DE9409143U1 - Haymaking machine - Google Patents

Description

.. XEIJXWEBER &

EUROPEAN PATENT ATTORNEYS

Dipl.-lng. H. Leinweber (19751)
Dipi.-lng. Heinz Zimmermann
Dip!-Ing. A. Gf. v. Wengersky
Dipi.-Phys. Dr. Jürgen Kraus
Dipi.-ing. Thomas Busch

PATENT ATTORNEYS

Rosentai 7, D-80331 Munich

TEL (089) 231124-0
Fax (089) 231124-11
TLX 528191 LZPATD

June 6, 1994

the

Our sign

zsd

Kuhn S.A., 67706 Saverne Cedex/France

Haymaking machine

The invention relates to a haymaking machine with several rotors for tedding, turning or swathing, which are driven to rotate around upwardly directed axes during operation, and with an elongated frame carrying the rotors, consisting of a central part and side parts, which are connected to one another via pivot pins, about which the side parts can be pivoted upwards with the aid of hydraulic lifting cylinders, the central part having two rotors, a coupling device for connection to a tractor and a transport device which comprises height-adjustable wheels about essentially horizontal articulation axes parallel to the central part of the frame, which roll on the ground during transport and are raised from the ground during operation, the height adjustability of the wheels of the transport device being

This is done by means of hydraulic lifting cylinders which are hinged to brackets arranged on the central part of the frame and to lugs arranged on the transport device.

In a known machine of this type, the transport device consists of two arms located at the back of the frame, each of which carries a wheel. These arms are articulated on supports attached to the central part of the frame. They are adjustable in height by means of hydraulic lifting cylinders which extend between these supports and the arms, passing under the articulation axes of the latter. The displacements of the arms and their wheels which can be achieved with these lifting cylinders are relatively small. In fact, they are limited in height by the articulation axes located above the hydraulic lifting cylinders. The wheels can therefore hinder the movement of the fodder during work. On the other hand, the hydraulic lifting cylinders act with a small lever arm on the arms carrying the transport wheels. Due to this fact, they do not lift the frame with the rotors when the machine is to be placed in the transport position. An additional lifting cylinder must therefore be provided to lift the frame with the rotors. This additional lifting cylinder is mounted between the drawbar used to couple the machine to a tractor and the arms fixed to the central part of the frame. This arrangement is relatively complex and expensive. In addition, its use is complicated.

The invention aims to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages. It is therefore the object of the invention in particular to create a simpler arrangement of the means intended for transporting the machine.

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For this purpose, an essential feature of the invention is that the articulation axes of the hydraulic lifting cylinders are located on the lugs of the transport device in such a way that, with respect to the articulation axes of the transport device, they are located essentially on the side opposite to the side on which the transport device is located.

that they are located at a significant distance from the articulation axes of the transport device, and

that the hydraulic lifting cylinders form angles of approximately 90° with straight lines that run through these articulation axes of the hydraulic lifting cylinders and the articulation axes of the transport device when the transport wheels touch the ground during the transition to the transport position.

Thanks to this design, the hydraulic lifting cylinders act on the transport device with a large lever arm. This allows the frame of the machine to be lifted using these lifting cylinders. For this reason, it is no longer necessary to provide an additional lifting cylinder between the drawbar and the frame to lift it off the ground.

According to a further feature of the invention, the machine is provided with a locking mechanism that allows the transport device to be fixed in three different positions. One of these positions corresponds to the working position, in which the transport device is removed from the ground. Another of these positions corresponds to the transport position, in which the frame of the machine is raised and the wheels of the transport device roll on the ground. The third of these positions corresponds to a position for parking the machine. This position is between the aforementioned working position and the transport position. In

In this parking position, the frame of the machine is raised from the ground, but the overall height of the machine is lower than in the transport position.

Another essential feature of the invention is that the hydraulic lifting cylinders that adjust the transport device and the hydraulic lifting cylinders that adjust the side parts of the frame are operated by one and the same hydraulic circuit. It is thus possible to control the lifting cylinders in a very simple manner.

Further details, advantages and features of the invention emerge from the claims and the following description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine according to the invention in the working position;
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Fig. 2 is a side view of the machine in the working position;

Fig. 3 a side view of the machine during its
Adjustment;

Fig. 4 is a simplified side view of the machine in the transport position;

Fig. 5 a simplified side view of the machine in

the parking position;

Fig. 6 a detailed view of the locking mechanism of the transport device in the parking position;

Fig. 7 is a detailed view of the locking mechanism of the transport device in the working position;
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Fig. 8 is a plan view of a machine according to the invention provided with a signaling and/or protection device;

Fig. 9 is a side view of the machine according to Fig. 8 in

the working position and

Fig. 10 is a side view of the machine according to Fig. 8 in the transport position.

As shown in Fig. 1, the machine according to the invention comprises six rotors for tedding and/or swathing, supported by a frame 2 of elongated shape. The number of rotors 1 mentioned above is not limiting. The machine can of course also comprise four, eight or more such rotors 1. The frame 2 consists of a central part 3 and two lateral parts 4 and 5, which are hinged to the ends of the central part 3 by means of substantially horizontal bolts 6 oriented in the direction of advance A. The central part 3 has two rotors 1. It comprises in particular two tubes arranged on either side of a central housing 7 and each supporting a housing 8 of a rotor 1 and a reinforcement 9. This extends above the tubes and is screwed to the central housing 7 and the housings 8. Each lateral part 4 and 5 is formed from two sections 10 and 11, which are connected to each other by a substantially horizontal bolt 12 directed in the feed direction A. Each of the sections 10 and 11 consists essentially of a housing 8, which corresponds to that of the central part 3, carrying

the pipe. Two hydraulic lifting cylinders 13 and 14 are connected to the central part 3 and the outer sections 10 and 11 of the side parts 4 and 5. Remote-controlled latches 15 and 16 are provided on these lifting cylinders 13 and 14, which serve to fix the said side parts 4 and 5 in the position pivoted up about the bolts &bgr;.

Each rotor 1 has a hub 17 which is provided with radially extending arms 18 carrying working or raking forks 19. Each hub 17 is arranged in such a way that it can rotate about an axis 20 slightly inclined with respect to the vertical. The axis 20 of each rotor 1 of the machine is firmly connected to one of the housings 8 of the parts 3, 4 and 5 of the frame 2. In addition, each axis 20 carries

1-5' at its end directed towards the ground a support 21 with a roller 22 for supporting on the ground. -.--..·

In the tubes of the various parts 3, 4 and 5 of the frame 2, shafts are mounted for rotating the rotors 1 about their axes 20. For this purpose, the shafts carry pinions which mesh with gear rings fixed to the hubs 17 of the rotors 1. These pinions and these gear rings are mounted in the housings 8. The drive shafts are connected to one another near the pins 6 and 12 by means of finger or universal joints which allow them to pivot about the pins 6 and 12 together with the sections 10 and 11 of the lateral parts 4 and 5. The drive shaft, which is arranged in the tubes of the central part 3, passes through the central housing 7. It comprises a pinion inside it. This is in engagement with a second pinion on an intermediate shaft 23 extending from the housing 7 in the direction of the tractor 24, which serves to move the machine in the direction A and to drive it. This intermediate shaft 23 can be connected to the power take-off shaft of the tractor 24 by means of a transmission shaft (not shown).

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The central part 3 of the frame 2 carries a coupling device 25 for connecting the machine to the tractor 24. This device 25 consists of a support 26 and an arch 27 with two coupling pins 28 and 29. The support 26 is bolted to the reinforcement 9. It runs essentially horizontally and is aligned in the feed direction A. The arch 27 is hinged to the front end of the support 26 by means of an essentially vertical axis 30. The two coupling pins 28 and 29 are located at the ends of the arch 27. They are intended to be coupled to the two lower links 31 and 32 of the tractor 24.

A guide and protective housing 33 for the intermediate shaft 23 is provided under the support 26. A support 34 is fixed to this housing, to which a support foot 35 is pivotably connected about an essentially horizontal axis 36. This support foot 35 can be folded about the axis 36 and can be moved and locked in two positions; in one it runs essentially vertically (Fig. 5) and in the other it runs essentially horizontally and at a distance from the ground (Fig. 2 to 4).

The central part 3 of the frame 2 also comprises a transport device 37. This is arranged on the rear side of the machine in relation to the frame 2. It essentially consists of two supports 38 and 39 and a cross member 40 which carries two wheels 41 and 42 at its ends. These supports 38 and 39 are articulated by axles 43 and 44 to the elongated brackets 45 and 46.

These brackets 45 and 46 are fixed to the reinforcement 9 of the central part 3. The axes 43 and 44 extend substantially horizontally and parallel to the central part 3.

A hydraulic lifting cylinder 47, 48 is hinged to each bracket 45, 46. The piston rod of each of these

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Lifting cylinders 47 and 48 are articulated on lugs 49 and 50 fixed to the supports 38 and 39 by means of an axis 51, 52. As can be seen in particular from the side views, the lugs 49 and 50 are extended in such a way that the axes 51 and 52 are at a considerable distance from the articulation axes 43 and 44 of the supports 38 and 39 of the transport device 37. With respect to these articulation axes 43 and 44, they are located substantially on the opposite side to that on which the said supports 38 and 39 are located. In addition, the articulation axes 51 and 52 of the piston rods of the hydraulic lifting cylinders 47 and 48 are arranged in such a way that the latter form an angle α. of approximately 90° with the straight lines D, which simultaneously pass through these articulation axes 51 and 52 and the articulation axes 43 and 44 of the supports 38 and 39 of the transport device 37 when the transport wheels 41 and 42 touch the ground. This position is shown in Fig. 3. Due to this arrangement, the lever arm with which the hydraulic lifting cylinders 47 and 48 press on the transport device during the shift into the transport position is at its greatest when the device 37 is to lift the frame 2 of the machine.

The lugs 45 and 46 carry a locking mechanism 53 which allows the transport device 37 to be fixed in three different positions. One of these positions corresponds to the working position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A second position corresponds to the transport position (Fig. 4) while the third position corresponds to the storage position {Fig. 5).

As can be seen in particular from Fig. 6 and 7, the locking mechanism 53 consists of two latches 54 and 55. These are attached to extensions 56 and 57 of the brackets 45 and 46. They interact with sections 58 and 59,

in which three holes 60, 61 and 62 are formed, corresponding respectively to the working position, the parking position and the transport position. The sections 58 and 59 are connected to the supports 38 and 39 of the transport device 37. They are located in the extension of the lugs 49 and 50 to which the piston rods of the hydraulic lifting cylinders 47 and 48 are hinged. Each latch 54 and 55 is formed by a cylindrical mandrel 63 and 64. These are mounted in such a way that they can slide axially in a sleeve 65, 66 welded to the extension 56, 57 of each bracket 45, 46. In this sleeve 65, 66 there is also arranged a spring 67, 68 which urges the mandrel 63, 64 towards the corresponding section 58, 59. The end of the mandrel 63, 64 directed towards the section 58, 59 is bevelled. The opposite end of the mandrel 63, 64 also extends from the sleeve 65, 66 and is connected to a support 69, 70 by means of a pin 71, 72. The latter is further guided in an oblong hole 73, 74 of a cross member 75 fixed to the sleeves 65 and 66 of the two bolts 54 and 55. This oblong hole 73, 74 enables the assembly formed by a mandrel 63, 64 and the corresponding support 69, 70 to move axially while preventing it from rotating about itself.

A cable 76 for remote control is attached to the support 70 of the dome 64 and passes through an opening 77 of the support 69 of the second dome 63. This cable 76 is at least partially arranged in a casing 78. This rests against a substantially vertical edge of the support 69 of the second mandrel 63 and against a fixed stop 79 provided on the frame 2 of the machine. Therefore, when the cable 76 is pulled, the mandrel 64 comes out of engagement with the section 59. At the same time, as a result of the tightening of the cable 76, the casing 78 presses the support 69 and the second mandrel 63 in the opposite direction and

acts to cause the latter to exit from section 58. In this way, the transport device 37 is completely released. Conversely, when the cable 76 is not subjected to any tensile stress, the springs 67 and 68 press the pins 63 and 64 towards the holes 60 to 62 of sections 58 and 59 to lock the transport device 37. In Fig. 6 it can be seen that the holes 61, which correspond to the storage position, are closed off by plates 80 and 81, which are arranged on the outside of sections 58 and 59. In this storage position, the bevelled ends of the pins 63 and 64 only partially enter the holes 61. Therefore, when the transport device 37 is pushed into the transport position, the beveled ends of the pins 63 and 64 slide along the edges of the holes 61 and themselves emerge from these holes 61. It is therefore not necessary to pull on the cable 76 to actuate these pins 63 and 64.

The hydraulic lifting cylinders 13 and 14, which move the side parts 4 and 5 of the frame 2, and the hydraulic lifting cylinders 47 and 48, which move the transport device 37, are connected to one another and can be actuated by the same hydraulic circuit from the tractor 24. This actuation is simple and inexpensive. In addition, the piston areas of the lifting cylinders 47 and 48 are smaller than those of the lifting cylinders 13 and 14, so that they react first when they are actuated.

The machine shown in Figures 8 to 10 also comprises a signaling and/or protection device 82. This device consists of a fixed structure 83 arranged in front of the frame 2 and the rotors 1 and a mobile structure 84 arranged behind this frame 2 and the rotors 1. The fixed structure 83 consists of a first rod 85 which is

1 1

essentially parallel to the central part 3 of the frame 2, and two rods 86 and 87 directed upwards. These two rods 86 and 87 are fixed to the ends of the first rod 85. This is rigidly connected to the housing 33. It has a length such that the two rods 86 and 87 are located at approximately the same distance from the center of the machine as the ends of the rake forks 19 of the rotors 1 when they are retracted upwards into the storage or transport position. The rod 85 also carries a plate 88 near each of its ends for signaling the position of the machine.

The movable structure 84 is attached to the transport device 37 and is moved upwards with it about the articulation axes 43 and 44. It also consists of a first rod 90 which runs essentially parallel to the central part 3 of the frame 2 and two rods 90 and 91 which are directed upwards. These are arranged at the ends of the first rod 89. Each of the ends of the first rod 89 also carries a signaling board 92 which is identical to the above-mentioned signaling board 88.

The first rod 89 has two lugs 93 and 94 which can be pivoted by means of axes 95 and 96 about other lugs 97 and 98 which are fixedly connected to the supports 38 and 39 of the transport device 37. The pivot axes 95 and 96 extend essentially parallel to the axes 43 and 44 of the transport device 37. The lug 93 of the rod 89 is extended beyond its pivot axis 95. At a certain distance from this axis 95 it has an opening into which an axis 99 engages which is connected to a control rod 100. This comprises at its second end a second axis 101 which is arranged in an opening of a lug 102 which is connected to the bracket 45. This rod 100 displaces the movable structure 84 by

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the pivot axes 95 and 96 when the transport device 37 is displaced in the vertical direction during the displacement from the working position (Fig. 9) to the transport position (Fig. 10) and vice versa, so that the two rods 90 and 91 always remain directed upwards. Due to this fact, they never come into collision with the side parts 4 and 5 of the frame 2 while these are pivoted upwards, and the signal panels 92 always remain visible from behind.

In the working position (Fig. 1 and 2), the various parts 3, 4 and 5 of the frame 2 of the machine are substantially horizontal and the rollers 22 arranged under the rotors 1 run on the ground. The transport device 37 with its two wheels 41 and 42 is away from the ground. The pins 63 and 64 of the latches 54 and 55 are located in the holes 62 of the sections 58 and 59. The rear of the machine is completely free to allow the passage of the fodder. The weight of the machine rests on the wheels 22 on the one hand and on the lower links 31 and 32 of the tractor on the other. The support leg 35 is folded back into the horizontal position.

During tedding, the rotors 1 are driven to rotate by the power take-off shaft of the tractor 24. They rotate in pairs, converging towards the front, as seen in the feed or movement direction A. The rake forks 19 collect the material lying on the ground in the front half of their orbit. They then carry the material backwards and distribute it on the back of the machine, simultaneously causing it to turn. In this position, the carrier 26 and the frame 2 can pivot about the essentially vertical axis 30 of the arch 27 in such a way that they can easily follow the tractor 24 during its movements.
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To bring the machine into the transport position shown in Fig. 4, the operator pulls the actuating cable 76 and unlocks the transport device 37. He then operates the hydraulic circuit. The two hydraulic lifting cylinders 47 and 48 react first and lower the transport device 37 about the pivot axes 43 and 44. As soon as the wheels 41 touch the ground, the lever arm with which the cylinders 47 and 48 press the transport device 37 downwards becomes very large (see Fig. 3). This device thus lifts the frame 2 and detaches the rotors 1 from the ground. When the transport position is reached, the pins 63 and 64 automatically enter the holes 60 of the sections 58 and 59 and lock the transport device 37. Finally, the hydraulic lifting cylinders 13 and 14 are actuated to pivot and lift the sections 10 and 11 of the lateral parts ⁴ and 5 about their pivot pins 6 and 12 in order to reduce the width of the machine. Finally, the latches 15 and 16 provided on the hydraulic cylinders 13 and 14 lock the lateral parts 4 and 5 in the transport position. The lower links 31 and 32 of the tractor 24 can thus be raised until the articulation axis between the support 26 and the arch 27 is substantially vertical. The machine then follows the tractor 24 in all its movements.

To park the machine, for example when storing it during periods when the machine is not needed, the side parts 4 and 5 remain pivoted upwards. The transport device 37 is unlocked by means of the control cable 76 and the hydraulic cylinders 47 and 48 are actuated so that they retract. These cylinders 47 and 48 thus pivot the transport device 37 upwards about the axes 43 and 44. In practice, the wheels 41 and 42 rest on the ground and the frame 2 is lowered. This displacement takes place until

the pins 63 and 64 of the locking mechanism 53 enter the holes 61 of the sections 58 and 59 and block the transport device 37. The user then moves the support leg 35 to the vertical position and lowers the beam 26 until the support leg 35 touches the ground. The machine then rests on the two wheels 41 and 42 and on the support leg 35. Its height is lower than in the transport position.

In the machine according to Figs. 8 to 10, the rods 86, 87, 90 and 91 extend in the transport and storage positions to close to the ends of the rake forks 19 of the rotors and prevent the operator or other persons from coming into contact with the rake forks.

To move the machine into the working position (Fig. 2)

., the user unlocks the latches 1,5 and 16 that hold the side parts 4 and 5 of the frame 2. He then operates the hydraulic distributor on the tractor. The hydraulic lifting cylinders 13 and 14 extend and swing the side parts 4 and 5 away. The operator then unlocks the locking mechanism 53 of the transport device 37. The hydraulic lifting cylinders 47 and 48 are then operated so that they retract and raise the transport device 37 about the axes 43 and 44 to release the rear of the machine. As soon as the holes 62 of the sections 58 and 59 corresponding to the transport position reach the position opposite the pins 63 and 64, the latter automatically enter these holes 62 and lock the transport device 37 in this new position.

It is self-evident that the invention is not limited to

the embodiments described and shown in the attached drawings. Modifications are possible, in particular concerning the structure of the

different elements or concerning replacement by equivalent techniques, without departing from the scope of protection as defined in the claims.

Claims (17)

Expectations: 1. Haymaking machine with several rotors for tedding, turning or raking, which are driven to rotate around upwardly directed axes during operation, and with an elongated frame carrying the rotors, consisting of a central part and side parts which are connected to one another via pivot pins, around which the side parts can be swivelled upwards with the aid of hydraulic lifting cylinders, the central part having two rotors, a coupling device for connection to a tractor and a transport device which comprises wheels which are height-adjustable about essentially horizontal articulation axes parallel to the central part of the frame, which wheels roll on the ground during transport and are raised off the ground during operation, the height-adjustability of the wheels of the transport device being achieved with the aid of hydraulic lifting cylinders which are articulated on brackets arranged on the central part of the frame and on lugs arranged on the transport device, characterized in that the articulation axes (51 and 52) of the hydraulic Lifting cylinders {47, 48) are located on the lugs {49 and 50) of the transport device (37) in such a way that that, with respect to the articulation axes (43 and 44) of the transport device {37), they are located essentially on the side opposite to that on which the transport device is located, that they are located at a significant distance from the articulation axes {43 and 44) of the transport device {37), and that the hydraulic lifting cylinders (47 and 48) form angles (α) of approximately 90° with straight lines (D) which are formed by these linkages &Ggr;: S axes (51 and 52) of the hydraulic lifting cylinders (47 and 48) and the articulation axes (43 and 44) of the transport device (37) when the transport wheels (41 and 42) touch the ground during the transition to the transport position.
5 2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a locking mechanism (53) which allows the transport device (37) to be fixed in three different positions. 3. Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that one of the positions in which the transport device (37) can be fixed corresponds to the working position, another to the transport position and a third to the storage position. 4. Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking mechanism (53) consists of two bolts (54 and 55) fixed to extensions (56 and 57) of the brackets (45 and 46), which interact with sections (58 and 59) fixed to the transport device (37) with three holes each (60, 61 and 62). 5. Machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the bars (54 and 55) are formed by cylindrical mandrels (63 and 64) which are arranged in sleeves (65, 66) and are pressurized in the direction of the holes (60, 61 and 62) of the sections (58 and 59) by compression springs (67 and 68). 6. Machine according to claim 4, characterized in that a cable (76) serving for remote control is fixed to each latch (54 and 55). 7. Machine according to claim 5, characterized in that each mandrel (63, 64) has a bevelled end. t · 8. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling device (25) consists of a substantially horizontal support (26) directed in the feed direction (A), on which an arch (27) with two coupling bolts (28 and 29) is articulated by means of a substantially vertical axis (30). 9. Machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the carrier (26) carries a support foot (35) which can be folded about a substantially horizontal axis (36). 10. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hydraulic lifting cylinders (47 and 48) and the hydraulic lifting cylinders (13 and 14) for adjusting the lateral parts (4 and 5) of the frame (2) are actuated by the same hydraulic circuit. 11. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for moving into the working position the lateral parts (4 and 5) of the frame (2) can be unlocked, the hydraulic lifting cylinders (13 and 14) which pivot the lateral parts (4 and 5) can be actuated, the transport device (37) can be unlocked, the hydraulic lifting cylinders (47 and 48) can be actuated to raise the transport device (37) and the latter can be locked in the raised position. 12. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for moving into the transport position the transport device (37) can be unlocked, the hydraulic lifting cylinders (47 and 48) can be actuated to lower the transport device (37) until it lifts the frame (2), the transport device (37) can be locked in the transport position, the hydraulic lifting cylinders (13, 14), which lift the side parts (4 and 5), can be actuated and the latter can be locked in the raised position. 13. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in its storage or parking position it rests on the wheels (41 and 42) of the transport device (37) and rests on a support foot (35). 14. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a signaling and/or protection device (82) with a movable structure (84). 15. Machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the movable structure (84) is articulated to the transport device (37) by means of axes (95, 96). 16. Machine according to claim 15, characterized in that the movable structure (84) is controlled by a rod (100) during displacements of the transport device (37) in such a way that it substantially maintains its orientation. 17. Machine according to claim 1 &bgr;, characterized in that the rod (100) is articulated to the movable structure (84) and to the bracket (45) fixed to the frame (2).