Center conveyor front coupler for a draper cutting platform

A draper cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvester includes a pair of side platform sections, with each side platform section including a side belt. A center platform section is disposed in an area between the side platform sections. The center platform section includes at least one alignment device and at least one latch. A center conveyor assembly is removably attached to the center platform section, and carries a center belt. The center conveyor assembly includes at least one mating alignment device and at least one mating latch.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to agricultural harvesters, and, more particularly, to agricultural combines including a draper cutting platform.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An agricultural harvester such as a combine includes a head and a feeder housing which remove the crop material from the field, gather the crop material and transport the crop material to a separator. In the case of thinner stemmed crops such as soybeans, wheat, etc. which may be cut with a sickle bar carrying a plurality of knives, the head may also be known as a cutting platform. The separator removes the grain crop material from the non-grain crop material. The grain is cleaned and deposited in a grain tank. When the grain tank becomes full, an unloading auger which is positioned alongside the combine during harvesting is moved to the unloading position in which the auger extends approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the combine. The combine drives alongside a vehicle into which the grain is to be unloaded, such as a semi-trailer, and the unloading auger is actuated to discharge the grain into the vehicle.

A cutting platform may generally be of two types. One type typically has a sheet metal floor with a dual feed auger near the rear of the cutting platform for feeding the crop material longitudinally to the feeder housing. A cutting platform of this type with auger feed is more common.

Another type of cutting platform, also known as a draper platform, utilizes a flat, wide belt, referred to as a draper or draper belt to convey crop material. The arrangement and number of belts vary among platforms. One style of draper platform has two side belts that convey crop material longitudinally, to the center of the platform, where a center belt moves the crop material laterally into the feeder housing. Each belt is wrapped around a pair of rollers, one being a drive roller and the other being an idler roller. An example of this type draper arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,397, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

An advantage of a draper platform is that larger amounts of crop material can be transported without plugging, etc. For example, with wide platforms approaching 40 feet or even larger, the amount of crop material transported to the feeder housing can be substantial. With an auger feed platform, the crop material may bind between the auger and the back wall of the platform. In contrast, with a draper platform, the crop material is carried on top of the belt with less chance for plugging.

With a draper platform as described above, it is known to have a draper platform which may be operated either as a harvester or a swather. When configured as a harvester, the center section in front of the feederhousing which carries the center belt is in place between the side sections. When configured as a swather, the center section is removed from the draper cutting platform. This allows the crop material from each side section to be deposited in the open area between the side sections, forming a windrow as the swather moves forward.

A problem with a removable center section on a draper platform is that it is difficult and time consuming to align and attach the center section to the frame and cutterbar assembly. This process typically takes multiple personnel to accomplish, and results in a loss in productivity.

What is needed in the art is a draper cutting platform which may be operated either as a harvester or a swather, with simple and fast conversion between the two.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention in one form is directed to a draper cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvester. The cutting platform includes a pair of side platform sections, with each side platform section including a side belt. A center platform section is disposed in an area between the side platform sections. The center platform section includes at least one alignment device and at least one latch. A center conveyor assembly is removably attached to the center platform section, and carries a center belt. The center conveyor assembly includes at least one mating alignment device and at least one mating latch.

The invention in another form is directed to an agricultural harvester, including a feeder housing and a cutting platform. The cutting platform includes a pair of side platform sections, with each side platform section having a side belt. A center platform section is disposed in an area between the side platform sections, and includes at least one alignment device and at least one latch. A center conveyor assembly is attached to the feeder housing and removably attached to the center platform section. The center conveyor assembly carries a center belt, and includes at least one mating alignment device and at least one mating latch.

The invention in yet another form is directed to a method of attaching a center conveyor assembly to a center platform section of a draper cutting platform, including the steps of: positioning a base unit of an agricultural harvester such that a center conveyor assembly mounted to the front of the base unit is in general alignment with a center platform section of the cutting platform; moving the base unit forward until at least one alignment device mounted to the center platform section engages with a corresponding at least one mating alignment device mounted to the center conveyor assembly; and latching the center conveyor assembly to the center platform section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and, more particularly toFIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an agricultural harvester in the form of a combine10including an embodiment of a cutting platform12of the present invention. Combine10includes a feeder housing14which is detachably coupled with cutting platform12. Feeder housing14receives the crop material from cutting platform12, both grain and non-grain crop material, and transports the crop material to a separator within combine10in known manner (not shown). The grain crop material is separated from the non-grain crop material, cleaned and transported to a grain tank. The non-grain crop material is transported to a chopper, blower, etc. in known manner and distributed back to the field.

Cutting platform12generally includes a plurality of platform sections16,18and20, a cutterbar assembly22and a reel assembly24. In the embodiment shown, platform section16is a center platform section, platform section18is a first side platform section, and platform section20is a second side platform section. First side platform section18and second side platform section20are each configured as partially foldable wing sections in the illustrated embodiment, and thus may be referred to as wing platform sections hereinafter. It will be appreciated, however, that side platform sections18and20need not be partially foldable. Further, although shown with three platform sections, cutting platform12may be configured with more or less platform sections, depending upon the particular application.

Each platform section16,18and20generally includes a frame26, a plurality of float arms28coupled with a respective frame26, a cutterbar assembly22carried by the outboard ends of respective float arms28, and at least one endless belt32(FIG. 2). The frame26of first wing platform section18and second wing platform section20are each pivotally coupled with center platform section16, such that the outboard ends of first wing platform section18and second wing platform section20can move up and down independent from center platform section16. To that end, a lift cylinder36coupled between the frame of combine10and feeder housing14lifts the entire cutting platform12, a first tilt cylinder38coupled between the respective frame26of first wing platform section18and center platform section16pivotally moves first wing platform section18relative to center platform section16, and a second tilt cylinder40coupled between the respective frame26of second wing platform section20and center platform section16pivotally moves second wing platform section20relative to center platform section16.

Reel assembly24includes two reels56, center reel support arm58and a pair of outer reel support arms60. Outer reel support arms60are pivotally coupled at one end thereof with an outboard end of a respective first wing platform section18or second wing platform section20. Outer reel support arms60rotationally carry a respective reel56at an opposite end thereof. Each outer reel support arm60may be selectively moved up and down using a hydraulic cylinder, and the pair of hydraulic cylinders are typically coupled in parallel so that they move together upon actuation.

Center reel support arm58is pivotally coupled at one end thereof with center platform section16above the opening leading to feeder housing14. Center reel support arm58rotationally carries an inboard end of each reel56at an opposite end thereof. A hydraulic motor62or other suitable mechanical drive rotationally drives each reel56. More particularly, hydraulic motor62drives a common drive shaft64through a chain and sprocket or other suitable arrangement (not shown). The rotational speed of reels56can be adjusted by an operator by adjusting the rotational speed of hydraulic motor62.

Center reel support arm58may be selectively moved up and down using a hydraulic cylinder66. Center reel support arm58is movable independently from outer reel support arms60. To accommodate this independent movement, drive shaft64driven by hydraulic motor62is coupled at each end thereof via a universal joint68with a respective reel56. This independent movement of center reel support arm58can be accomplished manually using a separate actuating switch or lever in operator's cab70, or automatically using an electronic controller72located within cab70or other suitable location.

Referring toFIG. 3, center platform section16includes a removable center conveyor assembly70which is positioned between the pair of side belts (one of which is shown and labeled32B) carried by respective side platform sections18and20. Each side platform section18and20carries cutterbar assembly22, which also spans across center platform section16. When center conveyor assembly70is in the installed position, cutting platform12may be used as a harvester, and when in an uninstalled position, cutting platform12may be used as a swather or windrower.

Center conveyor assembly70includes a sub-frame72which carries at least a pair of rollers (not specifically shown), which in turn carry a center belt32A. The rear end74of center conveyor assembly70is coupled with a feeder drum76positioned at the front of feeder housing14. The front or leading edge78of center conveyor assembly70carries at least one alignment device80which mates with a corresponding alignment device82carried by center platform section16.

Referring toFIGS. 4-9, center platform section16includes at least one alignment device82in the form of a pair of vertical alignment guides. Each vertical alignment guide82has a generally triangular shape when viewed from the side, and includes a top flange84, a spaced apart diverging bottom flange86, and a seat88at an apex between top and bottom flanges84and86. Bottom flange86defines an upwardly sloped ramp which guides the alignment device80at the leading edge of center conveyor assembly70. Each vertical alignment guide82is also slightly laterally flared (seeFIG. 4) which assists in side to side alignment between center conveyor assembly70and center platform section16.

Vertical alignment guide82also includes a latch hole90which extends through a side wall of vertical alignment guide82at a position adjacent to seat88, and defines an axis of rotation92about which vertical alignment guide82may pivot through a fixed angular range.FIGS. 5 and 6show the vertical alignment guide82when positioned at a downward angle of about 20 degrees prior to connection with alignment device80, andFIGS. 7 and 8show the vertical alignment guide82when rotated upward upon seating of alignment device80.

In the specific embodiment ofFIGS. 3-8, the at least one alignment device80includes a pair of guide pins94and corresponding guide plates96. Each guide pin94extends laterally from a respective forward, lateral edge78of center conveyor assembly70. Guide pins94have an outside diameter which is sized to seat within a corresponding seat88of a vertical alignment guide82. Each guide plate96extends rearwardly and generally tangent from a top edge of a corresponding guide pin94. Guide plates96engage top flange84of a respective vertical alignment guide82and rotate vertical alignment guides82to the upper position shown inFIGS. 7 and 8when guide pin94is fully seated in seat88.

A pair of latch pins98are slidably disposed in a bore (not numbered) formed in a respective guide pin94. Each latch pin98passes through a respective guide pin94and extends into a respective latch hole90. Latch pins98are preferably spring biased (FIGS. 5-7) into a respective latch hole90when guide pin94is in the seated position in seat88.

Referring toFIGS. 8 and 9, the angular position of each vertical alignment guide82may be locked in place using a lock100. In the illustrated embodiment, each lock100includes a spring biased pin102which engages with a recess104formed in a corresponding vertical alignment guide82.FIG. 8shows pin102in the unlocked position, andFIG. 9shows pin102in the locked position. Pin102is spring biased (see, e.g.,FIG. 5) and can be manually moved from the locked to the unlocked position, or vice versa.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 3-9, alignment guide80includes a guide pin94and a guide plate96. Further, vertical alignment guide82includes a top flange84, bottom flange86and seat88. It is possible, however, that a different type of alignment arrangement can be provided between center conveyor assembly70and center platform section16. For example, it could be possible that the leading edge of center conveyor assembly70can have a generally U-shaped nose extending across it's width which fits into a corresponding U-shaped recess positioned behind the cutterbar assembly22. Further, it is possible that the latching mechanisms for latching center conveyor assembly70to center platform section16can be of a different form. Additionally, it is possible that the locking mechanisms for locking the angular orientation of vertical alignment guide82can be of a different form.

During an attachment procedure, the base unit of agricultural harvester10is positioned such that center conveyor assembly70mounted to the front of the base unit is in general alignment with center platform section16(FIG. 3). The base unit is moved forward (as indicated by arrow106) until each vertical alignment guide82mounted to center platform section16engages with a corresponding alignment device80mounted to center conveyor assembly70. When in the seated position, each spring biased latch pin98latches within a corresponding latch hole90to latch center conveyor assembly70to center platform section16(FIGS. 7 and 8). When cutting platform12is used as a windrower, it may be desirable to hold vertical alignment guide82in an up position to avoid dragging on the ground during use. Accordingly, latch pins102may be manually pulled, rotated and locked in place within a corresponding recess104to lock the vertical alignment guide82in the up position. To remove the center conveyor assembly70from cutting platform12, the procedure can be simply reversed.