Patent ID: 8117812
Filing Date: 2012-02-21
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for transporting a header of a crop harvesting machine, the header having a header frame with a main support structure along a rear of the header and a plurality of arms extending forwardly from the main support structure to support a cutter bar at a front edge of the header, the apparatus comprising: a longitudinal frame member for receiving the header carried thereon with the cutter bar on a first side of the frame member and the main support structure on a second side of the frame member; a rear wheel assembly mounted on the frame member adjacent a rear end, the rear wheel assembly including at least two wheels arranged with a first of said at least two wheels on one side of the frame member and a second of the at least two wheels on an opposed side of the frame member; a front hitch assembly for connection of the frame member to a towing vehicle; the frame member comprising a longitudinal beam with a plurality of transverse support arms attached thereto at spaced positions along the beam with the arms extending to the first side of the beam for engaging the header adjacent the cutter bar and extending to the second side of the beam for engaging the header adjacent the main support structure; the longitudinal beam including a main portion of the beam, an intermediate portion of the beam and a front portion of the beam; the main portion of the beam forming a structural interconnection between the rear wheel assembly and the front hitch assembly and providing a support carrying the plurality of transverse support arms so as to transfer loads on the support arms from the header to the rear wheel assembly and the front hitch assembly; the main portion of the beam being attached to the rear wheel assembly; the intermediate portion being arranged so that it extends to one side adjacent the front end of the beam so that the main portion of the longitudinal beam is offset to the first side relative to the front portion of the beam and the hitch assembly; wherein the hitch assembly is aligned with the rear wheel assembly along a center line; and wherein the main portion of the beam is offset to the first side relative to the center line; so that the main portion of the beam is offset to said one side relative to the hitch; and so that the main portion of the beam is offset to said one side relative to the rear wheel assembly with a distance between the main portion of the beam and the first wheel being shorter than a distance between the main portion of the beam and the second wheel; wherein there is provided a steerable front wheel assembly attached at a forward end of the frame member such that the weight of the header is carried on the longitudinal frame member and is transferred therefrom onto the rear wheel assembly and the steerable front wheel assembly; a hitch attached to the steerable front wheel assembly for connection to the towing vehicle so that side to side movement of the hitch causes side to side steering movement of the front steerable wheels; and a load transfer spring coupling which receives load from the weight of the header carried on the longitudinal frame member and acts to transfer that load into a down force on the hitch which down force is applied to the towing vehicle.