Abstract: A wheel apparatus for a self-propelled irrigation system has a center portion, a rim assembly, and a support structure disposed between the center portion and the rim assembly. The rim assembly has a plurality of rigid members spaced apart from each other with longitudinal axes that are parallel with each other and equidistant from the axis of rotation. The rigid members are cylindrical with unsupported ends, and a mounting portion between the ends is connected to an outer periphery of the support structure. The rigid members are held in a fixed position relative to the center portion by the support structure. The rigid members are arranged to contact the ground surface to support the irrigation system with spaces between the rigid members allowing mud and debris to pass freely between the rigid members during operation to enhance traction while minimizing mud from being forced out of a wheel track.

Abstract: A wheel assembly and a bin sweep system. The system may include a sweep auger for moving granules, and a wheel assembly including a rim and a tire disposed on the rim, the rim defining an interior radially inward of an inner circumference of the rim, and a cycloidal drive disposed in the interior of the rim. The cycloidal drive may include an input shaft, a drive gear having first gearing features and being eccentrically mounted on the input shaft, a stationary drive plate, and second gearing features coupled to the rim, the first gearing features engaging the second gearing features to drive the rim and wheel at a reduced speed relative to the input shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing debris from accessing and wrapping around the axles of a vehicle, such as a landfill compactor, are disclosed. The apparatus may include a wheel having a rim from which radially extend a plurality of cleats or tips. A subset of tips may be provided circumferentially around a laterally inner edge of the wheel. A wheel guard may be mounted between adjacent pairs of tips of the subset. Each wheel guard may be welded to the rim and to the adjacent pairs of tips. Each wheel guard may be a unitary piece of metal, or could be provided in two or more segment so as to be adjustable and thus facilitate use on wheels of differing diameters, or with different tip spacing. The wheel guards and adjacent tips form a continuous barrier around the circumference of the wheel to prevent debris from accessing and wrapping around the axles of the compactor.

Abstract: A tip for use with a wire guard system for a compactor wheel includes a base portion and a wear portion attached to and extending from the base portion. A first groove is disposed at the wear portion and shaped to receive an end portion of a first wire guard section. A second groove is disposed at the wear portion and shaped to receive an end portion of a second wire guard section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleat assembly for a compactor wheel. The cleat assembly includes an adaptor for fastening to the compactor wheel. A cleat defines a recess in which the adaptor is receivable. A spring plate fastener has a strip of spring plate material, with opposed feet and at least one apex interposed between the feet. The adaptor and the cleat are shaped so that the spring can be received through both the cleat and the adaptor such the spring fastener is held in compression between the cleat and the adaptor, with the feet bearing against the cleat and the, or each, apex bearing against the adaptor to fasten the cleat to the adaptor. The cleat defines a pair of opposed apertures and the adaptor defines a guide formation, the apertures and the guide formation being configured to permit the spring plate to be inserted into engagement with the cleat and the adaptor from one of the apertures.

Abstract: The vehicle tire traction device provides additional traction for a vehicle tire when a vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud or the like. The vehicle tire traction device includes a flexible sheet having opposed upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface being adapted for covering a portion of a vehicle tire. The upper surface has a tread pattern formed thereon. The flexible sheet has a pair of longitudinally opposed side edges. At least one hook is mounted on each of the side edges for releasably securing the flexible sheet to a wheel. A pair of side flaps are extend from the pair of side edges of the flexible sheet. At least one of the hooks is mounted on each of the side flaps. Each of the hooks is secured thereto by a resilient member, such as a helical spring or the like.

Abstract: A flotation drive wheel is provided for a self-propelled irrigation system such as a center pivot irrigation system, a linear irrigation system or a corner irrigation system. The flotation drive wheel of this invention comprises a hub portion which is directly attached to an associated gearbox of the conventional drive tower. A metal band or plate is welded to the outer periphery of the hub portion of the wheel with a plurality of pivotal flotation shoes being attached to the band or plate. The pivotal shoes include structure for preventing soil from being pushed laterally of the flotation wheel and from being pushed forwardly from the drive wheel. The flotation wheel of this invention substantially eliminates the creation of wheel ruts or tracks.

Abstract: A device has a detachably fitting traction aid to be attached using at least two fixing devices, applied to the inner circumferential surface of a rim, in the vicinity of the rim edge, disposed opposing each other, substantially vertically on the plane of the rim and aligned with each other. A first fixing device, faces the wheel inner side, and has a first fixing element for the hooking and unhooking to a second fixing element, complementary to the first fixing element, mounted on one end of the traction aid. The second fixing device, faces the wheel outer side, and has a second fixing element being a coupling device, for coupling and tensioning a tension element, mounted on the other end of the traction aid, such that the traction aid may be tensioned transversely across the tire on the running surface, between both fixing devices.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel (1) provided with a plurality of studs (2) which extend radially from a rim of the wheel. The studs are parabolic or substantially parabolic in cross-section in a plane normal to the axis of rotation of the wheel and generally parallel to the rolling direction of the wheel which enables the studs to ride over the surface during rotation of the wheel without removing material from the surface.

Abstract: A cleat for compacting refuse at a landfill by use on the wheels of a compactor or on the shoes of a crawler-type tractor. The cleat has a prismatic modified Z or S configuration that affords superior compaction performance by increasing traction and thereby reducing churning of already compacted material. The flanges of the cleat create traction pockets on opposite sides so that the cleat is effective in either direction of the compactor or tractor.

Abstract: A traction device is provided for installation on the wheel rims of the driven wheels of an all terrain vehicle. The traction device provides added traction when the vehicle is used on soft terrain including mud, sand or snow. The device generally includes an annular frame element which is clamped onto the wheel rim for selective installation and removal thereon. A plurality of paddles are mounted on the annular frame element to extend radially outward therefrom. Each paddle is selectively mounted on the frame member by a removable mounting pin for removing the paddles therefrom as desired. The paddles are constructed of a resilient material so as to deflect when large solid objects such as rocks are encountered.