Modular combine traction axle
A modular axle assembly for supporting wheels of an agricultural vehicle, such as a combine harvester. The modular axle assembly includes a first tube, a second tube parallel to the first tube, and at least one bracket connecting the first tube and the second tube.
1. A combine harvester comprising:
a front axle assembly including a first tube, a second tube parallel to the first tube, and at least one bracket connecting the first tube and the second tube;
at least two wheels connected to the front axle assembly;
a cleaning system comprising:
a cleaning shoe; and
a fan mounted to the front axle assembly and positioned at least partially between the first tube and the second tube, the fan being configured for delivering air into the cleaning shoe; and
a transmission mounted to the at least one bracket for powering the at least two wheels, the transmission being positioned at least partially between the tubes.
2. The combine harvester of claim 1 further comprising a first wheel support member mounted to first ends of the first tube and the second tube, and a second wheel support member mounted to second ends of the first tube and the second tube.
3. The combine harvester of claim 2 , wherein the fan has an outer periphery having a point that is disposed between longitudinal axes of the first and second tubes.
4. The combine harvester of claim 2 further comprising one of a planetary final drive and a bull gear final drive mounted to each wheel support member.
5. The combine harvester of claim 4 , wherein said one of the planetary final drive and the bull gear final drive mounted to each wheel support member is configured to be connected to a respective one of the at least two wheels.
6. The combine harvester of claim 2 , wherein each end of the first tube and the second tube includes a flange, and each flange is mounted to one of the wheel support members.
7. The combine harvester of claim 1 further comprising mounts connected to the first tube that are configured to be connected to a feeder of the combine harvester.
8. The combine harvester of claim 1 further comprising two additional brackets connecting the first tube and the second tube, said at least one bracket positioned between the additional brackets along a length dimension of the first tube and the second tube.
9. The combine harvester of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning system further comprises a second fan configured to direct air into the cleaning shoe, wherein the fan mounted to the front axle assembly is configured for directing air into the cleaning shoe upstream of the second fan.
10. A combine harvester comprising:
a front axle assembly including a first tube, a second tube parallel to the first tube, and at least one bracket connecting the first tube and the second tube;
at least two wheels connected to the front axle assembly;
a cleaning system comprising:
a cleaning shoe; and
a fan mounted to the front axle assembly and positioned at least partially between the first tube and the second tube, the fan being configured for delivering air into the cleaning shoe; and
a first wheel support member mounted to first ends of the first tube and the second tube, and a second wheel support member mounted to second ends of the first tube and the second tube.
11. The combine harvester of claim 10 , further comprising a transmission mounted to the at least one bracket for powering the at least two wheels, the transmission being positioned at least partially between the tubes.
12. The combine harvester of claim 10 , wherein the fan has an outer periphery having a point that is disposed between longitudinal axes of the first and second tubes.
13. The combine harvester of claim 10 further comprising one of a planetary final drive and a bull gear final drive mounted to each wheel support member.
14. The combine harvester of claim 13 , wherein said one of the planetary final drive and the bull gear final drive mounted to each wheel support member is configured to be connected to a respective one of the at least two wheels.
15. The combine harvester of claim 10 , wherein each end of the first tube and the second tube includes a flange, and each flange is mounted to one of the wheel support members.
16. A combine harvester comprising:
a front axle assembly including a first tube, a second tube parallel to the first tube, and at least one bracket connecting the first tube and the second tube;
at least two wheels connected to the front axle assembly;
a cleaning system comprising:
a cleaning shoe; and
a fan mounted to the front axle assembly and positioned at least partially between the first tube and the second tube, the fan being configured for delivering air into the cleaning shoe; and
two additional brackets connecting the first tube and the second tube, said at least one bracket positioned between the additional brackets along a length dimension of the first tube and the second tube.
17. The combine harvester of claim 16 further comprising a transmission mounted to the at least one bracket for powering the at least two wheels, the transmission being positioned at least partially between the tubes.
18. The combine harvester of claim 16 further comprising a first wheel support member mounted to first ends of the first tube and the second tube, and a second wheel support member mounted to second ends of the first tube and the second tube.
19. The combine harvester of claim 18 , wherein the fan has an outer periphery having a point that is disposed between longitudinal axes of the first and second tubes.
20. The combine harvester of claim 18 further comprising one of a planetary final drive and a bull gear final drive mounted to each wheel support member.