`
`(12) United States Patent
`Geiser
`
`(io) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,628,004 B2
`Dec. 8, 2009
`
`(54) MACHINE FOR GATHERING PRODUCTS
`SUCH AS GRASS
`
`(56) References Cited
`
`U.S. PAXENX DOCUMENXS
`
`(^5) Inventor: Jens Geiser, Dettum (DE)
`
`(73) Assignee: Kuhn S.A., Saverne (FR)
`
`(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 445 days.
`
`(21) Appl.No.:
`
`10/549,573
`
`(22) PCX Filed:
`
`Mar. 9, 2004
`
`(86) PCX No.:
`
`PCT/FR2004/000562
`
`§ 371 (c)(1),
`(2), (4) Date:
`
`Jun. 30, 2006
`
`(87) PCX Pub. No.: WO2004/085115
`
`PCX Pub. Date: Oct. 7, 2004
`
`3,214,002 A * 10/1965 Kirkpatrick et al 198/369.7
`4,429,517 A * 2/1984 Lohrentz et al 56/181
`4,487,004 A * 12/1984 Kejr 56/14.4
`4,519,190 A 5/1985 Blakeslee
`6,205,757 Bl* 3/2001 Dowetal 56/366
`6,679,038 B2* 1/2004 Walch et al 56/192
`7,310,929 B2* 12/2007 Dowetal 56/192
`7,380,393 B2* 6/2008 Stutzmann 56/377
`2003/0074876 Al 4/2003 Patterson et al.
`
`FOREIGN PAXENX DOCUMENXS
`
`CA
`DE
`
`1 267 292
`196 45 629
`
`4/1990
`5/1998
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Alicia M Xorres
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Obion, Spivak, McClelland,
`Maier & Neustadt, L.L.P
`
`(65) Prior Publication Data
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`US 2006/0248870 Al Nov. 9, 2006
`
`(30) Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Mar. 17,2003 (FR) 03 03442
`
`(51) Int. CI.
`A01D 57/00 (2006.01)
`(52) U.S. CI 56/192; 56/DIG. 21
`(58) Field of Classification Search 56/192,
`56/228, 15.9, DIG. 21
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`A machine for gathering products such as grass, including a
`main frame bearing a first lateral gathering device with which
`a first windrowing device is associated and a second lateral
`gathering device with which a second windrowing device is
`associated. Xhe main frame further bears a central gathering
`device with which a third windrowing device is associated
`and the central gathering device and the third windrowing
`device can be moved relative to the main frame into a first and
`a second position.
`
`19 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`Page 1 of 8
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent Dec. 8,2009 Sheet 1 of 4
`U.S. Patent
`Dec. 8, 2009
`Sheet 1 of4
`
`US 7,628,004 B2
`US 7,628,004 B2
`
`Fig. 1
`Fig.
`1
`
`....._.___.._..:_:.
`
`45
`45
`
`
`
`-7
`-1
`
`-3
`6
`
`^4
`
`Page 2 of 8
`
`&-
`{IE
`
`llllllllgllflllllllllIIlllilllllvllllI|J|||||lI||||i|||||||0Il||H|l||||V|l|||0|*l|
`
`16-
`
`19-
`19
`
`A
`
`.20
`
`-21
`
`•17
`-33
`
`9
`1 1
`
`•
`
`I*-.
`
`12
`
`||lll||l|llIl|ll?I||||
`
`2 18
`
`14-
`4:“
`
`34 I n
`
`»|i|||||l|||||7l!||||0I||||=ll|||V0l|||||J|||Hllllllllll
`
`\
`
`10
`
`-8
`
`r-
`
`-32
`•15
`
`•21
`
`2}“
`-@~
`
`Page 2 of 8
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent Dec. 8, 2009 Sheet 2 of 4
`U.S. Patent
`Dec. 8, 2009
`Sheet 2 of4
`
`US 7,628,004 B2
`US 7,628,004 B2
`
`Fig. 2
`
`
`
`W l
`
`llllllfilllflll
`
`
`
`Page 3 of 8
`
`
`
`
`
`Page 3 of 8
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent Dec. 8,2009 Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 7,628,004 B2
`
`Fig. 4
`39 2
`
`26 30
`
`Fig. 3
`
`39 2
`
`2630
`
`A
`
`Page 4 of 8
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent Dec. 8,2009 Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 7,628,004 B2
`
`Fig. 6
`
`2 34 42 2630
`
`Fig. 5
`
`Page 5 of 8
`
`
`
`US 7,628,004 B2
`
`MACHINE FOR GATHERING PRODUCTS
`SUCH AS GRASS
`
`The present invention relates to a machine for gathering
`products such as grass, hay or straw, which lie on the ground, 5
`comprising in particular a main frame bearing a first lateral
`gathering device with which a first windrowing device is
`associated and a second lateral gathering device with which a
`second windrowing device is associated.
`In a known machine of this kind, the gathering devices are 10
`separate and lie one of them on the right-hand side and the
`other on the left-hand side of the main frame. This arrange-
`ment allows products already gathered into windrows to be
`gathered together and displaced laterally without them com-
`ing into contact with the ground. They can then be deposited 15
`on one side or both sides of the machine to form windrows of
`larger volume.
`This machine is, in particular, not appropriate for gathering
`and windrowing products spread over the entire surface of the
`ground. Its field of use is therefore relatively restricted. 20
`It is an object of the present invention to overcome the
`drawbacks of the known machines. The present invention
`intends in particular to provide a machine which is both
`capable of gathering products already in windrows and prod-
`ucts spread over the entire surface of the ground and of
`displacing them laterally without them being in contact with
`the ground.
`To this end, an important feature of the invention consists in
`the fact that the main frame additionally bears a central gath-
`ering device with which a third windrowing device is associ-
`ated and in the fact that said central gathering device and said
`third windrowing device can be moved relative to the frame in
`such a way that they can be transposed into a first position in
`which they are aligned with the first and second gathering
`devices and windrowing devices and are substantially adja-
`cent to these and into at least a second position in which they
`are offset relative to said first and second gathering devices
`and windrowing devices. In this second position, the central
`gathering device and the third windrowing device can, in
`particular, be offset heightwise.
`In the first position, the gathering devices gather the prod-
`ucts over the entire width of the machine. These products may
`thus be spread over the surface of the ground or alternatively
`may be in the form of small-volume windrows already 45
`formed, for example, by means of a mower/windrower. The
`gathered products therefore reach the windrowing devices
`which displace them laterally from one to the other without
`them coming into contact with the ground and deposit them
`on one of the sides of the machine in the form of a large 50
`windrow.
`In the second position, the first and second gathering
`devices gather the products which lie on the ground in the
`form of small-volume windrows and cause them to reach their
`respective windrowing devices. The latter can then be driven 55
`in such a way that they displace these products toward the
`center of the machine in order to form a central windrow of
`larger volume. It is, however, also possible to drive the wind-
`rowing devices in such a way that they displace the products
`towards the outermost sides of the machine with a view to go
`forming large windrows in several passes.
`According to another feature of the invention, the third
`windrowing device is associated with a deflector which can
`be moved with respect to said windrowing device. This
`deflector is arranged in such a way that it moves automatically 65
`from a substantially vertical position that it occupies when the
`central gathering device and the third windrowing device are
`
`40
`
`in their first position, into a substantially horizontal position
`when said devices are occupying their second position, and
`vice versa.
`Other features and advantages of the invention will become
`apparent from the description which will follow and which
`refers to the attached drawings which, by way of nonlimiting
`examples, depict some embodiments of the machine accord-
`ing to the invention.
`In these drawings:
`FIG. 1 depicts a partial view from above of a machine
`according to the invention in the work position,
`FIG. 2 depicts, on a larger scale, a view from above of the
`central gathering device of the machine,
`FIG. 3 depicts a side view of the central gathering device
`illustrated in FIG. 2,
`FIG. 4 depicts a view similar to that of FIG. 3, with the
`central gathering device in another position,
`FIG. 5 depicts a side view of an embodiment alternative of
`the central gathering device,
`FIG. 6 depicts a view similar to that of FIG. 5, with the
`central gathering device in another position.
`As depicted in FIG. 1, the machine according to the inven-
`tion comprises a main frame (1). This consists of a central
`beam (2) which has, at its front end, a coupling system (not
`depicted) for attaching it to a tractor that drives the machine
`and causes it to move along in a direction of forward travel
`(A). The beam (2) at its rear end has a cross-beam (3) with two
`shifting wheels (4, 5) resting on the ground. This beam (2)
`additionally comprises two lateral supports (6 and 7) on
`which arms (8 and 9) are articulated by means of axes (10 and
`11) which are substantially parallel to the beam (2). Between
`the beam (2) and the arms (8 and 9) there are also arranged
`some hydraulic rams (12 and 13) to allow these arms (8 and 9)
`to be moved about said axes (10 and 11) in substantially
`vertical planes.
`The outside end of the first arm (8) bears a first gathering
`device (14) of the pick-up type with which a first windrowing
`device (15) is associated. These two devices (14 and 15) form
`an assembly that can move over the ground by means of
`wheels or skids situated under said devices.
`The outside end of the second arm (9) bears a second
`gathering device (16) of the pick-up type with which a second
`windrowing device (17) is associated. These also form an
`assembly that can move over the ground by means of wheels
`or skids placed under said devices (16 and 17).
`The main frame (1) additionally bears a central gathering
`device (18) ofthe pick-up type with which a third windrowing
`device (19) is associated. Each windrowing device (15, 17
`and 19) consists of a conveyor belt guided by rolls (20). One
`of the guide rolls (20) of the conveyor belt of each of the
`windrowing devices (15,17 and 19) is rotationally driven, for
`example by means of a hydraulic motor (21), in such a way
`that the corresponding belt moves in its upper part to the right
`or to the left. The gathering devices (14, 16 and 18) ofthe
`pick-up type may also be driven by hydraulic motors.
`The central gathering device (18) and the third windrowing
`device (19) are arranged in such a way as to be movable
`heightwise relative to the main frame (1). They may thus be
`transposed into a first position in which they are aligned with
`the first and second gathering devices (14 and 16) and the first
`and second windrowing devices (15 and 17) and are substan-
`tially adjacent to these, and into a second position in which
`they are offset relative to said first and second gathering
`devices (14 and 16) and windrowing devices (15 and 17). In
`this secondposition they may be offset heightwise so that they
`are out of operation, that is to say do not come into contact
`with the products. The central gathering device (18) and the
`
`Page 6 of 8
`
`
`
`US 7,628,004 B2
`
`third windrowing device (19) are connected to the main frame
`(1) by means of a lift mechanism (22) (see FIGS. 2 to 6). This
`is made up of connecting arms (23, 24, 25) and of one or
`several hydraulic rams (26, 27). These connecting arms (23,
`24,25) are articulated to the main frame (1) by means of axes 5
`(28) and are articulated to the third windrowing device (19),
`which is connected to the central gathering device (18), by
`means of axes (29). These articulation axes (28 and 29) are
`substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the direction of
`forward travel (A). The hydraulic rams (26 and 27) are articu- 10
`lated to the main frame (1) by means of axes (30) and are
`articulated to the connecting arms (23 and 25) by means of
`axes (31). These axes (30 and 31) are substantially parallel to
`the articulation axes (28 and 29) of the connecting arms (23,
`24 and 25). 15
`The connecting arms (23, 24 and 25) lie in two planes (B
`and C) offset relative to one another in the heightwise direc-
`tion. In the example depicted, the lift mechanism (22) com-
`prises three connecting arms (23,24 and 25) of which two (23
`and 25) lie in the same plane (B) and of which the third (24) 20
`lies in the second plane (C). This third arm (24) lies substan-
`tially at equal distances from the other two arms (23 and 25).
`The lift mechanism could also comprise four connecting arms
`lying two by two in the same plane (B or C).
`Deflectors (32, 33, 34) for guiding the displaced products 25
`are arranged on the rear side of the windrowing devices (15,
`17 and 19). It is apparent from FIGS. 3 to 6 that the deflector
`(34) associated with the third windrowing device (19) can be
`moved into at least two different positions. This deflector (34)
`is substantially vertical when the central gathering device 30
`(18) and the third windrowing device (19) are in their first
`position and is substantially horizontal when said devices are
`in their second position. The switch from the substantially
`vertical position to the substantially horizontal position and
`vice versa occurs automatically when the devices (18 and 19) 35
`are moved by means of the lift mechanism (22).
`In the example depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the deflector (34)
`is flexible. It is fixed at one of its ends to the third windrowing
`device (19) and at its other end to the beam (2) of the main
`frame (1). It passes over two rollers (35 and 36) of which one 40
`(35) is fixed relative to the main frame (1) and the other is able
`to move along the beam (2). The moving roller (36) is
`mounted on lateral supports (37) which can move on longi-
`tudinal guides (38) fixed to the flanks of the beam (2) of the
`main frame (1). At least one of the lateral supports (37) is 45
`connected to a draw-spring (39) which pulls it in the direction
`of forward travel (A).
`In the example depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, the deflector (34)
`is rigid. At one of its ends it is articulated to the third wind-
`rowing device (19) by means of a substantially horizontal axis 50
`(40). The other end of this deflector (34) has a roller (41). The
`latter is guided on a rail (42) which is connected to the beam
`(2). This rail (42) has two parts (43 and 44), one of which is
`substantially vertical and the other of which is substantially
`horizontal. 55
`During work, the machine is attached to a tractor which
`moves it along in the direction (A). In the first work position
`the arms (8 and 9) are lowered into a substantially horizontal
`position with the aid of the hydraulic rams (12 and 13), so that
`the first and second gathering devices (14 and 16) rest on the 60
`ground. The central gathering device (18) is also lowered by
`means of the lift mechanism (22) so that it touches the ground.
`The three gathering devices (14, 18 and 16) then lie side by
`side in a same line. They are driven in such a way that they
`gather, over the entire width of the machine, the products 65
`spread out on the ground and convey them to the windrowing
`devices (15,19 and 17). The latter also are driven and displace
`
`said products, without them being in contact with the ground,
`to one of the sides of the machine with a view to forming a
`large lateral windrow (45). The deflectors (32, 34 and 33) are
`substantially vertical and prevent the products from slipping
`to the rear side of the windrowing devices (15, 19 and 17).
`In the second work position, the first and second gathering
`devices (14 and 16) and the corresponding windrowing
`devices (15 and 17) occupy the same positions as those
`described hereinabove. The central gathering device (18) and
`the corresponding windrowing device (19) are displaced
`upward, by means of the lift mechanism (22), close to the
`beam (2). For this purpose, the hydraulic rams (26 and 27) are
`made to shorten. They therefore cause the connecting arms
`(23, 24 and 25) to pivot about their articulation axes (28) so
`that said raising is performed. The central gathering device
`(18) and the third windrowing device (19) are therefore offset
`heightwise relative to the adjacent devices and are somewhat
`out of operation.
`At the same time, the flexible deflector (34) according to
`the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, is pulled forward
`by the spring (39) and the moving roller (36) the lateral
`supports (37) of which move along the guides (38). This
`deflector (34) therefore folds around the rollers (35 and 36)
`and occupies a substantially horizontal position between the
`beam (2) and the windrowing device (19).
`In the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6, the deflec-
`tor (34) is guided by the rail (42) during said raising. It
`therefore folds forward about the articulation axis (40) and
`positions itself in a substantially horizontal position between
`the beam (2) and the windrowing device (19)soasto allow the
`latter to be raised as far as possible.
`In this second work position, the first and second gathering
`devices (14 and 16) are driven in such a way that they gather
`the products on the ground and convey them to the corre-
`sponding windrowing devices (15 and 17). The latter can
`therefore be driven in such a way that they displace these
`products towards the middle of the machine to form a central
`windrow in the space freed by the third windrowing device
`(19). They can thus be driven in such a way that they displace
`the products towards the sides to form lateral windrows. In
`this second work position the machine can in particular gather
`small windrows and group them together to form larger wind-
`rows. The latter can then be collected, for example, by means
`of a baler or a silo loader.
`For transport, the central gathering device (18) and the
`third windrowing device (19) are raised into the position that
`they occupy in the second work position described herein-
`above. The deflector (34) is then automatically folded into its
`substantially horizontal position. The arms (8 and 9) with
`their gathering and windrowing devices (14, 15, 16 and 17)
`are raised about the articulation axes (10 and 11) by means of
`the hydraulic rams (12 and 13) so as to reduce the width of the
`machine. In this position, the deflectors (32 and 33) which are
`associated with the first and second windrowing devices (15
`and 17) may also be folded toward these devices (15 and 17)
`in order to reduce the bulk.
`Obviously, the invention is not restricted to the embodi-
`ments described and depicted in the attached drawings. Modi-
`fications remain possible, particularly as regards the con-
`struction of the various elements or by substituting technical
`equivalents, without thereby departing from the field of pro-
`tection.
`The invention claimed is:
`1. A machine for gathering products that lie on the ground,
`comprising:
`a main frame bearing a first lateral gathering device with
`which a first windrowing device is associated and a
`
`Page 7 of 8
`
`
`
`US 7,628,004 B2
`
`second lateral gathering device with which a second
`windrowing device is associated;
`wherein the main frame further bears a central gathering
`device with which a third windrowing device is associ-
`ated; and 5
`wherein the central gathering device and the third wind-
`rowing device are configured to be moved relative to the
`main frame such that the central gathering device and the
`third windrowing device can be transposed into a first
`position in which the central gathering device and the 10
`third windrowing device are aligned with the first and
`second gathering devices and windrowing devices and
`are substantially adjacent to the first and second gather-
`ing devices and windrowing devices such that said first,
`second and central gathering devices are in contact with 15
`said products, and into at least a second position in
`which the central gathering device and the third wind-
`rowing device are offset relative to the first and second
`gathering devices and windrowing devices such that said
`first and second gathering devices are aligned with each 20
`other and in contact with said products but said central
`gathering device is not into contact with said products.
`2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central
`gathering device and the third windrowing device can be
`offset heightwise. 25
`3. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central
`gathering device and the third windrowing device are con-
`nected to the main frame by a lift mechanism.
`4. A machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lift mecha-
`nism includes connecting arms that are articulated to the main 30
`frame by axes that are substantially horizontal and perpen-
`dicular to a direction of forward travel and articulated to the
`third windrowing device, which is connected to the central
`gathering device, by axes that are substantially horizontal and
`perpendicular to the direction of forward travel. 35
`5. A machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lift mecha-
`nism comprises at least one hydraulic ram that is articulated to
`the main frame and to a connecting arm.
`6. A machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the connecting
`arms lie in two planes that are offset relative to one another in 40
`the heightwise direction.
`7. A machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the lift mecha-
`nism comprises first, second, and third connecting arms of
`which the first and second arms lie in the same plane and of
`which the third arm lies in a second plane. 45
`8. A machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein the third arm
`lies substantially at equal distances from the first and second
`
`9. A machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising
`deflectors configured to guide displaced products arranged on
`rear sides of the windrowing devices.
`10. A machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein associated
`with the third windrowing device is a deflector configured to
`be moved relative to the third windrowing device.
`11. A machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein the deflector
`is configured to be moved automatically between a substan-
`tially vertical position that it occupies when the central gath-
`ering device and the third windrowing device are in the first
`position, and a substantially horizontal position that it occu-
`pies when they are in their second position.
`12. A machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein the deflector
`is flexible and is fixed at one of its ends to the third windrow-
`ing device and at its other end to the main frame.
`13. Amachine as claimed in claim 12, wherein the deflector
`passes over first and second rollers of which the first roller is
`fixed relative to the main frame and the second roller is
`configured to move along the main frame.
`14. A machine as claimed in claim 13, wherein the moving
`roller is mounted on lateral supports configured to move on
`guides fixed to the main frame.
`15. A machine as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least one
`of the lateral supports is connected to a draw-spring.
`16. A machine as claimed in claim 11, wherein the deflector
`is rigid and is articulated at one of its ends to the third wind-
`rowing device by an axis.
`17. A machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein the other
`end of the deflector is guided by a roller on a rail fixed to the
`main frame configured to cause the deflector to move between
`the substantially vertical position and the substantially hori-
`zontal position.
`18. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein in said first
`position, said first, second and third windrowing devices are
`aligned with each other and can be driven to displace said
`products to form a lateral windrow at one side of said
`machine.
`19. A machine as claimed in claim 18, wherein in said
`second position, said first, second and third windrowing
`devices are positioned such that said first and second wind-
`rowing devices can be driven to displace said products to form
`a central windrow in a space freed by the central gathering
`device offset relative to said first and second windrowing
`devices.
`
`Page 8 of 8