GB2157936A

GB2157936A - Mowing mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2157936A
Application number: GB08511129A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Franz Wachter
Original assignee: Claas Saulgau GmbH
Current assignee: Claas Saulgau GmbH
Priority date: 1984-05-03
Filing date: 1985-05-02
Publication date: 1985-11-06
Also published as: HUT39044A; DE8413456U1; HU192210B; GB2157936B; FR2563685B1; FR2563685A1; GB8511129D0

Abstract

A mowing mechanism comprising inner and outer frame portions 7, 10 which are pivotally connected together, an attachment mounting member 2, 3 which is also pivotally connected to the inner frame portion, for attaching the mowing mechanism to the three-point linkage of a tractor, and a lever 15 which is mounted pivotably on the inner frame portion and which is engaged by inner and outer coupling rods or the like, as well as a spring, wherein both the effectiveness of the spring and also the mobility of one or both coupling rods can be restricted and/or blocked respectively by means of a single locking device 25. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Mowing mechanism The invention relates to a mowing mechanism for fitting to the three-point linkage of a tractor. Mowing mechanisms ofthat kind, for example as disclosed in German published specification (DE-AS) No. 12 95 908 may comprise an outer frame portion, an inner frame portion and a loop-like attachment mounting, which are connected together in the operative position of the mowing mechanism with substantially horizontal hinge pins which are disposed in the direction of travel. Also provided in such mowing mechanisms is a spring which relieves the load on the innerframe portion.The innerframe portion carries a pivotally mounted leverwhich is engaged on the one hand by the spring and on the other hand an inner and an outer coupling rod which are provided with slots in order, in the operative position, to permit movability which serves to adaptthe mechanism to the ground, between the attachment member and the inner frame portion,aswell as between the innerand outerframe portions.

However, in the position fortransportation or when the mowing mechanism is removed from the tractor, the movability ofthe above-mentioned components must be restricted to such a degree that the inner frame portion together with the attachment member does not move downwardly to such an extent that it subsequently can no longer be easily attached to the three-point linkage ofthe tractor. Forthat purpose, known mowing mechanisms have two locking devices which operate independently of each other and which on the one hand can block the action ofthe spring and on the other hand can restrict the degree of mobility as between the inner and outerframe portions.

The present invention seeks to facilitate locking and unlocking ofthe above-indicated components of the machine, and thereby also to make them more reliable and safer in operation. For that purpose, the invention proposes that, in a mowing mechanism of the kind set forth above, both the effectiveness of the spring and also the mobility of one or both coupling rods can be restricted and or blocked by means of a single locking device.

Such a locking device may comprise for example a locking pin or bolt which is longitudinally displaceably mounted on the innerframe and which can engage into an opening in the lever, in which case it restricts the lever in regard to the mobilitythereof, and in that position is in contact with the end ofthe inner coupling rod, whereby it force-locking ly prevents the inner coupling rod from moving in one direction.

In order positively to ensure free movement of the components ofthe machine in the operative position, the locking device, in accordance with the invention, may be automatically rendered inoperative upon pivotal movement ofthe mowing mechanism from the transportation position into the operating position.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a view from the rear of an agricultural mowing mechanism according to the invention in the operative position, Figure 2 is a cross-section of part of Figure 1 showing a portion of the locking device according to the invention (in the unlocked condition), and Figure 3 shows a view, as in Figure 1, of a portion of the locking device, but in the locking position.

As shown in the drawings, the attachment mounting member 1 of a mowing mechanism comprises a carrier loop member2 and a tubular sleeve 3 which is fixedly connected thereto. Through the sleeve 3 passes an angular carrier spindle 4 having a vertical limb 5 and a horizontal limb 6.

An innerframe portion 7 has plates 8 at one end which, togetherwith the horizontal limb 6, form a hinge. Disposed atthe other end of the inner frame portion 7 is a further hinge or pivot 9 which forms a connectiontoanouterframeportion 10. Two mowing drums 11 are mounted on the outer frame portion 10 and are driven in known manner (not shown) bythe power take-off shaft ofthe tractor. Also provided at that location is a mounting 12 through which passes a horizontal pin or bolt 13.

Ahorizontal pivot spindle 14which is fixedly connected to the innerframe portion 7 serves as a mounting for a lever 15 which is made up oftwo plates 15' and 15". The lever 15 is engaged by a tension spring 16 which at its other end is connected to a head member 17 secured to the vertical limb 5 ofthe carrier spindle 4. Also mounted on the head portion 17 is an inner coupling rod or bar 18which has a slot 19 in the vicinity of its other end and which is longitudinally slidable between the plates 15' and 15" of the lever 15, to such a degree as is permitted by a pin or bolt 20 which passes through the slot 19 and which is fixedly connected to the plates 15' and 15".Pivoted to the free end ofthe lever 15 by means of a pin or bolt 21 is an outer coupling rod or bar 22 which at its other end has a slot 23 th rough which passes the horizontal pin or bolt 13 on the outerframe portion 10.

Fixedly connected to the innerframe portion 7 are plates 24through which passes a longitudinally displaceable locking pin or bolt 25. In the locking position, the pin or bolt 25 engages in openings 26 in the lever 15. In that position, the end ofthe inner rod 18 which is displaceable between the two plates 15' and 15" bears against the locking pin or bolt 25. The inner rod 18 is thereby prevented from further movement relative to the lever 15 in the direction ofthe slot 19 (downwardly towards the right in Figure 1).

In the operative position shown in Figure 1,the locking pin or bolt 25 is in an unlocked position as shown in Figure 2. In that position, the pin or bolt 20 of the lever 15 and the pin or bolt 13 in the outerframe portion 10 can move in the associated slots 19 and 23 respectively of the inner coupling rod 18 and the outer coupling rod 22 respectively, to such a degree that the innerframe portion 7 and the outerframe portion 10 can move upwardly and downwardly in orderto adapt to uneven ground. As will be apparent, the tension spring 16 which acts on the lever 15 relieves the load on both the innerframe portion 7 and the outer frame portion 10.

If the mowing mechanism isto be moved into a position fortransportation, or dismounted, the pin or bolt 25 is moved in its lengthwise direction, in the direction indicated by the arrowA in Figure 2. It then passes through the openings 26 in the lever 15, and then permits only small pivotal movements ofthe lever 15 aboutthe pivot spindle 14. In that way, the outer rod 22 and therewith the outerframe portion 10 can also only still moveto a slight degree. Under the force ofthetension spring 16, the end ofthe inner rod 18 is pressed against the pin or bolt 25 whereby the free mobility ofthe innerframe portion 7 and the attachment member 1 relative to each other is eliminated. The entire machine frame thereby becomes a stablestructure.

The longitudinally displaceable pin 25 can be connected to the attachment member 1 by linkage means, tie members or the like which are not shown but which are easyto provide, in such a way that in the operative position of the mowing mechanism (Figure 1 ),the pin 25 is automatically moved into an unlocking position as shown in Figure 2, while in the transportation or dismounted position ofthe mowing mechanism, it is moved into a locking position (Figure 3).

Claims

1. Amowing mechanism comprising inner and outerframe portions which are pivotally connected together, an attachment mounting member which is also pivotally connected to the inner frame portion,for attaching the mowing mechanism to the three-point linkage of a tractor, and a leverwhich is mounted pivotably on the inner frame portion and which is engaged by inner and outer coupling rods or the like, as well as a spring, wherein both the effectiveness of the spring and also the mobility of one or both coupling rods can be restricted and/or blocked respectively by means of a single locking device.

2. A mowing mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the locking device comprises a locking pin which is longitudinally displaceably mounted in the innerframe portion and which can be introduced into an opening in the lever, thereby restricting same in regard to mobilitythereof, and in the inserted position, is in contact with the end ofthe inner coupling rod whereby it force-lockingly prevents the innercoupling rod from movement in one direction.

3. A mowing mechanism according to claim 1 or claim 2wherein the locking device can be automatically brought into and taken out of action upon pivotal movement ofthe mowing mechanism from the transportation position into the operative position and vice-versa, by way of linkage means, tie members or the like between the attachment mounting member and the locking pin.

4. A mowing mechanism substantially as described with reference to the drawing.