CA1183006A - Hay or grain type crop apparatus - Google Patents
Hay or grain type crop apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1183006A CA1183006A CA000421948A CA421948A CA1183006A CA 1183006 A CA1183006 A CA 1183006A CA 000421948 A CA000421948 A CA 000421948A CA 421948 A CA421948 A CA 421948A CA 1183006 A CA1183006 A CA 1183006A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- main body
- tractor
- crop
- pick
- hitch
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D41/00—Combines, i.e. harvesters or mowers combined with threshing devices
- A01D41/04—Tractor-driven combines
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D41/00—Combines, i.e. harvesters or mowers combined with threshing devices
- A01D41/10—Field threshers with windrow pick-up apparatus
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Harvesting Machines For Specific Crops (AREA)
Abstract
HAY OR GRAIN TYPE CROP APPARATUS
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A combine including a hitch for being towed by a tractor such that in use it extends rearwardly and to one side of the tractor path is modified by providing adjust-ability to the main support wheels so that they can be turned relative to the main longitudinal axis of the com-bine. In this way, the combine can be towed at an adjust-able angle behind the tractor so that the pick-up extends outwardly to one side of the tractor at an angle to the direction of motion.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A combine including a hitch for being towed by a tractor such that in use it extends rearwardly and to one side of the tractor path is modified by providing adjust-ability to the main support wheels so that they can be turned relative to the main longitudinal axis of the com-bine. In this way, the combine can be towed at an adjust-able angle behind the tractor so that the pick-up extends outwardly to one side of the tractor at an angle to the direction of motion.
Description
3~
_ :L _ HAY OR GRAIN TYPE CROP APPARATUS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
. . .
This invention relates to apparatus of the type which is towed by a tractor for collecting ancl hand~ling grain or hay type crop. Combine har-vesters have been known for a very long time and many of these are self-propelled.
However, the less expensive type of apparatus is arranged for towing by a tractor, taking its power for the moving parts also Erom the tractor.
Gombines can either be used to collect a swath of the crop following which the crop is threshed to separate the grain or alternatively the combine can itself include cutters for cutting down the standing crop directly again following which the crop is threshed to separate the grain.
In both cases the grain is collected and can be clischarged by an auger into a truck which follows alongside the combine.
In the case of grain, the straw is usually chopped and spread over the ground alternatively it can be arranged in a swath behind the combine for burning.
Hay or other forage type crop such as alfalfa can also be harvested using the same apparatus either by collection from swath or by direct cutting in which case the crop is baled either into a circular bale or the more old fashioned rectangular bale. Threshing of the crop can take place to collect seed but in many cases this is ~ 3~
not necessary and the only operation carried out by the apparatus is to form the bale which is then col]ected in a suitable truck.
Apparatus of this type where the harvesting machine is towed by a tractor has been known for very many years and in all cases during the operation of the machine, the towing arrangement between the tractor and the apparatus has been arranged so that the apparatus or combine does not follow behind the tractor but travels rearwardly and to one side of the tractor so that it acts upon a strip of the ground alongside the tractor rather than the strip travelled on by the tractor during that run. The reason for this necessity to offset the combine from the tractor is of course obvious but it creates problems in that the forces on the tractor and the combine are not parallel to the direction of motion of the wheels. In addition the power coupling between the tractor and the combine has to change through two angles which is undesirable for proper communication of power. Further this oEfset towing arrangement causes problems when the ground is not level since any inclination of the ground to one side or the other increases the forces in the direction at right angles to the wheels. However these problems have been accepted for many years without any solution being available and it has been accepted that such towed combines are inferior ~- 3 to self-powered combines which does not of course have the same towing problem.
In addition, the angle oE the pick-up table relative to the direction oE motion has conventionaLly been fi~ced at a right angle, that -is the pick-up table lies across the direction oE motion. This fixed angle has prevented any adjustment of the direction of pick-up relative to the crop.
An entirely separate problem in relation to such combines has been that of transporting them from place when not in use. It will be appreciated that for most efficiency the width of the collecting section of the combine is as large as possible which makes towing of the combine for transportation a difficult problem. Many solutions have been proposed for this problem involving changing the direc~ion of movement of the combine when not in use, but this problem is totally unconnected with those problems which arise during use of the combine.
Rakes or cutters for hay have been proposed which instead of being towed by the tractor are connected to the front of the tractor but it will be appreciated that such pushed apparatus has totally different problems from that encountered by the offset towing arrangement described above with which the present invention is COIl-~3~
cerned.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
_ _ _ _ It is one object of the invention therefore to provide an apparatus for harvesting crops of the type which is towed by and powered by a tractor in which the probLems of the offset towing arrangement are reduced or overcome.
Accordingly the invention provides an apparatus of the type which is towed by a tractor for collecting and han~]ing grain or hay type crop comprising a main body including means Eor handling the crop~ crop collecting means arranged across the Eront end of the ma~ body for collecting the crop and feeding it into the main body, ground wheels for supporting the main body and the collect-ing means and hitch means connected to the main body so as to extend forwardly and sidewardly thereoE for connect:Lon to the tractor so as to pull the main body and the collecting means for transport thereof on the ground wheels across the ground for collecting and handling the crop, wherein the ground wheels are mounted on the main body at an acute angle thereto and the hitch means is connected to the main body at a position spaced rearwardly of the collecting means whereby the main body is towed by the tractor with at least part of the main body directLy behind the tractor and with the collecting means positioned forwardly and sidewardly of the connection between the hitch means and the main body so that the collecting means collects crop from a position sidewardly o:E the path of the tractor.
Lt is one advantage of the invention therefore that the apparatus is towed substantially directly behind the tractor but at the same time acts upon the strip of ground adjacent the tractor in the usual offset manner.
It is a further advantage of the invention that the fact that the apparatus substantially follows the tractor ~ - 5 overcomes the problems of operating on inclined surfaces.
A yet further advantage of the present invention that the colLecting or picking means oE the apparat-ls is arranged at an angle relative to the direction o~ motion and hence the picking ability is improved particularly in relation to lightweight swaths because of the angle of the pick up teeth relative to the swath.
A still further advantage of the present in-- vention that, in relation to threshing apparatus where the straw is cut and spread, the straw spreading is im-proved since it is thrown in a direction at an angle to the direction of motion of the apparatus.
A still further advantage of the invention is that the angle of the pick-up relative to the direction of motion can he adjusted to suit the particular nature of the crop being harvested. It has been found by the inventor that the angle of the pick-up table relative to the direction of motion is advantageous in harvesting crop in certain circumstances, and that this advantage can be maximized by adjustment of the angle.
The present invention can either be applied to combine harvesters including picking apparatus, threhsing apparatus and straw spreading apparatus or it can relate - to baliong machines including picking apparatus and baling apparatus for use particularly with Eorage type crops. It can additionally be applied to any other type of apparatus which picks up crops at a collecting part at the Eront of the apparatus and then operates upon the crops in a main body of the machine. In any oE these cases the picking or collecting part can either comprise merely a device for picking ~p swaths or for cutting the standing crop.
With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceec~s, the invention is herein describecl by reference to the accom-panying drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a description of the best mode known to the appl:Lcant ancl of the preferred typical embodiment oE the principles of the present inventlon~ i.n which:
DESCRIPTION OF T~IE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a prior art arrangement of combine harvesting apparatus towecl in offset arrangement by a tractor.
Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a com-bine harvesting apparatus according to the invention coupled to a tractor~
Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of the portion of Figure 2 showing the axle and hitch of the combine apparatus.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The conventional arrangement of towed combine harvester shown in Figure 1 comprises a tractor schematically indicated at 1~ and a combine harvester schematically indi-cated at 20. The tractor support at its rear hitch pin 11 for pivotally receiving a rigid hitch 21 of the combine 20. In addition the tractor supplies power adjacent the 0~3~
-- 7 ~
hitch pin by the conventional PTO drive arrangement .schemati-ally indicated at 12 this is coupLecl by a universal joint to a drive shaft 22 of the combine 20 which ln turn is coupled to a further universal joint schematically indicated at 23. The combine in the example illustrated comprises a collector 24 of conventional form including teeth for pick-ing up a swath of the crop lying in align parallel to and one side of the path of the tractor 10 as it moves in the direction indicated by the arrow 13. The collector 24 supplies the collected crop to a main body 25 of the combine which includes threshing apparatus schematically indicated at 26, a container schematically indicated at 27 for receiving grain or seed from the threshed material and a delivery auger 28 through which the material in the container 27 can be delivered to a truck moving alongside the combine on an intermittent basis. In addition the combine comprises a rear section 29 which acts to collect the straw after separation oE the grain and either to chop the straw into small fragments for spreading across the field behind the combine or to lay the straw in a Eurther swath depending upon the choice of various attachments made by the farmer according to his needs.
The main body 25 is mounted upon an axle 30 carry-ing ground wheels 31 and 32 upon which the main body and the rear portion are supported. In addition small castor 36~
type wheels 33, 3~ are provided at respective sides of the front of the col:Lector 24 to provicle some support for the collector 24 and to guide the front collecting teeth oE
the collector in the proper spacing from the ground. As shown at 2~1, the collector 24 includes a roller having flutes in at two directions ]eading toward an entrance to the main body 25 so that material collected by the teeth of the collector 24 is drawn towards the entrance for passage into the main body 25.
The hitch 21 is connected to one front corner of the main body 25 and is fixed rigidly thereto at a set angle relative to axis passing through the middle of the main body longitudinally thereof and at right angles to the axle 30 and the collector 24. The connection between the hitch 21 and the main body 25 is shown only schematically but it will be appreciated that the main body 25 includes a rigid chassis to which the hitch 21 is attached. The drive from the universal joint 23 is coupled via a torque-limiting clutch 231 to a gear box 232 of the combine 20 from which the main drive to the combine îs taken via a shaft 234 which extends transversely of the main body 25 to couple to drive belts (not shown) for the collector 24, threshing device 26 and straw spreader 29.
As the tractor 10 moves forwardly in the direction of the arrow 13 the combine 20 follows along a path which is parallel to the motion of the tractor and parallel to :`~
~ 3~
the direction of the wheeLs 3l, 32 and of:Eset from the path of the tractor to one side by a distance fixed by the angle of the hi.tch 21 relative to the main body 25. It will how-ever be appreciated that this o:ffset towing ar-rangement induces sideways forces on the wheels 31 and 32 tending to pull them across to a position directly behind the tractor and equal and opposite forces on the hitch pin ]l of the tractor. In addition the drive for the combine taken from the POT of the tractor has to change direction through two ;
angles at two universal couplings thus increasing forces on the moving parts. Furthermore when operating on a sideways incline the tendency of the wheels 31, 32 to slide behind the tractor 10 is enhanced thus causing severe problems in operating in this arrangement.
The apparatus of Figure 2 comprises the same struc-ture as shown in Figure 1 except that the combine 20 is modified in accordance with the invention such that the wheels 31, 32 can l.ie at an angle to the axis of the main body 25 of the combine 20.
As shown in more detail in Figure 3, the wheels 31, 32 in the modified arrangement are mounted upon stub axles 40, 41 supported upon king pins 42, 43 carried by the axle 30. Each of these stub axles 40, 41 supports a lever 44, 45 by which the angle of the stub axles 40, 41 with respect to the axle 30 can be changed so as to change :' the angle of the respective wheel to the ax:Ls of the rnain body 25. The levers 44, 45 are coupled by a tie bar 46 to maintain the wheels in parallel arrangement. A hydraulic ram 47 is mounted on the axle 30 and operates upon the lever 44 so as to hydraulically adjust the angLe oE the wheels relative to the main body 25 in accordance wLth operation of a control mechanism ~not shown) by the operator. In this way the angle of the wheels 31, 32 is continuously adJustable relative to the axis of the main body 25 from the normal position parallel to the axis to a position sub-stantially at right angles to the axis or transport of the combine when not in use in a direction at right angles to the axis of the main body. It will be appreciated that the stub axles 40, 41 space the wheels 31, 32 further from the main body 25 than are the wheels of the embodiment of Figure 1 in order to allow this free pivotal movement.
In the preferred orientation of the wheels 31, 32, they are arranged parallel to the hitch 21 so that as shown in Figure 2 with the tractor 10 moving in the direction of the arrow 13 the hitch 21 lies directly behind the tractor and parallel to the direction of motion thereof which again is parallel to the wheels 31, 32. Thus the forces on the hitch and on the wheels 31, 32 are removed and the main body follows substantially directly behind the tractor 10.
As the collector 24 is arranged at a position spaced from the connection oE the hitch 21 with the main body 25, the collector 24 projects forwardly and sidewardly of the connection and thus projects to one side OL the path of the tractor as shown in Figure 2. Thus the collecto-r 24 acts upon a swath, schematically indicated at 14, which lies to one side of the path of the tractor lO. In this the combine acts to collect the swath in the usual manner while the undesirable forces upon the wheels, hitch and drive transmlssion are removed. In addition the angle of the pick-up teeth of the collector 24 relative to the swath assists in the picking up of the crop from the ground so that less is missed thus reducing losses incurred in the harvesting of the crop.
As the angle of the wheels 31, 32 relative to the axis 251 is adjustable, the apparatus can be used with the hitch 21 at a slight angle to the towing direction of the tractor if required, but it will be noted that a por-tion of the main body 25 lies behind the tractor lO thus reducing the undesirable forces described above.
The adjustment of this angle to vary the angle of the collector 24 or pick-up table relative to the direc-tion of motion can be made according to the condition of the crop being harvested.
The combine 20 is merely illustrative of appara-3~3~
- ~2 tus in whi.ch the invention can be employed since the com bine could include a crop cutting apparatus in place of the collector 24 so as to directly cut standing c:rop for threshing in the main body 25. A].ternati.vely, the appa ratus coul~ comprise a baler incorporating either the collector 24 or a crop cutting device described above in which the threshing apparatus 26 of the main body 25 i.s replaced by a baling device (not shown).
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing :Erom such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter con~
tained in the accompanying specification shall be inter-preted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
_ :L _ HAY OR GRAIN TYPE CROP APPARATUS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
. . .
This invention relates to apparatus of the type which is towed by a tractor for collecting ancl hand~ling grain or hay type crop. Combine har-vesters have been known for a very long time and many of these are self-propelled.
However, the less expensive type of apparatus is arranged for towing by a tractor, taking its power for the moving parts also Erom the tractor.
Gombines can either be used to collect a swath of the crop following which the crop is threshed to separate the grain or alternatively the combine can itself include cutters for cutting down the standing crop directly again following which the crop is threshed to separate the grain.
In both cases the grain is collected and can be clischarged by an auger into a truck which follows alongside the combine.
In the case of grain, the straw is usually chopped and spread over the ground alternatively it can be arranged in a swath behind the combine for burning.
Hay or other forage type crop such as alfalfa can also be harvested using the same apparatus either by collection from swath or by direct cutting in which case the crop is baled either into a circular bale or the more old fashioned rectangular bale. Threshing of the crop can take place to collect seed but in many cases this is ~ 3~
not necessary and the only operation carried out by the apparatus is to form the bale which is then col]ected in a suitable truck.
Apparatus of this type where the harvesting machine is towed by a tractor has been known for very many years and in all cases during the operation of the machine, the towing arrangement between the tractor and the apparatus has been arranged so that the apparatus or combine does not follow behind the tractor but travels rearwardly and to one side of the tractor so that it acts upon a strip of the ground alongside the tractor rather than the strip travelled on by the tractor during that run. The reason for this necessity to offset the combine from the tractor is of course obvious but it creates problems in that the forces on the tractor and the combine are not parallel to the direction of motion of the wheels. In addition the power coupling between the tractor and the combine has to change through two angles which is undesirable for proper communication of power. Further this oEfset towing arrangement causes problems when the ground is not level since any inclination of the ground to one side or the other increases the forces in the direction at right angles to the wheels. However these problems have been accepted for many years without any solution being available and it has been accepted that such towed combines are inferior ~- 3 to self-powered combines which does not of course have the same towing problem.
In addition, the angle oE the pick-up table relative to the direction oE motion has conventionaLly been fi~ced at a right angle, that -is the pick-up table lies across the direction oE motion. This fixed angle has prevented any adjustment of the direction of pick-up relative to the crop.
An entirely separate problem in relation to such combines has been that of transporting them from place when not in use. It will be appreciated that for most efficiency the width of the collecting section of the combine is as large as possible which makes towing of the combine for transportation a difficult problem. Many solutions have been proposed for this problem involving changing the direc~ion of movement of the combine when not in use, but this problem is totally unconnected with those problems which arise during use of the combine.
Rakes or cutters for hay have been proposed which instead of being towed by the tractor are connected to the front of the tractor but it will be appreciated that such pushed apparatus has totally different problems from that encountered by the offset towing arrangement described above with which the present invention is COIl-~3~
cerned.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
_ _ _ _ It is one object of the invention therefore to provide an apparatus for harvesting crops of the type which is towed by and powered by a tractor in which the probLems of the offset towing arrangement are reduced or overcome.
Accordingly the invention provides an apparatus of the type which is towed by a tractor for collecting and han~]ing grain or hay type crop comprising a main body including means Eor handling the crop~ crop collecting means arranged across the Eront end of the ma~ body for collecting the crop and feeding it into the main body, ground wheels for supporting the main body and the collect-ing means and hitch means connected to the main body so as to extend forwardly and sidewardly thereoE for connect:Lon to the tractor so as to pull the main body and the collecting means for transport thereof on the ground wheels across the ground for collecting and handling the crop, wherein the ground wheels are mounted on the main body at an acute angle thereto and the hitch means is connected to the main body at a position spaced rearwardly of the collecting means whereby the main body is towed by the tractor with at least part of the main body directLy behind the tractor and with the collecting means positioned forwardly and sidewardly of the connection between the hitch means and the main body so that the collecting means collects crop from a position sidewardly o:E the path of the tractor.
Lt is one advantage of the invention therefore that the apparatus is towed substantially directly behind the tractor but at the same time acts upon the strip of ground adjacent the tractor in the usual offset manner.
It is a further advantage of the invention that the fact that the apparatus substantially follows the tractor ~ - 5 overcomes the problems of operating on inclined surfaces.
A yet further advantage of the present invention that the colLecting or picking means oE the apparat-ls is arranged at an angle relative to the direction o~ motion and hence the picking ability is improved particularly in relation to lightweight swaths because of the angle of the pick up teeth relative to the swath.
A still further advantage of the present in-- vention that, in relation to threshing apparatus where the straw is cut and spread, the straw spreading is im-proved since it is thrown in a direction at an angle to the direction of motion of the apparatus.
A still further advantage of the invention is that the angle of the pick-up relative to the direction of motion can he adjusted to suit the particular nature of the crop being harvested. It has been found by the inventor that the angle of the pick-up table relative to the direction of motion is advantageous in harvesting crop in certain circumstances, and that this advantage can be maximized by adjustment of the angle.
The present invention can either be applied to combine harvesters including picking apparatus, threhsing apparatus and straw spreading apparatus or it can relate - to baliong machines including picking apparatus and baling apparatus for use particularly with Eorage type crops. It can additionally be applied to any other type of apparatus which picks up crops at a collecting part at the Eront of the apparatus and then operates upon the crops in a main body of the machine. In any oE these cases the picking or collecting part can either comprise merely a device for picking ~p swaths or for cutting the standing crop.
With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceec~s, the invention is herein describecl by reference to the accom-panying drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a description of the best mode known to the appl:Lcant ancl of the preferred typical embodiment oE the principles of the present inventlon~ i.n which:
DESCRIPTION OF T~IE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a prior art arrangement of combine harvesting apparatus towecl in offset arrangement by a tractor.
Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a com-bine harvesting apparatus according to the invention coupled to a tractor~
Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of the portion of Figure 2 showing the axle and hitch of the combine apparatus.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The conventional arrangement of towed combine harvester shown in Figure 1 comprises a tractor schematically indicated at 1~ and a combine harvester schematically indi-cated at 20. The tractor support at its rear hitch pin 11 for pivotally receiving a rigid hitch 21 of the combine 20. In addition the tractor supplies power adjacent the 0~3~
-- 7 ~
hitch pin by the conventional PTO drive arrangement .schemati-ally indicated at 12 this is coupLecl by a universal joint to a drive shaft 22 of the combine 20 which ln turn is coupled to a further universal joint schematically indicated at 23. The combine in the example illustrated comprises a collector 24 of conventional form including teeth for pick-ing up a swath of the crop lying in align parallel to and one side of the path of the tractor 10 as it moves in the direction indicated by the arrow 13. The collector 24 supplies the collected crop to a main body 25 of the combine which includes threshing apparatus schematically indicated at 26, a container schematically indicated at 27 for receiving grain or seed from the threshed material and a delivery auger 28 through which the material in the container 27 can be delivered to a truck moving alongside the combine on an intermittent basis. In addition the combine comprises a rear section 29 which acts to collect the straw after separation oE the grain and either to chop the straw into small fragments for spreading across the field behind the combine or to lay the straw in a Eurther swath depending upon the choice of various attachments made by the farmer according to his needs.
The main body 25 is mounted upon an axle 30 carry-ing ground wheels 31 and 32 upon which the main body and the rear portion are supported. In addition small castor 36~
type wheels 33, 3~ are provided at respective sides of the front of the col:Lector 24 to provicle some support for the collector 24 and to guide the front collecting teeth oE
the collector in the proper spacing from the ground. As shown at 2~1, the collector 24 includes a roller having flutes in at two directions ]eading toward an entrance to the main body 25 so that material collected by the teeth of the collector 24 is drawn towards the entrance for passage into the main body 25.
The hitch 21 is connected to one front corner of the main body 25 and is fixed rigidly thereto at a set angle relative to axis passing through the middle of the main body longitudinally thereof and at right angles to the axle 30 and the collector 24. The connection between the hitch 21 and the main body 25 is shown only schematically but it will be appreciated that the main body 25 includes a rigid chassis to which the hitch 21 is attached. The drive from the universal joint 23 is coupled via a torque-limiting clutch 231 to a gear box 232 of the combine 20 from which the main drive to the combine îs taken via a shaft 234 which extends transversely of the main body 25 to couple to drive belts (not shown) for the collector 24, threshing device 26 and straw spreader 29.
As the tractor 10 moves forwardly in the direction of the arrow 13 the combine 20 follows along a path which is parallel to the motion of the tractor and parallel to :`~
~ 3~
the direction of the wheeLs 3l, 32 and of:Eset from the path of the tractor to one side by a distance fixed by the angle of the hi.tch 21 relative to the main body 25. It will how-ever be appreciated that this o:ffset towing ar-rangement induces sideways forces on the wheels 31 and 32 tending to pull them across to a position directly behind the tractor and equal and opposite forces on the hitch pin ]l of the tractor. In addition the drive for the combine taken from the POT of the tractor has to change direction through two ;
angles at two universal couplings thus increasing forces on the moving parts. Furthermore when operating on a sideways incline the tendency of the wheels 31, 32 to slide behind the tractor 10 is enhanced thus causing severe problems in operating in this arrangement.
The apparatus of Figure 2 comprises the same struc-ture as shown in Figure 1 except that the combine 20 is modified in accordance with the invention such that the wheels 31, 32 can l.ie at an angle to the axis of the main body 25 of the combine 20.
As shown in more detail in Figure 3, the wheels 31, 32 in the modified arrangement are mounted upon stub axles 40, 41 supported upon king pins 42, 43 carried by the axle 30. Each of these stub axles 40, 41 supports a lever 44, 45 by which the angle of the stub axles 40, 41 with respect to the axle 30 can be changed so as to change :' the angle of the respective wheel to the ax:Ls of the rnain body 25. The levers 44, 45 are coupled by a tie bar 46 to maintain the wheels in parallel arrangement. A hydraulic ram 47 is mounted on the axle 30 and operates upon the lever 44 so as to hydraulically adjust the angLe oE the wheels relative to the main body 25 in accordance wLth operation of a control mechanism ~not shown) by the operator. In this way the angle of the wheels 31, 32 is continuously adJustable relative to the axis of the main body 25 from the normal position parallel to the axis to a position sub-stantially at right angles to the axis or transport of the combine when not in use in a direction at right angles to the axis of the main body. It will be appreciated that the stub axles 40, 41 space the wheels 31, 32 further from the main body 25 than are the wheels of the embodiment of Figure 1 in order to allow this free pivotal movement.
In the preferred orientation of the wheels 31, 32, they are arranged parallel to the hitch 21 so that as shown in Figure 2 with the tractor 10 moving in the direction of the arrow 13 the hitch 21 lies directly behind the tractor and parallel to the direction of motion thereof which again is parallel to the wheels 31, 32. Thus the forces on the hitch and on the wheels 31, 32 are removed and the main body follows substantially directly behind the tractor 10.
As the collector 24 is arranged at a position spaced from the connection oE the hitch 21 with the main body 25, the collector 24 projects forwardly and sidewardly of the connection and thus projects to one side OL the path of the tractor as shown in Figure 2. Thus the collecto-r 24 acts upon a swath, schematically indicated at 14, which lies to one side of the path of the tractor lO. In this the combine acts to collect the swath in the usual manner while the undesirable forces upon the wheels, hitch and drive transmlssion are removed. In addition the angle of the pick-up teeth of the collector 24 relative to the swath assists in the picking up of the crop from the ground so that less is missed thus reducing losses incurred in the harvesting of the crop.
As the angle of the wheels 31, 32 relative to the axis 251 is adjustable, the apparatus can be used with the hitch 21 at a slight angle to the towing direction of the tractor if required, but it will be noted that a por-tion of the main body 25 lies behind the tractor lO thus reducing the undesirable forces described above.
The adjustment of this angle to vary the angle of the collector 24 or pick-up table relative to the direc-tion of motion can be made according to the condition of the crop being harvested.
The combine 20 is merely illustrative of appara-3~3~
- ~2 tus in whi.ch the invention can be employed since the com bine could include a crop cutting apparatus in place of the collector 24 so as to directly cut standing c:rop for threshing in the main body 25. A].ternati.vely, the appa ratus coul~ comprise a baler incorporating either the collector 24 or a crop cutting device described above in which the threshing apparatus 26 of the main body 25 i.s replaced by a baling device (not shown).
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing :Erom such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter con~
tained in the accompanying specification shall be inter-preted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
Claims
WHAT I CLAIM AS MY INVENTION:
(1) A combine harvester apparatus of the type which is towed by a tractor for harvesting grain from a swath-type crop comprising a main body including means for handling the crop, the main body having a longitudinal axis passing there-through substantially parallel to the general direction of flow of crop through the main body, a pick-up assembly arran-ged across the front end of the main body at right angles to the axis and including a plurality of pick-up teeth mo-vable along the axis for engaging and lifting the crop in the swath so as to feed it into the main body, ground wheels for supporting the main body and the pick-up assembly, hitch means connected to the main body so as to extend forwardly and sidewardly thereof for connection to the tractor so as to pull the main body and the pick-up assembly for trans-port thereof on the ground wheels across the ground for collecting and handling the crop, and adjustable mounting means for mounting the ground wheels on the main body at an adjustable acute angle thereto, the hitch means being directly connected to the main body at a position spaced rearwardly of the pick-up assembly whereby the main body is towed by the tractor with at least part of the main body directly behind the tractor and with the pick-up assembly positioned forwardly and sidewardly of the connection bet-ween the hitch means and the main body so that the pick-up assembly collects crop from a position sidewardly of the path of the tractor with the teeth inclined to the length of the swath.
(2) Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the adjustable mounting means is arranged to adjust the angle of the ground wheels relative to an axle.
(3) Apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein the adjusting means includes a pair of king pins and wherein each of the wheels includes a respective stub axle for mounting the wheel via the respective king pin on the axle.
(4) Apparatus according to Claim 3 including a tie rod connecting the stub axles and means for adjusting the position of the stub axles relative to the axle.
(5) Apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein the means for adjusting comprises an hydraulic ram.
(6) Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the hitch means and the ground wheels are arranged such that when towed by the tractor they lie parallel whereby the hitch means follows directly behind the tractor and lies parallel to its direction.
(7) Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the handling means includes means for baling the crop.
(1) A combine harvester apparatus of the type which is towed by a tractor for harvesting grain from a swath-type crop comprising a main body including means for handling the crop, the main body having a longitudinal axis passing there-through substantially parallel to the general direction of flow of crop through the main body, a pick-up assembly arran-ged across the front end of the main body at right angles to the axis and including a plurality of pick-up teeth mo-vable along the axis for engaging and lifting the crop in the swath so as to feed it into the main body, ground wheels for supporting the main body and the pick-up assembly, hitch means connected to the main body so as to extend forwardly and sidewardly thereof for connection to the tractor so as to pull the main body and the pick-up assembly for trans-port thereof on the ground wheels across the ground for collecting and handling the crop, and adjustable mounting means for mounting the ground wheels on the main body at an adjustable acute angle thereto, the hitch means being directly connected to the main body at a position spaced rearwardly of the pick-up assembly whereby the main body is towed by the tractor with at least part of the main body directly behind the tractor and with the pick-up assembly positioned forwardly and sidewardly of the connection bet-ween the hitch means and the main body so that the pick-up assembly collects crop from a position sidewardly of the path of the tractor with the teeth inclined to the length of the swath.
(2) Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the adjustable mounting means is arranged to adjust the angle of the ground wheels relative to an axle.
(3) Apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein the adjusting means includes a pair of king pins and wherein each of the wheels includes a respective stub axle for mounting the wheel via the respective king pin on the axle.
(4) Apparatus according to Claim 3 including a tie rod connecting the stub axles and means for adjusting the position of the stub axles relative to the axle.
(5) Apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein the means for adjusting comprises an hydraulic ram.
(6) Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the hitch means and the ground wheels are arranged such that when towed by the tractor they lie parallel whereby the hitch means follows directly behind the tractor and lies parallel to its direction.
(7) Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the handling means includes means for baling the crop.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000421948A CA1183006A (en) | 1983-02-18 | 1983-02-18 | Hay or grain type crop apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000421948A CA1183006A (en) | 1983-02-18 | 1983-02-18 | Hay or grain type crop apparatus |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1183006A true CA1183006A (en) | 1985-02-26 |
Family
ID=4124598
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000421948A Expired CA1183006A (en) | 1983-02-18 | 1983-02-18 | Hay or grain type crop apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1183006A (en) |
-
1983
- 1983-02-18 CA CA000421948A patent/CA1183006A/en not_active Expired
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| MKEC | Expiry (correction) | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |