FR2528273A1 - Forage gathering implement for tractor - uses swivelling retractable gathering implement on jack actuated four member folding frame - Google Patents

Abstract

The forage gathering machine uses a sub-frame to mount a retractable gathering implement (6) with a process station (7). A jack (37)-actuated pin-jointed frame is used to mount the gathering implement, permitting its movement between positions in which it is normal and parallel to the direction (A) of travel respectively. The pin-jointed frame uses two levers (19,20) fixed (26,27) to a sub-frame bracket (23) to mount a rocker arm (18) supporting a swivel pin (24) for the gathering implement. It uses a cranked extension (41) of the upper lever (19) to attach (42) one end of the jack. The other end of the jack attaches (39) to the lower lever (20).

Description

 your present invention relates to a machine for harvesting fodder such as grass. It notably comprises a chassis for coupling to a tractor, which chassis supports a pick-up device and a mechanism for processing the picked fodder.

 The maqchines of this kind make it possible to ramess the grass lying on the ground and to cut it more or less finely for its placing in silo. On these machines the collection device extends me laterally to the tractor during work so that the latter does not roll on the grass. On the other hand, the said collection devices must be wide enough in order to be able to collect the windrows of forage smoothed by the mowers or mower conditioners. These machines therefore go far beyond tractors and cannot be moved as they are on narrow paths or roads.

 In order to allow said movement, it is known to pivot the support frame around a vertical axis in order to bring the assembly formed by the chassis, the pick-up device and the receiving device into the arrangement of the tractor. . However, said assembly extends far from the tractor and must be fitted with rollers in order to be able to rest on the ground. This results in a trailed machine which is much less manageable than a carried machine. On the other hand, in this transport position it is not possible to hang another device such as a trailer at the rear of this machine, in order to avoid additional displacement. Finally, the size of the machine remains large, which requires a lot of space for storage.

 The object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks of common machines. It allows in particular to reduce the size of the machine for transport and storage while maintaining a very good handling.

 To this end, an important characteristic of the invention consists in that the machine comprises means making it possible to move the pick-up device relative to the treatment mechanism and to transpose said pick-up device from a position substantially per pendicular in the sense advancement in a position substantially parallel to the direction of advance and vice versa.

When the pickup device is substantially parallel to the direction of travel, the width of the machine beyond the tractor is relatively small. This position allows it to be moved on narrow paths and roads. Thanks to this reduction in the overall dimensions of the machine, it is more manageable and requires less space for storage. Finally, the rear part of the machine remains clear so that it is possible to hang a trailer or other device on it.
The aforementioned means consist of a rocker articulated on two levers themselves articulated on a fixed support, said rocker additionally comprising an axis on which the collection device is articulated. These means can advantageously include a pushing and pulling member which controls the movement of the pickup device.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, said means include a device making it possible to obtain an automatic pivoting of the pick-up device around its axis of articulation with the aforementioned rocker, when it is moved relative to the receiving mechanism.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the pick-up device can pivot around its axis of articulation with the rocker when it is in the working position. This pivoting allows it to follow the denial -ellatrons of the soil er view of the collection of the toality of the forage.

 The collection device according to the invention may include a lateral stop and / or a stop offset in height with respect to its axis of articulation with the aforementioned lever. Thanks to these stops, the pickup device can lean against the transposition means during work. This allows to relieve said axis of articulation and tilt during work.

 Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description below, with reference to the accompanying drawings which represent, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of the invention.

In these drawings - Figure 1 shows an overview of the machine
in the working position, - Figure 2 shows an overview of the machine
transport position, - Figure 3 shows, on a larger scale, the
means for transposing the collection device during
that it is in the working position, - Figure 4 shows a view similar to Figure 3,
the pickup device retaining the position of
transport, - Figure 5 shows a detailed view of the means
allowing the pickup device to track
uneven ground, - Figure 6 shows a section along the plane VI-VI
of figure S.

 The machine shown in the accompanying figures is a forage harvester. It comprises a chassis (1) provided with three attachment points (2, 3 and 4) for coupling to a training tractor (5). This allows it to be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow (A).

 At its other end, the chassis (1) carries a collection device (6) and a treatment mechanism (7). Said device (6) makes it possible to collect fodder such as grass lying in the soil. It comprises in particular a pickup drum (8) provided with teeth (9) controlled laterally. Guides (10) are provided between these teeth (9) over which the collected forage slides.

Said device (6) additionally comprises a feed screw (11) which brings the picked up fodder to the process mechanism (7), The drum X and this screw (11) are guided at their ends in flanges (17 and 13).

They are also rotated from the tractor PTO. The transmission means are of the kind commonly used on agricultural machines. They are made up in particular by shafts and pulleys which end in a lateral casing (14) containing drive pinions provided at the end of the feed screw (11) and of the pick-up valve (8).

 The receiving device (7) consists of a chopper-ejector cylinder housed in a casing (I). The latter comprises an ejection nozzle (16) for throwing the cut fodder into a trailer. Between said cylinder and the feed screw (11) are arranged drums which transfer the forage between said members. These drums and said cylinder are also rotated from the PTO shaft of the tractor.

 In accordance with an important characteristic of the invention, the machine compotes means (17) for moving the collection device (6) relative to the treatment mechanism (7) in order to transpose said device from a position substantially perpendicular to the direction d advancement (A) in a position substantially parallel to this direction of advance and vice versa. In the position substantially perpendicular to the direction of advance, shown in FIG. 1, the device is in the working position in which it can pick up the forage lying on the ground.

 In the position substantially parallel to the direction of arrangement (@) as shown in FIG. 2, the width of the machine is substantially reduced. This position is ideal for transport and storage.

 The said means (17) consist of a Dascule (18) articulated on two levers (19 and 20) by means of axes (21 and 22). These two levers are themselves articulated on a fixed support (23) connected to the casing (15) of the chopper-ejector cylinder (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Said rocker (18) additionally comprises an axis (24) on which the collecting device (6) is articulated. This axis (24) is located on the extension of the part (25) connecting the two articulation axes (21 and 22) with the levers (19 and 20). Said axis (24) is placed in a plane substantially parallel to the direction of advance (A). The articulation of the levers (19 and 20) on the fixed support (23) is carried out by means of pins (26 and 27). The latter are interconnected by means of a tie rod (28) in order to stiffen the assembly.

 In addition, the rocker (18) comprises a tube (29) concentric with its axis of articulation (22) with the lower lever (20). This tube extends to the opposite side of the receiving mechanism (7). It is connected to this axis (22).

The latter also extends as far as said opposite side and is connected to a connecting rod (30) articulated on a fixed support (31) identical to the lower part of the fixed support (23). Said connecting rod (30) is comparable to the lever (20). This arrangement makes it possible to reinforce said means (17).

 In the working position shown in Figure 3, the rocker (18) and the lower lever (20) are substantially vertical and substantially aligned. The collection device (6) is then brought closer to the feeder rods that the transmission of the fodder takes place in good conditions.

 In this working position, the pickup device t6) can pivot around the articulation axis (24) in order to follow the unevenness of the ground. This pivoting is limited by means of a pin (37) engaged in an oblong hole (33) of a tab (34) provided on the pickup device (6) and an ear (35) provided on the tube (29) secured to the rocker (18). This arrangement is clearly shown in Figure 5. The length of the oblong hole (33) corresponds to the angle of movement of the pickup device (6). Due to its position said ear (35) pivots with the tute (19) of the rocker (18) and disappears towards the bes when transposed into a positive position to allow the passage of the pickup device (6).

 Furthermore, this tab (34) and the ear (35) constitute stops which cooperate with the articulation axis (24) in order to absorb the pressures of the pickup device (6). The latter comprises a second stop (36) offset in height relative to the axis of articulation (24) with the rocker (18). This buthe (36) which is visible in Figure 3 is located below said axis (24). It constitutes a stop which is pressed against the lower lever (20) when the pickup device (6) is in the working position.

 When transposing to the transport position, the lower lever (20) pivots about its articulation axis (27) with the fixed support (23) so as to move the collection device (6) away from the supply drums. provided in front of the chopper-ejector cylinder. The upper lever (19) simultaneously pivots downwards about its articulation axis (26). The pivoting of these levers (19 and 20) causes a rotation of the rocker (18) so that its axis articulation (24) with the pickup device (6) moves forwards and upwards.

This displacement makes it possible to obtain a distancing of said collecting device (6) relative to the treatment mechanism (7) and a lifting by rapping on the ground so as to release the space necessary to allow its pivoting around the axis of articulation (24). The maximum distance is obtained when the upper lever (19) and the rocker (18) are substantially aligned. In this position, the pickup device (6) can easily rotate around its articulation axis (24) with the rocker (18) in order to be brought into the transport position.

 In the example shown in the appended figures, the aforementioned pivoting of the levers (19 and 20) is ensured by means of a pushing and / or pulling member (37) constituted by a jack (38). Other means such as a threaded crank could also be used.

 Said cylinder (38) is connected to the two levers (19 and 20).

its connection point with the ånfOrieur lever (20) is located between the two articulation axes $ 22 and 27) of the latter. Said connection is made at the moyehn of a horizontal axis (39) one end of which is housed in the lever (20) and the other in a lug (40) integral with said lever.

The point of connection of the cylinder t38) with the upper lever (19) is located on a lug (41) extending this lift beyond its axis of articulation (26), forming an angle (α) d 'about 90 with its main part. The connection is also ensured by means of a pin (42) housed
in said tab (41) and a second tab (43) parallel to the first. This arrangement of the jack (38) makes it possible, firstly, to have a good push on the lower lever (20) and, secondly, to have a good push on the upper lever (19) during the transposition into position. transport.

 Said means (17) advantageously include a device (44) for automatically pivoting the pickup device (6) author of the articulation axis (24) during its transposition (see FIG. 6). This device (44) consists of a tie rod (43) connected on the one hand to a connecting rod (46) integral with the hinge pin t21) of the upper lever tl9) with the rocker (18) and on the other hand , to the pickup device (6). This tie rod (45) is offset laterally relative to the articulation axis (24) of the latter with the rocker (18). The connection with the connecting rod (46) is achieved by means of a pivot (47) substantially perpendicular to the axis of articulation (21) and an axis (48) parallel to said axis of articulation (21). The connection with the pickup device (6) is also carried out by means of a pivot (49) which is parallel to the first pivot (47) and an axis (50) perpendicular to said pivots.

 During the pivoting of the pickup device (6) in the transport position, the connecting rod t46) which is integral with the hinge pin (21) pivots with the latter and pulls on the tie rod (45). The pivoting of this axis (21) is ensured by the lever (19) of which 12 is integral. The tie rod (45) then exerts traction on the device (6) so as to rotate it around its axis (24) in the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. However, seen in the working position, the bialle (46) is directed towards the downstream and forms an angle (ss) of approximately 20 relative to a vertical plane pass through the articulation axis (21), so that it exerts said traction only from the moment when the collection device (6) is sufficiently clear of the ground.

 To move from the bransport position to the working position, said connecting rod (46) and the tie rod (45) exert pressure on the pickup device (6) so as to cause it to return to the position substantially perpendicular to the direction d 'progress (A).

 The housing (51) of the axis (48) of the pivot (47) of this tie rod (45) in the connecting rod (46) has an oblong shape.

Thus the tie rod (45) can move freely relative to the connecting rod (46) when the pickup device (6) pivots as described above by following the unevenness of the ground.

 As shown in Figure 5, the machine includes means (52) for immobilizing the pickup device (6) in the transport position. These means (57) ront consist of a pin (53) engaged in a lug (54) integral with said device and an ear (55) integral with the hinge pin (26) of the upper lever (19) on the fixed support (13). Ledt axis (26) is itself integral with said upper lever (19) This avoids any tilting of the squeezing device (6) during transport.

 At the rear of the chassis (t) is provided a coupling point (S *) for the attachment of another device such as a trailer.

 It is obvious that we can bring to the embodiment described above in a non-limiting manner, various improvements, modifications or additions or replace certain elements with equivalent elements without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (22)

1. Fodder harvesting machine including notam  a chase supporting a collection device  and a mechanism for treating the collected fodder,  characterized by the fact that it includes means  (17) for moving the pickup device  (6) relative to the processing mechanism (7) and  transpose said collecting device (6) from a  position substantially perpendicular to the direction of advance  ment (A) in a position substantially parallel to the  direction of travel (A) and vice versa. 2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized by the  causes said means (17) to consist of a rocker  (18) articulated on two levers (19 and 20) to themselves  articulated on a fixed support (23), said rocker  (18) having an axis (24) to which the  collection device (6). 3. Machine according to claim 2, characterized by the  causes the hinge pin (24) of the  pickup (6) is located on the extension of the part  (25) which connects the articulation axes (21 and 22) of the  levers (i9 and 20) * 4. Machine according to claim 2 or 3, characterized  by the fact that the articulation axis (24) of the device  pickup (6) is in a plane substantially  parallel to the direction of travel (A). 5. Machine according to claim 2, characterized by the  causes the rocker (18) and the lower lever (20)  are substantially aligned when the  pickup (6) occupies the substantially perpendicular position  Cular to the advancement senr (A). 6. Machine according to claim 2, characterized by the  causes the rocker (18) and the upper lever (19)  are substantially aligned when the  pickup (6) occupies the substantially parallel position  in the direction of travel (A).  7. Machine according to any one of the claims  above, characterized in that the means  (17) include a pushing and / or pulling member  (37).  8. Machine according to claim 7, characterized by the  the fact that said member (37) is constituted by a jack  (38).  9. Machine according to claim 7 or 8, characterized  by the fact that said member (37) is laughed at each  das levers (19 and 20). 10. Machine according to claim 9, characterized by  makes the point of connection of the thrust member  and / or traction (37) with the lower lever (20)  is located between its two axes of articulation (22 and 27). 11. Machine according to claim 9, characterized by the  makes the point of connection of the thrust member  and / or traction (37) with the upper lever (19)  is located on a tab (41) extending this lever (19)  beyond its axis of articulation (26) with the support  file (23) and forming an angle (α) with the part  principal of said lever. 12. Machine according to claim 1, characterized by  the fact that said means (17) for transposing the  pickup device (6) include a device  (44) to automatically rotate lodit available  sitive around his ace of articulation (24) with the  rocker (18) during its transposition. 13. Machine according to claim 12, characterized by the  the fact that the device (44) consists of a  tie rod (45) articulated on the one hand on a connecting rod (46)  secured to the hinge pin (21) of the lever  upper (19) with the rocker (18) and on the other hand,  on the collecting device (6). 14. Machine according to claim 13, characterized by  the fact that the tie rod (45) is laterally offset  relative to the axis of articulation (24) of the device  collection (6).  15. machine according to claim 13 or 14, characterized  by the fact that the tie rod (4S) has two pivots  (47 and 49).  16. machine according to claim 13, characterized by the  fact that in the working position the bialle (46)  is headed vera forward - seen in advance sounds  ment (A) - and form an angle (ss) with a vertical plane  passing through the hinge pin (21) of the rocker  (18) with the upper lever (19). 17. Machine according to claim 13, characterized by  the fact that the connecting rod (46) has an oblong hole  (51) the axis of articulation is engaged (48)  the tie rod (45). 18. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims  teeth, characterized in that the pivot axis  ment (22) of the rocker (18) and the lower lever  (20) is extended to the opposite side of the mechanism  processing connection (7) and is connected to a connecting rod (30)  articulated on a fixed support (31). 19. machine according to claim 18, characterized by  the fact that the rocker (18) cooperates with a tube (29)  surrounding its pivot axis (22) with the lever  lower (20) to the opposite side of the mechanism  nimme of treatment (7). 70. Machine according to any one of the claims  previous, characterized in that in the  zensibly perpendicular position or direction of advance  ment (4) the collecting device (6) can pivot  around its axis of articulation (24) with the rocker  (18).  21. Machine according to claim 20, characterized in that said i @@ otement of the pickup device  (6) is limited by means of a lug (34) integral  dudlt device and peddling an oblong hole (33) and d  a pin (12) passing through said oblong hole (33) and  an ear (X5) integral with the tube (29) of the rocker  (18).  22. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims.  cédentes, characterized in that the device  collection (6) has a lateral offset stop  relative to its axis of articulation (24) with  the rocker (18). 23. Machine according to claim 22, characterized by  the fact that said stopper is constituted by the tab  (34) integral with the pickup device (6) and  the ear (35) secured to the tube (23) connected to the  rocker (18). 24. machine according to any one of claims  previous, characterized by the fact that the device  pickup (6) has a stop (36) offset in  height relative to its axis of articulation (24)  with the rocker (18). 25. Machine according to claim 24, characterized by  the fact that the stop (36) constitutes a stop  pressing against the lower lever (20) when  the collection device (6) is clearly parpen  diculaire to the zens of advancement (A). 26. Machine according to any of the claims  previous, characterized by the fact that it comprises  Means (52) for immobilizing the device  pickup (6) in the substantially parallel position  in the direction of travel (A). 27. Machine according to claim 26, characterized by the  fact that said means. (52) consist of a pin (53) engaged in a lug (34) secured to the pickup device (6) and an ear (55) secured to the hinge pin (26) of the upper lever (19) with the fixed support (23).