Patent Description:
Certain agricultural machines, such as forage harvesters, forage wagons and balers, collect crop material that has been cut from the field. An example of such a machine is shown in <CIT>. The component of such agricultural machines which gathers the crop material and feeds it further into the machine for processing is generally known as a pickup assembly. A pickup assembly comprises a pickup unit, typically in the form of a pickup drum rotatably mounted on the pickup assembly frame. The pickup drum has radially arranged projecting tines to collect the crop material and propel it upwards, past a guiding element, and then into a feeding auger that moves the crop laterally towards a feed channel through which the crop material is conveyed into the machine for subsequent processing. Such subsequent processing may, for example, involve baling, threshing, chopping, storing and/or depositing. The guiding element is generally referred to as a wind guard, and serves the purposes of restricting the movement of the collected crop material in the forward and upward direction, shielding the crop flow path from wind influence and guiding the crop material efficiently into the feed channel.

The wind guard and the feeding auger may be pivotable, or otherwise movable, relative to the pickup assembly frame to adapt to variations in the amount of crop moving through the pickup assembly. When stones, metal, or other non-crop material is caught up inside the pickup assembly, the auger and/or the pickup drum can be reversed to expel the unwanted object. During this reversal, the wind guard is usually fully or partially lifted to allow the crop and the unwanted object to be expelled from the pickup assembly. When this reversal is not successful, the machine needs to be stopped and the wind guard and feeding auger are raised for allowing the operator to take the unwanted object out by hand.

To allow for all this functionality, the feeding auger needs a suspension system that controls and dampens the pivoting motion during operation and a lift system for actively raising and lowering the auger to allow the operator to remove the unwanted objects. Additional functionality leads to a more complex design, more moving parts, and an increased need for maintenance.

It is an aim of the present invention to simplify the design of the pickup assembly, without losing functionality.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a pickup assembly for an agricultural harvester. The pickup assembly comprises a pickup assembly frame, a pickup unit, a wind guard assembly, and a feeding auger. The pickup unit is carried by the pickup assembly frame and configured to pick up crop from a field. The wind guard assembly is pivotably coupled to the pickup assembly frame. The feeding auger is rotatably coupled to an auger arm, the auger arm being pivotably connected to the pickup assembly frame at a first pivot axle. An auger control arm extends from the first pivot axle in a direction different from the auger arm and is configured for pivoting together with the auger arm. The auger control arm is configured to provide at least one of the following functions:.

The auger control arm thus is a functional extension of the traditional auger arm that, for example, obviates the use of a separate lifting mechanism for lifting the feeding auger in the event of an unwanted object being caught up inside the pickup assembly. The extending auger control arm further makes it possible to provide the suspension for the auger arm at a convenient location further away from the auger arm and the auger drive that are located in a crowded central area of the pickup assembly.

To implement the functionality of limiting the maximum height of the feeding auger the pickup assembly frame may comprise a top stop for engaging with the auger control arm when the feeding auger is lifted to its maximum height. This height will typically be reached when the wind guard and feeding auger are lifted for the removal by hand of a non-crop object, or during service and maintenance operations. During harvesting, this maximum height may be reached when large volumes of crop push the feeding auger upward so far that the auger control arm engages the top stop.

To implement the functionality of limiting the minimum height of the feeding auger the pickup assembly frame may comprise a bottom stop for engaging with the auger control arm when the feeding auger is dropped to its minimum height. The minimum height will at least be high enough for avoiding the feeding auger coming into contact with the pickup unit and for leaving a narrow infeed channel between the pickup unit and the feeding auger through which the crop is pulled in.

Optionally, the pickup assembly frame further comprises at least one actuator for moving the top stop and/or the bottom stop relative to the pickup assembly frame. This will, for example, allow to adapt the range of movement for the feeding auger in dependence of the type of crop, expected crop volumes, and other external influences. Furthermore, it may allow to use a different maximum height setting during harvesting than for service and maintenance, or when lifting the feeding auger to remove non-crop objects.

To implement the functionality of providing suspension for the feeding auger when pivoting relative to the frame, a tensioning element may connect the auger control arm to the pickup assembly frame. The tensioning element may, for example, comprise a spring, a pneumatic cylinder, or a hydraulic cylinder and may be adjustable to allow controlling the suspension. When the tensioning element is connected to an outer end of the auger control arm, the counterforce it needs to apply to the auger control arm is smaller than when the suspension if provided closer to the first pivot axle.

To implement the functionality of lifting the feeding auger, together with the wind guard assembly, the wind guard assembly may comprise a wind guard frame with an auger control arm abutment, the auger control arm abutment being configured to abut the auger control arm during a portion of the pivoting motion of the wind guard frame between a dropped configuration and a lifted configuration. In the first part of the pivoting motion of the wind guard frame, it may not yet be in contact with the auger control arm and the feeding auger is not moved. As soon as the auger control arm abutment contacts the auger control arm, the rising wind guard frame will start pushing the auger control arm rearward/downward and cause the auger arm to pivot forward/upward therewith. When the wind guard frame is lowered again, the feeding auger may fall down under its own weight and/or. It is an important advantage of this embodiment that no separate actuators need to be provided for lifting or lowering the feeding auger.

In some embodiments, the auger control arm may further comprise a releasable coupling for temporarily connecting the auger control arm to the wind guard frame. The releasable coupling, when activated, allows the wind guard frame to selectively pull at the auger control arm during at least a portion of its pivoting motion back to its dropped configuration. The releasable coupling may, for example, use an electric actuator for engaging and disengaging the coupling when needed, or some elaborate mechanical cam system may be provided that automatically engages and disengages when the feeding auger is in specific positions. Alternatively, the releasable coupling may comprise an electromagnetic coupling that can be controlled electronically and through control software.

The auger arm and the auger control arm pivot around the same first pivot axle. This may be caused by the auger control arm being mounted to the auger arm for pivoting therewith, or by mounting the auger arm and the auger control arm separately to the first pivot axle.

In preferred embodiments, both ends of the feeding auger comprise an auger arm and an auger control arm as described above. In such embodiments, the second auger arm, and the second auger control arm are pivotably connected to the frame at a second pivot axle that is preferably in line with the first pivot axle. The second auger control arm may not be identical (or a mirror image of) the first auger control arm. For example, only one of the two auger control arms may comprise the necessary feature for lifting the feeding auger together with the wind guard frame, while only the other auger control arm comprises the stops for limiting the minimum and/or maximum auger height. Similarly, the feeding auger suspension may be provided at one or at both ends of the feeding auger. Notably, the drive system for the feeding auger is generally provided at one end of the pickup assembly, which may also lead to different designs for the auger arms and auger control arms at each end.

According to a further aspect of the invention, an agricultural harvester is provided comprising a pickup assembly as described above.

In the following, a pickup assembly is described in which the above described invention may be advantageously used. In addition to the invention claimed in the appended claims, further improvements may be implemented in the same pickup assembly. It is noted that, while some features of these other improvements may appear essential in the context of those other improvements, it should not be concluded therefrom that such features are essential to the now claimed invention too. Similarly, it may be suggested that a feature essential for the currently claimed invention is merely optional in the context of the other possible improvements, which is not to be interpreted as an attempt to broaden the scope of protection beyond that what is claimed in the appended claims.

The directions up, down, forward, and rearward are herein defined relative to the general orientation and direction of an agricultural harvester and its attached pickup assembly driving over a field and picking up crop.

<FIG> shows a schematic side view of an exemplary embodiment of an agricultural vehicle, illustrated in the form of a forage harvester <NUM>. As the harvester <NUM> advances through a field, crops, e.g. grass or alfalfa, are gathered by a pickup assembly <NUM> and transported to a central crop inlet of the forage harvester <NUM> where they enter the harvester <NUM> through a set of feed rolls <NUM>. The feed rolls <NUM> guide the crops in the form of a mat with a given thickness towards the cutting drum <NUM>, which rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow, about a rotation axis that is transversal to the direction of movement of the crops. Knives <NUM> are mounted on and distributed along the full circumference of the drum <NUM>, so that the knives <NUM> pass by a stationary shear bar <NUM> as the drum <NUM> rotates, thereby chopping the crops into small pieces which are further transported between the cutting drum <NUM> and a concave <NUM>. The chopped material is then ejected by a blower <NUM> through a spout <NUM>. It should be appreciated that while the agricultural vehicle is illustrated and described as a forage harvester <NUM>, in some embodiments the pickup assembly may be used in combination with other agricultural vehicles such as a baler, e.g., a large square baler, a small square baler, or a round baler.

<FIG> show various aspects of the pickup assembly <NUM> in further detail. The pickup assembly <NUM> comprises a pickup unit <NUM> that includes a pickup drum <NUM> that carries a plurality of tines <NUM>. The pickup drum <NUM> is configured to rotate about a pickup axis that is transverse to the direction of movement of the harvester <NUM>. The rotating tines <NUM> pick the crop material up from the ground and move it toward a crop material conveyor in the form of a feeding auger <NUM>. The feeding auger <NUM> conveys the picked up crop material toward an inlet of the harvester <NUM>, or to a central location where a separate conveyor conveys the crop material toward the interior of the harvester <NUM>.

The pickup assembly also includes a wind guard assembly <NUM>. The wind guard assembly <NUM> may include a cylindrical roller <NUM>, which defines a roller axis about which the roller <NUM> rotates during operation. Like the pickup axis, the roller axis is generally transverse to the direction of movement of the harvester <NUM>. It should be appreciated that while the roller <NUM> is illustrated and described as a cylindrical roller <NUM>, the roller <NUM> can be formed to have other shapes. The roller <NUM> may be a fixed roller, i.e., a roller that generally maintains a fixed position of the roller axis during operation, or an adjustable roller, i.e., a roller that can be appreciably re-positioned so the roller axis moves to accommodate for variations swath height.

Other wind guard assemblies may, for example, have two rollers to guide crop material towards the crop material conveyor. In such wind guard assemblies, a front roller rolls on top of the swath of crop material as it is being collected while a rear roller is positioned above the tines <NUM> to guide the crop material toward the crop material conveyor <NUM> when it is picked up.

The pickup drum <NUM>, feeding auger <NUM>, and wind guard assembly <NUM> are all carried by a frame <NUM> of the pickup assembly <NUM>, as may other functional parts of the pickup assembly <NUM>. Typically, the pickup assembly <NUM> is provided as a separate header that can be mounted to the front of the harvester <NUM> when needed. Alternatively, the pickup assembly <NUM> is fixedly attached to a chassis of the forage harvester <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a cross section of the pickup assembly <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>. As the earlier Figures, <FIG> shows the wind guard roller <NUM> of the wind guard assembly <NUM>, the pickup drum <NUM> with its plurality of tines <NUM>, and the feeding auger <NUM>. The wind guard roller <NUM> is followed by a guidance plate <NUM>. An infeed channel <NUM> is formed between the wind guard roller <NUM> and an infeed channel surface <NUM> of the guidance plate <NUM> on one side and the pickup drum <NUM> with its tines <NUM> on the other side. The geometry of the infeed channel <NUM> may be adjusted by raising and lowering the wind guard assembly <NUM>, by pivoting or otherwise moving the guidance plate <NUM> relative to the wind guard frame <NUM>, or by moving the pickup drum <NUM> relative to the pickup assembly frame <NUM>.

In some crop conditions, the feeding auger <NUM> may fail to direct all crop received from the pickup unit <NUM> directly into the crop inlet of the agricultural harvester <NUM>. As a result, a return stream of crop may fall off the feeding auger <NUM> into the area between the feeding auger <NUM> and the wind guard assembly <NUM>. In this exemplary embodiment, a return channel <NUM> is formed between a return channel surface <NUM> of the guidance plate <NUM> and the feeding auger <NUM>. A geometry of this return channel <NUM> is determined by movement of the feeding auger <NUM> or the wind guard assembly <NUM> relative to the pickup assembly frame <NUM>, and by movement of the guidance plate <NUM> relative to the wind guard frame <NUM>. In this embodiment, the guidance plate <NUM> is mounted to the end of an arm that is pivotably attached to the wind guard frame <NUM> to pivot around the roller axis of the wind guard roller <NUM>, but other mechanical constructions may be provided for adjusting the position and orientation of the guidance plate <NUM>.

The following technical improvements to the pickup assemblies as have been known before may be implemented separately or in combination.

In the pickup assembly <NUM> of <FIG>, the wind guard frame assembly <NUM> is pivotably coupled to the pickup assembly frame <NUM> at a wind guard pivot axis <NUM>. The feeding auger <NUM> is rotatably coupled to an auger arm <NUM> (see, e.g., <FIG>), the auger arm <NUM> is pivotably connected to the pickup assembly frame <NUM> at an auger pivot axle <NUM>. An auger control arm <NUM> extends from the auger pivot axle <NUM> in a direction different from the auger arm <NUM> and is configured for pivoting together with the auger arm <NUM>. In the embodiment shown here, auger control arms <NUM> are provided at both ends of the pickup assembly <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, only one of the two auger arms <NUM> may have an associated auger control arm <NUM>. The auger arms <NUM> as well as the auger control arms <NUM> at each side are similar in function but different in design. The main reason for this is that this feeding auger is driven by a drive system <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>) that is connected to one end of the feeding auger <NUM> only. In other embodiments, the auger arms <NUM> and auger control arms <NUM> at both sides may be more similar.

The auger control arm <NUM> is configured to provide at least one of the following functions:.

The auger control arm <NUM> thus is a functional extension of the traditional auger arm <NUM> that, for example, obviates the use of a separate lifting mechanism for lifting the feeding auger <NUM> in the event of an unwanted object being caught up inside the pickup assembly <NUM>. The extending auger control arm <NUM> further makes it possible to provide the suspension for the auger arm <NUM> at a convenient location further away from the auger arm <NUM> and the auger drive <NUM> that are located in a crowded central area of the pickup assembly <NUM>.

To implement the functionality of limiting the maximum height of the feeding auger <NUM> the pickup assembly frame <NUM> may comprise a top stop <NUM> (see <FIG>) for engaging with the auger control arm <NUM> when the feeding auger <NUM> is lifted to its maximum height. This height will typically be reached when the wind guard frame <NUM> and feeding auger <NUM> are lifted for the removal by hand of a non-crop object, or during service and maintenance operations. During harvesting, this maximum height may be reached when large volumes of crop push the feeding auger <NUM> upward so far that the auger control arm <NUM> engages the top stop <NUM>.

To implement the functionality of limiting the minimum height of the feeding auger <NUM> the pickup assembly frame <NUM> may comprise a bottom stop <NUM> (see <FIG>) for engaging with the auger control arm <NUM> when the feeding auger <NUM> is dropped to its minimum height. The minimum height will at least be high enough for avoiding the feeding auger <NUM> coming into contact with the pickup unit <NUM> and for leaving some space between the pickup unit <NUM> and the feeding auger <NUM> through which the crop is pulled in.

Optionally, the pickup assembly <NUM> frame further comprises at least one actuator (not shown) for moving the top stop <NUM> and/or the bottom stop <NUM> relative to the pickup assembly frame <NUM>. This will, for example, allow to adapt the range of movement for the feeding auger <NUM> in dependence of the type of crop, expected crop volumes, and other external influences. Furthermore, it may allow to use a different maximum height setting during harvesting than for service and maintenance, or when lifting the feeding auger <NUM> to remove non-crop objects.

To implement the functionality of providing suspension for the feeding auger <NUM> when pivoting relative to the frame, a tensioning element may connect the auger control arm <NUM> to the pickup assembly frame <NUM>. In this example, the tensioning element comprises two springs <NUM> for each auger control arm <NUM>. Alternatively, the tensioning element may, for example, comprise a single spring, a pneumatic cylinder, or a hydraulic cylinder. The tensioning element may be adjustable to allow controlling the suspension. When the tensioning element is connected to an outer end of the auger control arm <NUM>, the counterforce it needs to apply to the auger control arm <NUM> is smaller than when the suspension if provided closer to the auger pivot axle <NUM>.

To implement the functionality of lifting the feeding auger <NUM>, together with the wind guard assembly <NUM>, the wind guard frame <NUM> comprises an auger control arm abutment <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>). The auger control arm abutment <NUM> is configured to abut the auger control arm <NUM> during a portion of the pivoting motion of the wind guard frame <NUM> between its dropped configuration and its lifted configuration. In <FIG>, the wind guard frame is in an operational configuration and the auger control arm abutment <NUM> is not in contact with the auger control arm <NUM>. In the first part of the pivoting motion of the wind guard frame <NUM>, the auger control arm abutment <NUM> is not yet in contact with the auger control arm <NUM> and the feeding auger <NUM> is not moved. As soon as the auger control arm abutment <NUM> contacts the auger control arm <NUM>, the rising wind guard frame <NUM> will start pushing the auger control arm <NUM> rearward/downward and cause the auger arm <NUM> to pivot forward/upward therewith, into a lifted or fully lifted position as shown in <FIG>. When the wind guard frame <NUM> is lowered again, the feeding auger <NUM> may fall down under its own weight and/or due to a spring force exerted on the auger control arm <NUM> by the springs <NUM>. It is an important advantage of this embodiment that no separate actuators need to be provided for lifting or lowering the feeding auger <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the auger control arm <NUM> may further comprise a releasable coupling (not shown) for temporarily connecting the auger control arm <NUM> to the wind guard frame <NUM>. The releasable coupling, when activated, allows the wind guard frame <NUM> to selectively pull at the auger control arm <NUM> during at least a portion of its pivoting motion back to its dropped configuration. The releasable coupling may, for example, use an electric actuator for engaging and disengaging the coupling when needed, or some elaborate mechanical cam system may be provided that automatically engages and disengages when the feeding auger <NUM> is in specific positions. Alternatively, the releasable coupling may comprise an electromagnetic coupling that can be controlled electronically and through control software.

The auger arm <NUM> and the auger control arm <NUM> pivot around the same auger pivot axle <NUM>. On the left-hand side of the embodiment shown herein (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>), the auger control arm <NUM> and the auger arm <NUM> are separately mounted to the same auger pivot axle <NUM>, but at opposite sides of a portion of the pickup assembly frame <NUM>. On the right-hand side (e.g. <FIG>), the auger control arm <NUM> is directly mounted to the auger arm <NUM> for pivoting therewith. On the right-hand side, the auger control arm <NUM> further comprises a wind guard abutment flange <NUM> for engaging with the auger control arm abutment <NUM> of the wind guard frame <NUM> (as in <FIG>). When the wind guard frame <NUM> is lifted beyond the position shown in <FIG>, it will push against the wind guard abutment flange <NUM> of the auger control arm <NUM> and thus raise the feeding auger <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in these Figures, both ends of the feeding auger <NUM> comprise an auger control arm <NUM> that is coupled to the pickup assembly frame <NUM> via two suspension springs <NUM>. Both auger control arms <NUM> are configured to get into contact with an auger control arm abutment <NUM> of the wind guard frame <NUM> during at least a portion of the pivoting motion of the wind guard assembly <NUM>. Alternatively, the suspension and/or the lifting functionality of the auger control arms <NUM> may be provided at one end of the pickup assembly <NUM> only. Similarly, the top stop <NUM> and bottom stop <NUM> may both be provided on the pickup assembly frame <NUM> at either one or both ends of the pickup assembly <NUM>.

In addition to an improved mechanism for lifting the feeding auger <NUM>, the pickup assembly <NUM> shown in the Figures comprises an improved mechanism for lifting the wind guard assembly <NUM> too. This improved wind guard height control mechanism is best explained with reference to <FIG>. In these drawings, <FIG> shows the wind guard assembly <NUM> in a dropped configuration, <FIG> in a lifted configuration, <FIG> in an operational configuration at a pre-set minimum height, and <FIG> in an operational configuration but lifted above its pre-set minimum height by a big lump of crop.

The wind guard height control mechanism comprises a control arm <NUM>, a height control flange <NUM> and a linear actuator <NUM>. The control arm <NUM> is pivotably coupled to the pickup assembly frame <NUM> for pivoting around the wind guard pivot axis <NUM>, coaxially with the wind guard frame <NUM>. The height control flange <NUM> is provided on the wind guard frame <NUM> and configured to be in contact with the control arm <NUM>. The linear actuator <NUM> has a first end connected to the pickup assembly frame <NUM> and a second end connected to the control arm <NUM>.

The control arm <NUM> is used to push against the height control flange <NUM> on the wind guard frame <NUM> to pivot the wind guard <NUM> upward. No active control of the wind guard frame <NUM> is required to let it come down again. When the control arm <NUM> is located at a height setting that is lower than the current height of the wind guard frame <NUM>, the frame <NUM> automatically returns to that lower height, for example under the influence of its own weight and/or by a force originating from a suspension system of the wind guard frame <NUM>.

One of the advantages of the wind guard height control mechanism shown here is that the linear actuator <NUM>, e.g. an electronic or hydraulic actuator, does not need to be directly connected to the wind guard frame <NUM> itself. Because of that, the wind guard frame <NUM> is free to pivot upward when the swath height increases (as in <FIG>), without there being any need to adjust or control the actuator. When the swath height returns to normal, the wind guard frame <NUM> will fall back to the previously set minimum height (as in <FIG> or <FIG>). After the wind guard assembly <NUM> has been lifted to its maximum height, for example to allow the removal of a stone, the linear actuator <NUM> can be used to set the new minimum height and the wind guard frame <NUM> will fall back to exactly the set height.

Preferably, as in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the height control flange <NUM> and the linear actuator <NUM> are arranged at opposite sides of the control arm <NUM>. The height control flange <NUM> is arranged rearward of the control arm <NUM> and the linear actuator <NUM> is arranged forward of the control arm <NUM>, wherein forward and rearward are defined relative to an intended driving direction of the agricultural harvester <NUM>. This particular arrangement allows the wind guard frame <NUM> to move up, but not down, independently of the control arm <NUM>, and the control arm <NUM> to move down independently of the wind guard frame <NUM>. Because the actuator <NUM> does not need to act against the full weight of the wind guard assembly <NUM> when setting the minimum height, it is possible to control the minimum height with high accuracy.

In other embodiments, the height control flange <NUM> may, for example, be held in a slot inside the control arm. In such embodiments the control arm <NUM> will be able to push the wind guard frame <NUM> up, but also to pull the wind guard frame <NUM> down. In some embodiments, the wind guard height control mechanism may further comprise a releasable coupling for connecting the control arm <NUM> to the height control flange <NUM>. The releasable coupling, when activated, allows the control arm <NUM> to selectively pull at the wind guard frame <NUM> during at least a portion of its pivoting motion back to its newly set minimum height. The releasable coupling may, for example, use an electric actuator for engaging and disengaging the coupling when needed, or some elaborate mechanical cam system may be provided that automatically engages and disengages when the wind guard frame <NUM> is in specific positions. Alternatively, the releasable coupling may comprise an electromagnetic coupling that can be controlled electronically and through control software.

Preferably, the pickup assembly <NUM> further comprises a controller (not shown), operatively coupled to the linear actuator <NUM> for adjusting a minimum height setting of the wind guard assembly <NUM>, the minimum height setting lying between a dropped and a lifted configuration of the wind guard assembly <NUM>. The controller may be coupled to control systems of the harvester <NUM> when the pickup assembly <NUM> is attached to the harvester <NUM>. Such a coupling may be wired or wireless. The wind guard height control mechanism may further comprise an angle sensor <NUM>, operatively coupled to the controller and configured to measure an angle of rotation of the control arm <NUM> relative to the wind guard pivot axle, the controller being configured to control the linear actuator <NUM> in dependence of the angle of rotation of the control arm <NUM>. The angle sensor <NUM> in such an embodiment will generally allow for more accurate monitoring and control of the wind guard height than sensors that monitor, for example, the extension of a hydraulic cylinder.

The wind guard height control mechanism shown here is provided at the left-hand side of the pickup assembly <NUM>. While this may be sufficient to accurately control the wind guard height, a second identical or similar second wind guard height control mechanism may be provided at the opposite right-hand side of the pickup assembly <NUM>.

A further improvement of the pickup assembly <NUM> shown in the Figures is found in a new drive system <NUM> for driving the feeding auger <NUM>. In contrast with feeding auger drives used for this kind of pickup assemblies <NUM> in the past, the feeding auger drive <NUM> of this pickup assembly <NUM> is a belt drive. The feeding auger drive <NUM> thus uses a drive belt <NUM> and pulleys instead of chains, gears, and sprockets.

As shown in <FIG>, the feeding auger drive <NUM> is provided at the left-hand side of the pickup assembly <NUM>. Alternatively, the feeding auger <NUM> may be driven from the right end or from both ends of the pickup assembly <NUM>. The feeding auger drive <NUM> is shown in more detail in <FIG> and from a different perspective in <FIG> and <FIG>. The feeding auger drive <NUM> is partly provided inside the pivotable auger arm <NUM> and partly embedded in, or mounted directly too, the pickup assembly frame <NUM>. As described above, the auger arm <NUM> is pivotable relative to the pickup assembly frame <NUM> about an auger pivot axle <NUM>. It is, however, to be noted that the same or a similar belt drive <NUM> can advantageously be used for feeding augers that are not pivotable relative to the pickup assembly frame <NUM>.

The feeding auger drive <NUM> comprises an auger pulley <NUM>, mounted to, or inside, the auger arm <NUM> and defining a rotational axis of the feeding auger <NUM>. A drive pulley <NUM> is connected to a drive shaft <NUM> that can, for example, be connected to a PTO (power take-off) of the harvester <NUM>, or to a hydraulic or electric motor. The drive belt <NUM> couples the drive pulley <NUM> to the auger pulley <NUM>. Using a belt drive instead of a chain drive for driving the feeding auger <NUM> brings several advantages, such as reduced service and maintenance requirements, and a less complex design with fewer parts and lower weight.

In preferred embodiments, as in the embodiment shown here, the drive pulley <NUM> is not coaxial with the auger pivot axle <NUM> and is rotatably mounted to the pickup assembly frame <NUM>. Located in a lower rear corner of a side panel of the pickup assembly frame <NUM> the drive pulley <NUM> can now conveniently be coupled to a rotating shaft coming directly from the PTO. Such a coupling would, for example, be much more difficult to realise in the crowded area near the hinge point <NUM> of the auger arm <NUM>.

Additionally, the feeding auger drive <NUM> may comprise at least two idler pulleys <NUM>, <NUM>, both mounted to the pickup assembly frame <NUM>. The idler pulleys <NUM>, <NUM> function to route the drive belt <NUM> and to optimise the angle at which the drive belt approaches the auger pulley <NUM>. Because the idler pulleys <NUM>, <NUM> are mounted on the pickup assembly frame <NUM>, they don't move together with the auger arm <NUM> and serve as fixed points relative to which the auger arm <NUM> and the auger pulley <NUM> can move. In the current example, a first one <NUM> of the at least two idler pulleys is mounted downstream the drive pulley <NUM> and upstream the auger pulley <NUM>, and a second one <NUM> of the at least two idler pulleys is mounted downstream the auger pulley <NUM> and upstream the drive pulley <NUM>. While the idler pulleys <NUM>, <NUM> keep their fixed position on the pickup assembly frame <NUM>, the auger pulley <NUM> and drive belt sections extending between these idler pulleys <NUM>, <NUM> and the auger pulley <NUM> pivot around the hinge point <NUM> of the auger arm <NUM>.

In the preferred arrangement shown in <FIG>, the idler pulleys <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged such that a first portion of the drive belt <NUM> between the first idler pulley <NUM> and the auger pulley <NUM> is substantially parallel with a second portion of the drive belt <NUM> between the auger pulley <NUM> and the second idler pulley <NUM>. Even more preferably, these first and second portions of the drive belt <NUM> are substantially parallel with a line between the pivot axle <NUM> and the rotational axis of the feeding auger. In such an arrangement, the auger pulley <NUM> can pivot around its hinge point <NUM> and move relative to the two idler pulleys <NUM>, <NUM> without affecting the length of the first and second portion of the drive belt <NUM>. The optimal belt tension is thus maintained, regardless of the angular position of the auger arm <NUM>. Furthermore, this arrangement ensures that the drive belt <NUM> only pulls at the auger pulley <NUM> in the direction of the auger arm <NUM> and that the force exerted on the auger pulley <NUM> does not have a component in the direction perpendicular thereto. As a consequence, the drive belt <NUM> will not cause the auger arm <NUM> to pivot up or down.

The feeding auger drive <NUM> may be housed in a substantially closed housing in order to prevent dust, dirt, and crop interfering with the feeding auger drive <NUM>. One frame portion of the substantially closed housing may be arranged inside the pickup assembly frame <NUM>. This frame portion may include the drive pulley <NUM> and the idler pulleys <NUM>, <NUM>. The auger pulley <NUM> is contained inside the auger arm <NUM>, the auger arm <NUM> being arranged to pivot partly inside the frame portion of the substantially closed housing.

This arrangement allows the auger arm <NUM> to move relative to the pickup assembly frame <NUM> while maintaining the feeding auger drive housing substantially closed.

The feeding auger drive <NUM> may further comprise a tensioner pulley <NUM>, mounted to the pickup assembly frame <NUM>. The tensioner pulley <NUM> of this embodiment is comprised in the frame portion of the substantially closed housing that is arranged inside the pickup assembly frame <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the tensioner pulley <NUM> may be mounted to an arm that can pivot to move the tensioner pulley <NUM> and lengthen or shorten the trajectory of the drive belt <NUM>. Alternatively, the tensioner pulley <NUM> may be arranged to move linearly to achieve the same.

Preferably, the drive belt <NUM> is a synchronous belt that is reinforced with carbon fibres. An important advantage of carbon reinforced belts is that they do not lengthen over time. When such a drive belt <NUM> is used, the tensioner pulley <NUM> may only need to be configured once to provide the optimal belt tension during assembly of the feeding auger drive <NUM>. After that, the tensioner pulley <NUM> may be fully fixed and the auger drive housing can be closed.

As shown in <FIG>, the wind guard assembly <NUM> comprises a wind guard frame <NUM> with a top section and a front section, the top section being pivotably coupled to the pickup assembly frame <NUM>, the front section extending downwards from the top section. A wind guard shield <NUM> is carried by the wind guard frame <NUM> to cover at least a portion of a top and a front of the pickup assembly <NUM>. While the wind guard assembly <NUM> shown here comprises a single wind guard shield <NUM> that covers large parts of both the top and the front of the pickup assembly, alternative wind guard assemblies <NUM> may use separate wind guard shields for the top and front, or for left, centre, and right sections of the pickup assembly <NUM>. Similarly, the wind guard frame <NUM> may consist of two or more separate sections.

Additionally, as best viewed in <FIG>, the wind guard assembly <NUM> comprises a wind guard shield return surface <NUM>, extending downward and rearward from the front section of the wind guard frame <NUM>. With this wind guard shield return surface <NUM>, the crop falling off the wrong side of the feeding auger <NUM> is effectively guided in the direction of the pickup unit <NUM> where it can be picked up and passed on, back to the feeding auger <NUM>. This avoids the crop material falling back on the ground or accumulating on top of, for example, the wind guard roller <NUM> or the support arm for the guidance plate <NUM>. If crop were to accumulate on top of the wind guard roller <NUM>, this could partially block the rotation of this roller <NUM> and therewith severely hamper the continued and consistent intake of crop by the pickup assembly <NUM>. By arranging the wind guard shield return surface <NUM> in such a way that the crop cannot fall onto the wind guard roller <NUM>, this can be avoided.

The wind guard shield return surface <NUM> may comprise a plate or mesh surface. A mesh surface may bring the advantages of being light weight and less prone to catch wind, but it may also catch more crop and dust that could accumulate on its surface. The pickup assembly <NUM> may further comprise a guidance plate <NUM> as described above. When the wind guard shield return surface <NUM> and the return guide surface <NUM> of the guidance plate <NUM> are positioned in line, the crop falling off the wrong side of the feeding auger <NUM> will not get a chance of accumulating on top of or behind the guidance plate <NUM> and will effectively be led back to the pickup unit <NUM>.

The guidance plate <NUM> may be pivotable about a pivot axis that is coaxial with a rotational axis of the wind guard roller <NUM>. In that case, the guidance plate <NUM> is preferably arranged as in <FIG>, with a smooth transition between the wind guard shield return surface <NUM> and the return guide surface <NUM> of the guidance plate <NUM>. To this end, at least a portion of the return guide surface <NUM> may be situated below the wind guard shield return surface <NUM> to avoid any gap opening up between the two when the guidance plate <NUM> is rotated to its downmost position.

The feeding auger <NUM> may be movably mounted to the pickup assembly frame <NUM> and configured to move to and from the pickup unit <NUM>. The wind guard shield return surface is preferably arranged in such a way that a distance between the feeding auger <NUM> and the wind guard shield return surface <NUM> remains substantially the same regardless of the position of the feeding auger <NUM>. Substantially the same is herein to be understood as not varying by more than about, for example, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, or <NUM>%. The distance between the feeding auger <NUM> and the wind guard shield return surface <NUM> may, for example be kept substantially constant by ensuring that the wind guard shield return surface <NUM> is substantially parallel to the trajectory of movement of the circumference of the feeding auger <NUM>. It is noted that, while the feeding auger <NUM> may make a pivoting motion, it will only be able to pivot over a limited range of angles and the actual trajectory of movement of the circumference of the feeding auger <NUM> may be approximated by a more or less straight line.

Optionally, the pickup assembly <NUM> further comprises an actuator for adjusting an orientation or position of the wind guard shield return surface <NUM>. Such adjustments may be used to ensure that the wind guard shield return surface <NUM> remains properly aligned with, e.g., the return guide surface <NUM> of the guidance plate <NUM> and/or that the distance to the feeding auger <NUM> is kept substantially constant.

Modern pickup assemblies <NUM> as shown in the drawings can be large and the wind guard frame <NUM> can be heavy. In order to remove unwanted objects from the pickup assembly <NUM>, the operator needs to stand below the lifted heavy wind guard frame <NUM>. Typically, a heavy wind guard roller <NUM>, spanning the full with of the wind guard frame <NUM> hangs above the operator's head while looking for and taking out the unwanted object. To ensure the safety of the operator, a mechanical safety latch is usually provided to prevent the wind guard frame <NUM> from coming down while the operator is standing underneath. However, if the operator forgets to activate the safety latch, or if the wind guard assembly <NUM> is lowered after the safety latch is deactivated but before the operator has moved away from the pickup assembly, a significant risk of serious injury remains.

To reduce this risk, the pickup assembly may additionally be supplied with a lock switch <NUM> (see, e.g., <FIG> and <FIG>) and an electronic circuit (not shown), operatively coupled to the lock switch <NUM> and the actuator <NUM> for raising and lowering the wind guard assembly <NUM>. The electronic circuit is configured to block control instructions from reaching the actuator <NUM> when the lock switch <NUM> is in an activated state and to allow control instructions to reach the actuator <NUM> when the lock switch is in a deactivated state.

Instead of needing to activate a mechanical safety latch, the operator only needs to operate the lock switch <NUM> to ensure that wind guard assembly <NUM> is not lowered while he (or she) is standing underneath. Because the lock switch <NUM> does not require the operator to mechanically block the wind guard frame <NUM> itself, it may already be activated before the operator has moved into the area underneath the wind guard frame <NUM>. This further adds to the improved safety of the pickup assembly <NUM>.

When the actuator <NUM> for operating the height of the wind guard frame <NUM> is an electric actuator, it is operatively coupled to the electronic circuit such that no electric signal can reach the electric actuator <NUM> when the lock switch <NUM> is in the activated state. In other embodiments, the actuator <NUM> may be a hydraulic cylinder controllable with an electrohydraulic valve, the electrohydraulic valve being operatively coupled to the electronic circuit such that no electric signal can reach the electrohydraulic valve when the lock switch <NUM> is in the activated state. If the valve is in a normally closed setting, blocking all electronic signals from reaching that valve will not only block the actuator <NUM> electronically, but also physically, thereby further adding to the safety of the pickup assembly <NUM>.

Optionally, the electronic circuit is further configured to block control instructions from reaching the pickup unit <NUM> and/or the feeding auger <NUM> when the lock switch <NUM> is in the activated state. One of the advantages of the lock switch <NUM> according to the invention is that a single switch can be used to deactivate multiple functional units. The mechanical safety latches known from the prior art block movement of the wind guard frame <NUM> only and require separate additional locks for blocking the pickup unit <NUM> and the feeding auger <NUM> too.

Preferably, the lock switch <NUM> is arranged near a lateral end of the pickup assembly <NUM>, thereby making it impossible, or at least impractical, to reach it when standing under the wind guard assembly <NUM>. Consequently, the risk is reduced that a second operator, staying behind in the cabin of the agricultural harvester <NUM>, lowers the wind guard assembly <NUM> before the first operator has moved into a safe position. Preferably, the lock switch <NUM> is arranged such that it is completely out of reach for a person standing under the wind guard frame <NUM> when in its lifted configuration. In some embodiments, the pickup assembly <NUM> may further comprise two gauge wheels <NUM> carried by respective gauge wheel arms <NUM>, pivotably supported at respective lateral ends of the pickup assembly frame <NUM>, and the lock switch <NUM> is arranged on one of the gauge wheel arms <NUM>. The gauge wheel arm <NUM> may be pivoted outward when the wind guard assembly <NUM> is raised to ensure a proper distance between the lock switch <NUM> and the wind guard assembly <NUM>.

When harvesting at night, or in otherwise dark conditions, it may not always be easy for the operator to find and remove unwanted objects that get stuck inside the pickup assembly <NUM>. When working at night, lighting on the harvester <NUM> is normally used to allow the operator to observe the field around the harvester <NUM> and in front of the header or pickup assembly <NUM>. When raising the wind guard assembly <NUM> for the removal of an unwanted object from inside the pickup assembly <NUM>, the wind guard assembly <NUM> may, however, block the light coming from the harvester <NUM>, thereby making it difficult for the operator to find and take out the object he (or she) wants to remove.

To allow the operator to properly inspect the relevant inner areas of the pickup assembly <NUM>, at least one work light <NUM> (see <FIG>) is arranged to illuminate an internal area of the pickup assembly <NUM> underneath the wind guard frame <NUM> when the wind guard frame <NUM> is in its lifted configuration. Such internal areas may, for example, include an area between the feeding auger <NUM> and the crop inlet of the harvester <NUM>, an area between the pickup unit <NUM> and the feeding auger <NUM>, or other areas where unwanted objects may be caught up. By specifically illuminating these areas it is thus made easier to remove the unwanted objects.

Optionally, the work light <NUM> is arranged to illuminate the pickup unit <NUM> only when the wind guard frame <NUM> is in its lifted configuration. The work light <NUM> may, for example, be turned on by a switch that is operated by the lifting of the wind guard frame <NUM> beyond a certain height. In some embodiments, the pickup assembly <NUM> may further comprise a lift sensor for detecting when the wind guard frame <NUM> is lifted to the lifted configuration, and an electronic circuit operatively coupled to the lift sensor and the work light and configured to turn on the work light <NUM> in dependence of an electric signal from the lift sensor. Alternatively, or additionally, a control algorithm programmed for lifting the wind guard to its lifted configuration comprises a step of turning on the work light <NUM>. Similarly, the work light <NUM> may be turned off automatically as soon as the wind guard frame <NUM> is dropped back to an operational configuration.

The work light <NUM> may, for example, be mounted to the wind guard assembly <NUM>. For example, the work light <NUM> comprises a lighting strip extending along a width of the wind guard assembly <NUM>. Alternatively, the work light is mounted to the pickup assembly frame <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A pickup assembly (<NUM>) for an agricultural harvester (<NUM>), the pickup assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
- a pickup assembly frame (<NUM>),
- a pickup unit (<NUM>) carried by the pickup assembly frame (<NUM>) and configured to pick up crop from a field,
- a wind guard assembly (<NUM>), pivotably coupled to the pickup assembly frame (<NUM>),
- a feeding auger (<NUM>), rotatably coupled to an auger arm (<NUM>), the auger arm (<NUM>) being pivotably connected to the pickup assembly frame (<NUM>) at a first pivot axle (<NUM>), and
- an auger control arm (<NUM>), extending from the first pivot axle (<NUM>) in a direction different from the auger arm (<NUM>) and configured for pivoting together with the auger arm (<NUM>), the auger control arm (<NUM>) being configured to provide at least one of the following functions:
limiting a maximum height of the feeding auger (<NUM>),
limiting a minimum height of the feeding auger (<NUM>),
providing suspension for the feeding auger (<NUM>) when pivoting relative to the pickup assembly frame (<NUM>), and
lifting the feeding auger (<NUM>), together with the wind guard assembly (<NUM>).