Abstract:
Apparatus and a method for collapsing an on-board crop receiver of a harvester to a transport position, utilizing a remotely releasable locking element to allow telescopic collapsing or retracting the receiver without entering the receiver, and powered apparatus for positively collapsing a duct extending between a row unit of the harvester and an inlet opening of the receiver. The duct is telescopically retractable at an inclined angle by a similarly inclined duct driver to a height about equal to that of the receiver when in the transport position, so as to be freed from the receiver and any associated hood extending outwardly therefrom associated with the inlet opening. Using crop compactor apparatus within the interior of the receiver, the compactor can be lowered and the locking mechanism unlocked, and then the compactor operated to telescopically collapse or retract the receiver. The receiver can be extended in the reverse order.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to apparatus and a method for collapsing or retracting an on-board crop receiver of a harvester for transport and storage, which, more particularly, utilizes a remotely releasable locking element to allow telescopic collapsing or retracting the receiver, and powered apparatus for positively collapsing a duct extending between a row unit of the harvester and an inlet opening of the receiver. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Crop harvesters such as for cotton, typically include a plurality of row units for harvesting or stripping crop from plants, which row units are arrayed across a front end of the harvester. Such harvesters include ducts extending individually or in pairs upwardly and rearwardly from the row units to an inlet opening or openings through the upper front region of a crop receiver structure. The receiver is generally in the form of a basket, and typically includes a compactor apparatus operable for compacting cotton received and contained therein. 
         [0003]    More advanced cotton receivers are configured as cotton module builders, and include compactor apparatus operable for building a densely compacted, freestanding module from the cotton. Reference in this latter regard, Covington et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,454 issued Feb. 20, 2007, and entitled Compactor Apparatus Including Single Cylinders and Guide Members on the Sides of an On-board Module Builder of a Cotton Harvesting Machine. The overall operational height of such harvesting machines typically exceed height limits for vehicles for travel over public roads and thoroughfares. As a result, many cotton receiver structures, as exemplified by the module builder of the Covington et al. patent, are designed to be collapsible or retractable to a shorter height. To illustrate, the module builder of the Covington et al. patent is collapsible to a sufficient extent so as to have an overall collapsed height which is at or below the height limit for road travel, and is about the height of the roof of the operator cabin of that harvester. 
         [0004]    Typically, when a cotton receiver is filled to its capacity with cotton, or at other times, the receiver can be unloaded. Some cotton receivers are raised in their entirety for unloading. For others, such as the module builder of the above-referenced Covington et al. patent, only the front end of the receiver is raised, so as to tilt the receiver for unloading. In still other constructions, the receiver is tilted to one side or the other, as illustrated in Wigdahl et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,701, entitled Duct Support and Transition Structure for a Harvester, issued Mar. 9, 2004. In each instance, the front end of the receiver is required to be moved away from the cotton ducts, which typically remain in their operational positions. To accommodate this, the referenced Covington et al. patent utilizes a well known construction wherein the upper ends of the ducts terminate in curved, rearwardly open end portions aligned with forwardly facing openings on the upper front end of the receiver. The forwardly facing openings may, or may not, include associated hood structures extending thereabove. An observed advantage of this construction is that it allows the receiver to freely move away from and toward the ends of the ducts. In the harvester of the Wigdahl et al. patent, the upper ends of the ducts terminate with an upwardly facing opening beneath or within the interior of a larger hood extending continuously the width of the upper front end of the receiver, and the hood is moved away with the cotton receiver from the ducts during the unloading operation. As with the Covington et al. construction, an advantage is that no disconnection or disassembly of the receiver from the ducts is required for the unloading operation. 
         [0005]    When the cotton receiver is vertically telescopically retracted or collapsed into a reduced height transport and storage mode, the ducts are also typically telescopically retracted or collapsed to a reduced height. In the referenced Covington et al. construction, the ducts are telescopically collapsible in the well known manner, and the upper ends of the ducts are located forwardly of the front end of the receiver and any associated hood structure. This enables collapsing both the cotton receiver and any associated hood structure to about the cabin height, without requiring disassembly. As another example of a known duct structure reducible in height to that of the operator cabin, reference Schneider et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,908 entitled Duct Structure for a Cotton Harvester, issued Jan. 12, 1999, wherein the upper portions of the respective ducts are pivotable relative to the lower portions. 
         [0006]    In contrast, in the referenced Wigdahl et al. construction, apparatus is provided for connecting the upper ends of the ducts together for joint vertical movement between the operational and collapsed states, which apparatus includes fluid cylinder drivers for powered operation, and which vertical movement maintains the upper ends of the ducts when in the collapsed state directly beneath the larger hood. A limitation of this arrangement, however, is that in the illustrated collapsed state, the receiver structure still has an overall height well above the operator cabin. Thus it is apparent that the hood would have to be disassembled from the cotton receiver, or the ducts removed, for the receiver to be vertically collapsible to about the height of the operator cabin. This would be time consuming and costly, and reassembly would be required render the harvester operational again. 
         [0007]    Therefore, what is sought is apparatus and a method for collapsing a cotton receiver and ducts for transport and storage, that is at least partially automatic, and reduces or eliminates need for disassembly and reassembly of any associated hood or hoods, and otherwise overcomes one or more of the problems and shortcomings of the known constructions and methods. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    What is disclosed is apparatus and a method for collapsing a crop receiver and ducts of a harvester for transport and storage, that is at least partially automatic, and reduces or eliminates need for disassembly and reassembly of any associated hood or hoods, and otherwise overcomes one or more of the problems and shortcomings of the known constructions and methods. 
         [0009]    According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the apparatus and method utilize a remotely releasable locking element to allow telescopic collapsing or retracting the receiver without requiring an operator to enter the receiver, and powered apparatus for positively collapsing a duct extending between a row unit of the harvester and an inlet opening of the receiver. The duct is telescopically retractable at an inclined angle by a similarly inclined duct driver to a height about equal to that of the receiver when in the transport position, so as to be freed from the receiver and any associated hood extending outwardly therefrom over the inlet opening. Using crop compactor apparatus within the interior of the receiver, the compactor can be lowered and the locking mechanism unlocked, and then the compactor operated to telescopically collapse or retract the receiver. The receiver can be extended in the reverse order. The invention is particularly adapted for use with harvesters for cotton, by also has utility for use on harvesters for other crops. 
         [0010]    The crop receiver has an interior for receiving crop removed from plants by a row unit or units of the harvester, the crop receiver having an upwardly open lower receiver portion and an upper receiver portion telescopically supported on and movable relative to the lower receiver portion between a transport position telescopically retracted into the lower receiver portion, and an operational position telescopically projecting upwardly therefrom. And, the upper receiver portion includes at least one inlet opening configured for receiving crop into the interior therethrough, and more preferably, a line of openings across an upper end of the upper receiver portion. 
         [0011]    The harvester preferably includes an air duct system including at least one telescoping duct configured for carrying a flow of air and crop, the duct being capable of telescopically extending at an inclined angle from the at least one row unit to adjacent to the at least one inlet opening of the upper receiver portion when in the operational position. The duct includes an upper duct portion telescopically movable relative to a lower duct portion between an extended position wherein a substantial portion of the upper duct portion extends telescopically from the lower duct portion and wherein an upper end portion of the upper duct portion is positioned adjacent to the inlet opening for directing the flow of air and crop thereto when the upper receiver portion is in the operational position. The upper duct portion has a retracted position wherein a substantial portion of the upper duct portion is at least substantially coextensive with the lower duct portion. For example, the upper duct portion can telescopically receive the lower duct portion, or can telescope into the lower duct portion. For a harvester which is a cotton harvester, as an example, two ducts per row unit may be used, and will have a retracted or collapsed height about equal to or shorter than that of an operator cabin of the harvester. 
         [0012]    The invention preferably includes a duct support system including at least one duct driver supported by the frame at about the inclined angle and at least generally parallel to the duct, preferably in a plane defined by the inclined angle. The duct driver or drivers preferably each have an upper movable portion connected to the upper duct portion of at least one duct. As examples, the duct driver can include one or more fluid cylinders, linear actuators, other devices controllably operable for extending and retracting the upper movable portion of the duct or ducts. The duct driver or drivers are operable for moving the upper duct portion or portions along the inclined angle between the extended position and the retracted position. As a result, and as the upper duct portion or portions are moved toward the retracted position, the upper end portion or portions thereof will be displaced horizontally away from the receiver. This is advantageous, as the upper end portions are moved away from any hood or hoods extending outwardly from the upper receiver portion above the inlet opening or openings, thereby providing clearance adjacent to the receiver for allowing the hood or hoods, to be lowered to a desired retracted position or level next to the retracted ducts, such as about the height of an operator cab of the harvester, which will be a height sufficiently low for road travel. 
         [0013]    The above capabilities, that is, the ability to remotely unlock and lock the receiver in the operational position; to move the upper receiver portion between the operational and transport positions; and to compact the air duct system to allow the collapsing of the receiver and any attached hoods to a lower height, enables easily and conveniently configuring the harvester for harvesting operation, and for travel and storage. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a simplified side view of a cotton harvester, showing one embodiment of a cotton receiver and cotton conveying ducts of the machine in operational positions, and apparatus for collapsing the crop receiver and ducts to transport and storage positions thereof according to the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is another simplified side view of the harvester, showing the receiver and ducts collapsed to a transport and storage position according to the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a simplified fragmentary side view of the receiver of the harvester of  FIG. 1 , showing aspects of the apparatus of the invention for collapsing the receiver; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is another simplified fragmentary side view of the receiver, shown in its collapsed travel position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a simplified perspective view of aspects of the apparatus of the invention for collapsing the receiver; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view showing aspects of the apparatus of  FIG. 5 , for locking the receiver in the operational position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a simplified fragmentary side view of a harvester including apparatus of the invention in association with an alternative duct construction shown in an operational position in association with a receiver having an alternative hood construction; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is another simplified fragmentary side view of the ducts and receiver of  FIG. 7 , in a lowered collapsed position as effected by the apparatus of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a simplified fragmentary perspective view of the ducts, receiver and apparatus of the invention of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a simplified fragmentary perspective view of the ducts and receiver of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is still another simplified fragmentary view of the ducts and receiver of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a simplified perspective view of duct support structure according to the invention in association with the harvester illustrated in dotted lines; 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a simplified fragmentary end view of duct support structure of the invention, in a telescopically extended position, and showing an associated duct in dotted lines; 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is another simplified fragmentary end view of the duct support structure of the invention, in a telescopically retracted position, and showing the associated duct in dotted lines; 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a fragmentary perspective view of a duct driver of the duct support structure of the invention, illustrating an associated telescoping stiffening brace; 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is another simplified fragmentary side view of the harvester, showing still another alternative duct structure and the apparatus of the invention; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 17  is another simplified fragmentary side view of the harvester of  FIG. 16 , showing the duct structure in a collapsed position as effected by the apparatus of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    Referring now to the drawings, in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a cotton harvester  20  is shown, including a plurality of harvesting row units  24  arranged in a side-by-side array across a forward end  24  of machine  20  for harvesting cotton from plants as machine  20  is moved in the forward direction along rows of the plants (not shown). The harvested cotton is conveyed by air flows individually through a side-by-side array of ducts  26  oriented at an inclined angle so as to extend upwardly and rearwardly from units  22  to a forward end  28  of cotton receiver  30 , as denoted by arrows A in  FIG. 1 . The air flows are generated by a blower or blowers located on the machine. 
         [0032]    Referring also to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , cotton receiver  30  is depicted as a modern cotton module builder, which is a structure of rectangular shape, including an interior cotton compacting chamber  32  defined by a floor  34 , forward and rearward end walls  36  and  38 , and opposing side walls  40 . Receiver  30  is of telescopic construction, including an upper receiver portion  42  which has an operational position ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ) telescopically extending upwardly from a lower receiver portion  44 , and a travel and storage position ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) telescopically received at least largely within lower receiver portion  44 . At least portions of forward and rearward end walls  36  and  38 , and side walls  40 , are preferably constructed of an air permeable material, such as a mesh or perforated sheeting having holes or openings therein adequate for dissipation of air flow therethrough, but which will retain the cotton therein, interior  32  being visible through the walls. 
         [0033]    Cotton receiver  30  is operable for receiving cotton conveyed thereto by ducts  26 , into compacting chamber  32  through at least one elongate, sidewardly extending inlet opening  46  in an upper end of forward end wall  36 . The cotton received in this manner is compacted within chamber  32  by compactor apparatus  48  located therein and operable for distributing the cotton within the chamber and compacting it against floor  34  into a unitary mass or module. The compacted unitary mass or module will have dimensions approximating the longitudinal and sideward extent of the interior of the receiver. The compacted mass or module is unloadable from receiver  30  by tilting forward end  28  of receiver  30  upwardly, and conveying the module rearwardly therefrom over an unloading ramp  50  deployable from the rear end of receiver  30 . 
         [0034]    Compactor apparatus  48  within chamber  32  includes a compactor frame  52  which is generally horizontal and substantially entirely disposed within chamber  32 , for movement downwardly against cotton contained therein for compacting the cotton against floor  34 , as denoted by arrow A in  FIG. 1 . Compactor frame  52  includes a front cross member  54  disposed in chamber  32  adjacent forward end wall  36 , and having opposite ends which extend through slots  56  in side walls  40 . Similarly, a rear cross member  58  is disposed in chamber  32  adjacent rearward end wall  38  and has opposite ends extending through slots  60 . A plurality of front and rear extending members are disposed within chamber  32  and extend between and connect front and rear cross members  54  and  58 . Additionally, preferably at least one, and most preferably, several augers (not shown) are supported for rotation on front and rear cross members  54  and  58 , and extend forwardly and rearwardly therebetween within chamber  32 . The augers can be rotated using any suitable commercially available drivers, such as a gear drive driven by a motor such as a fluid or electric motor, or directly by fluid or electric motors, as desired, for distributing the collected cotton in chamber  32  as required or desired. In this regard, it is typically desirable to distribute the cotton-evenly with respect to the plane of floor  34 , such that the resultant compacted cotton module will have a substantially uniform height along its length and width. Also, external vertical pipes or tubes are provided which extend between the roof and floor of receiver  30  in connection with guide rollers for controlling the orientation of the compactor during operation thereof. 
         [0035]    Referring also to  FIG. 5 , compactor frame  52  of compactor apparatus  48  is supported in compacting chamber  32  on each side by an exterior side structure  62 , each structure  62  including a substantially horizontal, forwardly and rearwardly extending main beam  64  which extends between and connects front and rear cross members  54  and  58 . Each side structure  62  additionally includes a pair of braces  66  which extend downwardly and at converging angles from front and rear cross members  54  and  58 , and which are connected together by a gusset  68  located spacedly below about the middle of main beam  64 . Here, it should be noted that compactor frame  52  located within compacting chamber  32  and exterior side structures  62  on the exterior of the side walls  40  are movable upwardly and downwardly together. 
         [0036]    The upward and downward movement of exterior side structures  62  and compactor frame  52 , as denoted by arrow A in  FIG. 1 , is preferably achieved and controlled by compactor drivers  70  extending, respectively, between gusset  68  of each exterior side structure  62  and an upper side beam  72  of a collapsible side support frame  74  connected to upper receiver portion  42  of receiver  30 . Compactor drivers  70  each preferably comprise a fluid cylinder which receives fluid under pressure from a suitable pressurized fluid source, such as a fluid pump (not shown) of harvester  20 , for moving exterior side structure  62 , and thus compactor frame  52  of compactor apparatus  48 , upwardly and downwardly (arrow A in  FIG. 1 ) as required or desired for performing a cotton distributing and/or compacting operation, and as guided by the external vertical pipes. 
         [0037]    Referring also to  FIG. 6 , each collapsible side support frame  74  preferably includes a pair of upstanding support members  76  connected to and supporting side beam  72 , each support member  76  being supported for vertical movement within a sleeve  78 , which, in turn, is fixedly supported by an A-shaped fixed frame  80  mounted in connection with floor  34 . Each frame  80  includes a locking mechanism  82  of the invention, lockable for fixedly holding support member  76  in a predetermined raised operating position within sleeve  78 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  5 . This, in turn, holds upper receiver portion  42  in its operational position. Locking mechanisms  82  are unlockable, to allow lowering support members  76  to a lower, transport position, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , which moves upper receiver portion to its transport position. The external vertical pipes are connected to upper receiver portion  42 , and move downwardly therewith. 
         [0038]    Each locking mechanism  82  includes a locking element  84 , which is preferably a pin, supported for horizontal movement between a locking position ( FIG. 6 ) extending through holes  86  and  88  through support member  76  and sleeve  78 , respectively, which are aligned when support members  76  are in the operational position, and an unlocking position, withdrawn from holes  86 . Each locking element  84  is supported for this movement by a slide bracket  90 , and mechanism  82  includes apparatus operable for remotely moving or sliding locking element  84  between its locking and unlocking positions, including a rack gear  92  enmeshed with a pinion gear  94 . Rack gear  92  is supported by a slide bracket  96 , enmeshed with gear  94 , for horizontal sliding movement with locking element  84 . Pinion gear is connected to an actuator rod  98  for rotation therewith about a longitudinal axis therethrough, rod  98  extending downwardly through a hollow vertical support member  100  to a location in the vicinity of, and preferably below floor  34  of receiver  30 . This allows unlocking and locking mechanism from a lower, remote location, closer to ground level. For instance, the lower end of actuator rod  98  can be turned with a wrench for manually unlocking and locking the mechanism. Or, a powered actuator  102 , which can be, for instance, a rotary fluid or electric actuator powered by a system on the harvester can be provided for automatic operation, for instance, as controlled by an operator using a switch located in an operator cabin of the harvester or elsewhere on the harvester, or as controlled by a controller as part of a routine for preparing the harvester for operation, or transport or storage. Actuator  102  can be connected directly to mechanism  82 , or using rod  98 . Thus, locking mechanisms  82  on the opposite sides of receiver  30  can be operated individually, sequentially, or simultaneously. 
         [0039]    When upper locking mechanisms  82  are locked and holding support members  76 , side support frames  74  will hold upper receiver portion  42  in the raised, operational position, and this structure is sufficiently robust to resist damage or significant deformation under forces exerted thereagainst by operation of compactor drivers  70 . When it is desired to unlock locking mechanisms  82 , compactor drivers  70  will be extended to lower compactor frame  52  of compactor apparatus  48 , such that upper receiver portion  42  can be supported in another manner thereby, for instance, with the compactor frame supported on floor  34  of receiver  30 , or on cotton accumulated therein, to remove loads on locking elements  84  sufficiently to enable movement thereof to the unlocking position. With locking elements  84  in the unlocking position, compactor drivers  70  can be retracted, which will lower upper receiver portion  42  to its transport position. When it is desired to move upper receiver portion  42  to its operational position, drivers  70  are extended. Locking mechanisms  82  can then be locked. 
         [0040]    With upper receiver portion  42  in its raised, operational position, ducts  26  are configured to extend upwardly from row units  22  to inlet opening  46  of receiver  30 , at an inclined angle. Here, the inclined angle is preferably about 60 to about 90 degrees relative to a horizontal reference such as floor  34 , and more preferably about 75 degrees, although it should be recognized that this angle may vary for different applications. When upper receiver portion  42  is collapsed or lowered to its transportation or storage position, it will also be desirable to collapse or lower the upper portions of ducts  26  to a comparable reduced height, also for transport or storage purposes. This is preferably achieved in the present embodiment by utilizing a telescoping structure also, wherein each duct  26  includes an upper duct portion  104  telescopically movable or collapsible relative to a lower duct portion  106 . More preferably, lower duct portion  106  is telescopically receivable within upper duct portion  104  as the upper duct portion is moved downwardly, although it is contemplated that other alternative constructions could also be used. Also preferably, upper duct portion  104  is maintained at the inclined angle during the telescoping movement for both telescopically extending and retracting the upper duct portion. This provides several advantages. One advantage is that the forces exerted against the duct portions  104  and  106 , and any seals that may be present therebetween, during the telescoping movement are substantially longitudinal to the duct portions, so as to not exert undesirable side and/or bending loads thereagainst, or cause undue wear. As another advantage, the longitudinal movement will be smoother, and less subject to binding and drag. As still another advantage, upper end portions of the upper duct portions  104  are moved forwardly away from the front end of receiver  30  as the duct is collapsed, to provide clearance therebetween. 
         [0041]    In this latter regard, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each upper duct portion  104  includes an upper end portion  108  configured for cooperatively conveying a flow of air and cotton into a corresponding inlet opening  46  of receiver  30 , here upper end portions  108  of ducts  26  being configured as curved duct sections having a generally horizontal outlet opening  110  which is proximal to and faces the corresponding inlet opening  46  of receiver  30  when both the duct and the receiver are telescopically extended in their operational positions. Here also, upper duct portion  106  and upper end portion  108  thereof are of unitary construction, so as to retain the curved shape even when telescopically retracted. As upper duct portions  104  are collapsed along the overall inclined angle of the ducts, the simultaneous forward movement will result in movement of upper end portions  108  forwardly, away from receiver  30 , to provide clearance for collapsing of that structure, including a hood or hoods  112  located over a space forwardly adjacent to or including inlet opening  46 . 
         [0042]    To facilitate automatic movement of ducts  26  between their telescopically extended operational positions and their retracted transport positions, and to retain upper duct portion  104  at the inclined angle sufficiently so as to provide the above discussed advantages, including to avoid binding and other problems, harvester  20  includes duct support structure  114  constructed and operable according to the teachings of the present invention. Duct support structure  114  essentially comprises at least one duct driver  116 , which is preferably a fluid cylinder, connected between a frame  118  of harvester  20 , and upper end portion  108  of upper duct portion  104 , driver  116  being controllably operable for telescopically extending and retracting upper duct portion  104  between its operational and transport positions, at about the inclined angle. Driver or drivers  116  configured as a fluid cylinder can be suitably supplied with pressurized fluid available on harvester  20 , in the well known manner, and can be actuated using an operator control, for instance, located in the operator cabin, or at another location, or can be actuated automatically using a suitable controller, for instance, as part of a routine for collapsing receiver  30  for transport. 
         [0043]    Here, it should be recognized and understood that different harvesters may include varying numbers of row units, as represented by row unit  22 , as well as varying numbers of ducts, represented by ducts  26 , extending between the row units and the receiver of the harvester, as represented by receiver  30 . For instance, a cotton harvester such as harvester  20  will typically include 4 to 6 row units, which may be configured for picking cotton plants from one or two sides. As a result, as few as 4, and as many as 12 ducts  26  may be utilized, it also being possible for some ducts to service more than one row unit. Thus, although all of the ducts will be generally oriented at about the inclined angle when viewed from the side, when viewed from the front, some or all of the ducts may be inclined to the right or left, as required for extending from the associated row units  22  to the inlet opening or openings  46 . Also, it is contemplated that various of the ducts of a harvester may be of different sizes and/or shapes. Additionally, it is contemplated that one or more drivers  116  may be utilized for effecting the upward and downward movement of the upper duct portions  104  of the ducts  26 . To accommodate this, it is contemplated that the connection or connections between the upper ends of driver or drivers  116  and upper duct portions  104  of ducts  26  can be configured to allow limited freedom of at least lateral or sideward relative movement therebetween during the upward and downward movements, while maintaining the ducts at about the inclined angle, which sideward movements can include rotating or angular movements, as desired or required to allow aligned relative telescoping movements of the duct portions, and to prevent binding, drag and resultant wear or other problems. 
         [0044]    Referring also to  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13  and  14 , harvester  20  is shown including a plurality of alternative ducts  120 , at least some of which being oriented at a sideward angle in addition to the inclined angle, and some being of different sizes and shapes, as just discussed, like parts of ducts  120  and ducts  26  being identified by like numerals. The main difference between ducts  120  and  26  for the purposes of the invention is that ducts  120  include upper duct portions  122  which are straight and terminate at upwardly facing outlet openings  124  ( FIG. 11 ), instead of curved upper end portions  108 . Another difference is that the ducts are oriented at an inclined angle of about 65 degrees such that when telescopically extended in their operational positions, outlet openings  124  are disposed beneath one or more hoods  112 . Duct support structure  114  of the invention is provided in connection with ducts  120 , and is operable for telescopically moving them between their operational positions ( FIGS. 7 and 9 ) and transport positions ( FIGS. 8 ,  10  and  11 ). Here, duct support structure  114  comprises a plurality of sidewardly spaced apart duct drivers  116 , each driver including an upper end portion connected by a bracket  126  to a sidewardly extending rod  128 , which, in turn, supports at least one bracket  130  mounted to and supporting an upper duct portion  122  of a duct  120 . In a preferred embodiment, each bracket  130  is configured to be slidable longitudinally along the associated rod  128 , to allow the upper duct portion  122  to move sidewardly along rod  128  as the upper duct portion is moved upwardly and downwardly while being held at about the inclined angle by the associated driver. In this regard, one or more of brackets  130  can also have a pivoting capability, for instance, constructed as a ball joint, to allow sufficient freedom of sideward angular movement between the rod and the associated upper duct portion during the up and down movements to prevent exertion of possibly damaging or wearing loads on the ducts, and seals that may be located at the junctures of the upper and lower portions thereof. 
         [0045]    In  FIGS. 8 ,  10  and  11 , it is evident that when collapsed in the lowered transport position, upper duct portions  122  are sufficiently forward of hoods  112  to allow receiver  30  to be fully collapsed, both duct portions  122  and receiver  30  being lowered to about the level of a roof  132  of operator cabin  134  of the harvester. 
         [0046]    Referring also to  FIG. 15 , a duct driver  116  of duct support structure  114  is illustrated attached to a parallel telescoping stiffening brace  136 , which provides added strength against lateral loads. This structure, as well as the elements  126 ,  128  and  130  can be utilized with any duct construction, including ducts  26 , with equal utility. 
         [0047]    Still further, as illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , harvester  20  is illustrated including duct support structure  114  of the invention in association with a telescoping duct  120  having a pivotally mounted, curved upper end portion  138 , to illustrate the utility of the invention with a variety of alternative duct structures. Here, duct  120  is illustrated in the operational and transport positions, respectively, as is cotton receiver  30 . 
         [0048]    It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps, and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within the principles and scope of the invention. The foregoing description illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention; however, concepts, as based upon the description, may be employed in other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to protect the invention broadly as well as in the specific form shown.