A track-width adjustment system, apparatus and method limit track-width adjustments in a self-propelled product applicator, according to a first speed-based protocol for track-width adjustments initiated by an operator of the applicator, and according to a second speed-based protocol for track-width adjustments initiated by an automatic track-width control arrangement of the applicator. An automatic track-width control arrangement continually monitors and adjusts track-width, as required to maintain a desired track-width at substantially any ground speed while the applicator is in motion. Operator initiated adjustments to track-width are allowed only within a prescribed range of ground speeds.

A telescoping axle arrangement is provided 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. A tubular first axle element, and a second axle element slidingly inserted into the first element operatively connect the wheel to the frame, and provide extension and retraction of the axle along a longitudinal axis of the axle. A cylindrical tunnel passing through the first element limits the extent to which the second axle element can be inserted into the first axle element. An inner end of the second axle element is contoured to extend at least partly under the cylindrical tunnel in the second axle element when the second axle element is inserted at a maximum allowed depth into the first axle element.

A protected tread widening system for a self-propelled high clearance sprayer. The system includes a frame with side rails and a first cross member and a second cross member extending between the opposite side rails, with the cross members being substantially hollow. Each of the cross members form slider receivers. The system also includes axle slider assemblies that are telescopically inserted into the slider receivers. Additionally, actuators are mounted within the cross members. These actuators are secured to the frame and to the axle slider assemblies to allow for telescopic movement of the axle slider assemblies into and out of the cross members. The actuators run substantially through a central axis of the first cross member and a central axis of the second cross member. This minimizes the bending moment of each actuator. Additionally, this system isolates the actuators from materials outside of the cross members.

An agricultural machine such as a high clearance sprayer is provided with a frame capable of supporting wheels at a variable tread width. The frame includes a pair of cross members, both of which have slider receivers. The machine also includes a first axle slider for a first side and a second axle slider for a second side. The machine may also have a slider to frame connection arrangement that includes a reduced friction zone at the slider receivers that facilitate telescopic movement of the axle sliders. The slider to frame connection may also have at least one fixed slider wear pad in a fixed position within the reduced friction zone and at least one movable slider wear pad movably arranged within the reduced friction zone.

A telescoping axle arrangement is provided 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. First and second slidingly engaging axle elements adapted for operative connection between the frame and the wheel, provide extension and retraction of the axle along a longitudinal axis of the axle. The second axle element includes a longitudinally extending closed-ended retention track. An axle retention element is fixedly attachable to and protrudes from 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.

An axle assembly may have a first axle member, including a recess with a female threaded portion, and a second axle member with an insertion portion and a protrusion portion. The insertion portion may be received in the recess and it may have a male threaded portion engaged with the female threaded portion of the first axle member. The protrusion portion protrudes out of the recess. An overall length of the axle assembly is adjustable by moving the threads of the male threaded portion of the second axle member along the threads of the female threaded portion of the first axle member, or vice versa. An axle and hub arrangement with the axle assembly is also disclosed.

A vehicle system includes an axle arrangement operably coupling a wheel assembly with a frame. The frame defines a fore-aft axis and a transverse axis extending generally transverse to the fore-aft axis. The axle arrangement includes first and second axle elements adapted for operative connection between the frame and the wheel assembly for extension and retraction along the transverse axis. The first axle element can be operably coupled with the frame and the second axle element can be integrated with the wheel assembly. One or more sensors can be configured to generate vehicle dat. A computing system can be configured to receive an input related to an adjustment to the position of the second axle element relative to the fore-aft axis and generate an adjustment model based at least partially on the input and the vehicle data.

The present invention relates to an assembly which includes: a chassis for a mobile land vehicle, in particular an agricultural or public works vehicle; at least two half-crossmembers (21) mounted telescopically on the chassis; wheel mountings (27) pivotably mounted on each one of said half-crossmembers; steered wheels rotatably mounted on said mountings; and a device for controlling the direction of the wheels. The assembly is characterized in that it includes means (39, 41, 47) designed, for a certain position of two half-crossmembers, to increase, upon the pivoting of the wheels, the opening of the said wheels relative to the opening of the wheels resulting from the same pivoting and another position of the two half-crossmembers.

An undercarriage for an agricultural machine includes a hollow axle, and a stub axle slidably received within the hollow axle. A lock arrangement locks a longitudinal position of the stub axle relative to the hollow axle. At least one shim is positioned at an outboard end of the hollow axle to adjust the distance between said stub axle and said hollow axle.

The adjustable track-width system may include a first axle member having a top section and a bottom section and a second axle member having a top section and a bottom section, where the second axle member is receivable by the first axle member and movable between a first position and a second position relative to the first axle member. The adjustable track-width system may further include two or more shims that determine a clearance between the first axle member and the second axle member at the first and second positions, where at least a portion of a first shim may be between the top section of the first axle member and the top section of the second axle member and at least a portion of a second shim may be between the bottom section of the first axle member and the bottom section of the second axle member.