(12) United States Patent
`Wuebbels et al.
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,775,969 B2
`Aug. 17, 2004
`
`US006775969B2
`
`(54) FOLDABLE HARVESTING HEADER
`
`(75) Inventors: Richard Wuebbels, Rhede (DE);
`Norbert Wolters, Gescher (DE)
`
`(73) Assignee: Schinenfabrik Kemper GmbH & Co
`KG, Breul (DE)
`
`( * ) 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.: 10/230,031
`(22) Filed:
`Aug. 27, 2002
`(65)
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2003/0041579 A1 Mar. 6, 2003
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`(30)
`
`Sep. 1, 2001
`
`(DE) ....................................... .. 101 42 97s
`
`(51) Int. Cl.7 . . . . .
`
`. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. A01D 67/00
`
`56/208; 56/51; 56/219
`(52) US. Cl. ............. ..
`(58) Field of Search .......................... .. 56/51, 208, 210,
`56/219, 220, 221, 228
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4/1953 Price ......................... .. 56/122
`2,636,331 A
`3,345,808 A * 10/1967 Van Der Lely
`56/208
`3,468,107 A * 9/1969 Van Der Lely
`56/11.9
`4,409,780 A * 10/1983 Beougher et al.
`56/228
`4,446,682 A
`5/1984 Jennen et al. ..... ..
`56/119
`4,487,004 A * 12/1984 Kejr ............. ..
`56/228
`5,329,753 A
`7/1994 Arnold et a1. ............ .. 56/98
`5,673,543 A 10/1997 Richardson et a1.
`56/85
`5,865,019 A
`2/1999 Hurlburt et a1. ............ .. 56/119
`
`5,911,625 A * 6/1999 von Allworden ......... .. 460/119
`2002/0014064 A1
`2/2002 Wubbels et al. ............. .. 56/95
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CH
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`
`1/1968
`440 802
`12/1970
`2 026 190
`36 14 498 A1 11/1987
`38 28 293
`1/1990
`3906456 A1 * 9/1990
`41 42 496 C2
`6/1993
`199 33 779
`2/2001
`0 131 853
`1/1985
`0 471 961 A1
`2/1992
`0491 405 A1
`6/1992
`0 553 506 A1
`53/1993
`0992187 A1 * 8/1999
`1046329 A2 * 4/2000
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Robert E. PeZZuto
`Assistant Examiner—Nathan Mammen
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`
`Aharvesting header for a self-propelled harvesting machine
`comprising a center portion and tWo side portions. The
`center portion and both side portions are provided With
`forwardly extending crop processing arrangements. A trans
`versely extending auger is located behind the crop process
`ing arrangements. The crop processing arrangements can be
`moved betWeen an operating position and a transport posi
`tion by pivoting them about a transversely extending hori
`Zontal pivot axis. In this transport position the center of
`gravity of the harvesting header is moved rearWardly
`toWards the harvesting machine. The side crop processing
`arrangements can be pivoted about forwardly extending
`pivot axes to reduce the Width of the harvesting header in its
`transport position.
`
`13 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`Page 1 of 6
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 17, 2004
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`Sheet 1 0f 2
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`US 6,775,969 B2
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`Page 2 of 6
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 17, 2004
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`Sheet 2 0f 2
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`US 6,775,969 B2
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`Page 3 of 6
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`

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`US 6,775,969 B2
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`1
`FOLDABLE HARVESTING HEADER
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed to a foldable harvesting
`header that can be shifted betWeen an operating position and
`a transport position by pivoting about a predominantly
`horizontal pivot axis.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Harvesting headers for self-propelled harvesting
`machines have been getting Wider and Wider, permitting
`farmers to harvest ?elds in shorter time With feWer passes
`through the ?eld. HoWever, the maximum Width of vehicles
`operated on public roads is limited by laW. For that reason
`the headers are transported as a rule on a trailer, or folded
`into a transport position, in Which its Width is reduced
`compared to its operating position. Folding a harvesting
`header has the advantage that the removal and reassembly of
`the header from or to the harvesting machine is eliminated.
`US. Pat. No. 5,329,753 discloses a corn head for a forage
`harvester in Which the outer parts of the header can be folded
`upWard about horiZontal axes extending in the direction of
`operation, and are laid over the central part of the corn
`harvesting implement. This concept can be found relatively
`often.
`DE 199 33 779 C discloses a harvesting header be divided
`at its center and the outer ends of the halves be folded inWard
`and upWard about horiZontal axes extending in the direction
`of operation.
`DE 38 28 293 C discloses a harvesting header in Which
`the outer parts are pivoted into a position about an axis
`extending inclined upWard and outWard in Which they come
`to lie ahead of and above the center part. In another
`embodiment the outer parts are positioned by a tWo-legged
`pivoting mechanism above the center part.
`Furthermore, EP 0 131 853 B describes a corn head in
`Which the intake points Without the stripper devices are
`folded upWard about a horiZontal axis extending transverse
`to the direction of operation. The outer parts are pivoted
`upWard about axes extending transverse to the direction of
`operation, as is described in DE 41 31 491 A.
`In the harvesting headers described above, the disadvan
`tage is that the center of gravity during transport is located
`relatively far forWard. Except for the corn head described in
`EP 0 131 853 B in Which the intake points of the plucking
`devices that have been folded upWard that relocate the center
`of gravity When folded only slightly to the rear, the position
`of the center of gravity is not changed by the folding of the
`crop processing arrangement of the harvesting headers. For
`this reason detrimental high loads develop during transport
`on public roads that are applied to the front Wheels of the
`harvesting machine carrying the harvesting header.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is an object of the present invention to provide an
`improved foldable harvesting header.
`The harvesting header is provided With at least one crop
`processing arrangement that can be pivoted betWeen an
`operating position and a transport position about a predomi
`nantly horiZontal pivot axis. The pivot axis extends trans
`verse to the direction of operation. In the operating position
`the crop processing arrangement of the harvesting header is
`arranged in its knoWn position above the ?eld to be har
`vested and extending forWardly from the self-propelled
`
`2
`harvesting machine. In the transport position the crop pro
`cessing arrangement is pivoted upWard and to the rear,
`opposite to the direction of operation.
`As such, the center of gravity of the harvesting header in
`the transport position moves rearWardly closer to the har
`vesting machine carrying the harvesting header.
`The harvesting header is subdivided into a center portion
`and one or tWo side portions arranged alongside the center
`portion in the operating position relative to the direction of
`forWard operation. These side portions are pivotally coupled
`to the center portion. The side portions can be pivoted about
`tWo forWardly extending pivot axes. The side portion can be
`pivoted upWard to reduce the Width of the harvesting header
`in its transport position. In the transport position the side
`portions extend either approximately vertically upWard so
`that the operator of the harvesting machine can look betWeen
`them (or past them) to see the road, or they are laid on top
`of the center portion that has been folded upWard and to the
`rear, so that the side portions extend parallel to the center
`portion. It Would also be conceivable to bring the side
`portions into the transport position by a pivot linkage of the
`type disclosed in DE 38 28 293 C. That is the side portions
`could be pivoted about an axis extending at an angle outWard
`and upWard into a position in Which it is located above the
`center portion, or could be pivoted by a tWo-legged pivoting
`mechanism above the center portion. Furthermore it Would
`be possible that the side portions are not pivoted upWard and
`rearWard With the center portion, but remain in their oper
`ating positions until the center portion has been pivoted
`upWard and rearWardly and then the side portions are slid
`beneath the center portion.
`Many types of harvesting headers are equipped With
`transverse augers or other transverse conveyors, for
`example, conveyor bands or roll conveyors that are arranged
`doWnstream of the crop processing arrangement at the rear
`of the harvesting header. As a rule these transverse convey
`ors are not pivoted With crop processing arrangements about
`a pivot axis into a transport position, but remain stationary.
`They may be fastened rigidly to the rear frame, Which has
`the advantage that the pivoting drive must move smaller
`masses and therefore can be dimensioned to a smaller siZe.
`In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pivot axis
`coincides With the axis of rotation of the transverse auger.
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
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`45
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 shoWs a top vieW of a harvesting machine With a
`harvesting header according to the invention in its operating
`position.
`FIG. 2 shoWs a side vieW of the harvesting machine of
`FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 shoWs a side vieW of the harvesting machine With
`a harvesting header pivoted upWard about a horiZontal axis
`extending transverse to the forWard direction of operation.
`FIG. 4 shoWs a side vieW of the harvesting machine With
`a harvesting header brought into the transport position.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`FIG. 1 shoWs a self-propelled harvesting machine 10 in
`the form of a combine. It is supported on the ?eld by front
`driven Wheels 14 and rear steerable Wheels 16. The front of
`the harvesting machine 10 is provided With a feeder house
`18 on Which a harvesting header 12 is mounted. The
`harvesting header illustrated in FIG. 1 is a corn head. The
`harvesting machine 10 is arranged to move the harvesting
`header 12 in a forWard operating direction V over a ?eld that
`
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`Page 4 of 6
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`US 6,775,969 B2
`
`10
`
`3
`is being harvested. Although the harvesting machine 10 is
`illustrated as being propelled on Wheels, it can also be
`propelled by a full track assembly or a half track assembly.
`The harvesting header 12 comprises a center portion 20
`and tWo side portions 22 and 24. The side portions 22 and
`24 are arranged on both sides of the center portion 20
`relative to the forWard operating direction V. The center
`portion 20 is suspended on a pivoting mounting plate 50 that
`is attached to the front of the feeder house 18. The center
`portion 20 is provided With a number of center crop pro
`cessing arrangements 40. As illustrated in FIG. 1, four center
`crop processing arrangements 40 are arranged alongside
`each other. Each of the crop processing arrangements 40
`Would be provided With gathering chains and stripper rolls.
`It Would also be conceivable that gathering and stripping
`arrangements could be similar to those disclosed in US.
`Publication 2002/0014064 published Feb. 7, 2002, Whose
`disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. Within the
`framework of the concept of the invention the type of the
`crop processing arrangement 40 may be any desirable type
`and could also include cotton picking arrangements, drums
`of corn heads or other desirable harvesting arrangements. A
`center transverse auger 26 is located behind the crop pro
`cessing arrangements 40. A ?rst rigid frame 32 is supported
`on the pivoting mounting plate 50. A second frame 33 is
`pivotally mounted on the ?rst frame 32. The frame 32 is
`provided in its outer region (as seen in the forWard operating
`direction V) With an element on Which both ends of the
`center transverse auger 26 is rotatively supported. At that
`location the second frame 33, that can be pivoted, is also
`connected in a joint, Which, in turn, also retains the center
`crop processing arrangements 40. The second frame 33 With
`the crop processing arrangements 40 can be pivoted upWard
`by means of appropriate pivoting devices about the longi
`tudinal axis of the center transverse auger 26 While the ?rst
`frame 32 is fastened rigidly to the pivoting mounting plate
`50. The ?rst and/or the second frame 32 and/or 33 retain
`pans that partially enclose the center transverse auger 26,
`that make possible the conveying of the crop into the
`harvesting machine 10 through feeder house 18 by the center
`transverse auger 26.
`The side portions 22 and 24 arranged on each side of the
`center portion 20 are each provided With side crop process
`ing arrangements 38 and 42, respectively. Typically, the side
`crop processing arrangements 34 and 36 are con?gured the
`same as the center crop processing arrangements 40. The
`rear of the side crop processing arrangements 38 and 42
`communicate With side transverse augers 28 and 30, respec
`tively. The side transverse augers 28 and 30 extend coaxially
`to the center transverse auger 26. The side portions 22 and
`24 are supported on side frames 34 and 36, respectively,
`located to the rear of the side crop processing arrangements.
`The side frames 34 and 36 are equipped With elements Which
`rotatively support one or both ends of the side transverse
`augers 28 and 30. The side frames 34 and 36 are also
`provided With pans for conveying the harvested crop to the
`center portion 20 of the harvesting header 12. The pans are
`located beneath and to the rear of the side transverse augers
`28 and 30. The transverse augers 26, 28 and 30 can be driven
`to rotate about a common axis 44 and are connected With
`each other by releasable couplings that transmit torque from
`one transverse auger to the other. The crop processing
`arrangements 38, 40 and 42 and the transverse augers 26, 28
`and 30, are driven by a drive located on the feeder house 18
`of the harvesting machine 10. In the operating position the
`side frames 34, 36 of the side portions 22 and 24 are
`supported by the frame 32 of the center portion 20.
`
`4
`The center crop processing arrangement 40 and the entire
`side portions 22 and 24 are pivotally supported in bearings.
`The bearings de?ning an axis that coincides With the axis 44
`of the transverse augers 26, 28 and 30. The axis extends in
`the horiZontal direction transverse to the forWard operating
`direction V. Furthermore, the side portions 22 and 24 are
`pivotally supported in bearings de?ning forWardly extend
`ing axes 46 and 48 that extend in the forWard operating
`direction V—as can be seen in FIG. 2 and parallel to the
`underside of the crop processing arrangements 38, 40 and
`42. The forWardly extending axes are inclined forWard and
`doWnWard. The side portions are coupled to pivot joints that
`are also coupled to the center portion 20. For the pivoting of
`the center and side portions 20, 22 and 24 about axis 44 and
`the side portions 22 and 24 about the forWardly extending
`pivot axes 46 and 48, drives are provided, Which are not
`shoWn in the ?gures for reasons of clarity. These drives
`Would typically be formed by hydraulic cylinders or other
`suitable linear actuators that are driven by the harvesting
`machine 10. Ahydraulic cylinder can pivot the second frame
`33 of the center portion 20 With the crop processing arrange
`ments 40 together With the side portions 22 and 24 coupled
`to the second frame 33 about the axis 44. Additional
`hydraulic cylinders Would rotate the side portions 22 and 24
`about the forWarding extending pivot axes 46 and 48.
`During a harvesting operation, the harvesting machine 10
`moves the harvesting header 12 over the ?eld. The crop
`processing arrangements 38, 40 and 42 each harvest six roWs
`of the corn plants standing on the ?eld and separate the corn
`cobs from the remains of the plants. The remains of the
`plants are chopped or deposited complete on the ?eld, the
`corn cobs are conducted by the transverse augers 26, 28 and
`30 to the feeder house 18. The feeder house 18 conveys the
`corn cobs into the interior of the harvesting machine, Where
`they are further processed.
`FIG. 2 reproduces a side vieW of the harvesting machine
`10 With the harvesting header 12. The crop processing
`arrangement 42 of the left side portion 24 that can be seen
`in the ?gure extends at an angle from the transverse auger 28
`toWards the front and doWnWard so that a divider point 52
`contacts the ground.
`FIG. 3 illustrates a side vieW of the harvesting machine
`10, in Which the center and side portions 20, 22 and 24 With
`the crop processing arrangements 38, 40 and 42 are pivoted
`in the clockWise direction as indicated by the arroW upWard
`and rearWardly about the horiZontal axis 44. The crop
`processing arrangements 38, 40 and 42 noW extend from the
`transverse augers 26, 28 and 30 and are inclined at an angle
`upWard and to the rear. The center of gravity of the mass of
`the harvesting header 12 has thereby been repositioned
`considerably to the rear.
`In the position shoWn in FIG. 3, the Width of the harvest
`ing header 12 has not been changed in comparison With the
`operating position, as it is shoWn in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the
`con?guration illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 the harvesting
`machine Would only be transported to a limited degree, for
`example, across ?elds or on public roads With no Width
`limitations. In order to reduce the Width of the harvesting
`header 12 the side portions forWardly extending pivot axes
`46, 48 are provided. In FIG. 4 the harvesting header 12 is
`shoWn in its transport position, in Which the side portions 22
`and 24 are folded inWardly approximately 180° and come to
`rest upon the center portion 20. The center of gravity of the
`harvesting header 12 is repositioned forWard to a slight
`degree compared to that of FIG. 3, but is still located
`considerably further to the rear compared to harvesting
`headers in Which only the side parts are pivoted upWard and
`inWard about axes extending in the forWard operating direc
`tion.
`
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`US 6,775,969 B2
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`5
`Having described the preferred embodiment, it Will
`become apparent that various modi?cations can be made
`Without departing from the scope of the invention as de?ned
`in the accompanying claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A harvesting header for a self-propelled harvesting
`machine, the harvesting header having a crop processing
`arrangement that can be moved over a ?eld in a forWard
`operating direction, the harvesting header is provided With a
`transversely extending auger having an axis of rotation, the
`crop processing arrangement can be pivoted about a trans
`versely extending pivot axis betWeen an operating position
`and a transport position, the transversely extending pivot
`axis is transverse to the forWard operating direction, Wherein
`the axis of rotation of the transversely extending auger is
`substantially aligned With the transversely extending pivot
`axis.
`2. A harvesting header as de?ned by claim 1 comprising
`several crop processing arrangements, one of the crop pro
`cessing arrangements being a center crop processing
`arrangement and another crop processing arrangement being
`a side crop processing arrangement arranged transversely
`alongside the center crop processing arrangement When the
`harvesting header is in its operating position.
`3. A harvesting header as de?ned by claim 2 comprising
`tWo side crop processing arrangements that are arranged on
`both sides of the center crop processing arrangement When
`the harvesting header is in its operating position.
`4. A harvesting header as de?ned by claim 3 Wherein the
`tWo side crop processing arrangements can be pivoted about
`tWo forWardly extending pivot axes relative to the center
`crop processing arrangement.
`5. A harvesting header as de?ned by claim 4 Wherein
`When the center crop processing arrangement is pivoted into
`its transport position about the transversely extending pivot
`axis, the tWo side crop processing arrangements can be
`pivoted about the tWo forWardly extending pivot axes, the
`forWardly extending pivot axes extending at least partially in
`the forWard operating direction.
`6. A harvesting header as de?ned by claim 5 Wherein the
`side crop processing arrangements are arranged above the
`center crop processing arrangement When they are in their
`transport position.
`7. A harvesting header as de?ned by claim 6 Wherein
`When the side crop processing arrangements are arranged in
`their transport position they are substantially parallel to the
`center crop processing arrangement.
`8. A harvesting header as de?ned by claim 7 Wherein the
`center crop processing arrangement has a center rear region
`and the tWo side crop processing arrangements each have a
`side rear region, the transversely extending auger extending
`across the center rear region and the side rear regions, the
`center crop processing arrangement and the tWo side crop
`processing arrangements can be pivoted about the trans
`versely extending pivot axis relative to the transversely
`extending auger.
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
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`45
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`55
`
`6
`9. A harvesting header as de?ned by claim 2 Wherein the
`side crop processing arrangement can be pivoted about a
`forWardly extending pivot axis relative to the center crop
`processing arrangement.
`10. A harvesting header as de?ned by claim 9 Wherein
`When the center crop processing arrangement is pivoted into
`its transport position about the transversely extending pivot
`axis, the side crop processing arrangement can be pivoted
`about the forWardly extending pivot axis, the forWardly
`extending pivot axis extending at least partially in the
`forWard operating direction.
`11. A harvesting header as de?ned by claim 10 Wherein
`the side crop processing arrangement is arranged above the
`center crop processing arrangement When the side crop
`processing arrangement is in its transport position.
`12. A harvesting header as de?ned by claim 11 Wherein
`When the side crop processing arrangement is arranged in its
`transport position they are substantially parallel to the center
`crop processing arrangement.
`13. A self-propelled harvesting machine having ground
`engaging means to propel the harvesting machine in a
`forWard direction of travel, the harvesting machine having a
`forWardly extending feeder house, a harvesting header is
`mounted to the feeder house, the harvesting header having
`forWardly extending crop processing arrangements, the crop
`processing arrangements can be pivoted about a transversely
`extending pivot axis betWeen an operating position and a
`transport position, the transversely extending pivot axis
`being transverse to the forWard operating direction, the crop
`processing arrangements comprise a center crop processing
`arrangement and tWo side crop processing arrangements, the
`tWo side crop processing arrangements being arranged trans
`versely alongside the center crop processing arrangement
`When the harvesting header is in its operating position the
`tWo side crop processing arrangements can be pivoted about
`tWo forWardly extending pivot axes relative to the center
`crop processing arrangement, When the center crop process
`ing arrangement is pivoted into its transport position about
`the transversely extending pivot axis, the tWo side crop
`processing arrangements can be pivoted about the tWo
`forWardly extending pivot axes, the side crop processing
`arrangements are arranged above the center crop processing
`arrangement When they are in their transport position, When
`the side crop processing arrangements are arranged in their
`transport position they are substantially parallel to the center
`crop processing arrangement, the center crop processing
`arrangement has a center rear region and the tWo side crop
`processing arrangements each have a side rear region, the
`transversely extending auger extending across the center
`rear region and the side rear regions, the center crop pro
`cessing arrangement and the tWo side crop processing
`arrangements can be pivoted about the transversely extend
`ing pivot axis that is coaxial With the axis of rotation of the
`transversely extending auger.
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
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`*
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`*
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`Page 6 of 6