Loader Bucket Vertical Positioning for Tractor Shipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The shipping of compact utility tractors with front end loader attachments is inefficient due to increased length, reducing shipping density and increasing costs, as existing methods either provide minimal length reduction or are cost-prohibitive, such as adding linkages or stacking heavy buckets.
Innovation Solution
Attaching the loader bucket to a compact utility tractor in a non-operational position between the front and rear wheels using a bracket and brace, raising it vertically or at an incline for shipping, which reduces the overall length by 15-20% without obstructing the operator's view or tractor stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the loader bucket is positioned under the rear tires of the preceding tractor during shipping, then the overall length of each tractor/loader is reduced by about 10 inches, but this provides only a small increase in shipping density and a small decrease in shipping cost
Solution Approach 1:
The loader bucket is repositioned from a horizontal arrangement (under the rear tires) to a vertical arrangement (between front and rear wheels), utilizing the vertical dimension to reduce the horizontal length occupied by each tractor/loader unit, thereby increasing shipping density without requiring complex linkages or labor-intensive handling
2Length of moving object
If the bucket is rolled back to a transport position, then the overall length of tractor/loader is reduced, but this requires adding linkages to the loader attachment which may be cost prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The bucket is extracted from the conventional horizontal transport position and repositioned vertically between the wheels using a simple bracket and brace structure, eliminating the need for complex rollback linkages while achieving similar length reduction benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The bucket position is changed from horizontal to vertical orientation, fundamentally altering the spatial parameter of the loader attachment to achieve compact shipping configuration without modifying the loader's operational mechanics or adding complex linkages
3Productivity
If the loader buckets are removed and stacked together, then shipping density is maximized, but this is time and labor intensive due to the weight and size of the buckets
Solution Approach 1:
The buckets are pre-positioned in a vertical configuration between the wheels during assembly, so that during shipping they naturally occupy minimal space without requiring manual removal, stacking, or special handling, thereby maximizing shipping density while eliminating labor-intensive operations
4Ease of operation
If the loader attachment is kept installed on the tractor during shipping, then the tractor is ready for immediate use upon arrival, but the loader attachment increases the overall length and reduces shipping density
Solution Approach 1:
The loader bucket is repositioned from a horizontal arrangement that extends the length to a vertical arrangement between the wheels, maintaining the attachment's operational readiness while minimizing its impact on the overall length and maximizing shipping density
Data Source
AI summary
A loader bucket is attached for tractor shipping in a non-operational position between the front and rear wheels of the tractor. The loader bucket may be attached to the mast using a bracket between a first surface of the loader bucket and the mast, and a brace between a second surface of the loader bucket and the bracket, to resist pivotal movement of the loader bucket.