Pull-type crop harvesting machine transport system where the machine remains balanced on transport wheels and the hitch as the transport system is deployed

摘要

A pull-type crop engaging machine such as a rotary mower comprises a frame mounted on transversely spaced field ground wheels for movement with a hitch arm extending to a tractor and a transport assembly attached behind the frame for moving downwardly to a transport position so that in the transport position the hitch arm extends from one end of the frame generally in the transverse direction for towing the machine in the transverse direction. The transport includes a transport ground wheel which acts to raise the frame to pass underneath the crop engaging system to support the machine on the wheel, on a second wheel behind the frame and on the hitch. The movement of the hitch and the wheel is connected and started at a position of the hitch so that the machine remains balanced. A shield behind the frame includes a portion which moves with the transport wheel.

主权项

1. A pull-type crop engaging machine for towed movement by a tractor comprising:
a frame mounted on transversely spaced field ground wheels for forward movement during field operation across ground carrying a crop; a crop engaging system mounted in a transverse direction across a front of the frame so that the frame carries the crop engaging system in the forward direction generally at right angles to the transverse direction into the crop; a hitch arm extending from the frame to a coupling hitch arranged for attachment to a hitch connector of a tractor by which the frame is towed in the forward direction across the ground while running on the ground wheels; a mounting connecting the hitch arm to the frame, wherein the mounting is operable to cause movement of the hitch arm so that in the field position the hitch arm extends from the frame generally forwardly for towing the machine in the forward direction and in the transport position the hitch arm extends from the frame generally in the transverse direction for towing the machine in the transverse direction; and a transport assembly attached to the frame for transporting the frame and the crop engaging system carried thereon in the transverse direction during transport towed by the tractor through the hitch arm; the transport assembly comprising:
transport ground wheels including a front transport ground wheel for engaging the ground and supporting the frame during transport;a frame member attaching said front transport ground wheel to the frame;an actuation arrangement which includes a first part which operates said mounting to move said hitch arm between said transport position and the field position and a second part which moves the frame member to carry said front transport ground wheel between a field position in which said front transport ground wheel is raised from the ground for field operation and a transport position in which said front transport ground wheel is in contact with the ground;in the transport position said front transport ground wheel being at a position on a forward side of a line in the transverse direction containing the center of gravity of the machine;the first and second parts of the actuation arrangement being linked by a linkage arrangement which acts to move the hitch arm from the field position to the transport position and at least partly simultaneously to move said front transport ground wheel to said position on said forward side of said line in such a manner that the machine remains balanced on the hitch arm and said transport ground wheels while the hitch arm remains attached to the tractor during said movement to said transport position.