Patent GB-1194880-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to tractor power lifts
IPC: A01B63/111
Filed: 1967-10-30
Abstract: 1,194,880. Tractor power lifts. MASSEYFERGUSON Inc. 30 Oct., 1967 [1 Nov., 1966], No. 49176/67. Heading A1F. In a tractor hitch mechanism, the hydraulic means for controlling the delivery and exhaust of fluid to the actuator is characterized in that it includes a secondary control circuit wherein a pressure responsive servo element is movable to actuate a valve between the supply, discharge and neutral conditions of a primary circuit connected to the actuator. Hydraulic Circuit The primary circuit (flow lines 34, 63, 72, 37) is supplied with high pressure fluid by a continuously operating main pump 24 whose pistons 32 reciprocate in bore 33. To raise hitch arm 14, the pump 24 takes fluid via intake valve 38 and delivers it to the actuator 19 via exhaust valve 35. The secondary control circuit (flow lines 44, 41, 53, 58) is supplied with low pressure fluid from a continuously operating pump 25 which takes fluid from the reservoir via pipe 45. A priority valve 43 maintains a minimum pressure in the line 44 for operating control elements such as clutch, brakes etc. An auxiliary pump 135 provides either continuous circulation of fluid through cooler 145 or the operation of auxiliary double acting cylinder 140 depending on the position of handle 139. Operation The operation of relay 26 is dependent on the position of ball 56 in the pilot valve 27. The neutral position of the relay, i.e. in the Figure, is effected when the force, governed by pressure in line 41, acting on charging valve 76 and discharge valve 77 balances the force, governed by pressure in line 53, acting on the servo element 75. The difference in area between these elements is compensated by a difference in pressure across restriction 51. The response of the pressure in 53 to movements of ball 56 is determined by restriction 55 which may be variable. In the neutral position pump 25 causes a flow through pilot valve 27 to the reservoir such that balancing forces in the relay 26 are achieved. Under these conditions ports 79 and 40 are disconnected from the fluid supply at port 42 by charging valve 76 so that no fluid is available to be pumped into the actuator. Conversely port 62 is disconnected from the groove 78 so that no fluid escapes to the line 72 and causes piston 67 to uncover exhaust port 68 in flow control valve 65. A snap ring 77a limits the travel to the right, of discharge valve 77 relative to relay 26 and snap ring 80 limits the travel to the left, of charging valve 76 relative to the discharge valve 77. The raising of ball 56 reduces the pressure in 53 allowing ports 79 and 40 to communicate with port 42. Pump 24 then receives fluid from the control circuit which it delivers to the actuator. Lowering of the ball 56 increases the pressure in 53 and causes the groove 78 to connect annular port 62 with port 73 and so allows fluid into the control valve 65 whose piston 67 uncovers the exhaust 68. Fluid in the actuator can then drain to the reservoir via line 68. The volume of flow is determined by the extent of opening established at the annulus 62 and the speed of lowering is thus substantially independent of the force imposed on the actuator. The ball 56 is directly controlled by rod 60 which has a transverse bar 86 rigidly attached at its top end. Position, pressure and draft control are effected by transmission of forces to rod 60. Draft Control Changes of draft force on link 10 are transmitted by a sensing mechanism 128 that causes rotation of cam 106. A roller 105 at the pivotal connection between links 104 and draft lever 99 urged against bar 86 by spring 100, is engaged by cam 106 such that rotation of the cam anticlockwise rotates draft lever 99 anticlockwise about fulcrum roller 117 so allowing rod 60 to lift by virtue of spring 85. Similarly rotation of cam 106 clockwise lowers rod 60. The position of fulcrum roller 117 is adjustable by lever 119 rigidly connected to rod 118 that rotates in shaft 132. This enables the degree of draft to be manually selected between D and E. Position Control Cam 116 rigidly mounted on shaft 16 responds to changes in position of hitch 14 and transmits them to lever 101 via roller 114, cam 113 and roller 130. The raising of hitch 14 causes clockwise rotation of cam 116, cam 113 and lever 101 which rotates about fulcrum roller 131. Similarly lowering of hitch 14 causes anticlockwise rotation of lever 101 about fulcrum roller 131. Position A-B defines the range of position control in that rotation of shaft 132 alters the position of fulcrum roller 131. Between these limits, pin 134 attached on the arm of shaft 132, is out of contact with rod 93. Pressure Control Position B-C of lever 133 defines the pressure control range in which pin 134 is in contact with rod 93. Pivotally mounted on rod 60 is a beam 87 engaged at one end by a pressure control rod 88 that is slidably mounted in housing 90 with pressure chamber 91 and at the other end by rod 93 slidable in fixed suport 92 and having a collar 95 on its lower end. The beam 87 is slidable on rod 93 but kept in contact with collar 95 by spring 96 which engages collar 97 fixed on rod 93. Pressure in chamber 91 displaces rod 88 by an amount depending on the position of pin 134. This displacement is also transferred to rod 60 except in cases of sudden surges of pressure. The latter causes rotation of beam 87 about its pivot on rod 60, against spring 96.