CA2635859C - Powered lift for a swath roller - Google Patents
Powered lift for a swath roller Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2635859C CA2635859C CA2635859A CA2635859A CA2635859C CA 2635859 C CA2635859 C CA 2635859C CA 2635859 A CA2635859 A CA 2635859A CA 2635859 A CA2635859 A CA 2635859A CA 2635859 C CA2635859 C CA 2635859C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- drum
- swather
- swath
- operative
- frame
- 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.)
- Active
Links
- 244000038559 crop plants Species 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 5
- 238000003306 harvesting Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 235000014698 Brassica juncea var multisecta Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000006008 Brassica napus var napus Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 240000000385 Brassica napus var. napus Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000006618 Brassica rapa subsp oleifera Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000004977 Brassica sinapistrum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 241000320892 Clerodendrum phlomidis Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000010627 Phaseolus vulgaris Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000046052 Phaseolus vulgaris Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000010582 Pisum sativum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 240000004713 Pisum sativum Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000282887 Suidae Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D84/00—Haymakers not provided for in a single one of groups A01D76/00 - A01D82/00
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D82/00—Crop conditioners, i.e. machines for crushing or bruising stalks
- A01D82/02—Rollers for crop conditioners
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Soil Working Implements (AREA)
- Harvester Elements (AREA)
- Guiding Agricultural Machines (AREA)
Abstract
A swath roller apparatus comprises a drum adapted to be rotatably attached to a vehicle for movement along the ground in an operating travel direction such that the drum is oriented substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction. A drum actuator is operative to move the drum up and down with respect to the ground while the vehicle is moving along the ground.
Description
POWERED LIFT FS}R A SWATH ROLLLIt This invention is in the field of agricultural implemcnt5 and in paiYicular swath rollers for pushing crop swaths down into standing stubble.
BACKGROUND
hi some areas it is popular to cut and windrow, or swath, crops before harvesting in order to promote eartier and more uniform inaturing and to achieve the necessarv drying of the crop. An implement known as a swather comprises generally a cutting header tuid belts to lay cut crop in a swath. 'I'he header is typically raised and lowered by lift hydraulic:
cylinders to follow ground contours and vatiations in crop height. Such swathers can be self propelled, or towed behind a tractor.
There is risk of loss or damage to a crop while it is in the swath. In the case of light and fragile crops such as canola, peas, tlax or beans this risk includes loss of crop that is shelled out onto the ground due to wind action on the swath and thc possibility of the wind actually dislocating and scatteritig thc swath, making efficient harvesting impossible.
As these crops dry in the swath they become lighter, inoxe brittle and increasingly susceptible to movement & damage by the wind. To minimize losses and damage to the crop in the swath it has become common practice to use a swath roller to compact the swath and anchor it in the supporting standing stubble.
Swath rolters are typically motuited onto a swather, or mounted iiz a frame cm wheels that is towed along hehind the swather. Swath rollers generaiiy wrnprise a drum of substantially cylindrical shape that is mount.ed either in a wheeled frame that straddles the swath, or in a frame attached to a swather such that the drum is positioned trver the swath and rolls along the top of the swath that has just exited the swather and pushes the swath down into the standing stubble of the cut c.vop. SiniplE rylirrdrical swath rollers do nothing to compact or anchor the edges of the swath and so ctrursts have been developed with ends which are shaped generally as the frustum of a cone so that the roller contacts both the top and edges of the swath, and pushes the edges of the swath down farther into the standing stubblc than the middle. The swath is then more resistant to niovenient by wind. Bumps and the like can also be provicled on the ends of the dnun in an attempt to knit the swath into the standing stubble. These various dnan end sections can be generally referred to as edge compacting ends, and are referred to as such in this disClo~ure.
- page 4 -In conventional swath rollers, the vertical position of the drum with respect to the franie is typically adjus(able on wheeled tow behind machines, but once adjusted the vertical position is fixed during operation, and the machine must be stopped for the operator to attend to many further adjustments. On typical swather mounted models, the cinim is mottnted in a frame that is pivotally attached to the rear of the swather about a horizontal axis oriented perpendicular to the travel direction. A winch is typically mounted on the swather and a cable to the frame holds the frame and druirx off the ground at the desired vertical location, low enough to push the swath into the stubble, but above the ground.
The drum and frame can lloal uF from this minimuni vertical location, but the winch cable prevents it from moving down.
Canadian Patent Number 2,311,694 to Glanville illustrates a typical swath roller of both the tow behind and swather tnounted types.
SUMNiARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a swath roller that overcomes problems in the prior art.
-Page-1- -In a first emboditnent tlie present invention provides a swath roller apparatus cornprising a drunt adapted to be rotatably attached to a vehicle for movement along the ground in an operating travel direction such that the drum is oriented substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction. A dnim actuator is operative to ntove the drum up and down with respect to the ground while the vehicle is moving along the ground.
In a second entbodinrent the present invention provides a swather apparatus comprising a swallter operative to cut -itanding crop plants and lay cut plants in a swath as the swather moves along the ground in att operating travel direction. A drum is motinted in a drttm frame attached to a rear portion of the swather such that the drum is oriented sub:stantially horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction and above the swath, and a dntm actuator is operative to move the drum frame up and down with respect to the swather while the swather is moving along the grourtd.
In a third etnbodiment the present invention provides a inethod of swathing a crop comprising providing a swather operative to cut standing c-rop plants and lay cut plants in a swath as the swather inoves along the ground in an operating travel direction; moutiting a tlrLan with edge compacting end portions in a drum frarrte and pivotally attaching the drum frame to a rear portion of the swather such that the dnim is oriented substantially -PagC6-horizontai and peipendicttlar to the operating travel dii-ection aud above the swath;
providing a drum actuator hyclraulic cylinder operative to move the drum frame up and down with respect to lhe swather; operating the dntm hydraulic cylinder to lower the dnun onto the swath while cutting plaits, and operating the drum hydraulic cylinder to raise the dtum during turns such that the edge compacting ends of thc drum are not in contact with the swath while the swather is turning.
By providing the diutn actuator, an operator can raise the drum up off llie swath using a control adjtu;ent to the operator's position, or the actuator ca be otmnected to raise autonaatically when the header of the swather is raised, and thet'eby.allow the operator to avoid situations where the drum might interfere with the desired operation of the swather and with swath formation.
For example while edge compacting ends on a swath roller dtum do help lo push the side edges of the swath down to make them less susceptible to wind, they also disnipt the swath during turns, especially the sharp turns made at the ends of a field where the swather typically will make a i!i{Y'turn. This turn is often initiaterl immc;diately when the cutting k~rtife at the front of the swather has reached the end of the standing crop, and whi]e the dntm, located rearward of the cutting knife, is still resting on the swath. Thus during the turn the drurn will move laterally across the top af the swath. A
plain cylindrical drum will simply side laterally across the top of the swath, but ttie conical ends of the edge compacting drum instead drag through the swath, leaving the swath scattered and piled up. and therefore susceptible to further damage from wind.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying cfetailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the acc.ompanying diagranls where like pails in each of tlic several diagr'atns are labeled with like uumbers, and where:
Fig.l is a schematic top view of an embodiment of a swather apparatus 1 of the present invention:
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the swath roller of the swather apparatus of Fig. 1, with the drum thereof in the lowered position;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the swath roller of the swatlier apparatus of Fig. 1, with the druni thereof in the raised position;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a swath roller apparatus coinprisirig a cltlnn ntuunttd on a trailer to be towed behind a swather;
Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of the swath i-oller of the swather apparatus of Fig. 1, with the drum thereof in the lowered position;
Fig. 6 is a schematic side view of the swath roller of the swather ap,paratus of Fig. 1, with the dnim thereof in the raised position.
DET.A,ILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBDDIMENTS
Fib.1 is a scheniatic top view of an embodiment of a swather appsiratus i of the present invention. The apparatus I comprises a swather 3 opcrativc to cut standing crop plants and Iay cut plants in a swath 5 as the swather 3 moves along the ground in an operating travel direction T. A drurn 7 is nzounted in a drum frame 9 attached to a rear portion of the swather 3 suc:h that the drum 7 is oriented substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the opcrating travei direction T and abuve the swath 5. A druin actuator is operative to move the drum frame 9, and the drum 7 tnounted therein, up atid down with respect to the swather 3 while the swather is inoving along the grotutd.
As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the druni frame 9 includes a pair of arnis 11, and the front ends of tiie acins 11 are pivotally rttounted to the swather 3, and the drum 3 is rotatabty mounted to a rear portion of the dnim frame 9. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 the drum frame 9 is pivotally attached to brackets 13 that are adapted for attachment to the swather by elamps 15. The arms 11 pivot ahout a pivot axis PA
oriented substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction T. In the illustrated embodiment the drum actuator is provided by a pair of drum hydraulic cylinders 17, each connected between the drum frame 9 and the swather 3 by pivolal attachment at one end to the arrn 11 and at the otlter to the bracket 13.
The drum hydraulic cylinders 17 are connected for actuation to a hydraulic system 19 of the swather 3. The hydraulic system 19 includes a control valve 21 located adjacent to an operators position 23 and operative to activate the dnun hydraulic cylinders 17.
Typically the hvdraulic sytitem 19 will also provide a float control opcrativc to selectively allow the drum frame 9 to float up and down with respect to the swather 3. The dnim 7 can then roll along on top of the swath 5, and Float. up and down as the relative position of the swather and swalh change as the terrain varies.
During a typical swathing operation the druni hydraulic cylinders 17 are operated to lower the dntni 7 to the position of Pigs. 2 and 5 such that the dnun contacts the swath 5 whiie cuttitig plants, anct the drum ltydraulic cylinders 17 are operated to raise the drum 7 to the position of Figs. 3 and 6 during turns. This is particularly beneficial where the drum 7 inclttdes edge compacting ends 25 that extend radially beyond a central portion 27 of the drum. Turning sharply, sttch as at the end of the field, while the drum 7 is down in contact with the swath 5 causes the ends 25 to tear through the swath 5 and significantly disrupt the swath 5 increasing its sascept.ihility to wind damage. By raising the drum 7 such that the edge compacting ends 25 of the drwn 7 are not in contact with the swath 7 while the swather 3 is turning, such distupt.ion is avoided.
The illustratecl swather 3 includes lift hydraulic cylinders 31, as seen in Fig. 1, that are operative to raise and lower the cutting header 33 of the swather 3. For convenience, the control 21 for drum hydraulic cylinders 17 can be connected to operate in concett with the control for the lift hydraulic cylinders 31 such that the dtvni 7 automatically moves up when the header 33 moves up, and moves to the down position when the header 33 is movcd down. Thus the dnun 7 is always raised at corners where the header 33 is raised.
and the edge cornpacting ends 25 are raised clear of the swath 5 so that the swath is not disturbed during the turn.
Fig. 4 illustrates an alterttate swath roller apparatus 101 comprising a dntm 107 rotatably attached to a vehicle that is essentially a trailer 103 mounted on wheels 104 for (nover[-ent atUnQ tlle gruund in an operating travel direction T such that the drum 107 is oriented substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction T.
The trailer 103 is adapted to be towed behind a swather attached to a hitch 106 at the front end of the trailer 103.
The djirm 107 is rotatahlv mounted in a dnini Yrame 109. A front end of the dnim frame 109 is pivotally mounted to the trailer 103 about a pivot axis PA oriented substatatially horizontal and perpendicular to the operatiiig travel direction. The drum 107 is rotatably mounted to a rear portion of the dtum frame. A drum actuator, illustrated as a pair of drum hydraulic cylinders 117, is connected between the drum frame 109 and the trailer 103 and is operative to move the drum 107 up artd down with respect to the ground. The drum hydraulic cylinders 117 are adapted to be connected for actuation to a hydraulic system of the swather through hydraulic conduits 130 from the trailer 103 to a towing swathe.r. As described above with respect to thc apparatus 1, the control for the dnun hydraulic cylinders 117 can be connected to the controi for the lift hydraulic cylinders such that the drum 107 move.s up anii down with the header of the towing swather.
With such trailer mounted diums, it is not usually required to provide a float position, as the trailer 103 is light. and excessive tipwat-d force on tlie di-urn will siinply raise the trailer wheels 104 off the ground.
The foregoing is considered ati illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which mav be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the clainted invention.
BACKGROUND
hi some areas it is popular to cut and windrow, or swath, crops before harvesting in order to promote eartier and more uniform inaturing and to achieve the necessarv drying of the crop. An implement known as a swather comprises generally a cutting header tuid belts to lay cut crop in a swath. 'I'he header is typically raised and lowered by lift hydraulic:
cylinders to follow ground contours and vatiations in crop height. Such swathers can be self propelled, or towed behind a tractor.
There is risk of loss or damage to a crop while it is in the swath. In the case of light and fragile crops such as canola, peas, tlax or beans this risk includes loss of crop that is shelled out onto the ground due to wind action on the swath and thc possibility of the wind actually dislocating and scatteritig thc swath, making efficient harvesting impossible.
As these crops dry in the swath they become lighter, inoxe brittle and increasingly susceptible to movement & damage by the wind. To minimize losses and damage to the crop in the swath it has become common practice to use a swath roller to compact the swath and anchor it in the supporting standing stubble.
Swath rolters are typically motuited onto a swather, or mounted iiz a frame cm wheels that is towed along hehind the swather. Swath rollers generaiiy wrnprise a drum of substantially cylindrical shape that is mount.ed either in a wheeled frame that straddles the swath, or in a frame attached to a swather such that the drum is positioned trver the swath and rolls along the top of the swath that has just exited the swather and pushes the swath down into the standing stubble of the cut c.vop. SiniplE rylirrdrical swath rollers do nothing to compact or anchor the edges of the swath and so ctrursts have been developed with ends which are shaped generally as the frustum of a cone so that the roller contacts both the top and edges of the swath, and pushes the edges of the swath down farther into the standing stubblc than the middle. The swath is then more resistant to niovenient by wind. Bumps and the like can also be provicled on the ends of the dnun in an attempt to knit the swath into the standing stubble. These various dnan end sections can be generally referred to as edge compacting ends, and are referred to as such in this disClo~ure.
- page 4 -In conventional swath rollers, the vertical position of the drum with respect to the franie is typically adjus(able on wheeled tow behind machines, but once adjusted the vertical position is fixed during operation, and the machine must be stopped for the operator to attend to many further adjustments. On typical swather mounted models, the cinim is mottnted in a frame that is pivotally attached to the rear of the swather about a horizontal axis oriented perpendicular to the travel direction. A winch is typically mounted on the swather and a cable to the frame holds the frame and druirx off the ground at the desired vertical location, low enough to push the swath into the stubble, but above the ground.
The drum and frame can lloal uF from this minimuni vertical location, but the winch cable prevents it from moving down.
Canadian Patent Number 2,311,694 to Glanville illustrates a typical swath roller of both the tow behind and swather tnounted types.
SUMNiARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a swath roller that overcomes problems in the prior art.
-Page-1- -In a first emboditnent tlie present invention provides a swath roller apparatus cornprising a drunt adapted to be rotatably attached to a vehicle for movement along the ground in an operating travel direction such that the drum is oriented substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction. A dnim actuator is operative to ntove the drum up and down with respect to the ground while the vehicle is moving along the ground.
In a second entbodinrent the present invention provides a swather apparatus comprising a swallter operative to cut -itanding crop plants and lay cut plants in a swath as the swather moves along the ground in att operating travel direction. A drum is motinted in a drttm frame attached to a rear portion of the swather such that the drum is oriented sub:stantially horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction and above the swath, and a dntm actuator is operative to move the drum frame up and down with respect to the swather while the swather is moving along the grourtd.
In a third etnbodiment the present invention provides a inethod of swathing a crop comprising providing a swather operative to cut standing c-rop plants and lay cut plants in a swath as the swather inoves along the ground in an operating travel direction; moutiting a tlrLan with edge compacting end portions in a drum frarrte and pivotally attaching the drum frame to a rear portion of the swather such that the dnim is oriented substantially -PagC6-horizontai and peipendicttlar to the operating travel dii-ection aud above the swath;
providing a drum actuator hyclraulic cylinder operative to move the drum frame up and down with respect to lhe swather; operating the dntm hydraulic cylinder to lower the dnun onto the swath while cutting plaits, and operating the drum hydraulic cylinder to raise the dtum during turns such that the edge compacting ends of thc drum are not in contact with the swath while the swather is turning.
By providing the diutn actuator, an operator can raise the drum up off llie swath using a control adjtu;ent to the operator's position, or the actuator ca be otmnected to raise autonaatically when the header of the swather is raised, and thet'eby.allow the operator to avoid situations where the drum might interfere with the desired operation of the swather and with swath formation.
For example while edge compacting ends on a swath roller dtum do help lo push the side edges of the swath down to make them less susceptible to wind, they also disnipt the swath during turns, especially the sharp turns made at the ends of a field where the swather typically will make a i!i{Y'turn. This turn is often initiaterl immc;diately when the cutting k~rtife at the front of the swather has reached the end of the standing crop, and whi]e the dntm, located rearward of the cutting knife, is still resting on the swath. Thus during the turn the drurn will move laterally across the top af the swath. A
plain cylindrical drum will simply side laterally across the top of the swath, but ttie conical ends of the edge compacting drum instead drag through the swath, leaving the swath scattered and piled up. and therefore susceptible to further damage from wind.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying cfetailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the acc.ompanying diagranls where like pails in each of tlic several diagr'atns are labeled with like uumbers, and where:
Fig.l is a schematic top view of an embodiment of a swather apparatus 1 of the present invention:
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the swath roller of the swather apparatus of Fig. 1, with the drum thereof in the lowered position;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the swath roller of the swatlier apparatus of Fig. 1, with the druni thereof in the raised position;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a swath roller apparatus coinprisirig a cltlnn ntuunttd on a trailer to be towed behind a swather;
Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of the swath i-oller of the swather apparatus of Fig. 1, with the drum thereof in the lowered position;
Fig. 6 is a schematic side view of the swath roller of the swather ap,paratus of Fig. 1, with the dnim thereof in the raised position.
DET.A,ILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBDDIMENTS
Fib.1 is a scheniatic top view of an embodiment of a swather appsiratus i of the present invention. The apparatus I comprises a swather 3 opcrativc to cut standing crop plants and Iay cut plants in a swath 5 as the swather 3 moves along the ground in an operating travel direction T. A drurn 7 is nzounted in a drum frame 9 attached to a rear portion of the swather 3 suc:h that the drum 7 is oriented substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the opcrating travei direction T and abuve the swath 5. A druin actuator is operative to move the drum frame 9, and the drum 7 tnounted therein, up atid down with respect to the swather 3 while the swather is inoving along the grotutd.
As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the druni frame 9 includes a pair of arnis 11, and the front ends of tiie acins 11 are pivotally rttounted to the swather 3, and the drum 3 is rotatabty mounted to a rear portion of the dnim frame 9. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 the drum frame 9 is pivotally attached to brackets 13 that are adapted for attachment to the swather by elamps 15. The arms 11 pivot ahout a pivot axis PA
oriented substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction T. In the illustrated embodiment the drum actuator is provided by a pair of drum hydraulic cylinders 17, each connected between the drum frame 9 and the swather 3 by pivolal attachment at one end to the arrn 11 and at the otlter to the bracket 13.
The drum hydraulic cylinders 17 are connected for actuation to a hydraulic system 19 of the swather 3. The hydraulic system 19 includes a control valve 21 located adjacent to an operators position 23 and operative to activate the dnun hydraulic cylinders 17.
Typically the hvdraulic sytitem 19 will also provide a float control opcrativc to selectively allow the drum frame 9 to float up and down with respect to the swather 3. The dnim 7 can then roll along on top of the swath 5, and Float. up and down as the relative position of the swather and swalh change as the terrain varies.
During a typical swathing operation the druni hydraulic cylinders 17 are operated to lower the dntni 7 to the position of Pigs. 2 and 5 such that the dnun contacts the swath 5 whiie cuttitig plants, anct the drum ltydraulic cylinders 17 are operated to raise the drum 7 to the position of Figs. 3 and 6 during turns. This is particularly beneficial where the drum 7 inclttdes edge compacting ends 25 that extend radially beyond a central portion 27 of the drum. Turning sharply, sttch as at the end of the field, while the drum 7 is down in contact with the swath 5 causes the ends 25 to tear through the swath 5 and significantly disrupt the swath 5 increasing its sascept.ihility to wind damage. By raising the drum 7 such that the edge compacting ends 25 of the drwn 7 are not in contact with the swath 7 while the swather 3 is turning, such distupt.ion is avoided.
The illustratecl swather 3 includes lift hydraulic cylinders 31, as seen in Fig. 1, that are operative to raise and lower the cutting header 33 of the swather 3. For convenience, the control 21 for drum hydraulic cylinders 17 can be connected to operate in concett with the control for the lift hydraulic cylinders 31 such that the dtvni 7 automatically moves up when the header 33 moves up, and moves to the down position when the header 33 is movcd down. Thus the dnun 7 is always raised at corners where the header 33 is raised.
and the edge cornpacting ends 25 are raised clear of the swath 5 so that the swath is not disturbed during the turn.
Fig. 4 illustrates an alterttate swath roller apparatus 101 comprising a dntm 107 rotatably attached to a vehicle that is essentially a trailer 103 mounted on wheels 104 for (nover[-ent atUnQ tlle gruund in an operating travel direction T such that the drum 107 is oriented substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction T.
The trailer 103 is adapted to be towed behind a swather attached to a hitch 106 at the front end of the trailer 103.
The djirm 107 is rotatahlv mounted in a dnini Yrame 109. A front end of the dnim frame 109 is pivotally mounted to the trailer 103 about a pivot axis PA oriented substatatially horizontal and perpendicular to the operatiiig travel direction. The drum 107 is rotatably mounted to a rear portion of the dtum frame. A drum actuator, illustrated as a pair of drum hydraulic cylinders 117, is connected between the drum frame 109 and the trailer 103 and is operative to move the drum 107 up artd down with respect to the ground. The drum hydraulic cylinders 117 are adapted to be connected for actuation to a hydraulic system of the swather through hydraulic conduits 130 from the trailer 103 to a towing swathe.r. As described above with respect to thc apparatus 1, the control for the dnun hydraulic cylinders 117 can be connected to the controi for the lift hydraulic cylinders such that the drum 107 move.s up anii down with the header of the towing swather.
With such trailer mounted diums, it is not usually required to provide a float position, as the trailer 103 is light. and excessive tipwat-d force on tlie di-urn will siinply raise the trailer wheels 104 off the ground.
The foregoing is considered ati illustrative only of the principles of the invention.
Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which mav be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the clainted invention.
Claims (20)
1. A swath roller apparatus for attachment to a rear end of a swather, the swather operative to cut standing crop plants and lay cut plants in a swath as the swather moves along the ground in an operating travel direction, the apparatus comprising:
a drum adapted to be rotatably attached to the rear end of the swather such that the drum is oriented above the swath laid by the swather and substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction;
a drum actuator operative to move the drum up and down with respect to the ground while the swather is moving along the ground.
a drum adapted to be rotatably attached to the rear end of the swather such that the drum is oriented above the swath laid by the swather and substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction;
a drum actuator operative to move the drum up and down with respect to the ground while the swather is moving along the ground.
2. The apparatus of Claim I wherein the drum is rotatably mounted in a drum frame and wherein the drum frame is adapted to be pivotally mounted to the swather about a pivot axis oriented substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction, and wherein the drum actuator is connected between the drum frame and the swather.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a front end of the drum frame is pivotally mounted to the swather and the drum is rotatably mounted to a rear portion of the drum frame.
4. The apparatus of any one of claims 2 and 3 wherein the drum actuator comprises a drum hydraulic cylinder adapted to be connected for actuation to a hydraulic system of the swather.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the hydraulic system of the swather comprises a lift control valve located adjacent to an operator's position and operative to activate the drum hydraulic cylinder.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the swather includes lift hydraulic cylinders operative to raise and lower a cutting header of the swather, and wherein the drum hydraulic cylinder is adapted to be connected to the hydraulic system of the swather such that the drum moves up and down with the header.
7. The apparatus of any one of claims 4 - 6 comprising a float control operative to selectively allow the drum frame to float up and down with respect to the swather.
8. The apparatus of any one of claims 2 and 3 comprising a trailer adapted to be attached to the rear end of the swather, and the actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder adapted to be connected for actuation to a hydraulic system of the swather through hydraulic conduits from the trailer to the swather.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the hydraulic system of the swather comprises a control valve located adjacent to an operator's position and operative to activate the drum hydraulic cylinder.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the swather includes lift hydraulic cylinders operative to raise and lower a cutting header of the swather, and wherein the drum hydraulic cylinder is adapted to be connected to the hydraulic system of the swather such that the drum moves up and down with the header.
11. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-10 wherein the drum comprises edge compacting end portions extending radially beyond a central portion of the drum.
12. A swather apparatus comprising:
a swather operative to cut standing crop plants and lay cut plants in a swath as the swather moves along the ground in an operating travel direction;
a drum mounted in a drum frame attached to a rear portion of the swather such that the drum is oriented above the swath laid by the swather and substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction and above the swath;
a drum actuator operative to move the drum frame up and down with respect to the swather while the swather is moving along the ground.
a swather operative to cut standing crop plants and lay cut plants in a swath as the swather moves along the ground in an operating travel direction;
a drum mounted in a drum frame attached to a rear portion of the swather such that the drum is oriented above the swath laid by the swather and substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction and above the swath;
a drum actuator operative to move the drum frame up and down with respect to the swather while the swather is moving along the ground.
13. The apparatus of Claim 12 wherein the drum frame is pivotally mounted to the swather about a pivot axis oriented substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein a front end of the drum frame is pivotally mounted to the swather and the drum is rotatably mounted to a rear portion of the drum, frame, and wherein the drum actuator is connected between the drum frame and the swather.
15. The apparatus of any one of claims 13 and 14 wherein drum actuator comprises a drum hydraulic cylinder connected for actuation to a hydraulic system of the swather.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the hydraulic system of the swather comprises a lift control valve located adjacent to an operator's position and operative to activate the drum hydraulic cylinder.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the swather includes lift hydraulic cylinders operative to raise and lower a cutting header of the swather, and wherein the drum hydraulic cylinder is adapted to be connected to the hydraulic system of the swather such that the drum moves up and down with the header.
18. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 - 17 comprising a float control operative to selectively allow the drum frame to float up and down with respect to the swather.
19. The apparatus of any one of claims 12-18 wherein the drum comprises edge compacting end portions.
20. A method of swathing a crop comprising:
providing a swather operative to cut standing crop plants and lay cut plants in a swath as the swather moves along the ground in an operating travel direction;
mounting a drum with edge compacting end portions in a drum frame and pivotally attaching the drum frame to a rear portion of the swather such that the drum is oriented substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction and above the swath laid by the swather;
providing a drum actuator hydraulic cylinder operative to move the drum frame up and down with respect to the swather;
operating the drum hydraulic cylinder to lower the drum onto the swath while cutting plants, and operating the drum hydraulic cylinder to raise the drum during turns such that the edge compacting ends of the drum are not in contact with the swath while the swather is turning.
providing a swather operative to cut standing crop plants and lay cut plants in a swath as the swather moves along the ground in an operating travel direction;
mounting a drum with edge compacting end portions in a drum frame and pivotally attaching the drum frame to a rear portion of the swather such that the drum is oriented substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the operating travel direction and above the swath laid by the swather;
providing a drum actuator hydraulic cylinder operative to move the drum frame up and down with respect to the swather;
operating the drum hydraulic cylinder to lower the drum onto the swath while cutting plants, and operating the drum hydraulic cylinder to raise the drum during turns such that the edge compacting ends of the drum are not in contact with the swath while the swather is turning.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2635859A CA2635859C (en) | 2008-06-25 | 2008-06-25 | Powered lift for a swath roller |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2635859A CA2635859C (en) | 2008-06-25 | 2008-06-25 | Powered lift for a swath roller |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2635859A1 CA2635859A1 (en) | 2009-12-25 |
| CA2635859C true CA2635859C (en) | 2011-04-19 |
Family
ID=41449617
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2635859A Active CA2635859C (en) | 2008-06-25 | 2008-06-25 | Powered lift for a swath roller |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2635859C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA2818449C (en) | 2013-06-18 | 2016-02-23 | Gerry Lee Miller | Swath roller with controlled anchoring force |
-
2008
- 2008-06-25 CA CA2635859A patent/CA2635859C/en active Active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2635859A1 (en) | 2009-12-25 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US7823371B2 (en) | Guiding arrangement for forage pickup device of an agricultural harvester | |
| EP2760273B1 (en) | Baler attachment for optionally changing the orientation of bales being released from a baler | |
| US9565800B2 (en) | Windrow shield control system for a header of an agricultural harvester | |
| US9807936B2 (en) | Swath roller with controlled anchoring force | |
| US7861506B2 (en) | Arrangement for the adjustment of the position of a take up drum and a hold-down of an agricultural harvesting machine | |
| US12089536B2 (en) | Agricultural vehicle with retainer for blockage removing windguard | |
| US10561068B2 (en) | Hay baler with windrow pickup diverter and extendible wheel rake mounting on elongated drawbar | |
| EP3725150A1 (en) | Agricultural implement | |
| EP3082399B1 (en) | Agricultural rake | |
| US10264730B2 (en) | Agricultural tool control system | |
| US8109070B1 (en) | Dual windrow crop inverting and combining apparatus and method | |
| US5177944A (en) | Harvesting crop from parallel windrows | |
| FR2852485A1 (en) | Grass grouping machine, has central plucking device associated with one stacking device, which are removable with respect to plough frame and transposable to align and shift with two other plucking and stacking devices | |
| US8240118B1 (en) | Combination of hay rake and baler with hay deflector and method | |
| US8474232B2 (en) | Wide sweep rake, windrow diverter and baling apparatus incorporating same | |
| CA2635859C (en) | Powered lift for a swath roller | |
| CA2890534C (en) | Device for harvesting long agricultural products and agricultural self-propelled unit for harvesting agricultural products comprising the device | |
| US7025008B2 (en) | Agricultural implement hitch | |
| CA2080967A1 (en) | Swath conditioning machine |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request |