Lateral transport wheel assembly

摘要

A transport wheel assembly for use on an agricultural mower when the mower is configured for lateral transport 90 degrees from the normal operational direction of travel of mower. The transport wheel assembly comprises a moveable frame that pivots approximately 270 degrees between a retracted position when the mower is operating and a transport position, and an actuator to position the moveable frame between the retracted and transport positions. A linkage including a bell crank interconnects the actuator and the moveable frame to enable full extent of pivoting of the moveable frame with a single direction movement of the actuator between an extended and a retracted position. The transport wheel mechanisms also position the transport wheels where they will not interfere with mower operation, especially pivoting of the tongue.

主权项

1. A mechanism for positioning a transport wheel on an agricultural mower, the mower comprising a main frame supporting a transversely aligned cutterbar, and a draft tongue connected to the main frame and pivotal about an upstanding hitch axis for pulling the mower forwardly or rearwardly along a normal travel axis, the mechanism comprising:
a moveable support frame comprising a pivoting end and a free end, the pivoting end being connected to the main frame for movement about a pivot axis between a retracted position and a deployed position, the free end having a transport wheel connected thereto; an actuator comprising opposing first and second ends defining a length therebetween, the length being selectively adjustable between a first position and a further extended second position, the first end being connected to the main frame; and a linkage connecting the second end of the actuator to the moveable support frame, the linkage causing movement of the moveable support frame from the retracted position to the deployed position as the actuator length is adjusted from the first position to the second position, the transport wheel being positioned wherein at least a portion of the wheel is directly above a portion of the mower and rearward of the cutterbar when the support frame is in the retracted position, movement of the support frame towards the deployed position causing the wheel to be positioned forwardly and at least partially below the cutterbar and to be aligned for rotation allowing movement of the mower when the main frame is rotated to align a cutting width of the cutterbar with a direction of the normal travel axis.