Abstract:
A harvest header includes a transport system for converting the harvest header between a harvesting configuration and a transport configuration. The transport system may be retrofitted to existing headers or may be integrally constructed with a header. The transport system includes wheels that are retracted or rotated into a compact storage position against the rear wall surface of the header in a harvest configuration so as not to substantially increase the width of the header.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to crop gathering devices. It relates more particularly relates to an integral transport system for harvest headers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     To increase harvesting efficiency, harvesters, such as combines, have increased in size and capacity. With this increase in capacity, the detachable header attached to the combine for picking a crop has increased in size as well. The increased size of the header has resulted in transportation difficulties in moving the header from field to field. In many instances, larger headers must be transported down roads lengthwise. Most operators use a separate trailer to transport these headers. The operator is required to purchase and maintain a separate piece of trailer machinery, and the header must be returned to the trailer or the trailer brought to the header for transport. 
     Some operators have provided for headers that include wheels that can be attached for transportation and detached for operation. However, wheels can be heavy and difficult to remove and reattach. 
     There is a needed for an improved header that includes integral wheels for transportation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a harvest header having a harvest configuration and a transport configuration. The harvest header includes a first end, a second end, a frame extending between the first end and the second end, a rear wall supported by the frame and extending between the first end and the second end, and a wheel assembly attached to the frame. The wheel assembly includes a first wheel component, a second wheel component, and an attachment structure for attaching the first wheel component and the second wheel component to a frame. The first wheel component includes a first swing arm having a first end attached to a first wheel and a second end pivotally attached to the attachment structure at a first attachment point, and a first linkage comprising a first end pivotally attached to the first swing arm and a second end pivotally attached to the rear member. The second wheel component includes a second swing arm having a first end attached to a second wheel and a second end pivotally attached to the rear member at a second attachment point, and a second linkage comprising a first end pivotally attached proximate the second end of the second swing arm and a second end pivotally attached to the rear member. The first wheel component and second wheel component are configured to rotate about the first attachment point and the second attachment point, respectively, to position the first wheel and the second wheel, respectively, proximate the rear wall in a transport configuration 
     The present invention further relates to a wheel assembly including a first wheel component, a second wheel component, and an attachment structure for attaching the first wheel component and the second wheel component to a frame. The attachment structure includes a rear member and a bottom surface. The first wheel component includes a first swing arm having a first end attached to a first wheel and a second end pivotally attached to the attachment structure at a first attachment point, and a first linkage comprising a first end pivotally attached to the first swing arm and a second end pivotally attached to the rear member. The second wheel component includes a second swing arm having a first end attached to a second wheel and a second end pivotally attached to the rear member at a second attachment point, and a second linkage comprising a first end pivotally attached proximate the second end of the second swing arm and a second end pivotally attached to the rear member. The first wheel component and second wheel component are configured to rotate about the first attachment point and the second attachment point, respectively, to position the first wheel and the second wheel, respectively, above the bottom surface when the second swing arm is rotated to a transport position 
     The present invention further relates to a method of converting a harvest header from a transport configuration to a harvest configuration. The method includes storing a first wheel assembly by rotating a first wheel and a second wheel from a transport configuration to a stored position in a harvest configuration. 
     One advantage of the present disclosure is a header that can be converted between a harvesting configuration and a transport configuration. 
     Another advantage of the present disclosure is a header having wheels that remain on the header and do not need to be detached and reattached for harvesting and transport. 
     Another advantage of the present disclosure is a header having wheels that fold into a compact storage position along the rear of the header so as to not increase the width of the header from a harvest configuration. 
     Another advantage of the present disclosure is the elimination of a separate trailer system for transporting the header. 
     Yet another advantage of the present disclosure is a transport system that can be retrofitted to existing harvesters that allows for the header to be converted between a harvesting configuration and a transport configuration. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a harvest header of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of a harvest header of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of a harvest header of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of yet another embodiment of a harvest header of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cut away view of an embodiment of a wheel assembly of the present invention in a transport configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is an end view of the harvest header of  FIG. 1  without the optional equipment. 
         FIG. 7  is the partial cut away view of the wheel assembly of  FIG. 5  partially rotated to a stored position. 
         FIG. 8  is the partial cut away view of the wheel assembly of  FIG. 5  rotated to a stored position in a harvest configuration. 
         FIG. 9  is the end view of  FIG. 6  having the wheel assembly rotated to a stored position. 
         FIG. 10  is the rear perspective view of  FIG. 1  without the optional equipment and the wheel assembly rotated to a stored position. 
         FIG. 11  is a partial cut away view of another embodiment of a wheel assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is the partial cut away view of the wheel assembly of  FIG. 11  rotated to a stored position in a harvest configuration. 
     
    
    
     Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment of a harvest header (header)  10  in a transport configuration. Header  10  may be secured to an agricultural vehicle such as a combine (not shown) as is known in the art and not further discussed. The harvest header  10  may include additional components such as, but not limited to a cutter bar and/or a reel (not shown). The header  10  includes a frame  12  that extends laterally between opposing first end  14  and second end  16 . The first end  14  may be referred to as a lead tow end, since the first end  14  is attached closer to a towing vehicle (not shown) during transport. The second end  16  may be referred to as a trailing tow end, since this end is further away from any towing vehicle during transport. The frame  12  includes an upper beam  18  and a lower beam  20 . In another embodiment, the frame  12  may includes an upper beam  18  or a lower beam  20 . 
     The header  10  further includes a back sheet or rear wall  22  disposed between the upper beam  18  and lower beam  20  and generally supported by the frame  12 . The rear wall  22  extends between the first end  14  and second end  16 . The rear wall  22  includes an outside surface  23 . The header  10  also includes an attachment frame  35  surrounding an opening  36  and extending rearward from the rear wall  22  for passing cut crop material rearward into a feeder house of a combine (not shown). In another embodiment, the attachment frame  35  does not extend substantially rearward from the rear wall, but is substantially in the plane of the frame  12 . The frame  12  further includes bottom support components  24  that extend away from the lower beam  20 . In another embodiment, the bottom support components  24  may extend away from the rear wall  12 . The header  10  still further includes additional surfaces and supports, such as a cutter bar, which have been omitted for simplicity. 
     As further shown in  FIG. 1 , the header  10  includes an embodiment of the transport system  40  according to the present disclosure. The transport system  40  includes a wheel assembly  42  and a trailer attachment or trailer tongue  44 . The transport system  40  is shown with an optional pivot wheel assembly  46 , a stabilizer or jack stand  48 , and trailer attachment extension or trailer tongue extension  50 . In this exemplary embodiment, the wheel assembly  42  is shown disposed proximate the opening  36 . In another embodiment, the wheel assembly  42  is disposed between the opening  36  and the second end  16 . 
     The trailer tongue  44  may be fixed, detachable, or retractable underneath the frame  12  of the header  10 . In this exemplary embodiment, the pivot wheel assembly  46  is attached to the trailer tongue  44  and is free to pivot around its vertical axis to assist in turning the header  10  during transport. The trailer tongue extension  50  is coupled to the trailer tongue  44 , and may be used to reach a coupling or hitch that is located underneath a combine. In this exemplary embodiment, the pivot wheel assembly  46  includes a pair of wheels  52 , however, in another embodiment, the pivot wheel assembly  46  may include one or more wheels  52 . Still furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, the jack stand  48  is attached to first end  14  of the header  10 . In another embodiment, the jack stand  48  may be attached to the trailer tongue  44  or to the rear of the header (or to the frame  12 ). 
       FIG. 2  shows another embodiment of the header  10  in a transport configuration. In this embodiment, the pivot wheel assembly  46  is releasably attached to a bottom support component (not shown) between the wheel assembly  42  and the first end  14 . In this exemplary embodiment, the pivot wheel assembly  46  includes a wheel  52 , however, in another embodiment, the pivot wheel assembly  46  may include one or more wheels  52 . A similar bottom support component  24  can be seen through the opening  36 . The bottom support component extends toward the front of the header  10  from the lower beam  20  toward the front of the header  10 , and is similar to bottom beam  24  which can be seen through opening  36 . In another embodiment, the pivot wheel assembly  46  may be releasably attached to the lower beam  20 . In this exemplary embodiment, the pivot wheel assembly  46  is shown disposed proximate the midpoint between the opening  36  and the first end  14 . In another embodiment, the pivot wheel assembly  46  is releasably attached to the lower beam  20 . In another embodiment, the pivot wheel assembly  46  is disposed between the opening  36  and the first end  14 . 
       FIG. 3  shows another embodiment of the header  10  in a transport configuration. In this embodiment, the pivot wheel assembly  46  is attached to the lower beam  20 . The pivot wheel assembly  46  is configured to swing up and against the outside surface  23  of rear wall  22  when the header  10  is in a harvest configuration. The mechanism for swinging the pivot wheel assembly  46  into a position proximate the outside surface  23  will be described in further detail below in discussing the structure of the wheel assembly  42 . In this exemplary embodiment, the pivot wheel assembly  46  is shown disposed proximate the midpoint between the opening  36  and the first end  14 . In another embodiment, the pivot wheel assembly  46  is disposed between the opening  36  and the first end  14 . 
       FIG. 4  shows yet another embodiment of the header  10  in a transport configuration. In this embodiment, the pivot wheel assembly  46  ( FIG. 3 ) has been replaced by another wheel assembly  42 . In this exemplary embodiment, a wheel assembly  42  is shown disposed proximate the midpoint between the opening  36  and the end  14 . In another embodiment, a wheel assembly  46  is disposed between the opening  36  and the first end  14 . 
       FIG. 5  is a partial cut away view of  FIG. 1  showing the wheel assembly  42  in a transport configuration. As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the wheel assembly  42  includes a first wheel component  62 , a second wheel component  64 , and an attachment structure  65 . The attachment structure  65  includes a bottom surface  66  and a rear member  82 . The bottom surface  66  substantially conforms with a bottom surface  103  ( FIG. 6 ) of header  10 . In other words, the bottom surface  66  of the attachment structure  65  is substantially flush with or does not fall below the bottom surface  103  of the header  10 . The rear member  82  may be a rear frame member extending between the lower beam  20  and the upper beam  18  ( FIG. 1 ). In one embodiment, the attachment structure  65  is attached to a pre-existing header  10 . In another embodiment, the header  10  is manufactured to accept the attachment structure  65 . 
     The first wheel component  62  includes a first wheel  70 , a first swing arm  72 , and a first linkage  76 . The first swing arm  72  includes a first end  73  that is pivotally attached to the attachment structure  65  at a first attachment point  68 . The first swing arm  72  further includes a second end  74  ( FIG. 8 ) that is attached to the first wheel  70 . The first linkage  76  includes a first end  78  ( FIG. 8 ) that is pivotally attached to the first swing arm  72 . The first linkage  76  further includes a second end  80  that is pivotally attached to a rear member  82  of frame  12  or is directly attached to arm  86 . 
     The second wheel component  64  includes a second wheel  84 , a second swing arm  86 , and a second linkage  88 . The second swing arm  86  includes a first end  90  ( FIG. 8 ) pivotally attached to the rear member  82  at a second attachment point  87  ( FIG. 8 ). The first end  90  of the second swing arm  86  is also pivotally attached to the second end  80  of the first linkage  76 . The second swing arm  86  further includes a first end  92  ( FIG. 8 ) that is attached to the second wheel  84 . 
     The second linkage  88  includes a second linkage housing  89  and a second linkage extension member  91 . The second linkage extension member  91  is extendable and retractable from the second linkage housing  89  to lengthen or shorten, respectively, the second linkage  88 . The second linkage extension member  91  includes a first end  78  ( FIG. 8 ) pivotally attached proximate to the first end  92  second swing arm  86 . The second linkage housing  89  includes a second end  96  pivotally attached to a rear member  82  of frame  12  ( FIG. 1 ). In one embodiment, the second linkage  88  is an extendable hydraulic device that extends and retracts axially by actuating the extendable hydraulic device. As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the second linkage  88  is shown extended and the wheel assembly  42  is in a transport configuration. 
       FIG. 6  is an end view of the header  10  of  FIG. 1  in a transport configuration shown without the optional pivot wheel  46  and jack stand  48 . As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , the header  10  further includes front edge  102 , bottom surface  103 , and a rear edge  104 . The header  10  has a primary width W between the front edge  102  and the rear surface  37  of the attachment frame  35 . The header  10  also has a transport width W′ between the outside surface  71  of first wheel  70  and the rear surface  37  of attachment frame  35 . When the header  10  is in a transport configuration, the first wheel  70  is disposed substantially underneath the front edge  102 , or in other words, the first wheel  70  is disposed substantially underneath the header  10  and extends partially beyond the front edge  102 . In another embodiment, the first wheel  70  may be disposed underneath or beyond the front edge  102 . In the transport configuration shown in  FIG. 6 , the second wheel  84  is disposed substantially rearward of the rear wall  22  and extends below the bottom surface  103 . In another embodiment, the second wheel is disposed substantially rearward of and underneath the rear wall  22 . 
     In another embodiment wherein the attachment frame  35  is approximately in the plane of the frame  12 , the header  10  has a primary width W between the rear surface  22  and the front edge  102 , and a transport width W′ between the outside surface  71  of the first wheel  70  and an outside surface  85  of second wheel  84 . 
       FIG. 7  shows the wheel assembly  42  of  FIG. 5  in a partially retracted position. As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , the second linkage  88  has been partially retracted, or in other words, the second linkage extension member  91  has been partially retracted into the second linkage housing  89  to shorten the length of the second linkage  88 . The second linkage  88  has been partially refracted to rotate the second swing arm  86  about its pivotal connection point (not shown) with the rear member  82  to move the second wheel  84  closer to the rear wall  22  ( FIG. 1 ). The rotation of the second swing arm  86  moves the first linkage  76  in a direction to rotate the first swing arm  72  about its pivotal connection with the attachment structure  65  to bring the first wheel underneath the header  10 . 
       FIG. 8  shows wheel assembly  42  of  FIG. 5  in a fully retracted position. As can be seen in  FIG. 8 , the second linkage  88  has been fully retracted, or in other words, the second linkage extension member  91  has been substantially retracted into the second linkage housing  89 , shortening the length of the second linkage  88  and rotating the second wheel  84  to a stored position behind, adjacent and proximate to rear wall  22  ( FIG. 1 ). Retracting the second linkage  88  also further moves the first linkage  76  to further rotate the first swing arm  72  into a position underneath and proximate to the lower beam  20 , with the first wheel  70  into a stored position behind, adjacent and proximate to rear wall  22 . 
     The swing arm  42  may include additional pins, bolts, latches or other attachment devices (not shown) to lock, secure or position the first and second wheel assemblies in a harvest or transport configuration. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  show the header  10  having the wheel assembly  42  fully retracted as shown in  FIG. 8  and stored in a harvest configuration. As can be seen in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the first and second wheels  70 ,  84  are stored and positioned behind, rearward, adjacent and proximate to the rear wall  22  and above the bottom surface  103 . In another embodiment, another wheel assembly  42  is present between the opening  36  and the first end  14 , and the wheels from the another wheel assembly  42  would also be stored and positioned behind, rearward, adjacent and proximate to the rear wall  22  and above the bottom surface  103  when in a harvest configuration. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 9 , the header  10  has a harvest width W″ between the outside surface of first wheel  71  and front edge  102 . The harvest width W″ is about equal to or approximately the same as the primary width W of the header. The terms “about equal” and “approximately the same” is defined for this disclosure to be less than about 2 inches. In another embodiment, the difference between the primary width W and the harvest width W″ is less than or equal to about 24 inches. In another embodiment, the difference between the primary width W and the harvest width W″ is less than or equal to about 18 inches. In another embodiment, the difference between the primary width W and the harvest width W″ is less than or equal to about 12 inches. In another embodiment, the difference between the primary width W and the harvest width W″ is less than or equal to about 6 inches. In yet another embodiment, the difference between the primary width W and the harvest width W is about zero inches. 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  show another embodiment of wheel assembly  42  in a transport and harvest configuration, respectively. In this embodiment, the first linkage  76  is a hydraulic member including a first linkage housing  125  and a first linkage extension member  127 . The first linkage  76  operates similarly to the second linkage  89  to extend and retract to increase the length of the first linkage  76 . The first linkage  76  includes a first end  78  pivotally attached to the first swing arm  72  and a second end  80  pivotally attached to a frame support member  133 . In  FIG. 11 , the first linkage extension member  127  is extended, and the wheel assembly  42  is in a transport configuration. In  FIG. 12 , the first linkage extension member  127  is retracted, and the wheel assembly is in a harvest configuration. In contrast to the wheel assembly  42  embodiment discussed above that physically links the movement of the first linkage  76  to the second linkage  89  through the second swing arm  86 , the wheel assembly  42  of this embodiment does not physically link the first and second linkages  76 ,  89  through the second swing arm  86 . In this embodiment, the first and second linkages  76 ,  89  may be operated independently. In another embodiment, the hydraulics (not shown) that power the first and second linkages  76 ,  89  may be independently or dependently controlled to extend and retract the first and second linkages  76 ,  89 . 
     In yet another embodiment, both the first linkage  76  and the second linkage  89  are not extendable, in other words, are similar to the first linkage  76  shown in  FIG. 5 , and provide a mechanical assist to the rotation of the first and second swing arms  72 ,  89 , respectively. In yet another embodiment, the first and second linkages  76 ,  89  are omitted, and the first and second swing arms  72 ,  89  are manually rotated. 
     The transport system of the present disclosure has been described and shown in the context of a header for a combine. The transport system can, however, be used in other implements that have a great width during field use. Planters and tillage implements are two examples of wide implements for which special provisions are needed for transport of the implement on a road. The transport system of the present disclosure can be integrated into these and other implements, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.