Abstract:
A method and an apparatus for pivoting the dividers of an agricultural machine for the harvesting of row crops. A multiple-part attachment having feeder housings to receive the row crops is attached to the front of the agricultural machine. The multiple-part attachment has side frames that are pivotable from a working position to a non-working position. Outer row crop dividers are arranged on the side frames in such a way that when the side frames are pivoted, the outer row crop dividers move relative to the adjacent inner row crop dividers. The relative movement of the outer row crop dividers prevents them from colliding with each other when the side frames are in a non-working position and allows for maximum feeder housing width when the side frames are in a working position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to agricultural machinery and more particularly to an apparatus and method for pivoting the attachment sides of an agricultural harvesting machine having a multiple-part attachment, wherein the attachment sides are pivotable from a working position to a non-working position. 
     German Patent Publication No. 41 31 491 A1 discloses a multi-part front attachment of an agricultural machine for the harvesting of stalk crops. The attachment has sides that can be pivoted from a working position to a transport position, thus reducing its width for easier transport. The attachment sides are moved into the transport position by means of a carriage guide in cooperation with pivot shafts. When in the transport position, the attachment sides are nearly vertical. Such an arrangement of the attachment sides places an increased load on the agricultural machine due to the fact the attachment sides are at a great distance from the center of gravity. A better arrangement would be to locate the attachment sides in a nearly horizontal position over the non-pivotable center portion of the attachment. However, the outer feeder housings of the attachment sides are usually of such width to prevent this type of arrangement. Smaller outer feeder housings may be used to overcome this problem, but this reduces the working width of the attachment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. 
     It is an object of the invention to develop a method and an apparatus for pivoting multiple-part attachments from a working position into a non-working position that has a permissible transport width. The multiple-part attachment should have feeder housings flanged outwardly in the working position and yet allow pivoting of the side portions into a transport position located above the non-pivotable center portion without the side portions colliding into each other. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a multiple-part attachment for an agricultural machine including a main frame having a plurality of inner row crop dividers; first and second side frames each having a plurality of inner row crop dividers and an outer row crop divider; means for moving the first side frame and the second side frame from a working position to a non-working position in which the side frames overlie the main frame; and at least one adjusting device on each side frame and associated with its respective outer row crop divider for moving the outer row crop divider relative to its adjacent inner row crop divider as the side frames move between the working and non-working positions. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of moving side frames of a multiple-part frame attachment of an agricultural machine, the multiple-part frame including a central frame portion comprising about half of the total width of the frame and first and second side frame portions each comprising about one-quarter of the total width of the frame, the frame carrying a plurality of row crop dividers including outer row crop dividers at the distal end of each side frame, the method comprising the steps of: pivoting the first side frame and the second side frame from a lower working position to an upper non-working position in which the side frames overlie the central frame portion; and moving the outermost divider of each side frame toward its adjacent inner row crop divider so that the outermost dividers do not interfere in the non-working position. 
     Because the outer divider is movable relative to the adjacent inner divider when the side frames move from a working position to a non-working position, the outer dividers will not collide with each other when in the transport position and the feeder housings can achieve a greater working width when in the working position. The angle of opening between the outer divider and the adjacent inner divider can be varied to achieve a desirable attachment width. 
     An advantageous embodiment is achieved if the variation in the angle of opening is effected automatically, so that the carrier vehicle driver is not burdened with external actuation of adjusting members. 
     A particularly cheap embodiment of this apparatus is achieved if the variation in the angle of opening is effected passively, so that cost-intensive, actively driven adjusting members, such as lifting cylinders, can be eliminated. 
     While the side frames move into the non-working position, the angle of opening between the respective outer row crop divider and the adjacent inner row crop divider decreases so that when the side frames reach the non-working position the respective outer row crop dividers do not extend beyond the edges of the respective side frames. 
     A relatively simple version of the invention is achieved if the outer row crop dividers of the side frames are each associated with an adjusting device which performs the relative movement of the outer row crop dividers relative to the adjacent inner row crop dividers. 
     A structurally simple, space-saving and cheap apparatus for carrying out the invention is achieved if the adjusting device is in two parts, wherein the two parts, or adjusting units, are connected to each other by a vertical pivot shaft, a horizontal pivot shaft, and a coupling element. 
     The relative movement of the outer row crop dividers can be controlled by the adjusting units, wherein one of the adjusting units has a profile with a slideway, wherein the coupling element is guided by the slideway and in the process forces both a horizontal and a vertical movement. 
     Stops may be employed to limit the angle between the outer row crop divider and the adjacent inner row crop divider to a specific range. 
     In a simple embodiment of the coupling element, the coupling element is constructed as a guide rod. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the profile can be pivotable and lockable in different positions on the associated adjusting unit, so that the position of the slideway varies relative to the coupling element. The ability to obtain different pivot ranges is of particular importance. A small pivot range for the outer row crop divider would be desirable to reduce wear. However, a greater pivot range must be set whenever additional devices known in the art are associated with the outer row crop dividers. 
     To increase the stability of the outer row crop dividers in the working position, the front adjusting unit can be locked into position by securing means, such as screw connections. 
     To reduce the impact loads applied to the front attachment while working in the field and on pivoting of the side frames, both the pivot movement of the front adjusting unit about the pivot shaft arranged on the rear adjusting unit, and the pivot movement of the outer row crop dividers about the pivot shaft arranged on the side frames can be damped by suitable means. 
     In another aspect of the invention there is provided a multiple-part front agricultural machine attachment, wherein each attachment side is independently pivotable. 
     In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for independently pivoting the attachment sides of a multiple-part front agricultural machine attachment. 
     The above aspects are merely illustrative and should not be construed as all-inclusive. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Reference is now made to the drawings which illustrate the best known mode of carrying out the invention and wherein the same reference characters indicate the same parts throughout the views. 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a harvesting apparatus embodying the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top view of the harvesting apparatus; 
     FIG. 3A is a sectional view taken generally along line  3 A— 3 A in FIG.  2  and showing an outer row crop divider but with the auger removed; 
     FIG. 3B is a top view of the outer row crop divider shown in FIG. 3A but with the hoods removed; 
     FIG. 4 is a detailed view of an adjusting unit for the outer row crop divider; and 
     FIG. 5 is a detailed view of a profile as seen from arrow B in FIG.  3 A. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 shows an agricultural machine  1  having a front and a rear. In the preferred embodiment shown, the agricultural machine  1  is a combine harvester, but other embodiments are possible. In the front region, the agricultural machine  1  has a harvesting attachment  4 , preferably shown as a picker. The harvesting attachment  4  is formed by a main frame  5 , a first side frame  6 , and a second side frame  7 . The main frame  5 , the first side frame  6 , and the second side frame  7  each have an upper side and a ground side. The first side frame  6  and the second side frame  7  each have an inner region and an outer region, with the inner region being closest to the tractor when the first side frame  6  and the second side frame  7  are in the working position. The main frame  5  is operatively connected to the agricultural machine  1 . First pivot shafts  18 , second pivot shafts  19 , plates  60  and an adjusting means  20  operatively connect the main frame  5  to the first side frame  6  and the second side frame  7 . In the preferred embodiment, the adjusting means  20  is shown as a pair of hydraulic lifting cylinders. Associated with the main frame  5 , the first side frame  6 , and the second side frame  7  are snapping rollers  8 . The snapping rollers  8  cooperate in pairs on the ground side of the main frame  5 , the first side frame  6 , and the second side frame  7 . Above the snapping rollers  8  are snapping plates  10 . The snapping plates  10  cooperate in pairs, forming snapping gaps  11 . Above the snapping gaps  11  are conveyor chains  14 . Associated with the main frame  5 , the first side frame  6 , and the second side frame  7  are inner row crop dividers  17 , which are located above the conveyor chains  14 . An outer row crop divider  16  is associated with each of the first side frame  6  and the second side frame  7 . The outer row crop divider  16  is located in the outer region of the respective first side frame  6  and the second side frame  7 . The outer row crop divider  16  is only partially hood-shaped and is considerably narrower than the inner row crop dividers  17 . Referring to FIG. 2, the outer row crop divider  16  has an outermost tip  61 . 
     If the outer row crop divider  16  is at a right angle to the main frame  5 , stalk guiding will be impaired due to the narrow width of the outer row crop divider  16 . Therefore, it is desirable to angle the outermost tip  61  toward the outer region of the respective first side frame  6  and the second side frame  7 . However, if the outermost tip  61  is angled toward the respective outer region when the first side frame  6  and the second side frame  7  are moved into the non-working position, the outer row crop divider  16  attached to the first side frame  6  and the other outer row crop divider  16  attached to the second side frame  7  will collide because the first side frame  6  and the second side frame  7  are located a short distance from each other on the upper side of the main frame  5 . To avoid this problem, each of the outer row crop dividers  16  is associated with an adjusting device  24  that angles the outermost tip  61  toward the outer region of the respective first side frame  6  and the second side frame  7  when in the working position and angles the outermost tip  61  toward the inner region of the respective first side frame  6  and the second side frame  7  when in the non-working position. In this manner the outer row crop dividers  16  may be flared outwardly in the working position and disposed in a non-interfering location in the non-working, overlying position. 
     In the preferred embodiment, there are two adjusting devices  24 , with one of the adjusting devices  24  operatively connected to the first side frame  6  and one of the adjusting devices  24  operatively connected to the second side frame  7 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 3A,  3 B, and  4 , the adjusting device  24  is formed by a rear adjusting unit  26  and a front adjusting unit  27 . The front adjusting unit  27  is operatively connected to the rear adjusting unit  26  through a coupling element  44  advantageously in the form of a guide rod. The front adjusting unit  27  has a base frame  38 . A holding arm  39  is operatively attached to the base frame  38 . The rear adjusting unit  26  has a carrying frame  28  having a front and a rear, with the rear being closest to main frame  5 . The carrying frame  28  has a horizontal region  28   a  and a vertical region  28   b.  The adjusting device  24  is operatively connected to the respective first side frame  6  and the second side frame  7  through the use of the carrying frame  28  in cooperation with a third pivot shaft  29 . In the preferred embodiment, there are two of the third pivot shafts  29 , with one associated with the first side frame  6  and one associated with the second side frame  7 . It is well known in the art that the third pivot shaft  29  may be an axially secured bolt. In the front region of the carrying frame  28 , a profile  31  is operatively connected to the carrying frame  28 . In the preferred embodiment, the profile  31  is a metal plate and is connected to the carrying frame  28  by welding. Also in the front region of the carrying frame  28 , an angle profile  33  is operatively connected to the carrying frame  28 . In the preferred embodiment the angle profile  33  is connected to the carrying frame  28  by welding. The angle profile  33  has two holes  34 . The angle profile  33  includes a vertical pivot shaft  47 . In the preferred embodiment, the vertical pivot shaft  47  is a screw connection. A box profile  35  is operatively connected to the angle profile  33 . The box profile  35  has openings to receive a horizontal pivot shaft  36 . The base frame  38  has two holding flanges  37 . The holding flanges  37  encompass the box profile  35  and also have openings to receive the horizontal pivot shaft  36 . Thus, the base frame  38 , and hence the front adjusting unit  27 , is pivotable about the horizontal pivot shaft  36 . The horizontal pivot shaft  36  is also operatively connected to the vertical pivot shaft  47 . Thus, the horizontal pivot shaft  36 , and hence the front adjusting unit  27 , is pivotable about the vertical pivot shaft  47 . The rotation about the vertical pivot shaft  47  may be limited by a stop  49 . In the preferred embodiment, the stop  49  is a plate operatively connected to the angle profile  33 . 
     Each of the outer row crop dividers  16  has a front divider hood  40  and a rear divider hood  41 . The front divider hood  40  and the rear divider hood  41  are pivotably connected to each other in a manner not shown. The front divider hood  40  is operatively connected to the holding arm  39 . The rear divider hood  41  is operatively connected to the carrying frame  28 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, the profile  31  has a slideway  42 . The coupling element  44  passes through the slideway  42 . The slideway  42  limits the movement of the coupling element  44 . As such, the front adjusting unit  27  is pivotable in two directions but directed in movement by the coupling element  44  in combination with the slideway  42 . In the preferred embodiment, the coupling element  44  may move freely throughout the entire slideway  42 . However, in a further embodiment, it may be desirable to limit the travel of the coupling element  44  through the use of a slideway stop  51 . The slideway stop  51  may be placed at any point along the slideway  42 , thereby limiting the travel of the coupling element  44 . More than one slideway stop  51  may be used to limit the travel of the coupling element  44 . In this further embodiment, the slideway stop  51  may be a screw connection. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the profile  31  may be rotated about the carrying frame  28  so as to adjust the position of the slideway  42  relative to the coupling element  44 , wherein the coupling element  44  is releasably connected to the base frame  38 . In this last embodiment, the coupling element  44  is releasably connected by means of adjusting screws. 
     Referring again to FIG. 3A, a damping element  57  can be associated with the carrying frame  28  and pivotably connected to the respective first side frame  6  or the second side frame  7 . The damping element  57  would reduce impact stresses on the outer row crop divider  16 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 4, a damping insert  56  may be inserted between the angle profile  33  and the box frame  35 . The damping insert  56  would reduce impact stresses when the front adjusting unit  27  rotates about the vertical pivot shaft  47 . 
     In operation, the harvesting attachment  4  is transformed from a working position to a non-working position. First, the adjusting means  20  is engaged. In the preferred embodiment, this entails actuating lifting cylinders. The lifting cylinders act upon the first pivot shafts  18 . The first pivot shafts  18  act upon the steel plates  60 . Forces from the lifting cylinders acting upon the steel plates  60  cause the respective first side frame  6  and the second side frame  7  to rotate about the second pivot shafts  19 . When the first side frame  6  and the second side frame  7  rotate to some point beyond vertical, the force of gravity acts upon the outer row crop dividers  16  causing the rear adjusting unit  26  to rotate about the third pivot shaft  29  and the front adjusting unit  27  to rotate about both the vertical pivot shaft  47  and the horizontal pivot shaft  36 . While the force of gravity is used in the preferred embodiment, other forces, such as those provided by lifting cylinders, may be employed. 
     To again return to a working position, the adjusting means  20  is engaged. In the preferred embodiment, this entails actuating lifting cylinders. The lifting cylinders act upon the first pivot shafts  18 . The first pivot shafts  18  act upon the steel plates  60 . Forces from the lifting cylinders acting upon the steel plates  60  cause the respective first side frame  6  and the second side frame  7  to rotate about the second pivot shafts  19 . When the first side frame  6  and the second side frame  7  rotate to some point beyond vertical, the force of gravity acts upon the outer row crop dividers  16  causing the rear adjusting unit  26  to rotate about the third pivot shaft  29  and the front adjusting unit  27  to rotate about both the vertical pivot shaft  47  and the horizontal pivot shaft  36 . While the force of gravity is used in the preferred embodiment, other forces, such as those provided by lifting cylinders, may be employed. When the first side frame  6  and the second side frame  7  are returned to the working position, the front adjusting unit  27  may be prevented from rotating about the vertical pivot shaft  47  by means of fastener in combination with one of the two bores  34 . When in the working position, stalk crop  12  is picked up by the snapping rollers  8 . The snapping rollers  8 , on account of their rotary movement, pull the stalk crop  12  through the snapping gap  11 . The snapping gap plates  10  strip the multiple grains from the stalks. The stripped multiple grains are conveyed by the conveyor chains  14  to the agricultural machine  1 . 
     It is within the scope of the invention that the method described and the apparatus suitable for carrying out the method are not confined to pickers as in the embodiments shown, but can be used on any agricultural machine to obtain the effects described.