Frame mounted pump

Abstract

An apparatus for use in combination with a tractor having a hydraulically adjustable rearwardly facing three-point implement hitch and a rear power takeoff is described for use in evacuating a body of water. The apparatus includes a mounting frame attachable to the rearward facing three-point implement hitch. A pump having a water inlet, a water outlet and a rotatable drive shaft with a drive pulley is carried on the mounting frame. A drive means connecting the pump drive pulley to the rear power takeoff is usable to transfer power to the pump. A suction hose having a proximal end is attached to the water inlet of the pump and a distal end that preferably includes a debris strainer. A discharge hose is attached to the water outlet of the pump.

1 . An apparatus attachable to the rear end of a vehicle having a rear facing three-point hitch and rear power takeoff for use in evacuating a body of water comprising:
 a) a mounting frame attachable to the vehicle;   b) a pump having a water inlet, a water outlet and a rotatable drive shaft carried on said mounting frame;   c) drive means connecting said pump drive shaft to the rear power takeoff;   d) a suction hose having a proximal end attached to the water inlet of said pump and a distal end; and   e) a discharge hose attached to the water outlet of said pump.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said pump includes a pump drive pulley attached to said rotatable pump drive shaft. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said drive means is comprised of a gearbox having a rotatable power takeoff drive shaft that is connectable to the vehicle's power takeoff, and a gearbox output drive shaft having a gearbox drive pulley and a continuous belt that extends around said pump drive pulley and said gearbox pulley, whereby rotation of said power takeoff drive shaft actuates said pump. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said mounting frame includes a strap adapted to fasten a coil of said discharge hose to said mounting frame. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of said suction hose includes a debris strainer. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said vehicle includes a hydraulically actuated three-point implement hitch and said frame is connectable to said three-point hitch. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said frame includes a shroud to cover said continuous belt and pulleys. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said pump is a self-priming centrifugal pump. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said suction hose is a reinforced hose having a length of from 3 to 8 feet. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus attachable to the rear end of a vehicle having a vertically adjustable rear facing three-point implement hitch and a rear power takeoff for use in evacuating a body of water comprising:
 a) a mounting frame attachable to said rear implement hitch;   b) a pump having a water inlet, a water outlet and a rotatable drive shaft with a pump drive pulley carried on said mounting frame;   c) drive means connecting said pump drive pulley to the rear power takeoff;   d) a suction hose having a proximal end attached to the water inlet of said pump and a distal end; and   e) a discharge hose attached to the water outlet of said pump.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said drive means is comprised of a gearbox having a rotatable power takeoff drive shaft that is connectable to the vehicle's power takeoff, and a gearbox output drive shaft having a gearbox drive pulley and a continuous belt that extends around said pump drive pulley and said gearbox pulley, whereby rotation of said power takeoff drive shaft actuates said pump. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said frame includes an elastic strap adapted to fasten a coil of said discharge hose to said mounting frame. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the distal end of said inlet hose includes a debris strainer. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said frame includes a shroud to cover said continuous belt and pulleys. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said pump is a self-priming centrifugal pump. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said suction hose is a semi-rigid hose having a bend radius of at least 8 inches. 
   
   
       17 . In combination, a vehicle having a hydraulically powered rearward facing three-point implement hitch and a rear power takeoff, and a water removal apparatus attached to said vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
 a) a mounting frame attached to said rearward facing three-point implement hitch;   b) a pump having a water inlet, a water outlet and a rotatable drive shaft carried on said mounting frame;   c) drive means connecting said pump drive shaft to the rear power takeoff;   d) a suction hose having a proximal end attached to the water inlet of said pump and a distal end; and   e) a discharge hose attached to the water outlet of said pump.   
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said pump includes a pump drive pulley attached to said rotatable pump drive shaft. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said drive means is comprised of a gearbox having a rotatable power takeoff drive shaft that is connectable to the vehicle's power takeoff, and a gearbox output drive shaft having a gearbox drive pulley and a continuous belt that extends around said pump drive pulley and said gearbox pulley, whereby rotation of said power takeoff drive shaft actuates said pump. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said suction hose is a reinforced PVC hose having a length of from about 3 to 8 feet, a diameter of from about 2 to 4 inches, and a bend radius of at least 8 inches.