GB1571837A

GB1571837A - Machine for tedding and swathing hay

Info

Publication number: GB1571837A
Application number: GB432777A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Maschinenfabrik Fahr AG
Current assignee: Maschinenfabrik Fahr AG
Priority date: 1976-02-11
Filing date: 1977-02-02
Publication date: 1980-07-23
Also published as: FR2340682A1; DE2605371A1; CH601963A5; NL7700464A; ATA925076A; AT368830B; DK50377A

Description

(54) MACHINE FOR TEDDING AND SWATHING HAY (71) We, MASCHINENFABRIK FABR AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT GOTTMADINGEN, a German Company, of 7702 Gottmadingen, Federal Republic of Germany, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The invention relates to a machine for tedding and swathing hay, comprising at least two rotatably mounted rake wheels which are provided with wheel hubs and are arranged side by side and are capable of being driven about substantially vertical axes, the wheels having tines which when in an operative position are directed towards the ground, which tines are arranged, advantageously in pairs, on tine carriers extending substantially radially from the rake wheel hubs and in operation are so adjustable in their position relatively to the hubs and to the ground, respectively, that upon a changeover from tedding to swathing a reduction in diameter of each rake wheel is obtained or upon a change-over from swathing to tedding an increase in diameter of each rake wheel is obtainable.

With one known hay-making machine of this type (German Offenlegungsschrift 2,222,841), the tine carriers have cranked portions in the region of their carrier half which faces the wheel hub. About the axis of this section of the tine carriers starting from the wheel hub, the tine carriers are capable of being swivelled with the change over from tedding to swath-turning, and vice versa.

Because of this capacity for swivelling movement, it is firstly ensured that, at the time of tedding, the paths of the tine points overlap one another, so that the hay is satisfactorily engaged, picked up and scattered obliquely towards the rear and upwardly. When swath-turning, however, this overlap is not desirable, since the tines rake the hay together and have to form a swath between the two rake wheels. By the said swivelling movement, there is thus secondly guaranteed a suitable reduction in diameter of the paths of the tine points. This possibility of swivelling movement is connected with an alteration in the tine position in the known machine. When tedding, the tines enclose almost a right-angle in that region of their rotational path in which they come practically into contact with the ground or soil. After changing over from the tedding operation to swathing, by swivelling the tine carriers together with the tines, with reduction in the diameter of the tine point paths, this angle between the tines and the soil is very considerably changed. The tines then extend almost radially relatively to the axis of rotation of the rake wheels, which axis is slightly inclined forwardly, and as a result enclose a correspondingly smaller acute angle with the soil.

It has now been found that this substantial change in the tine path relatively to the soil when changing over from tedding to swathing is undesirable, in that, when the machine is in use and in the swathing position of the machine, it is eventually the lower of the two tines of each tine pair which carries out the raking work. The result of the raking thus leaves much to be desired.

It also is to be mentioned that the swivellability of the prior known machine of practically the entire tine carrier together with the tines provided on its end renders more difficult the changing over from tedding to swathing and vice versa.

The invention has for its object so further to develop the hay-making machine of the tupe initially referred to, while simultaneously providing a simplification, that with elimination or substantial reduction of the previously mentioned disad vantages of the conventional machine, not only is there guaranteed a clean tedding operation, but also a satisfactory raking operation and swath-formation. At the same time, a more simple and more convenient possibility of changing over from tedding to swathing and vice versa is to be obtained.

According to the invention there is provided a machine for tedding and swathing hay, having at least two rotatably mounted rake wheels provided with wheel hubs and arranged side by side and capable of being driven about substantially vertical axes and having tines which are adapted to be mounted in pairs on each tine carrier and when in an operative position are adapted to be directed towards the ground, which tines are arranged on tine carriers extending substantially radially from the rake wheel hubs and in operation are so adjustable in their position relatively to the hubs and to the ground, respectively, that upon a changeover from tedding to swathing a reduction in diameter of each rake wheel is obtainable or upon a change-over from swathing to tedding an increase in diameter of each rake wheel is obtainable, wherein in operation the tines are swivellably mounted on an outer cranked end of each tine carrier so that the tines are swivellable relatively to the tine carrier about a first axis which extends substantially parallel to the ground in that region of the respective rake wheel in which the tines pass through the region closest to the ground, an obtuse angle is included between the said first axis and that part of a vertical plane extending through the tine carrier and through a second axis which is the rotational axis of the rake wheel, and each rake wheel is adapted to be rotated in a sense which enables the outer cranked end of each tine carrier to extend rearwardly.

Preferably the rake wheels are rotatably mounted on shafts. Preferably the first axis extends with an incline in a direction away from the second axis.

With the machine of the invention it can be ensured that, both when tedding and when swathing, the tine points always enter from above into the hay lying on the ground and provide for a satisfactory pick-up. Not only when tedding, but also when swathing, the points of both tines of each tine pair can always be arranged close to the ground, so that also when swathing, both tines par ticipate substantially to the same extent in the raking work and contribute to the forming of a satisfactory swath.

As is known, it has proved to be advantageous if, when tedding, a tine position relatively to the ground is chosen, with which the pointed arms of the tines, in the circumferential direction of the rake wheel, include with the ground an angle which is larger than when swathing. When tedding, this angle is advantageously larger than 90 , whereas it is smaller than 90" when swathing, so that the tines can more easily deliver the hay for forming the swath.

The adjustability provided in accordance with the invention of the tines relatively to the respective tine carrier, on changing over from tedding to swathing, enables this circumstance to be readily taken into account.

It has proved to be particularly expedient for the swivel axis (first axis) of the tines to include an obtuse angle of approximately 135 with a vertical plane extending through the tine carrier and through the rotational axis (second axis) of the rake wheel. In this way, firstly the said reduction in the diameter of the rake wheels and, secondly and simultaneously, the displacement of the tines with their point arms relatively to the ground in a particularly favourable adaptation to one another are substantially guaranteed.

It has proved very advantageous from a constructional point of view if the outer cranked end of each tine carrier comprises an outer mounting surface with which the first axis includes a right-angle, and the tines each have associated therewith a tine holder having an internal surface which assumes a bearing position on the said outer mounting surface.

A constructional form which is very simple in design and as regards manufacture is characterised in that each tine carrier is elongate and has associated therewith a spring rod or bar which extends over at least a part of the length of the tine carrier and is fixed at one end on the latter, the free end of the said rod or bar passing through a slot serving for the guiding thereof in the outer cranked end of the tine carrier and engaging with a latching action under pretension and, as required, in one of two detent notches which are provided on the outer rim of the tine holder.

As regards the handling of the machine described in the preceding paragraph, it is very desirable for each spring rod or bar respectively to extend on the underside of the tine carrier with such a spacing that the rod or bar is grippable by hand, together with the tine carrier, and is capable of being tensioned for temporary release of the latching action on to the tine carrier.

With this constructional form, the spring rod or bar can be lifted manually from below, whereby the latching means are released, and after swinging the tines about the first axis into the required tine position, a fresh holding position for the tines relatively to the tine carrier is produced simply by freeing the spring bar or rod. The arrangement of the spring bar or rod on the underside of the tine carrier is connected with the additional advantage that these relatively sensitive adjustment elements of the latching mechanism are in practice protected inside each rake wheel.

Finally, it has proved to be very advantageous for the detent notches on the outer rim of the tine holder to be made conical to promote a play-free latching action, even when wear has taken place.

By way of example a preferred embodiment of the invention will be illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a rake wheel of a hay-making machine in its tedding position; Figure 2 is a plan view of the rake wheel according to Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the rake wheel according to Figure 1, after having been moved into the swathing position; Figure 4 is a plan view of the rake wheel according to Figure 3; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic front elevation of the tine-carrier and the tines when the tines are in the position relatively to the tine-supporting arm according to Figure 2, and Figure 6 is a partial view of the representation according to Figure 4 for illustrating details as regards securing the tine holder relatively to the tine-carrier with the associated spring bar or rod serving for latching purposes.

Referring to the hay-making machine as illustrated in the drawings, each rake wheel 1 comprises a shaft with shaft axis 4 (second axis) inclined slightly forwards in the direction of movement in accordance with the arrow 3, which shaft is supported via a roller 2 on the ground, and around which shaft are rotatably driven tine carriers 6 for tines 7 associated therewith in pairs, the tine carriers being fixed on a central hub portion 5. The slope of the shaft and thus of the plane 8 defined by the path of movement of the tines points, which plane includes an angle d with the ground, is adjustable in a manner which is not further indicated. With trailer implements, the change in slope is effected with an adjusting spindle and, with attached machines, by altering the length of the upper link of the three-point linkage.

At the outer end, each tine carrier 6 has a cranked end 9. In the example as illustrated, the tine carriers consist of a rod of rectangular section, which is bent to form the cranked end 9. The tines 7 are respectively secured on a tine holder 10, which is secured with its internal surface on that external surface of the cranked end 9 of the tine carrier 6 which serves as outer mounting surface, for example, by a screw connection, and in such a way that the tines 7 with the tine holder 10 are capable of swivelling relatively to the tine carrier 6 about an axis 11 (first axis) extending approximately parallel to the ground in that region of the rake wheel in which the tines travel through the region which is closest to the ground. The deviation corresponding to the angle P, which can be seen in Figures 1 and 3, is extremely small. It can also be seen from Figures 2 and 4 that an obtuse angle of of approxi- mately 135 is included between the swivel axis 11 and a vertical plane 12 extending through the tine carrier 6 and shaft axis 4.

For fixing each tine holder 10 with the tines 7 in the respectively required swivel position relatively to the associated tine carriers, each tine carrier is provided with a spring rod or bar 13 extending over at least a part of the length of the tine carrier and fixed on the latter, the free end of which rod, bent upwardly and rearwardly in the direction of rotation of the rake wheel, passing through a slot 14 serving for the guiding thereof and in the cranked end 9 of the tine carrier 6. This free end of the spring rod or bar engages under pretension optionally in one of two detent notches 15 on the outer rim of the tine holder 10. As will be seen from Figures 1 and 3, each spring rod or bar 13 extends on the underside of the tine carrier 6. The spacing is so chosen that the spring rod or bar 13 is gripped by hand, together with the tine carrier 6, and can be tensioned towards the tine carrier for temporary release of the latching mechanism. The free end of the spring rod or bar 13 then frees one of the two edges or notches 15 on the outer rim of the tine holder 10, so that the latter, together with the tines 7, can be swivelled around the axis 11 in relation to the tine carrier 6.

By once again freeing the spring rod or bar 13, an engagement of the end of the latter in the other detent notch of the tine holder 10 and thus the new latching position is guaranteed. The detent notches 15 on the outer rim of the tine holder 10 are made conical, so as to promote a play-free latching action, even with wear of the parts.

It can be seen from the drawing that the tine points, when tedding (Figures 1 and 2) pass through a circular path of which the radius rl is larger than the corresponding radius r of the circular path when swathing (Figures 3 and 4). The reduction in diameter when the tine holder 10 together with the tines 7 is swung from the tedding position into the swathing position leads in very advantageous manner and simultaneously to a lower position of the tines relatively to the hub portion 5, so that with appropriate adjustment of the rake wheel, the latter assumes a flatter position relatively to the ground, corresponding to the angle 8. While the harvested material has to be lifted from the tines when tedding, this is in fact not desired when swathing. Consequently a smallest possible slope of the rake wheel is required for the swathing. The change in inclination or slope, which is effected simultaneously with the tine adjustment, advantageously does not require any adjustment of the supporting wheel, such as would be necessary if a difference in spacing of the tine points relatively to the ground were not achieved automatically with the tines adjustment. Since the tine spacing from the ground is increased, for example, when changing over from swathing to tedding, the rake wheel can then be conveniently inclined so far forward until the tines; as illustrated in Figure 1, are once again in contact with the ground.

As will be seen from Figures 2, 4 and 5, the tines are so kinked in the usual way that, in the tedding position (Figures 2 and 5), the point arms 7' enclose an obtuse angle y with the ground when the rake wheel rotates in the sense according to arrow 16. When changing the machine over from tedding to swathing, with reduction in diameter of the tine point paths, the tines reach the position which is illustrated in Figure 4, in which the point arms enclose with the ground an angle y, which is always smaller than 90 , so that the tines are able satisfactorily to deliver the material for forming the swath.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A machine for tedding and swathing hay, having at least two rotatably mounted rake wheels provided with wheel hubs and arranged side by side and capable of being driven about substantially vertical axes and having tines which are adapted to be mounted in pairs on each tine carrier and when in an operative position are adapted to be directed towards the ground, which tines are arranged on tine carriers extending substantially radially from the rake wheel hubs and in operation are so adjustable in their position relatively to the hubs and to the ground, respectively, that upon a changeover from tedding to swathing a reduction in diameter of each rake wheel is obtainable or upon a change-over from swathing to tedding an increase in diameter of each rake wheel is obtainable, wherein in operation the tines are swivellably mounted on an outer cranked end of each tine carrier so that the tines are swivellable relatively to the tine carrier about a first axis which extends substantially parallel to the ground in that region of the respective rake wheel in which the tines pass through the region closest to the ground, an obtuse angle is included between the said first axis and that part of a vertical plane extending through the tine carrier and through a second axis which is the rotational axis of the rake wheel, and each rake wheel is adapted to be rotated in a sense which enables the outer cranked end of each tine carrier to extend rearwardly.

2. A machine according to Claim 1, wherein the rake wheels are rotatably mounted on shafts.

3. A machine according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the first axis extends with an incline in a direction away from the second axis.

4. A machine according to any preceding claim, in which the first axis includes an angle of approximately 135 with a vertical plane extending through the tine carrier and through the second axis.

5. A machine according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer cranked end of each tine carrier comprises an outer mounting surface with which the first axis includes a right angle; and the tines each have associated therewith a tine holder having an internal surface which assumed a bearing position on the said outer mounting surface.

6. A machine according to Claim 5, wherein each tine carrier is elongate and has associated therewith a spring rod or bar which extends over at least a part of the length of the tine carrier and is fixed at one end on the latter, the free end of the said rod or bar passing through a slot serving fro the guiding thereof in the outer cranked end of the tine carrier and engaging with a latching action under pretension and, as required, in one of two detent notches which are provided in the outer rim of the tine holder.

7. A machine according to Claim 6.

wherein in an operative position each spring rod or bar respectively entends along the underside of the tine carrier with such a spacing that rod or bar is grippable by hand, together with the tine carrier, and is capable of being tensioned for temporary release of the latching action on to the tine carrier.

8. A machine according to Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein the detent notches on the outer rim of the tine holder are made conical to promote a play-free latching action.

9. A machine for tedding and swathing hay substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. desired when swathing. Consequently a smallest possible slope of the rake wheel is required for the swathing. The change in inclination or slope, which is effected simultaneously with the tine adjustment, advantageously does not require any adjustment of the supporting wheel, such as would be necessary if a difference in spacing of the tine points relatively to the ground were not achieved automatically with the tines adjustment. Since the tine spacing from the ground is increased, for example, when changing over from swathing to tedding, the rake wheel can then be conveniently inclined so far forward until the tines; as illustrated in Figure 1, are once again in contact with the ground. As will be seen from Figures 2, 4 and 5, the tines are so kinked in the usual way that, in the tedding position (Figures 2 and 5), the point arms 7' enclose an obtuse angle y with the ground when the rake wheel rotates in the sense according to arrow 16. When changing the machine over from tedding to swathing, with reduction in diameter of the tine point paths, the tines reach the position which is illustrated in Figure 4, in which the point arms enclose with the ground an angle y, which is always smaller than 90 , so that the tines are able satisfactorily to deliver the material for forming the swath. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A machine for tedding and swathing hay, having at least two rotatably mounted rake wheels provided with wheel hubs and arranged side by side and capable of being driven about substantially vertical axes and having tines which are adapted to be mounted in pairs on each tine carrier and when in an operative position are adapted to be directed towards the ground, which tines are arranged on tine carriers extending substantially radially from the rake wheel hubs and in operation are so adjustable in their position relatively to the hubs and to the ground, respectively, that upon a changeover from tedding to swathing a reduction in diameter of each rake wheel is obtainable or upon a change-over from swathing to tedding an increase in diameter of each rake wheel is obtainable, wherein in operation the tines are swivellably mounted on an outer cranked end of each tine carrier so that the tines are swivellable relatively to the tine carrier about a first axis which extends substantially parallel to the ground in that region of the respective rake wheel in which the tines pass through the region closest to the ground, an obtuse angle is included between the said first axis and that part of a vertical plane extending through the tine carrier and through a second axis which is the rotational axis of the rake wheel, and each rake wheel is adapted to be rotated in a sense which enables the outer cranked end of each tine carrier to extend rearwardly.

7. A machine according to Claim 6.