Patent ID: 6813873
Filing Date: 2004-11-09
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
In a crop harvesting machine movable along a direction of travel and having a crop feeder device movable through variable heights above the ground through manipulation of first hydraulic cylinders and a crop gathering attachment mounted on a front side of said crop feeder device, said crop gathering attachment including fixed height sensors for measuring a distance of the attachment above the ground, said height sensors being connected via a controller to said first hydraulic cylinders for the controlling the height of said crop feeder device and said crop gathering attachment mounted thereto, the improvement comprising:said crop gathering attachment being mounted on a first axle carried by said crop feeder device, said first axis being arranged horizontally and transversely to the direction of travel of said crop harvesting machine so that said crop gathering attachment can title about a defined angle of tilt relative to said crop feeder device; a second hydraulic cylinder positioned between said crop feeder device and said crop gathering attachment to control the angle of tilt of said crop gathering attachment relative to said crop feeder device with a defined range, said second hydraulic cylinder being operatively connected to said controller; a third hydraulic cylinder operably connected between said crop gathering attachment and said crop feeder device to rotate said crop gathering attachment about a generally horizontal second axis extending in the direction of travel; a tilt sensor for monitoring the angle of tile, said tilt sensor being connected via the controller to said first and second hydraulic cylinders to vary said angle of tilt; and the height sensors also being connected via the controller with said first and second hydraulic cylinders to vary the angle of tilt.