Beet harvester

Abstract

The invention relates to a beet harvester (2) having a machine frame (3), a cleaning device (4), a silo (12) for temporarily storing excavated beets, and a lifting machine (10) arranged at least partially laterally next to the silo (12), which lifting machine is provided for transferring beets into the silo (12) during an excavating operation, the invention relates to a machine frame (3) for excavating, comprising an elevator frame (18) and conveying elements (16, 22) which run in a circulating manner in an excavating operation, the elevator (10) being movably connected to the machine frame (3) in such a way that it can be transferred from a transport state into an operating state in which the elevator (10) projects laterally relative to the transport state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a beet harvester, preferably for sugar beets, and includes a frame, a cleaning device, a hopper for temporarily storing the excavated beets, and an elevator arranged at least partially laterally beside the hopper, the elevator being configured to transfer the beets into the hopper during excavation operations, and having an elevator frame and a conveying element that circulates during excavation operations. Background Technology

[0002] This beet harvester, also known as a beet excavator, features a ring elevator that transports the beets discharged at the end of the cleaning unit upwards into the hopper. Referring to an axis extending transversely to the longitudinal central axis of the beet harvester, the ring elevator (viewed in the direction of travel) is located on either side of the hopper, specifically on the left and right sides in a plane transverse to the direction of travel. Therefore, the hopper, otherwise designed according to the maximum permissible road width for the beet harvester, is narrowed in the area of ​​the ring elevator, allowing the elevator to be fixed to the frame within the permissible vehicle width. This narrowing reduces the hopper's volume, and this structural form additionally hinders unloading from the hopper. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to avoid the above-mentioned defects.

[0004] This objective is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be derived from the dependent claims and the description below.

[0005] According to the invention, the hoist is movably connected to the frame, allowing it to transition from a transport state to an operating state in which the hoist extends laterally relative to the transport state. The operating state corresponds to the state during excavation operation, in which sugar beets are dug out of the soil, cleaned, and transferred to a hopper for temporary storage. The sugar beet harvester has an increased width (viewed longitudinally) regardless of whether the hopper walls are folded outwards or the transfer conveyor belt is extended outwards. The width of the hopper and hoist during excavation operation, i.e., harvesting operation, is greater than their width during the transport state, in which the sugar beet harvester, i.e., the sugar beet excavator, can travel on roads. The width of the sugar beet harvester during excavation operation particularly exceeds the maximum width allowed for road travel, for example, the 3 meters stipulated in Germany. Therefore, in the operating state, the hopper and hoist gain greater structural space to fulfill their functions of both sugar beet storage and sugar beet transport. The available space of the hoist in the transport state particularly limits its transport capacity, but this is irrelevant because during road travel, there is no need to transport sugar beets from the cleaning unit to the hopper.

[0006] According to the present invention, the movement of the hoist in the lateral direction does not refer to the movement of the conveying elements required for transporting beets. Rather, the hoist itself can move in the lateral direction via its hoist frame. The lateral direction is the direction transverse to the longitudinal central axis as viewed in a top view. When traveling in a straight line, also viewed in a top view, the lateral direction corresponds to the direction transverse to the direction of travel.

[0007] At least one conveying element is specifically designed as a conveyor belt, preferably in the form of a screen belt. The elevator particularly has two conveyor belts, preferably both in the form of screen belts. One or more conveying elements of the elevator are held, tensioned, and offset by bearing and / or offsetting components, which are oriented at least substantially, preferably completely parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Here, the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is referenced to the straight-line travel of the vehicle, in which the vehicle does not travel in a so-called crab-like manner, but rather travels with successive successive tires and / or chains.

[0008] Accordingly, "arranged on the side of the vehicle" means that, perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline extending through the hopper in the top view, the elevator specifically restricts the hopper on one side. Consequently, the elevator extends further outwards during operation. Viewed longitudinally along the vehicle, the elevator extends beyond any adjacent sidewall of the hopper.

[0009] As mentioned earlier, the transport status refers to the state in which the beet harvester is traveling on public roads and does not exceed the permitted road width.

[0010] In particular, when viewed from above, the outermost part of the hoist frame furthest from the longitudinal center axis is farther from the hopper in operation than it is in transport.

[0011] According to another advantageous design of the invention, the elevator frame is movably connected to the frame in a lateral direction extending laterally along the longitudinal center axis corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the beet harvester. This connection can be direct, for example, through a support of the elevator located on the frame. Alternatively or supplementarily, it can also be indirectly connected to the frame, for example, through a hopper frame. However, preferably, the elevator frame is directly arranged and connected to the frame that also supports the hopper.

[0012] The movable connection between the hoist frame and the frame is achieved, in particular, through supports at the frame having at least one degree of freedom that allow movement with a lateral component perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis. For example, the hoist's mobility can be achieved through linear guides and / or swing supports, thus, according to another advantageous design of the invention, the hoist frame is swingably and / or movably connected to the frame for transitioning to a laterally extended operating state. The swinging motion allows for simple and relatively safe load-bearing in one or more supports, while the linear motion enables lateral movement within a relatively small structural space.

[0013] In particular, as the elevator transitions to the transport state, a portion of the elevator moves into the hopper, placing this portion of the elevator within the area used for storing sugar beets during operation. Thus, a portion of the structural space within the hopper can be used to house the elevator, which, in the transport state, preferably does not extend beyond the hopper laterally or upwards. Therefore, the hopper sidewalls are implemented particularly low in the area of ​​the elevator.

[0014] Preferably, the hopper has a linear extension in the lower region of the hopper wall, especially in the lower quarter, so that the hopper can be well emptied, at least in the lowest region above, for example, the movable bottom.

[0015] The hoist oscillates, in particular, about an axis of oscillation that extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and thus parallel to the longitudinal central axis. Beet harvesters especially have actuators and / or adjusting mechanisms for achieving this oscillation, which connect the hoist frame to the machine frame. Such mechanisms include links for forming, for example, multi-link mechanisms, such as hydraulic cylinders or linear actuators, which enable lateral movement of the hoist.

[0016] The lateral movement of the hoist is achieved primarily through the superposition of two oscillating movements of the links in a four-bar linkage, which are arranged vertically. Here, one link of the four-bar linkage is positioned laterally at a location belonging to the frame (e.g., the hopper wall) and is oriented substantially vertically, particularly at an angle of 60° to 90° to the ground, as the main load-bearing link; while the other link, positioned lower and of variable length, primarily causes the movement of the hoist frame in the lateral direction.

[0017] Preferably, in order to enter the excavation operation state, the hoist partially swings its hoist frame away from the vehicle's longitudinal axis, i.e., the vehicle's longitudinal center axis, and then forms part of the bin wall. The portion of the hoist that forms the bin wall particularly includes a cover plate, which can be integrated with the rest of the bin wall.

[0018] The hoist is particularly designed as a C-type hoist, preferably having at least one inner conveying element and an outer conveying element, wherein at least one conveying element is designed to clamp the conveyor belt, and during excavation operation, the conveying element clamps and fixes the beets between the two and conveys them upward.

[0019] Since there is no need to use a ring elevator, the side of the hopper opposite to the elevator can be additionally designed as a hopper wall that can be folded outward and swung outward, thereby increasing the storage space of the hopper. When the hopper is loaded, a counterweight is formed by increasing the width of the hopper on the side opposite to the elevator, which at least partially offsets the weight of the elevator extending in the opposite direction.

[0020] Preferably, the hoist is positioned with a lateral offset of at least 10 cm relative to the transport state during operation, particularly between 10 cm and 50 cm.

[0021] Conveying elements designed to clamp conveyor belts, particularly those formed by outer clamping conveyor belts relative to the longitudinal central axis, can be outwardly offset and achieve a sufficiently large throughput. For this purpose, the outer clamping conveyor belt is particularly equipped with an outer belt reservoir, which acts as a tensioning device to apply the tension and conveyor belt length required to clamp the harvested material towards the inner conveying element.

[0022] Therefore, the C-type elevator has two conveyor belts that circulate on the elevator frame. When viewed longitudinally, depending on the arrangement, the conveyor belts form a "C" shape when viewed from one of the two sides.

[0023] In the beet-free operation, the inner and outer conveyor elements form a clamping channel for the beet to be conveyed. However, in the beet-free operation, the conveyor elements are particularly closely abutting each other in certain sections, i.e., the outer side of the inner conveyor belt and the inner side of the outer conveyor belt are abutting each other relative to the longitudinal central axis. This simplifies the guidance and support of the outer conveyor elements, as support can be partially eliminated. During operation, the beets entering between the two conveyor belts are clamped and conveyed upwards, where the belt speeds are at least approximately the same.

[0024] According to another advantageous design of the beet harvester, it has an elevator with an inner conveying element and an outer conveying element, and the elevator also has another conveyor belt reservoir, possibly spring-loaded, for the inner conveying element, which deviates from its initial position when the conveying element is subjected to a load that changes the belt direction.

[0025] Advantageously, both the outer and inner conveyor belts are equipped with such conveyor belt storage devices, wherein the outer conveyor belt storage device mainly provides mobility for the outer conveyor belt to address the belt direction changes that occur when the outer conveyor belt clamps the beets.

[0026] The conveyor belt reservoir specifically constitutes a movable support for at least one of the conveying elements at the elevator frame. Conveyor belt reservoirs for outer and / or inner conveying elements are particularly equipped with one or more offset rollers arranged oscillatingly at one or more connecting rods. The corresponding conveyor belt reservoirs particularly function as tensioning devices to tension the respective conveying elements.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, in the transport state, the inner conveying element is offset relative to the operating state, such that the width of the hoist in the transport state at the offset height is smaller than its width in the operating state. Here, the width is referenced to a line extending transversely to the longitudinal central axis and parallel to the ground. The offset occurs particularly outward away from the longitudinal central axis of the vehicle, such that the hoist is approximately compressed when it swings and / or translates from its extended operating state toward the longitudinal central axis.

[0028] Preferably, in the transport state, the conveyor belt sections at the same height of the inner and / or outer conveyor belts are pressed together, thereby saving structural space by narrowing or reducing the width as described above, which helps to reduce the width of the hoist as viewed along the longitudinal center axis of the vehicle in the transport state.

[0029] The inner conveying elements, in particular, are offset by a stop, which automatically completes the offset when the elevator retracts to the traveling position. This stop is preferably formed by the lower part of the hopper, i.e., the lower side wall or bottom edge of the hopper. Utilizing existing components to achieve compression optimization of the elevator optimizes the available structural space. When the stop is fixed at the hopper, it also becomes part of the hopper itself.

[0030] The height of the stop is particularly smaller than the distance between the two vertically arranged offset rollers of the inner conveyor belt, resulting in minimal load on the mechanical structure of the elevator due to the offset. During transport, the conveyor belt can be loaded to the point where the inner conveyor belt section is pressed against and contacts the outer conveyor belt. Provided the conveyor belt reservoir provides sufficient conveyor belt length, the two conveyor belt sections can be further offset, with the inner portion of the outer conveyor belt pushing against it and, if necessary, bulging it outwards. It should be understood that the conveyor belts in contact at this point can only operate after the distance between the opposing conveyor belts has been restored. This distance is automatically created by the conveyor belt reservoir when the elevator frame extends laterally, i.e., swings and moves outwards.

[0031] The misalignment of the conveyor belt on the inner conveying element can be supported, in particular, by an adjustment mechanism used to reduce the width of the hoist frame. For example, a hydraulic cylinder or other adjustment mechanism retracts, which can be accompanied by a reduced distance parallel to the ground between the movable parts of the hoist frame. Alternatively or supplementarily, this adjustment mechanism or other adjustment mechanism can also be used to change the hoist frame from an operating state to a transport state.

[0032] Typically, for conveyor elements designed as conveyor belts, elevators have offset rollers and pulleys arranged at the elevator frame, which, in particular, are paired at the same height to predetermine the profile and direction of the conveyor belt under no-load conditions. As an alternative to using two offset rollers arranged at the same height, offset rollers can also be used, particularly at their upper and lower ends in the end sections of the conveyor belt elevator.

[0033] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the elevator, designed as a C-type elevator, has a lifting section extending in a height direction at an angle to the ground, a receiving section at an angle to the lifting section below, and a discharge section at an angle to the lifting section above. In a view along the longitudinal central axis, if the surface tangents of the conveying elements extending in the corresponding sections intersect each other, the sections are considered to be at an angle to each other.

[0034] The lifting section is specifically used to compensate for the height difference of the sugar beets at the upstream station. The sugar beets are first transferred from the cleaning unit to the receiving section, through which they enter the clamping channel designed as a clamping elevator. Preferably, the outer conveying element constitutes the lower receiving section, its end forming a transition to the clamping area with the inner conveying element located there. The outer conveying element provides elasticity for receiving into the clamping area, wherein, at least within the lifting section, the outer conveying element is indirectly offset by the offset rollers of the inner conveying element. In the receiving area, the upper section of the outer conveying element has only a first forward offset portion, which is large enough that the sugar beets transferred to the upper section do not contact the lower section of the same conveying element due to their own weight, while also providing sufficient deflection space to clamp the sugar beets.

[0035] The outer conveying element, at least as previously described, participates in forming the receiving section, and has an extension of the portion of the receiving section formed by the outer conveying element, the extension of which in the lateral direction, extending laterally with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the beet harvester, is greater than the extension of the lower portion of the inner conveying element. Thus, a portion of the outer conveying element, particularly on the upper side, is not covered by the inner conveying element, allowing for unobstructed reception of beets from the cleaning device.

[0036] Within the lifting section, both the inner and outer conveying elements preferably extend vertically so that the beets can be fed into the hopper from above.

[0037] The discharge section preferably also includes the outer conveying element, and in the lowest operating state, at a height that is still roughly at the lowest transport level, this section extends further to the opposite side of the hopper than the upper section of the inner conveying element. This prevents uncontrolled discharge of beets, especially when discharging at different heights, and ensures that the beets are directed towards the interior of the hopper in a preferred direction.

[0038] The elevator frame section carrying the inner conveying element in the discharge section, and the other elevator frame section carrying the outer conveying element, are specifically configured to swing around a swing axis that is parallel to or at an angle of less than 20° to the longitudinal central axis. Therefore, the elevator frame is constructed as a multi-piece structure, and each part can swing relative to each other.

[0039] Two swingable upper hoist frame sections constitute the upper swing head of the hoist. This swing head can be forcibly guided, in particular, by the lateral movement of the rest of the hoist, automatically shifting to a desired position, such as folding upwards, as the hoist enters its operating state. One or more swing mechanisms can be provided for this purpose. If each hoist frame section has its own swing mechanism, these swing mechanisms can be centrally controlled and coupled in this way by associated control devices. According to an improvement of the invention, instead of being operated by the swing mechanism, or in addition to being operated by the swing mechanism, the swing to the folded-up position during hoist movement can be achieved by one or more links, which cause the forced guidance of the swing head.

[0040] Advantageously, both the inner and outer conveying elements participate in forming the discharge section, wherein the portion of the discharge section formed by the inner and outer conveying elements, as well as the associated elevator frame portion, can swing accordingly around a swing axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The swing axis of the elevator frame portion is located, in particular, below the upper edge of the hopper in the height direction, allowing the discharge section to be arranged between the sides of the hopper in the traveling position or traveling state.

[0041] According to the improved embodiment of the invention, the inner and outer conveying elements of the elevator frame can be arranged to swing relative to each other, and in particular, can be operated independently of each other. Through the flexible positioning of the inner and outer conveying elements, optimal control can be achieved over the discharge process of the harvested material into the hopper. It should be understood that a swinging mechanism, for example in the form of a hydraulic cylinder, exists to achieve different angle adjustments. The hydraulic cylinder is particularly arranged on the relatively swingable parts of the elevator frame. The swinging mechanism or adjusting element can also be jointly operated by related control devices. Therefore, for example, for digging under trees, a lower machine height can be achieved.

[0042] The preferred design of the elevator is a clamping type elevator. When viewed longitudinally along the beet harvester, the overall shape is "C". The lower receiving section forms the lower leg of the "C", the upper part of the elevator forms the upper leg of the "C", and the middle part of the frame, which extends vertically, corresponds to the middle part of the "C".

[0043] The oscillation of the upper section of the conveying element can adjust the loading height, that is, the distance between the discharge end of the discharge section and the bottom of the hopper can be changed, which results in a gentler and quieter hopper loading.

[0044] At the lowest position, the discharge sections of the outer and inner conveying elements preferably extend into the hopper at a slightly downward angle, i.e., with a small slope, wherein the height does not exceed the side wall.

[0045] Viewed along the direction of travel, in a plane transverse to the direction of travel, the discharge section advantageously extends at least one-third of the bin width, particularly beyond the longitudinal centerline, thus allowing loading to be completed in the direction of the longitudinal centerline, i.e., the opposite side of the bin. This results in improved material storage due to a more uniform weight distribution.

[0046] Advantageously, at least the portion of the silo wall opposite the elevator is designed to fold outwards to increase the silo volume, which can lead to further improved weight distribution as previously described. For this purpose, the silo wall can be arranged to swing and / or move about an axis parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the silo.

[0047] In another advantageous improvement of the invention, the beet harvester is characterized by a sensor unit configured to detect the amount of harvested material conveyed by the elevator during operation. The sensor unit particularly has at least one sensor, preferably arranged on a swing arm or link of the elevator frame, which is pivotally supported. For example, the weight of the conveyed harvested material, i.e., the beets, can be measured directly by the sensor, or the amount of harvested material can be determined indirectly by an evaluation device based on determined sensor data. The evaluation device has electronic data processing equipment required for evaluating, for example, optical sensor data, which is part of the sensor unit and can be integrated, for example, into the controller of the beet harvester. Attached Figure Description

[0048] Other advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

[0049] Figure 1 A side view of the subject matter according to the invention is shown schematically;

[0050] Figure 2 It schematically shows the following based on Figure 1 The subject is shown in the rear view under transport conditions;

[0051] Figure 3 It schematically shows the following based on Figure 1 The rear view of the theme;

[0052] Figure 4 It schematically shows the following based on Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of the subject;

[0053] Figure 5 The diagram schematically illustrates the basis in another operating state. Figure 4 Theme;

[0054] Figure 6 It schematically shows the following based on Figure 2 A partial cross-sectional view of the subject;

[0055] Figure 7 It schematically shows the following based on Figure 5 A partial view of the theme;

[0056] Figure 8 The schematic diagram illustrates the operation based on... Figure 7 Theme;

[0057] Figure 9 It schematically shows the following based on Figure 1 A top-down view of the subject. Detailed Implementation

[0058] The various technical features of the embodiments described below may also be combined with the features of the foregoing embodiments, as well as the independent claims and any other possible claims, to form the subject matter of the invention. Where reasonable, elements that are at least partially functionally identical are given the same reference numerals.

[0059] according to Figure 1 The sugar beet harvester 2 according to the present invention is designed as a self-propelled sugar beet harvester. It has a frame 3, and a cleaning device 4 is arranged on the frame. This cleaning device has multiple star-shaped screens 6, which clean the sugar beets harvested by the excavator unit 8. In this embodiment, the elevator 10 is designed as a C-type elevator, located on the left side of the sugar beet harvester 2 along the travel direction F. The cleaned sugar beets are transferred to a hopper 12 for temporary storage via this elevator. The sugar beets stored in the hopper can be transferred from the hopper 12 to a loading vehicle via a double transfer conveyor belt 14, or stacked in an open-air stack. A auger 16 is used to convey the sugar beets towards the double transfer conveyor belt 14.

[0060] The elevator 10 has two conveying elements designed to convey screen belts. Figure 1 The outer conveyor element 16 can be seen in the image. Both conveyor belts are offset and guided by multiple offset elements 19 held on the elevator frame 18 (see [link]). Figure 7 and Figure 8 ).

[0061] In a transport configuration where the vehicle can travel on the road, the hoist 10 is in a position according to... Figure 2 The retraction position. (Compare) Figure 2 and Figure 3 It can be seen that the left side of the elevator 10 does not extend beyond the side edge 23 of the beet harvester 2. Although a portion of the upper and lower ends of the elevator 10 extends beyond the longitudinal central axis 20, it is described here as being positioned on the left side.

[0062] Figure 2 In the figure, the longitudinal center axis 20, marked by a dot, usually extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, passing through the center of the vehicle and extending perpendicularly to the drawing.

[0063] During excavation, the C-type hoist extends laterally, specifically to the left, swinging out of its transport configuration. Here, at least the swing cylinder 21, which functions as an adjustment or actuator, is operated and is supported on the frame 3 and the hoist frame 18. Due to the kinematic characteristics of the linkage mechanism, the swing causes movement in the lateral direction, i.e. Figure 4 Lateral movement in the rightward direction along the center. Alternatively, purely linear movement laterally away from or away from rack 3 can also be achieved through corresponding guidance.

[0064] Typically, the lateral movement is accompanied by the movement of other functional components, particularly at least one star-shaped screen 6, so that during excavation operation, the star-shaped screen also extends laterally from the rest of the machine 2. As the star-shaped screen 6 shifts outward, the cleaning path formed by the star-shaped screen 6 can be extended.

[0065] In addition to the outer conveying element 16, the elevator 10 also has an inner conveying element 22. Both conveying elements 16 and 22, designed as circulating screen belts, extend from the lower receiving section 24 through the lifting section 26 to the discharge section 28. The outer conveying element 16 constitutes a large portion of the horizontal extension of the receiving section having a platform-shaped receiving area 30. The extension of the outer conveying element 16 in the lateral direction Q is significantly greater than the extension of the inner conveying element 22. Both conveying elements have a tensioning device, namely a conveyor belt reservoir 32, which extends from its initial position against the force of the corresponding spring 34 when the respective conveying element is under load, thus providing the conveyor belt length.

[0066] The hoist frame 18 has a hoist frame portion 36, which is pivotally arranged within another hoist frame 18 and forms an internal portion of the frame, carrying a series of offset rollers 19 for the inner conveying element 22 (see [link]). Figure 4 and Figure 6The hoist frame section 38, designed as an external part of the frame, is also oscillatingly arranged on another hoist frame 18 and carries a series of offset rollers 19 for the outer conveying element 16. The two frame sections 36 and 38 surround a structure perpendicular to... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The axis of the drawing swings. This axis extends parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis, i.e., the longitudinal center axis 20. The swing axis is located below the upper edge 40 of the hopper, which defines the upper boundary of the hopper in the transport state, regardless of whether the upward-folding grid-like wall extension 42 is provided.

[0067] In operation, at the lowest discharge position of the inner conveying element 22, due to the elevator frame portion 36 extending approximately perpendicular to the ground, the beets conveyed upward by the elevator 10 are viewed from the left side along the travel direction. Figure 4 The material is conveyed (to the right) across the center of the hopper toward a foldable wall 44, which is constructed on the side of the hopper 12 opposite to the elevator 10. In this respect, the weight of the elevator 10 shifts outward, allowing the root crops to be advantageously distributed within the hopper 12.

[0068] In the retracted position of the elevator 10, which is set for the transport state of the beet harvester 2, it will not extend beyond the outer area of ​​the hopper 12 as viewed along the travel direction. Figure 6 Here, the inner conveyor element deflects outward relative to the belt direction indicated by the dashed line 48 through the lower portion of the stop 46 of the hopper 12. The required length of the conveyor belt 22 for this purpose is provided by the corresponding conveyor belt reservoir 32. Therefore, in the transport state, the inner conveyor element 22 deflects such that the width of the elevator 10 at the deflection height H (relative to the ground, not shown) is less than its width in the operating state. Here, the conveyor belt sections 50 and 51 of the inner conveyor element, which travel in opposite directions during operation, abut against each other. Furthermore, the upward section 51 of the inner conveyor element 22 can also press outward the portion 52 of the outer conveyor element 16, which is designed to clamp the conveyor belt, at the same height. By entering the transport state via the elevator 10, the three sections 50, 51, and 52 can disengage from their initial positions and utilize the tension stroke provided by the corresponding conveyor belt reservoir 32.

[0069] The elevator 10, achieved by the sufficiently large spacing of the offset rollers, is based on the narrowing of the belts due to mutual compression. The hopper can form a straight wall 53 in its lowest region, which facilitates the removal of beets via a roller bottom or a movable bottom 54.

[0070] Sensor 58 of the sensor unit collects data related to the load-bearing capacity of the hoist 10, enabling it to be evaluated in the accompanying assessment device 60. Figure 5 The amount of material harvested is determined by the conveying speed (indicated by the dashed line).

[0071] The lateral movement of the hoist is achieved through a four-bar linkage, which has two upper supports 62 of an upper link 64 that can be moved by an upper swing cylinder 21, and two lower supports 66 of another swing cylinder 21 that constitutes a link with variable length. Figure 5 At the upper support of the two supports 62, the hoist frame is supported at the frame 3. In this embodiment, through... Figure 5 and Figure 6 The upper connecting rod 64 is indirectly supported by a sufficiently robust structure on the right side of the hopper wall. The upper connecting rod 64 is supported at the hoist frame 18 via its lower support 62. This is achieved by retracting another swing cylinder, for example... Figure 5 The upper swing cylinder is supported at one end on the hoist frame 18 and at the other end on the upper connecting rod 64. The hoist frame 18 first swings counterclockwise around the upper support point of the support 62 and the swing axis perpendicular to the plane of the drawing and passing through the support point, so as to change from the running state to the transport state, that is, the traveling state. Next, it retracts... Figure 5 The lower regulating cylinder 21 in the middle swings the hoist frame 18 to its final transport position, i.e., the driving position.

[0072] Figure 7 and Figure 8 The diagrams show the routing of conveyor elements 16 and 22 in operation, in an unloaded state and under a load of sugar beets (not shown). The outer conveyor element 16 is configured to clamp the conveyor belt via the conveyor belt reservoir 32. The sections of the respective conveyor elements 16 and 22, facing each other and forming clamping channels 56 during operation with sugar beets, extend upwards. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The left portion of the inner conveying element 22 and the right portion of the outer conveying element 16, as shown, extend downwards accordingly. The beets transferred to the receiving area 30 are held between the two conveying elements 16 and 22 and fed upwards to the discharge section 28.

[0073] Figure 2 The longitudinal center axis 20, indicated by a dot, extends along the center of the harvester in the top view of the beet harvester 2 according to the invention. Figure 9 In this view, the beet harvester 2 is extended to its maximum length in the longitudinal direction, i.e., it is not in a crab-like state. The longitudinal center axis of the hopper (not shown) extends above the longitudinal center axis 20 and covers the longitudinal center axis 20 in the illustrated view.

Claims

1. A beet harvester (2) having a frame (3), a cleaning device (4), a hopper (12) for temporarily storing excavated beets, and an elevator (10) arranged at least partially laterally beside the hopper (12), the elevator being configured to transfer the beets into the hopper (12) during excavation operations, and having an elevator frame (18) and a conveying element that circulates during excavation operations. Its features are, The hoist (10) is movably connected to the frame (3) so that the hoist (10) can change from a transport state to an operating state, in which the hoist (10) extends laterally relative to the transport state.

2. The beet harvesting machine (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that The lifting frame (18) is movably connected to the frame (3) in a transverse direction (Q) extending laterally from the longitudinal central axis (20) of the beet harvester (2).

3. The beet harvesting machine (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that In order to switch to a laterally extended operating state, the hoist frame (18) is oscillatingly and / or movably connected to the frame (3).

4. The beet harvesting machine (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The hoist (10) is designed as a C-type hoist, which preferably has at least one inner conveying element (22) and an outer conveying element (16), wherein at least one conveying element is designed to clamp the conveyor belt and, during the digging operation, the conveying element clamps and fixes the beets between the two and conveys them upward.

5. The beet harvester (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, the elevator (10) being provided with an inner conveying element (22) and an outer conveying element (16), characterized in that The inner conveying element (22) has a conveyor belt reservoir (32) that is particularly spring-loaded, which deviates from its initial position when the conveying element (22) is subjected to a load that changes the direction of the belt.

6. The beet harvesting machine (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Relative to the operating state, the inner conveying element (22) is offset in the transport state, such that the width of the elevator (10) at the offset height (H) in the transport state is smaller than the width in the operating state, especially wherein, in the transport state, the conveyor belt sections (50, 51, 52) of the inner conveyor belt and / or the outer conveyor belt and / or the conveying elements (16, 22) at the same height are closely attached to each other.

7. The beet harvesting machine (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that The inner conveying element (22) is deflected by a stop (46), which is in particular a part of the hopper (12).

8. The beet harvester (2) according to any one of the preceding claims including claim 4, characterized in that, The elevator (10) has a lifting section (26) extending in a height direction at an angle to the ground, a receiving section (24) arranged at an angle to the lifting section (26) below, and a discharge section (28) arranged at an angle to the lifting section (26) above.

9. The beet harvesting machine (2) according to claim 8, characterized in that The outer conveying element (16) at least participates in forming the receiving section (26), and the portion of the receiving section (24) formed by the outer conveying element (16) extends in the lateral direction (Q) that extends laterally with the longitudinal central axis (20) of the beet harvester (2) greater than the extension of the lower portion of the inner conveying element (22).

10. The beet harvesting machine (2) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that Both the inner conveying element (22) and the outer conveying element (16) participate in the formation of the discharge section (28), wherein the elevator frame part (36) of the discharge section (28) that carries the inner conveying element (22) and the other elevator frame part (38) that carries the outer conveying element (16) are respectively configured to swing around a swing axis that is parallel to or at an angle of less than 20° to the longitudinal central axis (20).

11. The beet harvesting machine (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that The swing axis of the lifting frame section (36, 38) is located below the upper edge (40) of the hopper in the height direction.

12. The beet harvester according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that The inner conveying element (22) and the lifting frame portions (36, 38) of the outer conveying element (16) can be arranged to swing relative to each other, and in particular, can be operated independently of each other.

13. The beet harvesting machine (2) according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that Viewed in a plane transverse to the direction of travel, the discharge section (28) extends at least one-third of the width of the hopper to the opposite side of the hopper, and in particular, crosses the longitudinal central axis (20).

14. The beet harvesting machine (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least the portion (44) of the hopper wall (12) opposite to the elevator (10) is designed to fold outward to increase the hopper volume.

15. The beet harvesting machine (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A sensor unit and / or sensor (58) are provided for detecting the amount of harvested material conveyed by the elevator (10) during operation.

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