METHOD FOR ADJUSTING HAYMAKING MACHINE INTO TRANSPORT POSITION

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for adjusting a haymaking machine (1) into a transport position, which haymaking machine (1) has a main frame (2) and two side units (6) arranged to both sides on the main frame (2), each side unit having a boom (7), which in a side position extends sidewards along a transverse axis (Y) from an attachment region (3) of the main frame (2), and a cultivating unit (20), arranged on the boom (7), for field cultivation, said cultivating unit (20) being adjustable on the boom (7) between an inner position arranged relatively close to the attachment region (3) and an outer position that is further remote from the attachment region (3). According to the invention, in order to propose improved adjustability for transport in the case of a haymaking machine having booms, provision is made whereby, proceeding from a working position in which the booms (7) are in the side position, the following steps are performed: adjustment of each cultivating unit (20) relative to the main frame (2) into an upright position, at least in part by pivoting about in each case one unit pivot axis (A) which, when the booms (7) are in the side position, extends at least predominantly along the transverse axis (Y), adjustment of the booms (7) relative to the main frame (2), at least in part by pivoting about in each case one boom pivot axis (B), which extends at least predominantly along a vertical axis (Z) and is arranged in the attachment region (3), towards the longitudinal axis (X) into a longitudinal position, wherein the adjustment of the booms (7) is performed while the cultivating units (20) are at least temporarily in the outer position, and adjustment of the cultivating units (20) into the inner position after the adjustment of the booms (7) has been at least performed at least partially.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A method for adjusting a haymaking machine (1) into a transport position, wherein the haymaking machine (1) includes a main frame (2) and two side units (6) arranged to both sides on the main frame (2), each side unit having a boom (7), which in a side position extends sidewards along a transverse axis (Y) from an attachment region (3) of the main frame (2), and a cultivating unit (20), arranged on the boom (7), for field cultivation, said cultivating unit (20) being adjustable on the boom (7) between an inner position arranged relatively close to the attachment region (3) and an outer position that is further remote from the attachment region (3), wherein, starting from a working position in which the booms (7) are in the side position, the following steps are performed comprising of: adjusting each cultivating unit (20) relative to the main frame (2) into an upright position, at least in part by pivoting about, in each case, one unit pivot axis (A) which, when the booms (7) are in the side position, extends at least predominantly along the transverse axis (Y); adjusting the booms (7) relative to the main frame (2), at least in part by pivoting about in each case one boom pivot axis (B), which extends at least predominantly along a vertical axis (Z) and is arranged in the attachment region (3), towards the longitudinal axis (X) into a longitudinal position, wherein the adjustment of the booms (7) is performed while the cultivating units (20) are at least temporarily in the outer position; and adjusting the cultivating units (20) into the inner position after the adjustment of the booms (7) has been at least performed at least partially.

17. The method for adjusting a haymaking machine (1) into a transport position according to claim 16, further comprising adjusting the cultivating units (20) into the upright position before the booms (7) are adjusted into the longitudinal position.

18. The method for adjusting a haymaking machine (1) into a transport position according to claim 16, wherein the booms (7) are pivoted forwards in relation to a direction of travel (F).

19. The method for adjusting a haymaking machine (1) into a transport position according to claim 16, wherein the main frame (2) includes a drawbar (4) which extends forwards relative to the attachment region (3) with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) and towards which the booms (7) are pivoted into the longitudinal position.

20. The method for adjusting a haymaking machine (1) into a transport position according to claim 16, further comprising adjusting the cultivating units (20) into the outer position before the adjustment of the booms (7).

21. The method for adjusting a haymaking machine (1) into a transport position according to claim 16, further comprising adjusting each cultivating unit (20) into the upright position relative to the boom (7).

22. The method for adjusting a haymaking machine (1) into a transport position according to claim 16, wherein the cultivating unit (20) is connected at least indirectly to the boom (7) via a middle link (8) and two side links (10) which are laterally offset relative to said middle link along the transverse axis (Y) and which are at least partially vertically offset relative to said middle link along the vertical axis (Z), wherein the middle link (8) and the side links (10) are mutually independently pivotably connected on both sides, and wherein, before the cultivating unit (20) is adjusted into the upright position, the cultivating unit (20) is, at least in part, adjusted upwards relative to the boom (7) from a lowered position into a raised position by adjustment of at least one of the links (8, 10).

23. The method for adjusting a haymaking machine (1) into a transport position according to claim 16, wherein the cultivating unit (20) is movably connected to a suspension frame (12), and further comprising adjusting the cultivating unit (20) into the upright position by virtue of the suspension frame (12) being pivoted relative to the boom (7) about the unit pivot axis (A).

24. The method for adjusting a haymaking machine (1) into a transport position according to claim 23, wherein the cultivating unit (20) is locked on the suspension frame (12) by actuator means before the suspension frame (12) is pivoted about the unit pivot axis (A).

25. The method for adjusting a haymaking machine (1) into a transport position according to claim 16, wherein each cultivating unit (20) is pivoted through an angle of between 70? and 120?, preferably between 75? and 115?, about the unit pivot axis (A).

26. The method for adjusting a haymaking machine (1) into a transport position according to claim 16, wherein each said boom (7) includes a pivoting portion (8), which is pivotably connected to the attachment region (3), and a sliding portion (9), which is slidably connected to the pivoting portion (8) and on which the cultivating unit (20) is arranged, wherein the adjustment of the cultivating unit (20) between the inner position and the outer position is performed by translational sliding of the sliding portion (9) on the pivoting portion (8).

27. The method for adjusting a haymaking machine (1) into a transport position according to claim 16, wherein the cultivating unit (20) into the inner position gives rise to positive engagement between the side unit (6) and the main frame (2), which positive engagement prevents the boom (7) from pivoting out of the longitudinal position.

28. The method for adjusting a haymaking machine (1) into a transport position according to claim 16, further comprising a positive engagement is established between a first locking element (25), which is connected to the main frame (2), and a second locking element (26), which is connected to the cultivating unit (20).

29. The method for adjusting a haymaking machine (1) into a transport position according to claim 16, wherein the haymaking machine (1) is designed as a windrower, and each cultivating unit (20) is designed as a windrower unit which has a pickup device (21) and a transverse conveyor device (22), wherein the pickup device (21) is configured to pick up agricultural crops from the ground (30) and transfer said crops to the transverse conveying device (22), and the transverse conveying device (22) is configured to convey the transferred crops along the transverse axis (Y) and deposit said crops in the form of a windrow on the ground (30).

30. A haymaking machine (1) comprising of: a main frame (2) and two side units (6) arranged to both sides on the main frame (2), each side unit having a boom (7), which in a side position extends sidewards along a transverse axis (Y) from an attachment region (3) of the main frame (2), and a cultivating unit (20), arranged on the boom (7), for field cultivation, said cultivating unit (20) being adjustable on the boom (7) between an inner position arranged relatively close to the attachment region (3) and an outer position that is further remote from the attachment region (3), wherein the haymaking machine (1) from a working position in which the booms (7) are in the side position can have each cultivating unit (20) are adjustable relative to the main frame (2) into an upright position, at least in part by pivoting about in each case one unit pivot axis (A) which, when the booms (7) are in the side position, extends at least predominantly along the transverse axis (Y) and the booms (7) adjustable relative to the main frame (2), at least in part by pivoting about in each case one boom pivot axis (B), which extends at least predominantly along a vertical axis (Z) and is arranged in the attachment region (3), towards the longitudinal axis (X) into a longitudinal position, wherein the booms (7) are adjustable while the cultivating units (20) are at least temporarily in the outer position, and the cultivating units (20) are adjustable into the inner position after the adjustment of the booms (7) has been at least performed at least partially.

Description

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first haymaking machine according to the invention, configured as a windrower, in a working position with booms in a side position and windrower units in a lowered position and in an inner position;

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a windrower unit of the windrower from FIG. 1;

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the haymaking machine from FIG. 1 in a working position with the windrower units in the lowered position and in an outer position;

[0049] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the haymaking machine from FIG. 1 in a working position with the windrower units in a raised position and in an outer position;

[0050] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the haymaking machine from FIG. 1 with the windrower units in an upright position;

[0051] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the haymaking machine from FIG. 1 with the booms in a longitudinal position;

[0052] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the haymaking machine from FIG. 1 with the booms in a longitudinal position and the windrower units in the inner position;

[0053] FIG. 8 shows a perspective detail view of the haymaking machine in a state corresponding to FIG. 6; and

[0054] FIG. 9 shows a perspective detail view of the haymaking machine from FIG. 8 in a state corresponding to FIG. 7.

[0055] An artisan of ordinary skill in the art need not view, within isolated figure(s), the near infinite number of distinct permutations of features described in the following detailed description to facilitate an understanding of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0056] The present disclosure is not to be limited to that described herein. Mechanical, electrical, chemical, procedural, and/or other changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. No features shown or described are essential to permit basic operation of the present invention unless otherwise indicated. The hereinafter elucidated features may also be an aspect of the invention individually or in combinations other than those shown or described, but always at least in combination with the features of the claims. Where appropriate, functionally equivalent parts are provided with identical reference numbers.

[0057] FIG. 1 shows a haymaking machine according to the invention, in this case a windrower 1, which is provided for being towed by a tractor (not illustrated here). The windrower 1 has a main frame 2, which can be supported on the ground 30 via two wheels of a running gear 5. Furthermore, the main frame 2 has a drawbar 4, which points forwards in a direction of travel F and which extends along a longitudinal axis X and, via which said main frame is coupled to the tractor. Parallel to a transverse axis Y, two side units 6 are arranged to the two sides of the main frame 2, each side unit having a boom 7 on which a windrower unit 20, which serves as a cultivating unit, is arranged. Each boom 7 is connected to an attachment region 3 of the main frame 2 and, in a side position illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 5, extends sidewards along the transverse axis Y. The two windrower units 20 and their connection to the main frame 2 are identical or mirror-symmetrical, and therefore, only one windrower unit 20 will be considered in each case below.

[0058] The windrower unit 20 has a pickup device 21 and has a transverse conveying device 22 that is arranged behind said pickup device with respect to the longitudinal axis X. When the windrower 1 is towed in direction of travel F, the pickup device 21 picks up crops from the ground 30 and transfers said crops to the transverse conveying device 22, which conveys said crops sidewards with respect to the transverse axis Y by means of a conveyor belt (without reference designation) and deposits said crops in the form of a windrow on the ground 30. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of the windrower 1 that is provided for depositing the crops laterally to the outside with respect to the transverse axis Y. Here, the two windrower units 20 are arranged adjacent to one another along the transverse axis Y, and their conveyor belts are driven either in the same direction, for the purposes of depositing to one side, or in opposite directions, for the purposes of depositing to both sides. Alternatively, the windrower units 20 may also be arranged spaced apart from one another, as shown in FIG. 3, such that crops can (at least also) be deposited in the middle between the two windrower units 20.

[0059] In order to implement the different positions, each boom 7 has two portions 8, 9, specifically a pivoting portion 8, which is connected to the attachment region 3, and a sliding portion 9, which is slidably connected to the pivoting portion 8 and to which the windrower unit 20 is connected. By means of a slide actuator 10 that is designed here as a hydraulic cylinder, the sliding portion 9 with the windrower unit 20 can be adjusted along a sliding axis C. The windrower units 20 can thus be adjusted between an inner position illustrated in FIG. 1, in which they are arranged relatively close to the attachment region 3, and an outer position illustrated in FIG. 3, in which they are further remote from the attachment region 3. Each of the pivoting portions 8 is in turn connected to the attachment region 3 pivotably about a boom pivot axis B, which in this example is inclined with respect to the vertical axis Z by 5? in the direction of travel F toward the longitudinal axis X. Said pivoting portion can be actively pivoted by means of a pivoting actuator 11 designed as a hydraulic cylinder.

[0060] As can be seen in particular in FIG. 2, the relevant windrower unit 20 is connected to the sliding portion 9 not directly but via an interposed suspension frame 12. The windrower unit 20 is, in turn, movably connected to the suspension frame 12. An inherently rigid windrower unit frame 23 of the windrower unit 20 is connected to the suspension frame 12 via an upper link 13, which is designed as an upper link actuator 14, and two lower links 15, which are offset laterally relative to said upper link along the transverse axis Y and which are arranged below said upper link with respect to the vertical axis Z. The upper link actuator 14, designed here as a hydraulic cylinder, is adjustable in length and is connected via pivot bearings (without reference designation) at one side to the suspension frame 12 and at the other side to the unit frame 23. The lower links 15 are likewise connected via pivot bearings to the unit frame 23 and to the suspension frame 12. Attached to each lower link 15 is a lower link actuator 16, which is likewise designed as a hydraulic cylinder, and which is pivotably connected to the lower link 15 and to the suspension frame 12.

[0061] By adjusting a length of the upper link 13, it is, for example, possible to adjust a working height of the windrower unit 20. Furthermore, the windrower unit 20 can be raised from a lowered position shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 into a raised position shown in FIG. 4 by virtue of the upper link actuator 14 and the lower link actuators 16 being retracted. A raising movement for the purposes of traveling across a headland can, for example, be realized in this way. In the lowered position, the pickup devices 21 are arranged close enough to the ground that they can pick up crops. Furthermore, the lower link actuators 16 act as spring elements, which transmit part of the weight of the windrower unit 20 via the suspension frame 12 to the main frame 2. Owing to its passive articulation, the windrower unit 20 as a whole can be deflected upwards or downwards, for example, in order to follow a ground profile. By means of a different, that is to say, asymmetrical articulation of the two lower links 15 and an accompanying different compression and/or expansion of the lower link actuators 16, the windrower unit 20 can also perform a transverse swinging motion.

[0062] The suspension frame 12 is, in turn, connected, pivotably about a unit pivot axis A, to the sliding portion 9 of the boom 7, and can be pivoted upwards, into an upright position, illustrated in FIG. 5, by means of two uprighting actuators 17.

[0063] The suspension of the windrower units 20 relative to the main frame 2 is also transferable to cultivating units of tedders or of mowing machines, which are designed as tedder units or as mowing units. The same applies to the method described below.

[0064] A method according to the invention for adjusting the windrower 1 into a transport position will now be discussed on the basis of FIGS. 1 and 3 to 9. The transport position is intended for transport of the windrower 1 to the location of use or for return transport from the location of use. FIG. 1 represents the initial state, in which the booms 7 are arranged in the side position and the windrower units 20 are arranged in the inner position and the in lowered position. Activation of the slide actuators 10 causes the sliding portions 9 with the windrower units 20 to be adjusted out of the inner position along the sliding axis C into the outer position shown in FIG. 3. In this case, the adjustment takes place parallel to the transverse axis Y. Before, during and/or after the adjustment of the windrower unit 20 into the outer position, the relevant windrower unit 20 is locked on the suspension frame 12 by virtue of both the upper link actuator 14 and the lower link actuators 16 being retracted into their relevant end position of minimum length. The windrower units 20 thus assume the raised position illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0065] In a next method step, the operating actuators 17 are actuated in order to pivot the suspension frame 12 with the windrower unit 20 arranged thereon upwards about the unit pivot axis A. In this example, pivoting takes place through an angle of approximately 90?, though this is to be understood merely as an example. In other refinements, the angle may, in particular, lie between 60? and 120?. As a result of the pivoting operation, the windrower units 20 assume the upright position illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0066] In a next step of the method, the pivoting actuators 11 are activated, whereby the booms 7, proceeding from the side position, are pivoted forwards through an angle of approximately 90? in the direction of travel F and towards the longitudinal axis X until they assume the longitudinal position illustrated in FIG. 6. Here, the booms are arranged at a small distance from the drawbar 4 of the main frame 2 and from one another. Owing to the slight inclination of the boom pivot axes B with respect to the vertical axis Z, the pivoting movement also results in a downward shift of the center of gravity of the side units 6, whereby the center of gravity of the windrower 1 as a whole is also shifted downwards. The windrower units 20 are, however, still arranged in the outer position, which results in a high torque on the relevant boom 7 and an unfavorable mass distribution in relation to the running gear 5. For this reason, the two windrower units 20 are adjusted back into the inner position, whereby the windrower 1 assumes the transport position illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0067] FIGS. 8 and 9 show detailed views of the windrower 1, which relates to a locking mechanism. As can also be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, rail-like first locking elements 25 are rigidly connected to the drawbar 4. Furthermore, in each case one, second locking element 26, designed as a roller, is rotatably connected to the unit frame 23 of each windrower unit 20. With regard to the working position of the windrower 1 (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3), the second locking element 26 is arranged on the underside of the windrower unit 20.

[0068] FIG. 8 corresponds to a state according to FIG. 6, wherein the booms 7 are arranged in the longitudinal position, and the windrower units 20 are arranged in the outer position. In this state, the two locking elements 25, 26 are not in contact with one another. This changes when the windrower units 20 are adjusted in the direction of the inner position. This results in the second locking element 26 coming into contact with the first locking element 25 and rolling over at the latter until, finally, the inner position of the windrower unit 20, shown in FIG. 9, is attained, which corresponds to FIG. 7. By means of an outer profile (not illustrated in detail here) of the second locking element 26, positive engagement is established in the direction of the transverse axis Y, which positive engagement prevents the booms 7 from pivoting out of the longitudinal position. Positive engagement is additionally established along the vertical axis Z by means of the locking elements 25, 26, whereby vertical forces, for example components of the weight force, can also be transmitted from the windrower unit 20 to the drawbar 4.

[0069] From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all of the stated objectives.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0070] The following table of reference characters and descriptors are not exhaustive, nor limiting, and include reasonable equivalents. If possible, elements identified by a reference character below and/or those elements which are near ubiquitous within the art can replace or supplement any element identified by another reference character.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 List of Reference Characters 1 Windrower 2 Main frame 3 Attachment region 4 Drawbar 5 Running gear 6 Side unit(s) 7 Boom(s) 8 Pivoting portion(s) 9 Sliding portion(s) 10 Slide actuator(s) 11 Pivoting actuator(s) 12 Suspension frame 13 Upper link 14 Upper link actuator 15 Lower link(s) 16 Lower link actuator(s) 17 Uprighting actuator(s) 20 Windrower unit(s) 21 Pick-up device(s) 22 Transverse conveying device 23 Windrower unit frame 25 First locking element(s) 26 Second locking element(s) 30 Ground A Unit pivot axis B Boom pivot axis C Sliding axis F Direction of travel X Longitudinal axis Y Transverse axis Z Vertical axis

Glossary

[0071] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used above have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which embodiments of the present invention pertain.

[0072] The terms a, an, and the include both singular and plural referents.

[0073] The term or is synonymous with and/or and means any one member or combination of members of a particular list.

[0074] The terms invention or present invention are not intended to refer to any single embodiment of the particular invention but encompass all possible embodiments as described in the specification and the claims.

[0075] The term about as used herein, refers to slight variations in numerical quantities with respect to any quantifiable variable. Inadvertent error can occur, for example, through the use of typical measuring techniques or equipment or from differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of components.

[0076] The term substantially refers to a great or significant extent. Substantially can thus refer to a plurality, majority, and/or a supermajority of said quantifiable variable, given proper context.

[0077] The term generally encompasses both about and substantially.

[0078] The term configured describes a structure capable of performing a task or adopting a particular configuration. The term configured can be used interchangeably with other similar phrases, such as constructed, arranged, adapted, manufactured, and the like.

[0079] Terms characterizing sequential order, a position, and/or an orientation are not limiting and are only referenced according to the views presented.

[0080] The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The scope of the invention is further qualified as including any possible modification to any of the aspects and/or embodiments disclosed herein which would result in other embodiments, combinations, subcombinations, or the like that would be obvious to those skilled in the art.