(12) United States Patent
`Dow et al.
`
`US006205757B1
`(10) Patent N0.2
`US 6,205,757 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Mar. 27, 2001
`
`(54) WINDROW MERGING MACHINE AND
`METHOD OF MERGING WINDROWS
`
`(75) Inventors: Steven S. Dow, Byron; Hubert A.
`Wlck’ Warsaw’ both of NY (Us)
`
`-
`
`,
`
`,
`
`12/1988 Ehrhart et al. ....................... .. 56/370
`4,793,129
`4,910,951 * 3/1990 Reilly et a1. .
`56/376
`5,111,636
`5/1992 Quirin ....... ..
`56/367
`gene/“nag -
`5,177,944 * 1/1993 Finlay ....... ..
`
`ransgaar ..
`
`56/365
`
`.
`_
`.
`(73) Asslgnee' 236g)“ Enterpnses’ Inc" Byron’ NY
`
`5,203,154 * 4/1993 Lesher et a1. ..... ..
`56/366
`5,507,139 * 4/1996 Delperdang etal. ................ .. 56/366
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl' NO': 09/255’209
`(22) Filed:
`Feb. 22, 1999
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation-impart of application N°~ 09/253,486, ?led 0n
`Feb‘ 19’ 1999’ now abandoned‘
`(51) Int. Cl.7 ................................................... .. A01D 78/00
`(52) US. Cl. .............................................................. .. 56/366
`(58) Field Of Search ............................ .. 56/345, 344, 354,
`56/355 358 DIG 21 370 376 365 366
`’
`’
`i
`’
`’
`’
`’ 375’
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U-S~ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1,877,770 * 9/1932 Larson ................................. .. 56/376
`2,343,583 * 3/1944 Rogers ____________ __
`376957015 4 10/1972 Twidale et a1_
`3,714,766 * 2/1973 Ender et al. .... ..
`4,738,092
`4/1988 Jennings ............................... .. 56/372
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Robert E. PeZZuto
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Joseph P. Gastel
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`AWindroW gathering machine including a main frame, ?rst
`and second combined pickup and conveyor units pivotally
`mounted on skewed axes on opposite sides of the main
`frame, for movement betWeen substantially horiZontal oper
`ating positions and inclined vertical stoWed positions, ?rst
`motors for driving the conveyors in the same and opposite
`directions, second motors for moving the combined pickup
`and Conveyor units between the operating and stowed
`Positions, third motors for moving the POmbiH‘Q/d Pickup and
`Conveyor ‘ms transversely of the mam frame, and mount
`ings for moving only the conveyors relative to each other
`and relative to the pickups of the combined pickup and
`conveyor units. A method of merging WindroWs including
`the steps of lifting ?rst and second adjacent WindroWs and
`conveying them in opposite directions and depositing them
`proximate to third and fourth WindroWs to create tWo double
`windrows’ or allema?vely’ lifting, Spaced Win‘lrF’WS and
`conveying them in the same direction and depositing them
`relative to a third WmdroW to create a triple WmdroW.
`
`61 Claims, 15 Drawing Sheets
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`Page 1 of 24
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`71. 517 1.902 95055125 \
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`FFIL
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`143'3
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`FIG. 15B
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`Page 16 of 24
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`

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`US 6,205,757 B1
`
`1
`WINDROW MERGING MACHINE AND
`METHOD OF MERGING WINDROWS
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`The present application is a continuation-in-part of appli
`cation Ser. No. 09/253,486, ?led Feb. 19, 1999 (now
`abandoned).
`
`STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY
`SPONSORED
`
`RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
`
`Not Applicable
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`1O
`
`15
`
`.
`
`20
`
`The present invention relates to an improved WindroW
`merging machine and to an improved method of merging
`WmdroWs.
`By Way of background, machines for merging WindroWs
`are knoWn in the art, and some machines of this type are
`shoWn in US. Pat. Nos. 5,155,986, 5,163,277 and 5,177,
`944. HoWever, no single machine of the foregoing patents
`has the capability of positively lifting WindroWs off of the
`ground, combining a plurality of WindroWs into numerous
`different combinations of merged WindroWs, adjusting the
`machine for merging WindroWs located on different centers
`and also pivoting WindroW pickup and conveying units from 30
`their horiZontal operating positions to vertical stoWed posi
`tions for transport.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is accordingly one object of the present invention to 35
`provide an improved WindroW merging machine Which
`positively lifts adjacent WindroWs from the ground and
`conveys them either in the same direction or in opposite
`directions and merges them With WindroWs on the ground.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide an
`improved machine for merging WindroWs Which has sepa
`rate combined WindroW pickup and conveying units
`mounted on opposite sides of a main frame and in Which the
`conveyors can operate in the same direction Whereby one
`conveyor deposits a picked up WindroW onto another con
`veyor so that tWo WindroWs are discharged from the
`machine.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide a
`WindroW merging machine as described in either of the
`previously tWo objects Wherein combined WindroW pickup
`and conveying units are movable betWeen substantially
`horiZontal operating positions and vertically inclined stoWed
`positions.
`A still further object of the present invention is to provide
`an improved WindroW merging machine Which can be
`adjusted to various positions laterally of the main frame of
`the machine to thereby compensate for different spacings
`betWeen WindroWs.
`Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
`improved method of merging WindroWs into accumulations
`of different numbers of WindroWs. Other objects and atten
`dant advantages of the present invention Will readily be
`perceived hereafter.
`The present invention relates to a WindroW merging
`machine comprising a main frame, ?rst and second pickup
`mechanisms mounted on opposite sides of said main frame,
`
`65
`
`60
`
`2
`and ?rst and second conveyors mounted on opposite sides of
`said main frame proximate said ?rst and second pickup
`mechanisms, respectively.
`The present invention also relates to a WindroW merging
`machine as set forth in the preceding paragraph Wherein the
`pickup mechanisms and the conveyors are adjustable for
`merging differently spaced WindroWs.
`The present invention also relates to a WindroW merging
`machine Which includes structure for moving combined
`pickup and conveyor units betWeen horiZontal operating
`positions and vertical stoWed positions.
`The present invention also relates to a method of merging
`WindroWs Which are positioned in spaced roWs comprising
`the steps of lifting ?rst and second adjacent WindroWs from
`the ground; conveying said ?rst and second WindroWs in
`opposite directions; and depositing said ?rst and second
`WindroWs proximate to third and fourth WindroWs,
`respectively, Which are adjacent to said ?rst and second
`WindroWs, respectively, to thereby create a ?rst accumula
`tion consisting of said ?rst and third WindroWs and a second
`accumulation consisting of said second and fourth Wind
`roWs.
`The present invention also relates to a method of merging
`WindroWs Which are positioned in spaced roWs Which extend
`in substantially the same direction comprising the steps of
`lifting ?rst and second adjacent WindroWs from the ground
`and depositing them onto a third WindroW to create a ?rst
`accumulation of WindroWs; and thereafter raising fourth and
`?fth adjacent WindroWs Which are adjacent onto said ?rst
`accumulation of WindroWs and depositing them onto said
`?rst accumulation of WindroWs to thereby create a second
`accumulation of WindroWs consisting of said ?rst, second,
`third, fourth and ?fth WindroWs.
`The various aspects of the present invention Will be more
`fully understood When the folloWing portions of the speci
`?cation are read in conjunction With the accompanying
`draWings Wherein:
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL
`VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
`FIG. 1 is a schematic vieW of the manner in Which the
`improved WindroW merging machine operates to combine
`single WindroWs into double and triple WindroWs;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic vieW in Which the improved
`WindroW merging machine initially produces a triple Wind
`roW and subsequently a quintuple WindroW;
`FIG. 3 is a rear perspective vieW of the improved WindroW
`merging machine With its combined pickup and conveyor
`units extending laterally from the main frame in operating
`positions;
`FIG. 4 is a front perspective vieW of the improved
`WindroW merging machine With its combined pickup and
`conveyor units extending laterally from the main frame in
`operating positions;
`FIG. 5 is a plan vieW of the improved WindroW merging
`machine shoWing in solid lines the combined pickup and
`conveyor units extending laterally from the main frame in
`operating positions and shoWing in dotted lines the com
`bined pickup and conveyor units in stoWed positions;
`FIG. 6 is a rear elevational vieW of the improved WindroW
`merging machine With its combined pickup and conveyor
`units being shoWn in solid line operating positions and in
`dotted line stoWed positions;
`FIG. 7 is a plan vieW of the conveyor portion of the
`combined pickup and conveyor unit taken substantially in
`the direction of arroWs 7—7 of FIG. 8;
`
`Page 17 of 24
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`3
`FIG. 8 is a side elevational vieW of the conveyor portion
`of the combined pickup and conveyor unit;
`FIG. 9 is a schematic vieW shoWing hoW the tWo con
`veyors of the tWo combined pickup and conveyor units are
`positioned When the conveyors are driven in opposite direc
`tions;
`FIG. 10 is a schematic vieW shoWing the elevated end of
`the right conveyor adjacent the end of the other conveyor
`When both conveyors are driven in the same direction;
`FIG. 11 is a schematic vieW shoWing the elevated end of
`the left conveyor adjacent to the end of the right conveyor
`When both conveyors are driven in a direction Which is
`opposite to the direction of FIG. 10;
`FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective vieW of the pickup
`conveyor frame mounting a conveyor;
`FIG. 13 is a fragmentary plan vieW of a portion of the ?rst
`section of the pickup and conveyor frame and the brackets
`Which support it;
`FIG. 14 is a fragmentary plan vieW of the portion of the
`?rst section of the pickup and conveyor frame Which tele
`scopes into the portion of FIG. 13 and a portion of the
`second section of the pickup and conveyor frame;
`FIG. 15 is a fragmentary perspective vieW of the manner
`in Which the pickup and conveyor frame is supported in a
`stoWed position;
`FIG. 15A is a vieW similar to FIG. 15 but shoWing a latch
`structure for latching the pickup-conveyor frame in a stoWed
`position;
`FIG. 15B is a side elevational vieW of the latch of FIG.
`15A;
`FIG. 15C is an end elevational vieW of the latch;
`FIG. 16 is a fragmentary side elevational vieW of the
`mounting of a Walking beam mounting;
`FIG. 17 is a fragmentary cross sectional vieW taken
`substantially along line 17—17 of FIG. 16;
`FIG. 18 is a fragmentary perspective vieW of the structure
`for mounting on end of the motor for raising and loWering
`the combined pickup and conveyor units;
`FIG. 19 is a schematic hydraulic diagram for the various
`hydraulic motors of the combined pickup and conveyor
`units;
`FIG. 20 is a schematic vieW of the adjustments of the
`various parts of the machine for merging WindroWs on
`?fteen foot centers;
`FIG. 21 is a schematic vieW similar to FIG. 20 but With
`the machine adjusted for merging WindroWs on siXteen foot
`centers; and
`FIG. 22 is a schematic vieW similar to FIGS. 20 and 21 but
`shoWing the adjustments for WindroWs on fourteen foot
`centers.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`Summarizing brie?y in advance, FIG. 1 discloses hoW the
`improved WindroW merging machine 10 of the present
`invention can be operated With the conveyors 11 and 11‘ of
`the combined pickup and conveyor units 12 and 12‘,
`respectively, being driven in opposite directions to merge a
`single WindroW 13 onto an adjacent single WindroW 13 to
`create a double WindroW 14 and to merge a single WindroW
`13‘ onto an adjacent single WindroW 13‘ to create a double
`WindroW 14‘ as the tractor 15 pulls the WindroW merging
`machine 10 along the roWs of WindroWs. In addition, When
`the machine 10 is driven to its solid line position in FIG. 1,
`a triple WindroW 16 is created.
`
`10
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`15
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`25
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`35
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`45
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`55
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`4
`In FIG. 2 it is shoWn hoW the WindroW merging machine
`10 can be operated With its conveyors 11 and 11‘ being
`driven in the same direction so as to combine tWo adjacent
`WindroWs 13‘ and 13‘ and deposit them onto another Wind
`roW 13‘ so as to create a triple WindroW 17‘. Thereafter, the
`WindroW merging machine 10 can be driven along the tWo
`additional WindroWs 13 to deposit them onto the triple
`WindroW 17‘ to create a quintuple WindroW 19.
`It Will also be appreciated that, if desired, double roWs 14
`and 14‘ of FIG. 1 can be converted to quadruple roWs by
`driving the WindroW merging machine 10 With its conveyors
`11 and 11‘ in the same direction along tWo single roWs such
`as 13‘ or tWo single roWs such as 13 of FIG. 1 and depositing
`these roWs onto double roWs 14 or 14‘ so as to create
`quadruple WindroWs. The required siZe of the ultimate
`merged WindroWs, be they either double WindroWs, triple
`WindroWs, quadruple WindroWs or quintuple WindroWs,
`Would depend on hoW these WindroWs are to be subse
`quently handled, either for baling or chopping or other types
`of handling or processing.
`Summarizing further in advance, improved WindroW
`merging machine 10 mounts the combined pickup and
`conveyor units 12 and 12‘ on main frame 20 so that they can
`be positioned in an aligned substantially mirror image
`horiZontal positions for merging WindroWs or they can be
`mounted in inclined vertical stoWed positions for transport
`ing the machine 10 to its operating locations. At this point
`it is to be again noted that the combined pickup and
`conveyor units 12 and 12‘ When in their operating positions
`are substantial mirror image counterparts. Accordingly, gen
`erally only one of these units 12 or 12‘ Will be speci?cally
`described With unprimed or primed numerals, respectively,
`and corresponding primed or unprimed numerals,
`respectively, Will be applied to the other unit to denote
`corresponding structure, Without speci?cally describing
`such structure. It is also to be noted that, in the interest of
`clarity, certain of the vieWs do not shoW all of the structure
`of the merging machine 10, but it Will be understood that all
`of the structure of the merging machine 10 is shoWn in the
`combination of vieWs.
`At this point it is to be noted that the term merge means
`that WindroWs are deposited neXt to each other or on top of
`each other or a combination of both, such that the merged
`WindroWs are suf?ciently close to each other so that they can
`be processed by a baler or a chopper, or any other type of
`processing or handling machine.
`The WindroW merging machine 10 includes a main frame
`20 having an elongated main portion 21 having a tractor
`hitch assembly 22 at its front end and an aXle mounting
`portion 23 at its rear end Which supports aXle 24 on Which
`rear Wheels 25 are mounted. A steering linkage Which
`includes rod 27 has its front end effectively connected to
`hitch assembly 22 and its rear end suitably connected to link
`29 so that the rear Wheels 25 Will pivot in unison With the
`pivoting of hitch assembly 22 as it pivots about pin 30 as the
`tractor 15 Which pulls machine 10 turns. The foregoing
`linkage for pivoting rear aXle 24 is conventional and Well
`knoWn in the art and therefore a further description of its
`speci?c details Will not be made.
`Structure is provided for supporting the front end of
`machine 10 When it is not connected to a tractor. In this
`respect, a leg 31 (FIGS. 4 and 6) includes a collar 32 Which
`is pivotally mounted on rod 33 secured to the underside of
`hitch assembly 22. Leg 31 is rotated to the vertical position
`(FIGS. 4 and 6) When the merging machine 10 is detached
`from a tractor 15 to thereby support the front end of the
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`machine. However, after the hitch assembly 22 is connected
`to the tractor 15 in the conventional manner, leg 31 is rotated
`to a stoWed horizontal dotted line position. A pin
`arrangement, not shoWn, extends through aligned holes in
`collar 32 and rod 33 to retain leg 31 in each of its positions.
`Structure is provided for pivotally mounting combined
`pickup and conveyor units 12 and 12‘ onto main frame 20.
`This structure includes Wing-like members 34 and 34‘ Which
`are offset reversed mirror image counterparts, and corre
`sponding parts Will be denoted by like unprimed and primed
`numerals, thereby avoiding the necessity to describe each
`Wing-like members 34 and 34‘ individually. Wing-like mem
`ber 34 includes an upper plate 35 having its inner end
`Welded to main frame member 21 at 37. A substantially
`trapeZoidal plate member 39 (FIGS. 3—6) has an end Welded
`to main frame portion 21 and its top edge Welded to plate 35.
`A substantially trapeZoidal member 40 has its upper edge
`Welded to plate 35 and its inner edge is Welded to main frame
`member 21. Plates 38 and 36 (FIG. 4) have their upper edges
`Welded to plate 35. Brackets 41‘ and 42‘ (FIGS. 5 and 12)
`extend outWardly from one side of Wing-like member 34‘
`and brackets 43‘ and 44‘ extend outWardly from the opposite
`side of Wing-like member 34‘. A ?rst pin 45‘ is mounted
`betWeen brackets 41‘ and 42‘ and a second pin 47‘ is mounted
`betWeen brackets 43‘ and 44‘. There are corresponding
`brackets and pins on Wing member 34 Which are designated
`by unprimed numerals (FIG. 5).
`The combined pickup and conveyor units 12 and 12‘ are
`mounted on pickup-conveyor frames 49 and 49‘, respec
`tively. The pickup and conveyor frame 49‘ (FIG. 12)
`includes a ?rst section 50‘ (FIGS. 12, 13 and 14) having
`inner ends 46‘ and 48‘ Which are pivotally mounted on pins
`45‘ and 47‘, respectively. The pickup and conveyor frame 49‘
`also includes a second section 51‘ Which is pivotally
`mounted on the outer end of ?rst section 50‘. More
`speci?cally, ?rst section 50‘ of the pickup-conveyor frame
`includes tWo arms 52‘ and 53‘ (FIGS. 12 and 13). A strut 54‘
`extends betWeen the inner ends of arms 52‘ and 53‘, and a
`strut 55‘ extends betWeen arms 52‘ and 53‘ outWardly of strut
`54‘. Struts 66‘ extend betWeen struts 54‘ and 55‘. The ?rst
`section 50‘ of the pickup-conveyor frame also includes arms
`57‘ and 59‘ (FIGS. 12, 13 and 14) Which telescope into arms
`52‘ and 53‘, respectively, and are retained therein by pins 60‘
`and 61‘ (FIG. 12), respectively, Which extend through suit
`ably aligned holes 66‘ and 68‘ (FIGS. 13 and 14) in the
`telescoping arms. The positions of holes 68‘ relative to holes
`66‘ Will determine the positions of the outer end of arms 57‘
`and 59‘ Which support the second section 51‘ of the pickup
`conveyor frame 49‘ and thus Will determine the overall
`length of ?rst section 50‘ of the pickup-conveyor frame 49‘.
`A strut 62‘ has its opposite ends Welded to the outer ends of
`arms 57 and 59.
`The second sections 51 and 51‘ of pickup-conveyor
`frames 49 and 49‘, respectively, are pivotally mounted on
`?rst sections 50 and 50‘, respectively. More speci?cally,
`arms 57‘ and 59‘ have extensions 56‘ and 58‘ (FIGS. 12 and
`14), respectively. Pins 64‘ and 65‘, respectively, extend
`through extensions 56‘ and 58‘, respectively, and through
`suitable bores 67‘ and 69‘ in the upper sides 70‘ and 71‘,
`respectively, (FIG. 7) of second frame section 51‘. In addi
`tion to the upper sides 70‘ and 71‘, second frame section 51‘
`includes legs 72‘ and 73‘ Which depend doWnWardly from
`upper side 70‘, and it has legs 74‘ and 75‘ Which depend
`doWnWardly from upper side 71‘. Strut 77‘ joins the bottom
`portions of legs 72‘ and 74‘, and strut 79‘ joins the bottom
`ends of legs 73‘ and 75‘. Conveyor 11‘ includes an endless
`belt 82‘ Which encircles driven roller 83‘ and idler roller 84‘.
`
`15
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`25
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`35
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`45
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`55
`
`65
`
`6
`Suitable bearings (not shoWn) are mounted in conveyor
`sides 80‘ and 81‘ Which support rollers 83‘ and 84‘ for
`rotation. Abelt seal (not shoWn) is located betWeen the belts
`82 and 82‘ and the inner sides of conveyor sides 80 and 80‘
`to prevent material from dropping through the space ther
`ebetWeen. Flexible ?aps 78 and 78‘ (FIGS. 4 and 8) have
`sides attached to the sides of pickup mechanisms 89 and 89‘,
`respectively, Which are adjacent to conveyor sides 81 and
`81‘, respectively, and these ?aps overlie parts of the upper
`runs 82 and 82‘, respectively, to direct picked up material
`onto the conveyors. A hydraulic motor 85‘ (FIG. 4) is
`mounted on bracket 87‘ and is suitably coupled to roller 83‘
`in driving relationship thereWith. A sheet metal shield 76‘
`(FIGS. 4 and 8) is attached by screWs to the sides of legs 72‘
`and 73‘ and to the side of upper side 70‘ facing belt 82‘.
`Shield 76‘ encloses the space Within legs 72‘ and 73‘ and
`upper side 70‘ so as to prevent picked up material from being
`throWn through this space after it leaves pickup mechanism
`89‘.
`The combined pickup and conveyor unit 12 includes a
`rotary-tine pickup mechanism 89 Which has side plates 90
`and 91 Which are pivotally mounted on horiZontal shafts 92
`and 93. Shaft 92 extends inWardly from leg 72 and a mirror
`image shaft 93 extends inWardly from leg 73 (FIG. 4).
`Suitable sleeves (not shoWn) mounted on plates 90 and 91
`encircle shafts 92 and 93. Wheels 95 and 97 are mounted on
`side plates 90 and 91 (FIG. 5), respectively, and as the
`Wheels 95 and 97 folloW the contour of the ground, the
`rotary-tine pickup mechanism Will pivot about shafts 92 and
`93. The rotary-tine pickup mechanisms 89 and 89‘ are of the
`type made by Ford NeW Holland Corp. and are designated
`by Model No. 575. Rotary-tine pickup mechanisms of this
`general type are Well knoWn in the art, and therefore a
`speci?c description thereof is unnecessary. The rotary-tine
`pickup mechanism 89 is driven by an hydraulic motor 99
`mounted on plate 90. As is understood, rotary-tine mecha
`nism 89‘ is mounted in an analogous manner.
`Walking beam 101 (FIG. 17) is mounted on bracket 100
`Which extends doWnWardly from strut 77 and a mirror image
`Walking beam 102 extends doWnWardly from strut 79.
`Wheels 103 and 105 are mounted on opposite sides of
`Walking beam 101, Which is pivotally mounted on shaft 106,
`and mirror image Wheels are mounted at opposite ends of
`Walking beam 102. Thus each section of frame 51 and 51‘
`has four Wheels With tWo Wheels mounted on each Walking
`beam so that second sections 51 and 51‘ Will folloW the
`contour of the ground and pivot about the pins Which
`connect the second sections 51 and 51‘ to the ?rst sections
`50 and 50‘, respectively.
`The second sections 51 and 51‘ Which mount conveyors
`11 and 11‘, respectively, are movable inWardly and out
`Wardly relatively to the main frame 20 to adjust the spacing
`betWeen the centers of the rotary-tine mechanisms 89 and
`89‘ so that they may be centered on WindroWs Which are
`spaced different distances apart. To this end an hydraulic
`motor 107‘ is mounted betWeen strut 55‘ and 62‘ (FIGS. 5,
`12, 13 and 14), and When pins 60‘ and 61‘ (FIG. 12) are
`removed, the hydraulic motor 107‘ can move legs 57‘ and 59‘
`into and out of legs 52‘ and 53‘, respectively, to thereby move
`second section 51‘ toWard and aWay from main frame 20. A
`like adjustment is effected by motor 107 in a like manner. In
`a machine Which Was built, the three holes 68‘ (FIG. 14)
`Were placed six inches apart. When the parts of FIGS. 13 and
`14 on both sides of the machine are assembled to their
`smallest dimension, the pickup mechanisms 89 and 89‘ are
`on fourteen foot centers. When they are assembled to their
`largest dimension, the pickup mechanisms are on sixteen
`
`Page 19 of 24
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`

`
`US 6,205,757 B1
`
`7
`foot centers, and When they are assembled to an intermediate
`dimension, the pickup mechanisms are on ?fteen foot cen
`ters.
`When the WindroW merger 10 is being operated in the
`manner depicted in FIG. 2 With conveyors 11 and 11‘ being
`operated in the same direction, one of the conveyors may be
`termed a discharge conveyor and the other conveyor may be
`termed a feeding conveyor Which feeds lifted WindroW to the
`discharging conveyor. Structure is provided for causing the
`end of the feeding conveyor Which is adjacent to the
`discharge conveyor to be raised so that the material thereon
`Will drop onto the discharge conveyor. The structure for
`producing this orientation betWeen the conveyors is shoWn
`in FIGS. 7—12. Rollers 110‘ and 111‘ are mounted on
`conveyor side 80‘ and rollers 112‘ and 113‘ are mounted on
`conveyor side 81‘. Channels 114‘ on 115‘ are rigidly secured
`to legs 72‘ and 73‘, respectively. Channels 117‘ and 119‘,
`Which are mirror images of channels 114‘ and 115‘,
`respectively, are rigidly mounted on legs 74‘ and 75‘. Thus,
`the rollers 110‘, 111‘, 112‘ and 113‘, Which are mounted on the
`conveyor 11‘ and located in their respective channels, sup
`port the conveyor 11‘ on second section 51‘. When the rollers
`and the channels are in the position of FIG. 8, conveyor 11‘
`assumes a perfectly horiZontal position, as shoWn in FIG. 9.
`HoWever, When it is desired to cause the upper runs 82 and
`82‘ of conveyors 11 and 11‘, respectively, to move in the
`same direction, as shoWn by the arroWs in FIG. 10, it is
`necessary to elevate the discharge end of the feeding con
`veyor 11‘ above the adjacent end of the discharging con
`veyor 11 so that material Will not fall through the space
`betWeen the conveyors. To effect the foregoing, the spring
`biased pin 120‘ (FIG. 12) Which is mounted at the end of
`channel 115‘ is WithdraWn from an aligned hole in conveyor
`side 80‘ to thereby unlock conveyor 11‘ from channel 115‘.
`Thereafter, conveyor 11‘ can be bodily moved in the direc
`tion shoWn in FIG. 10 from its previous direction of FIG. 9
`so that the roller 110‘ enters the upper portion 116‘ of channel
`114 to thereby elevate the discharge end of conveyor 11‘
`above the adjacent end of conveyor 11. Thus material
`leaving feeding conveyor 11‘ Will drop onto conveyor 11. If
`it is desired to elevate the discharge end of conveyor 11
`above the adjacent end of conveyor 11‘, conveyor 11 is
`moved bodily to the right in FIG. 11 so that roller 110 enters
`the elevated portion 116‘ of channel 114‘. Thus, material
`Which is discharged from conveyor 11 Will drop onto con
`veyor 11‘.
`The forgoing description has been directed to the com
`bined pickup and conveyor units 12 and 12‘ being positioned
`in substantially horiZontal operating positions Wherein they
`pick up WindroWs. HoWever, structure is also provided for
`moving the combined units 12 and 12‘ from their solid
`positions shoWn in FIGS. 5 and 6 to their dotted positions
`shoWn in these ?gures so that the machine 10 can be
`transported to different locations. To this end, hydraulic
`motors 123 and 123‘ are provided. One end of hydraulic
`motor 123 (FIG. 18) is pivotally secured to bracket 124
`Which is mounted on frame member 21, and the other end is
`pivotally secured to arm 125 Which is rigidly secured to strut
`54. Analogous structure is associated With motor 123‘ (FIG.
`12). Thus When hydraulic motor 123 or 123‘ is actuated, it
`can move the combined pickup and conveyor units 49 and
`49‘, respectively, betWeen their horiZontal operating posi
`tions and their vertical stoWed positions. When combined
`pickup and conveyor unit 12‘ is in its stoWed position, arm
`53‘ (FIG. 15) of pickup-conveyor frame 50‘ rests on trian
`gular member 66‘ Which projects outWardly from post 68‘
`Which eXtends upWardly from plate 35‘ of Wing 34‘.
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`8
`In FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C a latch locking mechanism is
`provided Which may be added to the stoWing structure
`shoWn in FIG. 15 to positively latch a combined pickup and
`conveyor unit in a stoWed position. In this respect, a latch
`member 140‘ is pivotally mounted on member 66‘ at pivot
`141‘. Latch 140‘ includes a section 142‘ Which provides a
`center of gravity Which biases latch 140‘ in a clockWise
`direction in FIG. 15A When the combined pickup and
`conveyor unit is not in a stoWed position shoWn in FIG. 15.
`At this time ?ange 143‘ Will engage the underside 146‘ of
`member 66‘, and latching tip 144‘ Will be in a position to the
`right of that shoWn in FIG. 15A. As arm 53‘ and frame
`section 51‘ move toWard the stoWing position shoWn in FIG.
`15A, arm 53‘ Will engage side 147‘ and pivot latch 140‘ in a
`counterclockWise direction so that latch head 144‘ Will
`overlie upper frame side 70‘. HoWever, there Will be a space
`betWeen frame side 70‘ and latching head 144‘. When it is
`desired to move the pickup-conveyor frame in the direction
`of arroW 147 out of the latched position, as the frame sloWly
`moves in the direction of arroW 147, the Weight of section
`142‘ Will gradually pivot the latch 140‘ clockWise in FIG.
`15A until latching head clears frame side 70‘, and ultimately
`latch 140‘ Will reach its unlatching position Wherein ?ange
`143‘ engages side 146‘ of member 66‘. HoWever, if for any
`reason a sudden abrupt movement tends to rotate members
`70‘ and 53‘ in the direction of arroW 147, latch 140‘ Will not
`move suf?ciently fast in a clockWise direction so that
`latching head 144‘ can clear frame side 70‘, and thus, abrupt
`movements in the direction of arroW 147 Will not create an
`unlatching situation. It Will be appreciated that a counterpart
`latch analogous to latch 140‘ is used on the corresponding
`opposite side of the machine.
`A machine has been built With the folloWing dimensions.
`The conveyors 11 and 11‘ are 14% feet long and the
`rotary-tine pickup mechanisms 89 and 89‘ are approximately
`7 feet long. The folloWing dimensions of the various parts
`are used to cause the machine to operate With the pickup
`mechanisms 89 and 89‘ on fourteen foot, ?fteen foot and
`siXteen foot centers. The outboard end of each conveyor
`frame 80 and 80‘ has siX holes therein. The outermost holes,
`that is, those closest to the outer ends of the conveyor frame
`are spaced ten inches from the end of the conveyor frame.
`The second hole is spaced siX inches from the ?rst and the
`third is spaced siX inches from the second. The fourth hole
`is spaced ten inches from the third. The ?fth hole is spaced
`siX inches from the fourth, and the siXth hole is spaced siX
`inches from the ?fth hole. Thus, there are tWo groups of
`three holes at each outer end of the conveyor frame With the
`outer three holes and the inner three holes being spaced siX
`inches from each other, and the tWo groups being spaced ten
`inches apart. The legs, such as 72‘ and 73‘ (FIG. 12) of frame
`section 51‘, are spaced eight feet apart. Channels 114‘ and
`115‘ are af?Xed to and centered on legs 72‘ and 73‘,
`respectively, and they are each forty inches long. Channels
`114 and 115 are located in an analogous manner to legs 72
`and 73, respectively. The rollers on the conveyor