Patent ID: 8276356
Filing Date: 2012-10-02
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. In a combination of a tractor movable in a forward direction over a field of plants to be harvested and a harvester, the tractor having a rear ground engaging wheel with an axle and equipped with a hitch including a pair of transversely spaced connecting members, the improvement comprising: said harvester having a transversely extending frame including hitch connectors pivotally supported by the connecting members, the frame including a side portion extending transversely from the connecting members to a location rearwardly and outwardly of the ground engaging wheel of the tractor; a vertically movable linkage extending forwardly from, and having an aft end pivotally connected to, the side portion of the frame at a location outwardly of the ground engaging wheel of the tractor; a harvester row unit supported from a forward end of the linkage and having a forward portion extending fore-and-aft beside and outwardly of said wheel of the tractor; an arm connected to the linkage and extending downwardly and forwardly therefrom; a gauge wheel supported from a lower forward end of the arm in contact with the ground, the gauge wheel moving the row unit up and down over irregularities in the surface of the field; and a row unit lift actuator connected between the row unit and the arm for selectively moving the gauge wheel relative to the row unit to raise and lower the row unit relative to the frame.