydraulic fluid to the
plurality of actuators 184 on road grader attachment 105. Hydraulic
control valve 175 may meter such hydraulic fluid out of or control
the flow rate of hydraulic fluid to each hydraulic circuit 182 it
is connected. Alternatively, hydraulic control valve 175 may not
meter such fluid out but may instead only selectively provide flow
to these functions while metering is performed by another component
(e.g. a variable displacement hydraulic pump). Hydraulic control
valve 175 may meter such fluid out through a plurality of flow
paths or spools, whose positions control the flow of hydraulic
fluid, and other hydraulic logic. The spools may be actuated by
solenoids, pilots (e.g. pressurized hydraulic fluid acting on the
spool), the pressure upstream of downstream of the spool, or some
combination of these or other uses. The varied combination of the
plurality of actuators 184 advantageously enables a fine grading
operation in narrow spaces. The articulation joint 165, alongside
the actuators described below, contribute to the
maneuverability.
[0025] The plurality of actuators 184 may comprise of at least one
steering actuator 185. To propel chassis 120 along the ground, a
pair of front steerable wheels, which may also be referred to as a
front traction device 125, enables steerability of the front
traction device 125. The steering actuator 185 may drive control of
the direction of movement of the front traction device 125.
[0026] The plurality of actuators 184 may comprise at least one
lift actuator (190a, 190b) wherein the lift actuator (190a, 190b)
coupled to the blade 140 may enable lifting of the blade 140.
[0027] The plurality of actuators 184 may comprise of at least one
side shift actuator 195 wherein the side shift actuator 195 is
coupled to the blade 140, and enables side shifting of the blade
140.
[0028] The plurality of actuators 184 may comprise at least one
blade pitch actuator 200, coupled to the blade 140, enabling
pitching of the blade.
[0029] The plurality of actuators 184 may comprise at least one
circle rotate actuator 205 wherein the circle rotate actuator 205
enables the motor grade circle 135 to turn about a motor grade
circle axis 210.
[0030] The plurality of actuators 184 may comprise at least one
wheel lean actuator 215 wherein the at least one wheel lean
actuator 215 enables the front traction device 125 to lean (as
demonstrated in FIG. 3).
[0031] FIG. 5 is a schematic of the hydraulic circuit for an
embodiment of a road grader attachment 105 and how it couples to
the auxiliary port 180 on the work machine 100.
[0032] The work machine 100 with a road grader attachment 105 may
be operated to engage the surface 135 and cut and move material to
achieve simple or complex features on the surface.
[0033] As used herein, directions with regard to work machine 100
may be referred to from the perspective on an operator seated
within the operator cab 160; the left of the work machine 100 is to
the left of such an operator, the right of work machine is to the
right of such an operator, the front or fore of work machine is the
direction such an operator faces, the rear or aft of work machine
is behind such an operator, the top of work machine is above such
an operator, and the bottom of work machine below such an
operator.
[0034] The work machine 100 comprises a boom assembly 170 coupled
to the frame 110. The road grader attachment 105 may be coupled to
the boom assembly 170. In the embodiment shown, the road grader
attachment 105 may be coupled to the boom assembly 170 through an
attachment coupler 185, such as Deere and Company's Quick-Tatch,
which is an industry standard configuration and a coupler
universally applicable to many Deere attachments and several
after-market attachments. The attachment coupler 185 may be coupled
to a portion of the boom arms in the forward portion of the boom
assembly 175.
[0035] The boom assembly 220 comprises a first pair of boom arms
225 pivotally coupled to the frame 110 (one each on a left side and
a right side of the operator cab 160) and moveable relative to the
frame 110 by a pair of first hydraulic cylinders 200, wherein the
pair of first hydraulic cylinders (not shown, one coupled to each
boom arm) for a skid steer. The attachment coupler 230 may be
coupled to a forward section of the pair of boom arms 225, being
movable relative to the frame 110 by a pair of second hydraulic
cylinders (not shown), conventionally referred to as tilt cylinders
for a skid steer. The frame 110 of the work machine 100 further
comprises an auxiliary hydraulic port 180 on the front-end portion
of the work machine 100 to couple one or more plurality of
actuators 184 to drive movement of or actuate auxiliary functions
on the road grader attachment 105. The attachment coupler 230
enables the mechanical coupling of the road grader attachment 105
to the frame 110 of the work machine 100. The auxiliary port 180,
contrary to the attachment coupler 185, enables the hydraulic
coupling of the plurality of actuators 184 on the road grade
attachment 105 to the hydraulic circuit 182 of the work machine
100.
[0036] In the present embodiment, the plurality of actuators 184
may be double acting hydraulic cylinders. One end of each cylinder
may be referred to as a head end, and the end of each cylinder
opposite the head end may be referred to as a rod end. Each of the
head end and the rod end may be fixedly coupled to another
component, such as pin-bushing or pin-bearing coupling, to name but
two examples of pivotal connections. If a double acting hydraulic
cylinder, each may exert a force in the extending or retracting
direction. Directing pressurized hydraulic fluid into a head
chamber of the cylinders will tend to exert force in the extending
direction, while pressurized hydraulic fluid into a rod chamber of
the cylinders will tend to exert a force in the retracting
direction. The head chamber and the rod chamber may both be located
within a barrel of the hydraulic cylinder and may both be a part of
a larger cavity which is separated by a moveable piston connected
to a rod of the hydraulic cylinder. The volumes of each of the head
chamber and the rod chamber change with the movement of the piston,
while movement of the piston results in extension and retraction of
the hydraulic cylinder.
[0037] A controller on the skid steer may further transmit a soft
boom lock signal (not shown) to inactivate the portion of the
hydraulic system related to movement of the pair of boom arms 225
from the boom assembly 220 on the skid steer.
[0038] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments or implementations and is not intended to be
limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a",
"an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well,
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further
understood that the any use of the terms "has," "have," "having,"
"include," "includes," "including," "comprise," "comprises,"
"comprising," or the like, in this specification, identifies the
presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,
and/or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition
of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,
elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0039] The references "A" and "B" used with reference numerals
herein are merely for clarification when describing multiple
implementations of an apparatus.
[0040] One or more of the steps or operations in any of the
methods, processes, or systems discussed herein may be omitted,
repeated, or re-ordered and are within the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0041] While the above describes example embodiments of the present
disclosure, these descriptions should not be viewed in a
restrictive or limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations
and modifications which may be made without departing from the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *