The present disclosure relates to a ripper assembly of a machine. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a retrieval arrangement for a ripper of a machine.
Typically, machines that are fitted with a ripper may encounter instances when the ripper is stuck into the earth. In such instances, power from the machine's prime mover alone may be inadequate, or in other cases, less than optimum for use in retrieving the ripper out of the earth. In many cases, previously known configurations of retrieval systems have been retrofitted for use onto machines. However, operating procedures associated with one or more standards may dictate a performance of the retrieval system, or that the retrieval system be of a specific configuration and/or that the retrieval system be positioned at a specific location on the machine. Such standard, if complied with, could help ensure effectiveness in performance of the retrieval system besides improving its safety when used in retrieving the ripper of the machine that is stuck into the earth. However, it has been found that incorporation and use of numerous previously known configurations of retrieval systems was, at least partly, non-compliant with one or more standards pertaining to performance in a given environment.
Hence, there is a need for a retrieval arrangement for a ripper of a machine that overcomes the above-mentioned shortcomings, and incorporation and use of which would comply with one or more standards of performance required in the given field of use.
In an aspect of this disclosure, a retrieval arrangement for a ripper of a machine includes a bollard that is disposed towards a rear portion of the machine, wherein the bollard includes a base that is disposed along a mid-plane of the ripper and connected to the ripper via a ripper carriage.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a ripper assembly for a machine includes a ripper carriage, a ripper, and a bollard. The ripper carriage is disposed towards a rear portion of the machine. The ripper is supported by the ripper carriage, and the bollard is disposed towards the rear portion of the machine such that the bollard is connected to the ripper via the ripper carriage.
In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for retrieving a ripper associated with a machine includes providing a push block at a rear portion of the machine such that the push block is connected to the ripper via a ripper carriage. The method also includes providing a bollard at the rear portion of the machine such that the bollard is connected to the ripper via the ripper carriage. The method then includes retrieving the ripper by applying a pushing force onto the push block using another machine such that the push block is biased in a direction away from the ripper carriage, or by positioning a sling around the bollard and pulling the sling using the other machine such that the bollard is biased in the direction away from the ripper carriage.
Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.
Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to same or like parts. Moreover, references to various elements described herein are made collectively or individually when there may be more than one element of the same type. However, such references are merely exemplary in nature. It may be noted that any reference to elements in the singular may also be construed to relate to the plural and vice-versa without limiting the scope of the disclosure to the exact number or type of such elements unless set forth explicitly in the appended claims.
The present disclosure relates to a ripper assembly of a machine. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a retrieval arrangement for a ripper of a machine.
As shown, the machine 100 includes a frame 102. Also, a pair of ground engaging members 104, for e.g., tracks are rotatably supported on the frame 102, of which, only one ground engaging member 104 is visible in the side view of
The machine 100 may include a work tool 106, for example, a blade disposed at a fore portion 108 of the machine 100. This work tool 106 would be pivotally connected to the frame 102 in order to allow for one or more functions, for example, pushing that are associated with the work tool 106 to be operatively performed by the machine 100.
Referring to
In operation, a pair of lift and tilt cylinders 120, 122 pivotally connecting respective ones of the ripper frame 112 and the ripper carriage 116 to the frame 102 would be powered by a prime mover 124, for example, an internal combustion engine that would be present on the machine 100. Movement of these lift and/or tilt cylinders 120, 122 would, in turn, cause a movement of the ripper 118 relative to the frame 102 for operatively scarring, pecking, and/or ripping earth materials into smaller transportable pieces.
The ripper assembly 110 of
Referring to
Referring to the illustrated embodiment of
Referring to
Referring to
As shown at step 600-1 in the method 600 of
As shown at step 600-2 in the method 600 of
Various embodiments disclosed herein are to be taken in the illustrative and explanatory sense and should in no way be construed as limiting of the present disclosure. All joinder references (e.g., mounted, associated, connected and the like) are only used to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and may not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the components disclosed herein. Therefore, joinder references, if any, are to be construed broadly. Moreover, such joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected to each other.
Additionally, all positional terms, such as, but not limited to, “fore”, “rear”, “downward”, “first”, “second” or any other ordinary and/or numerical terms, should also be taken only as identifiers, to assist the reader's understanding of the various elements, embodiments, variations and/or modifications of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, particularly as to the order, or preference, of any element relative to, or over, another element.
It is to be understood that individual features shown or described for one embodiment may be combined with individual features shown or described for another embodiment. The above described implementation does not in any way limit the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood although some features are shown or described to illustrate the use of the present disclosure in the context of functional components, such features may be omitted from the scope of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims.
In embodiments herein, although the bollard 128 can be used by attaching the bollard 128 alone onto the ripper carriage 116, for example, by welding the base 136 of the bollard 128 onto the ripper carriage 116, it should be noted that by providing the push block 130 in conjunction with the bollard 128, the bollard 128 can be supported in more than one direction, for example, in the directions D1 and D3 in addition to the direction D2 disclosed herein. It is hereby envisioned that during operation, when the sling 154 is positioned about the first portion 151 of the bollard 128 and pulled by the other machine 100, forces that would act on the bollard 128 along the mid-plane AA′ and hence, in the direction D2 would be counteracted by the weld between the end portions 144, 146 of the base 136 of the bollard 128 and the ripper carriage 116. However, when these forces, or some components of these forces, as encountered by the bollard 128, do not act along the mid-plane AA′, for example, in either of the directions D1 or D3, the weld between the end portion 148 of the push block 130 and the ripper carriage 116 could counteract such forces in addition to the weld between the bollard 128 and the ripper carriage 116. Therefore, it will be appreciated that in embodiments herein, the cut-out 134 in the top wall 132 of the push block 130 would not only be configured to help the push block 130 receive the base 136 of the bollard 128 therein, but also to restrain the bollard 128 from movement if forces act outside of the mid-plane AA′.
The present disclosure has applicability for use in facilitating operators of machines to retrieve rippers that are stuck into the earth. In some cases, push blocks may be readily used for pushing the ripper from out of the earth, partly, due to another machine having a suitable implement, for example, a blade, that can be forced against the push block such that the push block is biased in a direction away from the ripper carriage. In cases where the other machine has an implement other than a blade, for example, a hook, the bollard disclosed herein can be used to retrieve the stuck ripper by allowing operators to tie the sling around the bollard, particularly, the first portion of the bollard, and thereafter pull the sling using the other machine such that the bollard is biased in the direction away from the ripper carriage. This way, the retrieval arrangement of the present disclosure can reduce time, effort, and additional costs incurred when retrieving rippers stuck into the earth.
While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems, methods and processes without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.