CA2505637A1 - Grain handling assembly for combine and steerable grain trailer - Google Patents
Grain handling assembly for combine and steerable grain trailer Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2505637A1 CA2505637A1 CA002505637A CA2505637A CA2505637A1 CA 2505637 A1 CA2505637 A1 CA 2505637A1 CA 002505637 A CA002505637 A CA 002505637A CA 2505637 A CA2505637 A CA 2505637A CA 2505637 A1 CA2505637 A1 CA 2505637A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- grain
- bin
- combine
- movement assembly
- cart
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D41/00—Combines, i.e. harvesters or mowers combined with threshing devices
- A01D41/12—Details of combines
- A01D41/1208—Tanks for grain or chaff
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Threshing Machine Elements (AREA)
- Storage Of Harvested Produce (AREA)
Abstract
An improved combination of a powered combine carrying a combine grain bin for housing harvested grain and a towed grain cart carrying a grain cart bin for housing harvested grain includes improved harvested grain transfer between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin and improved off loading of harvested grain from the combination. A generally horizontally disposed first grain movement assembly is pivotally connected within the combine grain bin and pivotally connected within the grain cart bin and disposed for reciprocally transporting grain between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin. A generally vertically disposed second grain movement assembly is cooperatively operable with the first grain movement assembly for transferring grain from the grain cart bin to the first grain movement assembly and thence to the combine grain bin. An off-loading grain movement assembly is disposed for off-loading grain only from the combine grain bin.
Description
011-20t?iiPt:
GRAIN HANpUNG A~SS~IV1BLY FOR COMBINE W~! P4WER1=D AiVD
STEERABLE GRAIN TRAft~R
c~ta~r~o ~tl~ ~wauc,~'rtor~s None STdT»1' REGARDING FE~>wRAU.Y SPOhISORED RESEARC:hi Not applicable.
B~CC~OL>ND OF THE IwV!_NTt(7N
The present invention generally relates to flombines that pull an integrated powered and steerable grain trailer for extra storage capadty, and more particularfy to a grain handling assembly therefor.
Moslem grain combines, such as are used to hareesi com, wheat, sorbear>5, elc., anti com pickers, have significantly increased their throughput capability_ These increases have resulted fmm Ir»provements such as wider cutting heads and increased number of nyw units per machine In !he case of row crops such as corn.
The threshing and grain separating capacity of the machin~s has increased in parallel by building.larger machines with higher horsepower engines.
Concomitant therevY~th, the number of acres in the average North American farm has increased dramatically with crop fields becoming larger and longer.
Felds with a row length of one-half mile have become quite common.
The result of these simultaneous trends is that the amount of harvested crop or d~an grain produced in one round or two lengths of the field has increased drematicaily_ The harvested .grain must be carried along by the harvesting system until the end of the field is reached v~ihene it is transferred into a bulk transportation vehicle such as a truck (tractor trailer yr semi) or wagon. Combines have an onboaro grain hopper in which to store the harvested grain until the and of the field has been reach~d. Seed corn plckors typically pull a trailer or wagon, or a truck is driven along 3o side them to receive the grain.
Due to increased combine throughput and long fields, virtually nv combine commercially available todayr has sufficient capacity in its on-board hv~pper to store the corn harvested during one round of an 8D acre field or a field which Is one-half mile In length with the crop yields typically found in the U.S. com belt The on-board primary storage hoppers are limited in capacity by the physical size of the made and the total weight of the combine vrith a full hopper, which can be carried on 2 axles or 2 tracks in some cases.
Farmers and farm equipment manufactur~rs have addres$ed this problem by developing intermediate transport grain carts or trailers, which are pulled by a blt_20Q6FC
separato tractor and operator. The grain cartltractor combination is stationed at the opposite end of the field fn~m the road transport (bulk storago? vehicle or along the length of the frold to feCEIVe the grain from the combine when its primary hopper is full and bofors the combine reaches th~ end of the field where the road transport vehide Is located. The traditional grain cart has serf uritoad#ng capability usually In the form of an au8er, conveyor, or sides hydraulic dump mechanism, which receives povysr from the tractor. The grain cartltractor oomblnatlon typically carries the grain to the ~nd of the field and loads It into the road ~ansport vehide, such as a seniHtruck Examples of such grain wagons can b~ found in U.S. Patents Nos. 5,013,208, 5,340,265, and 5,409,344.
Grain. cart capaaties typically vary from 400 bushels to 1000 bushels.
Therefore, a leaded grain cart and pulling tractor may weigh as much as 90,000 pounds. Repeated trips across the field by this large vehicle combination can produce additional soil compacfron, particularly in wet conditions, which reduces future crop yields. This method of lntermed#ate storage and movement of grain with the field Incrementally adds one operator and significant capital cost to the harvesting process.
in the field of trailers or wagons that are towed by a farcn tractor or over-tha-road tractor-trailers (so-c~lied 'semis"), U.S. Patent No. 2,667,028 shows a towable combine with an attached grain cart. U.S. Patent No. 4,x60,183 shows a pull type sriather assembly, which can be crabbed. U.S. Patent No. 4,359,854 shows a tractor drawn combine which also can be crabbed. U.S. Patent No. 5,412,929 shows the ability to steer a pair of takes being towed by a tractor. U.S. Patent Nv.
5,579,228 shows a servo steering control system for a non-powered traitor that Irtdudss forward and backward motion. U.S. Pat~ettt No. 5.209,320 shows an artlatlated crop pesticide sprayer adapted to be pullod. U.S. Patent No. 4,T4Q.006 proposes to retro~rt ex#sting tractor-tralhers with~a r~mote-corttrot steering system. Finally, U.S. Patent Na 5,329,451 proposes a steerable trailer and steering apparatus, which includes a servo oontral.
A significant advance in grain carts Is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
5,904,365.
Qisdossd is a powered towing vehicle having ste~ring wheels and a wheeled tr~afler is connected to the vehicle for its towir~. Th~ wheels of the trailer are connected to a source of power for generating forward and rearward movement of the traIier.
These wheels also era connected to a source of power for fuming such wheels in order to steer the trailer. These wheels further are connected to a sensor to sense the position of the traUet wheels as they are being steered. The steering wtte~els of the towing vehicle also are connected to a sensor to s~erise the position of the vehide wheels as they are being steered. The trailer steering wheel sensor is displayed to an operator of the vehicle so that the vehlde operator knows the retat'rve position of .2.
U
DIL20l>6PC
each of the steering wheels- The trailer steering power source is oonr~ed to the vehicle so that an operator of the vehicle can remotely steer the wheels of the traler.
Unloading of the grain takes place separately from Moth the combine hopper and from the grain cart-The present invention is a basic improvement on the unloading of grain from both the combine hopper and from the grain cart of a combine and grain cart combination.
SRi~F SUAANIRRY OF THE INYEM'1~N
An improved combination of a powered combine carrying a combine grain bin for housing harvested grain and a towed grain cart carrying a grain cart b.in for housing harvested grain includes improved harvested grain transfer between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin and improved off-loading of harvested grain 'from the combination- A generally horizontally disposed first grain movement assembly is pNotally connected within the combine grain bin and pivotatty connected within the grain cart bin and disposed for reciprocally transporting grain between the combine grain bin and the graft cart bin. A generally vertically disposed second graih movement assembly is coopvrativeiy op~rable with the first grain movement assombly for transferring grain from the grain cart bin to the first grain movemQnt assembly and thence to the oombin~e grain bin. An otf loading grain movement assembly is disposed for off loading grain only firom the vombine grain bin.
Advantages of the present invention include a single grain unloading assembly for both the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin. Such single grain unloading assembly eliminates the possibility of collision between separate unloading assemblies for each grain bin. A further advantage is that unloading is facilitated by only hawing to position one unloading assembly adjacent to a truck during oif~oading.
These and other advantages will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art based on the disclosure set forth herein.
BR~F DESCRIPTION Of THE DR~IWfNGS
' For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should b~ had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 Is a side efevationai view , of the novel combination of combine for harvester) and towed grain cart, Fig. 2 is an overhead view of the novel combination iilustrat~d in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is an ov~rhead view of the novel combination when the harvester is making a right tum;
_3_ l,.V ~' D1L.2006PC
Fig. 4 is an overhead view of th~ novel combination when the harvas~r is making a left tum; -Fig. 5 is side elevational view like that in Fig. 1, but whore th~ grain cart bin vertical auger is in a stowed position:
Fig. 6 is a side elevatlonal view of the joint (ball hitch) that connects with combine with the towed grain cart;
cart;
7;
Fig. 7;
Fig. T is a side etevabonal view of the hoAzornal auger Joint located In the grain Fig. 8 is an and elevational view of the horizontal auger joint illustrated in Fig.
Fig- 9 is an overhead fop plan view of the horizontal auger joint illustrated in Fig. 10 is an overhead view of the horizontal auger joint located in the combine:
Fig.11 is a side elevaifonal view of the horizontal auger joint i~ustrated in Fig.
10;
Fig. 12 a side elevatlonal view of the uunnlon mount far the vertical auger located within ih~ grain cart bin.
'ffie drawings will be described in detail below.
t7~'N.~ DE9C~ffilOt~ OF TWE IdVEN'fIl3N
The present invention improves upon the grain cart and combine vombination disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,904.365, which unloads harvested grain from both the onboard combine grain bin and the grain cart bin. Such a configuration raps tire risk that ihs two unload sugars might ooilfde.~ Also, the combine operator must align two unload augers with the truck into which the harvested grain is unload~d Into.
The present design relies on only one unload mechanism (e.g~., auger, bucket cornreyar, cleated conveyor, yr the like) which simplifies unloading and eliminates any coi~sion hazard potential occasioned by use of multiple unload assemblies-hlccordingly, a 3Q "towed' grain cart for present purposes comprehends a grain cart that simply is towed (having no ability fo steer and not powered), is steerable only, is powered only, Is both powered and steerable.
Referring initially to Flg. 1, a combine, 10, is seen towing a grain cart, 12.
which are mechanlcal>y interconn~cted fiy a tongue assembly, 1~, which includes a 95 ball hitch assembly,15 (Fig. 5). Combine 10 generally includes a cab, 16, in which the operates is seated, a comhead, 18, a drive wheel pair, 20, a steering wheel pair, 22 (only one of each set of wheels being depicted in Fig. 1), a primary grain hopper or combine grain bin, ZA, and an auger assembly. 2B, for unloading hopper 2i.
Such combine is a modem combine with all of the eppurtonanevs and features that combine ' ' ~I
171i30t78PG
r»anufacturers provide today. Similarly, grain cart 12 is conventional in construction ih that it includes a wheel pair, x8 (see Fig. 2 to view both wheel pairs Z8a and Z8b}, a secondary grdln hopper or grain cart bin, 30, and tongue i4.
it will be observed that a generally horizontal first grain transfer assembly, 32, runs between combine grain bin 24 and grain cart bin 30. A generally vertical grain transfer assembly, 3d, is seen to be located within grain cart bin 30 and is interconnected with first grain transfer assembly 32. Horizontal grain transfer asserrfbly 3Z Is seen to extend into combine grain bin 2d through ifs rear wall (see i'~g.
~) and vertically at about its midpoint. A canvas, rubber, or other suitable material seal, 33~, keeps the harvested grain from spilling out, yet permits mvvernent of assembly 3Z during turning of the oorr~ine, as will be described below in connection with Figs. 3 and 4. This location means that as soon as combine grain bin 2d is about one-hail fuh, harvested grain housed in bin 2A can be withdrawn and transferred ir>~
grain cart bin 30. Conversely, by reversing the direction of travel of transfer assembly 32 grain can be transferred from grain cart bin 30 back into canbin~
gram bin 2~ for its urdosding via unloading med~anism 2&
White the grain transfer assemblies can be conveyors, augers, or similar known devices (e.g., auger, bucket conveyor, deated conveyor, or the lilts), fhe present invention will be speaificaily illustrated with {and not limited to) augers.
Generally, a hydraulic motor assembly, 96, powers horizontal harvested grain transfer assembly (eager) 32 and Is composed of a suitably sized hydraulic mots.
chain, sprocket, and bearings. Auger assembly 32 is supported at its grain cart end by a joint, 38, and at its combine end by a joint, 40. These joints will be described in detail below. Auger assembly ~32 also is provided with a grain cart discharge door, 42, which is hydraulic cylinder actuated by a hydraulic cylinder, 43, and with a rear disdZarge, 44, and with a shroud rotate joint, 48. Auger assembly 32 is shrouded or covered from Joint 46 forward to combine grain bin 24 and is an open trough, 48, from joint 46 rearwardly. Harvested grain can be discharged from auger assembly 32 into grain cart bin 30 via discharges 42 and dot. Discharge of harvested grain infJO grain cart bin 30 is fadlitated by this dual discha~e scheme. Such sd~eme also means that discharge d4 is disposed rearwardly of vertJcal auger assembly 34.
A hydraulic motor assembly, 50, powers vertical auger assembly 34 and generally 1s composed of a suitably sized hydraulic motor, chain, sprocket, and bearings. Harvest~d grain housed in grain cart 30 is withdrawn from grain cart bin SO
by auger assembly 34 and discharged from a spout, 5x, into open trough 48.
Hydraulic motor 36 is reversible so that harvested grain can be rrdprocally transported between combine grain bin 24 and grain cart bin 30, including the transfer of harvested grain from grain cart bin 30 back to combine grain bin 2d.
Vertical auger assembly 34 its mounted to grant cart bin 30 with a trvnnlon mount, 54 (to be further .s_ DIL2t)08PC
described in connection with Fig. 12j. lhrnnfon mow~t 54 permits auger assembly 31 to be rotated rearwardly to rest on a side of grain cart bin 30 for storage.
r0.ttachment of auger assembly 3Z at either end requires pivoting capability in order for tf~e combine and trnved cart to tum. This can be seen by reference to Figs.
3 (right tum) and 4 (left tum). It wilt ba appar~nt that if grain transfer assembly 32 cannot pivot that turrming of combine 10 cannot be accomplished. 'fhe flexibility of seal 1? also enables aug~r assembly 32 to pivot as il extends through the hole in the side of combine grain bin 24. Such pivoting also requires the hula in grain transfer assembly 32 to be large enough to accommodate fuming of combine 10 with consequent piuoting of auger assembly 3Z.
Ball hitch assembly 15, illustrated in F'g. 6, enables combine 10 to tow grain cart 12. While a variety of hitches can be envisioned, ball hitch assembly 15 includes a tow ball, 56, with a threaded snd, 58, retained by a »ut, B0, to a bracket assembly, B2, attached to the rear of combine 1 O. Con9espondingly, grain cart ! 2 at its forward erxi carries a bracket assembly, 64, having a cavity that mates over tow bad 56 with a suitable loddng mechanism to guard against the premature or unwanted separasort of the hitch assembly 1S.
Figs. 7-9 depict a jdnt assembly, 6B, that retains auger assembly 3Z in grain cart bin 1Z. Joint assembly 6t3 can be seers to include a pair of upper flat roiiei~s, 68 and 70; and a pair cf lower flanged roll~rs, 72 and 74, which roller pairs ride on the bottom flange of an I-beam, T6, which is carried by au9sr asswnbly S2. Yhese pairs of rollers permit auger assembly S2 via I-beam 76 to move relative to a post, 78, which tarries joint assembly 66 and which is fixed at its lower ~nd to grsrln cart bin 30. Post T8 camlars a flange assembly, 80, at its upper end, which rebina a bolt, 82, that bolts 26 onto a lower apertured piste, 84, with a nut, 8B, to flange assembly 86.
Rotation bearing assembly, 88 (e.g., tspered roller bearings), permit rotation of flange assembiy86 about Molt Wand post 78. Rail 76 and, hence, auger assembly 3Z, now can be displaced longitudinally and rotationaAy about post 78, as required when combine 10 turns right (Fig. 3) or rums left (Fig. d). Such combined movement is 3o equivalent to the grain cart end of 8uger assembly 32 being pivotally attacheod at grain Cart bin 1t. .hint assembly 66 also is designed to be disposed at any location along auger assembly 32, not only at its end. Such design permits auger assembly 32 to extend beyond the location of post 78.
Figs. 10-91 depict a Joint assembly, 92, that retains auger assembly 32 it 35 combine bin 24. Joint assembly 82 can be seen to include a pin, 94, that runs through an apertured plate, 86, attached to corribine bin 24 and through a pair of spaced-apart apertured fingers of a yoke assembly. 98. Yoke assembly 88 in rum has an end apertured plate.100, through which another threaded bolt, 102, runs and is held in place by a nut,108. Bolt t02 also runs through an apeHture in a piste, 10i, which is .g_ . v.~./
DIL20t7BPC
bolted onto an end of auger assembly 32 with a pair bolts, 108 and 110.
Disposed in association wig plate 100 are rotattt~nal bearing assembiy,'112, e.g., tapered roller bearings. Pin 94 permits auger assembly 32 to move vertically with rasped to oornbine 10, while rotational bearings 912 and i1~ permit auger assembly 32 >n twist with respect to combine 10.
Joint assembty B6 in combination with joint assembly p2 permits auger ass~mbly 32 to twist, move verblcally, and to move lat8rally. Such movement is necessary not only for taming of combinE S2, but also far combine 10 and towed grain cart 12 to traven;e over uneven ground.
Frg. 12 illustrates trunnion assembly 54, which holds vertical auger assembly 34 in its vertlCal orientation and then to its storage orientadvn (dig. 'i).
It v~Jl ba observed that a pin. 116, Is af~~ed (e.g., welded) to vertical auger ass~mbfy S4. A
bearing. till. Is affixed (eg., bolted) to grain cart bin 30 or to a struchmal oomporrent of grain cart 12. The "a' and 'b" designations are for each of the corresponding parts located on opposite sides of auger assembly 34. Trunnion asserrrbly (or assemblies) S4 holds auger assembly 34 in a vertical orientation during harvesi~ng operations and then perrntt auger assembly 34 to be folded downwardly for storage, While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof Without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made tro adapt a particuhar situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be 16r>~d to the particular embodiment discJased as the best mode contemplated for carrying out ibis invention, but that the invention will include all ernbodinzents falling within the scope of the appended claims. In this application all units are in the metric system and all amounts and percentages are Dy weight, unless otherwise expressly indir~ted.
Also, ail citations referred herein arc expnusiy incorporated herein by rr3feronae.
GRAIN HANpUNG A~SS~IV1BLY FOR COMBINE W~! P4WER1=D AiVD
STEERABLE GRAIN TRAft~R
c~ta~r~o ~tl~ ~wauc,~'rtor~s None STdT»1' REGARDING FE~>wRAU.Y SPOhISORED RESEARC:hi Not applicable.
B~CC~OL>ND OF THE IwV!_NTt(7N
The present invention generally relates to flombines that pull an integrated powered and steerable grain trailer for extra storage capadty, and more particularfy to a grain handling assembly therefor.
Moslem grain combines, such as are used to hareesi com, wheat, sorbear>5, elc., anti com pickers, have significantly increased their throughput capability_ These increases have resulted fmm Ir»provements such as wider cutting heads and increased number of nyw units per machine In !he case of row crops such as corn.
The threshing and grain separating capacity of the machin~s has increased in parallel by building.larger machines with higher horsepower engines.
Concomitant therevY~th, the number of acres in the average North American farm has increased dramatically with crop fields becoming larger and longer.
Felds with a row length of one-half mile have become quite common.
The result of these simultaneous trends is that the amount of harvested crop or d~an grain produced in one round or two lengths of the field has increased drematicaily_ The harvested .grain must be carried along by the harvesting system until the end of the field is reached v~ihene it is transferred into a bulk transportation vehicle such as a truck (tractor trailer yr semi) or wagon. Combines have an onboaro grain hopper in which to store the harvested grain until the and of the field has been reach~d. Seed corn plckors typically pull a trailer or wagon, or a truck is driven along 3o side them to receive the grain.
Due to increased combine throughput and long fields, virtually nv combine commercially available todayr has sufficient capacity in its on-board hv~pper to store the corn harvested during one round of an 8D acre field or a field which Is one-half mile In length with the crop yields typically found in the U.S. com belt The on-board primary storage hoppers are limited in capacity by the physical size of the made and the total weight of the combine vrith a full hopper, which can be carried on 2 axles or 2 tracks in some cases.
Farmers and farm equipment manufactur~rs have addres$ed this problem by developing intermediate transport grain carts or trailers, which are pulled by a blt_20Q6FC
separato tractor and operator. The grain cartltractor combination is stationed at the opposite end of the field fn~m the road transport (bulk storago? vehicle or along the length of the frold to feCEIVe the grain from the combine when its primary hopper is full and bofors the combine reaches th~ end of the field where the road transport vehide Is located. The traditional grain cart has serf uritoad#ng capability usually In the form of an au8er, conveyor, or sides hydraulic dump mechanism, which receives povysr from the tractor. The grain cartltractor oomblnatlon typically carries the grain to the ~nd of the field and loads It into the road ~ansport vehide, such as a seniHtruck Examples of such grain wagons can b~ found in U.S. Patents Nos. 5,013,208, 5,340,265, and 5,409,344.
Grain. cart capaaties typically vary from 400 bushels to 1000 bushels.
Therefore, a leaded grain cart and pulling tractor may weigh as much as 90,000 pounds. Repeated trips across the field by this large vehicle combination can produce additional soil compacfron, particularly in wet conditions, which reduces future crop yields. This method of lntermed#ate storage and movement of grain with the field Incrementally adds one operator and significant capital cost to the harvesting process.
in the field of trailers or wagons that are towed by a farcn tractor or over-tha-road tractor-trailers (so-c~lied 'semis"), U.S. Patent No. 2,667,028 shows a towable combine with an attached grain cart. U.S. Patent No. 4,x60,183 shows a pull type sriather assembly, which can be crabbed. U.S. Patent No. 4,359,854 shows a tractor drawn combine which also can be crabbed. U.S. Patent No. 5,412,929 shows the ability to steer a pair of takes being towed by a tractor. U.S. Patent Nv.
5,579,228 shows a servo steering control system for a non-powered traitor that Irtdudss forward and backward motion. U.S. Pat~ettt No. 5.209,320 shows an artlatlated crop pesticide sprayer adapted to be pullod. U.S. Patent No. 4,T4Q.006 proposes to retro~rt ex#sting tractor-tralhers with~a r~mote-corttrot steering system. Finally, U.S. Patent Na 5,329,451 proposes a steerable trailer and steering apparatus, which includes a servo oontral.
A significant advance in grain carts Is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
5,904,365.
Qisdossd is a powered towing vehicle having ste~ring wheels and a wheeled tr~afler is connected to the vehicle for its towir~. Th~ wheels of the trailer are connected to a source of power for generating forward and rearward movement of the traIier.
These wheels also era connected to a source of power for fuming such wheels in order to steer the trailer. These wheels further are connected to a sensor to sense the position of the traUet wheels as they are being steered. The steering wtte~els of the towing vehicle also are connected to a sensor to s~erise the position of the vehide wheels as they are being steered. The trailer steering wheel sensor is displayed to an operator of the vehicle so that the vehlde operator knows the retat'rve position of .2.
U
DIL20l>6PC
each of the steering wheels- The trailer steering power source is oonr~ed to the vehicle so that an operator of the vehicle can remotely steer the wheels of the traler.
Unloading of the grain takes place separately from Moth the combine hopper and from the grain cart-The present invention is a basic improvement on the unloading of grain from both the combine hopper and from the grain cart of a combine and grain cart combination.
SRi~F SUAANIRRY OF THE INYEM'1~N
An improved combination of a powered combine carrying a combine grain bin for housing harvested grain and a towed grain cart carrying a grain cart b.in for housing harvested grain includes improved harvested grain transfer between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin and improved off-loading of harvested grain 'from the combination- A generally horizontally disposed first grain movement assembly is pNotally connected within the combine grain bin and pivotatty connected within the grain cart bin and disposed for reciprocally transporting grain between the combine grain bin and the graft cart bin. A generally vertically disposed second graih movement assembly is coopvrativeiy op~rable with the first grain movement assombly for transferring grain from the grain cart bin to the first grain movemQnt assembly and thence to the oombin~e grain bin. An otf loading grain movement assembly is disposed for off loading grain only firom the vombine grain bin.
Advantages of the present invention include a single grain unloading assembly for both the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin. Such single grain unloading assembly eliminates the possibility of collision between separate unloading assemblies for each grain bin. A further advantage is that unloading is facilitated by only hawing to position one unloading assembly adjacent to a truck during oif~oading.
These and other advantages will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art based on the disclosure set forth herein.
BR~F DESCRIPTION Of THE DR~IWfNGS
' For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should b~ had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 Is a side efevationai view , of the novel combination of combine for harvester) and towed grain cart, Fig. 2 is an overhead view of the novel combination iilustrat~d in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is an ov~rhead view of the novel combination when the harvester is making a right tum;
_3_ l,.V ~' D1L.2006PC
Fig. 4 is an overhead view of th~ novel combination when the harvas~r is making a left tum; -Fig. 5 is side elevational view like that in Fig. 1, but whore th~ grain cart bin vertical auger is in a stowed position:
Fig. 6 is a side elevatlonal view of the joint (ball hitch) that connects with combine with the towed grain cart;
cart;
7;
Fig. 7;
Fig. T is a side etevabonal view of the hoAzornal auger Joint located In the grain Fig. 8 is an and elevational view of the horizontal auger joint illustrated in Fig.
Fig- 9 is an overhead fop plan view of the horizontal auger joint illustrated in Fig. 10 is an overhead view of the horizontal auger joint located in the combine:
Fig.11 is a side elevaifonal view of the horizontal auger joint i~ustrated in Fig.
10;
Fig. 12 a side elevatlonal view of the uunnlon mount far the vertical auger located within ih~ grain cart bin.
'ffie drawings will be described in detail below.
t7~'N.~ DE9C~ffilOt~ OF TWE IdVEN'fIl3N
The present invention improves upon the grain cart and combine vombination disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,904.365, which unloads harvested grain from both the onboard combine grain bin and the grain cart bin. Such a configuration raps tire risk that ihs two unload sugars might ooilfde.~ Also, the combine operator must align two unload augers with the truck into which the harvested grain is unload~d Into.
The present design relies on only one unload mechanism (e.g~., auger, bucket cornreyar, cleated conveyor, yr the like) which simplifies unloading and eliminates any coi~sion hazard potential occasioned by use of multiple unload assemblies-hlccordingly, a 3Q "towed' grain cart for present purposes comprehends a grain cart that simply is towed (having no ability fo steer and not powered), is steerable only, is powered only, Is both powered and steerable.
Referring initially to Flg. 1, a combine, 10, is seen towing a grain cart, 12.
which are mechanlcal>y interconn~cted fiy a tongue assembly, 1~, which includes a 95 ball hitch assembly,15 (Fig. 5). Combine 10 generally includes a cab, 16, in which the operates is seated, a comhead, 18, a drive wheel pair, 20, a steering wheel pair, 22 (only one of each set of wheels being depicted in Fig. 1), a primary grain hopper or combine grain bin, ZA, and an auger assembly. 2B, for unloading hopper 2i.
Such combine is a modem combine with all of the eppurtonanevs and features that combine ' ' ~I
171i30t78PG
r»anufacturers provide today. Similarly, grain cart 12 is conventional in construction ih that it includes a wheel pair, x8 (see Fig. 2 to view both wheel pairs Z8a and Z8b}, a secondary grdln hopper or grain cart bin, 30, and tongue i4.
it will be observed that a generally horizontal first grain transfer assembly, 32, runs between combine grain bin 24 and grain cart bin 30. A generally vertical grain transfer assembly, 3d, is seen to be located within grain cart bin 30 and is interconnected with first grain transfer assembly 32. Horizontal grain transfer asserrfbly 3Z Is seen to extend into combine grain bin 2d through ifs rear wall (see i'~g.
~) and vertically at about its midpoint. A canvas, rubber, or other suitable material seal, 33~, keeps the harvested grain from spilling out, yet permits mvvernent of assembly 3Z during turning of the oorr~ine, as will be described below in connection with Figs. 3 and 4. This location means that as soon as combine grain bin 2d is about one-hail fuh, harvested grain housed in bin 2A can be withdrawn and transferred ir>~
grain cart bin 30. Conversely, by reversing the direction of travel of transfer assembly 32 grain can be transferred from grain cart bin 30 back into canbin~
gram bin 2~ for its urdosding via unloading med~anism 2&
White the grain transfer assemblies can be conveyors, augers, or similar known devices (e.g., auger, bucket conveyor, deated conveyor, or the lilts), fhe present invention will be speaificaily illustrated with {and not limited to) augers.
Generally, a hydraulic motor assembly, 96, powers horizontal harvested grain transfer assembly (eager) 32 and Is composed of a suitably sized hydraulic mots.
chain, sprocket, and bearings. Auger assembly 32 is supported at its grain cart end by a joint, 38, and at its combine end by a joint, 40. These joints will be described in detail below. Auger assembly ~32 also is provided with a grain cart discharge door, 42, which is hydraulic cylinder actuated by a hydraulic cylinder, 43, and with a rear disdZarge, 44, and with a shroud rotate joint, 48. Auger assembly 32 is shrouded or covered from Joint 46 forward to combine grain bin 24 and is an open trough, 48, from joint 46 rearwardly. Harvested grain can be discharged from auger assembly 32 into grain cart bin 30 via discharges 42 and dot. Discharge of harvested grain infJO grain cart bin 30 is fadlitated by this dual discha~e scheme. Such sd~eme also means that discharge d4 is disposed rearwardly of vertJcal auger assembly 34.
A hydraulic motor assembly, 50, powers vertical auger assembly 34 and generally 1s composed of a suitably sized hydraulic motor, chain, sprocket, and bearings. Harvest~d grain housed in grain cart 30 is withdrawn from grain cart bin SO
by auger assembly 34 and discharged from a spout, 5x, into open trough 48.
Hydraulic motor 36 is reversible so that harvested grain can be rrdprocally transported between combine grain bin 24 and grain cart bin 30, including the transfer of harvested grain from grain cart bin 30 back to combine grain bin 2d.
Vertical auger assembly 34 its mounted to grant cart bin 30 with a trvnnlon mount, 54 (to be further .s_ DIL2t)08PC
described in connection with Fig. 12j. lhrnnfon mow~t 54 permits auger assembly 31 to be rotated rearwardly to rest on a side of grain cart bin 30 for storage.
r0.ttachment of auger assembly 3Z at either end requires pivoting capability in order for tf~e combine and trnved cart to tum. This can be seen by reference to Figs.
3 (right tum) and 4 (left tum). It wilt ba appar~nt that if grain transfer assembly 32 cannot pivot that turrming of combine 10 cannot be accomplished. 'fhe flexibility of seal 1? also enables aug~r assembly 32 to pivot as il extends through the hole in the side of combine grain bin 24. Such pivoting also requires the hula in grain transfer assembly 32 to be large enough to accommodate fuming of combine 10 with consequent piuoting of auger assembly 3Z.
Ball hitch assembly 15, illustrated in F'g. 6, enables combine 10 to tow grain cart 12. While a variety of hitches can be envisioned, ball hitch assembly 15 includes a tow ball, 56, with a threaded snd, 58, retained by a »ut, B0, to a bracket assembly, B2, attached to the rear of combine 1 O. Con9espondingly, grain cart ! 2 at its forward erxi carries a bracket assembly, 64, having a cavity that mates over tow bad 56 with a suitable loddng mechanism to guard against the premature or unwanted separasort of the hitch assembly 1S.
Figs. 7-9 depict a jdnt assembly, 6B, that retains auger assembly 3Z in grain cart bin 1Z. Joint assembly 6t3 can be seers to include a pair of upper flat roiiei~s, 68 and 70; and a pair cf lower flanged roll~rs, 72 and 74, which roller pairs ride on the bottom flange of an I-beam, T6, which is carried by au9sr asswnbly S2. Yhese pairs of rollers permit auger assembly S2 via I-beam 76 to move relative to a post, 78, which tarries joint assembly 66 and which is fixed at its lower ~nd to grsrln cart bin 30. Post T8 camlars a flange assembly, 80, at its upper end, which rebina a bolt, 82, that bolts 26 onto a lower apertured piste, 84, with a nut, 8B, to flange assembly 86.
Rotation bearing assembly, 88 (e.g., tspered roller bearings), permit rotation of flange assembiy86 about Molt Wand post 78. Rail 76 and, hence, auger assembly 3Z, now can be displaced longitudinally and rotationaAy about post 78, as required when combine 10 turns right (Fig. 3) or rums left (Fig. d). Such combined movement is 3o equivalent to the grain cart end of 8uger assembly 32 being pivotally attacheod at grain Cart bin 1t. .hint assembly 66 also is designed to be disposed at any location along auger assembly 32, not only at its end. Such design permits auger assembly 32 to extend beyond the location of post 78.
Figs. 10-91 depict a Joint assembly, 92, that retains auger assembly 32 it 35 combine bin 24. Joint assembly 82 can be seen to include a pin, 94, that runs through an apertured plate, 86, attached to corribine bin 24 and through a pair of spaced-apart apertured fingers of a yoke assembly. 98. Yoke assembly 88 in rum has an end apertured plate.100, through which another threaded bolt, 102, runs and is held in place by a nut,108. Bolt t02 also runs through an apeHture in a piste, 10i, which is .g_ . v.~./
DIL20t7BPC
bolted onto an end of auger assembly 32 with a pair bolts, 108 and 110.
Disposed in association wig plate 100 are rotattt~nal bearing assembiy,'112, e.g., tapered roller bearings. Pin 94 permits auger assembly 32 to move vertically with rasped to oornbine 10, while rotational bearings 912 and i1~ permit auger assembly 32 >n twist with respect to combine 10.
Joint assembty B6 in combination with joint assembly p2 permits auger ass~mbly 32 to twist, move verblcally, and to move lat8rally. Such movement is necessary not only for taming of combinE S2, but also far combine 10 and towed grain cart 12 to traven;e over uneven ground.
Frg. 12 illustrates trunnion assembly 54, which holds vertical auger assembly 34 in its vertlCal orientation and then to its storage orientadvn (dig. 'i).
It v~Jl ba observed that a pin. 116, Is af~~ed (e.g., welded) to vertical auger ass~mbfy S4. A
bearing. till. Is affixed (eg., bolted) to grain cart bin 30 or to a struchmal oomporrent of grain cart 12. The "a' and 'b" designations are for each of the corresponding parts located on opposite sides of auger assembly 34. Trunnion asserrrbly (or assemblies) S4 holds auger assembly 34 in a vertical orientation during harvesi~ng operations and then perrntt auger assembly 34 to be folded downwardly for storage, While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof Without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made tro adapt a particuhar situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be 16r>~d to the particular embodiment discJased as the best mode contemplated for carrying out ibis invention, but that the invention will include all ernbodinzents falling within the scope of the appended claims. In this application all units are in the metric system and all amounts and percentages are Dy weight, unless otherwise expressly indir~ted.
Also, ail citations referred herein arc expnusiy incorporated herein by rr3feronae.
Claims (22)
1. An improved combination of a powered combine and a grain cart towed with said combine, said combine carrying an on-board combine grain bin for housing harvested grain and said grain cart carrying a grain cart bin for housing harvested grain, the improvement for transferring harvested grain between said combine grain bin and said grain cart bin and for off-loading harvested grain from said combination, which comprises:
(a) a generally horizontally disposed first grain movement assembly pivotally connected within said combine grain bin and pivotally connected within said grain cart bin and disposed for reciprocally transporting grain between said combine grain bin and said grain cart bin;
(b) a generally vertically disposed second grain movement assembly cooperatively operable with said first grain movement assembly for transferring grain from said grain cart bin to said first grain movement assembly and thence to said combine grain bin; and (c) an off-loading grain movement assembly disposed for off-loading grain only from said combine grain bin.
(a) a generally horizontally disposed first grain movement assembly pivotally connected within said combine grain bin and pivotally connected within said grain cart bin and disposed for reciprocally transporting grain between said combine grain bin and said grain cart bin;
(b) a generally vertically disposed second grain movement assembly cooperatively operable with said first grain movement assembly for transferring grain from said grain cart bin to said first grain movement assembly and thence to said combine grain bin; and (c) an off-loading grain movement assembly disposed for off-loading grain only from said combine grain bin.
2. The combination of claim 1, wherein all of said grain movement assemblies comprise auger assemblies.
3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said second grain movement assembly is attached to said grain cart by a trunnion assembly.
4. The combination of claim 3, wherein said trunnion assembly permits said second grain movement assembly to be moved to a non-vertical storage position.
5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said combine grain bin has a rear wall having an aperture, wherein said first grain movement assembly has an end which penetrates into said combine grain bin through said rear wall aperture.
6. The combination of claim 5, wherein said rear wall aperture is covered with a flexible seat through which said first grain movement assembly end penetrates.
7. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first grain movement assembly is uncovered adjacent to said second grain movement assembly, wherein said second grain movement assembly is oriented for transferring grain from said grain cart into said first grain movement assembly where it is uncovered.
8. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first grain movement assembly has spouts through which grain is transferred into said grain cart.
9. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first grain movement assembly is pivotally connected to said combine grain bin with a joint assembly which comprises a combination of a pivot pin and a rotation bearing.
10. The combination of claim 1, wherein said first grain movement assembly carries a lower I-beam and is pivotally connected to said grain cart bin with a joint assembly which comprises two pairs of rollers that ride about a flange of said I-beam and a rotation bearing.
11. The combination of claim 1, wherein said towed grain cart is one or more non-powered and non-steerable, stearable, powered, or powered and stearable.
12. A method for transferring harvested grain between a combine grain bin and a grain cart bin and for off-loading harvested grain from a combination of a powered combine and a grain cart towed with said combine, said combine carrying said on-board combine grain bin for housing harvested grain and said grain cart carrying said grain cart bin for housing harvested grain, which comprises:
(a) providing a generally horizontally disposed first grain movement assembly pivotally connected within said combine grain bin and pivotally connected within said grain cart bin and disposed for reciprocally transporting grain between said combine grain bin and said grain cart bin;
(b) providing a generally vertically disposed second grain movement assembly cooperatively operable with said first grain movement assembly for transferring grain from said grain cart bin to said first grain movement assembly and thence to said combine grain bin;
(c) providing an off-loading grain movement assembly disposed for off-loading grainonly from said combine grain bin;
(d) transferring harvested grain from said combine grain bin into said grain cart bin with said first grain movement assembly;
(e) when desired, transferring harvested grain in said grain cart bin with said second grain movement assembly into said first grain movement assembly and then from said first grain movement assembly into said combine grain bin; and (f) off-loading harvested grain only from said combine grain bin with said off-loading movement assembly.
(a) providing a generally horizontally disposed first grain movement assembly pivotally connected within said combine grain bin and pivotally connected within said grain cart bin and disposed for reciprocally transporting grain between said combine grain bin and said grain cart bin;
(b) providing a generally vertically disposed second grain movement assembly cooperatively operable with said first grain movement assembly for transferring grain from said grain cart bin to said first grain movement assembly and thence to said combine grain bin;
(c) providing an off-loading grain movement assembly disposed for off-loading grainonly from said combine grain bin;
(d) transferring harvested grain from said combine grain bin into said grain cart bin with said first grain movement assembly;
(e) when desired, transferring harvested grain in said grain cart bin with said second grain movement assembly into said first grain movement assembly and then from said first grain movement assembly into said combine grain bin; and (f) off-loading harvested grain only from said combine grain bin with said off-loading movement assembly.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein all of said grain movement assemblies provided comprise auger assemblies.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein said second grain movement assembly is attached to said grain cart by a trunnion assembly.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein said trunnion assembly permits said second grain movement assembly to be moved to a non-vertical storage position.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein said combine grain bin is provided with a rear wall having an aperture, wherein said first grain movement assembly is provided with an end which penetrates into said combine grain bin through said rear wall aperture.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said rear wall aperture is covered with a flexible seal through which said first grain movement assembly end penetrates.
18. The method of claim 12, wherein said first grain movement assembly is uncovered adjacent to said second grain movement assembly, wherein said second grain movement assembly is oriented for transferring grain from said grain cart into said first grain movement assembly where it is uncovered.
19. The method of claim 12, wherein said first grain movement assembly is provided with spouts through which grain is transferred into said grain cart.
20. The method of claim 12, wherein said first grain movement assembly is pivotally connected to said combine grain bin with a joint assembly which comprises a combination of a pivot pin and a rotation bearing.
21. The method of claim 12, wherein said first grain movement assembly caries a lower I-beam and is pivotally connected to said grain cart bin with a joint assembly which comprises two pairs of rollers that ride about a flange of said I-beam and a rotation bearing.
22. The method of claim 12, wherein said towed grain cart is one or more non-powered and non-steerable, steerable, powered, or powered and steerable.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2003/039818 WO2005060728A1 (en) | 2003-12-15 | 2003-12-15 | Grain handling assembly for combine with powered and steerable grain trailer |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2505637A1 true CA2505637A1 (en) | 2005-06-15 |
Family
ID=34709658
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002505637A Abandoned CA2505637A1 (en) | 2003-12-15 | 2003-12-15 | Grain handling assembly for combine and steerable grain trailer |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1694111A1 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR0313893A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2505637A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2005060728A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107673084B (en) * | 2017-10-27 | 2019-06-21 | 安徽省正宇粮食机械有限公司 | It is a kind of to receive grain for dring yard and spread the grain purchasing machine of grain |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2883076A (en) * | 1958-04-14 | 1959-04-21 | Harold S Palmer | Material handling system |
| US4414794A (en) * | 1982-04-23 | 1983-11-15 | Deere & Company | Hinge arrangement for an articulated combine |
| US4428182A (en) * | 1982-04-23 | 1984-01-31 | Deere & Company | Grain handling arrangement for an articulated combine |
| US5655872A (en) * | 1995-12-20 | 1997-08-12 | Plotkin; David S. | Grain cart with front unload auger |
| WO2003026385A1 (en) * | 2001-09-07 | 2003-04-03 | Dillon Ben N | Articulated combine |
| US6604353B1 (en) * | 2000-08-11 | 2003-08-12 | Case, Llc | Elevated trailer drawbar for an agricultural combine |
| US6910845B2 (en) * | 2002-09-19 | 2005-06-28 | Ben N. Dillon | Grain handling assembly for combine with powered and steerable grain trailer |
-
2003
- 2003-12-15 BR BR0313893-3A patent/BR0313893A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2003-12-15 WO PCT/US2003/039818 patent/WO2005060728A1/en active Search and Examination
- 2003-12-15 EP EP03819158A patent/EP1694111A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2003-12-15 CA CA002505637A patent/CA2505637A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| BR0313893A (en) | 2005-08-23 |
| WO2005060728A1 (en) | 2005-07-07 |
| EP1694111A1 (en) | 2006-08-30 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA2289225C (en) | Combine with powered and steerable grain trailer | |
| US8585343B2 (en) | Grain cart having a single auger discharge conveyor | |
| US6910845B2 (en) | Grain handling assembly for combine with powered and steerable grain trailer | |
| US6606844B2 (en) | Grain unloading assembly | |
| US6604351B2 (en) | Joint for an articulated vehicle | |
| WO2006019566A2 (en) | Combine dual auger unloader | |
| US8132659B2 (en) | Tractor mounted unloading conveyor | |
| DE60218500T2 (en) | METHOD FOR THE TRANSPORT AND FILLING OF FREIGHT CONTAINERS | |
| US6893202B2 (en) | Dual purpose grain cart | |
| DE102016121702A1 (en) | Advantageously used steering link connection for an agricultural harvester or a combine harvester | |
| US7553228B2 (en) | Grain handling assembly for combine with powered and steerable grain trailer | |
| US7143863B2 (en) | Articulated harvester and method for converting a harvester and towed grain trailer into an articulated harvester | |
| US3891109A (en) | Wagon with elongate conveyor housing as unloader and drayage hitch | |
| CA2505637A1 (en) | Grain handling assembly for combine and steerable grain trailer | |
| US6755011B1 (en) | Removable feed table for bagging machine | |
| US10351172B2 (en) | Tandem steering for a grain cart | |
| CA2959260C (en) | Tandem steering for a grain cart |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |