AGRICULTURAL MACHINE WITH AT LEAST ONE EXTENSION

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an agricultural machine with at least one boom according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such agricultural machines are disclosed in US 4,535,848 A, wherein a swivel limiting device is designed as an adjusting thread between the actuator and a block on the boom, and US 4,570,722 A, wherein a non-adjustable swivel limiting device is designed as a connecting element with a stop.

[0003] Another agricultural machine according to the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in DE 20 2014 006 873 U1, wherein this agricultural machine has a swivel limiting device comprising an actuating element by means of which the actuator is connected to the central frame at a pivot point, wherein the swivel limiting device is configured to allow a translational displacement of the pivot point of the actuator relative to the axis of rotation by making the actuating element movable into three different positions relative to the central frame.

[0004] Other such agricultural machines are known, for example, in the case of large-width precision seed drills. These machines have at least one, and in particular regularly two, booms, which can extend transversely to the direction of travel, at least in the working position. The boom is attached to a central frame of the machine via at least one pivoting device. The pivoting device comprises at least one axis of rotation that is horizontal, at least in the working position of the agricultural machine, and at least approximately aligned with the direction of travel. The axis of rotation thus points approximately in the direction of travel and is aligned at least approximately parallel to the ground, at least in the working position. The boom is rotatably mounted on the central frame about this axis of rotation, which is horizontal in the working position. An actuator is provided to rotate the boom about the axis of rotation.The actuator is positioned between the central frame and the boom, so that the boom can be rotated around the axis of rotation by changing the length of the actuator.

[0005] In previously known machines, the working position is either designed so that the boom can rotate around the axis of rotation to a maximum horizontal position, or so that the boom can rotate beyond the horizontal position into a position angled relative to the central frame, particularly downwards. The boom thus forms either an approximately right angle or an angle greater than 90 degrees with a vertical axis that intersects the axis of rotation. In the first case, the working position is referred to as a rigid boom, while the second case is described as a drop boom.

[0006] Rigid booms have the disadvantage that they cannot adapt to the terrain, at least on downhill slopes, in fields with hills and dips. Rigid booms thus exhibit poor ground contour following. Drop booms, on the other hand, prove particularly disadvantageous when using two booms side-by-side on an agricultural machine, as the working units mounted on the booms do not maintain their preset row spacing at the point where they meet. Users of such agricultural machines are therefore forced to choose between these two concepts and accept their associated disadvantages at the time of purchase.

[0007] The object underlying the invention is to create an adjustment option for the rotation of the boom about the axis of rotation in at least one direction.

[0008] This problem is solved according to the invention by an agricultural machine having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent subclaims.

[0009] The agricultural machine is designed to include at least one boom. It can be configured as a precision seeder and / or include at least two booms, with multiple precision seeder units potentially mounted on at least one boom. The machine also includes a central frame. The central frame can be connected to a chassis frame, which may include a chassis and / or a seed hopper. Alternatively, the central frame itself can include a chassis and / or a seed hopper. Furthermore, the agricultural machine is designed to include a pivoting device with at least one axis of rotation that is horizontal and oriented in the direction of travel, at least when the machine is in its working position. The boom is rotatably mounted on the central frame about this axis of rotation.The agricultural machine further comprises an actuator arranged between the central frame and the boom. The actuator enables the boom to be rotated about the axis of rotation. The agricultural machine is provided with at least one swivel limiting device comprising an actuating element by which the actuator is connected to the boom at a pivot point. The swivel limiting device is configured to allow translational displacement of the actuator's pivot point along the boom's longitudinal axis relative to the axis of rotation by allowing the actuating element to be moved into at least two different positions relative to the boom.

[0010] The pivot point is thus adjustable along the longitudinal direction of the boom to at least two different, in particular horizontal, distances from the axis of rotation. The swivel limiting device is therefore adjustable to, on the one hand, selectively limit the rotation of the boom relative to the central frame in the working position to at least an approximately horizontal orientation of the boom by means of the first position of the pivot point resulting from the first position of the adjusting element, and on the other hand, selectively limit the rotation of the boom in the working position to an angled orientation relative to the central frame by means of the second position of the pivot point resulting from the second position of the adjusting element.In the first position of the actuating element, the boom forms at least an approximate right angle with a vertical axis intersecting the axis of rotation when the boom is in its working position. In the second position of the actuating element, the boom can form an angle of more than 90 degrees with a vertical axis intersecting the axis of rotation. Regardless of the position of the actuating element, the boom can be held in its working position against a spring force, preferably adjustable, exerted by the actuator, particularly in combination with a hydraulic accumulator.

[0011] The invention utilizes the understanding that the end position of the boom relative to the central frame is determined, firstly, by the maximum length of the actuator and, secondly, by the position of the actuator's pivot points relative to the axis of rotation. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but extends to all implementations that a person skilled in the art would recognize as equivalent. Thus, the distance of the actuator's pivot point on the central frame from the axis of rotation can also be varied.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of the agricultural machine according to the invention, the displacement of the pivot point is enabled such that the displacement corresponds to a rotational movement of the boom about the axis of rotation of at least 1.5 degrees, preferably 3 degrees. The swivel limiting device is therefore designed such that the actuating element can be moved between at least two positions to such an extent that the boom is enabled to perform an additional or reduced rotational movement of at least 1.5 degrees, preferably 3 degrees, by moving the actuating element, i.e., by shifting the pivot point, particularly to reach the working position.In other words, the displacement of the pivot point, i.e., the distance between the two positions of the actuating element and the boom, is selected such that it results in a change of at least 1.5 degrees, preferably 3 degrees, in the achievable rotational movement of the boom about its axis of rotation by means of the actuator. The difference between a rigidly set boom and a floating boom can therefore be at least 1.5 degrees, preferably 3 degrees.

[0013] The agricultural machine according to the invention is characterized in that the swivel limiting device comprises a screw bracket on the boom, wherein the actuating element is designed as a flange plate, the flange plate having at least two spaced-apart recess patterns, each with at least two recesses, and the recess patterns being able to be aligned with at least two mounting holes in the screw bracket so that the flange plate can be attached to the boom in at least two different positions by means of releasable fasteners. Preferably, each recess pattern comprises three recesses for the releasable fasteners, which are able to be aligned with three mounting holes in the screw bracket. Preferably, the recesses and the mounting holes are accessible through the fasteners.Alternatively, the screw bracket can have at least two spaced-apart recess patterns, each with at least two recesses, whereby the recess patterns can be aligned with two mounting holes in the flange plate. The screw bracket and the flange plate, i.e., the arm and the actuator's pivot point, can thus be mounted in different positions relative to each other by inserting and securing the fasteners either through one recess pattern and the mounting holes or through the other recess pattern and the mounting holes. To change between positions, the fasteners can be loosened and removed.

[0014] In an advantageous further development of the aforementioned embodiment of the agricultural machine, the screw bracket is provided with at least one elongated hole which can be aligned with a guide bore in the flange plate, wherein the guide bore and the elongated hole are traversed by a retaining element. Alternatively, the flange plate can have at least one elongated hole which can be aligned with a guide bore in the screw bracket. If the elongated hole and the guide bore are traversed by a retaining element, the screw bracket and the flange plate are guided relative to each other along the elongated hole. Preferably, at least two spaced-apart elongated holes are provided which can be aligned with at least two guide bores, so that a linear guide is created by the retaining elements traversing the at least two elongated holes and guide bores.As a result of this measure, the flange plate does not need to be completely removed from the screw bracket to be moved to the other position and fastened. Instead, only the fasteners need to be removed from the mounting holes and the retaining elements released, so that the flange plate can be moved along the at least one elongated hole, particularly by means of the actuator. The flange plate can therefore be moved into at least two different positions relative to the screw bracket if the guide hole and the elongated hole are penetrated by the retaining element, particularly in a released state.

[0015] In the agricultural machine according to the invention, the permissible displacement of the pivot point is defined by the distance between the recess patterns. As a result of this measure, the kinematics underlying the invention can be adapted particularly effectively.

[0016] In a non-inventive embodiment of the agricultural machine, the swivel limiting device comprises a length-adjustable adjusting element, wherein the adjusting element is designed as a connecting rod rotatably attached to the boom, and the pivot point of the actuator is arranged at the end of the connecting rod opposite its attachment point, the connecting rod being rotatable about its attachment point on the boom by means of the adjusting element. Thus, the rotation of the connecting rod about its attachment point on the boom, i.e., the position of the connecting rod relative to the boom, is adjustable due to the length adjustability of the adjusting element, thereby allowing the pivot point to be displaced in a translational direction along the boom axis relative to the axis of rotation.The connecting rod, the adjusting element, the boom, the central frame, and the actuator form a coupling mechanism, with the connecting rod and the adjusting element each forming a coupling, the boom the rocker arm, the central frame the frame, and the actuator the crank. The adjusting element can be continuously variable in length. Alternatively, the adjusting element can be variable in length in increments. The adjusting element can have at least two parts that are movable relative to each other and a slotted track, wherein the parts can be locked in different positions relative to each other using the slotted track, so that the length of the adjusting element can be changed by locking it in the slotted track. The adjusting element can be designed as an actuator, wherein the actuator is preferably remotely adjustable.When the adjusting element is designed as an actuator, one end position of the actuator can move the actuating element into a first position relative to the boom, and the opposite end position of the actuator can be assigned to the second position of the actuating element relative to the boom.

[0017] In a further development of the aforementioned, non-inventive embodiment of the agricultural machine, the length-adjustable adjusting element is designed as a turnbuckle. As a result of this measure, the adjusting element is particularly robust and easy to operate. Preferably, the thread path of the turnbuckle is selected such that the permissible displacement of the pivot point is defined by the thread path, thus simplifying the adjustment of one position or the other for the user by means of the end positions thereby created.

[0018] Further details of the invention can be found in the description of the example and the drawings. The drawings show Fig. 1 shows an agricultural machine according to the invention with two booms in perspective view, Fig. 2 shows the machine according to Fig.1 in a first working position in rear view, Fig. 3 the machine according to Fig.1 in a second working position in rear view, Fig.4A - 4C an actuating element of a swivel limiting device in a first position to the boom, Fig.5A - 5C the actuating element in a second position to the boom, and Fig.6 a non-inventive embodiment of a swivel limiting device.

[0019] An agricultural machine according to the invention is in Fig.1 This agricultural machine is designed as a precision seed drill 1, shown in a perspective view from a rear angle. The precision seed drill 1 has two booms 2 which extend transversely to the direction of travel F during operation. The booms 2 are each mounted on a central frame 5 of the precision seed drill 1 via a pivoting device 4. Each pivoting device 4 has a rotation axis that is horizontal and oriented in the direction of travel F, at least when the precision seed drill 1 is in its working position. The axis of rotation D is thus aligned at least approximately parallel to the ground. The booms 2 are rotatably mounted on the central frame 5 about their respective axis of rotation D. Actuators 6 are arranged between the central frame 5 and the booms 2 for remotely adjustable rotation of the booms 2 about the axis of rotation D.The actuators 6 are maximally extended in the working position of the precision seeder 1, so that their length L is decisive for the rotational alignment of the booms 2 relative to the central frame 5. Furthermore, the distance A between the pivot point of the actuator 6 on the boom 2 and the axis of rotation D is decisive. The invention makes use of this finding, as will be explained in more detail in the following. Fig. 2 and 3 will be explained.

[0020] In this precision seeder 1, the booms 2 have an H-profile and serve to mount multiple seeding units 3. The seeding units 3 are located at the rear end of the booms 2 in the direction of travel F and are spaced perpendicular to the direction of travel F at a distance equal to one row width RW. Thus, during operation of the precision seeder 1, the seeding units 3 create rows of crops in the cultivated field, leaving an unplanted area between each row with a width equal to one row width RW. These unplanted areas must be kept free of weeds, particularly during the growth phase of the crops. This can be achieved through the use of pesticides, herbicides, or similar products, and / or the use of mechanical weed control machines, such as hoeing machines.Especially when subsequently treating the unplanted areas with a hoeing machine, care must be taken to ensure that the crop plants do not fall below the distance of one row width RW, as the hoeing machine will otherwise damage the crop plants.

[0021] However, on fields with hillocks and / or depressions, the situation regularly arises that when the boom 2 adapts downwards to these unevennesses, i.e., lowers itself relative to the central frame 5 around the axis of rotation D, as in Fig.3 As shown on the left, the seeding units 3 arranged in the central area of ​​the precision seeder 1 have a reduced distance between them. The reduced distance is then one row spacing RW minus a value x which depends on the rotation angle of the boom 2 beyond its horizontal orientation. This rotation angle is in Fig.3 For example, 3 degrees. If rows of crops are sown in this working position of the precision seeder, they cannot be cultivated by a hoeing machine without losses. If subsequent cultivation of the crop stand with a hoeing machine is planned, there is therefore a need to limit the rotation of the booms 2, at least in the downward direction. However, the booms 2 have insufficient ground contour following when their rotation is limited, so on the other hand, there is a need to allow rotation at least in the downward direction, especially if the field to be cultivated has hillocks and / or depressions and / or no subsequent cultivation by a hoeing machine is planned.

[0022] The agricultural machine according to the invention, here designed as a precision seed drill 1, therefore has a pivot limiting device 7. Each boom 2 is assigned a pivot limiting device 7. The pivot limiting device 7 comprises an actuating element 8. The actuating element 8 has a pivot point 9. The actuator 6 is connected to the boom 2 via the pivot point 9 of the actuating element 8. The actuating element 8 is thus detachably mounted on the boom 2 and offers the possibility of connecting the actuator 6 at the pivot point 9. The pivot limiting device 7 is further configured to allow a translational displacement of the pivot point 9 of the actuator 6 along the longitudinal axis 2A of the boom relative to the axis of rotation D, by allowing the actuating element 8 to be moved into at least two different positions relative to the boom 2.The pivot point 9 is therefore adjustable along the longitudinal direction of the boom 2 to at least two different horizontal distances A, A' to the axis of rotation D.

[0023] Based on the invention, the swivel limiting device 7 is thus adjustable to selectively limit the rotation of the boom 2 relative to the central frame 5 in the working position, at least in the downward direction, to an approximately horizontal orientation of the boom 2, by means of one position of the pivot point 9 resulting from one position of the actuating element 8, as shown in Fig.2 shown. On the other hand, optionally, the swivel limiting device 7 is configured to limit the rotation of the boom 2 in the working position in the downward direction to an orientation angled relative to the central frame 5 by means of the other position of the pivot point 9 resulting from the second position of the actuating element 8, as shown in Fig.3 shown for the left boom 2. The distance A of the pivot point 9 to the axis of rotation D in Fig.2 is greater than the distance A' of pivot point 9 to the axis of rotation D in Fig.3 , so that the boom 2, at the maximum length L of the actuator 6, is in the position of the actuating element 8 according to Fig.3 can rotate further around the axis of rotation D than in the first position of the actuating element 8 according to Fig.2 .

[0024] In the first position of the actuator 8, as in Fig.2 As shown, the boom 2 forms a maximum angle of at least approximately a right angle 10 with a vertical axis V that intersects the axis of rotation D when the boom 2 is in its working position. The rotation of the boom 2 is limited to at least approximately 90 degrees, at least in the downward direction, due to the maximum length L of the actuator 6 and the distance A of the pivot point 9. This working position, i.e., this position of the actuating element 8 relative to the boom 2, is therefore particularly advantageous for subsequent cultivation using a hoeing machine, since the seeding units 3 cannot be spaced less than one row width RW apart.

[0025] In the second position of the actuator 8, as in Fig.3 As shown for the left boom, boom 2 can enclose a maximum angle 10' of more than 90 degrees with a vertical axis V intersecting the axis of rotation D. Boom 2 can thus adapt to the terrain in a downward direction. The rotation of boom 2 is limited to an angle 10' of more than 90 degrees due to the maximum length L of actuator 6 and the reduced distance A' of pivot point 9. In this case, the rotation is limited to 93 degrees. The displacement of pivot point 9, i.e., the difference between distance A and distance A', is therefore such that it corresponds to a rotation of boom 2 about the axis of rotation D of at least 3 degrees. This working position, i.e., this second position of the actuating element 8 relative to boom 2, is therefore particularly advantageous for hilly terrain and / or when no subsequent maintenance with a hoeing machine is planned.If the single-seed drill 1 is in this configuration on level ground, the boom 2 deflects upwards around the axis of rotation D against the adjustable spring force of the actuator 6, as for the right boom in . Fig.3 The actuator 6 then has a reduced length L'. Regardless of the position of the actuating element 8, the boom 2 can thus be held in a working position against a spring force, preferably adjustable, exerted by the actuator 6, particularly in combination with a hydraulic accumulator element, and thus be able to deflect upwards about the axis of rotation D.

[0026] In the Fig.4A - C is the swivel limiting device 7 in the Fig.2 The corresponding position is shown, such that the pivot point 9 has a distance A from the axis of rotation D. In this embodiment, the swivel limiting device 7 comprises a screw bracket 11 on the boom 2. The screw bracket 11 is fixedly connected to the boom 2. The actuating element 8 is correspondingly designed as a flange plate 12. The flange plate 12 has two spaced-apart recess patterns 13A, 13B, each with three recesses 13. The recess patterns 13A, 13B can be aligned with three mounting holes in the screw bracket 11, which are concealed in the figures, so that the flange plate 12 can be fastened to the boom 2 in at least two different positions by means of releasable fasteners designed as screw-nut combinations 14, 15.The screws 14 each pass through a recess 13 of the recess pattern 13A and a mounting hole in the screw bracket 11 and are secured on the opposite side by a nut 15. The screw bracket 11 and the flange plate 12, i.e., the arm 2 and the pivot point 9 of the actuator 6, can thus be fastened in different positions relative to each other by inserting the screws 14 either through recess pattern 13A corresponding to the larger distance A or through recess pattern 13B corresponding to the smaller distance A', as shown in the figures. Fig.5A - C , and the concealed mounting holes are guided and fastened. The permissible displacement of pivot point 9 is therefore defined by the distance between the recess images 13A, 13B.

[0027] To insert the actuating element 8, designed as a flange plate 12, into the Fig.5A - C To move the flange plate 12 to the position shown, the nuts 15 can be loosened from the screws 14, and the screws 14 can be removed from the mounting holes and the recess pattern 13A and guided through the recess pattern 13B and the mounting holes. For this purpose, the flange plate 12 must be moved to the reduced distance A' to the axis of rotation D, corresponding to the position shown. Fig.3 In the illustrated configuration, the boom 2 is positioned at the maximum length L of the actuator 6, angled downwards relative to the central frame 5. As a result of this embodiment of the swivel limiting device 7, the user can quickly and easily limit the rotation of the boom 2 to the desired degree, either at least approximately 90 degrees or more than 90 degrees relative to the vertical axis V, by loosening and retightening three screws 14.

[0028] In the Fig.4A - C and Fig.5A - C The screw bracket 11 also has two elongated holes 16. The elongated holes 16 can be aligned with a concealed guide bore in the flange plate 12. The guide bore and the respective elongated hole 16 can be accessed by retaining elements, which are also designed as screw-nut combinations 14, 15. The two elongated holes 16, in combination with the guide bores and the retaining elements, thus provide linear guidance for the flange plate 12 on the screw bracket 11. The flange plate 12 can be moved along the elongated holes 16 relative to the screw bracket 11, so that either the recess pattern 13A or recess pattern 13B can be aligned with the mounting holes in the screw bracket. Therefore, the flange plate 12 does not need to be completely removed from the screw bracket 11 to limit the rotation of the arm 2 to different dimensions, i.e., to change the position of the actuating element 8 relative to the arm 2.Only the screws 14 need to be removed from the recesses 13A and 13B, while the screws 14 serving as retaining elements can remain in the elongated holes 16. The flange plate 12 can then be moved using the actuator 6. For this purpose, the screw-nut combinations 14 and 15 serving as retaining elements must be loosened and can then be tightened again. Alternatively, the retaining elements can also remain in the loosened state.

[0029] In an alternative, non-inventive embodiment of the swivel limiting device 7, shown in Fig.6 This includes a length-adjustable adjusting element. In this case, the length-adjustable adjusting element is designed as a turnbuckle 17. Alternatively, the adjusting element could be designed as an adjusting actuator. In this embodiment, the adjusting element 8 is further designed as a connecting rod 18 rotatably attached to the boom 2. The pivot point 9 of the actuator 6 on the boom 2 is, in this case, located at the end of the connecting rod 18 opposite its attachment point. As indicated by the arrows, the connecting rod 18 can be rotatably rotated about its attachment point on the boom 2 by means of the adjusting element designed as a turnbuckle 17. A rotational movement of the connecting rod 18 induced by a change in the length of the turnbuckle 17 results in the pivot point being movable to different distances A, A' from the axis of rotation D.

[0030] By shortening the turnbuckle 17, the pivot point 9 is moved away from the axis of rotation D, so that the rotation of the boom 2 about the axis of rotation D is reduced at the maximum length L of the actuator 6. In the opposite direction, i.e., by increasing the length of the turnbuckle 17, the rotation of the boom 2 is consequently increased, so that it can enclose an angle 10' of more than 90 degrees with the vertical axis V.

[0031] The connecting rod 18, the turnbuckle 17, the boom 2, the central frame 5, and the actuator 6 form a coupling mechanism. The connecting rod 18 and the actuator 6 form a coupling, the boom 2 a rocker arm, the central frame 5 the frame, and the actuator 6 the crank. Bezugszeichenliste

[0032] 1 Single-seed seeder 2 Boom 2A Boom longitudinal axis F Direction of travel 3 Seeding unit RW Row spacing 4 Swivel device D Pivot axis 5 Center frame 6 Actuator L, L' Length A, A' Distance x Value 7 Swivel limiting device 8 Actuating element 9 Pivot point 10, 10' Angle V Vertical axis 11 Screw bracket 12 Flange plate 13A, 13B Recess diagram 13 Recess 14 Screw 15 Nut 16 Slotted hole 17 Turnbuckle 18 Connecting rod

Claims

1. Agricultural machine, in particular a precision seed drill (1), comprising - a central frame (5), - at least one boom (2), - a swiveling device (4) having at least one axis of rotation (D) which is horizontal at least in the working position of the agricultural machine and lies in the direction of travel (F), the boom (2) being rotatably arranged on the central frame (5) about the horizontal axis of rotation (D), an actuator (6) by means of which the boom (2) can be rotated about the axis of rotation (D) being arranged between the central frame (5) and the boom (2), characterized in that the agricultural machine has at least one swivel limiting apparatus (7) comprising an actuating element (8) via which the actuator (6) is connected to the boom (2) at a pivot point (9), the swivel limiting apparatus (7) being configured to allow a translational shift of the pivot point (9) of the actuator (6) along the longitudinal axis (2A) of the boom relative to the axis of rotation (D) by the actuating element (8) being movable into at least two different positions with respect to the boom (2), in that the swivel limiting apparatus (7) comprises a screw bracket (11) on the boom (2), the actuating element (8) being designed as a flange plate (12), in that the flange plate (12) has at least two spaced-apart recess patterns (13A, 13B) each having at least two recesses (13), in that the recess patterns (13A, 13B) are able to be aligned with at least two fastening holes in the screw bracket (11) so that the flange plate (12) can be fastened to the boom (2) in at least two different positions by means of releasable fastening means (14, 15), in that the allowed shift path of the pivot point (9) is defined by the distance between the recess patterns (13A, 13B).

2. Agricultural machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the shift path of the pivot point (9) is allowed such that it corresponds to a rotational movement of the boom (2) about the axis of rotation (D) by at least 1.5 degrees, preferably 3 degrees.

3. Agricultural machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the screw bracket (11) has at least one elongate hole (16) which can be aligned with a guide hole in the flange plate (12), in that the guide hole and the elongate hole (16) can be penetrated by a holding means (14, 15).