Method for repositioning a cutterbar assembly of header of an agricultural harvester

A method for repositioning a cutterbar assembly of a header of an agricultural harvester. The header includes a chassis. The cutterbar assembly includes a cutterbar and a supporting arm. The method includes steps of connecting one end of the supporting arm to the chassis, further connecting the supporting arm to the chassis via a down-stop linkage assembly positionable between first and second positions, engaging a lockout tool with the down-stop linkage assembly, applying a torque to the down-stop linkage assembly via the lockout tool, and repositioning the down-stop linkage assembly from either the first position or the second position upon application of the torque. An opposite end of the supporting arm is connected to the cutterbar. In the first position, the cutterbar is positioned distal to a front end of the chassis, and in the second position, the cutterbar is positioned proximal to the front end of the chassis.

BACKGROUND

The subject application relates generally to headers for agricultural harvesters. In particular, the subject application relates to a cutterbar lockout tool, a header including such tool and a method for repositioning a cutterbar assembly using such tool.

Agricultural harvesters such as combine harvesters are well known apparatuses for harvesting grain crops. An agricultural harvester is typically a self-propelled vehicle which includes a feederhouse and mechanisms downstream of the feederhouse for separating grain from other crop material. A header is attached to the front of the harvester and includes mechanisms for cutting crop, gathering crop and delivering crop to the harvester's feederhouse. A typical crop cutter or cutterbar includes a stationary knife and a reciprocating knife which together act as shears that cut crop near the ground. After cutting, the crop is gathered, e.g., by a harvesting reel which feeds the cut crop to a conveyor system that transports the cut crop to the harvester's feederhouse.

Certain header constructions include skid plates or skid shoes that extend the width of the header which are operable to contact the ground surface as the combine travels over a field being harvested. The skid shoes are carried at the fore or distal ends of a plurality of independently movable and spaced apart flex or supporting arms and the crop cutter or cutterbar is carried at the leading edge of the skid shoes. The supporting arms are pivotably attached at their aft or proximal ends to the header chassis or frame and downward movement of the supporting arms in relation to the header chassis is limited by down-stop linkages. The down-stop linkages are typically pivotally connected at one end to the header chassis and slidably and/or pivotably connected at their opposite ends to the supporting arms. In such header designs, the down-stop linkages are employed to lock and unlock the supporting arms and thus the cutterbar at predetermined positions with respect to the header chassis. In the unlocked state, the supporting arms are able to pivot upwardly and downwardly as dictated by changes in ground contour experienced by the skid shoes. Consequently, the cutterbar floats near to the ground during harvesting which is beneficial when harvesting low-lying crops including but not limited to soybeans.

In such header designs including down-stop linkages, it is often desirable or necessary to secure or lock the supporting arms and the cutterbar in an upward stationary position with respect to the header chassis in order to effectively harvest standing crops including but not limited to wheat and barley. It is also common to lock the supporting arms with respect to the header chassis to prevent bouncing of the cutterbar during transport of the header between fields or portions of fields to be harvested. In operation, the locking and unlocking of the supporting arms can occur multiple times in a season if not multiple times a week or even more frequently.

Locking and unlocking of conventional header supporting arms is a time-consuming and laborious task. When locking the supporting arms, the combine operator or other worker must physically lift each of the supporting arms and secure the supporting arm to the header chassis by inserting a fastener such as a locking pin into cooperating apertures provided in the down-stop linkage and a corresponding header chassis member. Because of the interconnection of the supporting arms, the skid shoes and the cutterbar, lifting of one supporting arm will cause the adjacent arms to rise somewhat. Hence, the person lifting one supporting arm will also at least partially lift the supporting arms to the right and left of the supporting arm being lifted. Additionally, the accumulation of dirt and/or crop material can make the supporting arms more difficult to lift. As a result, the force required to lift a typical header supporting arm can be considerable and may be beyond the physical capabilities of ordinary persons. Accordingly, a worker who experiences difficulty with or is incapable of lifting a supporting arm and inserting the locking fastener may need to rely upon the assistance of another person.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In accordance with a first aspect, the subject application provides a method for repositioning a cutterbar assembly of a header of an agricultural harvester. The header includes a chassis and the cutterbar assembly extends from the chassis. The cutterbar assembly includes a supporting arm having one end pivotably connected to the chassis and an opposite end connected to a cutter bar. The method includes the act of connecting the supporting arm to the chassis about a mid-region of the supporting arm with a down-stop linkage assembly positionable between first and second positions. In the first position the cutterbar is positioned proximal to a front end of the chassis and in the second position the cutterbar is positioned distal to the front end of the chassis. The method further includes the acts of receiving a lockout tool engageable with the down-stop linkage assembly for applying a torque to the down-stop linkage assembly and repositioning the down-stop linkage assembly from either the first position or the second position upon application of the torque.

In accordance with a second aspect, the subject application provides a cutterbar lockout tool for a cutterbar assembly of a header of an agricultural harvester. The tool includes an engaging portion engageable with a down-stop linkage assembly of the cutterbar assembly and an elongated body extending from the engaging portion.

In accordance with a third aspect, the subject application provides a header for an agricultural harvester including a chassis, a cutterbar assembly, a down-stop linkage assembly and a lockout tool. The cutterbar assembly extends from the chassis and includes a cutterbar and a supporting arm having one end pivotably connected to the chassis and an opposite end connected to the cutterbar. The down-stop linkage assembly connects the supporting arm to the header chassis about a mid-section of the supporting arm and includes an engaging member. The lockout tool includes an engaging portion configured to engage a portion of the down-stop linkage assembly and an elongated body. The down-stop linkage and engaged lockout tool produces a mechanical advantage of at least about 4:1 for moving the cutterbar assembly.

In accordance with a fourth aspect, the subject application provides a tool for locking and unlocking the cutterbar of a header of an agricultural harvester with minimal labor and time. The tool is compact in size, manipulable by one person and can be carried by the header. The tool slides over the down-stop linkage of the cutterbar supporting arm and the user applies torque-inducing force to the tool. By application of the torque, force is transferred through the down-stop linkage to the supporting arm via e.g., a cross pin. Significant mechanical advantage achieved by the tool allows the operator to easily raise the cutterbar with one hand and insert or remove a locking pin with the other hand. As a consequence, one person can lock and unlock the cutterbar with little to moderate difficulty and in a short period of time, thereby eliminating the need for assistance from other persons or use of cumbersome lifting equipment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the various aspects of the subject application illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or like reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like features. It should be noted that the drawings are in simplified form and are not drawn to precise scale. In reference to the disclosure herein, for purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, above, below and diagonal, are used with respect to the accompanying drawings. Such directional terms used in conjunction with the following description of the drawings should not be construed to limit the scope of the subject application in any manner not explicitly set forth. Additionally, the term “a,” as used in the specification, means “at least one.” The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein aspects of the subject application are shown,FIG. 1illustrates an agricultural harvester10such as a combine. Harvester10includes a header12including a chassis or frame13which is attached to a forward end14of the harvester. Header12is configured to cut crops and to induct the cut crops into a feederhouse16as harvester10moves forward over a crop field.

Header12further includes a floor18that is supported in desired proximity to the surface of a crop field and an elongate sickle or cutterbar20that extends transversely along a forward edge of the floor18. Cutterbar20is configured to cut crops in preparation for induction into the feederhouse16. Additionally, header12includes an elongate, transversely extending harvesting reel22disposed above cutterbar20. Harvesting reel22is rotatable in a direction suitable for facilitating the induction of cut crops into feederhouse16. Header12further includes an elongate, rotatable auger24which extends in close proximity to a top surface26of floor18. Auger24is configured to cooperate with harvesting reel22in conveying cut crops to feederhouse16, which is configured to convey the cut crops into harvester10for threshing and cleaning. WhileFIG. 1illustrates a header including an auger conveyor system, it will be understood that the header may alternatively be configured to include a draper conveyor system or any combination of auger, draper or other conveyor system that may be suitable for conveying cut crop material to feederhouse16.

Cutterbar20extends along a forward edge28of floor18, and generally is bounded by a first side edge30and an opposing second side edge32of floor18. Cutterbar20can be configured to include a first reciprocating knife assembly34and a second reciprocating knife assembly36(along with an unillustrated stationary knife) The reciprocating mechanisms of such knife assemblies are known in the art and a further detailed description of their structure, function and operation is not necessary for a complete understanding of the subject application. However, a typical reciprocating mechanism applicable to the knife assembly of the subject application is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,151,547, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIGS. 2-4illustrate partial views of an agricultural harvester header112according to the subject application. In particular, header112includes a chassis113and a cutterbar assembly140extending from the chassis. The cutterbar assembly140includes a cutterbar120and a flex arm or supporting arm142. The flex arm has one end144pivotably connected to the chassis at pivot146and an opposite end148connected to the cutterbar. Header112further includes a down-stop linkage assembly150that connects the flex arm142to the chassis113about a mid-section or mid-region152of the flex arm. The down-stop linkage assembly limits downward movement of the flex arm142, and thus the cutterbar120, relative to the header chassis113. The down-stop linkage assembly150includes a down-stop linkage154formed e.g., as an elongated body or link. The down-stop linkage has one end connected to one of the header chassis113and the flex arm142and an opposite end pivotably and slidably connected to the other of the header chassis and the flex arm. For example, the elongated body or link154has a first end156pivotably connected to the chassis113at pivot156aand a slotted second end158opposite the first end pivotably and slidably connected to the flex arm142via a slot158awithin which is received a boss or stud158bcarried by flex arm142for guiding the motion of or camming against the down-stop linkage assembly as the cutterbar assembly moves between the first and second positions, as described below.

The down-stop linkage assembly150includes the down-stop linkage154, a fastener or fastening member160(FIG. 4) and an engaging member162that can assume a variety of configurations, as described in greater detail below. In the aspect depicted inFIGS. 2-4, the engaging member is constructed as a protrusion162(FIG. 3) extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis A of the down-stop linkage. By way of further example, referring toFIG. 10, in accordance with another aspect the engaging member is a slotted aperture509formed within the body of the down-stop linkage154.

The fastener160is operable to releasably engage the down-stop linkage154with the chassis113. According to an aspect, the fastener160may be a lock pin or other member that may be releasably received in alignable and cooperating apertures166and168(FIG. 2) provided in the down-stop linkage154and chassis113, respectively. Upon alignment of apertures166,168, fastener160is inserted into the aligned apertures as shown inFIG. 4to lock the cutterbar assembly with respect to the chassis113.

Referring again toFIGS. 2-4, the header112further includes a lockout tool170. According to an aspect, the lockout tool includes an engaging portion172configured to engage a portion of the down-stop linkage assembly150of the cutterbar assembly140. Specifically, the engaging portion engages the engaging member162of the down-stop linkage assembly. The lockout tool additionally includes an elongated body or handle174extending from the engaging portion172that may be grasped by an operator for applying a torque to the down-stop linkage assembly. The magnitude of torque that can be generated by the elongated body174is sufficient to move the cutterbar assembly i.e., raise and lower the cutterbar assembly in relation to the chassis.

FIGS. 2-4sequentially show lockout tool170as it would appear when raising the cutterbar assembly140from a first distal position to a second proximal position relative to the header chassis113. That is, the down-stop linkage assembly150is positionable between the first and second positions. In the first position (FIG. 2) the cutterbar120is positioned distal to a front end113aof the chassis113. In the second position (FIG. 4) the cutterbar is positioned proximal to the front end of the chassis. In an intermediate position (FIG. 3) the cutterbar120is positioned intermediate distal and proximal positions relative to the front end113aof the of the chassis. The down-stop linkage assembly may be repositioned from either the first position or the second position upon application of sufficient force on the lockout tool which is converted into torque at pivot156a. Upon positioning of the down-stop linkage assembly from the first position to the second position, the cutterbar assembly140can be secured in a fixed position relative to the chassis113by inserting fastener160into the aligned apertures166,168. Similarly, when it is desired to release the down-stop linkage assembly from the second position and place it into the first position, torque is again applied to the down-stop linkage assembly via the handle174, the lock pin is removed from apertures166,168and the cutterbar assembly140is permitted to lower under its own weight.

As seen inFIG. 2, the engaging portion172of the lockout tool170includes a jaw176having a throat178for receiving the down-stop linkage assembly150. According to an aspect, the jaw can include a hollow body portion180(FIG. 4) including threading, a J-slot or the like for releasably engaging and receiving the elongated body174.

Referring toFIG. 5, there is shown a further aspect of the lockout tool according to the subject application. The lockout tool, identified as270, includes an engaging portion272and an elongated body or handle274extending from the engaging portion. The engaging portion includes a jaw276defining a throat278for receiving an engaging member of a down-stop linkage assembly250. In this aspect, the engaging member of the down-stop linkage assembly is the end of the down-stop linkage assembly250proximate the supporting arm. That is, the outer profile of the down-stop linkage254forms the engaging member which is engaged by the lockout tool. As seen inFIG. 5, the throat278of jaw276engages the engaging member and force is applied in a clockwise direction (as shown inFIG. 5) or downward direction on the elongated tool body or handle274in order to pivot the down-stop linkage254about pivot256awhile slidably and pivotably moving the link254via interaction of a boss or stud258aprovided on supporting arm242within slot258bof the engaging member. When the down-stop linkage assembly reaches the second or proximal position with respect to the chassis213, an unillustrated fastener may be inserted in an unillustrated aperture provided in the down-stop linkage254and an aperture268in chassis213similar to the manner described above in connection withFIGS. 2-4in order to secure the unillustrated cutterbar in the second position.

As depicted inFIG. 5the jaw276of lockout tool270is situated at an end of the handle274and extends at an angle with respect to the handle. Jaw276includes a pair of spaced apart gripping members276a,276bwhich are configured to closely engage upper and lower surfaces or side portions of the down-stop linkage254. That is, gripping members276a,276bare preferably spaced apart a distance just slightly greater than the width of the down-stop linkage254between its upper and lower surfaces or side portions in order to minimize the possibility of slippage of the lockout tool270from the engaging member during turning of the tool. As illustrated, the end of the down-stop linkage254that is engaged by the jaw276of lockout tool270can be curved in shape. In that event, the throat278of jaw276can be substantially U-shaped in order to provide a firm and close mating fit between the jaw and the engaging member. It will be understood, however, that the end of the engaging member280may assume other shapes such as rectilinear or a combination of curvilinear and rectilinear and that the throat278of jaw276may be correspondingly shaped in order to substantially matingly receive the engaging member. Further, although shown as extending substantially perpendicular to handle274, jaw276may project at an angle greater than zero degrees, an acute angle or an obtuse angle with respect to the handle.

FIGS. 6 and 7show a down-stop linkage assembly350and lockout tool370pursuant to a further aspect of the subject application. The down-stop linkage assembly350includes a down-stop linkage354and an unillustrated fastening member similar to fastening member160ofFIG. 4. According to this aspect, the lockout tool370is configured as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7and includes a jaw376integrally connected to an elongated body or handle374. The jaw is an elongated jaw defining a plane and having an elongated base384for engaging the down-stop linkage assembly350. Specifically, at least a portion of the elongated base384engages a lower side of the down-stop linkage354. The jaw376includes a first end386extending from the elongated base in a first direction, which is a direction substantially opposite from the direction the elongated body or handle374of the tool370extends from the elongated base384. The first end386of the jaw376has a curved or crescent shaped portion388extending medially i.e., towards a medial plane, of the jaw defining a throat378(FIG. 6) for receiving a projection389provided at a first end390of the down-stop linkage assembly (FIG. 7). As illustrated, the throat378has an opening facing a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the handle374, i.e., toward a second end392of the elongated base (although the throat opening can be disposed at any angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle). Second end392extends from the elongated base384about an end opposite the first end386in a second direction at an angle relative to the elongated base for abutting a lower side394of the down-stop linkage354of the down-stop linkage assembly350. Specifically, as best shown inFIG. 7, the second end392of the elongated base384extends away from the first end386and is directed at an angle with respect to the plane of the jaw376. As shown inFIG. 7, the second end392is angled towards the direction of the supporting arm342in order to provide an abutment surface for contacting the lower side394of the down-stop linkage354. In the alternative, rather than an angled second end392, a protrusion may be provided on either the down-stop linkage354or the tool370to achieve the desired effect. That is, the down-stop linkage may have an outwardly projecting protrusion the underside of which may be engaged by the tool or the tool may have an inwardly projecting protrusion which engages the lower side of the down-stop linkage. In any event, applying force to the handle or elongated body374in a manner similar to that shown inFIGS. 2-4results in a torque being applied to the down-stop linkage354that enables the cutterbar assembly340to be raised from a first position distal to the chassis313to a second position proximal thereto at which point it may be releasably locked.

FIGS. 8 and 9show a down-stop linkage assembly450and lockout tool470according to a further aspect of the subject application. According to this aspect, the engaging portion472of the lockout tool includes a base484and a first end486extending from the base. The first end includes an aperture496for receiving first portion498of the down-stop linkage assembly. The lockout tool engaging portion additionally has a second end492extending form the base and configured to abut a second portion401of the down-stop linkage assembly spaced from the first portion498. As seen inFIGS. 8 and 9, the first end486extends from the base along a first plane and the second end492includes an abutment member403extending from the base along a second plane substantially perpendicular from the first plane and configured to abut the second portion401of the down-stop linkage assembly. The second end492includes a neck that curves about 90° from the first plane of the base such that the abutment member403extends substantially perpendicular from the first end486. The abutment member403also extends further upwards from the neck such that a substantially U-shaped aperture is formed between the abutment member403and a medial side wall of the first member. The base of the U-shaped aperture is positioned lower on the engaging portion than the aperture496. Further, the distance between the aperture496and the abutment member403is sized to be substantially the same as the spacing between the first portion498and the bottom surface of the down-stop linkage. Thus in operation, as the lockout tool engages the first portion498, the abutment member engages a bottom side of the down-stop linkage proximate an end of the down-stop linkage opposite the first portion498such that a downward force on the lockout tool produces a torque on the down-stop linkage for raising or lowering the supporting arm.

FIGS. 10 and 11respectively show a down-stop linkage assembly550and lockout tool570according to a further aspect of the subject application. As illustrated inFIG. 11, the engaging portion572of the lockout tool570has a planar base584with a first major surface505. A boss507extends or projects from the first major surface. Boss507is configured to engage with a correspondingly shaped aperture509provided on the down-stop linkage554of the down-stop linkage assembly. That is, the boss507is inserted into aperture509whereby the operator may apply a force to the elongated body or handle portion574(FIG. 11) sufficient to apply a torque for turning the down-stop linkage554to raise the cutterbar assembly540(FIG. 10) from a lowered first position to a raised second position relative to the chassis513. Although shown as substantially rectangular in shape, it will be understood that the boss507and aperture509may assume any rectilinear, curvilinear or combination of rectilinear and curvilinear shape other than a circle. In the present example, the boss is a rectangular boss having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle. It will be further understood that more than one boss may project from the engaging portion of the lockout tool, which bosses would be receivable in a corresponding number of apertures provided on the down-stop linkage. Further, as shown, the aperture509is positioned in between a first end of the down-stop linkage pivotably connected to the chassis and a slot of the down-stop linkage pivotably connected to the supporting arm540. However, the boss-receiving aperture(s) may be located anywhere along the down-stop linkage.

As discussed above, manual lifting and locking of a cutterbar is a labor-intensive and time-consuming task that is often difficult for one person to perform. In this regard, it is often necessary in many headers to apply at least 180 ft-lbs of torque to a supporting arm in order to raise the down-stop linkage assembly a sufficient distance whereby the worker can insert a fastener into the cooperating apertures of the header chassis and the down-stop linkage assembly. This task must be repeated for every supporting arm that is provided on the header. Since typical headers may include as many as 10-16 supporting arms it will be appreciated that positioning and securing the cutterbar into a locked position can be challenging for many workers.

The cooperating lockout tools and down-stop linkage assemblies of the subject application greatly reduce the amount of effort a worker must expend when placing a cutterbar into a locked position relative to a header chassis. That is, the subject lockout tools and down-stop linkage assemblies enable the worker to apply considerable lifting torque at the supporting arm pin through the down-stop linkage assembly as opposed to physically lifting the supporting arm itself. The elongated body or handle portions of the lockout tools are of a manageable length sufficient to produce substantial torque at the down-stop linkage assembly. By way of example but not limitation, the elongated bodies of the lockout tools disclosed herein have lengths that when combined with the motion of the down-stop linkage are desirably sufficient to produce torque of about 200 ft-lbs with the cutterbar down to about 800 ft-lbs with the cutterbar up in order to effectively move the cutterbar assembly. In so doing, a worker can raise a supporting arm with relative ease using one hand while inserting the fastener or lock pin with the other.

According to an aspect, the subject application contemplates use of lockout tools that produce considerable mechanical advantage versus conventional manual lifting of the supporting arms. Referring toFIG. 12there is shown a partial side view of the header chassis113and a cutterbar lockout tool170ofFIGS. 2-4with the cutterbar assembly140in a proximal position with respect to the header chassis and depicting certain dimensional parameters for determining mechanical advantage produced by the lockout tool. According to the subject application, mechanical advantage at the upper lockout position may be calculated as follows:

In the illustrated but non-limitative example, the tool length is 600 mm (approximately 24 inches), the pin distance is 44 mm, the pin to supporting arm pivot distance is 350 mm and the supporting arm length is 900 mm. The mechanical advantage achieved by the lockout tool having a length of 600 mm on a down-stop linkage and cutterbar assembly as dimensioned above would be calculated as follows: (600/44)(350/900) or approximately 5.3:1. In comparison to conventional tools, e.g., a pry bar, in order to achieve similar mechanical advantage using the pry bar it is estimated that such bar would need to be approximately 15 feet in length, which would necessarily require the assistance of another person to manipulate the pry bar as one worker either inserts or withdraws the lock pins from the down-stop linkages and header chassis. While the foregoing example results in a mechanical advantage of approximately 5.3:1, the present embodiments of the subject application can produce mechanical advantages of at least about 4:1 or greater.

In addition to the header assembly and lockout tools described above, the subject application provides a method for repositioning a cutterbar assembly of a header of an agricultural harvester. According to the method, the header includes a chassis and a cutterbar assembly extending from the chassis. The cutterbar assembly includes a supporting arm having one end pivotably connected to the chassis and an opposite end connected to a cutterbar. The method includes the act of connecting the supporting arm to the chassis about a mid-region of the supporting arm with a down-stop linkage assembly positionable between first and second positions. In the first position the cutterbar is positioned distal to a front end of the chassis and in the second position the cutterbar is positioned proximal to the front end of the chassis. A lockout tool is received by and is engageable with the down-stop linkage assembly for applying a torque to the down-stop linkage assembly. Then, the down-stop linkage assembly is repositioned from either the first position or the second position upon application of the torque.

The method also entails securing the cutterbar assembly into a fixed position relative to the chassis upon repositioning of the down-stop linkage assembly from the first position to the second position by receiving a lock pin in cooperating apertures in the down-stop linkage assembly and the chassis. The applied torque necessary to raise the cutterbar assembly is about 180 ft-lbs and the act of applying the torque to the down-stop linkage by applying a force on the lockout tool results in a mechanical advantage of at least 4:1. It has been observed that performing such method in respect to agricultural harvesters equipped with down-stop linkages results in a single worker being able to relatively easily and rapidly lock a cutterbar with respect to the header chassis, thereby overcoming the shortcomings of excessive labor and time associated with the conventional practice of manually lifting the supporting arms.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the aspects described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is to be understood, therefore, that the subject application is not limited to the particular aspects disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the subject application as defined by the appended claims.