Front-mounted haymaking machine

Abstract

Front-mounted haymaking machine (M), with a support frame (4) on which two counter-rotating rotary heads (7) with tines (12) are arranged side by side, wherein preferably the outer orbital paths (13) of the tines (12) overlap or tangentially in a working position (P1) in the middle, wherein the tines (12) are designed to be automatically foldable from a transport position (P2) to the working position (P1) and vice versa, wherein the tines (12) are designed to be foldable by centrifugal force, in particular the centrifugal force from the inertia of the mass of the tines (12), when the gyroscopes (7) are rotated from the transport position (P2) to the working position (P1), wherein the front-mounted haymaking machine includes a return device (RF) in the form of a return spring (RF) such that the tines (12) are designed to be foldable from the working position (P1) to the transport position (P2) by the spring return force, wherein the tines, in particular the double tines, are arranged in a respective tine receptacle (ZA) such that they can each be folded outwards about a first pivot axis (A1) from the transport position (P2) to the working position (P1), and wherein the tines (12), in particular double tines, can additionally be pivoted about a second pivot axis (A2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a front-mounted haymaking machine.

[0002] Front-mounted haymaking machines with tines that can be moved from a transport position to a working position and back are known, for example, from DE 27 28 732 A1, US 6 250 058 B1, DE 20 27 316 A, DE 24 29 975 A1 and DE 24 31 713 A1.

[0003] Front-mounted hay rakes clear the tractor's tracks of forage before the tractor drives over the crop. This reduces forage contamination by preventing dirt from being tracked in by the tires and the resulting crop loss from driving over the crop. The following machine also requires a less aggressive setting. The forage is not run over by the tractor wheels and pressed into the turf, but lies loosely on the stubble. When the front-mounted hay rake is used in combination with a center-delivery rake, the additional advantage is that the crop in the area of ​​the future swath is also removed from the ground and mixed. This further optimizes forage drying.

[0004] The front-mounted haymaking machine known from EP 3 881 670 A1 discloses two counter-rotating rotors with tines, the orbits of which of the tines of the two rotors overlap. However, this presents the problem that the working width of the front-mounted haymaking machine is limited by the maximum permissible transport width for road travel.

[0005] To participate in road traffic without special permission, a width of 3m must not be exceeded.

[0006] Reducing the diameter of the tine track, however, leads to a reduced working width. This is particularly disadvantageous when turning, as if the working width is too narrow, the inner rear wheel protrudes beyond the working area of ​​the front-mounted hay rake and runs over the crop. This, in turn, reduces crop quality. Due to ever-increasing demands on ground pressure, it is to be expected that the tire size and track width of the carrier vehicle will be utilized to their maximum. To counteract this, the clearing width of the front-mounted hay rake must be optimized and clear significantly beyond the dimensions of the carrier vehicle. Overall, a reduced working width results in a limited clearing width and thus limited performance.

[0007] Furthermore, the current state of the art has the disadvantage that, for example, in the event of rotor standstill or overload, the tines can dig into the ground. Finally, the distance from the front end of the tines to the tractor's steering wheel center is large, resulting in poor visibility for the aforementioned front-mounted haymaking machines, especially when turning at intersections. Additionally, sharp working parts protrude into the traffic lane.

[0008] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of providing an improved front-mounted haymaking machine that provides a sufficient working width in a simple manner.

[0009] The task is solved by a front-mounted haymaking machine with a support frame on which two counter-rotating rotary heads with tines are arranged side by side, wherein the outer orbits of the tines overlap or are close to tangent to each other in a working position in the middle, and the tines are designed to be automatically foldable from a transport position to the working position and vice versa.

[0010] Front mounting refers to mounting on an interface of the carrier vehicle that points in the direction of travel, in particular on a three-point hydraulic system, on an implement triangle or on a front loader.

[0011] The direction of travel is the direction in which the carrier vehicle moves when traveling forward. The two gyroscopes can be arranged side by side transversely to the direction of travel, in particular on a substantially horizontal axis that deviates by a maximum of 15° from the transverse direction, the transverse direction extending at 90° to the direction of travel.

[0012] By automatically unfolding the tines into the working position, the working width and length in the direction of travel of the carrier vehicle are increased compared to the transport position. This allows for a more compact design in the transport position, reducing the risk of hazards in road traffic, while the working width remains sufficiently wide to cover areas, for example, those driven over by the rear axle of the carrier vehicle. This results in greater working widths and therefore improved performance.

[0013] Furthermore, no complex folding mechanism is required for the rotors of the front-mounted haymaking machine, as only the significantly lighter and smaller tines need to be unfolded. Another advantage is that no conversion of the tines into the transport position is necessary. Because the tines are folded upwards in the transport position, no sharp working parts protrude into the traffic area.

[0014] Since the tines are not folded outwards in the transport position, but stand upright upwards, the rotor diameter is reduced compared to the working width, and thus the distance from the front end of the rotors to the center of the tractor's steering wheel is also reduced, resulting in improved visibility in road traffic, especially when turning into road junctions.

[0015] Additionally, protective devices can automatically fold into the transport position to achieve the reduced transport dimensions.

[0016] The required actuating force is generated either hydraulically by the dynamic pressure at the rotor drive and / or mechanically when lifting into transport position.

[0017] According to the invention, the tines are designed to be foldable by centrifugal force, in particular the centrifugal force from the inertia of the mass of the tines, when the gyroscopes are rotated from the transport position to the working position.

[0018] The inherent rotation of the rotors and the inertia of the tines' mass are used to automatically unfold the tines outwards. No additional actuator is required. Therefore, the tines can be unfolded with minimal maintenance, at low cost, and reliably.

[0019] According to the invention, the front-mounted haymaking machine includes a return mechanism in the form of a return spring. This allows the tines to be folded from the working position to the transport position by means of a return force in the form of a spring return force.

[0020] Thus, when the force required to unfold the tines is removed, the inertia of their mass causes them to automatically fold back into the transport position due to the rotation of the rotors. In other words, the cessation of the rotors' rotation is used to unfold the tines. This allows the tines to be folded in with minimal maintenance, cost-effectively, and reliably.

[0021] Furthermore, this prevents the tines of the front-mounted haymaking machine from digging in when the rotors are stationary, because if the front-mounted haymaking machine is driven on without being raised after the rotors have started rotating, the tines automatically fold upwards and do not dig into the ground, bending and / or breaking off.

[0022] In another embodiment, the return mechanism is designed such that the centrifugal force of the tines can exceed the return force at a certain operating speed of the rotors. This operating speed can be, in particular, between 400 rpm and 50 rpm.

[0023] This ensures that the tines are in working position at the working speed and in transport position at speeds lower than the working speed, thus being in a compact configuration for transport on public roads.

[0024] In another embodiment, the front-mounted hay rake, when the tines are in the transport position, can have a narrower width perpendicular to the direction of travel than when the tines are in a working position. This allows the front-mounted hay rake to be transported safely in a more compact transport position with a narrower width perpendicular to the direction of travel, particularly on public roads.

[0025] In another embodiment, the working width of the haymaking machine with tines in the working position can be over 3m and / or the transport width of the haymaking machine with tines in a transport position can be under 3m.

[0026] This means that the front-mounted haymaking machine can be transported in the transport position on public German roads without special permission, while simultaneously ensuring a sufficient working width so that driving over the harvested crop is guaranteed even with larger carrier vehicles and when cornering.

[0027] In another embodiment, the distance from the front edge of the front-mounted hay rake with tines in the transport position to the interface with a carrier vehicle can be 1–3 m. This improves the compactness and thus the maneuverability of the combination consisting of the carrier vehicle and the front-mounted hay rake. Furthermore, it reduces the risk when entering roads with cross traffic.

[0028] In another embodiment, the tines can be designed as double tines, particularly with nearly parallel tines. Due to their elongated shape, the double tines have a spring-like effect. This double-tine design ensures efficient crop conveyance, especially with high crop density.

[0029] In another embodiment, the outer end of the lower tine (in working positions) is bent backwards with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tine, in the opposite direction to the rotation of the rotor, in particular by an angle of 10°–30°, preferably 20°. The lower tine is the tine that works close to the ground. This means that different designs result for the double tines on the clockwise and counterclockwise rotating rotors.

[0030] This ensures gentle and effective harvesting of the crop across the entire working area. The design guides the tines along the ground, reducing forage contamination and protecting the grass sward.

[0031] In another embodiment, the front-mounted hay rake can be attached to the three-point linkage, a three-point hitch, or a front loader, particularly one with a Euro quick-hitch. Standardized interfaces to the carrier vehicle allow for easy attachment, especially to different carrier vehicles. Automatic coupling of the hydraulic connections enables front mounting without the driver having to dismount.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, the tines, in particular the double tines, are arranged in a respective tine holder such that they can each be folded outwards about a first pivot axis A1 from the transport position to the working position, advantageously by an angle φ of 110°–60°, in particular 90°–70°. The tines can be pivoted with the tine holder in a simple manner.

[0033] By folding the tines in or out by at least 60°, they can be folded far enough inwards, and especially upwards. This reduces the width and length of the front-mounted hay rake and also creates the necessary clearance to the ground to prevent the tines from digging in.

[0034] According to the invention, the tines, in particular double tines, can additionally be pivoted about a second pivot axis A2. The tines can thus be pivoted easily with the tine holder. This means that the tines can be pivoted in two directions: about the first axis A1, for example, to pivot or fold the tine or double tine downwards and outwards and back, and about a second axis A2, to pivot the tine or double tine laterally to the left and / or right, i.e., in the direction of rotation or against the direction of rotation. It is possible to pivot and fix the tines about the second axis before operation.

[0035] By changing the angle of attack α, the working result can be optimized for different types of forage and drying levels. If the tines are additionally pivoted about the second pivot axis along with the tine holder, preferably, viewed in the working position, a longitudinal axis of the tines relative to a radial axis of the circle, which in particular passes through the center of the rotor and the suspension point of the tines, can be pivoted by at least an angle α of +30° to -30°, in particular against the direction of rotation of the rotor.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment, the rotors can be driven by a hydrostatic or an electric drive. With both a hydrostatic and an electric drive, a compact front mounting is possible.

[0037] The drawing illustrates one embodiment of the invention. Fig. Figure 1 shows a top view of a front-mounted haymaking machine with a carrier vehicle according to a first embodiment. Fig. Figure 2 shows in perspective the fold-out tine suspension of a front-mounted haymaking machine of another embodiment. Fig. Figure 3 shows a side view of a front-mounted haymaking machine of the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the tine suspension of a front-mounted haymaking machine according to a further embodiment. Fig. 5 shows this in Fig. 1. Example shown with protective devices.

[0038] The in Fig. The front-mounted haymaking machine M shown in a first embodiment can be attached to an interface, or front mounting device 3, of a carrier vehicle T, whose outer wheel edges 2 define a specific outer track width S. The longitudinal center axis of the carrier vehicle T is indicated by 1, the direction of travel R in Fig. 1 forward.

[0039] The front mounting device 3 can be designed in particular as a standardized three-point hydraulic system, a standardized implement triangle or a standardized front loader (e.g. Euro mount).

[0040] A support frame 4 of the front-mounted haymaking machine M can be anchored to the carrier vehicle T by a frame 17 and has, for example, a box profile 5 that gradually widens in the direction of travel R and is triangular in plan view. A support beam 6, oriented transversely to the direction of travel R, is rigidly attached to the front end of the box profile 5. The box profile 5 could have a different shape, e.g., square or rectangular. The support beam 6 can be hollow to save weight and can have a fixed length. In the embodiment shown, it carries two equally sized gyroscopes 7 at its ends, which are driven to rotate in opposite directions about their axes 8, such that the direction of rotation X of each gyroscope is directed outwards at the front in the direction of travel R.

[0041] The support beam 6 can house rotary bearings and gearboxes 9 for the two rotors 7. Gear trains 20, 21 can lead from an approximately centrally located distribution gearbox 18 to the gearboxes of the rotors 7. A cardan shaft connection 19 can be attached to the distribution gearbox 18 ( Fig. 3) provided for, to which a power take-off shaft Z extending from the carrier vehicle T can be connected. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which the rotors are driven hydraulically or electrically, in particular with motors located close to the rotors. With a hydrostatic drive and with an electric drive, a compact front mounting is possible. The rotors can be coupled by a common drive shaft and therefore rotate synchronously with each other to prevent collision of the tines.

[0042] In Fig. Figure 1 shows the orbital paths of the tines 12 in working position P1 and in transport position P2 with the corresponding diameters D and d. The width b1 of the front-mounted hay rake with tines in transport position P2, for example, lies in a range of 2.5 to 3.5 m and is reduced by k = D - d relative to the width of the front-mounted hay rake with tines in working position P1, specifically in a range of 0.8 m to 0.2 m. The length of the front-mounted hay rake can therefore vary by k / 2.

[0043] The length l3 of the front-mounted haymaking machine in the transport position P2 can be in a range of 3m to 1m, the length l4 of the front-mounted haymaking machine in the working position P1 can be in a range of 3.8m to 1.2m.

[0044] For the safety of the combination of front-mounted haymaking machine M and carrier vehicle T, the length l1 from the center of the steering wheel L to the front edge of the front-mounted haymaking machine M is particularly crucial. The length l2 between the center of the carrier vehicle's steering wheel and the front edge of the front-mounted haymaking machine in the transport position P2 can be reduced by a length k, i.e., in a range of 0.8–0.2 m, compared to the length l1 between the center of the carrier vehicle's steering wheel and the front edge of the front-mounted haymaking machine in the working position.

[0045] According to one embodiment, each gyroscope 7 has several tine arms 11 fixed to a gyroscope plate 10, which are arranged radially, for example, with respect to the gyroscope axis 8. In the embodiment shown, as a non-limiting example, six tine arms 11 are provided, regularly distributed around the gyroscope axis 8. Each tine arm 11 is ( Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) bent or angled outwards and downwards and carries at least one double tine 12 at its outer end, which is resiliently connected to the tine arm 11 via a helical arrangement 15 and the tine receptacle ZA. According to one embodiment, the double tine 12 has essentially straight and equally long tine ends 16, the outermost ends of which define an outer tine orbit 13.

[0046] In another embodiment, such as in the Fig. As indicated in Figure 2, the tines 11 can rotate evenly on a rotating carousel as a gyroscope. Otherwise, this corresponds to the description in Figure 2. Fig. The second embodiment shown is different from the first embodiment. The features of the two embodiments can be combined as desired.

[0047] According to Fig. 1. The double tines 12 can operate in a trailing motion because they are adjustable relative to the radial tine arms 11 at an angle α towards the rear, opposite to the direction of rotation X, on the tine mount ZA. The angle can be pivoted, for example, by at least +30° to -30°, particularly opposite to the direction of rotation (X) of the rotors (7).

[0048] The set angle α can be in a range of approximately -20° to +60° with respect to a radial axis (Ar) of the gyroscope.

[0049] The outer tine orbits 13 have an orbit diameter D in the working position and overlap in the center of the front-mounted hay rake M with an overlap U, which is, for example, between approximately 1 / 8 and 1 / 3, and in particular approximately 22%, of the orbit diameter D. The tine arms 11 and the double tines 12 of the two rotors 7 can be offset relative to each other so that they do not collide when rotating in the working position. The working width b2 of the front-mounted hay rake is in particular in the range of 3.8 m and 2.8 m, preferably > 3 m, and thus makes it possible to clear the entire track S of the carrier vehicle T of the harvested crop, even when turning.

[0050] The orbits can also be tangent or spaced apart, in which case they can have a distance of, for example, between 0.01 and 0.2m from each other.

[0051] The operating speed of the rotor 7 can preferably be between 50 and approximately 150 rpm and is adjustable from the carrier vehicle T. Due to the inertia of their mass, the tines 12 can automatically unfold into the working position P1 when accelerating to the operating speed, particularly from 50 rpm. If a threshold speed below the operating speed range, particularly 30 rpm, is undershot, the tines 12 can be automatically folded back into the transport position P2 by means of a return spring RF and a return force, particularly a spring return force.

[0052] Fig. Figure 2 shows the tines 12 in the tine holder ZA in working position P1 and in transport position P2. The tines 12 can be adjusted around axes A1 and A2 via the tine holder ZA. The tines 12 can be pivoted around axis A1 between working position P1 and transport position P2. Around axis A2, as described above, the longitudinal axis Az of the tines can be adjusted and preferably fixed relative to the radial axis Ar of the rotary actuator 7, particularly by trailing it backwards in the direction of rotation X. This adjustment is made, for example, before operation.

[0053] Fig. Figure 4 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a tine holder ZA. X denotes the direction of rotation. The arrow Q indicates the direction in which the tine would be folded into the working position. A return spring RF is provided at the hinge S1 of axis A1 for automatically returning the tine 12 from the working position P1 to the transport position P2. The adjustment of the hinge S2 along axis A2 can be achieved using a lever mechanism M1.

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment, the tine ends ZE 12, or at least the tine end ZE of the lower, ground-level tine 12, can be bent backwards from the tine longitudinal axis Az opposite to the direction of rotation X of the rotor, in particular by an angle of 10° - 30°, especially 20°. This means that different designs result for the double tines on the clockwise and counterclockwise rotating rotor.

[0055] This ensures gentle and effective harvesting of the crop across the entire working area. The design guides the tines along the ground, reducing forage contamination and protecting the grass sward.

[0056] According to a preferred in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the gyroscope axes 8, which are at least substantially parallel to each other, can be inclined relative to a perpendicular to a working plane B (the ground) at an angle β between approximately 5° and approximately 15°, in particular approximately 9°, such that the tines 12 move close to the working plane B at the front in the direction of travel R, while those at the rear in the direction of travel R are clearly raised from the working plane B. Each double tine 12 can be attached to the tine arm 11 via the tine receptacle ZA such that it forms an angle γ with the working plane B, which lies in a range of approximately 5° to 20°, in particular approximately 10°. The gyroscopes 7 can each be supported on the working plane B by at least one ground gauge wheel 14, which can be designed as a pivotable trailing wheel.

[0057] In Fig. Figure 3 shows an example of a tine 12 in working position P1 and transport position P2. The tine can be folded into transport position P2 in such a way that there is sufficient clearance to the ground B. This prevents the tines from digging into the ground B when driving on without the driven rotor 7. Between transport position P2 and working position P1, the tine 12 can be pivoted by an angle φ in a range of 110° to 60°, particularly 90° to 70°. The angled rotors were designed in conjunction with the [unclear - possibly "in the context of the figure"]. Fig. The embodiment shown in 1 is described. But even if the tines are, for example, as in 1, Fig. As shown in section 2, which is attached to a carousel, the carousel can be tilted as described above.

[0058] The in Fig. The embodiment shown in section 5 corresponds to that described in connection with Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the front-mounted haymaking machine, as roughly schematically indicated, also has generally known protective devices that can be automatically swung in and out transversely to the direction of travel and / or in the direction of travel from a transport position to a working position and vice versa, the required actuating force being generated by the hydraulic pressure applied to the hydraulic motor. Fig. 5. A protective device is shown in a roughly schematic way in dashed lines in the working position and in solid lines in the transport position.

Claims

[1] Front-mounted haymaking machine (M), with a support frame (4) on which two counter-rotating rotors (7) with tines (12) are arranged side by side, wherein preferably the outer orbits (13) of the tines (12) overlap or tangent to each other in a working position (P1) in the middle, wherein the tines (12) are designed to be automatically foldable from a transport position (P2) to the working position (P1) and vice versa, wherein the tines (12) are designed to be foldable by centrifugal force, in particular the centrifugal force from the inertia of the mass of the tines (12), when the gyroscopes (7) are rotated from the transport position (P2) to the working position (P1), wherein the front-mounted haymaking machine includes a return device (RF) in the form of a return spring (RF) such that the tines (12) are designed to be foldable from the working position (P1) to the transport position (P2) by the spring return force, wherein the tines, in particular the double tines, are arranged in a respective tine receptacle (ZA) such that they can each be folded outwards about a first pivot axis (A1) from the transport position (P2) to the working position (P1), and wherein the tines (12), in particular double tines, can be pivoted about a second pivot axis (A2). [2] Front-mounted haymaking machine according to claim 1, characterized by , that the restoring device is designed such that the centrifugal force of the tines (12) exceeds the restoring force at a working speed of the rotors. [3] Front-mounted haymaking machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the front-mounted haymaking machine (M), when the tines (12) are in the transport position (P2), has a narrower width perpendicular to the direction of travel (R) than when the tines (12) are in a working position (P1). [4] Front-mounted haymaking machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the working width (b2) of the front-mounted haymaking machine (M) with tines (12) in the working position (P1) is greater than 3 m and / or the transport width (b1) of the front-mounted haymaking machine (M) with tines in a transport position (P2) is less than 3 m. [5] Front-mounted haymaking machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the distance from the front edge of the front-mounted haymaking machine (M) with tines (12) in the transport position to the interface (3) with a carrier vehicle (T) is 1 - 3 m. [6] Front-mounted haymaking machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the tines (12) are designed as double tines, in particular with approximately parallel tines (12). [7] Front-mounted haymaking machine according to claim 6, characterized by , that the outer end of the tine (ZE) of the lower tine (12) in working position (P1) is bent backwards with respect to a tine longitudinal axis (AZ) against the direction of rotation of the gyroscopes, in particular by an angle of 10° - 30°, preferably 20°. [8] Front-mounted haymaking machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the front-mounted haymaking machine (M) can be attached either to a three-point linkage, an implement triangle or a front loader, especially with Euro attachment. [9] Front-mounted haymaking machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the tines are to be folded outwards around the first pivot axis (A1) from the transport position (P2) to the working position (P1) by an angle φ of 110°-60°, in particular 90°-70°. [10] Front-mounted haymaking machine according to claim 9, characterized by , that when viewed in working position (P1), a tine longitudinal axis relative to a radial axis (Ar) of the gyroscope (7) can be pivoted by an angle (α) of at least +30° to -30°, in particular against the direction of rotation (X) of the gyroscope (7). [11] Front-mounted haymaking machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the rotors (7) can be driven via a hydrostatic drive or an electric drive and the supply lines are automatically coupled when mounted in front mounting. [12] Front-mounted haymaking machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the gyroscopes (7) are coupled via a common drive shaft and are therefore driven synchronously with each other. [13] Front-mounted haymaking machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that protective devices can be automatically swung in and out transversely to the direction of travel and / or in the direction of travel from a transport position to a working position and vice versa, whereby the required actuating force is generated by the hydraulic pressure applied to the hydraulic motor.

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