Sept» 23, 1969
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`c. VAN DER LELY
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`3,468,1G7
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`HARVESTING MACHINES
`
`Filed Nov. 23, 1965
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`3 Sheets-Sheet 1
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`FT'QJ
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`INVENTOR
`GOPNEL/S VAN 05p [ELY
`BY
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`WM, 77/2”)?
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`Page 1 of 6
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`sept- 23, 1969
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`c. VAN DER LELY
`HARVESTING MACHINES
`
`3,468,107
`
`Filed Nov. 23, 1965
`
`3 Sheets-Sheet I‘:
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`Page 2 of 6
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`Sept- 23, 1969
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`c. VAN DER LELY
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`HARVESTING MACHINES
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`3,468,107
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`14
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`,____
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`I i l 1
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`INVENTOR
`C70RNELIS VA/v 05/? LELV
`BY
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`Page 3 of 6
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`United States Patent 0 "
`lC€
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`3,468,107
`Patented Sept. 23, 1969
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`1
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`3,468,107
`HARVESTING MACHINES
`Cornelis van der Lely, 7 Bruschenrain,
`Zug, Switzerland
`Filed Nov. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 517,203
`Claims priority, application Netherlands, Dec. 5, 1964,
`6414183
`Int. Cl. A01d 43/06
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`US. Cl. 56-23
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`28 Claims
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`ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
`A harvester having a mowing table with a central and
`two side portions, each having a forward cutter bar and
`an auger to move out crop, the two side portions being
`foldable to a transport portion above the central portion
`by a pair of pivots, one spaced higher than the other, con
`nected relative to the central portion which are linked
`through bars to a pair of further pivots on each of the
`side portions; the higher of such bars slanting downward
`from the central'portion at 45° more or less and lower
`bar being about vertical and twice as long as the higher
`bar whereby a rotation of about 180° of the bars by
`means of a hydraulic ram causes the side portion to ro
`tate outward and upward over the central portion to a
`transport position of about 90° displaced relative to their
`Operative position.
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`scribed later. The elevator housing 5 extends upwardly
`and rearwardly from the mowing table 3 and comprises
`a central path for elevating crop which is fed from the
`mowing table 3. The mowing table 3, as noted before, in
`cludes also comprises the central portion 6, and the hous
`ing 5 is connected to the rear wall of the portion 6, which
`rear wall is formed with an opening through which crop
`is passed from the mowing table 3 to the elevator hous
`ing 5.
`The housing 5 accommodates an endless elevator 6A
`(FIG. 3), the upper drive shaft of which (not shown) also
`serves as a pivotal shaft about which the mowing table 3,
`together with the housing 5, are upwardly and down
`wardly turnable.
`From FIGS. 2 and 3 it will be seen that the housing
`5 is provided with a generally rectangular frame structure
`7 mounted on the side of the housing 5 ‘which adjoins the
`rear wall of the mowing table portion 6. Since the mow
`ing table portions 4 are identical, for convenience, FIG
`URE 3 only shows the connection of one of the portions
`4 to the central portion 6 and will be described with ref
`erence to the portion 4 shown.
`A support 8 is connected to the end of the structure
`7, said support 8 extending gently downwardly from its
`connection with the frame 7. The support 8 is connected to
`a support 9 which extends downwardly therefrom to meet
`the lower side of the end of the structure 7 and a shaft
`10 is journalled at the junction between the supports 8
`and 9, the shaft 10 extending parallel to the intended di
`rection of operative travel of the combine harvester. The
`shaft 10 is also journalled in a frame structure 11 (FIGS.
`1 and 2) which is spaced from the frame structure 7 and
`is mounted around the elevator housing 5. To this end
`the structure 11 is provided with an angled support 12,
`one of whose limbs extends parallel to the support 8 and
`the shaft 10 is journalled in the end of the support 12
`remote from the structure 11. The shaft 10 is surrounded
`by a sleeve 13 which carries arms 14 near its opposite
`ends. The arms 14 extend parallel to each other and have
`their ends interconnected by a sleeve 15 which extends
`parallel to the sleeve 13. The sleeve 15 is turnably
`mounted on a shaft 16 which is connected at one end to
`the end of a frame beam 17 which is mounted near the
`lower end of the rear wall of the portion 4. The other end
`of the shaft 16 is conected to the end of a beam 18 which
`extends therefrom to the outer upper end of the portion 4,
`The upper side of the read wall of the portion 4 is pro
`vided with a beam 19 (FIGS. 1 and 2) which carries an
`angular lug 20 (FIG. 2) on its end which faces the cen
`tral portion 6. The lug 20 has a stub shaft 22 rotatably
`mounted therein and two arms 23 are pivotally mounted
`on said shaft 22, one on each side of said lug 20. The
`other ends of the arms 23 are pivotally connected to a
`support 25, which is mounted on the upper side of the
`frame structure 7, by means of a pivot shaft 24. The arms
`23 are located one on each side of the support 25 (FIG.
`2). The support 25 is also connected with the upper side
`of the frame structure 7 through a strut 26, which strut
`26 is provided on its upper side with two strips 28 and
`29 which afford a stop 27. The strips 28 and 29 extend
`from opposite ends of the strut 26 and meet each other
`at right angles above the strut.
`A lug support 30 is mounted on the upper side of the
`portion 4 and a stub shaft 31 is carried by said support
`30. A hydraulic ram 32 is pivotally connected to the sup
`port 30 on said shaft 31 and extends therefrom to a sup
`port 34 that is secured to the upper side of the housing 5,
`the ram 32 being pivotally connected to the support 34 on
`a stub shaft 33 carried by the support 34.
`The bases of the portions 4 comprise plates 35 and
`the base of the portion 6 comprises a plate 36 (FIG. 3).
`A seal is provided between the adjacent portions near the
`
`This invention relates to harvesting machines, such as
`combine harvesters, of the kind comprising a mowing
`mechanism, or a mowing and a pick-up mechanism.
`In acordance with the invention there is provided a
`harvesting machine of the kind set forth, wherein said
`mechanism comprises at least two portions, each of which
`has its own cutting mechanism, a ?rst of said portions be
`ing mounted horizontally on the frame of the machine and
`a second portion being pivotable relative to said ?rst
`portion, the arrangement being such that, in the operative
`positions of the portions, they are located side by side in
`such a way that crop can be mown, or mown and picked
`up, throughout the width of the mechanism.
`Brief description of the drawings
`For a better understanding of the invention and the
`method by which the same is to be performed, reference
`will now be made, by way of example, to the accompany
`ing drawings in which:
`FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a forward part
`of a harvesting machine in the form of a combine har
`vester in accordance with the invention.
`FIG. 2 is a side view, to an enlarged scale, taken in the
`direction of the arrow H in FIG. 1,
`FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken on the line III-III in
`FIG. 2, and
`FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing an al
`ternative embodiment of sealing mechanism which can be
`arranged between adjacent portions of the mowing mech
`anism.
`
`Description of the preferred embodiments
`Referring now to the drawings, the harvesting machine
`is a combine harvester whose mowing and pick-up mech
`anisms are located on the front end of the frame of the
`combine harvester which is supported, at the front, by
`ground wheels 2. The mowing mechanism comprises a
`mowing table or platform 3 which has three adjacent
`portions which lie side by side during operation. The mow
`ing table 3 comprises a central portion 6, and two iden
`tical portions 4 which are pivotally connected to an ele
`vator housing 5 in a manner which will be more fuly de
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`junctions between the bases thereof. The seals comprise
`strips 37 made of, for example, rubber, which strips co
`operate with angular plate extensions 38 which are se
`cured to the base plate 36 of the portion 6 and extend
`throughout the length of the portion 6 in the intended
`direction of operative travel. The extensions 38 also ex
`tend outwardly and slightly upwardly from the portion 6.
`Hence an uninterrupted passage for crop is obtained
`which extends throughout the length of the mowing plat
`form when measured perpendicular to the intended direc
`tion of operative travel.
`FIGURE 4 shows a second embodiment of seal in
`which a plate extension 38A is secured to the base plate
`36 which bends gently downwardly therefrom. Also the
`strips 37 are inclined at an angle to the vertical.
`Referring to FIG. 1, it will be evident that each pivot
`able mowing table portion 4 comprises a cutter bar 39
`and an auger 40 arranged behind the corresponding cut
`ter bar 39, both the cutter bar 39 and auger 40 extending
`perpendicular to the intended direction of operative
`travel. The central portion 6 is provided with ‘a cutter
`bar 41 and a tined auger 42 which is located behind the
`cutter bar 41, both the cutter bar 41 and the auger 42
`extending perpendicular to the intended direction of op
`erative travel. The portions 4 of the mowing table are -
`provided with crop dividers 43 on their outer sides and
`the central portion 6 is provided, on each side, with crop
`dividers 44. The mowing table portions are each pro
`vided with a corresponding reel, but these are not shown
`for the sake of clarity. Also the driving mechanisms for
`the various ‘working parts of the mowing table are not
`shown for the sake of clarity, but they may comprise a
`usual arrangement including shafts, sprockets and chains.
`Hydraulic rams 45 (FIG. 2) are arranged, in known
`manner, one on each side of the housing 5 and extend
`between the axle of the wheels 2 and the frame structure
`11. The hydraulic rams 45 serve to raise and lower the
`elevator housing 5 and mowing table 3 about their pivot
`afforded by the upper rotary shaft of the elevator con
`veyor 6A.
`The operation of the combine harvester will now be
`described. The two outer portions 4 of the mowing table
`are each capable of pivoting freely about four pivots
`afforded by the shafts 10, 16, 22, and 24 which are spaced
`from each other. Hence the portions 4 can match un
`evennesses in the ground. Two of the shafts are arranged
`on each portion 4 and two are mounted on the frame of
`the machine, that is on the housing 5. The shaft 24 is
`located at a higher level than the shaft 22 and is located
`at some distance from the side of the portion 6. The
`shafts 10 and 16 are interconnected by the arms 14 and
`are located, in the working or transport position substan
`tially vertically one above the other. The length of the
`arms 14 is approximately twice that of the arms 23. The
`crop cut or mown by the cutter bars 39 associated with
`the pivotable portions 4 is displaced inwardly by the
`augers 40. The cutter bar 41 of the portion 6 cuts crop
`which is fed to the elevator housing by the tined auger
`42. The crop urged inwardly by the augers 40, is also fed
`to the housing 5 by the auger 42. The outlet opening
`formed in the rear wall of the central portion 6, which
`wall adjoins the elevator housing 5, comprises the sole
`delivery outlet for the mowing table.
`When it is desired to change the combine harvester
`to a transport position, the portions 4 are pivoted up
`wardly by means of the hydraulic rams 32 and the assem‘
`bly then takes up the position shown in broken lines in
`FIG. 3. The shafts 16 and 22 and the ram 32 follow the
`paths indicated in FIG. 3. It will be remembered that
`each portion 4 is pivotally connected to the shafts 16
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`and 22 but not to the shaft 19. Hence each portion 4 can
`pivot upwardly about the shaft 16 and can also pivot‘
`about the shaft 22. In the transport position the arms
`14 have pivoted through approximately 180° about the
`shaft 10 which is mounted on the frame of the combine
`harvester. The arms 23 which link the upper side of the
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`portion 4 to the housing 5 bear against the stop 27 in the
`transport position of the portion 4, the arms 23 consti
`tuting a guide during the pivoting movement. In the trans
`port positions of the portion 4, they are located in such
`a position that their centers of gravity are located approxi
`mately mid-way between the two outer shafts 10 and 22.
`The overall width of the mowing table may be, for
`example, 6 meters and when the two outer portions are
`turned upwardly into the transport position, the com
`bine harvester then has a suitable width for transport
`through narrow gates or along narrow roads. Also, even
`when the outer portions are turned upwardly the cen
`tral portion may still be employed to cut and pick-up
`crop lying in narrow rows or swaths. Since the central
`portion 6 occupies a substantially horizontal position
`even when the portions 4 are turned upwardly, the com
`bine harvester has a relatively low level center of gravity
`for a transport position since the portion 6 is low rela
`tive to the frame of the harvester and the turned portions
`4.
`The arrangement of the three mowing table portions is
`such that, in their operative positions, crop can be mown
`and picked-up throughout the width of the combine har
`vester.
`It will be evident that the pivotal shafts for the outer
`portions may be arranged in different manner so that
`the portions 4 can be swung to the rear for movement
`into a transport position.
`What I claim is:
`1. A harvesting machine which comprises a frame and
`at least ?rst and second portions (6, 4) connected to said
`frame which are joined to each other and are arranged
`to be located side by side in their operative positions, the
`portions being pivotable relative to each other about at
`least two pivotable axes which are spaced from each
`other as viewed in the intended direction of operative
`travel of the machine, said ?rst portion occupying a ?xed
`angular position on said frame relative to the horizontal,
`linkage means (14, 23), said second portion being con
`nected to said frame by means of four pivotal shafts (10,
`16, 22, 24) which are spaced from each other viewed in
`the intended direction of operative travel and by said
`linkage means.
`2. A harvesting machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein
`two of said pivotal shafts are mounted on said frame and
`the other two of said pivotal shafts are mounted on said
`second portion.
`3. A harvesting machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein
`the two pivotal shafts mounted on said frame are located
`on the upper side of said ?rst portion.
`4. A harvesting machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein
`one of said two pivotal shafts mounted on said frame is
`located near the side of said ?rst portion which faces said
`second portion, the other pivotal shaft of the two pivotal
`shafts mounted on said frame is located at a higher level
`than, and is spaced at a distance from, said facing side of
`said ?rst portion.
`5. A harvesting machine as claimed in claim 4 wherein
`the two pivotal shafts mounted on said second portion
`are arranged near said facing side of said ?rst portion.
`6. A harvesting machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein
`each pivotal shaft mounted on said frame is connected
`with a corresponding one of the shafts mounted on said
`second portion by means of an arm.
`7. A harvesting machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein
`the pivotal shaft mounted on the lower side of said sec
`ond portion is connected to the lowermost pivotal shaft
`mounted on said frame.
`8. A harvesting machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein
`guide means is afforded by at least one arm which ex
`tends between the uppermost pivotal shaft mounted on
`said frame and said second portion.
`9. A harvesting machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein
`the pivotal shafts mounted on said frame and on said
`second portion are arranged relatively to each other
`whereby upon turning of said second portion, said guide
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`18. A combine harvester in accordance with claim 17,
`means revolves through 180° about its corresponding piv
`wherein said anchored pivotal means are located at least
`otal shaft on said frame.
`in part in substantially the same plane as said movable
`10. A harvesting machine as claimed in claim 9 wherein
`pivotal means.
`said linkage means including arm means interconnecting
`19. A combine harvester in accordance with claim 18
`the two other pivotal shafts mounted respectively on
`wherein one of said anchored pivotal means is located
`said frame and said second portion wherein the said guide
`adjacent said portion adapted to pivot above the other
`means extending between the lowermost pivotal shaft on
`portion and the other of said anchored pivotal means is
`said frame and said second portion is connected to the
`located above and inboard of said ?rst-mentioned an
`lowermost pivotal shaft on said second portion and has
`chored pivotal means.
`a length which is approximately twice that of said arm
`20. A combine harvester in accordance with claim 19
`means interconnecting the two other pivotal shafts
`wherein each of said linking means comprises an arm.
`mounted respectively on the frame and said second por
`21. A combine harvester in accordance with claim 20
`tion.
`wherein one of said movable pivotal means is located
`11. A harvesting machine as claimed in claim 10,
`higher than the other, the higher of said anchor pivotal
`wherein said guide means which extends between the
`means being connected to the higher of said movable
`lowermost pivotal shaft on said frame and the lower
`pivotal means by one of said arms and the lower of said
`most pivotal shaft on said second portion extends sub
`anchor pivotal means being connected to the lower of said
`stantially vertically when said portions are arranged in
`operative positions.
`movable pivotal means by the other of said arms.
`22. A combine harvester in accordance with claim 21
`12. A harvesting machine as claimed in claim 10
`wherein said arm connecting said higher pivotal means
`wherein support means is provided which acts as a stop
`revolves about 180° around its said anchor pivotal means
`whereby said arm means abuts against said support means
`when the portion adapted to be pivoted is brought from
`when said second portion has turned through about 90°
`operative to transport position.
`from its operative position.
`23. A combine harvester in accordance with claim 22
`13. A harvesting machine as claimed in claim 12,
`wherein said arm connecting said lower pivotal means is
`wherein said support means arranged whereby said sec
`etfectively about twice as long as said arm connecting said
`ond portion occupies such a position when it has been
`higher pivotal means.
`turned through 90° that its center of gravity is located
`24. A combine harvester in accordance with claim 23
`between the longitudinal center line of said machine and
`wherein said lower pivotal means are substantially dis
`one of the pivotal shafts about which it turns.
`posed within a vertical plane when said portions are in
`14. A harvesting machine as claimed in claim 11
`operative positions.
`wherein a hydraulic ram is arranged to connect said ?rst
`25. A combine harvester in accordance with claim 24
`portion and said second portion whereby that said sec
`including support means on said frame which is adapted
`ond portion is pivoted relative to said ?rst portion.
`to receive said arm connecting said lower pivotal means
`15. A harvesting machine as claimed in claim 11
`when said portions are in transport position.
`wherein the pivotal connection of said second portion is
`26. A combine harvester in accordance with claim 25
`arranged on the rear side of said second portion with re
`wherein when said portions are in transport position the
`spect to the intended direction of operative travel of the
`center of gravity of the portion which has been pivoted
`machine.
`above the other is disposed between the longitudinal axis
`16. A combine harvester having a mowing table (7),
`of the harvester and the outboard of said anchored piv
`said mowing table comprising at least two portions (4, 6)
`which extend substantially horizontally in their oper
`otal means.
`27. A combine harvester in accordance with claim 16
`ative positions, each portion having its own mowing
`wherein said control means comprises a hydraulic ram.
`mechanism including cutter means (39, 41), one of said
`portions being pivotable relative to the other through
`28. A combine harvester in accordance with claim 16
`wherein said joint means is disposed relative to the rear
`joint means comprising two anchored pivotal means
`side of the portion adapted to be pivoted above the other.
`(24, 10) on one of said portions, two movable pivotal
`means (16, 22) each having means (14, 23) linking them
`to said ?rst-mentioned pivotal means, control means (32)
`connecting said portions whereby said control means
`causes one of said portions to pivot to a position above
`the other of said portions.
`17. A combine harvester in accordance with claim 16,
`wherein one of said portions includes the frame of the
`harvester, said anchored pivotal means being mounted on
`said frame and said movable pivot means being mounted
`on the other of said portions.
`
`References Cited
`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`8/ 1929 Moncrei?e __________ __ 56-21
`1,724,300
`2,224,970 12/ 1940 Lindgren et a1. ______ __ 56—20
`2,262,906 1l/194l Raney et al. ______ __ 56-122
`‘2,603,052
`7/ 1952 Pelham ____________ _.._ 56-25
`3,034,274
`5/ 1962 Webb _______________ __ 56—6
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`HUGH R. CHAMBLEE, Primary Examiner
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