Automatic divider height positioning for an agricultural harvester

A harvester including: a chassis; an adjustable feeder housing carried by the chassis and defining a face angle relative to a ground plane; a header carried by the chassis, the header including: a header frame; at least one harvesting element carried by the header frame; and at least one divider pivotably carried by the header frame and defining a divider angle relative to the ground plane; and a mechanical linkage coupling the feeder housing to the at least one divider such that the divider angle is adjustable independently of movement of the header frame.

BACKGROUND

Harvesters such as combine harvesters, windrowers, tractors, and forage harvesters, are equipped with headers to harvest crops in a field. A typical header includes a header frame carrying one or more harvesting elements, such as snap rolls or cutter bars, that engage the crops to separate the crop material from the field for collection by the harvester. The header also typically includes some type of conveying mechanism, such as a pair of rotating augers or belts, that will convey collected crop material toward a center of the header and rearwardly into the harvester for further processing and/or transport. For some types of harvesters, such as combine harvesters, various specific header constructions are known for harvesting specific crops, e.g., corn headers for harvesting corn, wheat headers for harvesting wheat, etc.

A typical corn header construction includes a header frame carrying a plurality of row units for harvesting corn. Each row unit includes a pair of spaced apart deck plates. A corn stalk channel is defined between two paired deck plates to define a stalk channel distance, which is roughly equal to the diameter of a corn stalk. As the vehicle travels through a field where corn is present, corn stalks enter the corn stalk channels. Below the deck plates, a pair of snap rolls are arranged that engage the caught corn stalks to pull the corn stalks downward. The corn stalk channel between the deck plate is wide enough to allow entry of the corn stalks, but is too narrow for the corn ears to pass through the channel. As the snap rolls pull the corn stalk downwardly, the corn ear eventually impacts the deck plates and snaps off of the corn stalk, separating the corn ear from the field. The corn stalks may be cut before, during, or after the corn ear is being separated from the stalk to remove the stalk from the field and, in some harvesters, be processed into residue for spreading on the field. The separated corn ears can then be conveyed toward a processing device.

A typical grain header, on the other hand, includes a header frame carrying one or more cutting elements, such as cutter bars, that reciprocate to engage and cut the wheat to collect the grain. The cutting element(s) can be reciprocated by an epicyclical drive or wobble box, with the height of the cutting elements, relative to the ground, determining how much of the crop is separated from the field, i.e., the cut height of the stubble that remains on the field. After the crop material is cut by the cutting element(s), a rotating auger or draper belt can transport the cut crop material toward a center of the header to a header conveyor, which conveys the crop material rearwardly for further processing.

Regardless of whether the header is a corn header or a grain header, many header constructions also include a plurality of dividers spaced apart from each other along the width of the header. The dividers of a corn header or a grain header help to direct crop material toward the stalk channels or cutting elements, respectively, during travel of the vehicle. In this respect, the dividers account for unevenness in the rows of crops, ensuring that the crops enter the stalk channels or cutting elements in a row-wise fashion and encouraging an even cut height of the crops.

On many combine harvesters, the header is removably mounted to and supported by the feeder housing, which is carried by the chassis of the combine. Generally, adjusting an angle of the feeder face of the feeder housing requires manual feeder face adjustment using wrenches.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a harvester with a header having dividers that can be adjusted together or individually in response to, for example, a change in a face angle of a feeder housing.

In some exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, a harvester includes: a chassis; an adjustable feeder housing carried by the chassis and defining a face angle relative to a ground plane; a header carried by the chassis, the header including: a header frame; at least one harvesting element carried by the header frame; and at least one divider pivotably carried by the header frame and defining a divider angle relative to the ground plane; and a mechanical linkage coupling the feeder housing to the at least one divider such that the divider angle is adjustable independently of movement of the header frame.

In some exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, a harvester includes: a chassis; an adjustable feeder housing carried by the chassis and defining a face angle relative to a ground plane; a header carried by the chassis, the header including: a header frame; at least one harvesting element carried by the header frame; and at least one divider pivotably carried by the header frame and defining a divider angle relative to the ground plane; a winder configured to rotate in response to the face angle changing; and a tensioner coupled to the at least one divider and wound around the winder.

In some exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, a harvester includes: a chassis; and a header carried by the chassis. The header includes: a header frame; at least one harvesting element carried by the header frame; a plurality of dividers pivotably carried by the header frame, each of the plurality of dividers defining a respective divider angle relative to a ground plane; and a plurality of actuators carried by the header frame, each of the plurality of actuators coupling to a respective one of the plurality of dividers and being configured to control the respective divider angle of the respectively coupled divider.

One possible benefit that may be realized by exemplary embodiments disclosed herein is the divider angle of one or more dividers can be maintained constant when the face angle changes to encourage a constant cut height during harvesting.

Another possible benefit that may be realized by exemplary embodiments disclosed herein is the divider angle of each divider can be adjusted individually, which may encourage a constant cut height in various scenarios.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various terms relating to the methods and other aspects of the present disclosure are used throughout the specification and claims. Such terms are to be given their ordinary meaning in the art unless otherwise indicated. Other specifically defined terms are to be construed in a manner consistent with the definition provided herein.

The term “plurality” as used herein is defined as any amount or number greater or more than 1. In some embodiments, the term “plurality” means 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more.

The terms “left” or “right” are used herein as a matter of mere convenience, and are determined by standing at the rear of the machine facing in its normal direction of travel. Likewise, “forward” and “rearward” are determined by the normal direction of travel. “Upward” and “downward” orientations are relative to the ground or operating surface as are any references to “horizontal” or “vertical” planes.

The term “harvester” as used herein is defined as a machine that consolidates and/or packages material so as to facilitate the storage and handling of the material for later use. In some embodiments, the harvester is used to harvest agricultural material. In some embodiments, the harvester is a combine harvester, a windrower, or a forage harvester. In some embodiments, the harvester is a combine harvester.

The term “material” as used herein is defined as a numerous individual items that are harvested or collected by the harvester. In some embodiments, the material is agricultural crop, such as corn or wheat.

Many of the fastening, connection, processes and other means and components utilized in this disclosure are widely known and used in the field of the disclosure described, and their exact nature or type is not necessary for an understanding and use of the disclosure by a person skilled in the art, and they will not therefore be discussed in significant detail. Furthermore, the various components shown or described herein for any specific application of this disclosure can be varied and the practice of a specific application of any element may already be widely known or used in the art by persons skilled in the art and each will likewise not therefore be discussed in significant detail.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly toFIG. 1, a known harvester100, which may be referred to as a “combine” or “combine harvester,” is shown. The harvester100includes a chassis101and a header120carried by the chassis101. As shown, the header120is configured as a corn header for harvesting corn and is cantilevered in the front of the combine100and connected to the combine100by a feeder housing130. It should be appreciated that while the header120shown herein is configured to harvest corn, the present disclosure is also applicable to other header constructions such as, for example, headers configured to harvest wheat or other crops.

The illustrated header120includes a header frame121carrying four row units122, which harvest four rows of corn simultaneously. In other exemplary embodiments, the number of rows of corn that may be harvested may be different than four, for example greater than four or less than four. Ears of corn are stripped from each of the four rows by the header120and then carried by a conveyor123, such as an auger, in a trough124to the feeder housing130. Feeder housing130carries the collected ears rearwardly and upwardly into a threshing assembly (not shown) in the body of combine100. Each of the row units122may have an associated divider125and a hood126, as is known.

Referring now toFIG. 2, an exemplary embodiment of a header200that may be incorporated in the harvester100is illustrated. The header200includes a header frame210carrying one or more harvesting elements220, which may be a pair of deck plates, to harvest standing crops in a field. While the harvesting elements220are illustrated and described herein as deck plates, which are also commonly known as “stripping plates,” it should be appreciated that the harvesting element(s)220can have other configurations suitable for removing standing crops, such as a cutterbar, sickle, etc. The header frame210may, in some exemplary embodiments, include a hood211that can house and protect components of the header200during operation, as well as assist in guiding cut crop material toward a conveyor230, shown as an auger, that can convey the cut crop material toward an adjustable feeder housing240, which is described further herein. The header200may be adjustable by connecting to the feeder housing240, as is known.

As can be seen, the header200includes a divider250that is pivotably carried by the header frame210and can direct standing crop material toward the harvesting elements220. As used herein, the divider250is “pivotably carried” by the header frame210in the sense that the divider250is connected to the header frame210in a manner that allows pivoting of the divider250relative to the header frame210to, for example, adjust a divider angle Dα defined by the divider250with respect to a ground plane GP. In some exemplary embodiments, the divider250may be pivotably connected to the header frame210at a pivot point251, which may be a pivot pin or similar element, defining a pivoting axis of the divider250. Optionally, a pivot lock252may be associated with the pivot point251to reversibly lock and prevent pivoting of the divider250when, for example, the header200is being transported. While only one divider250is illustrated inFIG. 2, it should be appreciated that the header200may include more than one divider250, as is known.

As previously described, the feeder housing240is adjustable so a face angle Fα of the feeder housing240defined relative to the ground plane GP can be adjusted. In some exemplary embodiments, the feeder housing240is pivotably carried by the chassis101of the harvester100and can be adjusted manually by a user or by activating one or more respectively connected actuators (not shown). The face angle Fα of the feeder housing240can be defined by a front face241of the feeder housing240or, alternatively, by a back face242of the feeder housing240. It should be appreciated that when the feeder housing240pivots, both the front face241and back face242will pivot, and thus pivoting of the feeder housing240will change the face angle Fα regardless of what face241,242is used for measuring the face angle Fa.

When a header is mounted to an adjustable feeder housing, a change in the face angle of the feeder housing also tends to cause a corresponding change in the divider angle of the crop divider(s) since the divider(s) is carried by the header frame, which pivots with the feeder housing. During operation, the cut height is determined by operator input and the height of the divider relative to the ground plane, i.e., the header pivots about the cut height. On a grain header, an angle of the cutter is determined by the angle of the feeder face and the divider is adjusted to complement the angle of the cutter, i.e., the header also pivots about the cut height. In either situation, a change in the face angle of the feeder housing also tends to change the height of the dividers, with tipping the feeder housing forward causing the dividers to lower and tipping the feeder housing backwards causing the dividers to raise. In other words, the divider height tends to change following a change in the face angle of the feeder housing when the header is mounted to the feeder housing, making it difficult for the header to properly address the crop and maintain a constant cut height relative to the ground.

In order to control changes in the orientation of the divider250when the face angle Fα changes, the header200includes a mechanical linkage270coupling the feeder housing240to the divider250such that the divider angle Dα is adjustable independently of movement of the header frame210. For example, when the header frame210is mounted to the feeder housing240, the mechanical linkage270can maintain the divider angle Dα constant even when the face angle Fα changes. As shown, the mechanical linkage270can include a divider support271bearing on the divider250to support the divider250and adjust the orientation of the divider250relative to the pivot point251when the divider support271pivots. The divider support271can be pivotably coupled to a divider pivoting bracket272that is connected to a feeder pivoting bracket273by a linkage rod274or similar element so pivoting of the feeder pivoting bracket273can cause a corresponding pivoting of the divider pivoting bracket272. The feeder pivoting bracket273can be connected to a portion of the feeder housing240, such as the back face242, so pivoting of the feeder housing240that adjusts the face angle Fα also causes pivoting of the feeder pivoting bracket273.

When the feeder housing240pivots and the face angle Fα changes, as illustrated in dashed lines, the header frame210and carried divider250also tend to responsively pivot when the header200is mounted to the feeder housing240, as illustrated in dashed lines. By coupling the divider250to the feeder housing240with the mechanical linkage270that allows pivoting of the divider250independently of movement of the header frame210, the divider250can maintain its respective divider angle Dα constant even when the header frame210moves due to the feeder housing240pivoting. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the feeder housing240tilting rearwards tends to raise the header frame210but also causes the mechanical linkage270to pivot the divider support271downward, relative to the pivot point251, and account for the tendency of the header frame210raising to maintain a constant divider angle Dα relative to the ground plane GP, i.e., maintain a constant cut height. The mechanical linkage270, therefore, can link pivoting movement of the feeder housing240into pivoting movement of the pivot brackets272,273to compensate for the tendency of the divider angle Dα to change when the feeder housing240pivots and to maintain the cut height without requiring any additional input by the user.

Optionally, the mechanical linkage270may include a length adjustor275coupling two portions274A,274B of the linkage rod274to one another and having a threading276to allow adjustment of a length L of the linkage rod274. In some exemplary embodiments, the length adjustor275may be a turnbuckle or similar element. A user may rotate or otherwise manipulate the length adjustor275to adjust the length L of the linkage rod274, as desired.

In some exemplary embodiments, the header200includes a plurality of dividers250that are each pivotably carried by the header frame210and mechanically linked to the feeder housing240. Each of the dividers250may have an associated divider support271and define a corresponding divider angle Dα relative to the ground plane GP. To simultaneously maintain the divider angle Dα of each divider250constant responsively to a change in the face angle Fα of the feeder housing240, the header200may include a coordinating linkage277that pivotably couples each of the divider supports271to the mechanical linkage270, such as to the divider pivoting bracket272, so only one divider pivoting bracket272is needed to pivot a plurality of dividers250. In some exemplary embodiments, the coordinating linkage277can be a rod or similar element that extends laterally across the header200and each divider support271pivotably couples to the coordinating linkage277. In some exemplary embodiments, each divider250can have a separate mechanical linkage270coupling the respective divider250to the feeder housing240.

Referring now toFIG. 3, another exemplary embodiment of a header300is shown that is similar to the header200shown inFIG. 2. The header300includes a header frame310carrying one or more harvesting elements320, which may be a pair of deck plates, to harvest standing crops in a field. While the harvesting elements320are illustrated and described herein as deck plates, it should be appreciated that the harvesting element(s)320can have other configurations suitable for removing standing crops, such as a cutterbar, sickle, etc. The header frame310may, in some exemplary embodiments, include a hood311that can house and protect components of the header300during operation, as well as assist in guiding cut crop material toward a conveyor330, shown as an auger, that can convey the cut crop material toward the adjustable feeder housing240, which is previously described. The header300may be adjustable by connecting to the feeder housing240, as is known.

As can be seen, the header300includes a divider350that is pivotably carried by the header frame310and can direct standing crop material toward the harvesting elements320. As used herein, the divider350is “pivotably carried” by the header frame320in the sense that the divider350is connected to the header frame320in a manner that allows pivoting of the divider350relative to the header frame320to, for example, adjust a divider angle Dα defined by the divider350with respect to a ground plane GP. In some exemplary embodiments, the divider350may be pivotably connected to the header frame310at a pivot point351, which may be a pivot pin or similar element, defining a pivoting axis of the divider350. Optionally, a pivot lock352may be associated with the pivot point351to reversibly lock and prevent pivoting of the divider350when, for example, the header300is being transported. While only one divider350is illustrated inFIG. 3, it should be appreciated that the header300may include more than one divider350, as is known.

As previously described, a change in the face angle Fα tends to change the divider angle Dα of the divider350and the cut height of the header, which is illustrated in dashed lines inFIG. 3. To counteract the tendency of the divider angle Dα to change when the face angle Fα changes, the header300includes a winder360that is configured to rotate in response to the face angle Fα changing and a tensioner370coupled to the divider350and wound around the winder360. By winding the tensioner370around the winder360, rotation of the winder360can cause pivoting of the divider350relative to the pivot point351so the divider angle Dα does not change when the face angle Fα changes. In some exemplary embodiments, the winder360can be a drum and the tensioner370can be at least one of a belt, strap, cable, or other element that provides adjustable tension to the divider350in order to control the divider angle Dα of the divider350. Optionally, the tensioner370can couple to a length adjustor380, such as a turnbuckle, connected to the divider350that can allow adjustment of the total effective length of the tensioner370. It should be appreciated that the winder360and tensioner370can be parts of a mechanical linkage coupling the feeder housing240to the divider350.

In some exemplary embodiments, the winder360can be directly mechanically linked to the feeder housing240so pivoting of the feeder housing240causes a corresponding rotation of the winder360and adjustment of the tension in the tensioner370. The winder360may, for example, be mechanically linked to the back face242of the adjustable feeder housing240so that the winder360rotates as the back face242pivots. In some exemplary embodiments, the tensioner370extends through a tensioner guide371formed in the header frame310, such as in the hood311, to keep the tensioner370in place during rotation of the winder360. Similarly to the previously described mechanical linkage270, the winder360and tensioner370of the header300can be configured such that rearward tilting of the feeder housing240causes downward pivoting of the front of the divider350, and vice versa, to maintain the divider angle Dα constant when the face angle Fα changes.

In some exemplary embodiments, the header includes a winder control assembly390including an angle sensor391associated with the feeder housing240and a controller392operatively coupled to the angle sensor391and the winder360. The angle sensor391can be associated with the feeder housing240to measure the face angle Fα directly or, in some exemplary embodiments, changes in the face angle Fα and transmit angle signals to the controller392that convey the face angle Fα has changed. The controller392can be configured to detect a change in the face angle Fα and activate the winder360to rotate responsively to detecting the change in the face angle Fα. In this sense, the controller392can selectively control the divider angle Dα by controlling rotation of the winder360to adjust the tension in the tensioner370and change or maintain the divider angle Dα independently of movement of the header frame310. It should be appreciated that, in some exemplary embodiments, a user can also interact with the controller392from the cab using, for example, a touch screen display to adjust the divider angle Dα, in response to a change in the face angle Fα or otherwise. It should be further appreciated that each divider350of the header300can be coupled to a corresponding tensioner370wound around a single winder360or, in some exemplary embodiments, each corresponding tensioner370can be wound around a respective winder360for individual adjustment of each divider350.

Referring now toFIG. 4, another exemplary embodiment of a header400is shown. The header400includes a header frame410carrying one or more harvesting elements420, which may be a pair of deck plates, to harvest standing crops in a field. While the harvesting elements420are illustrated and described herein as deck plates, it should be appreciated that the harvesting element(s)420can have other configurations suitable for removing standing crops, such as a cutterbar, sickle, etc. The header frame410may, in some exemplary embodiments, include a hood411that can house and protect components of the header400during operation, as well as assist in guiding cut crop material toward a conveyor430, shown as an auger, that can convey the cut crop material toward the adjustable feeder housing240, which is previously described. The header400may be adjustable by connecting to the feeder housing240, as is known.

As can be seen, the header400includes a divider450that is pivotably carried by the header frame410and can direct standing crop material toward the harvesting elements420. As used herein, the divider450is “pivotably carried” by the header frame420in the sense that the divider450is connected to the header frame420in a manner that allows pivoting of the divider450relative to the header frame420to, for example, adjust a divider angle Dα defined by the divider450with respect to a ground plane GP. In some exemplary embodiments, the divider450may be pivotably connected to the header frame410at a pivot point451, which may be a pivot pin or similar element, defining a pivoting axis of the divider450. Optionally, a pivot lock452may be associated with the pivot point451to reversibly lock and prevent pivoting of the divider450when, for example, the header400is being transported. While only one divider450is illustrated inFIG. 4, the header400includes a plurality of dividers450that each define a respective divider angle Dα and, in some exemplary embodiments, may be identical to one another.

Each of the dividers450has a respectively coupled actuator460that is carried by the header frame410and is configured to control the respective divider angle Dα of the coupled divider450independently of movement of the header frame410. In some exemplary embodiments, the actuators460can be hydraulic, pneumatic, and/or electric actuators that cause pivoting of their respectively coupled dividers450relative to the pivot point451. By having each divider450coupled to a separate actuator460that can control the respective divider angle Dα, the respective divider angle Dα of each divider450can be controlled separately, which may be useful in certain scenarios. As shown inFIG. 4, each of the actuators460can be directly linked to its respectively coupled divider450by, for example, an adjustable length rod461.

The header400can further include a controller470that is operatively coupled to each of the actuators460and configured to selectively activate each of the actuators460independently from other actuators460. For example, the controller470can be configured to activate each of the actuators460individually or, in some exemplary embodiments, activate some or all of the actuators460together. In some exemplary embodiments, the controller470can be configured to activate all of the coupled actuators460simultaneously. In this sense, the controller470selectively activating one or more actuators460to control the respective divider angle Dα of the respectively coupled divider450allows the controller470to control the divider angle Dα of each individual divider450by selective control of the respectively coupled actuator460.

In some exemplary embodiments, the header400can be mounted to the previously described adjustable feeder housing240defining a face angle Fα with respect to the ground plane GP. When the header400is mounted to the feeder housing240, an angle sensor471associated with the feeder housing240can be operatively coupled to the controller470so the controller470can detect changes in the face angle Fα of the feeder housing240, similarly to the previously described angle sensor391. As previously described, the change in the face angle Fα also tends to change the divider angle Dα and cut height, as illustrated in dashed lines inFIG. 4. The controller470can be configured to detect a change in the face angle Fα based on signals from the angle sensor471and activate one or more of the actuators460to maintain the respective divider angle Dα of at least one respectively coupled divider450constant responsively to detecting the change in the face angle Fα. For example, the controller470can be configured to activate one or more actuators460to pivot the front of its respectively coupled divider450upwards when the controller470detects the feeder housing240has pivoted forward to compensate for the corresponding lowering of the header frame410and maintain a constant cut height of crops. It should be appreciated that, in such a scenario, some or all of the actuators460can be activated, depending on the respective height and divider angle Dα of each individual divider450.

Referring now toFIG. 5, an alternative embodiment of the header400is illustrated. Rather than having the actuators460each directly coupled to their respective dividers450, as shown inFIG. 4, one or more of the actuators460can be coupled to a divider support510that bears on its respective divider450, similar to previously described divider support271. Activation of the actuator460, therefore, causes pivoting of the divider support510and a corresponding pivoting of the respective divider450relative to the pivot point451. In all other respects, the header400shown inFIG. 5can be similar to the header400shown inFIG. 4.