HARVESTING DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a harvesting device, namely a merger or pickup rake, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] US 2014 / 0150396 A1 discloses a pick-up device for an agricultural machine, comprising a frame and a first and a second unit, wherein the first and the second unit each contain a displacement device and are arranged next to one another at a short distance from one another and are each connected directly to the frame by a joint, and wherein the units each contain a rotatable first and a second pick-up rotor, respectively, which are connected to one another by a guide device, wherein the axes of rotation of the pick-up rotors each lie in the plane of the joint axes with which the units are connected to the frame and a stop mechanism is provided which defines two end working positions of the units with respect to the frame, between which they can pivot freely within a limited range and remain connected to one another regardless of their position between the end working positions.

[0003] The document GB 1 578 207 A discloses a pickup for crop lying on the ground, for front attachment to a harvesting machine, with pickup drums and a cross conveyor auger located behind them, wherein the pickup drums can be pivoted about a common pivot axis located centrally on the pickup or about individually attached pivot axes and the pickup drums are guided by skids relative to the ground and in the side walls and in the middle of the pickup in a guide.

[0004] EP 2 979 529 B1 discloses an agricultural harvesting device designed as a merger. Mergers are also referred to as pickup rakes. According to this prior art, the harvesting device designed as a merger has a support frame and a chassis. Furthermore, the harvesting device designed as a merger has pickup elements for picking up the harvested material and cross conveyor devices designed as belt conveyors for conveying the picked up crop crosswise. The support frame has a longitudinal member and cross members, with the pickup elements and cross conveyor devices being mounted on the cross members. The pickup elements and cross conveyor devices are foldable in order to transfer the harvesting device designed as a merger between a working position and a transport position.The agricultural harvesting device, designed as a merger, can be coupled to a towing vehicle via a drawbar attached to the supporting frame.

[0005] When a harvesting device designed as a merger or pickup rake is used to cultivate uneven ground, it may not be possible to collect all of the crop from the ground. This is because existing mergers or pickup rakes do not allow ground tracking, or only to a limited extent. Therefore, there is a need for a harvesting device designed as a merger or pickup rake with improved ground tracking to enable higher-quality cultivation even of uneven ground.

[0006] Based on this, the present invention is based on the object of creating a novel harvesting device designed as a merger or pickup rake.

[0007] This object is achieved by a harvesting device according to claim 1.

[0008] According to the invention, each receiving element designed as a pickup is pivotally mounted on a respective transverse conveyor device designed as a belt conveyor, namely centrally relative to the respective receiving element via a respective joint.

[0009] This allows each pick-up unit to individually adapt to the ground. This is achieved with simple design features. When working on uneven ground, the quality of the work can be significantly improved. More crop can be safely picked up from the ground.

[0010] According to an advantageous development, a rotational axis of the respective joint runs in the harvesting direction or direction of travel. The respective joint preferably has a cylindrical or tubular support that engages centrally on the respective pickup element and extends into a recess in the respective cross-conveyor device, in which the latter is pivotally mounted. This allows for individual ground adaptation for each pickup element using simple structural means.

[0011] According to the invention, an adjustment kinematics interacts with each receiving element to change the relative position between the respective receiving element and the feeler wheels. The respective adjustment kinematics comprises a linearly displaceable rod, via which the respective receiving element can be lowered in a first displacement direction of the rod, particularly relative to the respective feeler wheels, and via which the respective receiving element can be raised in a second displacement direction of the rod, particularly relative to the respective feeler wheels. This allows the individual ground adaptation of each receiving element to be further improved.

[0012] Preferred developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail, without being limited thereto, with reference to the drawings. Herein: Fig. 1 a perspective view from above of a tractor-trailer combination comprising a harvesting device designed as a merger or pickup swather and a tractor, in working position; Fig. 2 a perspective view from the front above of a detail of the harvesting device designed as a merger or pickup swather; Fig. 3 a perspective view from below rear of the detail of the Fig. 2 ; Fig. 4 a front view of the detail of the Fig. 1 , 2 in a first state of ground adaptation in working position; Fig. 5 a front view of the detail of the Fig. 1 , 2 in a second state of ground adaptation in working position; Fig.6 a front view of the detail of the Fig. 1 , 2 in a third state of a ground adaptation in working position; Fig. 7 a partially perspective exploded view from the front above of the detail of the Fig. 1 , 2; Fig. 8 a partially perspective exploded view from the rear bottom of the detail of the Fig. 1 , 2 .

[0013] The invention relates to a harvesting device designed as a merger. Such a harvesting device is also referred to as a pickup swather and essentially consists of at least one receiving element that picks up crop from the ground, and a transverse conveyor device that interacts with the receiving element and conveys the crop transferred from the receiving element transversely to the harvesting or travel direction.

[0014] Fig. 1 shows a tractor combination consisting of a harvesting device 10 designed as a merger or pickup rake and a tractor 100 in working position.

[0015] The Fig. 1The harvesting device 10 shown has a support frame 11 with a longitudinal member 12 and cross members 13, 14. The harvesting device 10 can be coupled to the towing vehicle 100 via the longitudinal member 12, namely a drawbar 15 engaging the front end of the longitudinal member 12, in order to be pulled by the towing vehicle 100 along a subsoil to be worked. The longitudinal member 12 extends in the direction of travel or harvesting. The cross members 13, 14 extend transversely or perpendicularly thereto.

[0016] The Fig.1 The harvesting device 10 shown further comprises a chassis 16 with wheels 17. The chassis 16 is also referred to as the main chassis. The harvesting device 10, designed as a merger, is supported on the ground to be worked or driven over via the wheels 17 of the chassis 16, both in a working position and in a transport position, as well as in a headland position.

[0017] The harvesting device 10 further comprises receiving elements 18 and transverse conveyor devices 19. The receiving elements 18 of the harvesting device 10 are designed as so-called pickups and serve to pick up crops from the field soil / subsoil. At least one receiving element 18 is arranged on a first side of the longitudinal beam 12, and at least one receiving element 18 is arranged on a second side of the longitudinal beam 12.

[0018] Preferably, as in Fig.1 shown, two receiving elements 18 are arranged on each side of the longitudinal member 12.

[0019] The pickup members 18 have pickup tines 20 which are driven around an axis extending transversely to the harvesting direction or direction of travel in order to pick up the harvested material from the ground to be worked or traveled over.

[0020] In the working position of the harvesting device 10, each of the pickup elements 18 rests on the ground to be worked via feeler wheels 21. In the headland and transport positions of the harvesting device 10, the feeler wheels 21 are raised above the ground to be worked.

[0021] As already explained, the harvesting device 10 has, in addition to the receiving elements 18, the cross conveyor devices 19.

[0022] The cross conveyor devices 19 of the harvesting device 10 are designed as belt conveyors, wherein the crop picked up from the ground to be worked by the pick-up members 18 can be transported via the cross conveyor devices 19 in a cross conveyor direction 19 extending transversely or perpendicularly to the harvesting direction or direction of travel.

[0023] At least one transverse conveyor device 19 is arranged on the first side of the longitudinal member 12, and at least one further transverse conveyor device 19 is arranged on the second side of the longitudinal member 12, both of these transverse conveyor devices 19 being designed as belt conveyors.

[0024] Preferably, as in Fig.1 shown, a single transverse conveying direction 19 is arranged on each side of the longitudinal member 12.

[0025] As can be seen from the drawings, the cross conveyor devices 19 are arranged behind the receiving members 18 when viewed in the harvesting direction or direction of travel of the harvesting device.

[0026] The invention is not limited to the Fig. 1The invention is limited to the harvesting device 10 shown, which is designed as a merger or pickup rake. Rather, the invention can also be used with a harvesting device designed as a merger or pickup rake, which does not have its own chassis 16, but rather is coupled to a front coupling device 101 of the towing vehicle 100. The chassis 16 with the wheels 17 and the supporting frame 11 with the longitudinal member 12 and the cross members 13, 14 are optional assemblies.

[0027] Fig. 2 and 3 each show a perspective view of a detail of the harvesting device 10 of the Fig. 1 , namely in the area of ​​a cross conveyor device 19 designed as a belt conveyor and in the area of ​​two receiving elements 18 designed as pickups, which are arranged in front of the cross conveyor device 19 in the harvesting direction or direction of travel or longitudinal direction.

[0028] In order to enable optimal ground adaptation for the harvesting device 10 to unevenness of the ground to be worked, each pickup member 18 designed as a pickup is individually pivotably mounted on a respective cross conveyor device 19 designed as a belt conveyor, namely centrally with respect to the respective pickup member 18 via a respective joint 22. Figs. 4, 5 and 6 the detail of the Fig. 1 and 2 in different conditions for soil adaptation to a subsoil to be worked, which is in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 indicated by dotted lines.

[0029] So in Fig. 4 the receiving elements 18 designed as pickups are shown in a state which they assume, for example, when the ground to be worked has a depression.

[0030] In Fig. 5the receiving members 18 are shown in a state which they assume, for example, when the surface to be worked has a hill.

[0031] In Fig. 6 the receiving members 18 are shown in a state which they assume, for example, when the surface to be worked has an inclination with a step and thus a graded inclination.

[0032] As already explained, each of the pickup elements 18 is pivotally mounted on the respective cross conveyor device 19, which is designed as a belt conveyor. Thus, each pickup element 18 can be individually aligned with respect to the respective cross conveyor device 19 for the purpose of adapting to the surface to be worked.

[0033] With respect to the respective receiving member 18, the respective receiving member 18 is pivotally mounted centrally on the respective cross conveyor device 19, namely via a joint 22. The details of this joint 22 will be explained below with reference to the exploded views of the Figs. 7 and 8 received.

[0034] The respective joint 22 for the individual pivotable mounting of the respective receiving member 18 on the respective cross-conveying device 19 comprises a cylindrical or tubular support 23, which engages centrally on the respective receiving member 18 with respect to the width of the respective receiving member 18. This cylindrical or tubular support 23 extends into a recess 24 in the respective cross-conveying device 19, in which the cylindrical or tubular support 23 is pivotally mounted, in particular via bearings positioned in the respective recess 24.

[0035] A rotation axis or pivot axis of the respective joint 22 runs in the harvesting direction or direction of travel and thus in Fig. 1 parallel to a longitudinal direction of the longitudinal member 12 of the supporting frame 11.

[0036] In order to further improve the ground adaptation of the respective pickup element 18, a relative position between the respective feeler wheels 21 and the respective pickup element 18 can be adjusted via an adjustment kinematics 25. The respective adjustment kinematics 25 has a linearly displaceable rod 26 which, like the cylindrical or tubular support 23, engages centrally on the respective pickup element 18 with respect to the width of the respective pickup element 18 and extends below the respective support 23 or runs below the respective support 23. A first end of this rod 26 engages a lever 27 of the pickup element 18, which also engages an axle 28 receiving the feeler wheels 21. An opposite second end of the rod 26 is guided in a tab 29 which engages a side of the respective cross conveyor device 19 facing away from the pickup elements 18.

[0037] By displacing the respective rod 26 in a first linear displacement direction, the respective receiving member 18 can be lowered, in particular relative to the respective feeler wheels 21. This occurs when the rod 26 is pulled, as seen from the cross conveyor device 19, i.e. when a tensile force is exerted on the rod 26 which is aligned such that the respective force vector points from the respective receiving member 18 in the direction of the respective cross conveyor device 19. By displacing the rod 26 in an opposite second displacement direction, the respective receiving member 18 can be raised relative to the respective feeler wheels 21, namely when a pushing force is exerted on the respective rod 26, the force vector of which points from the respective cross conveyor device 19 in the direction of the respective receiving member 18.

[0038] The invention allows for optimal ground adaptation of the harvesting device, designed as a merger or pickup rake, to the ground to be worked. Each pickup element 18 designed as a pickup can rotate individually relative to the respective cross conveyor device 19, designed as a belt conveyor. This allows the harvested material to be easily picked up by the pickup elements 18 of the harvesting device 10 and transferred to the respective cross conveyor device 19, even on uneven ground to be worked. List of reference symbols

[0039] 10Harvesting device 11Support frame 12Longitudinal beam 13Cross beam 14Cross beam 15Drawbar 16Chassis 17Wheel 18Pick-up device 19Cross conveyor device 20Pick-up tines 21Follow wheel 22Joint 23Carrier 24Recess 25Adjustment kinematics 26Rod 27Lever 28Axle 29Tab 100Towing vehicle 101Front coupling device

Claims

1. Harvesting apparatus (10), specifically merger or pick-up windrower, with receiving members (18) which are in the form of pick-ups and serve for receiving harvested crop, wherein each receiving member (18) is mounted pivotably on a respective transverse conveying device (19), specifically centrally in relation to the respective receiving member (18) via a respective joint (22), with at least one transverse conveying device (19) for conveying the received harvested crop in a transverse conveying direction which extends transversely to a harvesting direction or direction of travel, characterized in that the transverse conveying device (19) is in the form of a belt conveyor, and an adjustment kinematic mechanism (25) interacts with each receiving member (18) so as to change a relative position between the respective receiving member (18) and feeler wheels (21), wherein the respective adjustment kinematic mechanism (25) has a linearly displaceable rod (26) via which the respective receiving member (18) is lowerable in a first displacement direction of the rod (26) and via which the respective receiving member (18) is liftable in a second, opposite displacement direction of the rod (26).

2. Harvesting apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that an axis of rotation of the respective joint (22) extends in the harvesting direction or direction of travel.

3. Harvesting apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the respective joint (22) has a cylindrical or tubular support (23) which acts centrally on the respective receiving member (18) and which extends into a cutout (24) in the respective transverse conveying device (19), in which said support is pivotably mounted.

4. Harvesting apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the respective linearly displaceable rod (26) acts centrally at a first end on the respective receiving member (18), wherein an opposite second end of the respective rod (26) is guided in a tab (29) of the respective transverse conveying device (19).

5. Harvesting apparatus according to Claim 4, characterized in that the respective linearly displaceable rod (26) acts at the first end on a lever (27) of the respective receiving member (18), said lever acting on a shaft (28) that receives the feeler wheels (21) of the respective receiving member (18).

6. Harvesting apparatus according to Claim 3 and 4 or 5, characterized in that the respective linearly displaceable rod (26) runs below the respective cylindrical or tubular support (23).