TITLE OF THE INVENTION : FRONT AXLE FOR AGRICULTURAL VEHICLES FILED OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a front axle for agricultural vehicles. Particularly, the present invention relates to a front axle for agricultural vehicles, which is suitable for both agricultural as well as industrial applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, front axles used for agricultural vehicles have a low load carrying capacity, thus they are not suitable for industrial applications. Hence, it is necessary to change the front axle before said agricultural vehicles can be used for industrial purposes.

There is therefore a need in the art for a front axle for agricultural vehicles which is suitable for both agricultural as well as industrial applications.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
An objective of the present invention is to provide a front axle for agricultural vehicles which is suitable for both agricultural as well as industrial applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and achieve the above mentioned objective, a front axle for agricultural vehicles which is suitable for both agricultural as well as industrial applications is disclosed. The front axle comprises a centre beam, a steering cylinder assembly, a plurality of tie rods, a plurality of steering arms, a plurality of hub assemblies, a plurality of spindle shafts and a pivot pin. The centre beam comprises a plurality of stopper plates that facilitate the placing of a chassis of an agricultural vehicle on the front axle.

The plurality of hub assemblies are associated with the plurality of spindle shafts via a plurality of thrust bearings, said plurality of spindle shafts being associated with the centre beam. The steering cylinder assembly comprises at least one cylinder, and is associated with the plurality of spindle shafts via the plurality of tie rods and the plurality of steering arms, and controls the steering operation of the plurality of hub assemblies. The load carrying capacity of the front axle is 5 tonnes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of the front axle.
Figure 2 depicts another view of the embodiment of the front axle.
Figure 3 depicts the cross-sectional view of the centre beam of the embodiment of the front
axle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Throughout this specification, the use of the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising" may imply the inclusion of an element or elements not specifically recited.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, an embodiment of the front axle for agricultural vehicles which is suitable for both agricultural as well as industrial applications (100) comprises a centre beam (101), a steering cylinder assembly (102), a plurality of tie rods (103a, 103b), a plurality of steering arms (104a, 104b), a plurality of hub assemblies (105a, 105b), a plurality of spindle shafts (108a, 108b), and a pivot pin (107). The pivot pin (107) connects and supports the front axle (100) with a front engine support (not shown) provide articulation. Further, the pivot pin (107) acts as a load carrying member.

The plurality of hub assemblies (105a, 105b) are associated with the plurality of spindle shafts (108a, 108b) via a plurality of thrust bearings (not shown), said plurality of spindle shafts (108a, 108b) being associated with the centre beam (101). Preferably, the each of the plurality of thrust bearings is configured to withstand a static load of 75450 N and dynamic load of 29530 N. The preferred diameter of each of the plurality of spindle shafts (108a, 108b) is 45mm to withstand heavy load. The steering cylinder assembly (102) comprises at least one cylinder, and is associated with the plurality of spindle shafts (108a, 108b) via the plurality of tie rods (103a, 103b) and the plurality of steering arms (104a, 104b), and controls the steering operation of the plurality of hub assemblies (105a, 105b). Preferably, minimum push and pull load withstanding capacity of each of the plurality of tie rods (130a, 103b) is at least 46KN. The at least one cylinder is a single acting cylinder (hydraulic or pneumatic) or a double acting cylinder (hydraulic or pneumatic). Preferably, the maximum push and pull load capacity of the at least one cylinder is 26.4 KN. A plurality of stopper plates (106a, 106b) associated with the centre beam (101) facilitate the placing of a chassis of an agricultural vehicle on the front axle (100) and control the front suspension of the vehicle.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the centre beam (101) comprises a "C" section (109) and a back plate (110). The preferred dimensions of the "C" section (109) are 150mm (height) x 100mm (width) x 8mm (thickness). The "C" section is permanently welded with a back plate (110) (preferably 10 mm) to form the centre beam (101). Preferably, the centre beam (101) is configured to withstand 10 tonnes of load.

The load carrying capacity of the front axle (100) is 5 tonnes.

PART LIST
100 -Front Axle
101 -Centre Beam
102 - Steering Cylinder Assembly
103a, 103b -Tie Rod
104a, 104b -Steering Arm
105a, 105b -Hub Assembly
106a, 106b - Stopper Plate
107 -Pivot Pin
108a, 108b - Spindle Shaft
109 -"C" Section
110 -Back Plate

We Claim:

1. A front axle (100) for agricultural vehicles which is suitable for both agricultural as well
as industrial applications, having a load carrying capacity of 5 tonnes, comprising;
a centre beam (101) comprising a plurality of stopper plates (106a, 106b) and a "C" section (109), wherein the "C" section (109) is permanently welded with a back plate (110), a steering cylinder assembly (102) comprising at least one cylinder, a plurality of tie rods (103a,103b), a plurality of steering arms (104a, 104b), a plurality of hub assemblies (105a, 105b), a plurality of spindle shafts (108a, 108b), and a pivot pin (107), wherein:
the plurality of hub assemblies (105a, 105b) are associated with the plurality of spindle shafts (108a, 108b) via a plurality of thrust bearings (not shown), said plurality of spindle shafts (108a, 108b) being associated with the centre beam (101);
the steering cylinder assembly (102) is associated with the plurality of spindle shafts (108a, 108b) via the plurality of tie rods (103a, 103b) and the plurality of steering arms (104a, 104b), and controls the steering operation of the plurality of hub assemblies (105a, 105b); and
the plurality of stopper plates (106a, 106b) facilitate the placing of said vehicles' chasses on the front axle (100) and control the front suspension of the vehicle.

2. The front axle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dimensions of the "C" section (109) are 150mm x 100mm x 8 mm.

3. The front axle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the "C" section is permanently welded with a 10mm back plate (110).

4. The front axle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diameter of each of the plurality of spindle shafts (108a, 108b) is 45mm.

5. The front axle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the static and dynamic load withstanding capacity of each thrust bearing is 75450 N and 29530 N respectively.

6. The front axle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the minimum push and pull load withstanding capacity of each of the plurality of tie rods (130a, 103b) is at least 46KN.

7. The front axle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one cylinder is a single acting cylinder (hydraulic or pneumatic) or a double acting cylinder (hydraulic or pneumatic).

8. The front axle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the maximum push and pull load capacity of the at least one cylinder is 26.4 KN.