Telescoping axle for an agricultural applicator

1. A telescoping axle arrangement for an agricultural applicator having a frame supported above a ground surface by a ground engaging wheel operatively connected to the frame by the telescoping axle arrangement, the telescoping axle arrangement having:

first and second slidingly engaging axle elements adapted for operative connection between the frame and the wheel, for sliding extension and retraction along a longitudinal axis of the axle, the first axle element having a tubular portion and the second axle element having a longitudinally extending closed-end retention track therein;

a threaded boss projecting from an outer surface of the first axle element; and

an axle retention element adapted for operative connection between the first and second axle elements for limiting maximum extension of the telescoping axle arrangement; wherein:

the axle retention element is fixedly attachable to the threaded boss and protrudes from an inner surface of the first axle element into operative engagement with the closed-ended retention track in the second axle element in such a manner that the axle retention element contacts the closed end of the retention track at a maximum permissible extension of the telescoping axle arrangement to thereby preclude farther sliding extension of the second axle element with respect to the first axle element;

the second ax element is configured for sliding engagement within the tubular portion of the first axle element; and

the closed end of the retention track is disposed within a tubular portion of the first axle element when the retention element is in contact with the closed end of the retention track.

2. The telescoping axle arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the closed end retention track is a groove in the second axle element.

3. The telescoping axle arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the axle retention element is selected from a group of retention elements consisting of: a pin configured for insertion through and fixed attachment to the threaded boss; and a bolt configured for threaded engagement through and fixed attachment to the threaded boss.

4. A telescoping axle arrangement for an agricultural applicator having a frame supported above a ground surface by a ground engaging wheel operatively connected to the frame by the telescoping axle arrangement, the telescoping axle arrangement having:

first and second slidingly engaging axle elements adapted for operative connection between the frame and the wheel, for sliding extension and retraction along a longitudinal axis of the axle, with the second axle element having a longitudinally extending closed-end track therein;

a threaded boss projecting from an outer surface of the first axle element; and

an axle retention element adapted for operative connection between the first and second axle elements for limiting maximum extension of the telescoping axle arrangement; wherein:

the axle retention element is fixedly attachable to the threaded boss and protruding from an inner surface of the first axle element into operative engagement with the closed-ended retention track in the second axle element in such a manner that the axle retention element contacts the closed end of the retention track at a maximum permissible extension of the telescoping axle arrangement to thereby preclude further sliding extension of the second axle element with respect to the first axle element;

the frame of the applicator defines a fore-aft axis of the applicator, and a transverse axis extending generally transverse to the fore-aft axis and substantially horizontal to the ground surface, and the first axle element is adapted for fixed attachment to the frame with the longitudinal axis of the telescoping axle arrangement extending generally along the transverse axis of the frame;

the first axle element has a tubular portion and the second axle element is configured for sliding engagement within the tubular portion of the first axle element; and

the closed end of the retention track is disposed within the tubular portion of the first axle element when the retention element is in contact with the closed end of the retention track.

5. A telescoping axle arrangement for an agricultural applicator having a frame supported above a ground surface by a ground engaging wheel operatively connected to the frame by the telescoping axle arrangement, the telescoping axle arrangement having;

first and second slidingly engaging axle elements adapted for operative connection between the frame and the wheel, for sliding extension and retraction along a longitudinal axis of the axle, with the second axle element having a longitudinally extending closed-end track therein;

a threaded boss projecting from an outer surface of the first axle element; and

an axle retention element adapted for operative connection between the first and second axle elements for limiting maximum extension of the telescoping axle arrangement; wherein:

the axle retention element is fixedly attachable to the threaded boss and protruding from an inner surface of the first axle element into operative engagement with the closed-ended retention track in the second axle element in such a manner that the axle retention element contacts the closed end of the retention track at a maximum permissible extension of the telescoping axle arrangement to thereby preclude further sliding extension of the second axle element with respect to the first axle element;

the closed end retention track is a groove in the second axle element; and

the second axle element is a solid structure terminating at a distal end thereof in a mounting pad for attaching an independent suspension element operatively connecting the wheel to the mounting pad.

6. A frame for an agricultural applicator having a telescoping axle arrangement for adjusting a track width of the applicator, wherein:

the frame is configured to be supported above a ground surface by a ground engaging wheel operatively connected to the frame by the telescoping axle arrangement; and

the telescoping axle arrangement includes first and second axle elements and an axle retention element, the first axle element having a tubular portion and including a threaded boss projecting from an outer surface of the first axle element;

wherein:

the first and second slidingly engaging axle elements being adapted for operative connection between the frame and the wheel, for sliding extension and retraction along a longitudinal axis of the axle, with the second axle element having a longitudinally extending closed-end track therein;

the second axle element is configured for sliding engagement within the tubular portion of the first axle element;

the axle retention element being adapted for operative connection between the first and second axle elements for limiting maximum extension of the telescoping axle arrangement;

the axle retention element being fixedly attachable to the threaded bore and protruding from an inner surface of the first axle element into operative engagement with the closed-ended retention track in the second axle element in such a manner that the axle retention element contacts the closed end of the retention track at a maximum permissible extension of the telescoping axle arrangement to thereby preclude further sliding extension of the second axle element with respect to the first axle element; and

the closed end of the track is disposed within the tubular portion of the first axle element when the axle retention element is in contact with the closed end of the track.

7. The frame of claim 6 , wherein the closed end retention track is a groove in the second axle element.

8. The frame of claim 6 wherein the axle retention element is selected from a group of retention elements consisting of: a pin configured for insertion through and fixed attachment to the threaded boss; and a bolt configured for threaded engagement through and fixed attachment to the threaded boss.

9. A frame for an agricultural applicator having a telescoping axle arrangement for adjusting a track width of the applicator, wherein:

the frame is configured to be supported above a ground surface by a ground engaging wheel operatively connected to the frame by the telescoping axle arrangement;

the telescoping axle arrangement includes first and second axle elements and an axle retention element, the first axle element including a threaded boss projecting from an outer surface of the first axle element;

the first and second slidingly engaging axle elements being adapted for operative connection between the frame and the wheel, for sliding extension and retraction along a longitudinal axis of the axle, with the second axle element having a longitudinally extending closed-end track therein; and

the axle retention element being adapted for operative connection between the first and second axle elements for limiting maximum extension of the telescoping axle arrangement;

the axle retention element being fixedly attachable to the threaded bore and protruding from an inner surface of the first axle element into operative engagement with the closed-ended retention track in the second axle element in such a manner that the axle retention element contacts the closed end of the retention track at a maximum permissible extension of the telescoping axle arrangement to thereby preclude further sliding extension of the second axle element with respect to the first axle element;

the frame of the applicator defines a fore-aft axis of the applicator, and a transverse axis extending generally transverse to the fore-aft axis and substantially horizontal to the ground surface, and the first axle element is adapted for fixed attachment to the frame with the longitudinal axis of the telescoping axle arrangement extending generally along the transverse axis of the frame;

the first axle element has a tubular portion and the second axle element is configured for sliding engagement within the tubular portion of the first axle element; and

the closed end of the retention track is disposed within the tubular portion of the first axle element when the retention element is in contact with the closed end of the retention track.

10. A frame for an agricultural applicator having a telescoping axle arrangement for adjusting a track width of the applicator, wherein:

the frame is configured to be supported above a ground surface by a ground engaging wheel operatively connected to the frame by the telescoping axle arrangement; and

the telescoping axle arrangement includes first and second axle elements and an axle retention element, the first axle element including a threaded boss projecting from an outer surface of the first axle element;

the first and second slidingly engaging axle elements being adapted for operative connection between the frame and the wheel, for sliding extension and retraction along a longitudinal axis of the axle, with the second axle element having a longitudinally extending closed-end track therein; and

the axle retention element being adapted for operative connection between the first and second axle elements for limiting maximum extension of the telescoping axle arrangement;

the axle retention element being fixedly attachable to the threaded bore and protruding from an inner surface of the first axle element into operative engagement with the closed-ended retention track in the second axle element in such a manner that the axle retention element contacts the closed end of the retention track at a maximum permissible extension of the telescoping axle arrangement to thereby preclude further sliding extension of the second axle element with respect to the first axle element;

the frame of the applicator defines a fore-aft axis of the applicator, and a transverse axis extending generally transverse to the fore-aft axis and substantially horizontal to the ground surface, and the first axle element is adapted for fixed attachment to the frame with the longitudinal axis of the telescoping axle arrangement extending generally along the transverse axis of the frame;

the closed end retention track is a groove in the second axle element; and

the second axle element is a substantially solid structure terminating at a distal end thereof in a mounting pad for attaching an independent suspension element operatively connecting the wheel to the mounting pad.

11. An agricultural applicator including a frame having a telescoping axle arrangement for adjusting a track width of the applicator, wherein:

the frame is configured to be supported above a ground surface by a ground engaging wheel operatively connected to the frame by the telescoping axle arrangement; and

the telescoping axle arrangement includes first and second axle elements and an axle retention element, the first axle element including a threaded boss projecting from an outer surface of the first axle element;

the first and second slidingly engaging axle elements being adapted for operative connection between the frame and the wheel, for sliding extension and retraction along a longitudinal axis of the axle, with the second axle element having a longitudinally extending closed-end track therein;

the axle retention element being adapted for operative connection between the first and second axle elements for limiting maximum extension of the telescoping axle arrangement;

the axle retention element being fixedly attachable to the threaded bore and protruding from an inner surface of the first axle element into operative engagement with the closed-ended retention track in the second axle element in such a manner that the axle retention element contacts the closed end of the retention track at a maximum permissible extension of the telescoping axle arrangement to thereby preclude further sliding extension of the second axle element with respect to the first axle element;

the first axle element has a tubular portion and the second axle element is configured for sliding engagement within the tubular portion of the first axle element; and

the closed end of the retention track is disposed within the tubular portion of the first axle element when the retention element is in contact with the closed end of the retention track.

12. The agricultural applicator of claim 11 , wherein the axle retention element is selected from a group of retention elements consisting of: a pin configured for insertion through and fixed attachment to the threaded boss; and a bolt configured for threaded engagement through and fixed attachment to the threaded boss.

13. An agricultural applicator including a frame having a telescoping axle arrangement for adjusting a track width of the applicator, wherein:

the frame is configured to be supported above a ground surface by a ground engaging wheel operatively connected to the frame by the telescoping axle arrangement; and

the telescoping axle arrangement includes first and second axle elements and an axle retention element, the first axle element including a threaded boss projecting from an outer surface of the first axle element;

the first and second slidingly engaging axle elements being adapted for operative connection between the frame and the wheel, for sliding extension and retraction along a longitudinal axis of the axle, with the second axle element having a longitudinally extending closed-end track therein; and

the axle retention element being adapted for operative connection between the first and second axle elements for limiting maximum extension of the telescoping axle arrangement;

the axle retention element being fixedly attachable to the threaded bore and protruding from an inner surface of the first axle element into operative engagement with the closed-ended retention track in the second axle element in such a manner that the axle retention element contacts the closed end of the retention track at a maximum permissible extension of the telescoping axle arrangement to thereby preclude further sliding extension of the second axle element with respect to the first axle element;

the frame of the applicator defines a fore-aft axis of the applicator, and a transverse axis extending generally transverse to the fore-aft axis and substantially horizontal to the ground surface, and the first axle element is adapted for fixed attachment to the frame with the longitudinal axis of the telescoping axle arrangement extending generally along the transverse axis of the frame;

the first axle element has a tubular portion and the second axle element is configured for sliding engagement within the tubular portion of the first axle element; and

the closed end of the retention track is disposed within the tubular portion of the first axle element when the retention element is in contact with the closed end of the retention track.

14. The agricultural applicator of claim 13 , further including a track-width adjusting element operatively connected between the first and second axle elements for selectively extending and retracting the telescoping axle for adjusting the track-width of the applicator.

15. The agricultural applicator of claim 14 , wherein:

the second axle element is a substantially solid structure terminating at a distal end thereof in a mounting pad for attaching an independent suspension element operatively connecting the wheel to the mounting pad; and

the closed end retention track is a groove in the second axle element.