Harvesters – Transporting attachments
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-28
2001-04-03
Pezzuto, Robert E. (Department: 3671)
Harvesters
Transporting attachments
C056S014900, C056SDIG009
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209297
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an implement, such as header for a combine, that includes an integral transport system to enable the implement to be pulled lengthwise for transport of the implement, and in particular to an implement in which the transport system components are carried onboard the implement when the implement is used in the field.
2. Description of Related Art
To increase harvesting efficiency, harvesters, such as combines, have increased in size and capacity over the years. With this increase in capacity, the detachable header used for picking the crop has increased in width as well. A wider header increases efficiency by reducing the number of passes through the field required by the harvester to cover the entire field. However, the increased width of the header has resulted in transportation difficulties in moving the combine and header from field to field. With a wide header on a combine, it can be difficult to drive the combine on roads, and difficult or even impossible to cross narrow bridges. Vehicle width limitations on public roads may preclude transporting wide headers on the front of a combine.
One solution for the transport problems created by a wide header is to place the header on a trailer and pull the header in a lengthwise direction. This solution has the disadvantage of the added cost and upkeep of the trailer. Another problem is that harvesting may begin at one location in the field with the trailer left there, while the harvesting is completed at another location, or even another field several miles from the trailer.
Another solution for the transport problems created by a wider header is to equip the header with towing equipment, such as wheels and a tongue, enabling the header to be pulled lengthwise on its own wheels for transport. This eliminates the need for a separate trailer. Many such headers have components that are removed from the header and left in the field when harvesting begins. As with a trailer, these components may be several miles away from the combine when they are again needed. Some headers have been equipped with onboard towing equipment, but it is often difficult to change the header between the transport and harvesting configurations. Other headers fold, either upward or forward, to reduce the header width for transport.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an integral transport system for a combine header in which all components of the transport system are carried onboard the header when the header is configured for harvesting.
It is a feature of the present invention that the header can be reconfigured from harvesting to transport and vice versa quickly and easily, without the use of hand tools.
It is a further feature of the present invention that the two wheels used for towing the header can also be utilized as gauge wheels for the header during harvesting.
The integral transport system of the present invention provides one ground-engaging wheel for towing the header on the rear side of the header coupled to the header frame. A second ground-engaging wheel is mounted to a swing arm that extends downwardly and forwardly from the frame, on the front side of the header beneath the cutterbar. A brace extends downwardly from the frame immediately beneath the cutterbar to hold the swing arm in the transport position. The brace is removably attached to the frame front cross member at the cutterbar. The brace is released from the frame front cross member to enable the swing arm to be rotated to the rear of the header in a stowed position for harvesting. The brace is then attached to the rear of the header frame to hold the swing arm up against the bottom of the header.
For those headers wide enough to require gauge wheels, the two ground engaging wheels are mounted to the header and aligned in the combine travel direction to function as gauge wheels. For those headers that are not equipped with gauge wheels, mounting brackets are provided on the rear of the header to carry the wheels during harvesting.
A trailer tongue is retractably stored along the bottom of the header. The tongue can be extended from one end of the header and locked in place by pins for transport. A tongue jack is removably attached to the tongue to support the extended tongue above the ground. The jack is removed from the tongue for harvesting and mounted to a bracket on the rear of the header.
The end of the header opposite from the trailer tongue is equipped with a pair of light bars. The light bars have a stowed position within an end sheet cover, where the lights are protected from damage during harvesting. The end sheet cover is removed to access the light bars and to move the light bars to transport positions in which they extend from the header to indicate the full width of the header during transport. In addition, a slow moving vehicle sign is rotated from a stowed position beneath the end sheet cover to a visible transport position. The end sheet cover is then reinstalled for transport.
All of the moving components of the transport system are locked in place by retaining pins, enabling the header to be converted between transport and harvesting configurations without the need for hand tools to manipulate fasteners.
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Brase Kevin D.
Salley Gordon Lee
Watts Bradley James
Yeomans Sidney Wayne
Deere & Company
Kováacs ÁArpáad Fáabiáan
Pezzuto Robert E.
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