SWIVEL ARM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pivoting arm for an agricultural machine, preferably a tractor, which is coupled at one end to the rear or preferably to the front of the agricultural machine via a coupling device provided on the rear or front, in particular via a three-point hitch, and which is coupled at the other end to a soil preparation unit, preferably a seedbed preparation unit.

[0002] Such an agricultural machine is known from DE 10 2014 000 692 A1. A disadvantage of the pivoting arm provided there is that when the working position of the seedbed preparation unit connected to the pivoting arm is changed from the left to the right side and vice versa, high lateral loads can occur on the agricultural machine. In the worst case, this can lead to the agricultural machine tipping over, particularly in hilly or mountainous terrain. Because the seedbed preparation unit is pivoted vertically, enormous torques are exerted on the agricultural machine when changing from the left to the right side and vice versa. The center of gravity of the seedbed preparation unit moves upwards when pivoting, which endangers the stability of the agricultural machine. To avoid such a hazard, the working widths are limited to a maximum of three meters.When transporting the seedbed preparation unit, the view to the front from the cab of the agricultural machine is also restricted.

[0003] The documents DE 10 2014 000692 A1, US 3 949 539 A, EP 3 804 484 A1 and WO 2021 / 156301 A1 describe known pivot arms.

[0004] The documents EP 0 432 815 A2 and KR 101 016 765 B1 describe known swivel arms without a third arm segment being extended or shortened from an initial position in the horizontal plane.

[0005] Based on this prior art, the invention is based on the object of improving an agricultural machine with a pivoting arm. This object is achieved in an agricultural machine by the features of claim 12. Further developments and advantageous embodiments of the invention are set out in the subclaims.

[0006] Due to the horizontal pivoting of the soil preparation unit, in particular the soil preparation unit, achieved by means of the pivoting arm according to the invention, the lateral forces acting on the agricultural machine when changing the working position from the left to the right side and vice versa are significantly reduced.

[0007] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures.

[0008] The invention will now be explained in more detail using a preferred embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of an agricultural machine with a swivel arm coupled to the front of the agricultural machine, which is coupled at the free end to a seedbed preparation unit, Fig. 2 a perspective view of the in Fig. 1 illustrated agricultural machine with additional soil tillage implement coupled to the rear side during operation, Fig. 3 a perspective view of the swivel arm according to the invention in the swung-out state with the carrier device and the tank on one side and the seedbed preparation unit on the other side, Fig. 4 a perspective view of the swivel arm according to the invention in the swung-in state with the carrier device and the tank on one side and the seedbed preparation unit on the other side, Fig. 5 a perspective view of the swivel arm according to the invention in the swung-out state, with a carrier device on one side, and Fig. 6 a perspective view of the swivel arm according to the invention in the swung-in state, as in Fig. 4 depicted on a pendant.

[0009] Are in the Fig. 1 bis 6 Where the same reference numbers are used, these also refer to the same parts or areas.

[0010] Fig. 1 shows in perspective view an agricultural machine 10, namely a tractor designed as a tractor, with a pivot arm 12, which is coupled at one end via a carrier device 30 to the front 16 of the agricultural machine 10 via a coupling device provided on the front 16, namely a three-point hitch, in particular a three-point power lift, and which is coupled at the other end to a seedbed preparation unit 18.

[0011] The pivoting arm 12 is designed such that the seedbed preparation unit 18 can be positioned on the ground in various working positions, namely on the left side 20 or right side 22 as viewed in the direction of travel FR of the agricultural machine 10, or in any position between the left side 20 and the right side 22, in particular in a central position 24 in front of the front of the agricultural machine 10. In the present case, the seedbed preparation unit 18 is located in a working position on the right side 22 as viewed in the direction of travel FR of the agricultural machine 10, approximately at the level of the support device 30.

[0012] The pivot arm 12 can pivot the seedbed preparation unit 18 in a plane horizontally in front of the front side 16 of the agricultural machine 10.

[0013] The pivot arm 12 is designed and movable in such a way that the seedbed preparation unit 18 can be lifted from the ground and lowered onto the ground, wherein the lifting or lowering of the seedbed preparation unit 18 can be carried out in different positions, but preferably in a position where the lateral load on the agricultural machine 10 caused by the lifting has no negative effect on the agricultural machine 10. Lifting the seedbed preparation unit 18 from the position shown in Fig. 1 The working position shown could, for example, have a negative effect due to the lateral load on the agricultural machine 10. Therefore, lifting and lowering of the seedbed preparation unit 18 should preferably take place in the central position 24 in front of the front 16 of the agricultural machine 10. Starting from the coupling of the pivot arm 12 to the agricultural machine 10, pointing away from the agricultural machine 10 and viewed in the longitudinal direction of the agricultural machine 10, the lifting and lowering of the seedbed preparation unit 18 can also take place within an acute angle if necessary.

[0014] Furthermore, the pivot arm 12 is designed and movable in such a way that - if the position of the seedbed preparation unit 18 does not correspond to the desired working position when it is set down - the seedbed preparation unit 18 can be moved into the desired working position after being set down on the ground by means of the pivot arm 12 during the forward travel of the agricultural machine 10.

[0015] The pivot arm 12 is further designed and movable in such a way that the pivot arm 12 lifts the seedbed preparation unit 18 for transfer into a transport position, if necessary previously moved into a position in which the lifting has no negative effect on the agricultural machine 10, preferably into the central position 24. The pivot arm 12 is then pivoted with the seedbed preparation unit 18 in such a way that the pivot arm 12 with the seedbed preparation unit 18 has a suitable size for transport on or at the agricultural machine 10, as in Fig. 4 shown, preferably for transport on a separate trailer 25, as in Fig. 6 shown, with a maximum width of 2.55 meters and a total weight with trailer of up to 1,660 kg.

[0016] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the Fig. 1 illustrated agricultural machine 10 with an additional soil tillage implement 26 coupled to the rear side 14, namely a reversible plough, at work. Fig. 2 advantageously demonstrates the benefit of the invention. In the present case, soil cultivation, in this case plowing, and seedbed preparation can be carried out in a single operation. The soil cultivation implement 26 and the seedbed preparation unit 18 operate offset from one row to the other, but simultaneously, and are pulled by the same agricultural machine 10 with regard to the soil cultivation implement 26 and pushed with regard to the seedbed preparation unit 18. If the agricultural machine 10 turns at the end of a field to plow new rows, the seedbed preparation unit 18 can be transferred horizontally from one side to the other side in front of the front 16 of the agricultural machine 10 by means of the pivoting arm 12 according to the invention, in order to prepare the seedbed in rows that have already been plowed.

[0017] Advantageously, seed and / or fertilizer can even be applied during the aforementioned operation. For this purpose, the seedbed preparation unit 18 is provided with a subsequent sowing unit 28 for seed and / or fertilizer, preferably in the form of granules.

[0018] The aforementioned support device 30, which is at least partially designed as a frame or rack, has a coupling device 32 in the form of three receptacles on one side and is coupled to the agricultural machine 10 via the coupling device on the front side 16. On the other side, the support device 30 is coupled to the pivot arm 12 and carries the pivot arm 12 together with the seedbed preparation unit 18.

[0019] As in the Fig. 1 - 4 As shown in Figures 1 and 6, a centrally arranged tank 34 is provided, which contains the seed and / or fertilizer. The tank 34 is arranged on the carrier device 30 or connected thereto. The tank 34 is advantageously connected to a dosing unit or has such a dosing unit in order to apply the seed and / or fertilizer to or into the soil via the sowing unit 28.

[0020] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the swivel arm 12 according to the invention in the extended state. The swivel arm 12 has several arm segments 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d connected to one another in an articulated manner, with at least some of the arm segments 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d being movable in predetermined directions by means of actuators 38, 42, 46, 50, in this case by means of hydraulic cylinders.

[0021] A first arm segment 12a of the pivot arm 12 is connected to the support device 30 via at least one first joint 36, wherein an actuator 38, namely a hydraulic cylinder, is provided between the support device 30 and the first arm segment 12a, wherein the first arm segment 12a, the first joint 36 and the actuator 38 are arranged and designed such that the first arm segment 12a can be pivoted to the left and right in a horizontal plane, viewed in or against the direction of travel FR of the agricultural machine 10, upon appropriate actuation of the actuator 38, whereby the entire pivot arm 12 with the coupled seedbed preparation unit 18 can be pivoted into a desired position, in particular a working position, on the left side 20 or right side 22 or any position in between, in particular into a central position 24.

[0022] A second arm segment 12b of the pivot arm 12 is connected to the first arm segment 12a via a second joint 40, wherein two actuators 42, in this case hydraulic cylinders, are provided between the first arm segment 12a and the second arm segment 12b, wherein the second arm segment 12b, the second joint 40 and the two actuators 42 are arranged and designed such that the second arm segment 12b is movable upon appropriate actuation of the actuators 42 such that this and the region of the pivot arm 12 which is arranged between the second arm segment 12b and the seedbed preparation unit 18 can be moved towards and away from the ground, whereby the seedbed preparation unit 18 coupled to the pivot arm 12 can be placed on the ground and lifted off the ground.

[0023] A third arm segment 12c of the pivot arm 12 is connected to the second arm segment 12b via at least one third joint 44, wherein two actuators 46, in this case hydraulic cylinders, are provided between the second arm segment 12b and the third arm segment 12c, wherein the third arm segment 12c, the third joint 44 and the actuators 46 are arranged and designed such that the third arm segment 12c is movable upon appropriate actuation of the actuators 46 such that this 12c and the region of the pivot arm 12, which is arranged between the third arm segment 12c and the seedbed preparation unit 18, is lengthened or shortened from an initial position in a horizontal plane, the distance between the seedbed preparation unit 18 and the second arm segment 12b thus increases or decreases, whereby the seedbed preparation unit 18 coupled to the pivot arm 12 can be adjusted to a desired track width.

[0024] A fourth arm segment 12d of the pivot arm 12 is connected to the third arm segment 12c via a fourth joint 48, wherein an actuator 50, in this case a hydraulic cylinder, is provided between the third arm segment 12c and the fourth arm segment 12d, wherein the fourth joint 48, the fourth arm segment 12d and the actuator 50 are arranged and designed such that the fourth arm segment 12d is movable upon corresponding actuation of the actuator 50 such that this 12d can be pivoted to the left and right in the longitudinal direction of the fourth arm segment 12d as the starting position in a horizontal plane, whereby the seedbed preparation unit 18 coupled to the pivot arm 12 can be steered. List of reference numbers

[0025] 10Agricultural machine 12Swivel arm 12aFirst arm segment 12bSecond arm segment 12cThird arm segment 12dFourth arm segment 14Rear side 16Front side 18Seedbed preparation unit 20Left side 22Right side 24Central position 25Trailer 26Soil tillage implement 28Seeding unit 30Carrier device 32Coupling device 34Tank 36First joint 38Actuator 40Second joint 42Actuator 44Third joint 46Actuator 48Fourth joint 50Actuator 52Coupling point FRDirection of travel

Claims

1. Agricultural machine (10), preferably tractor, having a swivel arm (12) coupled with one end on the rear side (14) or preferably on the front side (16) of the agricultural machine (10) via a coupling device provided on the rear side (14) or front side (16), in particular a three-point linkage, and which is coupled at the other end to a soil preparation unit, preferably a seedbed preparation unit (18), wherein the swivel arm (12) is designed such that the soil preparation unit can be positioned in different working positions on the ground, namely on the left-hand side (20) or right-hand side (22) as viewed in or counter to the direction of travel (FR) of the agricultural machine (10), or in any position between the left-hand side (20) and the right-hand side (22), in particular in a central position (24); wherein the soil preparation unit is movable horizontally to this end, preferably in a plane, in front of the rear side (14) of the agricultural machine (10) by the swivel arm (12) when the swivel arm (12) is coupled to the rear side (14) of the agricultural machine (10), or can be moved horizontally, preferably in a plane, in front of the front side (16) of the agricultural machine (10), when the swivel arm (12) is coupled to the front side (16) of the agricultural machine (10), wherein the swivel arm (12) has a plurality of arm segments (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) which are connected to one another in an articulated manner, wherein at least some of the arm segments (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) are movable in predetermined directions by means of actuators (38, 42, 46, 50), preferably by means of hydraulic cylinders, wherein a carrier device (30), preferably in the form of a carrier frame, is provided, which has, on one side, a coupling device (32), preferably three receptacles, and can be coupled or is coupled to the agricultural machine (10) via the coupling device on its rear side (14) or front side (16), and is coupled on the other side to the swivel arm (12) and preferably supports it together with the soil preparation unit, wherein a first arm segment (12a) of the swivel arm (12) is connected via at least one first joint (36) to the carrier device (30), wherein at least one actuator (38), preferably hydraulic cylinder, is provided between the carrier device (30) and the first arm segment (12a), wherein the first arm segment (12a), the first joint (36) and the at least one actuator (38) provided between the carrier device (30) and the first arm segment (12a) are arranged and formed in such a way that the first arm segment (12a) can be swivelled, as seen in a horizontal plane, in or counter to the direction of travel (FR) of the agricultural machine (10), with appropriate actuation of the at least one actuator (38) provided between the carrier device (30) and the first arm segment (12a) to the left and right, whereby the entire swivel arm (12) can be swivelled with the coupled soil preparation unit into a desired position, in particular working position, on the left-hand side (20) or right-hand side (22) or any position between them, in particular into a central position (24), wherein a second arm segment (12b) of the swivel arm (12) is connected via at least a second joint (40) to the first arm segment (12a), wherein at least one, preferably two actuators (42), preferably hydraulic cylinders, is / are provided between the first arm segment (12a) and the second arm segment (12b), wherein the second arm segment (12b), the second joint (40) and the at least one actuator (42) provided between the first arm segment (12a) and the second arm segment (12b) are arranged and formed in such a way that the second arm segment (12b) can be moved with corresponding actuation of the at least one actuator (42) provided between the first arm segment (12a) and the second arm segment (12b) in such a way that this (12b) and that region of the swivel arm (12) which is arranged between the second arm segment (12b) and the soil preparation unit, can be moved towards and away from the ground, whereby the soil preparation unit coupled to the swivel arm (12) can be lowered to the ground and lifted off the ground, wherein a third arm segment (12c) of the swivel arm (12) is connected via at least a third joint (44) to the second arm segment (12b), wherein at least one, preferably two actuators (46), preferably hydraulic cylinders, is / are provided between the second arm segment (12b) and the third arm segment (12c), wherein the third arm segment (12c), the third joint (44) and the at least one actuator (46) provided between the second arm segment (12b) and the third arm segment (12c) are arranged and formed in such a way that the third arm segment (12c) can be moved with corresponding actuation of the at least one actuator (46) provided between the second arm segment (12b) and the third arm segment (12c) in such a way that this (12c) and that region of the swivel arm (12) which is arranged between the third arm segment (12c) and the soil preparation unit are increased or decreased in size from a starting position in a horizontal plane, and the distance of the soil preparation unit from the second arm segment (12c) is thus increased or decreased in size, whereby the soil preparation unit coupled to the swivel arm (12) can be adjusted to a desired track width.

2. Agricultural machine (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the swivel arm (12) is designed and movable in such a way that the soil preparation unit can be lifted off the ground and lowered to the ground, wherein the lifting or lowering of the soil preparation unit can be carried out in different positions, but preferably in a position, in which the lateral load on the agricultural machine (10) caused by the lifting has no negative effect on this agricultural machine (10), particularly preferably therefore in the central position (24) or starting from the coupling to the agricultural machine (10) pointing away from the latter (10) and as seen in the longitudinal direction and / or direction of travel (FR) of the agricultural machine (10) within an acute angle of up to 90°, preferably up to 60°, especially preferably up to 30°.

3. Agricultural machine (10) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the swivel arm (12) is designed and movable in such a way that the position when lowering corresponds with the desired working position, or the soil preparation unit is movable after being lowered to the ground by means of the swivel arm (12), preferably during travel, into the working position.

4. Agricultural machine (10) according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the swivel arm (12) is designed and movable in such a way that the soil preparation unit can be lifted by means of this (12) for transferring into a transport position, if necessary is movable beforehand into a position, in which the lifting has no negative effect on the agricultural machine (10), preferably into the central position (24), and that the swivel arm (12) together with the soil preparation unit can then be swivelled such that a suitable size for transport, preferably for transport on a separate trailer (25), can be assumed by the swivel arm (12) with the soil preparation unit.

5. Agricultural machine (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a soil preparation unit (26), preferably a half-turn plough, or a cultivator is provided, which is coupled to the front side (16), which does not have the swivel arm (12), or preferably rear side (14) via a receptacle provided there, preferably a three-point linkage.

6. Agricultural machine (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the soil preparation unit, preferably the seedbed preparation unit (18), has a sowing unit (28) adjoining it for seeds and / or fertilizer, preferably in the form of granules.

7. Agricultural machine (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a centrally arranged tank (34) is provided, which contains seeds and / or fertilizer, wherein the tank (34) is arranged on the carrier device (30) or is connected to the latter.

8. Agricultural machine (10) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the tank (34) has a dispensing unit for bringing seeds and / or fertilizer to or into the ground via a sowing unit (28).

9. Agricultural machine (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that a fourth arm segment (12d) of the swivel arm (12) is connected via a fourth joint (48) to the third arm segment (12c), wherein at least one actuator (50), preferably hydraulic cylinder, is provided between the third arm segment (12c) and the fourth arm segment (12d), wherein the fourth joint (48), the fourth arm segment (12d) and the at least one actuator (50) are arranged and formed such that the fourth arm segment (12d) can be moved in such a way, when the at least one actuator (50) is actuated accordingly, that it (12d) can be swivelled to the left and right in a horizontal plane as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the fourth arm segment (12d) as a starting position, whereby the soil preparation unit which is connected to the swivel arm (12) can be steered.

10. Agricultural machine (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the at least one actuator (38), as a hydraulic cylinder which is arranged between the carrier device (30) and the first arm segment (12a), is hydraulically connected to the at least one actuator (42), as a hydraulic cylinder which is arranged between the first arm segment (12a) and the second arm segment (12b), and they can be actuated correspondingly by way of the same hydraulic pressure.

11. Agricultural machine (10) according to Claim 9, characterized in that the fourth arm segment (12d) has a coupling point (52) for the soil preparation unit at the end which is not connected to the third arm segment (12c).

12. Swivel arm (12) for an agricultural machine (10), wherein the swivel arm (12) has a plurality of arm segments (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) which are connected to one another in an articulated manner, wherein at least some of the arm segments (12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) are movable in predetermined directions by means of actuators (38, 42, 46, 50), preferably by means of hydraulic cylinders, wherein the swivel arm is coupled to a carrier device (30) on the one side of the carrier device, wherein the carrier device (30) has, on its other side, a coupling device (32) and can be coupled to the agricultural machine (10) via the coupling device (32) on its rear side (14) or front side (16), wherein a first arm segment (12a) of the swivel arm (12) is connected via at least one first joint (36) to the carrier device (30), wherein at least one actuator (38), preferably hydraulic cylinder, is provided between the carrier device (30) and the first arm segment (12a), wherein the first arm segment (12a), the first joint (36) and the at least one actuator (38) provided between the support device (30) and the first arm segment (12a) are arranged and formed in such a way that the first arm segment (12a) can be swivelled to the left and right as seen in a horizontal plane, in or counter to the direction of travel (FR) of the agricultural machine (10), with appropriate actuation of the at least one actuator (38) provided between the carrier device (30) and the first arm segment (12a), whereby the entire swivel arm (12) together with a soil preparation unit which can be coupled to it (12) can be swivelled into a desired position, in particular working position, on the left-hand side (20) or right-hand side (22) or any position between them, in particular into a central position (24), wherein a second arm segment (12b) of the swivel arm (12) is connected via at least a second joint (40) to the first arm segment (12a), wherein at least one, preferably two actuators (42), preferably hydraulic cylinders, is / are provided between the first arm segment (12a) and the second arm segment (12b), wherein the second arm segment (12b), the second joint (40) and the at least one actuator (42) provided between the first arm segment (12a) and the second arm segment (12b) are arranged and formed in such a way that the second arm segment (12b) can be moved with appropriate actuation of the at least one actuator (42) provided between the first arm segment (12a) and the second arm segment (12b), in such a way that it (12b) and that region of the swivel arm (12) which is arranged between the second arm segment (12b) and the connectable soil preparation unit can be moved towards and away from the ground, whereby the soil preparation unit which can be connected to the swivel arm (12) can be lowered to the ground and lifted off the ground, wherein a third arm segment (12c) of the swivel arm (12) is connected via at least a third joint (44) to the second arm segment (12b), wherein at least one, preferably two actuators (46), preferably hydraulic cylinders, is / are provided between the second arm segment (12b) and the third arm segment (12c), wherein the third arm segment (12c), the third joint (44) and the at least one actuator (46) provided between the second arm segment (12b) and the third arm segment (12c) are arranged and formed in such a way that the third arm segment (12c), with appropriate actuation of the at least one actuator (46) provided between the second arm segment (12b) and the third arm segment (12c), is movable in such a way that it (12c) and that region of the swivel arm (12) which is arranged between the third arm segment (12c) and the connectable ground preparation unit is extended or shortened from a starting position in a horizontal plane, the distance of the connectable soil preparation unit from the second arm segment (12c) is thus increased or reduced, whereby the soil preparation unit which can be coupled to the swivel arm (12) can be adjusted to a desired track width.

13. Swivel arm according to Claim 12, characterized in that a fourth arm segment (12d) of the swivel arm (12) is connected via a fourth joint (48) to the third arm segment (12c), wherein at least one actuator (50), preferably hydraulic cylinder, is provided between the third arm segment (12c) and the fourth arm segment (12d), wherein the fourth joint (48), the fourth arm segment (12d) and the at least one actuator (50) provided between the third arm segment (12c) and the fourth arm segment (12d) are arranged and formed in such a way that the fourth arm segment (12d) can be moved, with appropriate actuation of the at least one actuator (50) provided between the third arm segment (12c) and the fourth arm segment (12d), in such a way that it (12d) can be swivelled to the left and right in a horizontal plane as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the fourth arm segment (12d) as a starting position, whereby the soil preparation unit which can be connected to the swivel arm (12) can be steered.

14. Swivel arm according to Claim 12, characterized in that the at least one actuator (38), as a hydraulic cylinder which is arranged between the carrier device (30) and the first arm segment (12a), is hydraulically connected to the at least one actuator (42), as a hydraulic cylinder which is arranged between the first arm segment (12a) and the second arm segment (12b), and they can be controlled accordingly by way of the same hydraulic pressure.

15. Swivel arm according to Claim 13, characterized in that the fourth arm segment (12d) has a coupling point (52) for the soil preparation unit at the end which is not connected to the third arm segment (12c).