Movable transport device

Abstract

Movable transport device (1) for transporting at least one self-propelled harvesting machine (2), with a loading surface (4) and a ramp (5) which can be pivoted about a pivot axis (6) and has an upper side (7) over which the harvesting machine (2) can travel, and a lower side (8), characterized in that an operating fluid tank (16) is arranged on the lower side (8) of the ramp (15), the volume of which is variable, wherein in order to supply the contents of the operating fluid tank (16) into a tank of the harvesting machine (2) without the need for auxiliary power, the volume of the operating fluid tank (16) is reduced by loading during unloading.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a movable transport device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] For the transport of a self-propelled harvesting machine, mobile transport devices such as trucks are used, which have a loading area and a loading ramp, which is attached to the loading area for loading and unloading as required, or is connected to it, whereby the loading area can be pivoted about a pivot axis.

[0003] Furthermore, transport trailers are used as mobile transport devices for transporting at least one self-propelled harvesting machine. These trailers are equipped with a loading area and a ramp. The ramp can be pivoted about a pivot axis and has a top side, which the harvesting machine can drive over, and a bottom side. The transport trailers are pulled by a towing vehicle, for example, a truck or the like.

[0004] A truck for transporting a harvesting machine is known, for example, from US 3 550 801 A.

[0005] A transport device designed as a transport trailer according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from US Pat. No. 4,607,996. The transport trailer is designed to transport an agricultural harvesting machine, which is positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the transport vehicle. For this purpose, a pivoting ramp is arranged on the side of the loading area and extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the transport vehicle.

[0006] When transporting a self-propelled harvester over long distances into structurally weak areas by truck or trailer, the problem of having to carry operating fluids can arise. Operating fluids can be carried in canisters, but the quantity of these canisters is often very limited, making extended, uninterrupted use of the harvester difficult. Furthermore, filling the harvester's tank using these canisters is laborious and can lead to environmental pollution. Alternatively, an additional, dedicated vehicle with an operating fluid tank could be used, but this represents a significant logistical and financial burden.

[0007] Based on the above-mentioned prior art, the object is to further develop a movable transport device for the transport of at least one self-propelled harvesting machine, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular simplifies the carrying of necessary operating resources for the harvesting machine.

[0008] This object is achieved by a movable transport device according to claim 1.

[0009] Advantageous further training is the subject of the subclaims.

[0010] According to claim 1, a movable transport device, in particular a transport trailer or a transport vehicle, for transporting at least one self-propelled harvesting machine is proposed, comprising a loading area and a ramp which can be pivoted about a pivot axis and has an upper side, which can be driven over by the harvesting machine, and a lower side, wherein an operating fluid tank is arranged on the lower side of the ramp, the volume of which can be changed, wherein in order to supply the contents of the operating fluid tank into a tank of the harvesting machine without the need for auxiliary power, the volume of the operating fluid tank is provided to be reduced by loading during unloading. For the supply without auxiliary power, the operating fluid tank on the lower side of the ramp is loaded by the dead weight of the ramp when the ramp is pivoting about the pivot axis, on the one hand, when the ramp rests with its free end on the ground.Secondly, the volume of the operating fluid tank is further reduced when the harvesting machine drives over the ramp to leave the transport device. The reduction in the volume of the operating fluid tank due to its compression causes the liquid content in the operating fluid tank, which is generally essentially incompressible, to be forced out of it. The ramp can be actuated from its transport position into a loading and unloading position in which the ramp rests with its free end on the ground, preferably by driving over the ramp. The ramp, which can be pivoted about the pivot axis, functions like a seesaw. In accordance with the weight shift when the harvesting machine to be transported drives over the ramp, the ramp shifts from the transport position to the loading and unloading position and vice versa. The pivoting orTilting around the pivot axis can be controlled by a spring-damper system. This prevents sudden loading of the operating fluid tank, preventing the compressible operating fluid tank from bursting.

[0011] In particular, the operating fluid tank can be made of an elastic, compressible material. A rigid, plate-shaped cover can preferably be arranged on the underside of the operating fluid tank. The cover serves to protect the operating fluid tank from damage when the harvester drives onto the ramp in the loading and unloading position.

[0012] Preferably, the operating fluid tank can be designed as a type of bellows. In particular, the operating fluid tank can be operated in the manner of a bellows.

[0013] Furthermore, the transport device can have a frame that has at least some hollow walls. The partially hollow-walled frame forms a supply line for filling the operating fluid tank with an operating fluid. In particular, the partially hollow-walled frame can be part of the loading area.

[0014] A filler neck with a check valve can be installed on the hollow-walled frame. The check valve prevents the operating fluid from flowing out through the filler neck when the volume of the operating fluid tank is reduced by compression during unloading of the harvester.

[0015] Furthermore, the operating fluid tank can be connected to the partially hollow-walled frame in a fluid-conducting manner. Preferably, the operating fluid tank can be connected directly to the hollow-walled frame by connecting the operating fluid tank to it. Alternatively, the operating fluid tank can be connected indirectly to the hollow-walled frame, for example, by at least one elastic line section. This can ensure greater flexibility and operational reliability during repeated pivoting of the ramp.

[0016] According to a preferred development, the transport device can be provided with a receptacle for carrying a hose, through which the operating fluid tank can be connected to a tank nozzle of the tank on the harvesting machine. The receptacle is preferably arranged below the loading area of ​​the transport device. In particular, the hose is accessible from one side of the transport device. The hose can be connected at one end to the partially hollow-walled frame or directly to the operating fluid tank.

[0017] Preferably, a front attachment mount can be removably mounted on the top of the ramp, which mount is rotatable about a vertical axis. The front attachment mount allows the simultaneous transport of a front attachment required for harvesting by the harvesting machine. The front attachment mount can comprise a rotating ring and a locking device.

[0018] The locking device allows the attachment placed on the attachment holder, in particular a cutting unit, and the ramp to be locked into place after assuming a transport position. Depending on the width of the attachment, the attachment can be placed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the transport device on the attachment holder, provided the attachment does not protrude laterally beyond the loading area or a frame surrounding the loading area. If the width of the attachment to be transported exceeds the width of the transport device, the attachment can be moved into a position parallel to the longitudinal axis of the transport device using the attachment holder, which can be rotated about the vertical axis, and then locked in place.The rotatable attachment mount allows the attachment to be transported together with the harvester in a space-saving manner, without the need for an additional transport device, especially a separate transport trailer. Another advantage is that the loading area of ​​a towing vehicle to which the transport device is attached can be used for other purposes. Instead of serving as a mounting point for the attachment and / or the harvester, the loading area of ​​the towing vehicle can be used for additional transport of tools, harvested crops, or the like.

[0019] In particular, a wedge-shaped support element can be arranged at the free end of the ramp, pivotable and detachable about an axis running transversely to the ramp. The support element can be used to pivot the ramp and unload the harvester without causing a change in the volume of the operating fluid tank on the underside of the ramp. For this purpose, the support element can space the operating fluid tank vertically from the ground in such a way that even when driving up the ramp, the operating fluid tank is not compressed, thus preventing a change in volume.

[0020] Preferably, the movable transport device can be designed as a transport trailer with at least two axles. In the case of a two-axle design, the transport device can be designed, for example, with a double axle or a tandem axle.

[0021] Furthermore, the movable transport device can be designed as a transport vehicle.

[0022] In particular, the transport device can be configured to accommodate a front attachment and the self-propelled harvester, with the self-propelled harvester being positioned substantially outside the operating fluid tank on the transport device. The transport device allows the self-propelled harvester and an associated front attachment to be transported simultaneously, with the self-propelled harvester being positioned at a distance from the operating fluid tank located below the ramp during transport. This avoids excessive loading of the operating fluid tank and the spring-damper system of the ramp.

[0023] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0024] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a transport device in loaded state; Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the transport device according to Fig. 1 when unloading a harvester; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a transport device according to another embodiment.

[0025] In Fig. 1 shows a transport device designed as a transport trailer 1 in the loaded state. The transport device can also be designed as a transport vehicle. The transport trailer 1 is equipped for transporting at least one self-propelled harvesting machine 2 and an attachment 3. The transport trailer 1 comprises a loading area 4 and a ramp 5. The ramp 5 can be pivoted about a pivot axis 6. The ramp 5 has an upper side 7, which can be driven over by the harvesting machine 2, and a lower side 8 which faces the ground. At the free end of the ramp 5, which rests on the ground in the loading or unloading position, a wedge-shaped support element 14 is arranged so as to be pivotable and detachable about an axis 15 running transversely to the ramp 5.

[0026] The twin-axle transport trailer 1 comprises a front axle 9 and a rear axle 10 located below the loading area 4. A drawbar 11 is provided for towing the transport trailer 1, with which the transport trailer 1 can be coupled to a towing vehicle, such as a truck. The front axle 9 and the rear axle 10 are connected to each other by a steering linkage 12 to force-steer the rear axle 10.

[0027] For the simultaneous transport of the front attachment 3 and the harvesting machine 2, it is intended that the front attachment 3, if its working width exceeds the permissible width of the transport trailer 1 for road traffic, is carried parallel to the longitudinal axis of the transport trailer 1. For this purpose, a front attachment holder 13 is removably arranged on the upper side 7 of the ramp 5. The front attachment holder 13 comprises a turntable and a locking device. By means of the locking device, the front attachment 3 placed on the front attachment holder 13 and the ramp 5 can be locked after assuming a transport position.

[0028] A fluid tank 16 is located on the underside 8 of the ramp 5. The fluid tank 16 is made of an elastic, compressible material.

[0029] This allows the volume of the operating fluid tank 16 to be changed. A rigid, plate-shaped cover 17 can preferably be arranged on the underside, i.e. the side facing the ground, of the operating fluid tank 16. The cover 17 serves to protect the operating fluid tank 16 from damage. The operating fluid tank 16 is preferably designed as a type of bellows. The transport trailer 1 has a frame 18 which is at least partially hollow-walled. The operating fluid tank 16 is fluid-conductingly connected to the partially hollow-walled frame 18. The frame 18 extends at least partially in the longitudinal direction of the transport trailer 1 and thereby forms part of the loading area 4. On the side opposite the ramp 5, the frame 18 can have a section 19 which extends at least partially in the vertical direction. For this purpose, the frame 18 can have a substantially L-shaped cross-section.A closable filler neck 20 is located at the free end of section 19. Through the connecting neck 20, a fluid can be poured into the frame 18 and the connected fluid tank 16. A check valve 21 is located below the filler neck 20.

[0030] Furthermore, a receptacle 22 for carrying a hose 23 is provided below the loading area 4. The hose 23 can be unwound to connect to a tank nozzle of a tank on the harvesting machine 2, which is located on the loading area 4. The length of the hose 23 is selected such that the hose remains connected to the tank nozzle while the harvesting machine 2 moves from its transport position toward the ramp 5 and beyond during unloading.

[0031] For unloading, the front attachment 3 is pivoted from its transport position, in which the front attachment 3 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the transport vehicle 1, into a receiving position in which the front attachment 3 is oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the transport vehicle 1. The harvesting machine 1 receives the front attachment 3 so that the front attachment holder 13 can be at least partially removed. By at least partially removing the front attachment holder 13, it is now possible to move the harvesting machine 2 and the front attachment 3 attached to it in the direction of the ramp 5. The hose 23 is previously connected to the tank nozzle of the tank of the harvesting machine 2.

[0032] As the harvesting machine 2 passes the pivot axis 6 of the ramp 5 during unloading, the ramp 5 begins to tilt towards the ground. To prevent the ramp 5 from sinking too quickly and the associated damage to the operating fluid tank 16 located below the ramp 5, the pivoting or tilting about the pivot axis 6 is controlled by a spring-damper system arranged on the ramp 5 and the loading area 4. When driving onto the ramp 5, the operating fluid tank 16 is pressed against the ground, thereby reducing its volume. The operating fluid contained in the compressible operating fluid tank 16 is forced out by the generated pressure and flows through the hose into the tank of the harvesting machine 2 without the need for any auxiliary power, i.e., without the use of a conveying device. The check valve 21 prevents the operating fluid from escaping in the area of ​​the filler neck 20.

[0033] In Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the transport trailer 1 according to Fig. 1 during unloading of the harvesting machine 2. The wedge-shaped support element 14 is used here. The support element 14 rests on the ground and is secured by a locking mechanism 24, which prevents it from pivoting about the axis 15 running transversely to the ramp 5. The locked support element 14 forms a rigid, linear extension of the ramp 5, so that the operating fluid tank cannot be pressed against the ground when the harvesting machine 2 drives onto the ramp 5.

[0034] In Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a transport trailer 1 according to a further embodiment. The corresponding reference numerals have been retained for identical components of the transport vehicle 1. The transport trailer 1, which is also two-axle, differs from the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. In addition, a height-adjustable support device 25 is arranged on the side of the transport trailer 1 opposite the ramp 5. Furthermore, the attachment 3 has a smaller working width than the one in Fig. 1 shown front attachment 3. The working width of the front attachment 3 allows joint transport without detaching from the harvester 2.

[0035] In particular, the transport trailer 1 according to the invention is designed to simultaneously accommodate the front attachment 3 and the self-propelled harvesting machine 2, wherein the self-propelled harvesting machine 2 is positioned substantially outside the operating fluid tank 16 on the transport trailer 1. The transport trailer 1 allows the self-propelled harvesting machine 2 and an associated front attachment 3 to be transported simultaneously, wherein the positioning of the self-propelled harvesting machine 2 during transport is provided at a distance from the operating fluid tank 16 arranged below the ramp 5. This avoids excessive loading of the operating fluid tank 16 and the spring-damper system of the ramp 5. List of reference symbols 1 transport trailer 2 harvester 3 Attachment 4 loading area 5 Ramp 6 swivel axis 7 Top 8 Bottom 9 Front axle 10 Rear axle 11 Drawbar 12 steering rods 13 Attachment holder 14 Support element 15 Axis 16 Operating fluid tank 17 Cover 18 frames Section 19 20 filler necks 21 Check valve 22 recording 23 hose 24 Locking 25 Support device

Claims

[1] Movable transport device (1) for transporting at least one self-propelled harvesting machine (2), comprising a loading surface (4) and a ramp (5) which is pivotable about a pivot axis (6) and has an upper side (7) over which the harvesting machine (2) can travel, and a lower side (8), characterized by that on the underside (8) of the ramp (15) there is arranged an operating fluid tank (16) whose volume is variable, wherein in order to supply the contents of the operating fluid tank (16) into a tank of the harvesting machine (2) without the need for auxiliary power, the volume of the operating fluid tank (16) is reduced by loading during unloading. [2] Transport device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the operating fluid tank (16) consists of an elastic, compressible material. [3] Transport device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the operating fluid tank (16) is designed as a kind of bellows. [4] Transport device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the transport device (1) has a frame (18) which is at least partially hollow-walled. [5] Transport device (1) according to claim 4, characterized by that a filler neck (20) with a check valve (21) is arranged on the hollow-walled frame (18). [6] Transport device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by that the operating fluid tank (16) is fluid-conductingly connected to the hollow-walled frame (18). [7] Transport device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a receptacle (22) for carrying a hose (23) is provided on the transport device (1), by means of which the operating fluid tank (16) can be connected to a tank nozzle of the tank on the harvesting machine (2). [8] Transport device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat on the upper side (7) of the ramp (5) there is detachably arranged an attachment holder (13) which is rotatable about a vertically extending axis. [9] Transport device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at the free end of the ramp (5) a wedge-shaped support element (14) is arranged so as to be pivotable and detachable about an axis (15) extending transversely to the ramp (5). [10] Transport device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the movable transport device is designed as at least a two-axle transport trailer (1). [11] Transport device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the movable transport device (1) is designed as a transport vehicle. [12] Transport device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the transport device (1) is designed to receive an attachment (3) and the self-propelled harvesting machine (2), wherein the self-propelled harvesting machine (2) is positioned substantially outside the operating fluid tank (16) on the transport device (1).

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