“‘
`
`3
`
`Consumer and
`Corporate Affairs Canada
`
`Consummation
`at Corporations Canada
`
`(11)
`
`(B) No.
`
`1151 431
`
`(45)
`
`ISSUED 830809
`
`3
`(51) mm. CL. A0lB 73/oo
`
`Re..issued of No. 1,183,355
`Dated 850305
`
`56-1
`(52) CLASS
`C.R. CL. 56-105
`
`(19; (cm CANADIAN PATENT (12)
`
`(54) SWAT]-IER
`
`Honey, Gregory J.;
`Honey, Glenn R.,
`Canada
`
`Granted to Honey Farms
`Canada
`
`(a partnership)
`
`APPLICATION No.
`
`401,975
`
`FILED
`
`820429
`
`DISTRIBUTED BY THE PATENY OFFICE OTTAWA
`CCA-274 [11-82)
`
`H&S Mfg. Co., Inc.
`
`V. Oxbo Int'1 Co.
`
`IPR2016—00950
`
`H&S Mfg Co., Inc.
`
`Exhibit 1018
`
`Page 1 of 28
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`Page 1 of 28
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`ABSTRACT
`
`A self—propelled swather having a tractor unit
`
`with a central cutting head and two side cutting heads, one
`
`each being disposed on either side of the tractor unit
`
`and having the inner ends thereof behind and aligned with
`
`the outer ends of the central head.
`
`The central head is
`
`carried solely by the tractor while the side heads are
`
`carried at their inner ends by the tractor.unit and at
`
`their outer ends by caster wheels.
`
`A pivot connection is
`
`provided between the inner ends of the side heads and the
`
`' tractor unit so that the heads can swing from the work
`
`position to a transport position wherein the front cutting
`
`edges of the side heads are substantially parallel to the
`
`direction of travel of the tractor. Thus,
`
`the swather
`
`is readily maneuverable in the transport position and in
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`width is only a fraction of the swather in_its work position.
`
`The cutting height of the individual heads may be separately
`
`adjustable, and a separate drive is provided to the knives,
`
`reels and conveyors of each head.
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`Page 2 of 28
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`1151431
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`This invention relates to an agricultural
`
`machine of a type having a tractor unit and a number of
`
`heads,
`
`two side heads of which swing rearwardly to
`
`a transport position.
`
`In harvesting equipment, such as swathers, it
`
`has been known to utilize a number of heads so as to cut
`
`a wide swath on each pass.
`
`A number of these types of
`
`swathers have three heads which are transversely aligned _
`
`and wherein the two outer heads swing upwardly about their
`
`inner ends during transport.
`
`It has normally been proposed
`
`when the heads are transversely aligned to drive the knives
`and reels from a common drive. Generally,
`the known types
`of multi—head swathers have experience difficulties in the
`
`drive systems which are of a complex design. when the heads
`
`are in a transport position the machine is awkward to handle
`
`and is restricted as to relatively wide roadways and high
`
`overhead obstructions.
`
`According to the present invention,
`
`there is
`
`provided a se1f—prope1led swather including a tractor unit
`having a prime mover, a central head and a pair of side
`
`heads. VThe central head is mounted in front of the tractor
`unit and has a front edge cutting means extending between
`opposite end edges. Cneeach of the side heads is disposed
`on either side of the tractor unit, and each side head has
`a front edge cutting means extending between an inner end
`adjacent the tractor unit and an outer end,
`the inner ends
`
`of the side heads beingkxmind and substantially aligned one
`
`each with opposite end edges of the central head when the
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`Page 3 of 28
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`1151431
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`side heads are in a work position. Pivot means connects
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`the side heads to the tractor unit at the inner ends of the
`
`side heads and permit swinging rearwardly of each head to a. transport
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`position.
`
`In the transport position,
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`the front edges of
`
`the side heads are substantially parallel to the normal
`
`direction of travel of the tractor unit.
`
`In a specific embodiment of the invention,
`
`the
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`central head is supported solely by the tractor unit, and
`
`each side head is supported at its inner end by the tractor
`
`unit and at its outer end by ground engaging means, such
`
`as a caster wheel.
`
`Also in a specific embodiment of the invention
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`each head has individual cutting height adjusting means,
`
`and the cutting means of each head is driven by separate
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`power transmitting means from the tractor unit.
`
`In the accompanying drawings,'which show one
`
`embodiment as an example;
`
`Figure 1 is a plan View of the swather in a working
`
`mode;
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`Figure 2 is a plan view the same as Figure 1, but
`
`with the heads in a transport position:
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`Figure 3 is an enlarged vie of a pivot means betneen a side
`
`head and the tractor as seen from the line 3~~3 of Figure l;
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`A Figure 4 is a View as seen from line 4——4 of
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`Figure 1 illustrating a height adjustment means;
`
`Figure 5 is a view of a ground engaging means of
`
`the head as seen from line 5~~5 of Figure 2;
`
`Figure 6 is a side view of the ground engaging
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`Page 4 of 28
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`Page 4 of 28
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`means shown in Figure 5;
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`1151431
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`Figure 7 is a partial plan View showing an alternative
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`connection between the tractor and side head; and
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`Figure 8 is a rear View of an embodiment of a transfer
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`conveyor mounted below the tractor unit.
`
`The reference number 10 generally denotes the
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`swather of the present invention,
`
`the swather 10 inclnding a
`
`tractor unit 11, a central cutting head 12, and a pair of side
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`cutting heads 13 and 14.
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`The tractor unit 11 includes a body
`
`having a chassis with main frame members 36,36 carried by front
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`drive wheels 37,37 and rear steering wheels 38,38. The drive
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`wheels 37,37 are larger than the rear wheels 38,38 and the
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`rear wheels may include a standard automotive type steer
`
`controlled from a operators position 42_in a cab near the front
`
`of the tractor unit.
`
`The tractor unit has a transversely
`
`disposed prime mover, such as a Diesel engine 40, with drive
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`means 41 extending to the front wheels and controlled by a
`
`transmission system from the operators position 42.
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`The tractor
`
`unit is also provided with.power~take—off means in the form of
`
`a transversely extending shaft 43,
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`the shaft 43 being driven
`
`from the engine 40 and the rotation of which is controllable
`
`from the operators position.
`
`The ends 44,44 of the shaft extend
`
`from opposite sides of the tractor unit.
`
`the tractor unit
`
`includes other structural features, many of which will be further
`
`described below.
`
`The central head 12 has a nain frane nsnber l5 extending across
`
`the full width of the head at the back thereof, and the frame member 15 is
`
`carried at the front of the tractor unit by brackets 16,16. The central head
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`12 has a front edge cutting means 17 extending full width of the head between
`
`opposite end edges l8,l8 of the cranial
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`-3-
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`pc/
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`Page 5 of 28
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`1151431
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`head.
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`The fixmt edge cutting means includes the conventional
`
`reciprocating knife 20 and a rotating reel 21 disposed
`
`above the knife.
`
`The knife 20 and reel 21 are both driven
`
`by a main drive shaft 22 which extends the width of the
`
`. head; a belt drive 23 being shown at the left hand end of
`
`the head for driving the reel, and pitman crank mechanism
`
`(not Shown) being provided for reciprocating the knife.
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`Rearwardly of the front edge cutting means.l7 is a
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`transversely extending conveying means 24 which is also
`
`driven by main drive shaft 22,
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`the conveying means 24
`
`for the central head including two endless belts,
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`the
`
`upper flights of which are shown at 25 and 26.
`
`The drive?
`
`mechanism (not shown) for the belts is adapted to drive
`
`the belts so that the upper flights 25 and 26 both travel
`
`in the same direction as indicated by arrows A and B.
`
`Alternatively,
`
`the belt having upper flight 25 can be driven
`
`so that the upper flight thereof travels in the opposite
`
`direction, i.e. the direction indicated by the arrow C.
`
`The
`
`central head 12 haszipair of outlets 27,28, one each being
`
`located inside of each of ends 18,18. when the conveyor
`
`belts are driven so that the upper flights 25 and 26 travel
`
`in opposite directions, as indicated by arrows C and B,
`
`the vegetation cut by the front edge cutting means 17 is
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`divided and exits through both outlets 27 and 28.
`
`If the bexts
`
`are driven so that the upper flights 25 and 26 travel in
`
`the same directions, as indicated by arrows A and B, all
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`the vegetation cut by the front edge cutting 17 of the
`
`central head is discharged via outlet 28 in a single
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`Page 6 of 28
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`Page 6 of 28
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`windrow as indicated at 30.
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`11151431
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`Each of the side heads 13 and 14 has a main frame member 55 and
`65, respectively; a front edge cutting means 57 and 67, respectively; a
`reciprocating knife 60 and 70, respectively: a rotating reel 61 and 71,
`respectively; a main drive shaft 62 and 72, respectively; and a belt drive
`63 and 73, respectively; which correspond substantially to the frame member
`15, front edge cutting means 17, reciprocating knife 20, rotating reel 21,
`main drive shaft 22 and belt drive .23 of the central head 12. Unlike the
`central head 12, the side heads 13 and 14 are carried only at inner ends
`56 and 66, respectively, by the tractor unit 11, this being done through
`
`69 and 79 respectively. Each of said heads 13 and 14 have conveyor means 75
`and 76 immediately behind the front edge cutting means 57 and 67 thereof
`
`and driven by means (not shown)
`
`from the main drive shaft 62 and 72 of the
`
`respective side head. Unlike the central head, side head 13 has a single
`outlet opening 64 at its inner end 56, and
`conveyor means 75 and may
`include a single endless belt which has a top flight 77 adapted to travel in
`an inwardly direction towards outlet opening 64, as indicated by arrow D.
`{the conveyor means 75 and 76 of the side heads may include two endless belts
`the same as that described in connection with the central head, but adapted to
`drive in the same direction, i.e. , towards the tractor unit. with the use of
`exceptional long heads the use of the two endless belts may be more satisfactory
`than one very long belt. The conveyor means 76 of the right hand head
`includes a top flight 78 which is driven towards outlet opening 74 at the
`ixmer end of the right head, as indicated by arrow E.
`
`when the side heads 13 and 14 are in their work
`
`position, as shown in Figure l, the inner ends 56 and 66 are
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`Page 7 of 28
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`Page 7 of 28
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`1151431
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`behind the central head 12 and substantially aligned with
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`the opposite end edges 18,18 of the central head so that
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`the width of the swath taken by the swather 10 is
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`substantially equal to the total lengths of the three
`
`heads. For example, if each head is 25 feet in length,
`
`the total width of the swather is approximately 75 feet.
`
`‘If the conveyor means of the central head is operated so
`that the travel of the upper flights 25 and 26 are opposite,
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`the discharged vegetation is layed in two windrowe which,are jointed
`
`by the discharge of the two side heads.
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`Two parallel ndndrows of
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`Substantially the same size are laid at a spacing slightly less than
`
`the total width of th central head.
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`The tractor has brackets 80,80 extending from
`
`opposite sides thereof and forming a bifurcated portion
`
`defining a pair of arms 89,89 terminating in vertically
`
`spaced ends 81,81 which provide journal openings 82,82
`
`(Figure 3)
`
`in the pivot means 58.
`
`The journals receive
`
`the outer bearing ends 83,83 of a cross shaped member 84.
`
`The member 84 has outer bearing ends 85,85 which project
`
`‘perpendicular to the outer end 83,83, and ends 85,85 are
`
`received in journal openings 86,86 of a bifurcated portion
`
`pnmfidedIy'wmB having horizontally spaced ends 87,87,
`
`the
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`bifurcated portion being a part of a bracket 90 which is
`provided_at the inner end of main frame 55. The pivot means
`
`58 thus forms a universal type joint between brackets 80
`
`on the tractor unit and bracket 90 on the inner end of the
`
`main frame 55 of the left hand head 13.
`
`The pivot means
`
`58 permits the tractor unit ll to carry the inner end of
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`Page 8 of 28
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`1151431
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`the head 13, while permitting the outer end of the head
`
`to pivot upwardly and downwardly as the ground engaging
`
`means 69 travels over terrain which is at a different
`
`level than the tractor, this pivoting motion taking
`
`place about horizontal axis H~-H provided by bearing
`
`ends 85,85 of the member 84 (Figure 3). The head is
`
`also permitted to swing to the transport position shown
`
`in Figure 2 because of the vertical axis of pivot V~~V
`
`provided by bearing ends 83,83 of the member 84.
`
`The
`
`pivot means 68 connecting head 14 to the tractor unit is
`
`of the same construction as pivot means 58 and requires
`
`no further description.
`
`Attached to frames 36,36 of tractor unit 11
`
`are brackets 95,95 which project transversely from the
`
`side of the tractor unit and are forward of brackets
`
`80,80. Projecting forwardly from main frame members 55
`and 65 of the side heads 13 and 14 are brackets 96,96.
`
`A piston and cylinder type motor 97 is pivotally connected
`
`at opposite ends between bracket 95 and 96 at each side of
`
`the tractor. when the motors 97,97 are contracted from
`
`the extended position shown in Figure 2 to the contracted
`
`position shown in Figure 1,
`
`the side heads are swung from
`
`a travel position to a work position.
`
`The engine 40 is
`
`preferably equipped with a hydraulic pump inot shown) which
`
`may be used for various power assist units, such as the
`
`steering of the tractor unit 11, as is customary; and
`
`a control valve (not shown) may be provided at the operators
`
`position 42, whereby the flow of pressurized fluid of the
`
`nrmors 97,97 by way of conduits (not shown) is controlled so as to swing
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`Page 9 of 28
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`Page 9 of 28
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`3.151431
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`the side heads 13 and 14 between the transport and work
`positions from within the tractor cab.
`
`A pair of rigid members or struts 98,98
`
`having pin connecting means at opposite ends thereof may
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`be removably connected between the main frames 55 and 65
`
`of the sidelrnds and the tractor unit 11 rearwardly of
`
`brackets 80 so that the motors 97,97 are not required to
`
`hold the side heads 13 and 14 in the work position (Figure 1).
`
`The side heads are prevented from swinging rearwardly during
`
`operation by struts 98,98, which may be readily removed
`
`whenit is desired to allow the side heads to swing to the
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`trailing or transport positions (Figure 2),
`
`Connected between the inner ends of the main drive
`
`shafts 62 and 72 of the side heads 13 and 14 and the outer
`ends 44,44 of the transverse power shaft 43 therezne provided I
`
`a telescopic drive sections 101 (figure 2)
`
`including a spaced pair of
`
`universal joints 102,102,
`
`this drive mechanism being of
`
`the type normally used between a P.T.0. shaft and an
`
`implement equippedvflxh a pmma: driven shaft.
`
`The drive
`
`sharts 62 and 72 are thus driveable by the transverse
`
`power shaft 43 of the tractor unit so that the knives,
`
`reels and conveyors are thus driven when the side heads
`
`are in the work position and the power shaft 43 is placed
`
`in gear.
`
`The drive section 101 and universal joints 102,102
`
`permit the side heads to swing to the transport position
`
`without disconnection of the drive.
`
`On the left hand side of the tractor unit 11,
`
`the power shaft 43 is provided with_a belt sheave 103 (Fiqure 1).
`
`A '
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`Page 10 of 28
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`1151431
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`belt sheave 104 is also secured on main drive shaft 22
`
`of central head 12, and a drive belt 105 encircles the
`
`sheaves 103 and l04 for transmitting rotary drive to
`
`main drive shaft 22 simultaneously with drive transmission
`
`to main drive shafts 62 and 72 of the side heads 13 and
`
`14.
`
`As was explained above,
`
`the upper flights 77 and
`
`78 of the conveyor means in the side heads 13 and 14 are
`
`driven in direction of arrows D and E, and the pair of
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`upper flights 25 and 26 of the conveyor means 24 in the
`
`central head may operate in opposite directions, as
`
`indicated by arrows B and C,whereby two parallel windrows
`
`of substantially the same size are formed.
`
`If the upper
`
`flights 25 and 26 of conveyor means 24 are operated in
`
`the same direct,
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`the cnt vegetation of the
`
`central head 11 and side head 14 are dumped in a single
`
`windrow 30, an addition conveyor means 106 may be provided
`
`to transfer the cut vegetation being discharged by head 13
`
`from outlet opening 64 to the same windrow 30.
`
`The conveyor
`
`means 106 may include a frame 107, which is secured below
`
`frame members 36,36, and extends transversely relative to
`the direction of travel of the tractor unit 11.
`The conveyor
`
`means 106 further includes a continuous belt, which may be
`
`driven by a drive means
`
`(not shown)
`
`from power shaft 43,
`
`the continuous belt having an upper flight 108 travelling
`
`in the direction of arrow F.
`
`The cut vegetation is thus
`
`Carried under the chassis of the tractor unit
`
`1 from flraleft
`
`hand to the right hand side thereof.
`
`The type of crop being
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`Page 11 of 28
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`Page 11 of 28
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`1151.431
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`harvested and its heaviness may determine whether a single
`
`windrow or double windrows are formed.
`
`Figure 8 illustrates a conveyor means 106' which includes two
`
`conveyor sections 205,206 having upper flights 207,208 both driven in the
`
`direction of arrows M by means (not shown). Conveyor section 207 is mounted
`
`at opposite ends beneath frame member 36.36 by mounting members 209,210 with
`
`a
`
`fixed ground clearance. ‘Conveyor section 2.08 is pivotally connected to
`
`mounting member 210 adjacent the end of conveyor section 207 and has an outer
`
`end which rests on an-extension 212 of a member 211 carried by head 13 below
`conveyor means 75. Thus as head 13 is adjusted upwardlyvand downwardly, a
`
`smooth transfer of the cut vegetation is assured between conveyor means 75
`and conveyor means 106' . Moreover, when the swather is prepared for
`
`transportation and the head 13 is swung to the transporting position, the
`
`conveyor section 208 can be swung upwardly about its pivot axis and held up
`
`by an adjustable chain means 214, or similar arrangement.
`
`Referring to Figure 4, the body portion 110 of the head 13 which
`
`carries the front edge cutting neans 57, i.e. knife 60 and reel 61, and the
`
`conveyor means 75, is connected at its rear side to the main frame 55 by way
`
`of a pivot connection 111. A height adjusting cylinder means 112 is provided
`
`adjacent the outer end of the head 13, and a like cylinder means 112 (not
`
`' shown) is provided adjacent the outer end. The cylinder means 112 is pivotally
`connected at opposite ends to the frame 55 and the body portion 110 so that
`
`as the cylinder means 112 is expanded the front edge cutting means 57 is raised
`
`because the body portion is caused to pivot upwardly about connection 111.
`
`Pressurized hydraulic fluid is supplied to the cylinder means via fluid
`
`conduits (not shown)
`
`from the hydraulic system of the tractor unit through
`
`» a control valve located adjacent the operators position 42. Control of_
`
`pressurized fluid to cylinder means 112 to cause its contraction brings about
`
`lowering of the front edge cutting means. Each of heads 12 and 14 may be
`
`-10..
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`Page 12 of 28
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`1151431
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`similarly equipped with cylinder means
`
`(not shown) and may be controlled by
`
`separate control valves in the tractor cab so that the cutting height of each
`
`of the three heads may be individually controlled. The central head 12,
`
`behind which the windrow(s) are formed, may be set lower, for example, than
`
`the two side heads 13 and 14.
`
`The two ground engaging means 69 and 79 of the two side heads 13
`
`and 14 may be of ‘slightly different contraction for reasons which will become
`
`apparent. The ground engaging means 69 and '79 each may include dual wheels
`
`115,115 mounted for rotation about a common axis on aligned axles 116,116
`
`projecting horizontally from a central member 117. An upwardly extending
`
`vertical spindle 118 is fixed to central member 117 and is freely journalled.
`
`in a bracket ll9 which is fixed to a rear side of the main frame member of
`
`the head. The central member 117 and spindle may form a caster angle relative
`
`to the vertical so that the dual wheels will automatically swing to the
`
`direction of travel, i,e. through 90° as illustrated in the two positions
`
`shown in Figures 1 and 2.
`
`The ground engaging means 79 is shown as including a crank am
`
`122 fixed to the upper end of spindle 118. A piston and cylinder type motor
`
`123 is pivotally connected at one end to the frame 65.
`
`A piston rod 124 -of the
`
`m3Uor.l23 is pivotally connected by connecting means 129 to the crank arm 122.
`
`The motor 123 is double acting and receives pressurized fluid via conduits
`
`125,125 so as to cause the motor to contract or expand and thus turn the
`
`spindle us and thereby steer the dual wheels 115,115 of the ground engaging
`
`means 79. Thevoonnecting means is of a type to permit ready attachment to the
`
`crank arm when the head 14 is in the transport position; otherwise, the piston
`
`rod 124 is not connected to the crank arm 122, and the motor 123 is simply
`
`- carried behind main frame 65 when the head 14 is in its work position. The
`
`flow of pressurized fluid to the motor 123 through conduits 125,125 is supplied
`
`by the hydraulic system of the tractor unit 11, preferably by a control valve
`
`which is activated by a foot pedal at the operators position 42.
`‘
`— 11 —
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`pc/
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`Page 13 of 28
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`1151431
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`when in the transport position,
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`the piston and
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`cylinder type motors 97,97 are allowed to float so that the
`
`side heads 13 and 14 can freely trail. When negotiating a
`
`A tie bar 130 having a
`the caster wheels 115,115 are turned.
`pin type connector at ooposite ends may be-provided to transfer
`the steer force from head 14 to head 13 (Figure 2).
`
`For example, when entering a field
`condition and vice versa.
`after travel,
`the tie bar 130 is removed and the motor 123 is
`disconnected from the crank arm 122.
`The motors 97,97 are
`then activated to swing the side heads to the work positions,
`andxthe struts 98,98 are placed in the positions shown in
`
`The drive systems for all of the heads require no
`Figure 1.
`setwup at this time, and therefore,
`the height of the front
`
`In an alternative embodiment of the invention,‘
`shown in Figure 7,
`the motors 97,97 and struts 98,98 are
`
`The arrangement includes struts 98', each of which
`is pivotally connected at opposite ends to the side head and
`the tractor unit but is formed by two rigid sections 200, 201
`
`_ 12 _
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`Page 14 of 28
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`1151431
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`connected by an intermediate hinge joint 203 so that each
`
`A piston and cylinder type motor 204,
`strut can be folded.
`which is provided in place of motor 97 for each head,
`is
`
`pivotally connected at one end to the main frame of the head
`
`and at the other end to the section of the strut connected
`to the main frame. Thus, when the side head is to be swung
`to the work position (shown in chain dotted lines) the motor
`204 is activated to move the folded strut to a straight line
`condition wherein the strut is capable of holding the side
`head in its work position.
`The movement of the strut from
`
`its folded to straight line condition provides the force for
`swinging the side head from its trailing to its transversely
`projecting position.
`The control valve (not shown),
`through
`which the fluid is supplied to the motor 204,
`is located in
`
`the cab and this valve has a float position which is utilized
`when the heads are in the transport position.
`
`The mountings of the three heads on the tractor
`
`unit ll are relatively simple so that ready removal is
`
`possible whereby the tractor unit could be equipped with
`other means, such as spraying booms to thereby permit use
`of the tractor other than during the swathing season.
`
`The specific embodiments of the invention are
`described above to give examples of the invention, it being
`readily apparent that various modifications within the
`
`spirit of the invention as set forth in the accompanying
`claims could be made by one skilled in the art.
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`Page 15 of 28
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`11131431
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`THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
`
`PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
`
`l.
`
`A self~propel1ed swather comprising a tractor unit
`
`including a prime mover;
`
`a central head mounted in front of said tractor unit
`
`and having front edge cutting means extending between
`
`.
`
`opposite end edges;
`
`a pair of side heads, one each being disposed on either
`side of said tractor unit and each having front edge cutting
`means extending between an inner end adjacent said tractor
`unit and an outer end, said inner ends of said side head being
`
`behind and substantially aligned one each with said opposite
`end edges of said central head in a work position; and
`
`pivot means connecting said side heads to said tractor
`
`unit at the inner ends of said side heads and permitting
`
`swinging of each head to a trailing transport position} the
`
`front edges of said side heads in the transport position being
`
`substantially parallel to the normal direction of travel of
`said tractor unit.
`
`2.
`
`A self—propel1ed swather as defined in claim 1, wherein
`
`said central head is supported solely by said tractor unit, and
`
`each side head is supported at the outer-end thereof by ground
`
`engaging means.
`
`3.
`A se1f~propel1ed swather as defined in claim 2, wherein
`each side head is supported at the inner end thereof solely by
`said tractor unit.
`
`4.
`
`A self~propelled swather as defined in claim 2 or 3,
`
`wherein said ground engaging means includes a caster wheel.
`
`5.
`
`A self~propelled swather as defined in claim
`
`11';
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`ZL1531/L31
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`1,
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`2 or 3, wherein each head has individual cutting height
`
`adjustment means.
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`6.
`
`A self—propel1ed swather as defined in claim
`
`1, 2 or 3, wherein the cutting means of each head is
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`driven by individual power transmitting means from said
`
`tractor unit.
`
`7.
`
`A self~propel1ed swacner as defined in claim
`
`2, wherein said pivot means connecting.each side head
`
`to said tractor unit comprises means defining a vertical
`axis of pivor for permitting said side head to pivot
`
`between said work and transport positions and a horizon»
`
`tal axis of pivot perpendicular to said vertical axis
`
`to permit movement in a vertical plane and thereby ac-
`
`cmmmfimte said ground engaging means running over uneven
`
`ground.
`
`8.
`
`A self—propel1ed swather as defined in claim
`
`7, wherein each side head includes a main frame member
`
`connected at an inner end to said pivot means and carried
`
`adjacent an outer end thereof by said ground engaging
`means .
`
`A self—prope11ed swather as defined in claim
`9.
`8, wherein each side head includes a body portion carried
`
`by said frame member and projecting forwardly therefrom
`
`to said front edge cutting means,
`
`10;
`
`A self—prope11ed swather as defined in claim
`
`9 and including height adjusting means connected between
`
`said frame member and said body portion for raising and
`
`lowering said front cutting edge means thereof.
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`15
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`1151431
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`11.
`A self—propelled swather as defined in
`claim R)wherein said height adjusting means includes
`
`hydraulic piston and cylinder means, and further including
`hydraulic lines connected between said piston and cylinder
`
`means of each side head and a separate manual control
`
`valve means carried by said tractor unit for each side
`head.
`
`A self-propelled swather as defined in claim
`10, wherein said conveyor means includes a continuous
`
`belt having an upper flight for carrying out vegetation
`for delivery at said inner end of said side head.
`
`14.
`
`A self—prope1led swather as defined in
`
`claim 1, wherein the side heads includes conveyor means
`rearward of said front edge cutting means and extending
`. from the outer end of each side head to the inner end
`
`thereof for delivery of out vegetation from the side
`
`heads to locations adjacent opposite sides of said tractor
`unit.
`
`A self~prope1led swather as defined in claim
`15.
`14, and wherein said central head has conveyor means remmerdxy
`of said ftont edge cutting means and extending between
`said end edges for delivery of cut vegetation to'a
`
`location adjacent at least one end edge.
`
`16.
`
`A self—propelled swather as defined in claim
`
`15, and further including conveyor means extending from
`
`3'6
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`1151431
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`adjacent the delivery of one side head to the delivery
`of the other side head whereby the total delivery of
`
`both side heads is at the side of the tractor unit ad~
`
`jacent said other side head.
`
`A self—propel1ed swather as defined in claim
`17.
`15, wherein the conveyor means of said central head de—'
`livers all of the front edge cutting means to a location
`
`adjacent-the end edge thereof in front of the inner end
`
`of said other side head whereby a single windrow is
`formed.
`
`18.
`
`A self—prope11ed swather as defined in claim.
`
`J15, wherein said conveyor means of said central head
`includes a pair of conveyors extending from a nidnoint
`of said central head to the opposite end edges thereof,
`
`said central head having delivery outlets adjacent the
`opposite end edges.
`
`19.
`
`A self-propelled swather as defined in claim
`
`18,.wherein said central head has conveyor drive means
`for selectively driving said pair of conveyors for de~
`
`livery totally in one direction towards one of said de—
`livery outlets or alternatively for separating the delivery
`in opposite directions whereby the cut vegetation is
`
`divided for delivery simultaneously to both delivery
`outlets .
`
`20.
`
`A self~prope11ed swather as defined in claim
`
`19, wherein said pair of conveyors includes a pair of
`
`continous belts, each belt having an upper flight ex—'
`
`tending from a midpoint of the central head to one of the
`
`37
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`posite end edges.
`
`21.
`
`A selfwpxopelled swather as defined in claim
`
`rotating drive shaft, said drive
`transversely extending,
`shaft including drive means oonnecting said drive shaft
`to operating components of each respective head.
`
`rotating power shaft, and further comprising drive means
`drivingly connecting said power
`
`mab/
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`38
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`1151431
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`and belt means encircling
`said sheaves for transferring drive from said power shaft
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`_
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`1151431
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`axle portion mounting at least one ground engaging wheel, a
`substantially vertical shaft fired to said axle portion and
`
`providing a turning axis for said wheel, a crank arm fixed
`
`to said shaft, and power means connectable to said crank arm
`
`for steering said wheel.
`
`32. A se1f—propelled swather as defined in claim
`31} wherein said power means includes a hydraulic motor
`
`connected between said main frame of at least one of said side
`heads, hydraulic leads extending from said tractor unit to
`said hydraulic motor, and manual control means on said tractor
`unit for controlling the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid
`to said hydraulic motor.
`
`33} R self—prope11ed swather as defined in claim
`I _(,
`'32] wherein said manual control means includes a foot pedal.
`,
`.
`J
`34: % se1f—propel1ed swather as defined in claim
`32 wherein said hydraulic motor includes a piston and cylinder
`motor, one end of said motor being readily detatachable from
`said crank arm when said side heads are in said work position.
`W .
`.
`35; A se1f—propelled swather as defined in claim 31 I
`33 or. 34}wherein said motor means is connected between the
`main frame and the crank arm of one side head, and further
`
`including a tie rod having a pin connection at opposite ends
`thereof, means carried on main frame-of each side head for
`receiving the pin connections, whereby said tie rod jams said
`heads in the transport position and transfer a steering force
`developed in said one head to the other head.
`36. h self~prope1led swather as defined in claim 3,
`and further including a pair of-strut means, on each being
`pivotally connected at a forward end to the main frame of one
`
`PC/
`
`‘
`
`.
`
`20
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`36 wherein said strut means folds at said hihge joint as said
`side head swings to séid Eransport position, and including a
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`.§l..IIIln
`11,-j
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`iflfil/131
`.5‘: .7
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`%:..-3.;-!...!-_-:%;%;%:%;'
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