Work machine with a saddle frame assembly

Abstract

The present disclosure includes a work machine comprising a main frame, a draft frame, a circle frame, a blade, a saddle frame assembly, and at least one actuator. The saddle frame assembly is coupled to the main frame. An actuator coupled to the saddle frame moves the blade relative to the main frame. The saddle frame assembly may include a movable portion and a fixed portion. The movable portion may include an upper first portion coupled to the lower second portion. The upper first portion includes wall defining a channel configured to receive the fixed portion, thereby enabling rotation of the movable portion about the fixed portion. The channel is configured to self-align the first portion relative to the fixed portion when the upper first portion is adjusted relative to the lower second portion in a lateral direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A work machine comprising:
 a main frame;   a draft frame coupled to the main frame;   a circle frame rotatably coupled to the draft frame, the circle frame rotatable by a circle drive;   a blade coupled to the circle frame, the circle drive including actuators configured to move the blade;   a saddle frame assembly coupled to the main frame;   an actuator coupled to the saddle frame assembly, wherein movement of the actuator moves the blade relative to the main frame;   the saddle frame assembly including a movable portion and a fixed portion; the movable portion including an upper first portion coupled to a lower second portion;   the upper first portion with walls defining a channel configured to receive the fixed portion enabling rotation of the movable portion about the fixed portion, the channel configured to self-align the upper first portion relative to the fixed portion when the upper first portion is adjusted relative to the lower second portion in a lateral direction.   
     
     
         2 . The saddle frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein the channel continues to self-align the upper first portion relative to the fixed portion with wear of at least a portion of an interface between the movable portion and the fixed portion. 
     
     
         3 . The saddle frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein adjusting the upper first portion relative to the lower second portion comprises adding shims between the upper first portion and the lower second portion. 
     
     
         4 . The saddle frame assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the channel comprises spaced apart sidewalls and a round contact surface coupling the sidewalls. 
     
     
         5 . The saddle frame assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the channel comprises spaced apart sidewalls and angular contact surfaces coupling the sidewalls. 
     
     
         6 . The saddle frame assembly of  claim 4  wherein the round contact surface of the fixed portion is blunted. 
     
     
         7 . The saddle frame assembly of  claim 5  wherein the angular contact surfaces create one or more of a triangular channel and v-shaped channel. 
     
     
         8 . The saddle frame assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the channel comprises spaced apart sidewalls and a single dovetail contact. 
     
     
         9 . The saddle frame assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the channel comprises spaced apart sidewalls, and at least one third wall coupling the spaced apart sidewalls, wherein an interface of the fixed portion with the channel creates at least one principal stress point. 
     
     
         10 . The saddle frame assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the principal stress point is on the third wall. 
     
     
         11 . A work machine comprising:
 a main frame;   a draft frame coupled to the main frame;   a circle frame rotatably coupled to the draft frame, the circle frame rotatable by a circle drive mounted to the draft frame;   a blade coupled to the circle frame, the circle drive including actuators configured to move the blade;   a saddle frame assembly coupled to the main frame;   a left lift actuator coupled to the saddle frame on a left-hand side;   a right lift actuator coupled to the saddle frame on a right-hand side;   wherein movement of the left lift actuator and the right lift actuator raises and lowers the left and right sides of the blade relative to the mainframe;   the saddle frame assembly including a movable portion and a fixed portion; the movable portion including an upper first portion coupled to a lower second portion;   the fixed portion with walls defining a channel configured to receive the upper first portion enabling rotation of the movable portion about the fixed portion, the channel configured to self-align the upper first portion relative to the fixed portion when the upper first portion is adjusted relative to the lower second portion in a lateral direction.   
     
     
         12 . The saddle frame assembly of  claim 11  wherein the channel continues to self-align the upper first portion relative to the fixed portion with wear of at least a portion of an interface between the movable portion and the fixed portion. 
     
     
         13 . The saddle frame assembly of  claim 11  wherein adjusting the upper first portion relative to the lower second portion comprises adding shims between the upper first portion and the lower second portion. 
     
     
         14 . The saddle frame assembly of  claim 11  wherein the channel comprises spaced apart sidewalls and a round contact surface coupling the sidewalls. 
     
     
         15 . The saddle frame assembly of  claim 11  wherein the channel comprises spaced apart sidewalls and angular contact surfaces coupling the sidewalls. 
     
     
         16 . The saddle frame assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the round contact surface of the fixed portion is blunted. 
     
     
         17 . The saddle frame assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the angular contact surfaces create one or more of a triangular channel and v-shaped channel. 
     
     
         18 . The saddle frame assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the channel comprises spaced apart sidewalls and a single dovetail contact. 
     
     
         19 . The saddle frame assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the channel comprises spaced apart sidewalls, and at least one third wall coupling the spaced apart sidewalls, wherein an interface of the fixed portion with the channel creates at least one principal stress point on the at least one third wall. 
     
     
         20 . The saddle frame assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the principal stress point is on the third wall.