Mowing device

Abstract

A mowing device (10) has a central frame mounted on wheels (16a, 16b) carrying at least two mowing units (20a, 20b) which are each connected to the central frame (12) via a connection unit (24a, 24b), wherein a connection unit (24a, 24b) includes a main pivot arm (28a, 28b) and an outer pivot arm (26a, 26b), the outer pivot arm (26a, 26b) connected to the main pivot arm (28a, 28b) in such a manner that it is pivotable about an outer arm joint (34a, 34b) relative to the main pivot arm (28a, 28b), the connection unit (24a, 24b) further including a mowing unit joint (32a, 32b) for connecting the mowing unit (20a, 20b) to the outer pivot arm (26a, 26b), the mowing unit joint (32a, 32b) arranged at the end of the outer pivot arm (26a, 26b) that is remote from the outer arm joint (34a, 34b).

Claims

1. A mowing device (10) comprising a central frame (12) that is mounted on wheels (16a, 16b) and that is coupleable to a tractor in order to tow the mowing device, wherein the central frame supports at least two mowing units (20a, 20b) that are each coupled to the central frame (12) via a respective connection unit (24a, 24b), wherein the central frame (12), extends in a longitudinal direction corresponding to a central frame direction of travel when towed, wherein the longitudinal direction extends perpendicular to an axis of the wheels (A.sub.R), wherein each respective connection unit (24a, 24b) comprises a corresponding main pivot arm (28a, 28b) a corresponding outer pivot arm (26a, 26b), with the corresponding outer pivot arm (26a, 26b) connected to the corresponding main pivot arm (28a, 28b) such that the corresponding outer pivot arm is pivotable relative to the corresponding main pivot arm (28a, 28b) about a corresponding outer arm joint (34a, 34b) that defines a corresponding outer arm pivot axis (A.sub.AA), wherein each respective connection unit (24a, 24b) further comprises a corresponding mowing unit joint (32a, 32b) for connecting the corresponding mowing unit (20a, 20b) to the corresponding outer pivot arm (26a, 26b), wherein the corresponding mowing unit joint (32a, 32b) is located at an end of the corresponding outer pivot arm (26a, 26b) that is remote from the corresponding outer arm joint (34a, 34b), wherein the corresponding mowing unit joint (32a, 32b) defines a corresponding mowing unit pivot axis (A.sub.ME), wherein the corresponding mowing unit pivot axis is transverse to the corresponding outer arm pivot axis (A.sub.AA), wherein each respective connection unit (24a, 24b) comprises a corresponding main element (30) that connects the central frame (12) to the corresponding main pivot arm (28a, 28b), wherein the corresponding main element (30) is connected to the central frame (12) via a corresponding main element joint (38) defining a corresponding main element pivot axis (A.sub.HE), wherein the corresponding main element pivot axis (A.sub.HE) is parallel to the axis of the wheels, wherein the corresponding main pivot arm (28a, 28b) is mounted on the corresponding main element (30) in such a manner that the corresponding main pivot arm (28a, 28b) is pivotable about a corresponding main arm pivot axis (A.sub.HA), with the result that the corresponding main arm pivot axis (A.sub.HA) extends at a right angle to the corresponding main element pivot axis (A.sub.HE) and to the corresponding outer arm pivot axis (A.sub.AA).

2. The mowing device according to claim 1, wherein the respective connection units (24a, 24b) of the at least two mowing units are mounted opposite one another on either side of the central frame (12).

3. The mowing device according to claim 2, wherein each corresponding main element (30) of each of two opposite mowing units of the at least two mowing units forms part of a common main element on the central frame.

4. The mowing device according to claim 1, each mowing unit has a width that is smaller than twice a length of the corresponding outer pivot arm (26a, 26b) of the corresponding connection unit.

5. The mowing device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two mowing units include two first mowing units that are each connected to the central frame via a respective first connection unit (24a, 24b), and wherein the at least two mowing units also include two second mowing units that are each connected to the central frame via a respective second connection unit (40a, 40b), each respective second connection unit comprising a corresponding lateral pivot arm (42a, 42b) that is pivotable via a mowing unit pivot joint (50a, 50b), relative to the corresponding lateral pivot arm about a corresponding mowing unit pivot axis (A.sub.MEV) that extends at right angles to the wheel axis (A.sub.R).

6. The mowing device according to claim 5, wherein each mowing unit of the two first mowing units (20a, 20b) is connected to a rear section of the central frame (12) via the respective first connection unit, and wherein each mowing unit of the two second mowing units is connected to the central frame (12) in front of a corresponding rear mowing unit via the respective second connection unit.

7. The mowing device according to claim 5, wherein each respective second connection unit comprises a corresponding main element (44, 46) and a corresponding lateral pivot arm (42a, 42b), with the corresponding main element 44 connected to the central frame (12) via a main element joint (46) which has a main element pivot axis (A.sub.HEV) parallel to the wheel axis and with each corresponding lateral pivot arm connected to the corresponding main element via a corresponding side arm joint (48a, 48b), each corresponding side arm joint defining a pivot axis (A.sub.SA) that extends at a right angle to the wheel axis (A.sub.R).

8. The mowing device according to claim 6, wherein each respective second connection unit comprises a corresponding main element (44) and a corresponding lateral pivot arm (42a, 42b), with the corresponding main element connected to the central frame via a corresponding main element joint (46) having a corresponding main element pivot axis (A.sub.HEV) that is parallel to the wheel axis (A.sub.R), and with the corresponding lateral pivot arm connected to the main element via a corresponding side arm joint (48a, 48b), the corresponding side arm joint defining a pivot axis (A.sub.SA) that extends at right angles to the wheel axis (A.sub.R).

9. The mowing device according to claim 6, wherein a distance between each corresponding main element pivot axis (A.sub.HE) of the first connection unit (24a, 24b) and the main element pivot axis (A.sub.HEV) of each corresponding second connection unit (40a, 40b) is longer than is longer a length of the corresponding main pivot arm (28a, 28b).

10. The mowing device according to claim 6, wherein the main element (30) of each respective first connection unit (24a, 24b) is connected to the central frame (12) via a two-part hydraulic cylinder (60), so that the main element (30) is pivotable in at least two stages.

11. The mowing device according to claim 6, wherein the wheels supporting the central frame are located between each respective first connection unit of the corresponding two first mowing units (20a, 20b) and each respective second connection unit of the corresponding two second mowing units (22a, 22b).

12. The mowing device according to claim 10, wherein the main element (30) of each respective first connection unit is connected to the central frame via the two-part hydraulic cylinder so that the main element is inclineable for adjusting cutting height.

13. The mowing device according to claim 12, wherein the corresponding main element (30) of each respective first connection unit is connected to the corresponding main element (44) of each respective second connection unit in such a way that the corresponding main elements (30, 44) are pivoted together by a second hydraulic cylinder (62).

14. A method for changing the mowing device according to claim 1 from a working position to a transport position thereof, comprising: pivoting the main pivot arm (28a, 28b) upward about the main arm pivot axis (A.sub.HA) by a pivot angle of between 10 and 20, pivoting the main element (30) forward about the main element pivot axis (A.sub.AE) by a pivot angle of between 10 and 20, pivoting the outer pivot arm (26a, 26b), together with the mowing unit (20a, 20b), backward about the outer pivot axis (A.sub.AA) by a pivot angle of between 120 and 150, locking the outer pivot arm (26a, 26b), pivoting the main pivot arms (28a, 28b) upward about the main arm pivot axis (A.sub.HA) until an angle of between 75 and 85 relative to the main element pivot axis (A.sub.HE), pivoting the main element (30) forward about the main element pivot axis (A.sub.HE) until it comes to lie on a fixing element that locks the main pivot arm (28a, 28b) in its transport position, and locking the main pivot arm (28a, 28b) in the transport position.

15. The method for changing the mowing device according to claim 14 from a working position to a transport position thereof, wherein both the main arm pivot axis (A.sub.HA) and the main element pivot axis (A.sub.HE) are perpendicular in the working position.

16. The mowing device according to claim 1, wherein both the main arm pivot axis (A.sub.HA) and the main element pivot axis (A.sub.HE) are perpendicular in a working position of the mowing device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Throughout the description, the claims and the drawings, those terms and associated reference signs are used as are listed in the List of Reference Signs which follows below. In the drawings,

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mowing device according to the invention, in a working position thereof;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mowing device of FIG. 1 in a position after a first pivot movement;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mowing device of FIG. 1 in a position after another pivot movement;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the mowing device of FIG. 1 in a position in which its outer pivot arms are locked;

(6) FIG. 5 is a lateral view of the mowing device of FIG. 1 in a position after the main pivot arms have been folded up;

(7) FIG. 6a is a lateral view of the mowing device of FIG. 1 in a transport position thereof;

(8) FIG. 6b is a rear view of the mowing device of FIG. 1 in a transport position thereof, and

(9) FIG. 7 is a detail view of the pivot arrangement of the main elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mowing device 10 according to the invention. The mowing device comprises a central frame 12 which is supported by a wheel axle 14 with two wheels 16a, 16b. The mowing device 10 comprises two first mowing units 20a, 20b and two second mowing units 22a, 22b, with the first mowing units being arranged behind the second mowing units in the direction of travel.

(11) The first mowing units 20a, 20b are connected to the central frame 12 via a first connection device 24a, 24b each. The first connection device 24a, 24b comprises an outer pivot arm 26a, 26b, a main pivot arm 28a, 28b, and a first main element 30 each, with the first main element 30 serving as the common main element in both connection devices 24a, 24b.

(12) The first mowing units 20a, 20b are connected to the outer pivot arm 26a, 26b by a mowing unit joint 32a, 32b, and the outer pivot arm 26a, 26b is connected to the main pivot arm 28a, 28b by an outer pivot arm 34a, 34b. The main pivot arm 28a, 28b in turn is connected to the first main element 30 by a main arm joint 36a, 36b. The first main element 30 is pivotally connected to the central frame 12 via a main element joint 38.

(13) The main element joint 38 is designed to define a first main element pivot axis A.sub.HE parallel to the wheel axis A.sub.R. The main arm joint 36a, 36b is designed to define a main arm pivot axis A.sub.HA which is perpendicular to the first main element pivot axis A.sub.HE, i.e. which lies in a plane whose normal is the first main element pivot axis A.sub.HE.

(14) The outer arm joint 34a, 34b is designed to define an outer arm pivot axis A.sub.AA. The outer arm pivot axis A.sub.AA is transverse, especially perpendicular, to the main arm pivot axis A.sub.HA.

(15) The mowing unit joint 32a, 32b is designed to define a first mowing unit pivot axis A.sub.ME which is parallel to the main arm pivot axis A.sub.HA.

(16) The second mowing units 22a, 22b are connected to the central frame 12 via a second connection unit 40a, 40b each. The second connection unit comprises a lateral pivot arm 42a, 42b, and a common second main element 44 each.

(17) The second main element 44 is pivotally connected to the central frame 12 via a second main element joint 46. The lateral pivot arm 42a, 42b is connected to the main element 44 via a side arm joint 48a, 48b. The lateral pivot arm 42a, 42b is also connected to the mowing unit 22a, 22b via a mowing unit 30 joint 50a, 50b.

(18) The second main element joint 46 is designed to define a second main element pivot axis A.sub.HEV which is parallel to the wheel axis A.sub.R and thus parallel to the first main element pivot axis A.sub.HE, The side arm joint 48a, 48b is designed to define a side arm pivot axis A.sub.SA. The side arm pivot axis A.sub.SA is transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the second main element pivot axis A.sub.HEV. The mowing unit joint 50a, 50b is designed in such a way that it defines a second mowing unit pivot axis A.sub.MEV which is parallel to the side arm pivot axis A.sub.SA.

(19) In the working position shown in FIG. 1, the second mowing unit pivot axes A.sub.MEV are parallel to the front mowing unit pivot axes A.sub.ME.

(20) By pivoting the first main element 30 around the main element pivot axis A.sub.HE and the second main element 44 around the main element pivot axis A.sub.HEV, the mowing units 20a, 20b; 22a, 22b are also pivoted at the same angle due to the design of the connection devices 24a, 24b and connection units 40a, 40b, thus allowing an ideal adjustment to the cutting height.

(21) The first main element 30 and the second main element 44 are mechanically connected so that the two pairs of mowing units can be pivoted synchronously.

(22) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mowing device 10 of the invention, in a headland position following a first pivot movement of the folding process, i.e. for changing it to the transport position. In a first pivot movement from the working position, both the main pivot arms 28a, 28b of the first connection devices or units 24a, 24b are pivoted upward by about 15 around the main arm pivot axis A.sub.HA and the side arms 42a, 42b of the second connection units 40a, 40b are pivoted upward by about 15 around the side arm pivot axes A.sub.SA. This gives the mowing units 20a, 20b; 22a, 22b ground clearance.

(23) The main elements 30, 44 of the first connection units 24a, 24b and the second connection units 40a, 40b are in their original position at a pivot angle of 0, at which the main arm pivot axis A.sub.HA and the side arm pivot axes A.sub.SA extend horizontally.

(24) This pivot mode can also be used during turning maneuvers or when changing mowing tracks, in order to briefly interrupt the mowing process. The mowing units 20a, 20b, 22a, 22b are hydraulically locked during this process.

(25) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mowing device 10 of the invention in a next position thereof during the folding process.

(26) The first main element 30 of the first connection units 24a, 24b has been pivoted forward by about 15 around the main element pivot axis A.sub.HE so that the mowing units 20a, 20b gain further ground clearance. The forward pivot movement is performed by means of a two-part hydraulic cylinder 60. This pivot movement can therefore take place independently of a pivot movement of the second main element 44, although the first main element 30 of the first connection unit and the second main element 44 of the second connection units can be inclined together by means of a cylinder 62 so as to realize a height adjustment of the mowing units.

(27) Moreover, from its shown position, the outer pivot arm 26a, 26b was then pivoted around the outer arm pivot axis A.sub.AA by about 80. The end position of this pivoting process around the outer arm pivot axis A.sub.AA is about 130, so that the mowing units 20a, 20b almost touch each other and that, at the outer arm joint, the outer pivot arm 26a, 26b and the main pivot arm 28a, 28b define an angle of about 50 between them.

(28) This end position is illustrated in FIG. 4. This position shows the mowing units 20a, 20b pivoted back about the outer arm pivot axis A.sub.AA by about 140. In this position, the outer pivot arms are locked in position with respect to the main pivot arms 28a, 28b by means of locking pins 52a, 52b.

(29) In addition, an additional pivot process of the main pivot arm 28a, 28b is performed around the main arm pivot axis A.sub.HA at an angle of about 90, resulting in the main pivot arms 28a, 28b being inclined slightly inward towards the central frame. In their transport position, the first mowing units 20a, 20b are also slightly inclined inward.

(30) This position can be seen in the lateral view of FIG. 5, with the process of changing the machine from the working position to the transport position being completed in that the main pivot arms 28a, 28b, which were folded in as described above, come to rest on support arms 65 by a forward pivot movement of the first main element 30 by about 50, and are locked in their transport position by means of locking pins 54a, 54b.

(31) Once more, the side arms 42a, 42b are pivoted upward about the side arm pivot axes A.sub.SA by approx. 90, thus assuming their end position slightly inclined to the center of the frame, and are then locked in their transport position.

(32) FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b are views of the mowing unit 10 in its transport position, with FIG. 6a being a lateral view and FIG. 6b a rear view thereof.

(33) This results in a compact transport configuration.

(34) FIG. 7 is a detail view of the arrangement for adjusting the cutting height. As shown, the main element 30 of the first connection unit is arranged behind the wheel axle and can be pivoted around the main element pivot axis A.sub.HE. Arranged in front of the wheel axle is the main element 44 of the second connection unit which is pivotally mounted around the front main element pivot axis A.sub.HEV. At a distance from the main element pivot axis A.sub.HE, two serially connected cylinders 68, 70 engage the main element 30 and, via a bearing 72, the central frame 12. In this case, the serial arrangement of cylinders 68, 70 has been implemented such that the piston rod of the two cylinders 68, 70 is a constructional unit, resulting in a two-part hydraulic cylinder 60 which, when pressurized appropriately, reliably realizes two defined pivot states or pivot angles. Via the bearing 72, the main element 30 is also connected to the front main element 44 by a rod 64. This rod 64 is actuated by a cylinder 62 connected to the central frame 12 so that, when actuated, the same inclination angle results for the main element 30 of the first connection unit and for the main element of the second connection unit and consequently for the corresponding mowing units.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(35) 10 mowing device 12 central frame 14 wheel axle 16a, 16b wheels 20a, 20b two first mowing units 22a, 22b two second mowing units 24a, 24b first connection unit 26a, 26b outer pivot arm 28a, 28b main pivot arm 30 first main element 32a, 32b mowing unit joint 34a, 34b outer arm joint 36a, 36b main arm joint 38 main element joint 40a, 40b second connection unit 42a, 42b lateral pivot arm 44 second main element 46 second main element joint 48a, 48b side arm joint 50a, 50b mowing unit joint 52a, 52b locking pin 54a, 54b locking pin 60 two-piece hydraulic cylinder 62 cylinder 64 rod 65 support arm 68 cylinder 70 cylinder 72 bearing A.sub.HE first main element pivot axis A.sub.R Wheal axis A.sub.HA main arm pivot axis A.sub.AA outer arm pivot axis A.sub.ME first mowing unit pivot axis A.sub.HEV second main element pivot axis A.sub.SA side arm pivot axis A.sub.MEV second mowing unit pivot axis