DE102018116232A1 - Cutting device for an agricultural machine and method for adjusting a cutting device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to a cutting device (1) for an agricultural working machine (2), in particular for a combine harvester, comprising a supporting body (3), a cutting device (4) arranged on the supporting body (3) and one on the supporting body (3) Front suspension (6), which is assigned to a first half (7) of the cutting unit (1) and has at least one wheel (8) rotatable about a front axis (36), and a rear suspension (9) arranged on the support body (3) is assigned to the second half (10) of the cutting unit (1) and has at least two wheels (11, 12) which can be rotated about a rear axle (25), both the front suspension (6) and the rear suspension (9) each about an axis of rotation ( 14, 15) are designed to be rotatable relative to the supporting body (3), so that the front suspension (6) and the rear suspension (9) can each be transferred between a transport position and a working position.
In order to provide a cutting unit whose adaptability to different harvesting parameters is better possible, the invention proposes that the front suspension (6) and the rear suspension (9) be present in their respective working position by means of at least one adjusting means (16) relative to the support body (3) are movable between a high position and a low position.

Description

The present application relates to a cutting device for an agricultural machine according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the present application relates to a method for adjusting a cutting device according to claim 13.

The cutting unit comprises a support body on which an elongated cutting device is arranged. This can comprise a knife bar, by means of which plants to be harvested, for example maize plants, can be cut off. The cutting unit typically has a reel by means of which plants to be harvested can be fed to the cutting device. Such a cutting device can in particular be designed as a so-called “draper cutting device” which has two conveyor belts oriented transversely to a direction of travel of the working machine. One conveyor belt is assigned to one half of the cutting unit, the conveyor belts working in opposite directions in such a way that they are suitable for conveying cut plants in the direction of a central region of the cutting unit, from where the plants can be transferred, for example, to a downstream inclined conveyor. Such a cutting mechanism is an example of the European patent application EP 3 298 879 A1 removable.

The cutting unit also has a front suspension and a rear suspension, which are each spaced apart from one half of the cutting unit. The front suspension is located in a first, front half of the cutting unit, while the rear suspension is assigned to the second, rear half. The assignment to "front" and "rear" depends on the orientation of the cutting unit in the course of its transport, whereby "front" in the direction of travel of the cutting unit means front and "rear" in the direction of travel of the cutting unit means rear. Both the front suspension and the rear suspension interact with at least one wheel, by means of which the cutting device can be transported in public road traffic. This means that the cutting unit can be moved to a certain extent, provided that the front suspension and the rear suspension are each in a transport position. In this transport position, the front suspension and the rear suspension or the associated front axle or rear axle are aligned transversely to a longitudinal axis of the cutting unit. The front suspension and rear suspension wheels are rotatable about the front and rear axles, respectively, so that the cutting unit can roll on the wheels in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cutting unit. In particular, the cutting unit can be attached to a tractor, in particular the agricultural working machine itself, by means of a tow bar, so that the agricultural working machine together with the cutting unit can participate in public road traffic. If the front suspension and rear suspension are present in the respective transport position, the cutting unit can generally be completely or independently parked on a surface using the front and rear suspension wheels, so that the entire weight of the cutting unit is removed into the ground via the wheels.

The front suspension and the rear suspension can be transferred into a working position in which they or the front axle or rear axle assigned to them are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cutting unit. In the working position, the cutting device is therefore suitable for being moved in a direction transverse to its longitudinal axis on a surface. Accordingly, the cutting unit is then suitable for cutting plants into an operation of the agricultural working machine and making them accessible for further processing. The axes of rotation, about which the front suspension and the rear suspension can be rotated, are oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cutting unit and, as a rule, preferably vertically, and are further preferably arranged centrally on the front and rear suspension. This facilitates the rotation of the front and rear suspension from the transport position to the working position or vice versa, with manual rotation being particularly simple and consequently possible quickly. When the front suspension and rear suspension are present in the working position, the front and rear axles are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cutting unit.

A cutting mechanism of the type described above is already known in the prior art. For example, the US patent US 5,243,810 pointed. Said document describes a cutting mechanism which has a front suspension with a front wheel and a rear suspension with two rear wheels, the front suspension and the rear suspension each being convertible from a working position into a transport position, so that the cutting mechanism can be moved on public roads without this transport on a trailer is necessary. The front and rear suspension are transferred from the working to the transport position by means of a manually executed, combined pivoting movement about a horizontal and then a vertical axis.

The known cutting mechanism has proven to be particularly disadvantageous insofar as the running gear is in its working position can be a hindrance to operate the cutting unit in an optimal manner for the respective harvesting conditions. In particular, the running gear predefines a fixed working height of the cutting device in relation to a base.

The present application is therefore based on the object of providing a cutting mechanism and a method for adjusting it, the adaptability to different harvesting parameters being better possible in order to achieve a better harvesting result depending on the existing boundary conditions.

The underlying object is achieved according to the invention by means of a cutting unit with the features of claim 1. This is characterized in that the front suspension and the rear suspension, when present in their respective working positions, can be moved between a high position and a low position relative to the supporting body by means of at least one adjusting means. Advantageous refinements of the cutting unit result from subclaims 2 to 12.

The movement of the front suspension and the rear suspension between the high position and the low position can in particular take place continuously. As a result, the front and rear suspension can not only take two discrete positions, namely the high position and the low position, but any number of intermediate positions. In a preferred embodiment, it is possible in this way to determine the height above which the cutting unit is to be guided with its cutting device. This is based on the consideration that the cutting mechanism with the wheels of the front suspension and the rear suspension can be placed on the ground when in the working position, as a result of which the cutting mechanism (and with it the cutting device) is arranged at a defined height from the ground. By moving the front suspension and the rear suspension, this height can be changed according to the invention and, in particular, adjusted according to individual specifications. A machine operator can preferably choose between the high position and the low position, depending in particular on the crop and / or the harvesting conditions. The selection is preferably made from the driver's cab, in particular during a harvest trip. It is particularly preferred that the high position or the low position is automatically set by means of the adjusting means after the selection by the machine operator. The actuating means can in particular be formed by a hydraulically operated piston-cylinder unit or a linear motor.

In a likewise preferred embodiment, the cutting unit can also be arranged on a carrier element, in particular a feed channel, of the agricultural working machine, the cutting height of the cutting unit being adjusted by means of an adjustment of the carrier element, in particular with the aid of a carrier element adjusting means.

Advantageously, the cutting device is designed such that the wheels are arranged relative to the supporting body when the front suspension and the rear suspension are in their respective high positions such that the wheels assigned to the front suspension and the rear suspension are each completely above a floor level of the cutting device. In other words, no part of the wheels is then below a height level of the floor level of the cutting unit. As a result, when the cutting unit is completely lowered, it can be placed directly on the ground with its supporting body without the wheels coming into contact with the ground. In this setting, the height of the cutting unit is virtually zero, so that the cutting device works at the lowest possible level or at the smallest possible working height above the ground. In this position, the plants to be harvested can be cut off as low as possible.

Furthermore, such an embodiment is particularly advantageous in which the wheels, in the presence of the front suspension and the rear suspension, in their respective low positions, extend at least partially completely below the floor level of the cutting unit. As already indicated above, the cutting unit cannot then be placed directly on the ground with its supporting body, since when the cutting unit is lowered, the wheels first come into contact with the ground and then carry the cutting unit at a certain height above the ground. The low position is typically the position into which the front suspension and the rear suspension are lowered during harvesting operation, so that the wheels are at least partially arranged below the ground level. The working height of the cutting device can then be adjusted or adjusted as desired between the described levels by moving the front suspension and the rear suspension between the high position and the low position. Operating the cutting unit with the wheels in contact with the ground has the advantage that the wheels can dampen and prevent the cutting unit from swinging up on very uneven terrain. It is preferred that movement of the cutting unit is damped by means of the hydraulics of the wheels, in particular by means of a pressure relief valve.

It is also preferably possible to raise the cutting unit by means of the agricultural working machine in such a way that the wheels do not come into contact with the ground even when the front suspension and rear suspension are present in their respective lower positions, and the cutting unit therefore “hovers” overall above the ground.

Further developing the cutting mechanism according to the invention, the front suspension and the rear suspension each interact with their own adjusting means. Regardless of this configuration, but preferably in combination with the same, it can be advantageous if the actuating means interacts with a hydraulic system. The actuating means as such can in particular be formed by a piston-cylinder unit. The design of the actuating means in combination with a hydraulic system makes it possible to exert large forces on the front suspension and the rear suspension. A configuration of the actuating means as a linear motor is also conceivable, as is any other suitable configuration. With such an adjusting means, it is particularly easy to raise or lower the cutting unit. This is particularly important if the front suspension and the rear suspension, when present, are in their working position in a position in which their wheels extend at least partially below the floor level of the cutting unit and the cutting unit therefore stands on a surface by means of the wheels. Furthermore, it is possible in a particularly simple manner to keep the cutting device at the set height after the setting thereof has been carried out, so that the setting of a desired working height of the cutting device can be maintained over a harvesting process.

In the further preferred embodiment, in which the cutting height of the cutting unit is set by means of the setting of the carrier element, in particular the feed channel, of the agricultural machine, the front suspension and / or the rear suspension in the low position is only light in weight, in particular about 150 250kg delivered to the ground. The cutting unit is then carried by the carrier element. In this embodiment, the wheels are therefore used in the working position neither in the high position nor in the low position for storing the cutting unit.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the cutting device according to the invention, the front suspension and / or the rear suspension interact with a transmission element. The transmission element serves to transmit forces between the front suspension or the rear suspension and the support body of the cutting unit. For this purpose, the transmission element is arranged on the support body so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis, so that the front suspension or the rear suspension can be moved at least in its working position by pivoting the transmission element relative to the support body between its high position and low position. The transmission element can in particular be formed from steel.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the front suspension and the rear suspension are constructed at least to the extent that a span of the rear suspension significantly exceeds that of the front suspension. This is reflected in the fact that the wheels of the rear suspension, which lie on the outside to the maximum, are spaced further apart than correspondingly arranged wheels of the front suspension. It is basically conceivable here to design the front suspension with only a single wheel. In relation to the rear suspension, it is also advantageous if it has exactly two wheels. If the front suspension is designed with more than one wheel, it is advantageous if these are arranged in close proximity to one another, in particular at a distance of less than 50 cm from one another.

In relation to the rear suspension, when the respective assigned wheels are arranged at a substantial distance from one another, in particular when the wheels are spaced apart by more than 1.5 m, these wheels can be caused by uneven ground at different height levels on the ground get up or roll off. For example, it is conceivable that a wheel of the rear suspension located on the right outside in the direction of travel of the cutting mechanism travels over a hump protruding in height above the ground, while the wheel on the outside on the left travels through a trough lying below the other height level of the ground. As a result, this causes the rear suspension to tilt and twist relative to the support body. First of all, it is particularly advantageous if the rear suspension is mounted on the support body in such a way that it can carry out such an “oscillating rotary movement” about a pendulum axis relative to the support body, so that any unevenness in the ground is not transmitted directly to the support body. This means that the support body as such can be guided comparatively quietly and free of continuous load changes even on an uneven surface.

In order to avoid, in particular, a collision of the rear suspension with the support body of the cutting unit, it can therefore be avoided be of particular advantage if the rear suspension has at least one limiting means, by means of which, at least when the rear suspension is present in its working position, the pendulum rotary movement of the rear suspension can be limited relative to the supporting body. The limiting means is advantageously designed in such a way that it limits the described pendulum rotation of the rear suspension on both sides, starting from a zero position. The zero position describes the position of the rear suspension in which the rear axle about which the wheels of the rear suspension rotate is arranged at least essentially horizontally. An oscillation angle of rotation of the rear suspension in relation to the cutter body is zero in the zero position. The limiting means is advantageously designed in such a way that it limits the pendulum rotation on both sides, starting from the zero position, in such a way that the pendulum angle can assume a maximum of 15 °, preferably a maximum of 12.5 °, further preferably a maximum of 10 °.

The limiting means can preferably be transferred between an active position and a passive position, so that the limiting means can be activated specifically in its working position when the rear suspension is present. In the working position, the cutting unit can be operated with the limiting device activated.

The support body is advantageously provided with at least one stop means which, when the limiting means is present, cooperates with it in an active position. This interaction takes place in such a way that the limiting means strikes the stop means when a maximum pendulum rotation angle of the rear suspension is reached, as a result of which a further pendulum rotation movement of the rear suspension is blocked relative to the supporting body. By appropriate adjustment of the sling, it is particularly easy to set the range described above with respect to the pendulum rotation angle.

Furthermore, it can be particularly advantageous if the limiting means and / or the stop means cooperate with at least one damping means. This damping means offers the advantage that a stop of the limiting means on the stop means can be damped, so that an excessive material load can be avoided.

Developing the cutting device according to the invention further comprises at least one blocking means by means of which the front suspension and / or the rear suspension can be at least indirectly connected to the support body in a form-fitting manner. In particular, the blocking means can be designed to be non-destructively detachable from the rest of the cutting mechanism, so that it can be activated or deactivated as desired. The blocking means has the effect that movement, in particular pivoting, of the front suspension or the rear suspension is blocked relative to the support body. This applies in particular to a constellation in which the respective suspension is in its working position. The blocking of the movement of the front suspension or the rear suspension relative to the support body can come into play in particular if the cutting device is parked on the ground or a trailer and at least for the moment there is no further intended use of the cutting device, or if the cutting device is adjusted Cutting device between the high position and the low position is not desired. If the front suspension and / or the rear suspension are in such a position that their wheels do not extend below the floor level of the cutting unit, the pivoting of the front suspension and / or the rear suspension can each be blocked by means of a blocking agent.

In order to determine the low position of the front and / or rear suspension, it can also be advantageous to equip the cutting device according to the invention with at least one blocking means for the front suspension and / or the rear suspension. This blocking means can in particular provide mechanical blocking, which mechanically blocks pivoting of the front suspension or the rear suspension relative to the support body downward by a certain amount. The position of the front and rear suspension which is blocked by the blocking means then forms the respective low position. Between the high position and the low position, the front and rear suspension can advantageously take any intermediate position. The blocking means can be formed in a particularly simple manner by a bolt. This can cooperate, for example, with corresponding recesses on the support body of the cutting unit, mechanical locking for the front suspension or the rear suspension being provided by inserting a bolt into a corresponding recess.

The cutting mechanism is preferably a draper cutting mechanism. In this embodiment, for the transport of cut crop, it has at least two conveyor belts operating in opposite conveying directions, with which the crop can be conveyed to an inclined conveyor of a work machine.

The object is further achieved with a self-propelled working machine with such a cutting mechanism. The self-propelled work machine is preferably a combine harvester or a forage harvester. The cutting unit is preferably releasably attached to an inclined conveyor of the self-propelled working machine. In this constellation, the feeder is arranged in the center of the cutting unit.

In relation to a complete agricultural working machine that is equipped with a cutting device according to the invention, it is particularly advantageous if the at least one adjusting means of the cutting device is connected at least indirectly, for example via a control, in a data-transmitting manner to an input means arranged in a driver's cab of the working machine is. In this way, the possibility is created to effect a movement of the front suspension and / or rear suspension in its working position by operating the input means. In particular, it is conceivable that a machine operator of the working machine controls the at least one adjusting means as desired, for example via a touch interface or a joystick, whereupon the working height of the cutting device is changed.

In addition, it is conceivable for the working machine to be provided with a control which is operatively connected to the at least one actuating means. The control can be suitable for automatically actuating the adjusting means, that is to say without a separate input by the machine operator, and in this way automatically carrying out the working height of the cutting device. It is particularly conceivable here that the working machine is equipped with a sensor device that detects at least one harvesting parameter, for example the type or nature of the plants to be harvested and / or a relief of the ground. The recorded data can then be made available to the control, which automatically adjusts the working height of the cutting device in accordance with a specification and in this way improves a harvesting result.

The machine operator can preferably choose between the high position and the low position. The lowering and / or raising of the cutting unit is then preferably carried out as a function of a cutting height. Both in the high position and in the low position, the position of the wheels is therefore preferably set as a function of the cutting height. The cutting height can furthermore preferably be preset by the machine operator of the agricultural working machine which carries the cutting unit. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the selection between the high position and the low position and the preselection of the cutting height can be made from the driver's cabin.

In procedural terms, the underlying object is achieved by means of a method having the features of claim 13. The method provides that a front suspension and / or a rear suspension of a cutting unit when present in their respective working position, in which they are each aligned parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cutting unit, by means of at least one adjusting means between a high position and a low position relative to a supporting body of the Cutting unit to be moved. An advantageous embodiment of this method results from subclaim 14.

The method according to the invention is particularly simple to carry out by means of the cutting mechanism according to the invention. The advantages result from the above description. In particular, it is possible to set a working height of the cutting device to a desired dimension by means of the at least one adjusting means and in this way to optimize the cutting mechanism for different harvesting conditions. The actuating means is advantageously operated in such a way that the front suspension and the rear suspension, when present, are arranged in their high position relative to the support body such that wheels of the front suspension and the rear suspension are arranged completely above a floor level of the cutting unit. With this configuration, the cutting unit can be placed on the same in direct contact with the subsurface or can be guided on the same in direct contact with the subsurface. A working height of the cutting device is minimal with this setting. In contrast, the wheels of the front suspension and the rear suspension, if present, extend at least partially below the ground level in their respective low position, so that the cutting mechanism can be placed on the ground by means of the wheels. In particular, the cutting unit can be guided on the ground under the action of the wheels in such a way that an otherwise possibly undesirable swinging up of the cutting unit in the presence of uneven ground conditions can be reduced or even completely avoided. The front suspension and the rear suspension can advantageously be set in any number of intermediate positions between the high position and the low position.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the movement of the front suspension and / or the rear suspension is controlled by means of an input means which is arranged in a driver's cab of the work machine. In this way, the working height of the cutting device or the height of the cutting unit relative to the ground can be set particularly easily from the driver's cab.

Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the movement of the front suspension and / or rear suspension is carried out automatically, the at least one actuating means being controlled by means of a controller. The control can in particular interact with at least one sensor device, by means of which data relating to at least one harvesting parameter are recorded. The data are then processed by means of the control, the control having at least one relationship between the at least one harvesting parameter and the working height of the cutting device. Using this relationship, the controller controls the at least one adjusting means in such a way that the working height of the cutting device is changed so that a harvesting result is improved. For example, it is conceivable that the working height is automatically increased in the presence of particularly uneven subsurface conditions, which are recognized by means of a suitable sensor device. The actuating means is controlled accordingly in such a way that the front suspension and the rear suspension are moved in the direction of their low position, as a result of which the height of the cutting device relative to the ground and, analogously, the working height of the cutting device are increased.

• 1: Eine landwirtschaftliche Arbeitsmaschine, die mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Schneidwerk ausgestattet ist,
• 2: Eine perspektivische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Schneidwerks,
• 3: Ein Detail einer Vorderaufhängung des Schneidwerks gemäß 2, wobei sich die Vorderaufhängung in ihrer Transportstellung befindet,
• 4: Das Detail der Vorderaufhängung gemäß 3, wobei sich die Vorderaufhängung in einer Zwischenstellung befindet,
• 5: Das Detail der Vorderaufhängung gemäß 3, wobei sich die Vorderaufhängung bei Vorliegen in ihrer Arbeitsstellung in ihrer Tiefposition befindet,
• 6: Das Detail der Vorderaufhängung gemäß 3, wobei sich die Vorderaufhängung bei Vorliegen in ihrer Arbeitsstellung in ihrer Hochposition befindet,
• 7: Ein Detail einer Hinteraufhängung des Schneidwerks gemäß 2, wobei sich die Hinteraufhängung in ihrer Transportstellung befindet,
• 8: Das Detail der Hinteraufhängung gemäß 7, wobei sich die Hinteraufhängung in einer Zwischenstellung befindet,
• 9: Das Detail der Hinteraufhängung gemäß 7, wobei sich die Hinteraufhängung bei Vorliegen in ihrer Arbeitsstellung in ihrer Tiefposition befindet,
• 10: Das Detail der Hinteraufhängung gemäß 7, wobei sich die Hinteraufhängung bei Vorliegen in ihrer Arbeitsstellung in ihrer Hochposition befindet,
• 11: Eine Seitenansicht des Schneidwerks gemäß 2, wobei sich die Vorderaufhängung und die Hinteraufhängung bei Vorliegen in ihren jeweiligen Arbeitsstellungen in ihren jeweiligen Tiefpositionen befinden,
• 12: Die Seitenansicht gemäß 11, wobei sich die Vorderaufhängung und die Hinteraufhängung bei Vorliegen in ihren jeweiligen Arbeitsstellungen in ihren jeweiligen Hochpositionen befinden,
• 13: Ein Detail einer Pendelaufhängung der Hinteraufhängung und
• 14: Ein Detail der Vorderaufhängung des Schneidwerks gemäß 2, wobei sich die Vorderaufhängung in ihrer Zwischenstellung befindet.

The cutting mechanism according to the invention and the method according to the invention are explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment which is illustrated in the figures. It shows:

• 1 : An agricultural machine that is equipped with a cutting device according to the invention,
• 2 : A perspective view of a cutting unit according to the invention,
• 3 : A detail of a front suspension of the cutting unit according to 2 , with the front suspension in its transport position,
• 4 : The detail of the front suspension according to 3 , with the front suspension in an intermediate position,
• 5 : The detail of the front suspension according to 3 , the front suspension being in its low position when in its working position,
• 6 : The detail of the front suspension according to 3 , with the front suspension in its working position in its high position,
• 7 : A detail of a rear suspension of the cutting unit according to 2 , with the rear suspension in its transport position,
• 8th : The detail of the rear suspension according to 7 , with the rear suspension in an intermediate position,
• 9 : The detail of the rear suspension according to 7 , the rear suspension being in its low position when in its working position,
• 10 : The detail of the rear suspension according to 7 , the rear suspension being in its working position in its high position,
• 11 : A side view of the cutting unit according to 2 , the front suspension and the rear suspension being in their respective working positions in their respective low positions,
• 12 : The side view according to 11 , the front suspension and the rear suspension being in their respective working positions in their respective high positions,
• 13 : A detail of a rear suspension pendulum and
• 14 : A detail of the front suspension of the cutting unit according to 2 , with the front suspension in its intermediate position.

An embodiment that in the 1 to 14 is shown, comprises a cutting mechanism according to the invention 1 that a supporting body 3 and a cutter 4 includes. The cutting unit 1 is prepared in the example shown, with an agricultural machine 2 to cooperate in the form of a combine. One with a cutter 1 cooperating 2 is schematically in 1 shown. The cutting unit 1 is formed here by a so-called Draper cutting unit, which crosses two directions of travel of the working machine 2 aligned conveyor belts, not shown in the figures. A conveyor belt is one half each 7 . 10 the cutting unit 1 assigned, the conveyor belts working in opposite directions so that they are suitable for cut plants 5 towards a central area of the cutting unit 1 to promote from where the plants 5 to a downstream feeder 29 are transferable.

The cutting device 4 is formed here by a cutter bar that has two rows of knives that can be moved relative to each other. By moving the first row of knives relative to the second, fixed row of knives, a cutting effect is generated by means of the plants to be harvested 5 , which are formed here by wheat, can be cut off. The cutting unit 1 is shown in the Example on the feeder 29 the working machine 2 connected, by means of which cut plants 5 towards other work organs of the work machine 2 are eligible. For the purpose of handing over the cut plants 5 to the feeder 29 has the cutting unit 1 over a rear opening cross-section 33 through which the plants 5 towards the feeder 29 are eligible. The opening cross section 33 is particularly good based on 2 recognizable. The work machine 2 also has a driver's cabin 26 , from which a machine operator handles the work machine 2 controls and controls. In the driver's cabin 26 is at least one input device 27 arranged by means of which inputs the machine operator are possible.

The cutting unit 1 has a front suspension 6 and a rear suspension 9 , by means of which it can be transported in particular on public roads. The front suspension 6 is a first half 7 the cutting unit 1 assigned while the rear suspension 9 a second half 10 assigned. In the example shown is the front suspension 6 in a front end portion of the cutter 1 arranged. The rear suspension 9 is, however, at least approximately in the middle of the second half 10 the cutting unit 1 ,

The front suspension 6 has two wheels in the example shown 8th , which are arranged at a distance of approx. 50 cm from each other. The rear suspension 9 also has two wheels 11 . 12 , which are arranged at a distance of about 1.70 m from each other. For transporting the cutting unit 1 need the front suspension 6 and the rear suspension 9 are in their transport position. This transport position is particularly good on the basis of 2 recognizable. The front suspension is in the transport position 6 and the rear suspension 9 at least essentially transverse to a longitudinal axis 13 the cutting unit 1 arranged. Depending on the nature of a surface 18 on which the cutting unit 1 gets up, are also a front axle 36 around which the wheels 8th the front suspension 6 are rotatable, as well as a rear axle 25 around which the wheels 11 . 12 the rear suspension 9 are rotatable, at least essentially oriented horizontally. In the example shown, the front suspension works 6 immediately with a tow bar 31 together, by means of which the cutting unit 1 overall can be connected to a tractor. In particular, it is possible to use the tow bar 31 to the work machine 2 connect, so that another machine for the purpose of transporting the cutting unit 1 on the street is not necessary.

The front suspension in its transport position 6 is in one detail 3 shown. The front suspension 6 is in the embodiment shown by means of a transmission element 28 to the support body 3 the cutting unit 1 connected. The front suspension 6 is relative to the transmission element 28 about an axis of rotation 14 and consequently relative to the support body 3 rotatable. For this purpose, it has a rotary shaft (not shown) that extends in the direction of the axis of rotation 14 extends, and around which the transmission element 28 is rotatably attached. The axis of rotation 14 is perpendicular to the front axle here 36 as well as vertically oriented, so that by rotating the front suspension 6 relative to the transmission element 28 the front axle 36 is rotated within an at least substantially horizontal plane. In addition, the axis of rotation 14 centered on the front suspension 6 arranged so that the wheels 8th the front suspension 6 in the course of a rotation of the same about the axis of rotation 14 revolve on a common circular path around a center, the part of the axis of rotation 14 is. The design of the axis of rotation 14 has the consequence that the front axle 36 in the course of the transfer of the front suspension 6 moved between transport and work position within an at least substantially horizontal plane.

Unwanted twisting of the front suspension 6 around the axis of rotation 14 to prevent it is the front suspension 6 using a securing element 50 , in particular a safety bolt, form-fitting with the transmission element 28 connected. For the purpose of transferring the front suspension 6 The safety bolt mentioned must be removed from its transport position into its working position so that the front suspension 6 free around the axis of rotation 14 is rotatable. The rotatability is particularly based on 4 and a double arrow shown there 37 recognizable. The front suspension is used to transfer to the working position 6 rotated from their transport position by an angle of 90 °. Then the front suspension lies 6 in an intermediate position.

Then twist the front suspension 6 around the axis of rotation 14 relative to the transmission element 28 blocked. For this purpose, both parts by means of the securing element 50 connected together, the securing element 50 two corresponding recordings 51 . 52 , one of which is in transmission mode with the transmission element 28 and the other with the front suspension 6 cooperate, forms a positive connection. This is particularly good based on 14 recognizable.

The transmission element is in this intermediate position 28 further using a fixative 23 with the supporting body 3 connected so a pivoting of the transmission element 28 and the associated front suspension 6 about a pivot axis 35 relative to the support body 3 not possible. To pivot the front suspension 6 accordingly, it is first necessary to use the fixative 23 to solve, whereupon the transmission element 28 around the pivot axis 35 is pivotable. The pivoting around the pivot axis 35 is preferably carried out by means of an adjusting means 16 , For this purpose there is preferably a switch (not shown) on the cutting unit 1 and / or on a self-propelled work machine 2 who the cutting unit 1 bears, arranged. The front suspension is activated by pressing the switch 6 finally convertible to a high position, which in the 6 is shown.

The transmission element 28 is relative to the support body 3 around the pivot axis 35 pivotable. This pivotability is provided here around the front suspension 6 if they are in their working position ( 5 and 6 to move in a particularly advantageous manner between their high position and a low position. If the front suspension is present 6 in its transport position is the pivoting about the pivot axis 35 however undesirable, which is why the transmission element 28 using the fixative 23 in his in 3 shown position is fixed. A twist on the front suspension 6 around the axis of rotation 14 is, however, possible at least within a predetermined angular range that is required for the cutting mechanism 1 can be led around curves during transport.

The front suspension 6 acts in a particularly advantageous manner with the adjusting means in the example shown 16 together, which is formed here by a piston-cylinder unit. The positioning device 16 in turn interacts with a hydraulic system, including a hydraulic pump 34 includes. By means of said hydraulic pump 34 it is possible to use the adjusting means 16 to drive such that a piston of the actuating means 16 can be moved out of its cylinder or into the cylinder. Here is the actuating device 16 in a transferring manner with the transfer element 28 connected, being an attack site 45 of the adjusting means 16 on the transmission element 28 a lever arm related to the pivot axis 35 having. In this way it is possible by means of the action of the adjusting means 16 the transmission element 28 and with it the front suspension 6 around the pivot axis 35 relative to the support body 3 to pivot.

To establish a low position in which the front suspension 6 is lowered as much as possible 1 in the example shown via a blocking agent 24 , which are designed here in the form of a securing bolt. This blocking agent 24 is stationary on the supporting body 3 can be arranged and are present in a corresponding position in such a way on a movement path of at least part of the transmission element 28 that this by means of the blocking agent 24 eventually collides when the front suspension 6 is lowered. The position of the front suspension 6 when they reach the transmission element 28 to the blocking agent 24 strikes, is defined as a "low position". It is between the high position and the low position by means of the adjusting means 16 possible the front suspension 6 lead to any intermediate position and hold there. A corresponding movement of the front suspension 6 is in 5 by means of the double arrow there 38 illustrated. In this way it is particularly easy to set a height level on which the cutting unit 1 itself above the ground 18 should be located. It is therefore particularly easy to achieve a working height for the cutting device 4 adjust. This allows the cutting unit 1 can be adjusted to different harvesting parameters, in particular a particular soil condition.

In the example shown, the front suspension is in the up position 6 set so that the wheels 8th the front suspension 6 if the latter is in its high position, completely above a floor level 17 the cutting unit 1 are located. This can be seen particularly well from 12 , The arrangement described has the result that an underside 47 the cutting unit 1 in direct contact with the underground 18 can be brought without the wheels 8th Contact with the underground 18 to have. In this configuration, the cutter 4 at a minimal working height above the ground 18 be guided, whereby respective plants 5 be cut at the lowest possible point. The front suspension is in the low position 6 arranged so that their wheels 8th at least part of its circumference to below the ground level 17 extend. This is particularly good based on 11 recognizable. When the cutting unit is lowered 1 kick the wheels 8th the front suspension 6 with the underground 18 in contact and support the cutting unit 1 above the ground 18 from. For direct contact between the bottom 47 the cutting unit 1 and the underground 18 then it doesn't happen anymore. A change in the working height of the cutting device 4 is possible to the extent that the wheels 8th . 11 . 12 the front suspension 6 and the rear suspension 9 if they are in their low position, they are below the floor level 17 extend.

In the event that the cutting unit 1 The front suspension can be stored unused for a longer period, for example for a longer transport on a trailer 6 in their high position are transferred in which they are using the blocking agent described above 24 is mechanically fixed. The positioning device 16 is then not used. The blocking agent 24 provides a positive connection between the transmission element 28 and the supporting body 3 the cutting unit 1 ago. The corresponding training is particularly good based on 6 recognizable.

The rear suspension 9 which are particularly good based on the 7 to 10 results in a traverse 40 that are forming an axis of rotation 15 with a transmission element 39 connected is. The rear suspension also shows this 9 a rotating shaft (not shown) on, which is in the direction of the axis of rotation 15 extends, and around which the transmission element 39 the rear suspension 9 is rotatably attached. The latter is analogous to the transmission element 28 the front suspension 6 trained and about a pivot axis 46 relative to the support body 3 the cutting unit 1 pivotable. The pivot axis 46 is parallel to the long axis 13 the cutting unit 1 aligned. The axis of rotation 15 is analogous to the axis of rotation here 14 the front suspension 6 vertically and in the center of the rear suspension 9 arranged. This results in the same advantages that have already been mentioned above in connection with the front suspension 6 were set out. In particular, the rear suspension 9 can be transferred between their transport position and their working position without any particular effort. In the course of this transfer, a rear axle moves 25 the rear suspension 9 around which the wheels are 11 . 12 rotate within an at least substantially horizontal plane.

At the two opposite ends of the traverse 40 are the wheels 11 . 12 the rear suspension 9 arranged. These are around the common rear axle 25 rotatable so that the cutting unit 1 on the wheels 11 . 12 is mobile. The rear suspension is in its transport position 9 transverse to the longitudinal axis 13 the cutting unit 1 arranged, as can be seen in particular from 7 results. For fixing and mounting on the rear suspension 9 acting torque is the same by means of locking means 41 . 42 in force-transmitting manner with the supporting body 3 connected. These locking devices 41 . 42 are formed here in the form of elongated poles, which together with the traverse statically speaking 40 form a tripod, by means of which the rear suspension 9 is fixable in its transport position.

For the purpose of transferring the rear suspension 9 starting from their transport position into their working position, the rear suspension becomes 9 about the vertical axis of rotation here 15 relative to the transmission element 39 as well as the supporting body 3 rotated by 90 ° so that the two wheels 11 . 12 the rear suspension 9 in the longitudinal direction of the cutting unit 1 considered arranged side by side. First, the two locking devices 41 . 42 manually released and on the support body 3 stored in a non-functional rest position. In 9 this is not shown for the sake of clarity, but in the 8th and 10 , After loosening the locking device 41 . 42 is the rear suspension 9 exclusively by rotating around the axis of rotation 15 convertible from the transport position into the working position. After reaching the rear axle 25 parallel to the longitudinal axis 13 the cutting unit 1 oriented.

Now the rear suspension lies 9 with regard to a pivotability of the transmission element 39 about a pivot axis 46 in an intermediate position. The intermediate position is particularly good based on 8th recognizable.

To pivot the rear suspension 9 is to enable the transmission element 39 in an analogous manner to the transmission element 28 on the front suspension 6 about a pivot axis 46 pivotable. The pivoting around the pivot axis 46 is also preferably carried out by means of an adjusting means 16 , For this purpose, the same switch (not shown) is preferably on the cutting unit 1 and / or on a self-propelled work machine 2 who the cutting unit 1 bears, arranged. By operating the switch it is preferably simultaneous with the front suspension 6 also the rear suspension 9 convertible to a high position. This is in the 10 shown. The transmission element 39 is relative to the support body 3 around the pivot axis 46 pivotable. This pivotability is provided here for the rear suspension 9 if they are in their working position ( 9 and 10 to move in a particularly advantageous manner between their high position and a low position. If the rear suspension is present 9 in its transport position is the pivoting about the pivot axis 46 however, just like the front suspension 6 undesirable.

Analogous to the description above in connection with the front suspension 6 acts the transmission element 39 the rear suspension 9 with a blocking agent 24 together which is a movement of the transmission element 39 related to the swivel axis 46 limited downwards and in this way the low position of the rear suspension 9 Are defined. A rear suspension flyover 9 between the named positions and in any intermediate position is here in a particularly advantageous manner by means of one of the rear suspension 9 assigned actuating means 16 possible, comparable to the control device 16 the front suspension 6 is formed by a piston-cylinder unit. The latter also works with hydraulics together, in particular via a hydraulic pump 34 features. By means of articulation of the adjusting means 16 at an attack point 45 with the formation of a lever arm related to the pivot axis 46 it is therefore possible to use the transmission element 39 relative to the support body 3 the cutting unit 1 to pivot and this way the rear suspension 9 corresponding to one in 9 shown double arrow 48 to move. In the event that the cutting unit 1 The rear suspension can be stored and remain unused for at least a certain period of time 9 transferred to its high position and then by means of the blocking agent 24 be fixed in this high position. The positioning device 16 is then unused. A corresponding configuration is particularly good on the basis of 10 recognizable.

The adjusting means are particularly advantageous 16 at least indirectly in a data-transferring manner with the input means 27 the working machine 2 connected. In this way it is possible for the machine operator to make an entry via the input means 27 immediately a movement of the front suspension 6 as well as the rear suspension 9 causes. The adjusting means are advantageous 16 the front suspension 6 and the rear suspension 9 coupled so that they always have a similar movement of the front suspension 6 and the rear suspension 9 cause.

Because of the compared to the front suspension 6 greatly increased distance between the wheels 11 . 12 the rear suspension 9 it is particularly advantageous to have an oscillating rotary motion of the rear suspension 9 about a pendulum axis 20 to enable. This way it is the rear suspension 9 possible unevenness of the surface 18 record and not directly to the cutting unit 1 forward. The pendulum rotation around the pendulum axis 20 between the rear suspension 9 and the transmission element 39 is trained in 9 by means of the double arrow there 43 illustrated. To a collision of the wheels 11 . 12 with the supporting body 3 the cutting unit 1 in the course of a pendulum rotation of the rear suspension 9 To avoid, it is provided in the example shown, the rear suspension 9 with a limiting agent 19 equip. This is suitable with corresponding slings 21 cooperate on the transmission element 39 are arranged. The limiting agent 19 , which here has a wedge shape, is about an axis of rotation 49 on the rear suspension 9 rotatably arranged so that it can be transferred between a passive position and an active position. The cutting unit is only in the active position 1 operated. If the rear suspension is present 9 in their working position this can be used as a limiting device 19 in this way, in a particularly simple manner, starting from its passive position, in which it has no effect, can be converted into its active position, in which the limiting means 19 in an area between the slings 21 of the transmission element 39 is introduced. A corresponding state can be seen particularly well on the basis of 13 while the limiting agent 19 in the 9 and 10 is still in its passive position. Out 13 the axis of rotation also results 49 to which the limiting means 19 relative to the rear suspension 9 is movable. The slings 21 are arranged so that they have a certain swing angle of the rear suspension 19 about the pendulum axis 20 released, but block any additional pendulum rotation. The released swing angle is approx. ± 8 °. To stop the limiting means 19 on the lifting gear 21 to dampen, the latter each have a damping agent 22 , which can be formed in particular by an elastomer. The limiting agent 19 can in particular be fixed in its active position by means of a fixing agent.

The suitability of the cutting unit 1 To produce for use in public traffic, it has two yellow flashing lights on the front 30 , which are arranged left and right in relation to the front. The flashing lights 30 are particularly suitable for indicating a turning process or an emergency situation by blinking individually or simultaneously. Furthermore, the cutting unit has 1 over reflector strips 44 painted in yellow on the front. The described design of the front of the cutting unit 1 results from 2 ,

Finally, the cutting unit 1 a warning sign on the back 32 , which is here in the form of a yellow triangle with a red border. The warning sign 32 trained with retroreflective properties. In addition, the cutting unit has 1 on the rear also via two yellow flashing lights on the side 30 as well as these flashing lights 30 each associated brake lights, which are held in red color. These brake lights are not shown in the figures. Are also present below the flashing lights 30 arranged reflector strips 44 , which are also in red on the back. The rear of the cutting unit equipped in this way 1 is also based on 2 recognizable.

The cutting device according to the invention is not only operable in a transport position in road traffic, but also in a working position in field operation both in the high position in which its wheels have no contact with the ground, and in the low position in which its wheels have contact with the ground.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

cutting

2

working machine

3

supporting body

4

cutter

5

plant

6

front suspension

7

first half

8th

wheel

9

rear suspension

10

second half

11

wheel

12

wheel

13

longitudinal axis

14

axis of rotation

15

axis of rotation

16

actuating means

17

ground level

18

underground

19

limiting means

20

swing axle

21

slings

22

damping means

23

Fixative, securing element

24

blocking agent

25

rear axle

26

cab

27

input means

28

transmission element

29

feederhouse

30

turn signal

31

tow bar

32

warning sign

33

Opening cross-section

34

hydraulic pump

35

swivel axis

36

Front

37

double arrow

38

double arrow

39

transmission element

40

traverse

41

Locking means

42

Locking means

43

double arrow

44

reflector strips

45

point of attack

46

swivel axis

47

bottom

48

double arrow

49

axis of rotation

50

safety bolt

51

admission

52

admission

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• EP 3298879 A1 [0002]
• US 5243810 [0005]

Claims (14)

Cutting device (1) for an agricultural machine (2), in particular for a combine harvester, comprising - a supporting body (3), - at least one elongated cutting device (4) arranged on the supporting body (3), by means of which plants (5) to be harvested can be cut off, - a front suspension (6) arranged on the supporting body (3), which is assigned to a first half (7) of the cutting unit (1) and has at least one wheel (8) which can be rotated about a front axis (36), and - one Rear suspension (9) arranged on the support body (3), which is assigned to the second half (10) of the cutting unit (1) and has at least two wheels (11, 12) which can be rotated about a rear axle (25), both the front suspension (6 ) and the rear suspension (9) are each rotatable about an axis of rotation (14, 15) relative to the support body (3), so that the front suspension (6) and the rear suspension (9) each between a transport position and a work position can be transferred, the front suspension (6) and the rear suspension (9) when present in their respective transport position transverse to a longitudinal axis (13) of the cutting unit (1) and when present in their respective working position parallel to the longitudinal axis (13) of the cutting unit (1) are aligned, characterized in that the front suspension (6) and the rear suspension (9), when present in their respective working position, can be moved between a high position and a low position by means of at least one adjusting means (16) relative to the supporting body (3). Cutting unit (1) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the wheels (8, 11, 12) in the presence of front suspension (6) and rear suspension (9) are arranged in their respective high positions completely above a floor level (17) of the cutting unit (1), so that the cutting unit (1 ) can be deposited on a surface (18) without the action of the wheels (8, 11, 12). Cutting unit (1) after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the wheels (8, 11, 12) in the presence of the front suspension (6) and rear suspension (9) in their respective low position extend at least partially below a floor level (17) of the cutting unit (1), so that in the train lowering the cutting unit (1) by means of the wheels (8, 11, 12) on a surface (18). Cutting device (1) according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the front suspension (6) and the rear suspension (9) each interact with an adjusting means (16) assigned to them. Cutting device (1) according to one of the Claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the front suspension (6) and / or the rear suspension (9) cooperate with a transmission element (28, 39), the transmission element (28, 39) being pivotable about a pivot axis (35, 46) on the support body (3 ) is arranged so that the front suspension (6) and / or the rear suspension (9) can be moved between the high position and the low position when in their working position by pivoting the transmission element (28, 39). Cutting device (1) according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the adjusting means (16) cooperates with a hydraulic system, which is preferably formed by a hydraulic cylinder. Cutting device (1) according to one of the Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the rear suspension (9) has a limiting means (19) by means of which, when the rear suspension (9) is present in its working position, an oscillating rotary movement of the rear suspension (9) relative to the support body (3) about a pendulum axis (20) within a pendulum area on both sides of a zero position of the rear suspension (9) can be limited. Cutting unit (1) after Claim 7 , characterized in that at least one stop means (21) is arranged on the support body (3) so that when the limiting means (19) is present in its active position, it corresponds to the same so that the limiting means (19) when the rear suspension reaches a maximum pendulum deflection ( 9) strikes the stop means (21), whereby a further pendulum rotary movement of the rear suspension (9) is blocked. Cutting unit (1) after Claim 8 , characterized in that the limiting means (19) and / or the stop means (21) interact with at least one damping means (22), by means of which a stop of the limiting means (19) on the stop means (21) can be damped. Cutting device (1) according to one of the Claims 1 to 9 , characterized by at least one blocking means (24), by means of which the front suspension (6) and / or the rear suspension (9) can be at least indirectly temporarily positively connected to the supporting body (3), so that a movement of the front suspension (6) or the rear suspension (9) is blocked relative to the supporting body (3), in particular when the front suspension (6) and / or the rear suspension (9) are in their high position. Cutting device (1) according to one of the Claims 1 to 10 , characterized in that a lowering of the front suspension (6) and / or the rear suspension (9) can be limited by means of a blocking means (24), the front suspension (6) and / or rear suspension (9) when striking the blocking means (24) are in their lowest position. Agricultural machine (2) with a cutting unit (1) according to one of the Claims 1 to 11 , characterized in that the at least one adjusting means (16) is connected in a data-transmitting manner to an input means (27) arranged in a driver's cab (26) of the work machine (2), so that by means of operating the input means (27) a movement of the input means (27) Working position present front suspension (6) and / or the rear suspension (9) present in its working position can be effected. Method for setting a cutting unit (1) of an agricultural machine (2), characterized in that a front suspension (6) and / or a rear suspension (9) are present in their respective working position, in which they are each parallel to a longitudinal axis (13) of the cutting unit (1) are moved by means of at least one adjusting means (16) between a high position and a low position relative to a supporting body (3) of the cutting unit (1). Procedure according to Claim 13 , characterized in that the movement of the front suspension (6) and / or rear suspension (9) is controlled by means of an input means (27) from a driver's cab (26) of the work machine (2).

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