Patent ID: 8112977

Claim:
A movable chassis for supporting an agricultural crop harvesting header having an operating width, said movable chassis comprising: an elongate tongue for connection to a prime mover for movement in a forward direction along a travel axis; a movable frame pivotally coupled to said tongue and movable between an operating position and a transport position, said movable frame supporting the header connected thereto and configured to orient the operating width of the header generally transverse to said travel axis when in said operating position, and configured to orient the operating width of the header generally parallel to said travel axis when in said transport position; a first trailing wheel and a second trailing wheel connected to said movable frame for supporting said movable frame on the ground, said first and second trailing wheels aligned for movement in the direction of said travel axis when said movable frame is in said operating position; a frame pivot actuator for selectively altering the pivotal position of said movable frame with respect to said tongue; a first wheel actuator and a second wheel actuator, each configured to adjust the vertical position of said first and second trailing wheels, respectively, relative to said movable frame; a retractable transport mechanism mounted to said tongue and movable between a raised stowed position and a deployed position, said transport mechanism having a transport wheel for engaging the ground to support said frame and a transport actuator for moving said mechanism between said stowed and deployed positions the connection between the transport mechanism and the tongue configured such that the wheel is moved both downward and laterally with resect to the tongue during movement from the stowed position to the deployed position; and an axle pivot mechanism connecting said first trailing wheel to said movable frame, said pivot mechanism having an axle pivot actuator, said pivot mechanism configured to pivot said first trailing wheel approximately 90 degrees about a generally upright pivot axis; wherein by positioning said movable frame in said transport position, moving said transport mechanism to said deployed position, and pivoting said first trailing wheel to a position approximately 90 degrees from said normal alignment, said movable chassis positions the header for transport such that the header operating width is aligned with said transport axis.