Drive unit enclosure assembly
An enclosure assembly configured to enhance accessibility to a drive unit of a vehicular agricultural applicator is provided. The enclosure assembly generally includes a housing, and a hinged panel pivotal about an axis defined by a hinge assembly between an open and a closed position with respect to the housing. The axis is generally aligned in a fore and aft direction. The enclosure assembly further includes an arm pivotally coupled at the hinged panel and movable between a stowed position and an extended position. In the folded position, the arm is retained in a slot at the hinged panel. In the extended position, the arm is in general vertical alignment engaged at the housing so as to hold the hinged panel in the open position.
1. An enclosure assembly for a drive unit of an agricultural applicator, the agricultural applicator having a frame assembly supporting the drive unit on a plurality of wheel assemblies in a forward direction of travel, the drive unit including an exhaust outlet extending upward from the drive unit, the enclosure assembly comprising:
a housing having a forward fixed portion, a rearward fixed portion, an uppermost fixed portion and a pair of fixed sidewalls extending generally upwardly in a vertical direction to the uppermost fixed portion; said uppermost fixed portion of said housing includes a first cutout position configured to receive said exhaust outlet;
a hinged panel pivotal about an axis defined by a hinge assembly between an open and a closed position with respect to the housing, the axis generally aligned in a fore and aft direction; and
an arm pivotally coupled at the hinged panel and movable between a stored position and an extended position, the arm in the stored position is retained in a slot at the hinged panel and the arm in the extended positioned in general vertical alignment engaged at the housing so as to hold the hinged panel in the open position.
2. The enclosure assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein an uppermost surface of the hinged panel in the closed position is in generally flush alignment with a surface of an uppermost wall of the housing.
3. The enclosure assembly as recited in claim 2 , further comprising:
a latch mechanism attached at the housing and configured to detachably retain the hinged panel in the closed position.
4. The enclosure assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the hinged panel includes first linear portion and a second linear portion and a curvilinear portion extending therebetween, wherein in the closed position, the first linear portion is in general linear alignment with an uppermost wall of the housing and the second portion is in general linear alignment with a sidewall of the housing, wherein the sidewall of the housing is generally vertically aligned.
5. The enclosure assembly as recited claim 4 , wherein the arm includes a first end pivotally coupled at the second portion of the hinged panel.
6. The enclosure assembly as recited in claim 4 , further comprising a rib member attached at and extending between the first and second linear portions of the hinged panel.
7. The enclosure assembly as recited in claim 6 , wherein the rib member is generally vertically aligned in perpendicular alignment with the first and second linear portions of the hinged panel.
8. The enclosure assembly as recited in claim 6 , wherein the rib member includes the slot.
9. The enclosure assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the slot is generally elongated and curvilinear shaped such that an enclosed end of the slot is located between an open end of the slot and a radially most outward portion of the slot relative to a central longitudinal axis of the enclosure.
10. A agricultural applicator comprising:
a wheeled frame assembly supported on a plurality of wheel assemblies;
a cab positioned on the said wheeled frame assembly;
at least one bulk storage tank mounted on the wheeled frame assembly behind said cab;
a drive unit positioned rearward from said at least one bulk storage tank and mounted on the wheeled frame assembly, the drive unit configured to drive the agricultural applicator on the plurality of wheel assemblies in a forward direction of travel, the drive unit including an exhaust outlet extending upward from the drive unit;
a raised walkway extending from said cab towards said drive unit; and
an enclosure assembly for the drive unit, the enclosure assembly comprising:
a housing having a forward fixed position, a rearward fixed portion, an uppermost fixed portion and a pair of fixed sidewalls extending generally upwardly in a vertical direction to the uppermost fixed portion; said uppermost fixed portion of said housing includes a first cutout position configured to receive said exhaust outlet;
a hinged panel pivotal about an axis defined by a hinge assembly between an open and a closed position with respect to the housing, the axis generally aligned in a fore and aft direction; and
an arm pivotally coupled at the hinged panel and movable between a stored position and an extended position, the arm in the stored position is retained in a slot at the hinged panel and the arm in the extended positioned in general vertical alignment engaged at the housing so as to hold the hinged panel in the open position.
11. The vehicle as recited in claim 10 , wherein an uppermost surface of the hinged panel in the closed position is in generally flush alignment with a surface of an uppermost wall of the housing.
12. The vehicle as recited in claim 11 , further comprising:
a latch mechanism attached at the housing and configured to detachably retain the hinged panel in the closed position.
13. The vehicle as recited in claim 10 , wherein the hinged panel includes first linear portion and a second linear portion and a curvilinear portion extending therebetween, wherein in the closed position, the first linear portion is in general linear alignment with an uppermost wall of the housing and the second portion is in general linear alignment with a sidewall of the housing, wherein the sidewall of the housing is generally vertically aligned.
14. The vehicle as recited claim 13 , wherein the arm includes a first end pivotally coupled at the second portion of the hinged panel.
15. The vehicle as recited in claim 13 , further comprising a rib attached at and extending between the first and second linear portions of the hinged panel.
16. The vehicle as recited in claim 15 , wherein the rib is generally vertically aligned in perpendicular alignment with the first and second linear portions of the hinged panel.
17. The vehicle as recited in claim 15 , wherein the rib includes the slot.
18. The vehicle as recited in claim 10 , wherein the slot is generally elongated and spiral shaped such that an enclosed end of the slot is located between an open end of the slot and a radially most outward portion of the slot relative to a central longitudinal axis of the enclosure.
19. The vehicle as recited in claim 10 , wherein the hinged panel includes a first lip portion extending inwardly of the enclosure assembly in general parallel alignment with a second lip portion of the housing.