A HAYMAKING MACHINE

Abstract: A haymaking machine is provided, on both sides of a beam (4), which can be fastened to a tractor, with a rotatable, drivable crop working member (2, 3) whose distance to a central axis extending in the direction of travel of the tractor is adjustable and which is pivotably fastened to the beam (4), so as to be capable of being pivoted up from an operative position for tansport purposes and vice versa. There are provided means (7-16, 20-34) for bringing the crop working members (2, 3) into a transport position in which they assume a lower position than in the situation when they have been pivoted up from that operative position in which their distance to the central axis is minimal. This results in that the haymaking machine is compact in the transport position and crop working members (2, 3) with large dimensions can be used.

Description: A HAYMAKING MACHINE The invention relates to a haymaking machine as claimed in the preamble of claim 1. With such haymaking machines (e.g. rake machines or tedders) provided with upwardly pivotable crop working members a legally prescribed maximum height in the transport position has to be taken into account. As a result thereof the dimensions of the crop working members used are subjected to limitations. One of the objectives of the invention is to provide an improved, compact haymaking machine in which crop working members with large dimensions can be used. According to the invention tήis is achieved by the measures mentioned in the characterizing part of claim 1. In the transport position the crop working members assume a lower position than in the situation when they have been pivoted up from their smallest operative position. The invention will now be explained in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a haymaking machine according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic rear view in the direction of the arrow II in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic plan view in the direction of the arrow III in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a schematic cross-section according to the arrows IV-IV in Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a stop mechanism according to a further embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a haymaking machine according to the invention. The machine comprises a connecting element 1, which can be fastened to a tractor, on both sides of which connecting element 1 there is disposed a crop working member 2 , 3. The connecting element 1 is substantially designed as a beam 4 extending in the direction of travel and provided with a support and wheels 5, 6. In the embodiment shown the crop working members 2, 3 are rake members known per se, which are drivable and rotatable about a substantially upwardly directed axis. The distance from the rake members 2, 3 to a central axis extending in the direction of travel of the tractor is adjustable, so that the working width of the rake machine can be adjusted, as will be explained hereinafter in further detail. On both sides of the rear side of the beam 4 there are disposed intermediate elements 7, 8 which are capable of hinging about a substantially horizontal axis extending in the direction of travel. Said intermediate elements 7, 8 are each pivotable by means of a control cylinder 9, 10 (see also Figure 2). The rake members 2, 3 are fastened themselves to the intermediate elements 7 , 8 and consequently pivotably connected with the beam 4 so as to be capable of being pivoted up from an operative position for transport purposes and vice versa. The machine is provided with a slide 12, which is movable along the beam 4 by means of a further control cylinder 11 and which is connected with the crop working members 2, 3. Via a parallelogram construction having two parallel bars 13, 14; 15, 16 respectively, each intermediate element 7 , 8 is connected with the corresponding rake member 2, 3 in such a manner that the orientation of the rake member 2, 3 in the direction of travel is equal in any position. This has not only the advantage that the rake member 2 , 3 can be provided with a tandem wheel construction 17, 18 known per se, but also that the tine arms 19 can be accurately controlled in any operative position by means of one single curved path. The bars 13, 14; 15, 16 are fastened with one end, hinged about an axis which is substantially vertical in the operative position, to the intermediate element 7, 8. With their other end they are fastened, hinged about an axis which is also substantially vertical in the operative position, to the rake member 2 , 3. Via bars 20, 21 the slide (or sliding yoke) 12 is connected with each of the rake members 2, 3. These bars 20, 21 are each fastened with one end, hinged about a substantially horizontal axis and about an axis which is substantially vertical in the operative position, to the slide 12 and with their other end, hinged about an axis which is substantially vertical in the operative position, with the corresponding bar 13, 15 of the intermediate element 7, 8. Accordingly, by means of the control cylinder 11 the slide 12 can be moved along the beam 4, so that the distance from the rake members 2 , 3 to the central axis of the machine can be adjusted. By means of the control cylinders 9, 10 the rake members 2, 3 can be pivoted up. The beam 4 and the slide 12 are provided with stop means for limiting their mutual relative movement. As will be explained hereinafter in further detail, these stop means are designed such that the slide 12, from a first end position (in Figure 1: to the right) corresponding to that operative position in which the distance from the rake members 2, 3 to the central axis is maximal (i.e. the maximum working width), is not further movable than into an intermediate position corresponding to that operative position in which the distance from the rake members 2, 3 to the central axis is minimal (i.e. the minimum working width), unless the rake members 2, 3 have been pivoted up completely, in which case the slide 12 is further movable into a second end position (in Figure 1: to the left) corresponding to the transport position of the rake members 2, 3. The stop means comprise a stop bar 22, one end of which is connected with the beam 4 via a spring construction 23 and whose other end is passed through a ring 24 on the slide 12 and is provided with a stop 25 for said ring 24, while one end is further provided on both sides with a stop pin 26; 27 which is suitable for co-operating with a stop board 28; 29 that is connected with a pivotable intermediate element 7; 8. As also explained in further detail with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the stop boards 28, 29 and the stop pins 26, 27 are designed such that each stop board 28; 29 blocks the corresponding stop pin 26; 27 and along therewith the stop bar 22, unless the rake members 2; 3 have been pivoted up completely, in which case the stop pins 26; 27 are movable with the aid of the stop bar 22 against spring action along or through the stop boards 28; 29, so that the rake members 2; 3 attain their transport position. Via the stop bar 22 the slide 12 draws the stop pins 26, 27 against the stop boards 28, 29. When the rake members 2, 3 have been pivoted up completely, the intermediate elements 7, 8 with the stop boards 28, 29 have also been pivoted up. In said position the stop pins 26, 27 are capable of sliding along the corresponding stop boards 28, 29, so that it is possible for the slide 12 to draw the stop bar 22 further to the left against spring action. As a result thereof the rake members 2, 3 attain their low transport position. Furthermore, the stop boards 28, 29 and the stop pins 26, 27 are designed such that in the transport position of the rake members 2; 3 each stop pin 26; 27 blocks the corresponding stop board 28; 29, so that the intermediate elements 7; 8 and along therewith the rake members 2; 3 cannot pivot downwards. The fact is that, when the stop pins 26; 27 slide along the stop boards 28, 29, said stop boards 28, 29 are no longer able to pivot downwards. In this manner the stop pins 26, 27 and the stop boards 28, 29 constitute blocking means ensuring that the rake members 2 , 3 cannot be pivoted downwards directly from the transport position. Accordingly, the machine is designed such that the completely pivoted up crop working members 2, 3 are able to perform a movement having a downward component relative to the beam 4, as a result of which the crop working members 2, 3 can be brought into a transport position in which they assume a lower position than in the situation when they have been pivoted up from that operative position in which their distance to the central axis is minimal. Figure 2 shows, as a further illustration, a schematic rear view in the direction of the arrow II in Figure 1. The transport position of the rake members 2, 3 is indicated by means of broken lines . Figure 3 is a schematic plan view in the direction of the arrow III in Figure 2. The intermediate elements 7, 8 have been pivoted downwards and the stop boards 28, 29 are blocking the stop pins 26, 27. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-section according to the arrows IV-IV in Figure 3. Also in Figure 4, the intermediate elements 7, 8 have been pivoted downwards and the stop boards 28, 29 are blocking the stop pins 26, 27. By means of arrows there is indicated how the intermediate elements 7, 8 can be pivoted upwards. Then, the stop pins 26, 27 can be moved beyond the stop boards 28, 29. Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a further stop mechanism. In this situation the stop means 22 - 34 are designed such that the slide 12, from a first end position corresponding to that operative position in which the distance from the rake members 2, 3 to the central axis is maximal, is not further movable than into an intermediate position corresponding to that operative position in which the distance from the rake members 2, 3 to the central axis is minimal, unless the rake members 2, 3 have been pivoted up through a specific angle α, in which case the slide 12 is further movable into a second end position, which corresponds, after the rake members 2, 3 have further been pivoted up completely, to the transport position of the rake members 2, 3. To that end, the elements 22 to 27 are designed in the same manner as described in the foregoing with reference to the previous embodiment. The stop boards 28, 29 are blocking again the stop pins 26, 27, but this time only until the rake members 2, 3 have been pivoted up through an angle α of e.g. approximately 35 degrees. Then the stop pins 26, 27 move (through or) along the stop boards 28, 29, so that the slide 12 can move entirely to the left. Furthermore, from any operative position, the rake members 2, 3 cannot be pivoted up further than through the angle α. For that purpose, there are provided pins 30 connected with the stop bar 22 which, after having pivoted through the angle α, block the lower side of the stop boards 28, 29. When the slide 12 moves entirely to the left (into the second end position), the stop bar 22 with the pins 30 is taken along, so that the stop boards 28, 29 are capable of pivoting further and the rake members 2, 3 can be pivoted up completely. A stop 31, blocking the folded up end of the bar 21 at the side of the beam 4, then ensures that the slide 12 is no longer capable of moving to the right. Furthermore, pins 32 move under spring pressure into apertures 33 of the stop boards 28, 29, so that the completely pivoted up rake members 2, 3 are not capable of pivoting down in sideward direction. Now the machine has attained the transport position and is locked. For unlocking the machine, the pins 32 are connected via cables or bars 34 with the housing of the control cylinder 11, said housing being fitted in a slotted hole. When activating the control cylinder 11, because of the fact that the stop 31 is blocking the slide 12, the housing will move to the left in the slotted hole and will consequently pull the pins 32 out of the apertures 33. As a result thereof the rake members 2, 3 are again capable of pivoting downwards until they have attained the angle α. Then the stop pins 26, 27 will block the stop boards 28, 29 and the members 2, 3 are not capable of moving further downwards. Only now the slide 12 can again move beyond the stop 31, so that the spring construction 23 can again pull the stop pins 26, 27 to the right, thus enabling the stop boards 28, 29 to pivot further downwards. As a result thereof the rake members 2, 3 are again capable of moving downwards into an operative position. Also the pins 30 become active again. In this manner the members 2 , 3 of the machine can be folded up from any operative position maximally through the angle α. In that situation the slide has to be moved entirely to the left, so that the machine attains its smallest position. Then, the members 2, 3 can further be folded up completely, so that the machine attains the extremely low, compact transport position in which the members 2, 3 are moreover locked in a reliable manner. A major advantage of this embodiment is that the machine will not attain a high position, not even during being folded up. Accordingly, the machine is designed such that the rake members 2, 3, when they are in a position that can be attained by pivoting up (partially or completely) from their smallest operative position, are capable of performing a movement having a component in the direction of the beam 4. As a result thereof the members 2, 3 can be brought into a transport position in which they assume a lower position than in the situation when they have been pivoted up from their smallest operative position.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A haymaking machine provided, on both sides of a connecting element (1), which can be fastened to a tractor, with a crop working member (2, 3) which is drivable and rotatable about a substantially upwardly directed axis and whose distance to a central axis extending in the direction of travel of the tractor is adjustable, said crop working member (2, 3) being pivotably fastened to the connecting element (1) so as to be capable of being pivoted up from an operative position for transport purposes and vice versa, characterized in that means (7 - 16, 20 - 34) are provided for bringing the crop working members (2, 3) into a transport position in which they assume a lower position than in the situation when they have been pivoted up from that operative position in which their distance to the central axis is minimal. 2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the means (7 - 16, 20 - 34) are suitable for making the crop working members (2, 3), when the latter are in a position that can be attained by pivoting up (partially or completely) from that operative position in which their distance to the central axis is minimal, perform a movement having a component in the direction of the connecting element (1). 3. A machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the machine is provided with blocking means (26 - 29, 31 - 34) ensuring that the crop working members (2, 3) cannot be pivoted downwards directly from the transport position. 4. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connecting element (1) is designed as a beam (4) extending in the direction of travel, said beam (4) being provided on both sides in a hinged manner with an intermediate element (7; 8) which is pivotable by means of a control cylinder (9; 10) and to which the crop working member (2; 3) is fastened. 5. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the connecting element (1) is provided with wheels (5, 6). 6. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the machine is provided with a slide (12) which is movable along the beam (4) by means of a control cylinder (11) and which is connected with the crop working members ( 2 , 3 ) . 7. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 , characterized in that the intermediate element (7; 8) is connected with the corresponding crop working member (2; 3) via at least one bar (13; 15) which is fastened with one end, hinged about an axis which is substantially vertical in the operative position, to the intermediate element (7; 8). 8. A machine as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the slide (12) is connected with each of the crop working members (2, 3) via bars (20, 21) which are each fastened with one end, hinged about a substantially horizontal axis and about an axis which is substantially vertical in the operative position, to the slide (12) and with their other end, hinged about an axis which is substantially vertical in the operative position, with the corresponding bar (13, 15) of the intermediate element (7, 8). 9. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the intermediate element (7, 8) is connected with the corresponding crop working member (2; 3) via a parallelogram construction having two parallel bars (13, 14; 15, 16) in such a manner that the orientation of the crop working member (2; 3) in the direction of travel is equal in any position. 10. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that each crop working member (2; 3) is provided with a tandem wheel construction (17; 18). 11. A machine as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the connecting element (1) and the slide (12) are provided with stop means (22 - 34) for limiting their mutual relative movement. 12. A machine as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the stop means (22 to 29) are designed such that the slide (12), from a first end position corresponding to that operative position in which the distance from the crop working members (2, 3) to the central axis is maximal, is not further movable than into an intermediate position corresponding to that operative position in which the distance from the crop working members (2, 3) to the central axis is minimal, unless the crop working members (2, 3) have been pivoted up completely, in which case the slide (12) is further movable into a second end position corresponding to the transport position of the crop working members ( 2 , 3 ) . 13. A machine as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the stop means (22 to 29) comprise a stop bar (22), one end of which is connected with the beam (4) via a spring construction (23) and whose other end is passed through a ring (24) on the slide (12) and is provided with a stop (25) for said ring (24), while one end is further provided on both sides with a stop pin (26; 27) which is suitable for co-operating with a stop board (28; 29) that is connected with a pivotable intermediate element (7; 8). 14. A machine as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the stop boards (28, 29) and the stop pins (26, 27) are designed such that each stop board (28; 29) blocks the corresponding stop pin (26; 27) and along therewith the stop bar (22), unless the crop working members (2; 3) have been pivoted up completely, in which case the stop pins (26; 27) are movable with the aid of the stop bar (22) against spring action along or through the stop boards (28; 29), so that the crop working members (2; 3) attain their transport position. 15. A machine as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the stop boards (28, 29) and the stop pins (26, 27) are designed such that, in the transport position of the crop working members (2, 3), each stop pin (26; 27) blocks the corresponding stop board (28; 29), so that the intermediate elements (7, 8) and along therewith the crop working members (2, 3) cannot pivot downwards . 16. A machine as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the stop means (22 - 34) are designed such that the slide (12), from a first end position corresponding to that operative position in which the distance from the rake members (2, 3) to the central axis is maximal, is not further movable than into an intermediate position corresponding to that operative position in which the distance from the rake members (2, 3) to the central axis is minimal, unless the rake members (2, 3) have been pivoted up through a certain angle α, in which case the slide (12) is further movable into a second end position, which corresponds, after the rake members (2, 3) have further been pivoted up completely, to the transport position of the rake members (2, 3) . 17. A machine as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the stop means (22 - 34) are further designed such that the crop working members (2, 3) cannot be pivoted up from an operative position further than through the angle α, after which the slide (12) can be moved into the second end position, after which the crop working members (2, 3) can be pivoted up completely. 18. A machine as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the stop means (22 - 34) are further designed such that the completely pivoted up crop working members (2, 3) are not capable of pivoting down in sideward direction.

Inventors: GEERTS CORNELIS FRANCISCUS JOH, GEERTS, CORNELIS, FRANCISCUS, JOHANNES
Applicants: GEERTS CORNELIS FRANCISCUS JOH, MAASLAND NV, GEERTS, CORNELIS, FRANCISCUS, JOHANNES, MAASLAND N.V.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A01D78
IPC codes: A01D78