AU2001100557A4 - Adjustable picking head - Google Patents

Description

14/11/2001 16:28 +61-8-84105042 A APT PAGE 04/17 +61 8 84105042 1 ADJUSTABLE PICKING HEAD This invention relates to a harvester suitable for harvesting fruit grown in rows, and in particular to a harvester that has a picking head that can be adjusted to accommodate changes in row width.

BACKGROUND

Mechanical harvesters are become the predominant means of picking a range of fruit that is grown in rows, and certainly for grapes hand picking has become limited almost exclusively to fresh table grapes.

Grapes for wines are preferably picked by a mechanical harvester. This is because picking can be effected more rapidly and generally during the cooler temperatures of night.

Whilst latterly there have been a great number of planting of rows of grape vines that take on a uniformity of trellis profile, there are still a large number of older plants that are planted on trellises that do not conform to a particular trellis profile. Additionally the profile of grapes grown by one grower can vary relative to those of another. Furthermore a particular grower may have a number of different plants so that the overall profile of one row to be harvested may vary compared to that of another. Additionally especially in older plantings the profile of a particular row may also be non-uniform.

Accordingly it is desirable to provide for easy adjustment of a picking head to accommodate such variation. In the past variation has been possible but commercially this has been limited to separate manual adjustment of each finger holder, requiring manual measurement of the extent to which each finger holder has been moved. This is somewhat time consuming, but may be reasonable where such adjustments might be required from one day to another or from one property to another, but the time and effort expended is not warranted with variation from row to row or within the same row. Accordingly a non ideal spacing is often used and as a result the degree of damage occasioned to a trellis is greater than desirable or the proportion of fruit harvest is less than might be desired.

RECEIVED TIME 14. NOV. 17:53 FRINI TIME 14, NOV. 18:19 1 r.

14/11/2001 16:28 +61-8-84105842 APT -P'AGE t61 8 84105042 2 It is thus desirable to have a picking head and harvester that provides for a method of ready retraction and extension of the picking head about a central line of travel of the picking head.

Preferably this provides for remote adjustment so that the operator is not required to physically attend the picking head, and preferably whilst still operating the harvester.

One suggestion for adjustment has been made in Australian Patent application 58376/98, however this relies on the use of two separate rams that are required to be regulated hydraulically to provide for an even central extension or retraction about a central line of travel, this evenness of action however is not a reliable because it relies on hydraulic action in a range of hydraulic lines and on two different rams acting uniformly over an extended period of time. Additionally there is no provision to adjust for tilt of the finger holders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention thus results from the provision of a simple mechanism that allows for adjustment of a gap between opposed finger carriers on a picking head.

In one form the invention might be said to reside in a picking head for a harvester of a row crop adapted to straddle the row crop, said picking head including at least two opposed finger carriers spaced apart by a gap to accommodate the row crop, each of the at least two finger carriers supported by a moveable finger carrier frame, and each of the at least two moveable finger carrier frames supported for movement laterally, a double lobed cam pivotably about a centre of the picking head a first and second of the at least two moveable finger carrier frame connected to a first and second of the lobes of the double lobed cam a ram connected at a first end with an arm extending from the double lobed cam, and at a second end with a picking head frame, extension and retraction of said ram causing rotation of the cam to thereby effect a movement apart or together of the two opposed finger holders to widen or narrow the gap therebetween.

Generally however harvesters of the above type are made with four finger carrier, two opposed pairs- Additionally there is the added difficulty of providing for a simple mechanism 5/17 RECEIVED TIME 14. NOV, 17:53 PRINT TIVIE 1:4. N~OV. 18: 19 14/11/ 2001 16:28 +61-8-84105042 A APT

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+61 8 84105042 3 to coordinate the degree to which the gap is widened or narrowed the between the two opposing pairs of finger carriers.

Accordingly in a further form the invention might be said to reside in a picking head for a harvester of a row crop adapted to straddle the row crop, said picking head including two pairs of opposed finger carriers, one each of the pairs supported on one side of a gap by a first moveable finger carrier frame and a second each of the pairs supported on the other side of the gap by a second moveable finger carrier frame, each of the finger carrier frame being elongate so as to support two finger carrier frames in spaced apart relationship, the dimensions of the gap being chosen to accommodate the row crop, and each of the first and second finger carrier frames supported for movement lateral to a direction of travel of a harvester carrying the picking head, a first double lobed cam pivotably about a centre of the picking head, a first end of the first finger carrier frame connected to a first of the lobes of the first double lobed cam, and a first end of the second of the two moveable finger carrier frames connected to a second of the lobes of the double lobed cam, a first second lobed cam pivotably about a centre of the picking head, a second end of the first finger carrier frame connected to a first of the lobes of the second double lobed cam, and a first end of the second of the two finger carrier frames connected to a second of the lobes of the second double lobed cam, the first and second double lobed cams connected by a shaft so that both cams move together a ram at a first end connected with an arm extending from the first double lobed cam, and at a second end with a picking head frame, extension and retraction of said ram causing rotation of the cam to thereby effect a movement apart or together of the pairs of opposed finger carrier to widen or narrow the gap therebetween to the same extent.

It is preferred that the finger carrier frames are supported at both the first end and the second end by a separate sleeve slidable over a respective sliding tube supported by the picking head frame, the sliding tube being connected to a respective lobe of the cam by a connector.

06/17 RECEIVED TIME 14, NOV. 17:53 PRINT TIME 14. NOV, 18:19 i- rn-Ill A 14/11/2001 16:28 +61-8-84105042 a APT -L U +61 8 84105042 4 It is also preferred that a slidable support member depends from each of the four sleeves and being fixed to a respective sleeve and slideable therewith, a first two support members positioned on a first side of the gap pivotably support a respective end of a first finger carrier frame and first adjustment means being provided to adjust the tilt of the first finger carrier frame relative to the slidable support member, and a second two support members positioned on a second side of the gap pivotably support a respective end of a second finger carrier frame and first adjustment means being provided to adjust the tilt of the first finger carrier frame relative to the slidable support member.

It will also be understood that the invention contemplates a harvester incorporating the picking head described or defined in this specification.

For a better understanding one embodiment of the invention will be describe with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 Is a part perspective view, from above, of the illustrated embodiment, Figure 2 is a plan view from one end of the illustrated embodiment Figure 3 is a sectional view through lines A-A as shown in figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT OF THE

INVENTION

The illustrated picking head is to be held by a harvesting machine that might be towed but is generally driven for harvesting. The harvester straddles a row of fruit supported on a trellis, typically grapes, and driven along the row to harvest the fruit.

The picking head consists of a picking head frame comprising four steel frame membels two upper ones (2a, 2b) in line with the direction of travel of the head, and two lower one (2c, I 1 I RECEIVED TIME 14. NOV. 17:53 FRINT TIME 14, NOV. 18:19 14/11/2'001 16:28 +61-8-84105042 I APT PAGE +61 8 84105042 2d) transverse thereto. The four frame members are fastened together by welding together and with the added connection of an angle bracket three of which are shown at (3a, 3b, and 3c), and end plates three of which are shown at (4a, 4b, and 4c).

It is preferred that means for mounting the picking head frame into the harvester allows for some movement relative to the harvester itself. The illustrate embodiment shows two different provisions for such mounting. The means for mounting can be four pivoting arms three of which are shown at (5a, 5b and 5c). It can be seen that these are pivotable with respect to both the picking head frame and the harvester. The four pivoting arms are each separately supported from the upper frame members of the picking head frame but not directly. They are instead mounted to a point below the frame and extending outwardly therefrom. This then means that the pivoting arms can be somewhat longer which taken together with the placement of the lower pivot axis to the side of the frame members allows for a greater lateral movement.

Mounting by means of the four pivoting arms then provides for floating movement lateral to the direction of travel of the harvester and readily allows the picking head to follow the trellis where the harvester is not driven centrally with respect of the row.

The mounting means might also be in the form of two lugs (6a, 6b) welded centrally onto the lower frame members (2c, 2d) of the picking head frame. It can be seen that a first of the lugs (6a) is welded directly onto lower frame members (2c) whereas the second of the lugs is welded onto a protrusion of rhs steel (6c) extending outwardly from lower frame member (2d).

Two pivot pins (7a, 7b) extend through arms of the respective lugs for common pivotal connection to the harvester. The freedom of lateral movement in this form of connection is limited to a pivotal movement but this does provide for some accommodation of the harvester not travelling centrally over the vines.

The illustrated picking head has the general layout of a known picking head. This then comprises four vertically positioned finger holders these generally take the form of two opposed pairs. An opposed pair of finger holders is shown at (10a, 10b). The finger holders are each vertically elongate and hold a bank of picking rods each held horizontally on the finger holder with the rods of the two opposed finger holders generally backwardly converging. The finger holders are oscillated at high speed by a mechanism that is not shown 08/17 RECEIVED TIME 14, NOV. 17:53 PRiINT TIME 14, NOV. 18:18' 14/11/2 001 16:28 +61-8-84185042 A APT PAGE +61 8 84105042 6 here at speeds of several hundred oscillations per minute perhaps as high as 500. As a result of the harvester straddling the vine, opposing banks of picking rods are oscillated on either side of the vine and vibrate the vine and fruit to thereby harvest the fruit. One means of oscillating the finger holders is disclosed in US patent specification 6076343 to Burke (commonly assigned) which has the advantage of allowing for a higher oscillation rate.

However other means of doing so are also known and may be used.

Two finger carrier frames (11, 12) each support two finger carriers for one side of the harvester. The finger carrier frame is a generally rectangular frame made of RHS tubular steel and include horizontal upper (1 la, 12a) and lower (not shown) frame members, and a first (1 lb, 12b) and second (not shown) upright frame member. Other cross members and fitting may also be supported on the finger carrier frames. The finger carriers end in a finger carrier axle on both top and bottom, two top axles are shown at (15, 16). These are journalled into a bearing two of which are shown at (17, 18) supported on a respective finger carrier frame.

This connection is then the means for allowing the freedom for the finger carriers to oscillate.

The two finger carriers frames are pivotally supported by two downwardly depending laterally slidable support members (19, 20, 21, 22). The pivotal connection is not shown in the drawings. The pivoting connection is approximately central with respect of the finger carrier frame and permits movement of the frame relative to a respective two slidable support members so that the attitude of finger carrier frame can be adjusted to be either upright, to have a top tilting towards the centre of the picking head or more preferably to have a bottom tilting towards the centre of the picking head. This pivotal movement is useful depending on the profile of the trellis to be harvested. Generally the profile of the trellis is such that it is desirable to taper the finger carriers inwardly to the bottom. It might be desired to make this even more pronounced should it be desired to harvest a trellis formation that has a much wider top part, for example a T trellis. The capacity to slide the finger carriers outwards facilitates this use.

An adjustable connection in the form of a tilt turnbuckle such as shown at (30, 31, 32, 33) is provided for adjustment of tilt between each of the slidable support members and the finger carrier frames. This is to position the attitude of the finger carrier frame relative to the slidable 09/17 RECEIVED TIME 14. NOV. 17:53 PRINT TIME 14. NOV. 18:18

A

14/11/20 01 16:28 +61-8-84105842 A APT PAGE 1 161 8 84105042 7 support members. The arrangement of the tilt turnbuckles will be described in more detail below. In place of the turnbuckle it might be desired to provide for a ram, to effect such adjustment or more particularly a single ram in place of two turnbuckles that influence the same finger carrier frame. The adjustment of tilt might therefore be controlled remotely by a suitable controller operable by the operator of the harvester when in the cabin.

Four separate sliding tubes (40, 41, 42, 43) are connected two each to a lower head frame member (2c, 2d). A pair of triangular holding plates (such as shown at 44, 45) depend downwardly from a respective lower head frame member to hold each sliding tube in place.

The sliding tube fitting through apertures in the holding plates, and an upper part of each triangular plate joined by welding to the lower head frame member. An end of the pair (45) of holding plates is welded over the end of the lower head frame member. A separate sleeve (46) is fitted over each of the sliding tubes, and an inner dimension is close to that of the outer dimension of the sliding tube to permit sliding movement therebetween. Bushes such as nylon bushes might be provided to facilitate the sliding movement.

A respective slidable support member (19, 21) is welded to each sleeve. As a result a pair of sliding tubes, that are, in use, positioned to one side of a row to be harvested support between them two slidable support members, a finger carrier frame, two finger carriers and associated rods. Similarly support are whatever oscillation generating means drives and the like mounted to the finger carrier frame, these might collectively be considered as a slidable subassembly. It will thus be appreciated that the slidable subassembly is slidable laterally with respect to centre of the direction of travel of the harvester which will generally by directly above the centre of the row to be harvested. It will be appreciated that there are two slidable subassembly in the illustrated picking head which both can be urged to slide similarly.

A first double lobed cam (50a) is journalled via a shaft (51) into a bearing (52) supported beneath one of the lower head frame members This is positioned centrally on the lower head frame member (2c) and is therefore generally positioned centrally on the picking head and in use in line with the row being harvested. Connector arms (55, 56) are pivotably connected between each sleeve (46) and a lobe of the cam, so that on rotation of the cam the sleeves are driven either outwardly or inwardly to diverge or converge. The distance of 8/17 RECEIVED TIME 14. NOV. 17:53 PRINT TIME 14A W 1,18:18 1 1 1 14/11/208 31 16:28 +61-8-84185842 A APT i-t i +61 8 84105042 8 connection of both connector arms from the axis of pivoting is the same. It can also be seen that the connector arm go overcentre of the shaft of the cam.

A similar arrangement with a second double lobed cam (50b) is supported by the other lower head frame member (2d) and is similarly connected with the sleeves at that end of the harvester. A tubular member(58) is connect between the two double lobed cams with both cams being aligned, so that both rotate together, and thus slidable movement of each of the sleeves is coordinated and the extent of sliding movement for each of the four sleeves is the same, accordingly so to is the extent of sliding movement of each of the finger holders.

The first double lobed cam has an extension arm and an actuating ram (61) is pivotably connected between the extension arm and a ram support lug (62) extending beneath one of the upper head frame members Extension or retraction of the actuating ram therefore has a similar effect on the sleeves and therefore the two slidable subassemblies slide apart when the ram is extended, and slide together when the actuating ram is retracted.

The tilt turnbuckles (30, 31, 32, 33) are connected pivotably to the carrier frame by a first turnbuckle lug (70) and to the sleeve (46) by a sleeve lug The attitude of the finger carrier frame relative to the sleeve and therefore slidable support member can be adjusted by lengthening or shortening the turnbuckle.

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Claims (4)

1. A picking head for a harvester of a row crop adapted to straddle tile row crop, said picking head including at least two opposed finger carriers spaced apart by a gap to accommodate the row crop, each of the at least two finger carriers supported by a moveable finger carrier frame, and each of the at least two moveable finger carrier frames supported for movement laterally, a double lobed cam pivotably about a centre of the picking head a first and second of the at least two moveable finger carrier frame connected to a first and second of the lobes of the double lobed cam a ram connected at a first end with an arm extending from the double lobed cam, and at a second end with a picking head frame, extension and retraction of said ram causing rotation of the cam to thereby effect a movement apart or together of the two opposed finger holders to widen or narrow the gap therebetween.

2. A picking head for a harvester of a row crop adapted to straddle the row crop, said picking head including two pairs of opposed finger carriers, one each of the pairs supported on one side of a gap by a first moveable finger carrier frame and a second each of the pairs supported on the other side of the gap by a second moveable finger carrier frame, each of the finger carrier frame being elongate so as to support two finger carrier frames in spaced apart relationship, the dimensions of the gap being chosen to accommodate the row crop, and each of the first and second finger carrier frames supported for movement lateral to a direction of travel of a harvester carrying the picking head, a first double lobed cam pivotably about a centre of the picking head, a first end of the first finger carrier frame connected to a first of the lobes of the first double lobed cam, and a first end of the second of the two moveable finger carrier frames connected to a second of the lobes of the double lobed cam, a first second lobed cam pivotably about a centre of the picking head, a second end of the first finger carrier frame connected to a first of the lobes of the second double lobed cam, and a first end of the second of the two finger carrier frames connected to a second of the lobes of the second double lobed cam, 12/17 RECEIVED TIME 14, NOV. 17:53 PRINT TIME 14, NOV, 18:18 A 14/11/2001 16:28 +61-8-84185842 A APT PAGE 1 +61 8 84105042 the first and second double lobed cams connected by a shaft so that both cams move together a ram at a first end connected with an arm extending from the first double lobed cam, and at a second end with a picking head frame, extension and retraction of said ram causing rotation of the cam to thereby effect a movement apart or together of the pairs of opposed finger carrier to widen or narrow the gap therebetween to the same extent.

3. A picking head as in either claim 2 wherein the finger carrier frames are supported at both the first end and the second end by a separate sleeve slidable over a respective sliding tube supported by the picking head frame, the sliding tube being connected to a respective lobe of the cam by a connector.

4. A picking head as in claim 3 wherein a slidable support member depends from each of the four sleeves and being fixed to a respective sleeve and slideable therewith, a first two support members positioned on a first side of the gap pivotably support a respective end of a first finger carrier frame and first adjustment means being provided to adjust the tilt of the first finger carrier frame relative to the slidable support member, and a second two support members positioned on a second side of the gap pivotably support a respective end of a second finger carrier frame and first adjustment means being provided to adjust the tilt of the first finger carrier frame relative to the slidable support member. A harvester incorporating the picking head of any one of claims 1 to 4. Dated this 14th day ofNovember 2001 U R MACHINERY (SALES) PTY LTD By his/their Patent Attorneys A.P.T. Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 3/17 RECEIVED TIME 14, NOV. 17:53 PRINT TIME 14. NOV. 18:18