Abstract:
A header assembly is removably attached to lift arms of an agricultural harvester by lift pins on the header assembly received in upwardly facing cups on the ends of lift arms. Guides including target portions suspended lower than the lift pins receive the lift arms to position the cups below the lift pins. The guides are pivotally connected to the header assembly and are rotated by the lift arms engaging guide lift elements as the lift arms are raised to engage the cups with the lift pins.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to agricultural harvesters, more specifically to apparatus for attaching a header assembly to such harvesters, and still more specifically to guides for directing lift arms of the harvester to lift pins on the header assemblies. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Agricultural harvesters of many different types commonly incorporate easily attachable and detachable headers to provide flexibility in the type of crop to be harvested, thereby enabling a primary implement unit to be used with a variety of attachments for different types of crops at different times. Along with the flexibility of changing out the header, it has been a goal to make the installation and removal as quick as possible, but at the same time simple and direct so that a single operator can complete the task alone. 
         [0005]    Existing header assemblies are usually supported by a pair of lower lift arms pivotally secured to the main body of the agricultural harvester and a third arm between and above the lower lift arm. All three arms are pivotal through appropriate actuators to change the level of the header relative to the ground (and its attitude) to facilitate harvesting of varied crops under different conditions. The connection between the lift arm and the header is accomplished by upwardly facing, U-shaped recesses or cups on the ends of the lift arms, which mate with corresponding horizontal lift pins on the header. Various types of locking mechanisms can be used to ensure that the lift pins, and thus the header, are secured safely to the agricultural harvester. 
         [0006]    The upwardly facing U-shaped recesses or cups on the lift arms mating with simple horizontal lift pins on the header enable simple and quick connection of the header to the harvester, so long as the lift arms and lift pins are aligned properly. However, in some harvester arrangements, it is difficult for an operator of the harvester to see the lift pins while advancing the harvester toward the header for connection. For example, on a draper header for a self-propelled windrower, the lift pins are located generally beneath the header, on horizontal elements of inboard struts tucked up under the header where the operator cannot see the pins from the operator&#39;s seat on the harvester. Accordingly, the operator cannot see the pins while driving the harvester toward the header to attach the header to the harvester. As a result, it is often necessary for another worker to function as a spotter, directing the harvester operator to the proper position left and right, forward and aft so that the cups on the lift arms engage the lift pins on the header. While a skilled operator familiar with both the harvester and header can develop sufficient familiarity with the proper alignment of the harvester with the header so as to successfully exercise best judgment with the proper positioning of the lift cups with respect to the lift pins, it also can be a source of frustration, and can result in damage to the header, harvester or both when misalignment occurs. The use of a spotter increases the labor required for the simple task of attaching a header to a harvester at a time when the industry is moving toward reduced labor requirements for equipment operation. It can be both costly and inconvenient for a spotter to be available at the time and location required when a header is to be attached to a harvester. 
         [0007]    For harvesting some crops, headers are operated very close to the ground, or even riding on the ground. Accordingly, any additional structure projecting lower than the existing header frame and necessary header structure can interfere with the desired header performance. 
         [0008]    Since many headers and harvesters have long expected useful operating lives, modifications to either must be backward compatible and/or as simple retrofits so as not to render existing equipment unusable. 
         [0009]    Headers may be positioned on the ground, at some elevation on stands or supporting structures, or even on truck beds when the harvester is to be connected thereto. Any modifications to the structures or procedures for completing the attachment must be compatible with all such situations. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, what is needed in the art is structure that guides and directs lift arm cups toward lift pins for the attachment of a header to a harvester which can be added as simple retrofits to function with existing header and harvester structures in various applications and uses to facilitate connection by a single worker operating the harvester. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In one aspect of the present invention the structure is provided to direct lift arms on a harvester toward lift pins on a header attachment, with final attachment resulting in the structure being moved to and in obtrusive position. 
         [0012]    In one form, the invention is a header assembly for attachment to a lift arm of an agricultural harvester, provided with a frame member, a lift pin attached to the frame member and a guide rotatably secured to the header assembly. A target portion of the guide depends lower than the lift pin, and a guide lift element overlies the lift arm and is operated by raising the lift arm to rotate the guide while the header assembly is being attached to the harvester and the lift arm is raised toward the lift pin. 
         [0013]    In another form, the invention provides a connection system between an agricultural harvester and a header assembly. A lift arm is connected to the agricultural harvester and includes an upwardly opening cup at an end thereof. A lift pin is connected a header frame and is configured to be received in the cup. A guide suspended from the header assembly has a position to present at least a portion of the guide lower than the lift pin. A connection between the guide and the header assembly is adapted for pivotal rotation of the guide relative to the header assembly when the arm is raised to engage the lift pin. A guide lift element is positioned above the lift arm for engagement by the lift arm upon the lift arm being raised toward the lift pin, for rotating the guide relative to the header assembly as the header assembly is connected to the agricultural harvester 
         [0014]    One advantage of the present invention is providing clearly visible guiding structures on a header to receive lift arms of a harvester. 
         [0015]    Another advantage is that the guiding structure positions the lift arms left and right as well as forward and aft to center the lift pins over the lift cups. 
         [0016]    Yet another advantage is that the guiding structure is or is moved to a nonobtrusive, noninterfering position when the header is attached to the harvester. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a portion of an agricultural harvester and a header assembly with which the guide disclosed herein may be used; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a portion of the agricultural harvester of  FIG. 1 , showing the interconnection between a header assembly and the agricultural harvester; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the agricultural harvester and header assembly of  FIG. 2 , showing an intermediate stage during the attachment of the header assembly to the agricultural harvester; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a fragmentary perspective view of the header assembly of  FIG. 2 , showing the header assembly and guide in position to receive a lift arm for attaching the header assembly to an agricultural harvester; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the guide shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a is a fragmentary perspective view similar to that of  FIG. 4 , but showing the guide in a stowed position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a fragmentary perspective view of the lift arm and guide, showing the relative positions thereof upon completed attachment of the header assembly to the agricultural harvester; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is fragmentary perspective view the lift arm and header assembly, showing the relative positions thereof when commencing attachment of the header assembly to the lift arm; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a portion of a harvester and header assembly, illustrating use of another embodiment for the guide disclosed herein; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is perspective view of a portion of the harvester and header assembly with the embodiment of  FIG. 9 ; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the guide shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
       
    
    
       [0029]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiment of the invention and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an agricultural implement  100  in the form of an agricultural harvester  110  having a removable header assembly  118  connected thereto. Harvester  110  includes a frame  112  and an operator cab  114 . Ground drive wheels  116  are provided to enable the harvester to traverse a field. To enable a more clear understanding of the present invention, other portions of the agricultural harvester  110  are not shown, such as a power unit, drive train and crop processing unit. So too with respect to header assembly  118 . Other portions thereof are not shown, such as crop severing or cutting systems, crop gathering structures or systems and crop moving systems are not shown. It is to be understood by those skilled in the art that these may be implemented in various forms to complete the functions of agricultural implement  100  in traversing a field, severing crop material and processing the crop material for the grain contained therein. Harvester  110  can be used with a variety of different header assemblies interchangeably connected thereto. Various different types can be used and are not directly related to the invention described herein, and therefore are not shown or described in greater detail. 
         [0031]    Header assembly  118  is attached to agricultural harvester  110  by way of a connection system  119  that includes cooperating components on each harvester  110  and header assembly  118 . Header assembly  118  is supported at its bottom edge by lift arms  120  secured to and operable at the forward portion of agricultural harvester  110 . Header assembly  118  has a header frame  122  and a central arm  124  which connects to an actuator  126  shown as a dashed line extending to harvester frame  112 . Referring particularly to  FIG. 2 , each lift arm  120  is connected to a plate  128  that is pivotally mounted to agricultural harvester  110  at pivotal connection  130  and which is connected to an actuator  132 , shown as a dashed line, to pivot plate  128  and lift arm  120  about pivot point  130 . Lift arm  120  has an upwardly facing U-shaped recess or cup  134  at the distal end which receives a lift pin  136  secured to the rearward face of header frame  122 . The upwardly facing U-shaped recess  134  enables header assembly  118  to be connected to and disconnected from agricultural harvester  110  via the engagement and disengagement of lift pin  136  in cup  134 . 
         [0032]    In order for the header assembly  118  to be locked in place when attached to harvester  110 , a bar  138  is mounted adjacent lift arm  120  and extends through an opening  140  to capture lift pin  136  when the bar  138  is in its forward position. Bar  138  is actuated by a lever arm  142  pivotally secured to the lift arm  120  at an axis  144  which is vertical so that the lever arm  142  pivots in a horizontal plane. Lever arm  142  is connected pivotally to bar  138  at a pivotal connection  146 . 
         [0033]    As shown most clearly in  FIG. 8 , cup  134 , while upwardly directed is somewhat forwardly oriented and includes a rear face  147  that is higher than a forward face  148  thereof 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4 , a guide  150  to receive lift arm  120  is provided to facilitate the proper positioning of cup  134  beneath and aligned with lift pin  136 . Guide  150 , in the exemplary embodiment shown, is a channel-like structure having a bottom  152  and opposed side members  154 ,  156  extending upwardly along the lateral edges of bottom  152 . Side members  154 ,  156  are spaced from one another a sufficient distance to receive cup  134  there between. While shown as a straight channel having a flat bottom  152  and parallel side members  154 ,  156  it should be understood that guide  150  can be otherwise configured. For example, bottom  152  need not be flat, but can be rounded or angled downwardly from each side toward the center, and side members  154 ,  156  need not be parallel but can be, for example, outwardly flared from generally an inward end  158  to an outward end  160  at which lift arm  120  enters guide  150 . 
         [0035]    With reference now to  FIG. 4 , and more particularly  FIG. 5 , side members  154 ,  156  define apertures  162 ,  164  respectively through which lift pin  136  is received so that guide  150  is suspended pivotally from lift pin  136 . Apertures  162 ,  164  are positioned more inwardly than outwardly with respect to inward end  158  and outward end  160 . Above apertures  162 ,  164  and toward inward end  158 , inward upper edge segments  166 ,  168  of side members  154 ,  156  angle downwardly toward inward end  158  so that guide  150  can pivot about lift pin  136  such that bottom  152  angles downwardly, substantially as shown in  FIG. 4 , with upper edge segments  166 ,  168  defining natural stops when engaged against frame structures of header assembly  118 . Angled downwardly as shown in  FIG. 4 , guide  150  provides a very clear and observable target portion thereof at outward end  160  in which to insert lift arm  120  when header assembly  118  is attached to harvester  110 . 
         [0036]    Toward outward end  160  from the general area of apertures  162 ,  164  side members  154 ,  156  define heights from bottom  152  to outward upper edge segments  170 ,  172  shorter than a height from bottom  152  to a pivotal centerline  174  defining the rotational axis of guide  150  on lift pin  136 . Accordingly, guide  150  can be rotated to a substantially vertical or even inwardly canted, stowed position as shown in  FIG. 6  for transporting or storing header assembly  118  with guide  150  in an out-of-the-way position. 
         [0037]    A guide lift element in the nature of a strap  176  extends between side members  154 ,  156 , overlying bottom  152  in spaced relation, strap  176  being generally above and outwardly from pivotal center line  174  defined by lift pin  136  received in apertures  162 ,  164 . Strap  176  overlies lift arm  120  when lift arm  120  is fully inserted into guide  150 , with cup  134  of lift arm  120  positioned beneath lift pin  136 . Lift arm  120  engages strap  176  when lift arm  120  is elevated upon attachment of header assembly  118  to harvester  110 . The offset arrangement between the position of strap  176  against lift arm  120  and pivotal center line  174  results in the upward force from lift arm  120  against strap  176  causing guide  150  to pivot about center line  174 , such that outward end  160  of guide  150  is raised and inward end  158  of guide  150  is lowered until bottom  152  engages the underside of lift arm  120 . In this position, which is shown in  FIG. 7 , guide  150  extends below lift arm  120  only by the thickness of bottom  152 , and does not interfere with the positioning or operation of header assembly  118 . 
         [0038]    As can be appreciated, guide  150  is an add-on structure that does not require modification of either harvester  110  or header assembly  118 , only the simple attachment of the guide on the lift pin. Accordingly, the advantages of guide  150  can be achieved through a minor retrofit of existing headers, and the guide requires no modification to lift arm  120  or otherwise to harvester  110   
         [0039]    To mount header assembly  118  on harvester  110 , guide  150  is rotated on lift pin  136  so that guide  150  is in the downwardly drooping position illustrated in  FIG. 4 . An operator advances harvester  110  toward header assembly  118  and positions lift arm  120  to enter outward end  160  of guide  150  as shown in  FIG. 8 . Actuator  132  is adjusted to its operating condition for allowing lift arm  120  to float as lift arm  120  rides along guide  150  when harvester  110  is advanced further relative to header assembly  118 . Harvester  110  is advanced until front face  148  of cup  134  passes beneath lift pin  136  and rear face  147  of cup  134  engages lift pin  136 , there being insufficient clearance between lift pin  136  and bottom  152  of guide  150  for cup  134  to pass completely there below. With rear face  147  of cup  134  engaged against lift pin  136 ; cup  134  is properly positioned to receive pin  136  therein. The operator elevates lift arm  120  so that cup  134  engages lift pin  136 . As lift arm  120  encounters strap  176 , guide  150  is rotated about lift pin  136  until bottom  152  is held against lift arm  120 . 
         [0040]    It should be appreciated that agricultural harvester  110  includes two lift arms  120  and header assembly  118  includes two lift pins  136 . During the attachment of header assembly  118  to harvester  110 , even if harvester  110  and header assembly  118  are not sufficiently parallel to align each cup  134  beneath its associated lift pin  136 , one lift arm  120  can push against its associated lift pin  136  to push the header assembly into proper alignment with the harvester. 
         [0041]    Still further variations and modifications can be provided. For example, rather than using strap  176  to rotate guide  150  as described above, the guide can be rotated manually against lift arm  120  and held there against by a pin, bolt, clip or other fastener. 
         [0042]    With reference now to  FIGS. 9-11 , a further embodiment is shown in which an agricultural harvester  210  is connected with a header assembly  218  by way of a connection system  219 . Harvester  210  includes a lift arm  220  having a cup  234  with a rear face  247  and a front face  248 . Header assembly  218  includes a header frame  222  and a horizontal lift pin  236 . A guide  250  is provided for directing and positioning lift arm  220  so that cup  234  engages lift pin  236 . Guide  250  is connected pivotally about a pivotal attachment  252 , which may be a pin, bolt or the like connected to header frame  222  and positioned inwardly of lift pin  236 . Guide  250  further includes side members  254 ,  256  spaced from one another so that each confronts and engages cup  234  while harvester  210  is advanced toward header assembly  218  for the attachment of header assembly  218  to harvester  210 . Each side member  254 ,  256  is generally three sided, with curved side edges. Side member  254  defines lobes  258  and  260  that are outwardly directed toward lift arm  220  and a single lobe  262  that is directed inwardly away from lift arm  220 . Side member  256  defines lobes  264  and  266  that are outwardly directed toward lift arm  220  and a single lobe  268  that is directed inwardly away from lift arm  220 . Accordingly, side members  254 ,  256  define inwardly curved arcuate outer edges  270 ,  272 , respectively, that face outward toward cup  234  for engaging lift arm  220 , with one lobe  258 ,  264  or point of each being above and overlie lift arm  220  and another lobe or point thereof  260 ,  266  being below lift arm  220  when lift arm  220  is positioned with front face  248  thereof against outer edges  270 ,  272 . Thus, outer edges  270 ,  272  provide target portions  260 ,  266  below header frame  222 , and guide lift elements in the nature of the lobes  258 ,  264  overlying lift arm  220 . Lobes  262 ,  268  confront frame  222  to stop rotation of guide  250  when lift arm  220  contacts outer edges  270 ,  272  at the bottoms thereof. Lobes  258 ,  264  are configured to contact lift pin  236  and prevent over-rotation of guide  250 . Alternatively, a stop  274  ( FIG. 9 ) configured as a strip or bar can be welded or otherwise attached to frame  222  to provide the necessary interference and prevent over-rotation of guide  250 , in which case only a single inwardly directed lobe may be required. 
         [0043]    When mounting header assembly  218  on agricultural harvester  210 , the harvester is advanced with lift arm  220  aligned with guide  250  which pivotally depends from pivotal attachment  252 , with lobes  260 ,  266  as target portions visible below header frame  222 . Accordingly, guide  250  provides a visible target for receiving lift arm  220 . When cup  234  encounters outer edges  270 ,  272 , advancement of harvester  210  is stopped. Lift arm  220  is raised, with the leading edge of front face  248  of cup  234  sliding along outer edges  270 ,  272  until cup  234  fully engages lift pin  236  therein. As lift arm  220  and cup  234  are raised while engaged against arcuate outer edges  270 ,  272 , guide  250  is caused to rotate about pivotal attachment  252 , thereby rotating guide  250  to a noninterfering orientation for the subsequent positioning and operation of header assembly  218 . 
         [0044]    While this invention has been described with respect to at least several embodiments, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.