Machine for harvesting fodder

Abstract

A machine for the harvesting of plants, movable in a direction of advance, comprises an arm movable between work and transport configurations, a tool comprising lateral ends and being able to occupy a work position and another position, a connecting device via which the tool is connected to the arm and enabling a first movement of the tool relative to the arm, during which the lateral ends move vertically relative to the arm in the same vertical direction relative thereto, the connecting device comprising means making it possible to operate a second transverse and horizontal movement of the tool relative to the arm and making it possible to operate this second movement independently of the first movement. The connecting device comprises an arm oriented in the direction of advance when the support arm is in the work configuration, this arm is articulated on the support arm about a first transverse and horizontal axis when the support arm is in the work configuration, and this arm can, by pivoting about the first axis, move vertically relative to the support arm in the work configuration.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to an agricultural machine for the harvesting of plants, in particular of fodder, this machine being movable in a direction of advance and comprising in particular:[0003]a chassis,[0004]at least one support arm articulated on the chassis and movable with respect to the chassis between a work configuration in which the support arm extends laterally with respect to the chassis, and a transport configuration in which the support arm is folded such that its overall dimension perpendicularly to the direction of advance (A) is reduced,[0005]at least one work tool comprising an inner lateral end and an outer lateral end, and being able to occupy at least one work position in which the work tool acts on plants lying on the ground, and at least another position,[0006]a connecting device, by means of which a frame of the work tool is connected to the support arm, this connecting device allowing, at l...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a machine for cutting and windrowing plants that has a compact and light connecting device between the frame of the work tool and the support arm, which is oriented towards the direction of advance. This allows the machine to follow the terrain and resist the forces exerted on the work tool. The machine also has two work tools that can be adjusted to different widths for different applications, and the support arm has inner lateral ends that can be positioned to act over a continuous width of plants. This allows the machine to work over a wider range of plants and form a central windrow between the two work tools.

Problems solved by technology

A complete picking up of the second windrow therefore requires an additional passage of the machine, which increases the time spent in the field and the operating costs, and reduces productivity.

In addition, the fact with regard to the work tool of separating the second windrow into two parts increases the risk of jamming of plants within the work tool.

Furthermore, the manner in which the second windrow is redeposited on or along the first or the third windrow cannot be modified, because it is forced by the distance separating the work tool from the chassis, the wheels of which straddle the first windrow.

Consequently, the shape of the new windrow, obtained by the regrouping of the second windrow and of the first or of the third windrow, is not always optimal according to the nature of the plants and the meteorological conditions which are encountered.

Finally, the known machine does not allow the transverse positioning of the work tool to be modified with respect to the tractor.

Consequently, it is in particular not possible to adjust the total width of the tractor / machine assembly during work.

This connecting device is complex and cumbersome due to the first and second arms which extend in different respective directions.

In particular, the telescopic arrangement of the second arm is complicated and expensive.

Finally, during work, the second articulation axis is subjected to considerable mechanical stresses.

This torque is high owing to the great length of the transversely directed second arm, which can give rise to a rapid wear of the second axis.

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