Tractor bracket stabilization systems and methods

A bracket stabilization system is configured to be secured to a tractor. The bracket stabilization system includes a cross bar linking bracket that extends between opposed first and second lateral brackets extending from opposite sides of the tractor. The cross bar linking bracket securely couples the opposed first and second lateral brackets together.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to tractor bracket stabilization systems and methods, and, more particularly, to bracket stabilization systems that securely couple opposed brackets of a tractor together.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Work or utility vehicles, such as tractors, are often adapted to be used with various types of attachments. For example, a loader may be attached to the front of a tractor through arms and hydraulic controls that allow the loader to be raised and lowered, and also rolled forward and backward. Many different attachment or implements may be attached to the front of the work vehicles, thereby allowing an operator to accomplish various tasks with a single work vehicle.

Conventional front-end loaders include a pair of lifting arms or boom assemblies that include towers or rearward ends that pivotally attach to a tractor, and lifting arms or forward ends that pivotally attach to an implement. Generally, the arms of the loader and the attached implement may be controlled by a hydraulic system. Hydraulic cylinders may be configured to operate front-end loaders and their attached implements. Hydraulic lines may extend along an exterior (or routed along the interior) of the front-end loaders for powering the hydraulic cylinders.

Each lifting arm of a loader is typically connected to a bracket that is coupled to a portion of a tractor, for example. Each bracket may outwardly extend from a lateral portion of the tractor.

During operation of the tractor and front loader, a bucket of the front loader may be urged into the ground, objects, and the like. The forces exerted into the bucket are typically translated into the arms of the front loader, which are then translated into the tractor. As an example, various forces generate corresponding twisting forces in the arms of the front loader, which are then translated into the brackets. The exerted forces may cause stresses and strains that are translated into the tractor, and may cause damage thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A need exists for stabilizing brackets of a tractor. Further, a need exists for eliminating, minimizing, or otherwise mitigating potential damage caused to brackets of a tractor, or the tractor itself, from forces generated during operation of a front loader, for example.

With those needs in mind, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a bracket stabilization system that is configured to be secured to a tractor. The bracket stabilization system includes a cross bar linking bracket that extends between opposed first and second lateral brackets extending from opposite sides of the tractor. The cross bar linking bracket securely couples the opposed first and second lateral brackets together.

In at least one embodiment, the cross bar linking bracket is positioned below a top surface of a hood of the tractor and above a frame of the tractor. Further, the cross bar linking bracket may be positioned behind the hood. Optionally, the cross bar linking bracket may extend through lateral wall portions of the hood.

In at least one embodiment, the cross bar linking bracket connects to the opposed first and second lateral brackets proximate to respective first and second couplings that are configured to couple to respective arms of a utility component. The cross bar linking bracket may be above lower ends of the first and second lateral brackets that couple to a frame of the tractor.

The cross bar linking bracket may include a linear tube. In at least one embodiment, the cross bar linking bracket includes a main body having opposite first and second ends. The first and second ends directly couple to the first and second lateral brackets, respectively. For example, the first and second ends may securely couple to first and second reciprocal portions of the first and second lateral brackets, respectively.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a bracket stabilization system method for a tractor. The bracket stabilization method includes connecting a cross bar linking bracket between opposed first and second lateral brackets extending from opposite sides of the tractor, and securely coupling the opposed first and second lateral brackets together through the connecting.

The connecting may include positioning the cross bar linking bracket below a top surface of a hood of the tractor and above a frame of the tractor. The positioning may include positioning the cross bar linking bracket behind the hood. Optionally, the positioning may include extending the cross bar linking bracket through lateral wall portions of the hood.

In at least one embodiment, the connecting includes connecting the cross bar linking bracket to the opposed first and second lateral brackets proximate to respective first and second couplings that are configured to couple to respective arms of a utility component. Further, the connecting may include positioning the cross bar linking bracket above lower ends of the first and second lateral brackets that couple to a frame of the tractor.

In at least one embodiment, the connecting includes directly coupling first and second ends of a main body of the cross bar linking bracket to the first and second lateral brackets, respectively. The directly coupling may include securely coupling the first and second ends to first and second reciprocal portions of the first and second lateral brackets, respectively.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a tractor including a frame, a hood that is configured to move relative to the frame between open and closed positions, a first lateral bracket having a first lower end secured to the frame, a first main body extending upwardly and outwardly from the frame offset from a first side of the hood, and a first coupling that is configured to couple to a first arm of a utility component, and a second lateral bracket having a second lower end secured to the frame, a second main body extending upwardly and outwardly from the frame offset from a second side of the hood, and a second coupling that is configured to couple to a second arm of the utility component.

The tractor also includes a bracket stabilization system stabilization system that includes a cross bar linking bracket that extends between the first and second lateral brackets. The cross bar linking bracket securely couples the first and second lateral brackets together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

FIG. 1illustrates a perspective lateral view of a bracket stabilization system100secured to a tractor102, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The tractor102includes a hood104(which may be moveably secured over an engine, for example) coupled to a frame106. For the sake of clarity, the bracket stabilization system100is shown through the hood104. Opposed lateral brackets108and110(including couplings109and111, respectively) are secured to the tractor102.

In at least one embodiment, lower ends113and115of the lateral brackets108and110, respectively, are secured to respective lateral portions of the frame106. Main bodies117and119of the brackets108and110, respectively, extend upwardly from the frame106offset (that is, spaced apart) opposite sides of the hood104. The couplings109and111are configured to securely couple to portions of a utility component, such as arms of a front loader.

Examples of tractors and brackets are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,555,842, entitled “Adapter Bracket Assembly Configured To Adapt A Utility Vehicle For Use With A Different Utility Component,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The bracket stabilization system100includes a cross bar linking bracket120that securely couples the opposed brackets108and110together. The cross bar linking bracket120extends between and connects to both the brackets108and110. The cross bar linking bracket120includes a main body122having opposite ends124and126. The end124is secured into a reciprocal portion128(such as a hole, opening, channel, bearing, or the like) of the bracket108. Optionally, the reciprocal portion128may be a securing interface at which the end124securely connects to the bracket108, such as through one or more fasteners, bonding, welding, and/or the like. The end126is secured into a reciprocal portion130(such as a hole, opening, channel, bearing, or the like) of the bracket110. Optionally, the reciprocal portion130may be a securing interface at which the end126securely connects to the bracket110, such as through one or more fasteners, bonding, welding, and/or the like. By directly connecting to both the lateral brackets108and110, the cross bar linking bracket120securely links and couples the brackets108and110together.

The cross bar linking bracket120is positioned below a top surface122of the hood104, and above the frame106. In at least one embodiment, the cross bar linking bracket120is positioned behind a portion of the hood104. In at least one other embodiment, the cross bar bracket120extends through lateral wall portions of the hood104. As shown inFIG. 1, the cross bar linking bracket120extends through panels portions of the hood104. Optionally, the cross bar linking bracket120may be offset behind rear portions of the hood104.

The cross bar linking bracket120may be a cylindrical tube, rod, or the like. In at least one embodiment, the cross bar linking bracket120is or otherwise includes a hollow or solid tube, for example. The cross bar linking bracket120may be a single linear tube. It has been found that a cylindrical tube shape resists twisting or torqueing forces200and202exerted into the brackets108and110from various, if not all, directions.

Alternatively, the cross bar linking bracket120may have various other shapes and sizes. For example, the cross bar linking bracket120may include a square axial cross-section. Also, the cross bar linking bracket120may be other than linear. For example, the cross bar linking bracket120may have an arcuate shape, one or more bends, and/or the like. Further, the cross bar linking bracket120may be assembled from a plurality of separate and distinct segments.

FIG. 2illustrates a perspective top view of the bracket stabilization system100secured to the tractor102. The cross bar linking bracket120resists forces A, B, and C (and forces opposite therefrom) that are urged into the brackets108and110during operation of a utility component (such as a front loader). For example, as the utility component moves in forward and reverse directions D and E, the forces A, B, C, and/or opposite forces therefrom, are exerted into the brackets108and110.

The cross bar linking bracket120securely couples (for example, ties) the brackets108and110together, and absorbs the forces A, B, and C, so that the brackets108and110remain securely coupled together in a stable position. Further, the cross bar linking bracket120minimizes or otherwise reduces translation of the forces A, B, and C into the hood104and the frame106. In this manner, the cross bar linking bracket120eliminates, minimizes, or otherwise mitigates any potential damage to the brackets108,110, the hood104, and the frame106from various forces exerted into the brackets108and110during operation of a utility component, such as a front loader.

FIGS. 3, 4, and 5illustrate lateral, rear, and top views, respectively, of the bracket stabilization system100secured to the tractor102. As shown inFIGS. 3-5, the cross bar linking bracket120may be positioned below the top surface122of the hood104, and behind lateral walls124of the hood104. Accordingly, separate passages need not be formed through the hood104to allow passage of the cross bar linking bracket120. Further, the cross bar linking bracket120is secured above the frame106. That is, the cross bar linking bracket120does not directly connect to the frame106. As such, the cross bar linking bracket120need not be directly connected to either the hood104or the frame106. In this manner, the structural integrity of the hood104and the frame106is maintained. Optionally, the cross bar linking bracket120may extend through channels formed through the lateral walls124of the hood104.

As shown, the lower ends113and115of the brackets108and110are securely mounted to the frame106, while the cross bar linking bracket120connects to the main bodies117and119of the brackets108and110proximate to the couplings109and111. As such, the cross bar linking bracket120ties the brackets108and110together at a height substantially above the lower ends113and115. Therefore, the brackets108and110are securely stabilized at four separate points, namely at the two lower ends113and115and the frame106, and at the reciprocal portions128and130. The distances between the separated points of stabilization provide a secure and stable connection between the brackets108,110and the frame106.

The cross bar linking bracket120ensures that the brackets108and110remain securely coupled together In at least one embodiment, the cross bar linking bracket120maintains the brackets108and110together in a fixed orientation. The cross bar linking bracket120braces and absorbs twisting forces exerted into the brackets108and110.

FIG. 6illustrates a front loader300having a bucket302coupled to the brackets108and110through arms304and306, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Forces400,402,406,408,410,412,414,416, and418(forces opposite therefrom, and/or additional forces not shown) exerted into the front loader300are absorbed by the cross bar linking bracket120, which ensures that the brackets108and110remain securely coupled together. The cross bar linking bracket120absorbs the forces exerted into the brackets108and110, which prevents, minimizes, or otherwise reduces the possibility of the brackets108and110from moving inwardly or away from one another, and/or from the forces translating into the hood104and/or the frame106.

FIG. 7illustrates a flow chart of a method of stabilizing brackets of a tractor, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method begins at500, at which lower ends of first and second lateral brackets are secured to a frame of a tractor. At502, a first end of a cross bar linking bracket is secured to the first lateral bracket proximate to a first coupling of the first lateral bracket. At504, a second end of the cross bar linking bracket is secured to the second lateral bracket proximate to a second coupling of the second lateral bracket. At506, the first and second lateral brackets are tied together with the cross bar linking bracket to stabilize the first and second lateral brackets.

As described herein, embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for stabilizing brackets of a tractor. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods that eliminate, minimize, or otherwise mitigate potential damage caused to brackets of a tractor, or the tractor itself, from forces generated during operation of a utility component, such as a front loader.