GB1097864A - Improvements in or relating to harvesting machines - Google Patents

Abstract

1,097,864. Combine harvesters. TEXAS INDUSTRIES Inc. Feb. 3, 1965 [Feb. 12, 1964], No. 4780/65. Heading A1F. [Also in Divisions B5 and B8] A combine harvester comprises a pivotably mounted header 1 having pivotably mounted at either side feeler members 8 each arranged to actuate a control mechanism for header lifting cylinder 32 such that the header can be maintained at a substantially constant height. In the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 3 when a feeler member passes over a bump a transverse rod 18 (Fig. 3) carrying a bracket 38 is rotated in direction C through linkwork including a rod 13. This permits movement of a lever 20 linked to a rod 23 and thus allows the rod 23 to slide within a valve housing 24 under the action of spring 25 to bring ports 28, 30 into communication thereby causing fluid to flow from pump 33 to a cylinder 32. Similarly, when the feeler member contacts a depression in the ground ports 29, 28 will be in communication and fluid will flow from the cylinder to reservoir 35. Manual control is by levers 42, 47. When the lever 47 is moved in direction D (Fig. 3) arm 46 engages extensions 39 of brackets 38 to permit clockwise movement of arm 20 about rod 18 due to action of spring 25 and thus to bring ports 28, 30 into communication. When the header is raised to a transport position, the lever 47 is positioned so that arm 46 remains in contact with extensions 39 but with the port 28 not in communication with ports 29, 30. The lever 42 is carried by one of two rotatable plates 41 carrying the housings 24, and permits the height at which the header is to operate to be adjusted. In the embodiment of Fig. 5 each feeler member controls the operations of cylinders 32 through valves 50, 69, and 74. Upon the feeler member shown being raised a piston 55 is moved in the valve 50 to force fluid in pipe 58 to move a piston 71 mounted on sliding rod 72 in valve 69 to the right. Thus ports 28, 30 in valve 74 communicate and fluid flows from pump 33 to the lifting cylinder 32. The setting of the feeler members may be varied by operation of a screw spindle and the header 1 is raised to a transport position by operation of lever 79 in direction G. In the embodiment of Fig. 7 the header comprises two parts pivotally connected by shaft 82 such that any unevenness in the ground surface will cause displacement of sliding rod 99 within valve 100 thus to bring port 28 into communication with either port 29 or 30. A further valve 103 normally has ports 28, 29 in communication and thus fluid will pass from pump 33 to the cylinder 32 or from the cylinder to a reservoir 35 due to displacement of the rod 99. Movement of lever 109 connects the pump directly with the cylinders 32. A valve 90 operable by lever 94 effects adjustment of wheel 84 relative to the divider by cylinder 88. The combine may be tractor mounted (Fig. 8, not shown) in which case the combine is pivotable about a pair of ground engaging wheels.