Suspension arrangement for a compacting work machine

Abstract

A suspension arrangement is provided for a compacting drum of a compacting work machine. First and second suspension members connect first and second ends of the compacting drum to a frame of the work machine. The first and second suspension members allow the first and second ends of the compacting drum to oscillate through an angle α about a horizontal axis relative to the frame.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A suspension arrangement for a compacting work machine having a frame, said suspension arrangement comprising: 
 a drum having first and second ends, said drum defining a horizontal axis;    a first suspension member connecting said first end of said drum to said frame;    a second suspension member connecting said second end of said drum to said frame; and    said first and second suspension members allowing each of said first and second ends of said drum to oscillate through an angle α about the horizontal axis relative to the frame.    
     
     
         2 . The suspension arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the angle α is in the range of plus or minus 10 degrees.  
     
     
         3 . The suspension arrangement of  claim 2 , wherein the angle α is in the range of plus or minus 2.5 degrees.  
     
     
         4 . The suspension arrangement of  claim 1 , including a plurality of suspension members connecting said first end of said drum to said frame and a plurality of suspension members connecting said second end of said drum to said frame.  
     
     
         5 . The suspension arrangement of  claim 4 , wherein each of said plurality of suspension members is a rubber mount.  
     
     
         6 . A work machine, comprising: 
 a first frame;    a second frame;    an articulating hitch pivotally connecting said first frame to said second frame; and    a suspension arrangement as set forth in  claim 1 .    
     
     
         7 . The work machine of  claim 6 , wherein said articulating hitch defines pivotal movement only about a vertical axis.  
     
     
         8 . A work machine for compacting a compactable material, said work machine comprising: 
 a first frame;    a second frame;    an articulating hitch pivotally connecting said first frame to said second frame;    a first drum defining a horizontal axis;    a first pair of suspension members connecting said first drum to said first frame;    a second drum defining a horizontal axis;    a second pair of suspension members connecting said second drum to said second frame; and    said first and second pair of suspension members allowing each of said first and second drums to oscillate through an angle α about the horizontal axis relative to the first and second frames.    
     
     
         9 . The work machine of  claim 8 , wherein said articulating hitch defines pivotal movement only about a vertical axis.  
     
     
         10 . The work machine of  claim 8 , wherein the angle α is in the range of plus or minus 10 degrees.  
     
     
         11 . The work machine of  claim 10 , wherein the angle α is in the range of plus or minus 2.5 degrees.  
     
     
         12 . The work machine of  claim 8 , including a plurality of suspension members connecting said first drum to said first frame and a plurality of suspension members connecting said second drum to said second frame.  
     
     
         13 . The work machine of  claim 8 , wherein each of said plurality of suspension members is a rubber mount.