WO2011112079A1

WO2011112079A1 - Haymaking device

Info

Publication number: WO2011112079A1
Application number: PCT/NL2011/000016
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Arnold; Cornelis Chrstianus Franciscus Havermans; Marc Rinkel
Original assignee: Forage Innovations B.V.
Priority date: 2010-03-08
Filing date: 2011-03-04
Publication date: 2011-09-15
Also published as: EP2544522A1; NL1037782C2

Abstract

Haymaking device (1), comprising a frame with a main beam (2) which extends in a longitudinal direction and defines a longitudinal centre line (S), and two side arms (4a, b) extending sidewardly on both sides of the main beam (2), wherein the side arms (4a, b) each carry at least one crop processing tool which is driven in a rotating manner, wherein the crop processing tools are each provided with a drive for the rotation thereof, which drive comprises a drive shaft which extends between a first end at the main beam (2) and a second end in transverse direction at a distance therefrom, wherein the first end is in operative connection with a first transmission to which a main drive shaft (51) extending along the main beam (2) is operatively connected, wherein the first transmission is movable in a vertical plane which contains the longitudinal centre line (S)

Description

Haymaking device

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a haymaking device having crop processing tools, such as mowers, rakes or tedders. The invention relates in particular to a rake device.

Haymaking devices can be designed so as to have a main beam and side arms projecting on both sides thereof, on which side arms one or more crop processing tools are mounted. In order to limit the width in the transport position, the tools can be pivoted to a 90 degrees upwardly pivoted position in which their axes of rotation, if any, are oriented substantially horizontally and in which they are completely free from the ground.

At its front end, the main beam is provided with a hitch for hitching to a tractor. A coupling end of a main drive shaft which extends along the main beam is also located there, which coupling end can be coupled to the pto or power takeoff of the tractor. At the other end, in the region of a central transmission, the main drive shaft is coupled to drive shafts for the tools, such as rake wheels.

If the working width of the haymaking device is adjusted, facilities are required to maintain an operative connection between the main drive shaft and the drive shafts. Maintaining said operative connection is also desired in the case of movement of the side arms to and from the transport position.

In this case, attention should be paid that, in the region of the transmission, the angle between the ingoing shaft and the outgoing shaft does not impede a proper functioning.

EP 2.022.316 discloses a rake device having two side arms which project transversely to the main beam and are each provided with a rake wheel, which side arms comprise a part which is foldable per se. The drive shafts for the rake wheels are divided by means of a right-angled transmission which is mounted on the end of a rod which is movably connected to an end part of the side arm. When folding in the side arm, the transmission moves forwardly and upwardly to a position near the main beam.

EP 2.022.317 discloses a rake device having two side arms which extend obliquely forwardly in operative position and each carry two rake wheels, and therebehind two additional side arms which project transversely from the main beam and each carry one rake wheel. At the end of the main beam, in the region of the hinge connections of the side arms to the main beam, there is mounted a central transmission, to which the drive shafts for the rake wheels are connected. The main beam per se is adjustable in length, like the main drive shaft.

EP 1.095.555 shows a rake device having two side arms projecting transversely to a main beam, a part of said side arms being extendable/retractable. The drive shafts to the rake wheels at the ends of the side arms are divided in the region of a right-angled transmission which follows the sliding movement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a haymaking device of the type mentioned in the preamble, in particular a rake device, by means of which the drive elements, in particular the drive shafts, which extend between a central transmission on the main beam and the crop processing tools, can be given an acceptable direction, in particular a relatively favourable direction, over a large range of working widths.

It is an object of the invention to provide a haymaking device of the type mentioned in the preamble, in particular a rake device, having a simply constructed drive for the crop processing tools.

It is an object of the invention to provide a haymaking device of the type mentioned in the preamble, in particular a rake device, which can be brought into a transport position in a favourable manner.

It is an object of the invention to provide a haymaking device of the type mentioned in the preamble, in particular a rake device, which can be folded in and out in a favourable manner.

To achieve at least one of these objects, the invention provides, from one aspect, a haymaking device, comprising a frame with a main beam which extends in a longitudinal direction and defines a longitudinal centre line, and two side arms extending sidewardly on both sides of the main beam, wherein the side arms each carry at least one crop processing tool which is driven in a rotating manner and whose distance from the main beam is adjustable, wherein a main drive shaft extends along the main beam, wherein secondary drive shafts are mounted on both sides of the main beam for driving the tool carried by the respective side arm, wherein the main drive shaft and the secondary drive shafts are in operative connection with each other by means of a first transmission, in particular a gearbox, wherein the first transmission is movable in a vertical plane which contains the longitudinal centre line.

By making the first, central transmission, by means of which secondary drive shafts extending to both sides are coupled, movable itself in the central plane, in one movement (of the central transmission), on both sides influence is exerted on the orientation of the secondary drive shaft there, as a result of which symmetry of adjustment of the haymaking device and simplicity of the haymaking device whose working width is adjustable are increased.

In a first, simple further development, the first transmission is movable in a movement with a horizontal directional component, oriented along the main beam, preferably parallel to the main beam. In this case, the main beam can be provided with a guide means for the movement of the first transmission, in order to control the first transmission during the movement.

In a second, further development, the first transmission is also movable with a vertical directional component in said vertical plane, preferably in an area above the main beam, where sufficient space is available. In this case, the first transmission can be movable by a pivoting movement about a pivot centre line transverse to the vertical plane. For this purpose, the first transmission can be mounted on a pivot arm, a first end of which is mounted to the main beam in a manner in which it is pivotable about the pivot centre line in the vertical plane.

One type of the haymaking devices, in particular rake devices, is provided with side arms which are pivotable in a horizontal plane. The side arms are, in the region of a hinge connection in a horizontal plane, rotatably connected to the main beam for movement between a transport position, in which they extend substantially along the main beam, at a first angle to the main beam, and an operative position, in which the side arms extend from the main beam at a second angle, larger than the first angle, wherein a front side of the main beam is provided with means for hitching to a tractor, wherein the distance between the hinge connections and the hitching means is adjustable. In this manner, a plurality of working widths, and also a transport position, can be achieved. The invention can advantageously be combined with such a type of device.

The hinge connections can be mounted on a slide element which is slidable along the main beam, whilst moving the side arms between the operative position and the transport position. The slide element and the first transmission can then be interconnected for interconnected movement. Said coupling can take place by means of one or more connecting rods which can directly transmit pulling and pushing forces.

In one embodiment, there are also provided means for keeping the slide element and the first transmission disconnected from each other over a part of the movement of the slide element or the first transmission. It is thus possible to achieve a movement sequence, in dependence on when and over which trajectory the connected movement is desired. In an embodiment thereof, having the aforementioned first transmission which is movable along the main beam, the device can be provided with a stop for limiting the movement of the first transmission, in particular in the case of movement to the transport position, and with means for disengagement of the connection between the slide element and the first transmission upon arrival of the first transmission at the stop. In that case, in a final trajectory only the slide element will be moved. This can, for example, be advantageous if the place where the first transmission remains behind is advantageous to the transport position, in relation to the location of other components of the device.

In particular in the aforementioned embodiment having a first transmission which is movable along the main beam, the main drive shaft can be adjustable in length, so that the movement of the slide element is followed by lengthening/shortening of the main drive shaft.

In the case of the other embodiment, having a pivot arm, the ends of the connecting rod can be rotatably connected to the slide element and the pivot arm, respectively, at a distance from the first end thereof, so that the control of the movement of the pivot arm is promoted.

In the aforementioned embodiment having a pivot arm and a slide element, the entrance of the first transmission can be operatively connected to a rear end of the main drive shaft by means of an intermediate drive shaft, wherein a front end of the main beam is provided with means for hitching to a tractor, wherein the rear end of the main drive shaft is stationary in longitudinal direction with respect to the hitching means. The first transmission can be rotatable with respect to the pivot arm about a centre line which is parallel to the pivot centre line of the pivot arm.

The extent to which the device can be folded in/folded out can be increased if the drive shafts are adjustable in length.

In all embodiments, the second ends of the above-mentioned secondary drive shafts can be functionally connected to respective further transmissions, in particular gearboxes, which are mounted on the respective side arm, preferably in each case near the end of the respective side arm, wherein the further transmissions are in operative connection with at least one crop processing tool. In each case more than one crop processing tool can be mounted on the end of the respective side arm, wherein the crop processing tools mounted on the respective side arm are driven by the same secondary drive shaft. In a compact embodiment, the further transmissions are located in each case between the two crop processing tools, when viewed in transverse direction.

In an embodiment as a rake device, the crop processing tool is a rake provided with a circular rake wheel having a substantially vertical rotor centre line in operative position.

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

The invention will be explained with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying figures, in which:

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 and 3B show details of the device of Figure 1 in two stages of transition from an operative position to a transport position;

Figure 4 shows the device of Figure 1 during the transition from an operative position to the transport position;

Figures 5A, 5B and 5C show, in a top view, the operative position of Figure

1 , a narrower operative position and a transport position of the device of Figure 1 , respectively;

Figure 6 shows a side view of the device of Figure 1 in transport position behind a tractor; and

Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a central part of the device of

Figure 1.

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, 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 frames, 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. 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, b 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 (see also Figures 2A-C) connected to the main beam 2 by means of holding rods 10a, b, the outer ends of said holding rods 10a, b being hingeably connected, in the region of hinges 12a,b, 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, in the region of hinges 14a, b, to the slide element 5. 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 6a,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 Figures 5A,B, 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. The satellite arms 21 a, b and 22a, b extend parallel to the longitudinal centre line S.

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, there are provided cylinders 41 a, b, whose piston rods 43a, b engage the telescopic arms 33a, b.

Outwardlly 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, there are provided cylinders 42a, b, 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 21 a, 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 location of the pivot centre lines C3,4, see also Figure 5A. 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, in a vertical plane which contains the longitudinal centre line S, is movably supported by the main beam 2. 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, an intermediate shaft 51 a in a bearing mounted on the front end of the main beam 2 and a cardan coupling, 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 an exit which extends 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.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 , 2A-, 3A and 3B, 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 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 also the relative mutual position of the rake wheels 7a, 8a and 7b, 8b and their rotor centre lines in transverse direction can be set.

When changing the working width of the device 1 and passing to the transport position, the aforementioned cardan couplings can assume the desired angular position.

In the position shown in Figures 1 and 5A, 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 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 5A to Figure

5B) or to bring the device into the transport position (Figure 5C), 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 said base are then reduced. When the desired working width has been achieved (see for example Figure 5B), the operation of the cylinder 70, and consequently the movement 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 also the satellite frames 6a, b maintain their orientation.

In the position of minimum working width of Figure 5B, 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 4, 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 5C - 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. Moreover, the length of the main beam can be kept limited.

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.

When the side arms 4a, b are pivoted about the hinges 14a,b, the distance between the second and third gearboxes 53a, b, 55c, d and the longitudinal centre line S changes. This change should be absorbed by the telescopic secondary drive shafts 52a, b. However, telescopic shafts can do this only to a limited extent. By moving the ends of the secondary drive shafts also with respect to each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal centre line S, the extent to which the shortening/lengthening is required can be limited.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 ,2A-C, 3A and 3B, for this purpose the slide 67, and consequently the central gearbox 50, is connected for collective movement to the slide element 5 via the rods 60. The main drive shaft 51 is then shortened in a telescopic manner. In this example, it has been decided not to take along the slide 67 over the entire trajectory of the slide element 5 and to limit the length of the rails 66, also with a view to the space available in the transport position (see Figures 5C and 6). 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 behind 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.

Figure 7 shows an alternative for making the central gearbox move along with the slide element. The central gearbox 50' is mounted to the end of a pivot arm 67'. In the region of a hinge 77 located somewhat behind the bracket 20', the pivot arm 67' is pivotable about centre line T which is at right angles to a vertical central plane which contains the longitudinal centre line S. The central gearbox 50' can rotate in said vertical central plane with respect to the arm 67'. Within the pivot arm 67' there is an intermediate drive shaft 75 which is operatively coupled by means of a wide-angle cardan coupling 76 to the main drive shaft included in the main beam 2'. In a region between its ends, the pivot arm 67' is movably connected to the rear end of a pulling/pushing rod 60' whose front end is mounted to the slide element 5'. Here, the cylinder 70 is located below the main beam 2.

In the maximum operative position, the pivot arm 67' can be located in the main beam 2', the central gearbox 50' then being located at lateral openings 73 in the main beam 2', through which the two exits of the central gearbox can project. The pivot arm 67' then rests in a position in which the connection to the connecting rod 6' is located at a higher level than the hinge 77. When the cylinder 70 is then activated and the slide element 5' is forced forwardly, the connecting rod 60' will make the pivot arm 67' pivot upwardly to the position shown in Figure 6 and further, if desired, until the slide element 5' has arrived at the hitch 3 and the pivot arm 67' is in a forwardly tilted position. When the side arms 4a, b are again folded out, said movements take place in reverse order.

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), comprising a frame with a main beam (2) which extends in a longitudinal direction and defines a longitudinal centre line (S), and two side arms (4a, b) extending sidewardly on both sides of the main beam (2), wherein the side arms (4a, b) each carry at least one crop processing tool which is driven in a rotating manner and whose distance from the main beam (2) is adjustable, wherein a main drive shaft (51 ) extends along the main beam (2), wherein secondary drive shafts (52a, b) are mounted on both sides of the main beam (2) for driving the tool carried by the respective side arm, wherein the main drive shaft (51) and the secondary drive shafts (52a, b) are in operative connection with each other by means of a first transmission, in particular a gearbox (50), characterized in that the first transmission is movable in a vertical plane which contains the longitudinal centre line (S).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the first transmission is movable in a movement with a horizontal directional component, oriented along the main beam (2).

3. Device (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the first transmission is movable in a movement parallel to the main beam (2).

4. Device (1 ) according to claim 3, wherein the main beam (2) is provided with a guide means for the movement of the first transmission.

5. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first transmission is also movable with a vertical directional component in said vertical plane, preferably in an area above the main beam (2).

6. Device (1 ) according to claim 5, wherein the first transmission is movable by a pivoting movement about a pivot centre line (C1 ,2,3,4) transverse to the vertical plane.

7. Device (1 ) according to claim 6, wherein the first transmission is mounted on a pivot arm, a first end of which is mounted to the main beam (2) in a manner in which it is pivotable about the pivot centre line (C1 ,2,3,4) in the vertical plane.

8. Device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side arms (4a, b) are, in the region of a hinge connection in a horizontal plane, rotatably connected to the main beam (2) for movement between a transport position, in which they extend substantially along the main beam (2), at a first angle to the main beam (2), and an operative position, in which the side arms (4a, b) extend from the main beam (2) at a second angle, larger than the first angle, wherein a front side of the main beam (2) is provided with means for hitching to a tractor, wherein the distance between the hinge connection and the hitching means is adjustable.

9. Device (1 ) according to claim 8, wherein the hinge connection is mounted on a slide element which is slidable along the main beam (2), whilst moving the side arms (4a, b) between the operative position and the transport position.

10. Device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the slide element and the first transmission are interconnected for interconnected movement.

1 1 . Device (1 ) according to claim 10, wherein the slide element and the first transmission are interconnected by means of one or more connecting rods.

12. Device (1 ) according to claim 10 or 1 1 , provided with means for keeping the slide element and the first transmission disconnected from each other over a part of the movement of the slide element or the first transmission.

13. Device (1 ) according to claim 12, when depending on claim 3 or 4, provided with a stop for limiting the movement of the first transmission, in particular in the case of movement to the transport position, and with means for disengaging the connection between the slide element and the first transmission when the first transmission arrives at the stop.

14. Device (1) according to any one of claims 8-13, when depending on any one of claims 1-4, wherein the main drive shaft (51 ) is adjustable in length.

15. Device (1 ) according to claims 7 and 1 1 , wherein the ends of the connecting rod are rotatably connected to the slide element and the pivot arm, respectively, at a distance from the first ends thereof.

16. Device (1) according to any one of claims 8-12, when depending on any one of claims 5, 6 or 7, wherein the entrance of the first transmission is operatively connected to a rear end of the main drive shaft (51 ) by means of an intermediate drive shaft, wherein a front end of the main beam (2) is provided with means for hitching to a tractor, wherein the rear end of the main drive shaft (51) is stationary in longitudinal direction with respect to the hitching means.

17. Device (1) according to claim 16, wherein the first transmission is rotatable with respect to the pivot arm about a centre line which is parallel to the pivot centre line of the pivot arm.

18. Device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the secondary drive shafts (52a, b) are adjustable in length.

19. Device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second ends of the secondary drive shafts (52a, b) are functionally connected to respective further transmissions, in particular gearboxes, which are mounted on the respective side arm, preferably in each case near the end of the respective side arm, wherein the further transmissions are in operative connection with at least one crop processing tool.

20. Device (1 ) according to claim 19, wherein in each case more than one crop processing tool is mounted on the end of the respective side arm, wherein the crop processing tools mounted on the respective side arm are driven by the same secondary drive shaft (52a, b).

21 . Device (1 ) according to claim 20, wherein the further transmissions are located between the two crop processing tools, when viewed in transverse direction.

22. Device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the crop processing tool is a rake provided with a circular rake wheel having a substantially vertical rotor centre line in operative position.