WO2011112077A1

WO2011112077A1 - Haymaking device

Info

Publication number: WO2011112077A1
Application number: PCT/NL2011/000013
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Arnold; Cornelis Christianus Franciscus Havermans
Original assignee: Forage Innovations B.V.
Priority date: 2010-03-08
Filing date: 2011-03-02
Publication date: 2011-09-15
Also published as: NL1037785C2; EP2544520A1

Abstract

Haymaking device (1) for displacing mown crop, comprising a frame having a main beam (2) extending in a longitudinal direction, and two side arms (4a, 4b) located on both sides of the main beam, wherein each side arm carries a first tool having a rotor, wherein an inner end of each side arm is movably connected to the main beam and is movable between a transport position, in which it extends substantially along the main beam, the inner end being, at least near the front end, at a first angle to the main beam, and an operative position, in which the side arm extends sidewardly from the main beam at a second angle, larger than the first angle, wherein the outer end parts of the side arms, in their transport position, leave between them an intermediate space (200) at the rear end of the device for receiving a front end of another, substantially identical device.

Description

Haymaking device

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a haymaking device provided with at least one tool, such as a mower, a tedder or a rake, respectively. The invention relates in particular to a device for displacing mown grass. The invention relates in particular to a crop displacing device provided with pins, in particular a rake device.

Such devices, in particular rake devices, are known in a number of basic embodiments.

In a first basic embodiment, see for example EP 1.095.555, the rake device comprises a frame having a main beam which extends in longitudinal direction. A number of pivot arms are mounted on the main beam, which pivot arms each carry a circular rake and are pivotable about a horizontal centre line between an operative position and a folded up transport position in which the device is moved between the storage at a farm and a mowing field.

In a second basic embodiment, see for example EP 1 .488.685 and EP 1.077.595, the device comprises a frame having a main beam and two side arms extending obliquely forwardly therefrom, which side arms carry one or more circular rakes. The circular rakes are also capable of being folded up from an operative position to a transport position. In the transport position of the device, the side arms extend substantially along the main beam. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Haymaking devices may have a considerable length, in particular if they carry more than two circular rakes. For transport of the device from the factory to the dealer or buyer, one standard loading space of a trailer is usually required. The full transport costs will be made on behalf of one haymaking machine.

It is an object of the invention to improve therein.

It is an object of the invention to provide a haymaking device of the type mentioned in the preamble, whose construction is favourable to achieve an efficient freight position, in which transport to the dealer or buyer can take place.

It is an object of the invention to provide a haymaking device of the type mentioned in the preamble, whose construction is favourable to achieve an efficient transport or storage position.

In order to achieve at least one of these objects, the invention, from one aspect, provides a device for displacing mown crop, comprising a frame having a main beam extending in a longitudinal direction, which main beam defines a longitudinal centre line and comprises a front end which is provided with hitching means for hitching to a tractor, and two side arms located on both sides of the main beam, wherein each side arm carries a first tool, such as a rake, having a rotor which is preferably driven in a rotating manner about a first rotor centre line, wherein an inner end of each side arm is movably connected to the main beam and is movable between a transport position, in which it extends substantially along the main beam, the inner end being, at least near the front end, at a first angle to the main beam, and an operative position, in which the side arm extends sidewardly from the main beam at a second angle, larger than the first angle, wherein the first tools are each connected, by means of a respective first pivot arm, in the region of a respective first pivot arm connection, to an outer end part of the respective side arm and are pivotable about said first pivot arm connections between an operative position, in which the orientation of the respective first rotor centre line is substantially vertical, and a transport position, in which the orientation of the respective first rotor centre line is substantially horizontal, wherein the outer end parts of the side arms, in their transport position, leave between them an intermediate space at the rear end of the device for receiving a front end of another, substantially identical device.

It is thus achieved that two devices can be nested, so that they partially coincide in longitudinal direction when arranged in line. It is thus promoted that a plurality of devices can be accommodated in the same loading space.

In the transport position of the haymaking device, the outer end parts preferably extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal centre line.

In one embodiment, in the operative position of the haymaking device, the first pivot arm connection is located at a larger distance from the main beam than the first rotor centre line of the first tool. This is in particular advantageous if the first tools are provided with displacing tines, at least a number of which are, in the transport position, oriented inwardly, towards the longitudinal centre line.

To increase the length over which the devices can be nested, the first tools can, in the transport position, be located above the intermediate space.

The outer end parts can form first satellite arms of a respective satellite frame which, in the region of a rotational connection about a substantially vertical centre line, is rotatably connected to the side arm part whose inner end is movably connected to the main beam. Each satellite frame can in this case be provided with a, preferably at least partially detachable, aligning rod which forms, together with the main beam, the side arm and the satellite frame, a parallelogram mechanism. As a result thereof, the folding in and out of the device is facilitated and the longitudinal orientation of the outer end parts can be substantially maintained.

In a further development of the device according to the invention, each side arm also carries a second tool, such as a rake, having a rotor which is driven in a rotating manner about a second rotor centre line, wherein the second tools are each, by means of a second pivot arm, connected to the respective side arm and are, by means thereof, pivotable between an operative position, in which the second rotor centre line is substantially vertical, and a transport position, in which the rotor centre line is substantially horizontal, wherein the second pivot arm connections are located in front of the first pivot arm connections and wherein the second tools are provided with displacing tines, at least a number of which are, in the transport position, oriented outwardly, away from the longitudinal centre line. The opposite directions of the displacing tines can be favourable to the nesting of devices stored at the farm or at the dealer's.

In a compact embodiment, the first and second pivot arms are both mounted on the satellite frame. The second pivot arm connection can then be mounted on a second satellite arm oriented in the direction of travel, wherein the first satellite arm is located at a larger distance from the main beam than the second satellite arm and wherein the first and second satellite arms project in opposite directions.

In the transport position of the device, the first satellite arms can project rearwardly with respect to the main beam in order to increase said intermediate space. The satellite frame is preferably located at a height above the main beam, which facilitates the folding in to a narrow transport position.

From a further aspect, the invention provides a device for displacing mown crop, comprising a frame having a primary frame part and a front end which is provided with means for hitching to a tractor and comprises four tools, in particular circular rakes, wherein the frame has a longitudinal centre line which is substantially parallel to the direction of travel, wherein two tools are located on both sides of the longitudinal centre line, which tools are, in operative position, arranged behind each other in a manner in which the front one of each pair is outwardly staggered with respect to the rear one of that pair, wherein the rear tools are each mounted on a respective rear, first pivot arm which is mounted, by means of a first pivot connection, on or near the free end of a first frame arm which extends per se freely rearwardly in a floating manner, substantially parallel to the longitudinal centre line, and is located during use at an intermediate distance from the longitudinal centre line, when viewed in a direction transverse thereto, wherein the front tools are each mounted on a respective front, second pivot arm which, by means of a second pivot connection, is mounted on or near the free end of a second frame arm which extends per se freely forwardly in a floating manner, substantially parallel to the longitudinal centre line and is located during use at an intermediate distance from the longitudinal centre line, when viewed in a direction transverse thereto, wherein the first and second frame arms form part of a secondary frame part which, by means of a parallelogram mechanism active in a horizontal plane, is movable to and from the longitudinal centre line, wherein the first frame arm is located at a distance from the longitudinal centre line, which distance is larger than that for the second frame arm. In the transport position, the first frame arms leave between them a space which can be used for other constructions, such as the front end of an identical second device according to the invention. The first pivot centre lines are located at a distance from the longitudinal centre line, which distance is larger than that for the rear tools and/or wherein the second pivot centre lines are located at a distance from the longitudinal centre line, which distance is smaller than that for the front tools.

The primary frame part and the secondary frame parts can be interconnected by means of side arms whose ends are rotatably connected about substantially vertical centre lines to the primary frame part and the secondary frame parts, respectively.

Each secondary frame part of the device can be provided with an aligning rod which forms part of the respective parallelogram mechanism and is at least partially detachable.

In an embodiment in which the tools are rakes and comprise rake arms which are detachably mounted on rake arm carriers on the rotor, the intermediate space, after the rake arms of the first tools have been removed in order to bring the device into a freight position, can accommodate the front end of a second, identical device including the inner ends of the two side arms thereof. In the freight position, the first rotor centre lines in a horizontal plane can make an outwardly opening angle with the forward direction of the longitudinal centre line, which angle is smaller than 90 degrees, so that nesting is promoted. In the freight position, the second rotor centre lines in the horizontal plane are at least substantially parallel to the first rotor centre lines.

From a further aspect, the invention provides an assembly comprising a loading space and, accommodated therein, a first and a second device according to the invention, wherein the two devices are arranged behind each other and the front end of the second device extends at least partially into the intermediate space of the first device. The first and second devices are then preferably located in the freight position described in the preceding paragraph, in particular also without a support wheel.

The aspects and features described in this description and the claims of the application and/or shown in the figures of this application may, where possible, also be used separately from each other. These separate aspects may be the subject of divisional patent applications related thereto. This holds in particular for the features and aspects which are described per se in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 shows an oblique front view of an exemplary embodiment of a haymaking device according to the invention, designed as a rake device;

Figures 2A-D show an enlarged view of a left half, an enlarged view of a right half, an enlarged view of a central part and a detail of a part of the device of Figure 1 , respectively;

Figures 3A-3D show the operative position of Figure 1 , a narrower operative position and a transport position of the device of Figure 1 , a top view and an oblique top view of the device of Figure 1 , respectively, during the switching from an operative position to the transport position;

Figure 4 shows a side view of the device of Figure 1 in a transport position behind a tractor;

Figures 5A and 5B show a top view and a side view, respectively, of the device of Figure 1 in a freight position; and

Figures 6A and 6B show a top view and a side view, respectively, of a loading space with two devices in the freight position of Figures 5A and 5B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figures 1 and 2A-C show a circular rake device 1 with direction of travel W, comprising a main beam 2 which defines a longitudinal centre line S of the device 1 and a front end of which is provided with a hitch 3 for hitching to a non-shown tractor. The hitch 3 provides three degrees of rotation (Χ,Υ,Ζ). On the main beam 2 there is provided a slide element 5 which is slidable over/along the main beam 2, parallel to the longitudinal centre line S, see arrows A.

Two side arms 4a, b extend on both sides of the main beam 2, from the slide element 5 at equal angles alpha (a) to the longitudinal centre line S. The outer ends of the side arms 4a, b are provided with subframes or secondary frame parts, hereinafter to be . called satellite frames 6a, b. As will be explained hereinafter, the satellite frames 6a, b are rotatable there about substantially vertical hinge centre lines with respect to the side arms 4a, b. The satellite frames 6a, b each carry two circular rakes 7a, 8a and 7b, 8b with substantially vertical rotational centre lines R1 ,3,2,4, respectively, and are supported by frame support wheels 9a which are located in the shadow of circular rakes 7a, b. The two satellite frames 6a, b make the device 1 resemble to some extent to a catamaran.

The side arms 4a, b are further connected to the main beam 2 (see also Figures 2A-C) by means of holding rods 10a, b (see also Figures 2A-C), the outer ends of said holding rods 10a, b being hingeably connected to brackets 1 1 a, b which are mounted on the side arms 4a, b. The inner ends of the holding rods 10a, b are hingeably connected, in the region of hinges 13a,b, to a bracket 20 which is statically mounted on the main beam 2. The inner ends of the side arms 4a, b are hingeably mounted to the slide element 5 in the region of hinges 14a, b. The holding rods 10a, b and the part (here approximately 1/3) of the side arms 4a, b between the hinges 12a,b and 14a,b form, together with a part of the main beam 2 that is adjustable in length by means of the slide element 5, triangles which are transformable in shape.

Aligning rods 16a,b extend along the front side of the side arms 4a, b, partially shielded by hoods 17a,b, towards the hub holders 19a, b for the wheels 9a, b. The hub holders 19a,b are hingeably connected to both the outer ends of the side arms 4a, b (by hinge pin 81 a, b, see Figure 2D) and to the outer ends of the aligning rods 16a, b (by hinge pin 82a, b, see Figure 2D), in such a manner that a parallelogram mechanism active in a horizontal plane is formed, in which the hub holder and the slide element form the short sides. The aligning rod 16a,b is slidably connected indirectly, by means of the slide element 5, to the main beam 2, as well as the side arm 4a, b.

Also owing to the fact that the satellite frames 6a, b form a rotationally fixed unit with the hub holders 19a,b (rigidly mounted on upper plate 83a, b - Figure 2D - of hub holders 19a,b), they will maintain their orientation with respect to the longitudinal centre line S in the case of deformation of the parallelogram mechanisms. The satellite frames 6a, b are located above the upper surface of the side arms 4a, b so that the relative rotation of the side arms 4a, b with respect to the satellite frames 6a, b is not impeded.

The satellite frames 6a, b, see also Figure 3B, each comprise a forwardly oriented satellite arm 21 a, b and a rearwardly oriented satellite arm 22a, b, which carry the circular rakes 7a, b and 8a, b, respectively, when these are not supported by wheel sets 31 a, b and 32a, b, known per se, which carry the circular rakes in the normal operative position of the device 1. The satellite arms 21 a, b and 22a, b extend parallel to the longitudinal centre line S and project in a floating manner forwardly and rearwardly, respectively, in the manner of a projecting beam.

Outwardly oriented pivot arms 23a, b are mounted to the front ends of the satellite arms 21 a, b in a manner in which they are pivotable in a vertical plane about pivot centre lines C1 ,2 between an operative position and one or more raised positions, in particular an upwardly pivoted transport position. They each comprise a telescopic arm 33a, b with retractable/extendable arm parts 35a, b and cylinders 37a, b with piston rods 39a, b whose ends are mounted to the arm parts 35a, b. The arm parts 35a, b carry rotors 25a, b on which rake arms 27a, b with rake pins 29a, b are removably mounted in a manner known per se. In the operative position, the rotors 25a, b have substantially vertical rotor centre lines R1 ,2. For the pivoting movement of the pivot arms 23a, b, cylinders 41 a, b are provided, whose piston rods 43a, b engage the telescopic arms 33a, b.

Inwardly oriented pivot arms 24a, b are mounted to the rear ends of the arms 22a, b in a manner in which they are pivotable in a vertical plane about pivot centre lines C3,4 between an operative position and one or more raised positions, in particular an upwardly pivoted transport position. They each comprise a telescopic arm 34a, b with retractable/extendable arm parts 36a, b and cylinders 38a, b with piston rods 40a, b whose ends are mounted to the arm parts 36a, b. The arm parts 36a, b carry rotors 26a, b on which rake arms 28a, b with rake pins 30a, b are removably mounted in a manner known per se. In the operative position, the rotors 26a, b have substantially vertical rotor centre lines R3,4. For the pivoting movement of the pivot arms 24a, b, cylinders 42a, b are provided, whose piston rods 44a, b engage the telescopic arms 34a, b.

The pivot arms 23a, b and 24a, b may be composed of identical components, so that a high degree of modularity is achieved.

The distance from the satellite arms 21a, b to the longitudinal centre line S is smaller than the distance from the satellite arms 22a, b to the longitudinal centre line S, and the same applies to the location of the pivot centre lines C1 ,2 with respect to the pivot centre lines C3,4, see also Figure 3A. The rotor centre lines R1 ,2 are located at a distance from the longitudinal centre line S, which distance is larger than that for the pivot centre lines C1 ,2 in the region of the pivot connection to the satellite arms 21 a, b. On the contrary, the rotor centre lines R3,4 are located at a distance from the longitudinal centre line S, which distance is smaller than that for the pivot centre lines C3,4 in the region of the pivot connection to the satellite arms 22a, b. As a result thereof, the pivot arms 23a, b pivot upwardly and inwardly, and the pivot arms 24a, b pivot upwardly and outwardly. For the drive of the rotors 25a, b and 26a, b, there is provided a central gearbox 50 which is movably supported by the main beam 2, in a vertical plane which contains the longitudinal centre line S. The central gearbox 50 forms a double right-angled transmission having exits 58a, b which are in line with each other and have an opposite transverse orientation. The entrance 58c of the central gearbox 50 is operatively coupled, by means of a cardan coupling, to a main drive shaft 51 which is telescopic and whose front end can be operatively coupled, by means of a cardan coupling and an intermediate shaft 51 a in a bearing mounted on the front end of the main beam 2, to a power take-off shaft of a tractor. The exits 58a, b are operatively coupled, by means of cardan couplings, to telescopic secondary drive shafts 52a, b whose outer ends are operatively coupled, by means of cardan couplings, to second corner gearboxes 53a, b. The secondary drive shafts 52a, b are continued, by short drive shafts 54c,d, to third corner gearboxes 55c,d. The second and third gearboxes 53a,b and 55a, b each comprise exits which extend obliquely forwardly and outwardly, and obliquely rearwardly and inwardly, respectively. Telescopic rotor drive shafts 56a, b and 57a, b are operatively coupled, by means of cardan couplings, to said exits, for the drive of the rotors 25a, b and 26a, b of the circular rakes 7a, b and 8a, b.

The central gearbox 50 is mounted on a slide 67 which is slidable in longitudinal direction (direction E) on rails 66 mounted on the main beam, the front ends of said rails being interconnected by means of a transverse rod 62 which forms a stop for the slide 67. The front side of the slide 67 is detachably connected, by means of a hook 63 (Figure 3B), to a transverse section 61 mounted to the rear ends of two rigid pulling/pushing rods 60 whose front ends are mounted to the slide element 5 and have a substantially constant orientation. The hook 63 forms an integral whole with a catch 64 and is tiltable therewith in a vertical plane which contains the longitudinal centre line S. Below the hook 63, the slide 67 is provided with a forwardly oriented stop surface 91 .

In order to move the slide element 5 along/over the main beam 2, a cylinder 70 is mounted, above the main beam 2, to said main beam, the piston rod 71 of said cylinder being mounted to the slide element 5.

The working width of the device 1 can be set by having the side arms 4a, b project sidewardly to a greater or lesser extent, by changing the angle alpha (a) between the side arms 4a, b and the main beam 2. The working width can be set further (more precisely) by the cylinders 37a, b and 38a, b, by means of which the relative mutual position of the rake wheels 7a, 8a and 7b, 8b and their rotor centre lines in transverse direction can also be set.

When changing the working width of the device 1 and passing to the transport position (and the freight position to be described hereinafter), the aforementioned cardan couplings can assume the desired angular position.

In the position shown in Figures 1 and 3A, the angle alpha (a) is maximal and the holding rods 10a, b are transverse to the main beam 2 and the side arms 4a, b are at a rearwardly opening angle alpha (a) of approximately 65 degrees to the longitudinal centre line S.

If it is desired to reduce the working width (from Figure 3A to Figure 3B) or to bring the device into the transport position (Figure 3D) (see also Figure 3C), the cylinder 70 is activated, which results in that the slide element 5 is moved with respect to the bracket 20, along/over the main beam 2, in forward direction (direction A). In the meantime, the device 1 is moved forwardly. The base of the aforementioned triangles is then increased and the angles made by the holding rods 10a, b and the side arms 4a, b with respect to said base are then decreased. When the desired working width has been achieved (see for example Figure 5B), the operation of the cylinder 70, and consequently the displacement of the slide element 5, is stopped. Due to the parallelogram mechanism of the aligning rods 16a, b, the hub holders 19a, b, the side arms 4a, b and the slide element 5, the support wheels 9a, b maintain their orientation in the direction of travel and the satellite frames 6a, b also maintain their orientation.

In the position of a minimum working width of Figure 3B, the slide 67 has reached a position just behind the end of the rails 66 and the slide 67 and the slide element 5 are still interconnected.

To pass to the transport position, the pivot arms 23a, b and 24a, b are operated in the then assumed operative position, in order to pivot the circular rakes 7a, b and 8a, b upwardly. The piston rod 71 is then extended and, via the position of Figure 3C, the slide element 5 is forced to the front end of the main beam 2, just behind the hitch 3. The holding rods 10a, b then - in the transport position of Figure 3D - extend forwardly along the main beam 2. The side arms 4a, b now make a small angle of approximately 7 degrees with the longitudinal centre line S. The inner ends of the side arms 4a, b are then brought as close as possible to the hitch 3, as far as possible in front of the support wheels 9a, b, so that a larger part of the weight thereof and of the tools carried by the side arms can be absorbed by the hitch 3 of the tractor 100 (Figure 6, arrow F), which enhances the stability during transport and limits a yawing movement. In addition, this makes it possible to limit the length of the main beam.

In this case, the sole support points of the device 1 are the frame support wheels 9a, b and the hitch 3 to the tractor 100.

Figure 3D shows that, in the depicted transport position, the rake tines 29a, b of the circular rakes 7a, b are faced outwardly and the rake tines 30a, b of the circular rakes 8a, b are faced inwardly. This results in that the width at the rear end of the device in transport position can be limited to a minimum, in which situation the rake wheels 32a, b almost touch each other. This enhances the manoeuvrability in curves along stationary constructions, the risk of damage of the rake tines being reduced. The largest width of the device is defined by the frame support wheels 9a, b. The circular rakes 7a, b, whose tines 29a, b extend outwardly, are, as it were, screened by the support wheels 9a, b and the rear wheels of the tractor. The circular rakes 7a, b leave between them sufficient space for inter alia the main beam 2 and the side arms 4a, b.

When adjusting the device 1 to a narrower operative position, the slide 67, and consequently the central gearbox 50, is taken along by the slide element 5 via the rods 61. The main drive shaft 51 is then shortened in a telescopic manner. However, the slide 67 does not follow the slide element 5 over the entire route. For this purpose, the length of the rails 66 is limited, also with a view to the space available in the transport position (see Figures 3D and 4). For this purpose, at the arrival of the slide 67 at the end of the rails 66, the catch 64 abuts against the transverse rod 62, as a result of which the hook 63 is lifted. This means that the transverse section 61 is free from the hook 63 and the connection between the slide element 5 and the slide 67 is disengaged. The slide 67 remains at that position, while the slide element 5 can move further forwardly.

When the side arms 4a, b are again extended to an operative position, the piston rod 71 of the cylinder 70 is retracted and the slide element 5 again moves rearwardly. When the transverse section 61 abuts against the hook 63, the hook 63 is lifted to some extent and can engage again behind the transverse section 61. The transverse section 61 abuts against the stop surface 91 of the slide 67. The slide 67 is subsequently pushed rearwardly over the rails 66. In the meantime, the device 1 is moved rearwardly.

For transport and storage of the device 1 , the device 1 can be brought into a freight position, depicted in Figures 5A and 5B. By detaching the outer ends of the aligning rods 16a, b from the hub holders 19a,b, the connection within the parallelogram mechanisms is disengaged and the orientation of the satellite frames 6a, b can differ from that of the longitudinal centre line S, in such a manner that the rear ends of the arms 22a, b can be brought closer to each other and, as a result thereof, also the distance between the outer surfaces of the satellite frames 6a, b, in this case the points 6a' and 6b', can be smaller. Due to the fact that also the frame support wheels 9a, b are removed, the width of the device 1 in the freight position is defined by the distance between the aforementioned points 6a' and 6b'.

For this purpose, the frame arms 27a, b and 28a, b with rake tines are removed from the circular rakes 7a, b and 8a, b. This results in a partially dismounted device 1 a whose length and width are such that the device can be accommodated in loading spaces for road transport, in particular a container with an open upper side. The rake arms and frame support wheels, when accommodated in a box, can be disposed between the front rotors and the rear rotors, see the schematic rectangle in Figure 5B. The height of the device 1 can be limited further by removing a part of the rake arm holders 92, or all of them, so that the device 1 can be accommodated in a loading space with a closed upper side.

The intermediate space 200 left free between the arms 22a and 22b, which forms a sort of bay, makes it possible to accommodate the front end of an identical, second device 1 b, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B. The front end of the rear device 1 b extends, with the hitch 3, the slide element 5, a part of the side arms 4a, b, the connecting rods 60 and a front part of the holding rods 10a, b into the bay 200. Also by the oblique position of the planes in which the rotors are located with respect to the longitudinal centre line S, the rotors of the rake wheels 7a, b of the rear device 1 b can extend partially forwardly along the rotors of the rake wheels 8a, b of the front device 1 a, enabling a considerable overlap in longitudinal direction. This results in a considerable reduction of the overall length of two identical devices 1a,b, so that these, despite the relatively large potential working width, can be accommodated in the same loading space, in particular that of a trailer.

The above-mentioned description serves to illustrate the operation of preferred embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of the invention. On the basis of the above-mentioned explanation, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art that there are many variations falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1 . Haymaking device (1 ) for displacing mown crop, comprising a frame having a main beam (2) extending in a longitudinal direction, which main beam (2) defines a longitudinal centre line (S) and comprises a front end which is provided with hitching means for hitching (3) to a tractor (100), and two side arms (4a, b) located on both sides of the main beam (2), wherein each side arm carries a first tool, such as a rake, having a rotor which is preferably driven in a rotating manner about a first rotor centre line, wherein an inner end of each side arm is movably connected to the main beam (2) and is movable between a transport position, in which it extends substantially along the main beam (2), the inner end being, at least near the front end, at a first angle to the main beam (2), and an operative position, in which the side arm extends sidewardly from the main beam (2) at a second angle, larger than the first angle, wherein the first tools are each connected, by means of a respective first pivot arm, in the region of a respective first pivot arm connection, to an outer end part of the respective side arm and are pivotable about said first pivot arm connections between an operative position, in which the orientation of the respective first rotor centre line is substantially vertical, and a transport position, in which the orientation of the respective first rotor centre line is substantially horizontal, characterized in that the outer end parts of the side arms (4a, b), in their transport position, leave between them an intermediate space (200) at the rear end of the device (1 ) for receiving a front end of another, substantially identical device (1 ).

2. Device (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein, in the transport position, the outer end parts extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal centre line (S).

3. Device (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in the operative position, the first pivot arm connection is located at a larger distance from the main beam (2) than the first rotor centre line of the first tool.

4. Device (1 ) according to claim 3, wherein the first tools are provided with displacing tines, at least a number of which are, in the transport position, oriented inwardly, towards the longitudinal centre line (S).

5. Device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first tools are, in the transport position, located above the intermediate space (200).

6. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer end parts form first satellite arms of a respective satellite frame which, in the region of a rotational connection about a substantially vertical centre line, is rotatably connected to the side arm part whose inner end is movably connected to the main beam (2).

7. Device (1 ) according to claim 6, for each satellite frame provided with an aligning rod which forms, together with the main beam (2), the side arm and the satellite frame, a parallelogram mechanism.

8. Device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each side arm also carries a second tool, such as a rake, having a rotor which is preferably driven in a rotating manner about a second rotor centre line, wherein the second tools are each, by means of a second pivot arm, connected to the respective side arm and are, by means thereof, pivotable between an operative position, in which the second rotor centre line is substantially vertical, and a transport position, in which the rotor centre line is substantially horizontal, wherein the second pivot arm connections are located in front of the first pivot arm connections and wherein the second tools are provided with displacing tines, at least a number of which are, in the transport position, oriented outwardly, away from the longitudinal centre line (S).

9. Device (1 ) according to claim 6 or 7 and claim 8, wherein the first and second pivot arms are both mounted on the satellite frame.

10. Device (1 ) according to claim 9, wherein the second pivot arm connection is mounted on a second satellite arm oriented in the direction of travel, wherein the first satellite arm is located at a larger distance from the main beam (2) than the second satellite arm and wherein the first and second satellite arms project in opposite directions.

1 1 . Device (1 ) according to claim 10, wherein, in the transport position, the first satellite arms project rearwardly with respect to the main beam (2).

12. Device (1 ) according to any one of claims 6, 7, 9, 10 or 1 1 , wherein the satellite frame is located at a height above the main beam (2).

13. Device (1) according to claims 7 and 12, wherein the aligning rod is at least partially detachable.

14. Device (1 ) for displacing mown crop, comprising a frame having a primary frame part and a front end which is provided with means for hitching (3) to a tractor (100) and comprises four tools, in particular circular rakes, wherein the frame has a longitudinal centre line (S) which is substantially parallel to the direction of travel, wherein two tools are located on both sides of the longitudinal centre line (S), which tools are, in operative position, arranged behind each other in a manner in which the front one of each pair is outwardly staggered with respect to the rear one of that pair, characterized in that the rear tools are each mounted on a respective rear, first pivot arm which is mounted, by means of a first pivot connection, on or near the free end of a first frame arm which extends per se freely rearwardly in a floating manner, substantially parallel to the longitudinal centre line (S), and is located during use at an intermediate distance from the longitudinal centre line (S), when viewed in a direction transverse thereto, wherein the front tools are each mounted on a respective front, second pivot arm which, by means of a second pivot connection, is mounted on or near the free end of a second frame arm which extends per se freely forwardly in a floating manner, substantially parallel to the longitudinal centre line (S) and is located during use at an intermediate distance from the longitudinal centre line (S), when viewed in a direction transverse thereto, wherein the first and second frame arms form part of a secondary frame part which, by means of a parallelogram mechanism active in a horizontal plane, is movable to and from the longitudinal centre line (S), wherein the first frame arm is located at a distance from the longitudinal centre line (S), which distance is larger than that for the second frame arm.

15. Device (1 ) according to claim 14, wherein the first pivot centre lines are located at a distance from the longitudinal centre line (S), which distance is larger than that for the rear tools and/or wherein the second pivot centre lines are located at a distance from the longitudinal centre line, which distance is smaller than that for the front tools.

16. Device (1) according to any one of claims 14 or 15, wherein the primary frame part and the secondary frame parts are interconnected by means of side arms (4a, b) whose ends are rotatably connected about substantially vertical centre lines to the primary frame part and the secondary frame parts, respectively.

17. Device (1 ) according to claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein each secondary frame part is provided with a support wheel for the frame.

18. Device (1 ) according to any one of claims 14 - 17, wherein each secondary frame part is provided with an aligning rod which forms part of the respective parallelogram mechanism and is at least partially detachable.

19. Device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tools are rakes and comprise rake arms which are detachably mounted on rake arm carriers on the rotor, wherein the intermediate space (200), after the rake arms of the first tools have been removed in order to bring the device (1 ) into a freight position, can accommodate the front end of a second, identical device (1 ) including the inner ends of the two side arms (4a, b) thereof.

20. Device (1) according to claim 19, wherein, in the freight position, the first rotor centre lines in a horizontal plane make an outwardly opening angle with the forward direction of the longitudinal centre line (S), which angle is smaller than 90 degrees.

21. Device (1) according to claim 20, wherein, in the freight position, the second rotor centre lines in the horizontal plane are at least substantially parallel to the first rotor centre lines.

22. Assembly comprising a load space and, accommodated therein, a first and a second device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two devices are arranged behind each other and the front end of the second device extends at least partially into the intermediate space (200) of the first device.

23. Assembly according to claim 22, wherein the first and the second device are in the freight position according to claim 19, 20 or 21.

24. Assembly according to claim 23, wherein the first and the second device are not provided with a support wheel.