WO1999012407A1

WO1999012407A1 - A foldable agricultural machine, as well as a method of folding same from the working position into the transport position

Info

Publication number: WO1999012407A1
Application number: PCT/NL1998/000519
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alfonsus Jacobus Van Den Engel
Original assignee: Maasland N.V.
Priority date: 1997-09-11
Filing date: 1998-09-09
Publication date: 1999-03-18
Also published as: AU740416B2; AU9096998A; EP0961537A1; NZ335982A; JP2001503996A; NL1006999C2

Abstract

The invention relates to an agricultural machine which can be brought from the working position into the transport position, which agricultural machine is provided with a frame (3) comprising a number of motor-driven working members (5) that are located, in the working position of the machine, in side by side relationship transversely to the usual direction of travel, the machine being provided with pivoting means, so that at least one of the working members is pivotable into the transport position about a first pivotal axis (16) which, in the working position of the machine, is orientated at least substantially horizontally and at least substantially perpendicular to the usual direction of travel of the machine and about a second pivotal axis (13) which is orientated transversely to the first pivotal axis, and which machine is provided with control means for controlling the angle of pivoting, these control means ensuring that said working member pivots into the transport position through at least approximately 45° about the first pivotal axis.

Description

A FOLDABLE AGRICULTURAL MACHINE, AS WELL AS A METHOD OF FOLDING SAME FROM THE WORKING POSITION INTO THE TRANSPORT POSITION

The invention relates to an agricultural machine which can be brought from the working position into the transport position, which agricultural machine is provided with a frame comprising a number of motor-driven working members that are located, in the working position of the machine, in side by side relationship transversely to the usual direction of travel, the machine being provided with pivoting means, so that at least one of the working members is pivotable into the transport position about a first pivotal axis which is orientated, in the working position of the machine, at least substantially horizontally and at least substantially perpendicular to the usual direction of travel of the machine and about a second pivotal axis which is orientated transversely to the first pivotal axis, and which machine is provided with control means for controlling the angle of pivoting. The invention also relates to a method of bringing an agricultural machine from the working position into the transport position.

The use of agricultural machines having a large working width becomes more and more frequent, these agricultural machines being foldable so as to have a smaller width in the transport position, so that such machines are suitable for transport by public road. Such an agricultural machine is known from DE-U-9109324.4. In this document there is described and shown a so-called hay tedder being provided in the working position with six motor-driven tedder members (rotors) being arranged in side by side relationship transversely to the usual direction of travel and rotatable about respective upwardly orientated axes of rotation and having a working width which is considerably larger than the width of the tractor, said hay tedder having in the transport position a width almost corresponding to the width of the tractor. This machine has a central group consisting of two rotors and on either side thereof a group consisting of two rotors, the side groups being fastened to the central group so as to be pivotable about a respective first pivotal axis which, in the working position, extends horizontally and in the direction of travel, while the central group is fastened to the frame so as to be pivotable about a second pivotal axis which is orientated horizontally and perpendicular to the direction of travel. During folding up from the working position into the transport position, first the rotors of the side groups pivot upwards through 90° about the respective first pivotal axis, whereafter the rotors of the central group pivot upwards and forwards about the second pivotal axis, while the rotors of the side groups pivot forwards simultaneously, so that in the transport position the side groups, relative to the direction of travel of the machine, extend finally obliquely upwards and forwards, while the axes of rotation of the rotors of the side groups, relative to the direction of travel, are orientated forwards. By "transversely" there is meant here that the pivotal axes enclose a random angle with each other, by "axis" there is meant here both an imaginary and a real axis. A disadvantage of this way of folding up is that during the folding up process the centre of gravity of the machine is displaced over a considerable height.

From FR-A-2683697 there is known a tedder having a first and a second pivotal axis, while, contrary to the machine described in DE-U-9109324.4 , for folding up from the working position into the transport position, there is first made a pivotal movement about the second pivotal axis, while the number of tedder members only amounts to four of which the two outer ones subsequently pivot forwards for the purpose of reducing the width. The end position to be achieved of the working members can also be compared with that according to DE-U-910932 .4. Consequently, the height over which the centre of gravity is displaced during folding up is indeed smaller, but still considerable. Besides, the height of the implement in the folded up position is relatively large. Therefore, partly for this reason, working with such an implement requires relatively much attention. There is a risk of damage e.g. due to overturning of the implement.

The invention aims at reducing at least one of the drawbacks of the state of the art and, preferably, at obviating this drawback completely. On the other hand, the invention aims at obtaining an agricultural machine capable of being folded up from the working position into the transport position and having more compact transport dimen- sions relative to the working dimensions. By dimension there is meant the length and/or the width. In a further aspect the invention has for its objective not to cause damage to the drive and the rotors when the machine is in its folded up position and the drive is switched on. In another aspect the invention aims at realizing a succession of movements to be made by the working members for switching from the working position to the transport position, while this succession of movements is effected as naturally as possible and consequently at a minimum of auxiliary means being employed, preferably by gravity and/or mass inertia.

The invention relates in particular, but not exclusively, to hay-making machines, such as so-called rakes and tedders. A tedder or rake comprises large, rotating parts provided with rake or tedder tines which, at a high speed of revolution and a high forward speed, have to cooperate accurately with each other without impeding each other. The large dimensions of the crop working members and their drive make folding up of the machine into the transport position complicated, in particular when also in the folded up position the drive of the crop working members can be switched on without causing damage to the machine. As such the technology on which a tedder or rake is based cannot be compared with that of other agricultural machines, such as e.g. a weeder harrow. On the one hand the agricultural machine according to the invention is characterized by the combination of measures as claimed in claim 1. The working members pivot preferably through at least approximately 55°, more preferably through at least 70°, about the first pivotal axis into the transport position. In this manner the centre of gravity, as well as the transport height of the machine, can remain at a low level. The working members of the side group can pivot together with those of the central group, if any. On the other hand the agricultural machine according to the invention is characterized by the combination of measures as claimed in claim 4. In this manner the working members can pivot first forwards or rearwards, so that one or more running or supporting wheels, if any, can continue to be supported on the ground, whereafter they pivot upwards. In this situation, in order to ensure stability, folding up has not to be effected exactly in a synchronized manner, while the centre of gravity is also maintained at a lov level.

The invention leaves the possibility open of folding, before or after pivoting, one or more working members on one or more other working members, for the purpose of reducing e.g. the length of a row of working members arranged in side by side relationship.

With hay tedders it is known per se to have the rotors rotate through a small angle, i.e. maximally 6°, relative to a horizontal plane, in order to adjust the tines of the rotors in such a manner that these tines can seize crop lying on the ground. This adjusting possibility has nothing to do with folding up of the agricultural machine from the working position into the transport position for adjusting the dimensions of this agricultural machine to dimensions suitable for transport by road. This adjusting possibility in the working position is rather intended to bring the agricultural machine, e.g. during turning in the field, into a free running position.

The greater the angle of pivoting according to the invention, the better the effect; e.g. when the dimension of the length and/or the width of the working member in the working position is greater than the height, pivoting through approximately 90° is preferred. Pivoting preferably takes place in such a manner that the working member in the transport position does not come into contact with the ground. If, for example, the working member is supported on the ground by means of a running wheel in the working position, this means that this running wheel does no longer rest on the ground in the transport position. When the width, and possibly also the length, of the agricultural machine has to be reduced for transport, it is preferred to have the working member pivot about a first pivotal axis and about a second pivotal axis. Pivoting can e.g. take place forwards or rearwards, relative to the usual direction of travel, but also upwards or downwards. Pivoting can take place about a horizontal pivotal axis or about a downwardly orientated pivotal axis.

From the Australian patent 417056 there is known a foldable harrow having a central frame and on either side thereof a respective side frame coupled to the central frame. The two side frames and the central frame are pivotable upwards about a common first pivotal axis extending horizontally and perpendicular to the usual direction of travel of the implement in order to assume a substantially vertical position, whereafter the side frames can pivot subsequently forwards relative to the usual direction of travel of the implement about a respective second pivotal axis extending horizontally in the working position and parallel to the direction of travel, which second pivotal axis consequently extends vertically in the folded up position, for the purpose of reducing the width of the implement in the transport position.

In what follows the invention is explained in further detail on the basis of non-limiting exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings .

Figure 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of an agricultural machine according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the agricultural machine of Figure 1, showing the machine both in the working position and in the partially folded up position;

Figure 3 is a view corresponding with Figure 2, but now in the entirely folded up transport position;

Figure 4 is a plan view corresponding with Figure 1, in which the agricultural machine is shown in the transport position, the interior of the machine being partially visible;

Figure 5 is a view corresponding with Figure 3 of an agricultural machine according to the invention, said machine being foldable into the transport position in an alternative manner; Figure 6 is a rear view of the agricultural machine shown in its transport position in Figure 5;

Figure 7 shows an alternative agricultural machine according to the invention, in a plan view corresponding with that of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a plan view of the agricultural machine shown in Figure 7, in the transport position;

Figure 9 is a side view of the agricultural machine shown in Figure 8, in the transport position.

The agricultural machine 1 shown in Figures 1 - 4 comprises a main frame 3 supported by two transport wheels 2, which main frame 3 can be coupled to a tractor 4 by means of which the agricultural machine 1 can be moved forward. In this embodiment the agricultural machine is a hay tedder and for that purpose it comprises a number (in this situation six) of tedder members or rotors 5 that are located in side by side relationship, predominantly in line and substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel A, and which are each rotatable about an upwardly orientated axis of rotation. These rotors 5 are known per se and are provided e.g. along their circumference with a number of tines for seizing crop lying on the soil and displacing same. These rotors 5 are mounted on an articulated frame beam 6 which is fastened to the main frame 3 via a hinging bar system 7. A central drive shaft 8 driven in a non-shown manner by means of the power take-off shaft of the tractor 4 and coupled thereto extends via a hinging segment 9 which is capable of being shortened and which, for that purpose, is provided e.g. with keys engaging key way slots, towards a transmission 10 from which an articulated drive shaft 11 extending towards the respect- ive rotors 5 is guided through the articulated frame beam 6. This articulated drive shaft 11 is designed, in the region of the hinges in the articulated frame beam 6, as a hinging one, e.g. by means of universal or cardan joints. For each rotor 5 there is provided a transmission 12 for transmitting driving power from the articulated drive shaft 11 to the respective rotor 5. The articulated frame beam 6 is designed so as to be pivotable in the region of 13 and 14 about pivotal axes which are orientated substantially horizontally and substantially parallel to the direction of travel A (viewed in the working position of Figure 1). Adjacent to the two pivotal axes 13 there are provided the drive shafts of the two rotors 5 which are located on either side of the longitudinal central axis of the agricultural machine 1 and constitute the central group of rotors. On either side of this central group there is each time provided a side group consisting of two rotors, the rotors 5 of a side group being pivotable relative to each other. In an alternative embodiment, the number of rotors belonging to a central or side group can be a random number. Figure 2 shows more clearly the hinging bar system

7 for pivoting the rotors 5. A fastening element 17 is fastened to the main frame 3 about a pivotal axis 16 orientated substantially horizontally and substantially perpendicular to the direction cf travel A. The end of this element 17 located opposite the pivotal axis 16 carries the articulated frame beam 6 with the rotors 5 disposed thereon. At some distance from the pivotal axis 16, an operating member 18, in this situation constituted by a hydraulic cylinder/piston combination, engages the element 17 for pivoting same about the pivotal axis 16. For the purpose of adjusting the rotors 5 m the working position through a small angle of inclination (e.g. through 6° from the horizontal plane), the articulated frame beam 6 is mounted to the element 17 so as to be pivotable about a pivotal axis 19 extending substantially parallel to the pivotal axis 16. This adjustment in the working position is allowed by an operating member 20 engaging the frame beam 6, which operating member 20 is constituted in this situation by a hydraulic cylinder/piston combination. In an alternative manner, the frame beam is rigidly connected with the element 17 and the rotors 5 are individually adjustable through that small angle of inclination. Upon adjustment in the working position it is generally intended to maintain the support of the running wheels 21, with one of which each rotor 5 is provided, on the ground. This way of adjusting is usually limited to an angle of approximately 6° between the forwards inclined position of the rotor 5 shown in Figure 2 and a substantially horizontal position thereof. Due to the fact that each rotor 5 has an own running wheel, the rotors 5 can be adapted individually, in the working position, to the local conditions of the field.

As shown in Figure 2, the rotors 5 can pivot together about the pivotal axis 16 between a working position and a transport position through an angle of at least approximately 45°, e.g. through approximately 90° in the present embodiment. As a result thereof the length of the agricultural machine 1 is reduced considerably. Subsequently each side portion can pivot forwards, i.e. in the direction of the arrow A, about the respective pivotal axis 13, also through an angle of e.g. approximately 90°, or perhaps even a considerably greater angle, in order to achieve the position shown in Figures 3 and 4, in which the width of the agricultural machine 1 has decreased considerably as well. The outer rotor 5 of a side group can possibly pivot relative to the more inwardly located rotor 5 of the same side group about the pivotal axis 14, e.g. in the direction of the arrow B indicated in Figure 4 ,„ for the purpose of obtaining an additional length reduction. Also in the folded up position shown in Figures 3 and 4, the drive for all rotors 5 is intact and also in that position they can be driven in rotation without harmful consequences. In this embodiment during the pivoting movement the frame beam 6 moves along about the pivotal axis 16. In an alternative embodiment the rotors 5 also pivot relative to the frame beam 6.

In an other (non-shown) embodiment, beside the outer rotor 5 in Figure 4 there may be disposed an additional rotor 5 on either side of the agricultural machine. In order to bring the machine into the transport position, the outer two rotors 5 pivot about the pivotal axis 14 in the direction of the arrow B in Figure 4, through an angle of e.g. 25°. In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the additional rotor 5 can also pivot about a (non-shown) pivotal axis which is disposed near the transmission 12 in Figure 4. The additional rotors 5 can be brought into the transport position by pivoting m the direction of the arrow B in Figure 4 about the additional pivotal axis, through an angle of preferably 45°. Figures 5 and 6 show a variant of the agricultural machine according to the invention as described in the foregoing with reference to Figures 1 - 4. The most important difference is that in this situation, seen in the working position of the agricultural machine 1, the pivotal axes 13 are not orientated horizontally but at least substantially vertically. Upon folding up from the working position into the transport position (see Figures 5 and 6), all the rotors 5 pivot about the pivotal axis 16 and each side group pivots about the respective pivotal axis 13 in order to assume the transport position above the adjacent rotor 5 of the central group. By having the outer rotor 5 of the respective side group pivot about the pivotal ax s 14 in order to achieve in the transport position the position shown in Figure 5, the increase in height of the agricultural machine 1 m its transport position is limited. Possibly the outer rotor 5 can pivot still further about e.g. a pivotal ax_.s .ocate at a short distance from the pivotal axis 14 and parallel thereto so as to face with its rear side the rotor located more inwardly. With reference to Figures 7 - 9 there is described still another variant of the agricultural machine according to the invention. Contrary to the agricultural machine described and shown in the foregoing, the machine shown in Figures 7 - 9 has a central group of four rotors 5 which, relative to the direction of travel A, is in a rearwardly staggered position relative to the respective four rotors of each side group, all rotors of the central group being located substantially in line. Not all the rotors 5 of the central group are brought into the transport position by pivoting. Exclusively the two outer rotors 5 of that central group pivot upwards about a respective pivotal axis 22. The pivotal axes 22 extend substantially horizontally and substantially parallel to the direction of travel A. The central group is further moved upwards, substantially parallel to itself and over a sufficient distance, into the transport position, e.g. because of the fact that the central group is mounted on the main frame 3 via a hinging bar system in the form of a parallelogram. At some distance from the main frame 3 defining the central longitudinal axis of the agricultural machine 1, the articulated frame beam 6 of each side group is provided with a substantially horizontally extending pivotal axis 23 and a pivotal axis 22 orientated substantially horizontally and substantially parallel to the direction of travel A (relative to the working position). Furthermore, between the two outer and the two inner rotors 5 of each side group there are located with some interspace two substantially parallel pivotal axes 25 and 26 extending substantially parallel to the pivotal axis 24 (relative to the working position). Each side group pivots, from the working position, forwards about the pivotal axis 23 and upwards about the pivotal axis 24, and the two outer rotors 5 of each side group pivot about the pivotal axes 25 and 26, while there is effected a pivoting movement through ap- proximately 90° about each of the pivotal axes 23, 24, 25, 26. Alternatively it is also possible for all the rotors of the central group to pivot, e.g. about a pivotal axis which is orientated, in the working position, substantially horizontally and substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel A, like e.g. in the embodiment shown in Figure 1. Other alternatives in which the rotors 5 pivot relative to each other are possible as well. It will be obvious that for the embodiment shown in Figures 7 - 9 preferably the drive for the central group is branched off from the central drive, apart from the drive for the side groups.

The invention also aims at combinations of one or more separate measures of two or more embodiments described in the foregoing and/or shown in the drawings, such as the number of rotors, the way of pivoting of the rotors and the mutual arrangement of the rotors.

When the agricultural machine is applied as a tedder, the working areas of the rotors will preferably overlap each other. However, the rotors 5 might as well be designed as rake members, in which situation there would be some interspace between their respective working areas . The agricultural machine 1 can also be applied as a harrow, e.g. a weeder harrow. When the agricultural machine is designed as a tedder, the rotors located in pairs beside each other will rotate in opposite directions, as shown e.g. by arrows in Figure 1. However, other directions of rotation for other applications are also possible. With regard to pivoting, an angle of rotation of approximately 90° is preferred, although smaller or greater angles, e.g. of approximately 180°, are possible as well.

Claims

1. An agricultural machine which can be brought from the working position into the transport position, which agricultural machine is provided with a frame (3) comprising a number of motor-driven working members (5) that are located, in the working position of the machine, in side by side relationship transversely to the usual direction of travel, the machine being provided with pivoting means, so that at least one of the working members is pivotable into the transport position about a first pivotal axis (16) which is orientated, in the working position of the machine, at least substantially horizontally and at least substantially perpendicular to the usual direction of travel of the machine and about a second pivotal axis (13) which is orientated transversely to the first pivotal axis, and which machine is provided with control means for controlling the angle of pivoting, characterized in that these control means ensure that said working member pivots into the transport position through at least approximately 45┬░ about the first pivotal axis.

2. An agricultural machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that these pivoting means are designed in such a manner that at least one of the working members is pivotable into the transport position about a third pivotal axis (23) orientated upwards in the working position of the machine .

3. An agricultural machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that these pivoting means are further designed in such a manner that at least said one working member is pivotable into the transport position about a second pivotal axis (24) which is orientated, in the transport position of the machine, at least substantially horizontally and at least substantially parallel to the usual direction of travel of the machine.

4. An agricultural machine which is provided with a frame (3) comprising a number of working members (5) that are located, in the working position of the machine, in side by side ^' relationship transversely to the usual direction of travel, which machine is designed as a foldable one, the machine being provided with pivoting means, so that at least one of the working members is pivotable into the transport position about a third pivotal axis (23) which is orientated upwards in the working position of the machine, characterized in that these pivoting means are designed in such a manner that at least one working member is pivotable into the transport position about a second pivotal axis (24) which is orientated, in the transport position of the machine, at least substantially horizontally and at least substantially parallel to the usual direction of travel of the machine.

5. An agricultural machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the machine comprises a central group of working members disposed on either side of the longitudinal centre line of the agricultural machine.

6. An agricultural machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the machine comprises at least one side group of working members disposed besides the longitudinal centre line of the agricultural machine .

7. An agricultural machine as claimed in claim 5 or 6 , characterized in that the machine comprises a central group with at least one side group disposed on either side thereof.

8. An agricultural machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the working position of the machine, at least one subgroup of the working members is located at least substantially in line.

9. An agricultural machine as claimed in claim 7 or 8 , characterized in that, in the working position of the machine, the central group is in a staggered position relative to a side group, relative to a horizontal line extending perpendicular to the usual direction of travel.

10. An agricultural machine as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, in the working position of the machine, the central group is aligned with a side group, relative to a horizontal line extending perpendicular to the usual direction of travel.

11. An agricultural machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two working members are pivotable about a common pivotal axis.

12. An agricultural machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the agricultural machine comprises drive means for driving the working members in an energized manner.

13. An agricultural machine as claimed in claim 12, characterized n that there is provided a central drive unit for driving the working members .

14. An agricultural machine as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the working members are connected to this central drive unit v a one or more drive shafts (8, 11), while in the region of hinging means there are disposed connecting members which are included in the drive element.

15. An agricultural machine as claimed m any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, m the working position, the working members are supported on the ground by means of at least one running wheel (21).

16. An agricultural machine as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that a number of working members, belonging e.g. to a central group or a side group, comprise one or more common running wheels.

17. An agricultural machine as claime╬▒ in claim 16, characterized m that each working member has a pertinent running wheel.

18. An agricultural machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized m that, in the transport position, the agricultural machine is supported on the ground by means of one or more transport wheels (2).

19. An agricultural machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the agricultural machine is further provided with adjusting means (20) for bringing, in its working position, at least one of the working members into an inclining position which is adjust- able through a small angle of e.g. 15┬░ maximally forwards or rearwards relative to the usual direction of travel.

20. An agricultural machine as claimed m any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame comprises coupling means for coupling with a propelling vehicle (4 ) .

21. An agricultural machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame comprises a central main frame (3) provided with transport wheels that are supported on the ground in the transport position and with frame beams (6) bearing working members coupled to said main frame, which frame beams (6) extend transversely to the direction of travel in the working position of the machine.

22. An agricultural machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the working members are pivotable about a common second pivotal axis .

23. An agricultural machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the working members comprise rotors that are rotatable about respective pivotal axes for tedding or raking crop lying on the soil.

24. An agricultural machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the working position of the machine the distance from the central lon- gitudinal axis of the agricultural machine to the second pivotal axis (24) is at the most equal to the distance between said central longitudinal axis and the third pivotal axis (23), but preferably smaller.

25. An agricultural machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between at least two working members and their common second pivotal axis is substantially equal.

26. An agricultural machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is provided a further pivotal axis.

27. An agricultural machine as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that maximally one subgroup of at least one of the working members that are pivotable about the first pivotal axis is pivotable about said further pivotal axis.

28. An agricultural machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dimensions of the frame are such that in the transport position of the implement the machine can be coupled to a tractor.

29. A method of bringing an agricultural machine as described in one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 28 from the working position into the transport position, which agricultural machine is provided with a frame (3) comprising a number of motor-driven working members (5) that are located, in the working position of the machine, in side by side relationship transversely to the usual direction of travel, which machine is designed as a foldable one for the purpose of realizing in the transport position a reduced width relative to that in the working position, the machine being provided with pivoting means so that at least one of the working members is pivotable into the transport position about a first pivotal axis (16) which, in the working position of the machine, is orientated at least substantially horizontally and at least substantially perpendicular to the usual direction of travel of the machine and about a second pivotal axis (13) which is orientated transversely to the first pivotal axis, the pivoting movement first taking place about the first pivotal axis, characterized in that said working member pivots through at least approximately 45┬░ about the first pivotal axis.

30. A method as claimed in claim 29, characterized in that the second pivotal axis (13) is orientated at least substantially perpendicular to the first pivotal axis (16) relative to the working position of the machine.

31. A method as claimed in claim 29 or 30, characterized in that the second pivotal axis (13) is orientated at least substantially parallel to the usual direction of travel relative to the working position of the machine.

32. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 29 to 31, characterized in that these pivoting means are designed in such a manner that at least one of the working members is pivotable into the transport position about a third pivotal axis (23) which extends horizontally in the working position of the machine.

33. A method as claimed in claim 32, characterized in that these pivoting means are further designed in such a manner that at least said one working member is pivotable into the transport position of the machine about a pivotal axis (22) which is orientated, in the transport position of the machine, at least substantially horizontally and at least substantially parallel to the usual direction of travel of the machine.

34. A method of bringing an agricultural machine as described in one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 28 from the working position into the transport position, which agricultural machine is provided with a frame (3) comprising a number of working members (5) that are located, in the working position of the machine, in side by side relationship transversely to the usual direction of travel, which machine is designed as a foldable one for the purpose of realizing in the transport position a reduced width relative to that in the working position, the machine being provided with pivoting means so that at least one of the working members is pivotable into the transport position about a third pivotal axis (23) which extends horizontally in the working position of the machine, characterized in that these pivoting means are further designed in such a manner that at least said one working member is pivotable into the transport position of the machine about a fourth pivotal axis (25) which is orientated, in the transport position of the machine, at least substantially upwardly.

35. A method as claimed in claim 32, 33 or 34, characterized in that said working member first pivots about said third pivotal axis.

36. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 29 to 35, characterized in that at least said one working member pivots into the transport position so as to be located after this pivotal movement in a position in which it does not come into contact with the ground.