AGRICULTURAL CARRIER VEHICLE

Abstract

An agricultural carrier vehicle has a feeder housing and a front harvesting attachment capable of being swiveled from a working position into a hauling position, for picking up and conveying crop material. The feeder housing and the front harvesting attachment are interconnected via at least one adapting device, which is designed such that, when the front harvesting attachment is swiveled from a working position into a hauling position, the connection between the front harvesting attachment and the feeder housing is maintained, and, during the hauling operation, the carrier vehicle draws the front harvesting attachment using the adapting device in a direction of travel for hauling.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the agricultural carrier vehicle designed as a forage harvester, with a partial sectional view of the functional assemblies, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of the agricultural carrier vehicle designed as a forage harvester with the front harvest attachment unfolded in the working-operation position, in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Agricultural carrier vehicle 2 configured as a self-propelled combine harvester 1 and shown in FIG. 1 includes a ground drive 3, on which a driver's cab 4 is located. Next to driver's cab 4, the upper end of a rising upper discharge chute 5 is located on ground drive 3. Upper discharge chute 5 extends from a chopper drum 6 inside ground drive 3 to above ground drive 3.

When in a road-operation position or a hauling-operation position, driver's cab 4 is located nearly in the center between a first axle unit 7 and upper discharge chute 5. Driver 8 is looking in the direction toward first axle unit 7. Driver's cab 4 is mounted on a swivel device 9, which is capable of being swiveled horizontally around a vertical axis of rotation 10. Swivel device 9 is designed as a straight swivel arm 11, on the outer end of which driver's cab 4 is supported such that it is rotatable around vertical axis of rotation 10. Axis of rotation 10 and swivel device 9 are located in front of upper discharge chute 5, so that, when the driver's cab is swiveled 180° around upper discharge chute 5, neither driver's cab 4 nor swivel device 9 come in contact with upper discharge chute 5, nor do they come within a safety margin. Driver's cab 4 is supported on the outer end of swivel arm 11 such that it is rotatable around vertical axis 22. This makes it possible for driver's cab 4 to encircle upper discharge chute 5 completely, in a partially rotatory and partially translatory manner.

An upper discharge chute 14, which is capable of being rotated around a vertical axis of rotation 13 via a flange joint 12 and which is also height-adjustable around a horizontal axis 15, is flange-connected on lower discharge chute 5. It is feasible that two driver's cabs 4 are assigned to carrier vehicle 2.

During working operation, carrier vehicle 2 is preferably driven in a working direction of travel AF, although carrier vehicle 2 may also drive backwards, in the opposite direction, for shunting.

Ground drive 3 of carrier vehicle 2 is carried by first axle unit 7 and a further axle unit 16. First axle unit 7 includes wheels 17 with a smaller circumference than those on further axle unit 16. A drive unit 19 designed as an internal combustion engine 18, a transmission 20, and a cooling system 21 are located in the region of first axle unit 7. The largest portion of the load of drive unit 19 rests on first axle unit 7. The center of gravity of drive unit 19 overall is located approximately at the level of first axle unit 7, due to the situation of engine 18 and transmission 20. It is feasible that at least two drive units 19, preferably internal combustion engines 18, are assigned to carrier vehicle 2, in order to provide even greater power reserves for the working operation.

A functional assembly 25, which includes a feeder housing 26 and an intake chute 27 inserted therein, is assigned to further axle unit 16. Not-shown intake and compression rollers are located in lower discharge chute 5, which extends nearly vertically and is located downstream of intake chute 27. Located downstream of intake and compression rollers are a chopper drum 6, a not-shown corn cracker, and a post-accelerator 28, which are driven via a drive unit 19.

It is within the scope of the present invention that further working devices are assigned to lower discharge chute 5.

A multi-piece, front harvesting attachment 30 that includes a frame 29 and has a large working width is assigned to intake chute 27. As in the exemplary embodiment shown, front harvesting attachments 30 are typically equipped with highly diverse types of folding mechanisms, to allow them to typically remain within the region of feeder housing 26 of carrier vehicle 2 during operation on the road. It is also known to assign fixed jockey wheels 31 or separate support trailers to front harvesting attachments 30—the designs of which are becoming increasingly wide—in order to reduce the load on wheels 17 of further axle unit 16 of carrier vehicle 2 during the working operation or during operation on the road. In addition, foldable, front harvesting attachments 30, which are pushed along in front of carrier vehicle 2 when hauled on the road, are usually folded vertically upward, so they are located no more than 3 meters in front—as viewed in the direction of travel—of the steering wheel of carrier vehicle 2, as is required by law.

With front harvesting attachments 30 with working widths greater than 10 meters, this also results in a considerable restriction of the field of view of driver 8 while driving on the road, and could result in front harvesting attachment 30 swaying when traveling along uneven portions of a road, thereby making carrier vehicle 2 difficult to maneuver. In addition, driver 8 of carrier vehicle 2 must also perform somewhat laborious retrofitting work to bring front harvesting attachment 30 from a working-operation position into a hauling-operation position.

According to the present invention, at least one adapting device 33 designed as a fifth wheel coupling 32 known per se and which connects front harvesting attachment 30 and feeder housing 26 is therefore assigned to carrier vehicle 2. Adapting device 33 is connected via a horizontally supported joint device 34 with a frame 29 connected with front harvesting attachment 30. When front harvesting attachment 30 is swiveled from a working-operation position into a hauling-operation position, adapting device 33 maintains the connection of front harvesting attachment 30 with feeder housing 26. During hauling operation, carrier vehicle 2 draws front harvesting attachment 30 using adapting device 33 in a hauling direction of travel TF.

Given that carrier vehicle 2 no longer needs to push front harvesting attachment 30 in front of it during the hauling operation, it is no longer necessary to perform retrofitting work or to remove front harvesting attachment 30 to switch from the working operation to the hauling operation, and it is possible to always remain in compliance with the legal limits on axle load and the maximum limit of a 3-meter distance in front of the steering wheel, as viewed in the direction of travel, even when hauling front harvesting attachments 30 with very large working widths. The design of a fifth wheel coupling 32 is disclosed in publication DE 3826612 A1, the disclosure of which is hereby referred to directly and is therefore part of the disclosure of the present invention. To advantageously use the available free space, adapting device 33 is installed above intake opening 35, and preferably in the middle on top of feeder housing 26. It is within the scope of the present invention for adapting device 33 to be formed by coupling devices similar to the fifth wheel coupling.

To ensure secure hauling when driving around curves and across uneven terrain, front harvesting attachment 30 is capable of being swiveled around a vertical axis and a horizontal axis simultaneously using adapting device 33, thereby ensuring that extraordinarily great maneuverability may be attained during the hauling operation.

Front harvesting attachment 30 shown in FIG. 1 is composed of a base part 38 and side parts 39, 40, which are mounted thereon in a pivotable manner via pivot points 45. To attain the hauling position shown, base part 38 is hinge-mounted such that it is pivotable in the vertical direction around a pivot axis 37, which is nearly horizontal and oriented transversely to the carrier vehicle, and side parts 39, 40 are swiveled together into a position pointing in hauling direction of travel TF during the swivel motion. Base part 38 is located essentially in the center in the front and in a manner such that it extends across the entire width of carrier vehicle 2, thereby ensuring that a substantial portion of the working width may be covered using a single-piece frame design, and that the coupling of the not-shown drive of agricultural carrier vehicle 2 together with front harvesting attachment 30—which includes a base part 38 of this type—can be more easily accomplished. In the hauling end position shown, side parts 39, 40 are located in front of and at least partially underneath base part 38, thereby ensuring that a hauling position can be attained that is that much more stable and safeguarded against overturning. In addition, it remains possible to stay within the legally prescribed hauling width.

An adjusting device 42 designed as piston cylinder 41 and hinge-mounted with frame 29 is mounted on both sides of feeder housing 26 in order to attain the swivel motion of front harvesting attachment 30 by nearly 90° from its working position in the vertical direction. It is feasible to release adjusting device 42 from frame 29 during hauling, to attain the best possible maneuverability of the front harvesting attachment. Furthermore, swivel planes 43 of base part 38 and/or side parts 39, 40 are oriented vertically upward when in the hauling position, thereby eliminating the need to install protective devices such as side panels or other cover devices to protect front harvesting attachment 30, and saving driver 8 a great deal of effort to install protective devices of this type. It is also feasible to design front harvesting attachment 30 as a single piece, two pieces, or more than three pieces.

Furthermore, at least one jockey wheel 31, which is capable of moving freely in the manner of a pendulum along a vertical axis of rotation 46 and which is in contact with the ground during the hauling operation, is assigned to front harvesting attachment 30, so that front harvesting attachment 30 is supported in a technically simple manner during the hauling operation and may be drawn by the agricultural carrier vehicle. In addition, weight is relieved from wheels 17 of the agricultural carrier vehicle, so that the maximum permissible axle loads can always be attained when driving on a public road, even with front harvesting attachments (30) with large working widths.

In a preferred embodiment, which is not shown here, at least two jockey wheels 31 are used; they are mounted on side parts 39, 40, thereby ensuring that jockey wheels 31 support front harvesting attachment 30 when it is swiveled from a working-operation position into a hauling-operation position. The at least two jockey wheels 31 may be integrated in a ground-surface adaptation device, which may be provided, but which is not provided in this case.

According to the present invention, upper discharge chute 14 is supported in the hauling position by front harvesting attachment 30 using a not-shown support device, thereby ensuring that very long upper discharge chutes 14, in particular, need not be designed such that a great detail of technical effort is required to fold or retract them.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic top view of agricultural carrier vehicle 2 designed as forage harvester 1, with front harvesting attachment 30—which has a large working width—unfolded. In a working-operation position, driver's cab 4 is located above further axle unit 16, and driver's 8 view is directed at front harvesting attachment 30 connected with feeder housing 26 as he steers during the working operation. According to the present invention, at least one adapting device 33 designed as a detachable fifth wheel coupling 32 known per se and which connects front harvesting attachment 30 and feeder housing 26 is assigned to carrier vehicle 2; adapting device 33 is connected via a horizontally supported joint device 34 with a frame 29 connected with front harvesting attachment 30, when front harvesting attachment 30 is swiveled from a working-operation position into a hauling-operation position, it maintains the connection of front harvesting attachment 30 with feeder housing 26.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, front harvesting attachment 30 is located in a working-operation position. Front harvesting attachment 30 extends laterally across the width of agricultural carrier vehicle 2. The center of gravity of front attachment 30—which is unfolded and extends parallel to axle unit 7, 16—is located in the region in front of further axle unit 16 outside of ground drive 3 of carrier vehicle 2. For support, a jockey wheel 31 is assigned to front harvesting attachment 30 close to each lateral end, thereby ensuring that a portion of the weight of front harvesting attachment 30 may be introduced into the ground during the entire working operation. As a result, a great deal of weight is relieved from further axle unit 16. Jockey wheels 31 can be integrated in a ground-surface adaptation device, which may be provided, but which is not shown here. Via front harvesting attachment 30, which cuts the crops in the field and conveys the crop material to intake chute 27, the crop material is directed to downstream functional assembly 25 for further processing, and it exits via lower discharge chute 5.

Abutting upper discharge chute 14 directs the material in the desired direction for transfer to not-shown hauling vehicles. In the working-operation position, agricultural carrier vehicle 2 is operated in a working direction of travel AF and pushes front harvesting attachment 30 along in front, although carrier vehicle 2 can also be driven backwards, in the opposite direction, for shunting. When driver's cab 4 and upper discharge chute 14 change position, from a hauling-operation position into a working-operation position and vice versa, driver's cab 4 and upper discharge chute 14 are moved in the same direction around lower discharge chute 5. Driver's cab 4 may be reached using stairs 44 located near axle unit 16 of carrier vehicle 2.

Even though the present invention was described with reference to only one exemplary embodiment, one skilled in the technical art will deduce—in light of the above description—many diverse alternatives, modifications, and variants that fall within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the present invention is not intended exclusively for use with forage harvester 1. Other types of self-propelled carrier vehicles 2, such as combine harvesters, tractors, system vehicles, etc., can be equipped with an adapting device 33 of this type, in order to draw other front attachments 30 during the hauling operation.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the type described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an agricultural carrier vehicle, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

Claims

1. An agricultural carrier vehicle, comprising a feeder housing; a front harvesting attachment swivelable from a working position into a hauling position for picking up and conveying crop material; at least one adapting device interconnecting said feeder housing and said front harvesting attachment, said at least one adapting device being configured such that when said front harvesting attachment is swiveled from the working position into the hauling position, a connection between said front harvesting attachment and said feeder housing is maintained, and during a hauling operation the carrier vehicle draws said front harvesting attachment using said adapting device in a direction of travel for hauling.

2. An agricultural carrier vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said feeder housing has an intake opening, said at least one adapting device being located above said intake opening.

3. An agricultural carrier vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said adapting device is configured so that said front harvesting attachment is swivelable about a vertical axis and a horizontal axis simultaneously via said adapting device.

4. An agricultural carrier vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said adapting device is configured as a fifth wheel coupling connected via a horizontally supported joint device with a frame, which is connected with said front harvesting attachment.

5. An agricultural carrier vehicle as defined in claim 1, further comprising an adjusting device swivelable vertically out of its working position by substantially 90° relative to said feeder housing and assigned to said front harvesting attachment.

6. An agricultural carrier vehicle as defined in claim 5, wherein said adjusting device is configurd as piston cylinders having ends attached to said feeder housing and a frame, said adjusting device being releasable from said frame during the hauling operation.

7. An agricultural carrier vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said front harvesting attachment is composed of a base part and side parts pivotally attached to said base part.

8. An agricultural carrier vehicle as defined in claim 7, wherein said base part of said front harvesting attachment is located substantially in a center in front of the agricultural carrier vehicle.

9. An agricultural carrier vehicle as defined in claim 7, wherein said base part of said front harvesting attachment extends substantially across an entire width of the agricultural carrier vehicle when in the hauling position.

10. An agricultural carrier vehicle as defined in claim 7, wherein said base part is hinge-mounted on the carrier vehicle such that said base part is pivotable in a vertical direction about a pivot axis which is substantially horizontal and oriented transversely to said carrier vehicle, and said side parts are swiveled together into a position pointing a longitudinal direction of the carrier vehicle during a swivel motion.

11. An agricultural carrier vehicle as defined in claim 7, wherein said side parts of said front harvesting attachment are located in the hauling position in front of said base part and at least partially underneath said base part.

12. An agricultural carrier vehicle as defined in claim 7, wherein at least one part selected from the group consisting of said base part, said side parts, and both has a pivoting plane oriented vertically upwards in the hauling position.

13. An agricultural carrier vehicle as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one jockey wheel which is movable freely as a pendulum around a vertical axis of rotation and assigned to said front harvesting attachment.

14. An agricultural carrier vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein said front harvesting attachment has a base part and side parts pivotally connected with said base part, further comprising at least two jockey wheels connected with said front harvesting attachment and each located on each of said side parts.

15. An agricultural carrier vehicle as defined in claim 1, further comprising a driver's cab movable at least from a working-operation position into a hauling-operation position, and vice versa.

16. An agricultural carrier vehicle as defined in claim 15, wherein said driver's cab is configured so that a change in its position takes place by a movement of said driver's cab selected from the group consisting of a swiveling movement, a displacing movement, and both.

17. An agricultural carrier vehicle as defined in claim 15, further comprising axial units axle, said driver's cabin being located substantially in a center between said axle units when in the haul-operation position.

18. An agricultural carrier vehicle as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one driver unit, and at least two axle units, said front harvesting attachment being located substantially in a region of one of said axle units, while said at least one drive unit is located in a region of another of said axle units.

19. An agricultural carrier vehicle as defined in claim 1, further comprising an upper discharge chute supported on said front harvesting attachment when in a hauling-operation position.

20. An agricultural carrier vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein the carrier vehicle is configured as a carrier vehicle selected from the group consisting of a combine harvester, a forage harvester, a system vehicle, and a tractor.