SELF-PROPELLED HARVESTING MACHINE

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-propelled harvesting machine comprising:—a removable harvesting unit (6) which can be mounted at the front in the direction of travel (F);—a processing unit in the interior; and—a harvested material conveyor channel (5) connecting said harvesting unit, when mounted, to the processing unit. According to the invention, the self-propelled harvesting machine is characterised in that a receiving space which at least partially receives said conveyor channel when in the harvesting mode can have its width adjusted transversely to the direction of travel.

Claims

1. Self-propelled harvesting machine having: a removable harvesting unit, which can be mounted at the front in the direction of travel; a processing unit in the interior; and a conveying channel for the harvested material, which, when mounted, connects the harvesting unit with the processing unit, characterized in that a receiving space, which at least partially receives the conveying channel in the harvesting mode, is adjustable in the width thereof transversely to the direction of travel.

2. Self-propelled harvesting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving space is arranged between at least two wheel units located to the left and to the right of the receiving space, wherein the right-sided and left-sided wheel units are adjustable in the distance to one another, so that the receiving space changes in the width thereof.

3. Self-propelled harvesting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying channel is mounted in a removable manner.

4. Self-propelled harvesting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying channel is adjustable in its height position at least at the front in the direction of travel.

5. Self-propelled harvesting machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the conveying channel is above the wheel units in its upper height position and in each case at least partially between the wheel units in one or various height positions located further downward for the harvesting mode.

6. Self-propelled harvesting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying channel is designed to be adjustable in the width thereof.

7. Self-propelled harvesting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the wheel units comprises a wheel or a twin wheel.

8. Self-propelled harvesting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the wheel units comprises multiple wheels arranged offset to one another in the direction of travel and/or in height.

9. Self-propelled harvesting machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the wheels are surrounded by a track chain.

10. Self-propelled harvesting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that hydraulic actuator drives (hydraulic cylinder 12) are provided for adjustment of the width.

11. Self-propelled harvesting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying channel, its transport means and/or a processing unit are designed in two parts transversely to in the direction of travel, wherein a bearing of shafts of the conveying channel, its transport means and/or of the processing unit comprises lateral bearings and at least one central bearing.

12. Self-propelled harvesting machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the conveying channel is mounted in a removable manner.

13. Self-propelled harvesting machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the conveying channel is adjustable in its height position at least at the front in the direction of travel.

14. Self-propelled harvesting machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the conveying channel is designed to be adjustable in the width thereof.

15. Self-propelled harvesting machine according to claim 6, characterized in that each of the wheel units comprises a wheel or a twin wheel.

16. Self-propelled harvesting machine according to claim 4, characterized in that each of the wheel units comprises multiple wheels arranged offset to one another in the direction of travel and/or in height.

17. Self-propelled harvesting machine according to claim 6, characterized in that each of the wheel units comprises multiple wheels arranged offset to one another in the direction of travel and/or in height.

18. Self-propelled harvesting machine according to claim 9, characterized in that hydraulic actuator drives (hydraulic cylinder 12) are provided for adjustment of the width.

19. Self-propelled harvesting machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the conveying channel, its transport means and/or a processing unit are designed in two parts transversely to in the direction of travel, wherein a bearing of shafts of the conveying channel, its transport means and/or of the processing unit comprises lateral bearings and at least one central bearing.

20. Self-propelled harvesting machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the conveying channel, its transport means and/or a processing unit are designed in two parts transversely to in the direction of travel, wherein a bearing of shafts of the conveying channel, its transport means and/or of the processing unit comprises lateral bearings and at least one central bearing.

Description

[0014] Further advantageous configurations of the self-propelled harvesting machine according to the invention result from the exemplary embodiment which is described hereinafter in greater detail with reference to the figures.

[0015] The figures show in:

[0016] FIG. 1 a side view of a possible embodiment of a self-propelled harvesting machine in the drive mode;

[0017] FIG. 2 a front view of the harvesting machine according to FIG. 1 in the drive mode;

[0018] FIG. 3 a front view of the harvesting machine according to FIG. 2 in preparation for the harvesting mode; and

[0019] FIG. 4 a side view of the self-propelled harvesting machine according to FIG. 3 in the harvesting mode; and

[0020] FIG. 5 a schematic plan view of a conveying channel in a possible embodiment of the invention.

[0021] In the illustration in FIG. 1, a self-propelled harvesting machine is illustrated in principle using the example of a schematically indicated combine harvester 1. The self-propelled harvesting machine 1 in the side view illustrated in FIG. 1 is to be in a mode for driving on a public road. To that end, a right-sided front wheel unit 2 can be discerned in the front region in the direction of travel F of the harvesting machine 1, which wheel unit, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, is designed as a crawler arrangement with multiple wheels 3 as drive and guide wheels as well as a track chain or crawler track 4. This structure of the wheel unit 2 as a crawler arrangement comes with the advantage that it can be designed comparably small in the overall height with a very good force distribution on the cropping soil. In the illustration of FIG. 1, a conveying channel 5 can be recognized above this wheel arrangement 2 which channel can be connected to a harvesting unit 6 not shown in the harvesting mode and which channel conveys the harvested material harvested via the harvesting unit 6 to a processing unit 17 arranged in the interior of the harvesting machine 1 and not discernable here. The processing unit 17 is arranged in the interior of the harvesting machine 1, in particular in the region of the structure denoted with 7. So far, this structure corresponds to the prior art, the processing unit 17, however, as will be described in greater detail below, is executed wider in its type of construction than the processing units common in the prior art. A steerable wheel 8 is recognizable in the rear region of the harvesting machine 1, in particular, the harvesting machine 1 will comprise two steerable wheels in this region, wherein the wheel discernable here correspondingly covers the wheel located on the opposite side. Furthermore, a driver's cab indicated with 9 is indicated in principle over the conveying channel 5 and prior to the structure 7 in direction of travel F. In this driver's cab 9, the driver/operator of the self-propelled harvesting machine 1 takes a seat to steer it on public roads in the operating mode illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0022] The illustration of FIG. 2 shows a view of the same harvesting machine 1 in the same operating mode, as shown in the illustration of FIG. 1, in a view from the front. In the center, the operator platform 9 can be discerned here as well, wherein the structure 7 correspondingly laterally projects beyond the driver's cab 9 to the right and to the left. Here, the overall structure has a width of, for example, 3 m which is exemplary indicated by the width denoted by b. This is the maximum width permitted for driving on public roads and therefore is common usage as limiting dimension in such self-propelled harvesting machines 1. In the principle illustration of the self-propelled harvesting machine 1 in a view from the front, a left-sided wheel unit 10 is furthermore discernable in addition to the right-sided wheel unit 2. Between this the right-sided wheel unit 2, always viewed in the direction of travel F of the self-propelled harvesting machine 1, and the left-sided wheel unit 10 there is an indicated axle 11, which is adjustable in its width by an indicated hydraulic cylinder 12.

[0023] The maximum allowable width b for the drive mode on public roads is indicated in the illustration of FIG. 2. If the harvesting machine 1 arrives on a field, the two wheel units 2, 10 can be displaced outward via the extendable axle 11 via the hydraulic cylinder 12. This mode of the self-propelled harvesting machine 1 can be discerned in the illustration of FIG. 3. The overall width B, from the outer edge of the left-sided wheel unit 10 to the outer edge of the right-sided wheel unit 2, is now greater than width b and this not permitted any more for operation on public roads. At the same time, it can be discerned in the illustration of FIGS. 2 and 3, that a receiving space for the conveying channel 5 between the two wheel units 2, 10 merely has the width x for the drive mode on public roads. This width is smaller than the width y of the conveying channel 5. Thus, the conveying channel 5 can only be held in its upper position discernable in the illustration of FIG. 2 while in the drive mode on public roads. In this position, the harvesting unit is ca not be mounted, which is not necessary for driving on public roads, though.

[0024] It can be discerned in the illustration of FIG. 3, that the width x of the receiving space for the conveying channel 5 between the two wheel units 2, 5 has increased as well and is now denoted with X in the illustration of FIG. 3. The width of the receiving space X for the conveying channel 5 is now wider than the width y of the conveying channel 5, so that it can smoothly be lowered into the space between the two wheel units 2, 10. This mode, with lowered conveying channel 5 and the harvesting unit 6 mounted thereon then, is recognizable in the concluding FIG. 4 in a side view analogously to the illustration of FIG. 1. Due to the increased width of the conveying channel 5, which approximately corresponds to the allowable overall width b of the self-propelled harvesting machine 1 during drive mode on public roads, the processing unit 17 arranged in the structure 7, which is arranged behind and/or above the wheel units anyway, can also be constructed larger. An increase of the width of the conveying channel 5 and of the processing unit from, for example, 1.5 m to 2 to 2.5 m allows an increase of the output of harvested material from about 30% to about 65% without that the basic structure of the self-propelled harvesting machine 1 needs to be changed or enlarged. This enables a quicker harvest and therefore savings in machine time, labor costs and required fuel. At the same time, the structure can possibly be provided with a bigger harvesting unit 6 as the conveyance and processing of the harvested material has become more efficient now. The self-propelled harvesting machine 1 can still be driven on public roads by the conveying channel 5 being lifted corresponding to the illustration in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the overall width of the receiving space or of the vehicle, respectively, being adjusted to a smaller width x, b.

[0025] As an alternative to the crawler arrangements as wheel units 2, 10 illustrated in the exemplary embodiments, simple wheels, twin wheels or two or multiple wheels arranged one after another in the direction of travel would of course be conceivable in general. Instead of lifting the conveying channel 5 to an upper height, which is above the wheels, it would also be conceivable to design the conveying channel 5 extendable in its width y to thus—in arbitrary position together with the wheel units 2, 10 or the receiving space being created between these—adapt the channel to the respective operating mode with regard to the width y.

[0026] As mentioned above, the conveying channel 5 and the processing unit 17 can be increased in their width. This results, in the conveying channel 5 as well as in the processing unit 17, in that shafts 14, 20 which run transvers to the direction of travel F, are exposed to a higher bending load than in conventional structures. Therefore, it may be provided that the conveying channel 5 or its transport means 13, which are indicated in FIG. 5 as conveyor belts and denoted with the reference numerals 13.1 and 13.2, can be designed two-part transverse to the direction of travel. A further bearing can be placed between the two parts. As an alternative, also two separate structures, for example with in each case a width of 1 to 1.25 m could be placed next to one another. In the illustration of FIG. 5 this is indicated by the example of the conveying channel 5 in that two indicated shafts 14 being supported outward via bearings indicated with 15 once on the end facing the indicated harvesting unit 6 and once on the end facing the structure 7 of the harvesting machine 1, in each case transverse to the direction of travel F. Additionally, the respective shaft 14 is received centered via the bearings indicated with 16, so that the bending load of the shaft 14 is decreased correspondingly by a decrease of the distance between the bearings in axial direction of the shaft, that is transverse to the direction of travel F. Here, depending on the embodiment, the transport means 13, in this case the conveyor belt, can also be designed two-part as it is indicated by the conveyor belts 13.1 and 13.2 in an exemplary manner. The conveyor belt could as well be designed not two-part as it is indicated in the FIGS. 2 and 3 in an exemplary manner.

[0027] The structure 7 follows the conveying channel 5 in the direction of travel F in which structure the processing unit mentioned multiple times already is arranged. This unit is illustrated here and denoted with the reference numeral 17. It can be designed either in one part or can be designed two-part preferably also transverse to the direction of travel F as it is indicated by the chain-dotted line. Here, too, this allows for the introduction of a centered bearing 19 besides the two lateral bearings 18 as to reduce the bending load of the shafts 20 correspondingly here as well. Analogously to the conveying channel 5, it is also conceivable here to position two separate harvesting units next to one another in the structure 7, which then may each comprise a lateral bearing 18 and a centered bearing 19 for each of their shafts 20.

[0028] The bending load of the shafts 14, 20 is reduced correspondingly, so that elaborate new constructions and designs of mechanical components can be omitted and still a higher output than in the structures of the prior art can be achieved, even though the output decreases minimally due to the centered separation compared to an unseparated structure of the conveying channel 5 and/or transport means 13 and/or the processing unit 17.