BE1031908B1 - Harvesting header for a self-propelled harvester - Google Patents

Abstract

A harvesting attachment (20) for a self-propelled harvesting machine (10), comprising: a support frame (42) with segments, each of which is assigned to a central part (38) and two side parts (40) of the harvesting attachment (20), wherein the side parts (40) are movable relative to the central part (38) between a harvesting operating position and a transport position with a width reduced compared to the harvesting operating position; harvesting units (32) for receiving and conveying plants; and at least one support wheel assembly (52) which is supported on the support frame (42) and can be adjusted between a first and a second position and which, in the first position, serves to support the harvesting attachment (20) in the transport position on the ground; wherein the support wheel assembly (52) is spaced from the ground in the second position assigned to the harvesting operating position of the harvesting attachment (20).

Description

1 BE2024/0030

Harvesting header for a self-propelled harvester

Description

The invention relates to a harvesting attachment for a self-propelled harvesting machine.

State of the art

Self-propelled harvesting machines, such as combine harvesters or

Forage harvesters are used to harvest plants from a field with

Harvesting attachments are detachably attached to the front of the harvester on an intake channel (feeder skewer or pre-press channel). The intake channel is attached to the frame of the harvester and can be pivoted around the transverse axis. As long as the harvesting attachment is not removed from the

Dismantled intake channel and placed on a separate or integrated

chassis is pulled behind the harvester, but on the

front of the harvester and into a compact

transport configuration, the weight of the

The harvesting header rests solely on the harvesting machine unless it is supported by additional support wheels.

Since the weights (mass) of today's harvesting attachments are relatively high due to ever-increasing working widths, the problem often arises that the axle load of the front wheels of the self-propelled harvester is too high to participate in road traffic. A solution to this problem is described in DE 199 18 551.

Al, in which, among other things, the middle part of the frame of the

Detachable wheels on the header or height-adjustable wheels on the intake channel are described, which are only for

be mounted or lowered for road transport. Another

Possibility of attaching the support wheels involves linking a

frame on the middle part of the header frame around the

vertical axis, which frame has at its outer end a

Support wheel, so that the support wheel in the transport position is on the

2 BE2024/0030

front of the folded header and in the harvesting position outside the working width of the unfolded header (DE 10 2011 122 660 A1). In US 2017/0367266

Al support wheels are attached to the inclined conveyor of a combine harvester and are swivelled upwards during field operation.

Task

While the attachment of the support wheels according to DE 199 18 551 Al on the feed housing offers an unfavourable support point, as it is located relatively far back, and the installation on the middle part of the

frame requires dismantling of the wheels for harvesting. The frame according to DE 10 2011 122 660 A1 has a rather large horizontal dimension and is therefore either very solid or unstable, while the arrangement of the support wheels according to

US 2017/0367266 A1 has the disadvantage that the support of the

harvesting header is relatively far behind and is not very efficient.

The present invention aims to provide a harvesting attachment which is improved over the prior art and which does not have the aforementioned disadvantages or does so to a reduced extent.

dimensions.

Solution

This task is achieved according to the invention by the teaching of

Claim 1 is solved, wherein in the further claims

Features are listed that further develop the solution in an advantageous way.

A harvesting header for a self-propelled harvesting machine comprises: a support frame with segments, each associated with a central part and two side parts of the harvesting header, wherein the

Side parts opposite the middle part between a

Harvesting position and a transport position with opposite the

3 BE2024/0030

Harvesting operating position with reduced width;

Harvesting units for receiving and conveying plants: and at least one support wheel assembly adjustable between a first and second position supported on the support frame, which in the first position is used to support the harvesting header in the

Transport position on the ground: with the support wheel assembly in the second. the

Harvesting operation position of the header assigned position from

ground.

In other words, the support frame of the

The support wheel assembly attached to the header is only used to support the header in the transport position and is used in

Harvesting operation is lifted off the ground. This eliminates the need for

Removing or moving the support wheel assembly to a position in which the support wheel assembly supports the header in the

Harvesting position on the ground and the effort required

The support wheel assembly must be sufficiently stable and thus solid. The support wheel assembly can be made in any

be moved between the first and second positions, particularly in the vertical direction.

Example

The drawings show an embodiment described in more detail below. They show:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a harvesting machine with a harvesting header attached in its transport position.

Fig. 2 a perspective view of the harvesting head in its

Harvesting position from rear and top.

Fig. 3 a perspective view of the harvesting head in its

Harvesting position from the front and top.

4 BE2024/0030

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a support wheel assembly,

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but with a first actuator for

Swiveling the support wheel assembly.

Fig. 6 is a view of the support wheel assembly of Figures 4 and 5 showing an adjustment movement,

Fig. 7 is a view of the support wheel assembly of Figures 4 to 6 showing a further adjustment movement.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the support wheel assembly in a (first) intermediate position from the rear.

Fig. 9 a view corresponding to Figure 8, but from the front and with a (second) intermediate position

Support wheel assembly.

Fig. 10 is a view corresponding to Figure 9, but with a support wheel assembly moved into a (third) intermediate position,

Fig. 11 a side view of the harvesting head, showing both the

Both the side panels and the support wheel assembly are in the transport position.

Fig. 12 is a rear, enlarged view of the harvesting head in the position shown in Figure 11, and

Fig. 13 a flow chart for adjusting the harvesting head and

Support wheel assembly between harvesting and transport position.

An agricultural plant shown in Figure 1

Harvesting machine 10 in the form of a self-propelled forage harvester is built on a frame 12 which is supported by front and rear

wheels 14 and 16. The front wheels 14 (which can also be replaced by crawler tracks) serve as

Main drive wheels, while the rear wheels 16 are steerable.

The harvesting machine 10 is operated from a driver's cab 18, from which a harvesting attachment 20 is visible. By means of the harvesting attachment 20, material picked up from the ground, e.g., maize, is fed via a feed housing 30 to a not shown

chopping drum inside the harvesting machine 10, which chops it into small pieces and feeds it to a (also not shown)

The crop leaves the harvesting machine 10 to a trailer driving alongside it via a discharge spout 28 that is rotatable about the vertical axis and adjustable in height. Between the

A secondary crushing device (grain processor) not shown can be arranged between the chopper drum and the conveyor device. Although the invention is illustrated here on a forage harvester, it can also be used on combine harvesters, and the harvesting attachment 20 can be used for both the combine harvester and the forage harvester, as a folding corn header or cutting device for

Grain or pick-up or green waste cutting device.

In the following, directions such as front, rear, side and above refer to the forward direction of the harvesting machine 10 and the

Harvesting header 20, which runs to the left in Figure 1.

The harvesting attachment 20, which is fastened in the forward direction to the front of the harvesting machine 10, is used to pick up the crop. The harvesting attachment 20 is in the position shown

Embodiment of a known maize header, which has a

Middle section 38 and two (with respect to the forward direction of the

Harvester 10) comprises side parts 40 arranged to the left and right of the central part 38. The side parts 40 are

They are attached to the central section 38 so that they can be pivoted upwards for road transport and can be hydraulically pivoted down for harvesting. They run parallel to the central section 38 during harvesting.

They can then be swung up again. Figure 1 shows the side parts 40 in the swung-up state. In the present embodiment, two harvesting units 32 with lower cutting discs for cutting the plants and

6 BE2024/0030 upper conveyor discs for transporting the plants, while a harvesting unit 32 is attached to each of the two side parts 40. The harvesting header 20 is equipped in a known manner with stalk dividers 36, the harvesting units 32, divider tips 34,

Cover plates and conveyors to feed the harvested material to the chopping drum of the harvester 10. The

Harvesting header 20 pulls the stems of the crop in an upright position

position, cuts them off and feeds them to the feed housing 30, from which they are conveyed to the chopping drum of the harvesting machine 10.

The harvesting header 20 comprises a support frame having a lower cross member 42 and an upper cross member 44.

The lower cross member 42 extends at the bottom of the rear of the

header 20 and comprises three segments, one of which is assigned to the central part 38 and one to each side part 40. At the

Gearbox housings 46 are screwed to the front of the lower cross member 42, each of which serves to drive a harvesting unit 32.

A drive shaft 48 for driving the harvesting units 32 via the

Gearboxes 46 arranged in the gearbox housings, which also serves to drive the other conveyor means of the harvesting header 20 and

Harvester 10 has a cutting length gearbox 45, a

Cross shaft 49 and a gear 47. Extends laterally within the hollow lower cross member 42.

The upper cross member 44 extends in a lateral

Direction above the inlet of the feed housing 30 over its

Width. It is connected to hook-shaped support elements, which are partially engaged by complementary support elements of the feeder housing 30 and are used to attach the harvesting header 20 to the

harvester 10. The upper cross member 44 is connected to the lower cross member by vertically extending supports and connecting plates.

Cross beams 42. The support frame with the cross beams 42, 44 and the vertically extending beams and

Connecting plates thus form a skeleton of the harvesting header 20, which supports all other elements of the harvesting header 20.

7 BE2024/0030

At the rear of each harvesting unit 32 there is a

Mulching device 50 is attached. Since a harvesting unit 32 has several

Harvesting rows of plants. Two mulching devices 50 are assigned to it, whose rotation axes are positioned rearward of the expected finishing points of the

The harvesting header 20 is known per se. See, for example, the disclosure of EP | 709 858

A1, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference into the present documents. Details of suitable mulching devices 50 are described, for example, in EP 3 269 223 A1.

The present invention relates to

Support wheel assemblies 52, which serve to support the harvesting header 20 during road transport (in its first position) and to relieve the front wheels 14 of the harvesting machine 10. According to the illustrated embodiment, a support wheel assembly 52 is attached to each side of the harvesting header.

Support wheel assemblies 52 are configured in such a way that the associated support wheels 54 are in ground engagement or can be moved 20 when the harvesting header 20 is folded into the transport position (see Figures 1, 11 and 12) and when unfolded in the

Harvesting header 20 not in the

ground engagement or can be moved into a raised position (see Figures 2 and 3).

The transport position of the harvesting head 20 is the first

Position of the support wheel assemblies 52 in which they are in front of the front wheels 14 of the harvester 10 and in lateral

direction within the width of the folded harvesting header 20. In the harvesting position of the harvesting header 20, the

Support wheel assemblies 52 in their second position in which they are raised and positioned rearward and above the harvesting header 20.

The symmetrical to each other and symmetrical to the

Longitudinal center plane of the header 20 arranged

8 BE2024/0030

Support wheel assemblies 52 each comprise, in addition to the actual

Support wheel 54, which consists of a hub, a rim connected to it and an air-filled tire, a first arm 58 and a second arm 56. The two arms 56, 58 form an acute angle with each other. At the connection point of both arms 56, 58, a fork 60 is also attached, to which the hub of the

The support wheel 54 is freely rotatable. The arms 56, 58 are designed as a welded assembly. The fork 60 is

Arms 56, 58 are freely rotatable about an axis which extends approximately vertically when the support wheels 54 are in contact with the ground.

Support wheels 54 are therefore passively steered, i.e., designed as trailing steering wheels, although it would also be conceivable to attach them rigidly to the arms 56 and 58. The movement of the support wheel assemblies 52 is effected by means of a first actuator 70 and a second actuator 66.

The first arm 58 is connected to a holder 64 via a pivot bearing 62. The first arm 58 is pivotable relative to the holder 64 about the rotational axis of the pivot bearing 62 by means of the (second) actuator 66. This rotational axis of the

Pivot bearing 62 is aligned orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the first arm 58. The holder 64 is in turn pivotable about a rotation axis 68 by a bearing 72 on that segment of the lower

Cross member 42, which belongs to the side part 40.

The (first) actuator 70 serves to pivot the holder 64 around the

Rotation axis 68. The rotation axes of the pivot bearing 62 and the

The pivot axis 68 of the bearing 72 are perpendicular to each other. In addition, the pivot bearing 62 and the bearing 72 are aligned along the

Longitudinal direction of the first arm 58 as well as in the direction transverse to

The first arm 58 is spaced apart from one another in the direction extending longitudinally of the first arm 58, namely in the plane spanned by the arms 58. 56. The axis of rotation 68 is perpendicular to the rear

Area of the segment of the cross member 42 corresponding to the side part 40.

The linearly adjustable actuators 66 and 70 can be used as

be designed as a hydraulic cylinder or operated by an electric motor.

9 BE2024/0030

The actuators 66 and 70 therefore enable a complex, three-dimensional movement of the arms 56, 58 and the support wheel 54 between the harvesting and transport positions, as shown in the

Figures recognizable.

Reference is now made to Figure 13, in which the process of moving the harvesting header 20 from the

Harvesting operation into the transport position. Moving the harvesting header 20 from the transport position into the

Harvesting is carried out analogously, only in reverse order.

It is therefore assumed that the

Harvesting header 20 initially in the harvesting operating position according to

Figures 2 and 3. In this position, the segment of the cross member 42 corresponding to the side part 40 is horizontal and transverse to the

Forward direction of the harvester 10 and the axis 68 in

Essentially vertically oriented or slightly tilted forward and upward. The actuator 70 rotates the support wheel assembly 52 with the

Arms 56, 58, when activated, move outwards or inwards.

The pivot axis of the pivot bearing 62, however, is horizontal or slightly inclined forward and the actuator 66 rotates the holder 64 when activated. up and down.

Harvesting position (i.e. second position of the

support wheel assembly 52), the support wheel assembly 52 is only coupled to the cross member 42 via the first arm 58, while the second arm 56 projects freely into the air. In the second, the

In the position associated with the harvesting operating position of Figures 2 and 3, the first arm 58 extends approximately vertically upwards from the side part 40 and the second arm 56 extends obliquely inwards and downwards from the upper end of the first arm 58.

If the process starts in step 100 by

Operator of the harvesting machine 10 in his driver's cab 18 via a suitable operator interface (not shown) a corresponding

10 BE2024/0030

Command to move the harvesting header 20 into the transport position. Step 102 follows, in which the control causes the drive of the harvesting header 20 to be switched off and in step 104 a

Query whether the driven elements of the harvesting header 20 (i.e., the cutting discs and conveyor discs of the harvesting units 32) are stationary. Furthermore, the harvesting header 20 is moved by the control system using an actuator to adjust the angle of the intake housing 30 relative to the harvesting machine 10 about the transverse axis to a height above the ground at which the support wheels 54 would not yet have contact with the ground in their first position.

If the driven elements of the harvesting header 20 are in position and the desired height is reached, step 106 follows in which the actuators 66 are activated. This causes the

Support wheel assemblies 52 around the pivot axis of the

Pivot bearing 62 downwards until an intermediate position shown in Figure 8 is reached in step 108. This then allows the side parts 40 to be pivoted upwards by their actuators in step 110. without the support wheel assemblies 52 coming into contact with the

Support wheels 54 abut the front wheels 14 of the harvesting machine 10.

If in step 112 the side parts 40 have their raised

have reached the end position (shown in Figure 9). In step 114, the actuator 66 is activated again. So that the support wheel assembly 52 rotates about the pivot axis of the pivot bearing 62, due to the now changed orientation of the side parts 40 and thus the

However, the holder 64 now moves outwards until in step 116 a

intermediate position is reached, as shown in Figure 10. In

In step 118, the actuator 70 is now activated, which causes the

Support wheel assembly 52 rotates downwards around the axis 68 until

Step 120 the support wheel 54 is on the ground (or slightly above).

Figure 10 shows a situation between Figure 9 and step 120, i.e., during the lowering of the support wheel assembly 52 by the actuator 70.

11 BE2024/0030

In the position reached in step 120, the

The plane spanned by arms 56 and 58 is not yet exactly oriented in the direction of travel, but is angled slightly forward and outward. In step 122, the actuator 66 is activated and the support wheel assembly 52 rotates inward about the pivot axis of the pivot bearing 62 until a locking position is reached in step 124.

Adjustment of the actuator 66 in step 124 and the resulting rotation of the support wheel assembly 52 by the

An opening 74 at the outer end of the second

Arms 56 in engagement with a horizontally and transversely to the

Forward direction extending pin 76, which is attached to a tab 78 on the front surface of the segment of the

Cross member 42, as shown in Figure 11. The second arm 56 is thus attached to the cross member 42 and locked thereto in step 126, for which purpose a separate actuator may be provided.

The process ends in step 128 after the harvesting header 20 has been lowered and the support wheels 54 come into contact with the ground.

After all this, the support wheel assembly 52 is supported in the transport position by the second arm 56 via the pin 76 and the tab 78 on the segment of the

cross member 42. The second arm 56 carries the main part of the

Load of the harvesting header 20 is transferred to the support wheel 64. Although the support wheel assembly 62 is also supported by the first arm 58, the

Pivot bearing 62, the bracket 64 and the bearing 72 on the

The segment of the cross member 42 corresponding to the side part 40, but only a small or no portion of the load is transferred here.

The arrangement with the bearing 72, the

Pivot bearing 62 and the actuators 66, 70 allows the support wheel assembly 52 to be stowed in the harvesting operating position at a

Place where the support wheel assembly 52 neither blocks access to the harvesting header 20 nor prevents the view of the harvesting header from the

Driver's cab 18. This arrangement also allows

Moving the support wheel assembly 52 from the second position (harvesting position) to the first position (transport position). without

12 BE2024/0030 a collision with the front wheels 14 (or front

Crawler tracks) of the harvester 10.

Steps of Figure 13 100 Start 102 Switch off drive of the harvesting header 20 104 Harvesting header is stationary? 106 Activate actuator 66 (assembly 52 rotates around the swivel axis of the

Swivel bearing 62 downwards) 108 Intermediate position reached? 110 Swivel side parts 40 upwards 112 End position reached? 114 Activate actuator 66 (assembly 52 rotates around swivel axis of

pivot bearing 62 outwards) 116 second intermediate position (Figure 9) reached? 118 Activate actuator 70 (assembly 52 rotates downwards around axis 68) 120 Support wheel 54 on the ground? 122 Activate actuator 66 (assembly 52 rotates around pivot axis of

Pivot bearing 62 inwards) 124 Locking position reached? 126 Lock 128 End

Claims (10)

13 BE2024/0030 PATENT CLAIMS 1. A harvesting attachment (20) for a self-propelled harvesting machine (10). Comprising: a support frame (42) with segments, each associated with a central portion (38) and two side portions (40) of the harvesting attachment (20), wherein the side portions (40) are movable relative to the central portion (38) between a harvesting operating position and a transport position with a width reduced relative to the harvesting operating position; harvesting units (32) for receiving and conveying plants; and at least one support wheel assembly (52) supported on the support frame (42) so as to be adjustable between a first and a second position, which, in the first position, serves to support the harvesting attachment (20) in the transport position on the ground; characterized in that the support wheel assembly (52) is spaced from the ground in the second position associated with the harvesting operating position of the harvesting attachment (20). 2. Harvesting attachment (20) according to claim 1, wherein the support wheel assembly (52) is supported on a segment of the support frame (42) which is associated with one of the side parts (40). 3. Harvesting header (20) according to claim 2, wherein the support wheel assembly (52) comprises a bracket (64) which is hinged about a pivot axis (68) on the segment of the support frame (42). 4. Harvesting attachment (20) according to claim 3, wherein the holder (64) is rotatable about the pivot axis (68) by means of a first actuator (70). 5. Harvesting header (20) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the pivot axis (68) extends approximately vertically when the harvesting header (20) is in the harvesting operating position. 6. Harvesting attachment (20) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the holder (64) is connected via a pivot bearing (62) to a 14 BE2024/0030 first arm (58) of the support wheel assembly (52), at the other end of which a support wheel (54) is attached, wherein the axis of rotation of the pivot bearing (62) extends transversely to the axis of rotation of the pivot axis (68) of the holder (64) relative to the segment and is spaced therefrom. 7. Harvesting attachment (20) according to claim 6, wherein the first arm (58) is movable relative to the holder (64) by means of a second actuator (66). 8. Harvesting header (20) according to claim 7 when dependent on claim 4, wherein the actuators (66, 70) are connected to a controller which is configured, starting from the harvesting operating position of the harvesting header (20), to first activate the second actuator (66) and lower the first arm (58), then to move the harvesting header (20) into the transport position by activating an associated actuator, then to activate the second actuator (66) in order to pivot the first arm (58) outwards, then to activate the first actuator (70) in order to lower the first arm (58) and finally to activate the second actuator (70) in order to pivot the first arm (58) inwards. 9. Harvesting header (20) according to claim 8, wherein the support wheel assembly (52) comprises a second arm (56) which is releasably fixable to the segment of the support frame (42) by the inward movement of the first arm (58). 10. Self-propelled harvesting machine (10) with a harvesting attachment (20) according to one of claims 1 to 9. 3