US0073 l0929B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Dow et al.
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,310,929 B2
`Dec. 25, 2007
`
`(54) WINDROW MERGING APPARATUS
`
`Steven
`Inventors: Paul W_ Dow, Byron, NY
`s_ DOW, Byron, NY (US); Mark M_
`in<ns>
`<73) Anignnni Oniin innnnntinnni Cnnnnnntinns
`BYr°n= NY (US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. N0.: 10/405,030
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 31, 2003
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2004/0200203 A1
`
`Oct. 14, 2004
`
`3,897,832 A *
`4,184,314 A *
`
`8/1975 Leedahletal.
`1/1980 Hobbs
`
`........... .. 172/311
`
`A :
`Pfenninger Ct 3.1.
`. . . . . . . ..
`56/228
`4,346,909 A *
`8/1982 Hundeby
`
`222:2:
`21221222: 1 213:: 121%;-rein
`3332333331 2‘
`»«
`3/1333 lfifiéigit 11.
`............... .. 56/228
`4,793,129 A
`12/1988 Ehrhart et a1.
`:
`et a1.
`5,155,935 A
`10/1992 Ke1de1man
`5,177,944 A
`1/1993 Finlay
`............... .. 56/366
`5,203,154 A *
`4/1993 Lesher et a1.
`5,507,139 A
`4/1996 Delperdang et al.
`
`(C°““““ed)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`
`0 853 872 B1
`
`3/2003
`
`.
`(Continued)
`
`(59 1"“ CL
`(2006.01)
`A01D 43/00
`(52) U.s. C1.
`................... .. 56/192; 56/DIG. 21,56/228;
`172/311
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................ .. 56/228,
`56/366, 378, 192, DIG. 21, 344; 172/311
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`_
`_
`“Sn°1Snhiid-/hni1<SYSieein”s 1 Pnge<Jii1~ 211 2000)sWii1i English
`translation, 2 pages.
`Primary Exam1'ner—Thomas B. Will
`Assistant Exam1'ner—Alicia Torres
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or F1'rm—Merchant & Gould P.C.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`US’ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1,877,770 A
`9/1932 Larson
`2,168,266 A
`8/1939 McE1wain
`2,195,381 A *
`3/1940 Patterson ................... .. 56/344
`2343583 A
`3/1944 Rogers
`198/369.7
`3,214,002 A * 10/1965 Kirkpatrick et a1.
`3,515,408 A *
`6/1970 Cagle ....................... .. 172/240
`3,650,096 A *
`3/1972 Caldwell
`....................... .. 56/7
`3,695,015 A
`10/1972 Twidale et a1.
`3,709,360 A *
`1/1973 Baker ....................... .. 209/215
`3,714,766 A
`2/1973 Ender et al.
`
`A windrow merger has a frame supporting first, second and
`third pickup assemblies, with the two outside pickup assem-
`blies foldable between an extended use position and a
`retracted travel position. Each of the
`assemblies
`includes a reversible conveyor providing multiple windrow
`merging Configurations The pickup assemblies are inteI._
`Chan e/able and an fled to define an unobstmcted icku
`f
`g
`g
`P
`1’
`ace"
`
`44 Claims, 24 Drawing Sheets
`
`v. Oxbo Int'1 Co.
`
`IPR2016—00950
`
` H&S Mfg. Co., Inc.
`
`H&S Mfg Co. Inc.
`
`Exhibit 1001
`
`Page 1 of 34
`
`Page 1 of 34
`
`

`
`US 7,310,929 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4/1999
`5,893,262 A *
`6/1999
`5,911,625 A *
`5,964,077 A * 10/1999
`6,205,757 B1
`3/2001
`6,401,440 B1*
`6/2002
`6,658,828 B2* 12/2003
`2005/0126153 A1
`6/2005
`
`Harbach .................... .. 56/208
`Von Allworden .
`. 460/119
`
`Guinn ................... .. 56/10.2 E
`Dow et al.
`.............. .. 56/16.6
`Franet et al.
`Franet
`........................... .. 56/7
`Hironimus et a1.
`
`2006/0248870 A1
`2006/0254244 A1
`
`11/2006 Geiser
`11/2006 Geiser
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`FR
`GB
`W0
`
`2 663 189 A1
`2 194 422 A
`WO 87/06793
`
`12/1991
`3/1998
`11/1998
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Page 2 of 34
`
`Page 2 of 34
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 25, 2007
`
`Sheet 1 of 24
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`US 7,310,929 B2
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`Page 3 of 34
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`Page 3 of 34
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 25, 2007
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`Sheet 2 of 24
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`US 7,310,929 B2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 25, 2007
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`Sheet 3 of 24
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`US 7,310,929 B2
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`124
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 25, 2007
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 25, 2007
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`US 7,310,929 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 25, 2007
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`US 7,310,929 B2
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` l
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`101
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 25, 2007
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 25, 2007
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 25, 2007
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 25, 2007
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`U.S. Patent
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 25, 2007
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`US 7,310,929 B2
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`FIG.14
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`100
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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 25, 2007
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`

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`US 7,310,929 B2
`
`1
`WINDROW MERGING APPARATUS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to a windrow merger appa-
`ratus and a method of merging windrows. In particular, the
`present invention relates to a windrow merging apparatus
`and method having more than two heads and conveyor
`assemblies.
`
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`Devices for merging windrows are well known and are
`used to gather material, such as cut hay that might be
`windrowed, and merge it into a single windrow for harvest-
`ing or baling. Such windrow mergers have typically
`included a single pickup head and are either self propelled
`or pulled behind a tractor to move the material to a single
`row at one side of the merger. When used on a relatively
`small scale, these devices generally function in a satisfactory
`manner. However, for large scale operations requiring merg-
`ing on large fields, the capacity of such mergers is limited
`because of their width and may not be sufficient to merge the
`material at an adequate rate for subsequent pickup by other
`devices. The merging must often be performed during a
`small timeframe when conditions are favorable. A limiting
`factor for the size of the merger device has been the towing
`capacity of tractors and other propulsion devices. However
`as larger, more powerful tractors are utilized, larger equip-
`ment may be used. The larger tractors have led to larger
`harvesting machinery so that the need exists for a merger
`with greater merging rates so as not to slow the harvest
`process.
`Although more power may be available to propel merger
`devices, other
`limitations
`are encountered that have
`restricted the size of windrow mergers. The machines must
`be transported from field to field and able to accomplish
`entry and exit in and out of fields, as well as meeting width
`limitations for transport on public highways and other roads
`without removing the heads.
`In order to achieve a wider merger apparatus, folding
`mergers have been developed, such as shown in U.S. Pat.
`No. 6,205,757 to Dow et al The Dow et al. ’757 patent has
`a two headed merger device that folds to a storage position
`for transport. In addition, the Dow device utilizes transverse
`conveyors to move materially laterally and provide various
`configurations for moving material to the desired windrow.
`The Dow et al. ’757 patent teaches a device that is successful
`in providing higher capacity, greater width, and improved
`methods of merging while folding to a storage position for
`transport. However,
`further
`improvements to windrow
`mergers are possible.
`Utilizing wider folding heads provides design challenges,
`especially achieving a linkage for folding wide heads and
`providing acceptable support, while limiting the loads and
`torque in operating positions, storage positions and during
`movement between the use position and the transport posi-
`tion. In order to achieve higher capacity, the heads may be
`widened, but the design becomes more complicated and
`difiicult due to moving wider heads and staying within
`height and width limitations when folded. Controls and
`mechanisms for a folding more than two heads are not
`contemplated in the prior art.
`Moreover, another problem that devices having multiple
`heads suffer from is that they typically form a gap between
`the ends of adjacent pickup heads so that some material may
`be missed in the field as the merger advances. Motors and
`other drive equipment have typically been positioned at ends
`
`10
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`of heads, providing an obstruction between the ends of the
`heads, requiring a gap between the end row of tines adjacent
`the heads. Operating prior adjustable conveyors at a suffi-
`cient rate so that material is passed from one conveyor to the
`other has required spacing that allows for adjustment, which
`prohibits an unobstructed pickup face without gaps. Achiev-
`ing a conveyor that does not require adjustable end rollers
`would improve the liability and eliminate constant adjust-
`ment for different configurations. If such manual adjustment
`is not required, control of the merger apparatus and changing
`between different operating configurations, or changing
`between storage and use positions could be accomplished
`remotely by an operator of the towing vehicle without
`having to manually adjust conveyor heads and other equip-
`ment. The utility of such a merger apparatus is increased if
`such changes and configurations may be made remotely
`during merging without having to stop.
`It can be seen that a new and improved windrow merging
`apparatus is needed. Such a merger should provide for a
`wider effective pickup face that can accommodate various
`spacing of windrows and material and an unobstructed
`pickup face so that material is not missed in the field. Such
`a merger apparatus should provide for a merger having more
`than two heads and allow for folding of the heads between
`a use position and a storage position, providing for transport
`on public roads. A merger having conveyors with fixed
`heads that do not require adjustment increases the reliability
`and efficiency of such a merger. The present
`invention
`addresses these as well as other problems associated with
`windrow merging devices and merging operations.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed to a windrow merger
`apparatus, such as is commonly used to merge cut hay and/or
`windrows into larger windrows for harvesting or baling. The
`windrow merger apparatus is configured for being towed by
`a tractor or other vehicle, or may be self-propelled. The
`merger includes a frame and three pickup and transfer
`assemblies in a preferred embodiment. Each of the pickup
`and transfer assemblies includes a pickup head and an
`associated conveyor. The pickup heads have sets of tines that
`extend radially outward from the head spaced along the
`length of the head, transverse to the direction of travel. The
`tines rotate and pick the hay or other material up and send
`it rearward to an associated conveyor for moving to a single
`windrow. The heads include removable guards intermediate
`the sets of tines. Motors and related equipment are recessed
`so that the heads are closely aligned with the tines having an
`unobstructed face to the hay or other material as the merger
`travels. Star wheels having a ratcheted outer periphery
`configured for engaging material on the ground and rotating
`to aid in picking up the material may be disposed interme-
`diate ends of adjacent pickup heads so that an unobstructed
`and continuous pickup face is achieved. In one embodiment,
`the pickup heads also include skid assemblies that support
`the heads and ride over the ground. The skid assemblies are
`positioned to the rear of the heads so as not to interrupt the
`continuity of the face of the tines as the merger apparatus
`travels.
`
`In one embodiment, the pickup heads are placed under a
`preloaded torque to position the heads slightly lower than
`without the torque and are spring loaded as the pickup heads
`travel and engage the uneven terrain. In this manner, the
`heads more easily “float” over the uneven ground.
`The merger has a linkage that is hydraulically driven in a
`preferred embodiment that folds the outer pickup and trans-
`
`Page 27 of 34
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`Page 27 of 34
`
`

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`US 7,310,929 B2
`
`3
`fer assemblies rearward and inward. The center pickup and
`transfer assembly can be moved upward and downward in a
`pivoting type motion. When the pickup and transfer assem-
`blies are raised, each outer assembly rests on supports in its
`raised and folded position. The folding systems are driven
`by hydraulic cylinders and provide for folding and unfolding
`even while the merger apparatus is moving and operating.
`Each of the pickup and transfer assemblies includes a
`conveyor assembly associated with each pickup head.
`Shrouds extend in an arcing configuration at the rear of the
`conveyors over the top to direct material flung from the
`heads onto the conveyors. The conveyors are driven by
`hydraulic motors in a preferred embodiment and are oper-
`able in either direction so that multiple merging configura-
`tions and operations are possible. The merging arrangement
`selected is varied by adjusting both the configuration of the
`pickup and transfer assemblies and the direction of the
`conveyors.
`In a preferred embodiment, the conveyors include pulleys
`or rollers that are formed with blades radially disposed
`around a periphery of the pulley and engaging the conveyor
`belt. The pulleys do not have a through axle and the blades
`chop up material that falls off of the conveyor. Such a
`configuration also helps to avoid clogging, which may occur
`with material engaging through axles and other moving
`parts. Such pulleys also reduce the weight of the machine
`when compared to conventional pulleys.
`Controls for the merger can be remotely actuated from the
`cab if the merger is self propelled, or from the cab of the
`tractor or other propulsion device. Since hydraulic motors
`drive the various systems on the merger, central hydraulic
`controls provide for simple, reliable remote actuation that
`can be accomplished from the cab of a towing vehicle while
`the merger operates and continues to travel. The tractor and
`the merger may simultaneously be operated from a single
`location by one person with such a control arrangement.
`These features of novelty and various other advantages
`that characterize the invention are pointed out with particu-
`larity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part
`hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention,
`its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference
`should be made to the drawings which form a further part
`hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter,
`in
`which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodi-
`ment of the present invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
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`Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals
`and letters indicate corresponding elements throughout the
`several views:
`
`50
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a merger apparatus
`according to the principles of the present invention in a use
`position with conveyor shrouds removed for clarity;
`FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the merger shown in FIG. 1
`in the use position;
`FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the merger shown in
`FIG. 1 in the use position;
`FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the merger shown in
`FIG. 1 in the use position;
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the merger shown in FIG.
`1 with two heads at a folded position;
`FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the merger shown in FIG. 5
`with the two outer heads at the folded position;
`FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the merger shown in
`FIG. 5 with the two outer heads at the folded position and
`the center head raised;
`
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`
`FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the merger shown in
`FIG. 1 with one head at a folded position;
`FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the merger shown in
`FIG. 8 with one head at a folded position;
`FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a star wheel device
`
`for the merger apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 11 shows an end sectional view of a hexagonal shaft
`construction utilized in the conveyor of the merger appara-
`tus;
`FIG. 12 shows a schematic view of the control system for
`the merger apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 13 is an elevational of a pretorque device showing a
`head angled from the pretorque and at a non-torqued posi-
`tion in phantom;
`FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the merger shown
`in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a head assembly accord-
`ing to the principles of the present invention;
`FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of a conveyor;
`FIG. 17 is an end sectional view of a pickup and transport
`assembly;
`FIG. 18 is an end elevational view of the pre-torque
`device for the head of the merger;
`FIG. 19 is a partially exploded perspective view of a
`pickup and transport assembly for the merger apparatus;
`FIG. 20 is a perspective partially exploded view of a
`conveyor for the merger apparatus;
`FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a conveyor roller; and
`FIGS. 22—24 are diagrammatic views of patterns of
`merger methods according to the principles of the present
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG.
`1, there is shown a merger apparatus, generally designated
`100. A towing device, generally a tractor 1000 tows the
`merger apparatus 100. In other configurations, the merger
`apparatus 100 may be self propelled, such as is well known
`to those skilled in the art and the principles of the present
`invention apply to towed and self-propelled devices.
`As shown generally in FIGS. 1—4, the merger includes
`three pickup and transfer assemblies, designated 104, 106
`and 108. The assemblies 104, 106 and 108 are supported on
`a framework 101 including folding arms 102 that provides
`for movement of the outer assemblies 104 and 108 between
`
`a use position and a folded position, as explained hereinafter.
`The merger apparatus 100 includes steerable rear wheels 114
`and a hitch 110 for mounting to the tractor 1000. A steering
`linkage 116, such as is well known in the art, connects the
`towing vehicle 1000 to the rear wheels 114 to improve
`tracking so that
`the merger apparatus 100 substantially
`follows directly behind the towing vehicle 1000. A power
`take of typically provides the power to the merger apparatus
`100 from the towing vehicle 1000. In addition, the controls
`are mounted in the cab of the towing vehicle 1000, as
`explained hereinafter, so that an operator may control all
`merger functions without having to stop the merging opera-
`tion and make manual adjustments to the merger 100.
`The folding arm 102 is actuated by a linkage 118 to
`facilitate movement of the pivoting assemblies 104, 106 and
`108 between a use position to a storage position. Each
`pickup and transfer assembly 104, 106 and 108 includes a
`head unit, designated 124, 126 and 128 respectively. The
`heads 124, 126 and 128 pick up and deliver the crop
`rearward to corresponding conveyors 134, 136 and 138. As
`shown in FIGS. 4, 15 and 16, each pickup and transfer
`
`Page 28 of 34
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`US 7,310,929 B2
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`5
`assembly 104, 106 and 108 includes an arcing shroud 160.
`The shrouds 160 intercept material that has been thrown
`rearward and directs it downward onto the corresponding
`conveyor. The shrouds 160 are shown removed for clarity in
`several of the views, but is foreseen that the shrouds 160 will
`be utilized in most merging operations.
`The merger 100 has flexibility with respect to conveyor
`travel direction as well as with respect to the number of
`heads operating, so that multiple configurations for different
`merging needs and operation are possible. As shown in
`FIGS. 1—4, the merger 100 may be operated with all three
`pickup and transfer assemblies, 104, 106 and 108 in a
`lowered operating position. When operated in this mode, the
`merger 100 can cover a much wider swath, merging more
`material and a greater number of windrows than is possible
`with prior merger devices.
`As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, either of the outer pickup
`assemblies, namely pickup assembly 104 or pickup assem-
`bly 108, may be raised independently of each of the other
`assemblies. With such a configuration, the merger 100 is
`able to operate with two of the pickup and transfer assem-
`blies, therefore merging a swath two thirds of the full width
`of the merger 100, such as when configured as shown in
`FIGS. 1—4. Such a two head merging configuration may be
`needed for irregularities in the terrain, to access smaller
`fields or irregular shaped fields, or for improved merging at
`edges of fields.
`As also shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, either the assembly 104
`or the assembly 108 may be raised independently of the
`other assemblies. This provides for merging while having
`either of the pickup and transfer assemblies 104 or 108
`extending to one side or the other of the towing vehicle
`1000. In addition,
`the conveyors 134, 136 and 138 are
`reversible, to be operable in both directions so that material
`may be selectively transported either to the left or the right.
`The conveyors 134, 136 and 138 may also operate in either
`direction when one of the pickup and transport assemblies is
`raised. With such flexibility, it is possible to direct material
`to the outer ends of the pickup and transport assemblies 104
`or 108 or to either of the ends of transport assembly 106,
`depending on the configuration of the merger 100 and the
`needs of the merging apparatus.
`Referring now to FIGS. 5—7, the merger 100 may have
`both pickup assemblies 104 and 108 raised simultaneously
`while the center pickup and transfer assembly 106 remains
`lowered in an operating position. The pickup assemblies 104
`and 108 generally rest on supports 122 while raised and
`folded. The pickup assembly 106 may be operated as a
`single conveyor merger with its head 126 collecting material
`and throwing it backward to the associated conveyor 136 for
`transport to either end of the pickup assembly 106. With this
`configuration, even smaller areas may be accessed with a
`merger capable of collecting material from much greater
`area per pass than is possible with prior art merger devices.
`In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, all of the pickup and transfer
`assemblies 104, 106 and 108 may be raised for transporting
`the merger when not operating to collect material. In this
`configuration, with all three pickup and transfer assemblies
`104, 106, and 108 are raised, the merger 100 is capable of
`transport on public roads. The pickup and transfer assem-
`blies 104 and 108 fold rearward and inward to minimize the
`
`overall width and height of the merger 100. The merger 100
`has the additional advantage of being centered behind the
`transport vehicle in its transport configuration. As the con-
`veyors and folding linkages are independently operable, the
`merger 100 may be operated continuously, even while the
`pickup and transfer assemblies 104, 106 and 108 are being
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`raised or lowered. This control provides for continuous
`operation and improved efficiency that is not possible with
`prior merger devices that require that the merger be stopped
`to raise,
`lower or otherwise adjust any of the merger’s
`equipment.
`The pickup and transport assemblies 104 and 108 mount
`to the folding arm 102 on mounts 192 attached to a pickup
`and transport assembly support frame 190 associated with
`each assembly 104 or 108. Each of the pickup and transfer
`assemblies 104, 106 and 108 is interchangeable with the
`other pickup and transfer assemblies and vary only in their
`mounting to the merger 100. This interchangeability reduces
`the parts inventory necessary for servicing the merger device
`100 and decreases down time when repair of one of the
`pickup assemblies is required.
`
`Merger Heads
`Referring now to FIGS. 14, 15 and 17, the merger heads
`124, 126 and 128 include a multiplicity of tines 200 spaced
`along the length of each head. In addition, as shown most
`clearly in FIG. 17, the tines 200 are also spaced radially
`around the circumference of an arbor 168 along the length
`of the head. The tines 200 are somewhat flexible and are
`
`pivotally mounted to provide flexure should a tine engage
`the ground or other obstacle. Intermediate the sets of tines
`200 are guards 202 that extend around the top front and
`bottom of the arbor 168 and provide protection to the inner
`equipment of the heads. The guards 202 are straight mem-
`bers in a preferred embodiment that are bent and mounted
`under tension, as explained in co-pending U.S. patent appli-
`cation Ser. No. 10/027,930, incorporated herein by refer-
`ence. The tines 200 and guards 202 are easily removable and
`replaced should damage occur. The guards 202 may be
`loosened at one end while remaining attached at a second
`end to provide easy access to damaged tines 200 and
`perform other maintenance. The heads include a housing
`204 that is mounted to the corresponding pickup and transfer
`assembly on the preloaded torque assemblies 210 as shown
`in FIG. 19. The preloaded torque assemblies 210 provide a
`lifting force against the weight of the heads 124, 126 and 128
`to improve the ride as the merger 100 travels over irregu-
`larities in the terrain. As shown most clearly in FIG. 17, the
`heads 124, 126 and 128 are mounted with approximately 15
`degrees of bias from the preloaded torque assembly in
`variance to a non-torqued position, shown in phantom in
`FIG. 13. The heads are therefore spring loaded and rise up
`and over rocks and other irregularities with greater ease. In
`addition to improving the ability to “ride” over irregularities,
`the preloading force improves performance by increasing
`contact time with material to be picked up. The flexure also
`decreases the damage and therefore, maintenance and down
`time for the merger.
`Referring now to FIG. 18, the preloaded torque assembly
`210 includes a center rectangular floating element 212 that
`is supported by four resilient members 214 spaced on the
`four sides of the center floating element 212. A housing 216
`retains the center member 212 and the resilient support
`members 214 and allows for mounting of the heads to the
`preloaded torque assembly 210.
`As shown most clearly in FIG. 15, a hydraulic motor 206
`drives each arbor 168 for the heads 124, 126 and 128. The
`hydraulic motor 206 is recessed into the housing 204 of the
`heads 124, 126 and 128. With the hydraulic motor 206
`recessed,
`the ends of the heads 124, 126 and 128 are
`positioned substantially to abut one another. No obstruction
`due to drive mechanisms, support wheels or other mecha-
`nisms inserted intermediate the adjacent heads is required, as
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`7
`was typical with previous merger devices. Therefore, the end
`tines 202 of one head are close to the tines 202 of another
`
`head so that there are no large gaps between the heads as
`occur with previous merger devices, which had motors and
`other equipment between heads. In addition,
`the merger
`includes star wheels 162 mounted intermediate ends of the
`heads 124 and 126 and intermediate ends of the heads 126
`
`and 128. The star wheels 162 are rotatably mounted to the
`housing 204 at the ends of the heads, as shown most clearly
`in FIG. 19. As shown in FIG. 10, the star wheels 162 include
`a number of teeth spaced around the periphery of the star
`wheel 162 in a notched configuration. As the star wheels 162
`rotate, the notches and teeth intercept material that is not
`picked by the end tines 202 of the adjacent heads and aids
`in directing the material rearward. The star wheels 162
`eliminate gaps and minimize the material that is not picked
`up and left on the ground after the merger 100 passes.
`The heads 124, 126 and 128 of the present invention
`provide an unobstructed pickup face to engage the material
`to be windrowed as the merger 100 moves. Recessed
`hydraulic motors 206 allow for placing the ends of the heads
`124, 126 and 128 in close proximity to one another and
`eliminate the large gaps where prior art drive support
`mergers and other mechanisms and machinery were located.
`Moreover, the star wheels 162 inserted intermediate the ends
`of heads 124, 126 and intermediate the ends of the heads 126
`and 128, as shown most clearly in FIG. 4, ensure that the
`face of the merger is unobstructed and continuous. The
`merger 100 provides improved pickup while achieving a
`greater width per pass than has been seen heretofore.
`
`Folding
`A folding linkage 118 that is hydraulically driven accom-
`plishes the folding of the pickup and transfer assemblies
`104, 106 and 108. The outer pickup and transfer assemblies
`104 and 108 are folded rearward and inward from the use
`
`position shown in FIG. 1, to the storage position shown in
`FIG. 5. The pickup and transport assemblies 104 and 108 are
`directed up, in and to the rear at the folded position shown
`in FIG. 5. The arms 102 of the folding frame 101 engage and
`rest on supports 122 at their folded position. Folding of each
`of the assemblies 104, 106 and 108 can occur independently
`from folding of the other assemblies and can occur while the
`merger 100 is in operation and moving. The pickup and
`transfer assemblies 104, 106 and 108 are substantially
`compact and are interchangeable so that a spare head may be
`utilized and mounted to either of the folding linkages 118 or
`mounted as the center head 106.
`
`Material Transport System
`Each of the pickup and transport assemblies 104, 106 and
`108 includes an associated conveyor assembly, 134, 136 and
`138 respectively, such as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 14.
`Although not shown in several of the views, the conveyor
`assemblies include shrouds 160 as shown in FIG. 15. The
`
`shrouds 160 are generally positioned behind the rear edge of
`the conveyor and extend upward and forward in an arcing
`configuration over the conveyors to direct material thrown
`rearward by the heads down onto the moving conveyor. This
`configuration ensures that a greater percentage of the mate-
`rial is actually transferred and merged.
`Referring to FIGS. 16, 19 and 20, each of the conveyors
`134, 136 and 138 includes a belt 170 mounted above end
`pulleys (also commonly called rollers) 172. The upper
`length of the belt 170 travels on horizontal supports 240
`extending along the length of the belt. Atensioner pulley 174
`is positioned below and intermediate the end pulleys and
`mounts in a slot 178 in a tensioner plate 176. The slot 178
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`extends vertically so that the weight of the tensioner pulley
`174 aids in providing proper tension to the conveyor belt
`170.
`
`Each of the pulleys 172 and 174 is uniquely configured to
`eliminate a center axle and its associated problems. The
`pulleys 172 and 174 are similar with the only differences
`occurring in the manner they are mounted and driven. The
`rollers 172 and 174 include a plurality of blades 180 spaced
`about a periphery of bulkheads 182 and center V-rings 184.
`In the embodiment shown, twelve of such blades 180 are
`utilized, but other configurations with fewer or more blades
`could also be utilized. The bulkheads 182 include radially
`extending slots, as shown in FIG. 21 to position and hold the
`blades 180. The V-rings also provide for engaging a tracking
`member from the belt 170 in some configurations to ensure
`that the belt does not drift laterally and remains properly
`aligned. The blades 180 preferably include a shallow arcing
`profile so that a slight crown is provided to the belt 170. With
`the multiple blades 180 and with elimination of a center
`axle, material that otherwise may fall into the roller area may
`be chopped up by the blades 180. In addition, material is less
`likely to stick, jam or bind axles, as is a common problem
`with conveyor pulleys. The pulleys 172 and 174 include a
`bearing housing 188 at one or both ends. In addition, at least
`one of the rollers includes a drive