Deere & Company
Compact steering assembly

Abstract:

A work vehicle includes a chassis defining a longitudinal axis, a prime mover configured to move the chassis in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and a steering assembly configured to pivot a wheel relative to the chassis. The steering assembly includes a knuckle coupled to the wheel, a tie rod coupled to the knuckle and having a ball portion, a steering cylinder, and a joint assembly. The steering cylinder is slidably coupled to the chassis and configured to translate relative to the chassis along a cylinder axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The steering cylinder includes a connection portion having an inner circumferential surface that partially defines a bearing pocket. The joint assembly couples the ball portion to the connection portion and includes a bearing race that is received into the bearing pocket in direct contact with the inner circumferential surface. The bearing race receives the ball portion.