Patent ID: 7526908

Claim:
A linkage for moving a crop merger apparatus relative to a chassis of an agricultural windrower, said merger apparatus having a movable frame, said linkage for selectively moving said merger between a generally forward and lower working position and a generally rearward and upper non-working position, said linkage comprising: first and second pivot mounts disposed on said movable frame, each said pivot mount having a pivot axis wherein said first and second pivot axes are spaced apart; at least one elongate lift arm having generally opposing first and second ends and an axis of rotation at said first end, said axis of rotation fixed in relation to said chassis for arcuate movement of said lift arm about said axis of rotation, said lift arm having a pivot connection at said second end for connection with said first pivot mount; a fulcrum structure connected to said lift arm at a point between said first and second ends; a link connecting said movable frame and said chassis for causing pivotal motion of said movable frame about said first pivot axis, said pivotal motion being coordinated with motion of said movable frame during movement between said working and said non-working positions; and a lift assist member having a pin end, a distally opposed bearing pad end, and an edge structure disposed therebetween, a pin connector for connecting said pin end to said second pivot mount, and a bearing pad connected to said bearing pad end, length of said lift assist member and relative positions of said first pivot axis, said second pivot axis, said fulcrum structure, said edge structure, and said bearing pad are such that movement of said linkage from said working position toward said non-working position causes said pad end to contact said chassis and said edge member to contact said fulcrum structure enabling said lift assist member to support a portion of the weight and stabilize the said merger apparatus when in said non-working position.