Patent ID: 6481192
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
In a crop harvester havinga wheeled frame, a tongue having a forward end extending forwardly from said frame for connection with a prime mover and a rearward end pivotally mounted on said frame for movement about a first pivot axis to vary the lateral position of the machine relative to said prime mover and, a control mechanism for pivoting said tongue relative to said frame; a drive line for transmitting rotational power from said prime mover when coupled thereto; a crop harvesting header suspended from said frame and being forwardly disposed relative thereto, said crop harvesting header having operable components for engaging and processing crop material as said crop harvesting header is moved forwardly; a gearbox mounted on said header for receiving rotational power from said drive line and transmitting said power to said operable components of said crop harvesting header, said gearbox having an input shaft operatively connected to said drive line; said gearbox being pivotally mounted on said header such that said gearbox rotates about a second pivot axis spaced longitudinally from said first pivot axis; and a steering mechanism for effecting rotational movement of said gearbox in concert with the pivotal movement of said tongue, the improvement comprising: said steering mechanism being located on said drive line to pivot said gearbox about its generally vertical pivot axis in response to the pivotal movement of the tongue during field operation so as to keep said input shaft at least generally aligned with said tongue.