FORAGE CHOKER WITH A FRAME ASSEMBLY AND A CHOPPING DRUM ASSEMBLY ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON THE FRAME ASSEMBLY

Description

[0001] The present application relates to a forage harvester comprising a frame assembly and a chopper drum assembly rotatably mounted on the frame assembly according to the preamble of independent patent claim 1.

[0002] A forage harvester typically comprises a chassis or frame assembly with frame members extending longitudinally of the forage harvester and interconnected by transverse beams, to which a front axle, a rear axle, an engine, a chopper drum assembly, etc. are mounted.

[0003] The main component of the chopper drum assembly is a chopper drum fitted with knives. By feeding a stream of crop towards the chopper drum while the chopper drum rotates, the crop is cut into pieces. In order to rotate evenly despite the changing resistance of the crop, the chopper drum must have a high moment of inertia and a correspondingly large diameter and high mass. This, and the greatly fluctuating cutting forces on the knives during operation, require a powerful shaft and correspondingly large, heavy-duty bearings. If bearing play allows the chopper drum to shake, this impairs the cutting quality and also leads to increased wear on the bearings, which in turn increases the bearing play.

[0004] Typically, such bearings are designed as clamp bearings with a clamp bearing element that is fixedly arranged with respect to the longitudinally extending frame element and a clamp bearing element that is pivotably attached to the fixedly arranged clamp bearing element between a closed position and an open position. A forage harvester with such bearings is known, for example, from DE 10 2020 115 944 A1. In the open position of the pivotable clamp bearing element, the chopper drum assembly can be installed or removed, whereby the pivotable clamp bearing element of a clamp bearing must always be held by a fitter. The fitters responsible for holding the pivotable clamp bearing elements cannot therefore assist with the actual installation or removal of the chopper drum assembly, so this must be carried out by at least one additional fitter.Such a procedure is therefore extremely complex and poses a considerable risk of injury to the fitter(s).

[0005] Based on this, it is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a forage harvester with clamping bearings for supporting a chopper drum assembly, which allow simplified installation and removal of the chopper drum assembly and ensure a reduced risk of injury.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of independent patent claim 1, wherein advantageous developments of the forage harvester according to the invention are the subject of the corresponding dependent patent claims 2 to 13.

[0007] Accordingly, the present invention relates to a forage harvester having a frame assembly and a chopper drum assembly rotatably mounted on the frame assembly. The frame assembly comprises two frame elements extending in the longitudinal direction of the forage harvester and two clamping bearings for supporting the chopper drum assembly, wherein a clamping bearing is assigned to a respective frame element. Each clamping bearing comprises a first clamping bearing element and a second clamping bearing element pivotally attached to the first clamping bearing element. The forage harvester is characterized in that each clamping bearing comprises a locking device configured to releasably secure the second clamping bearing element in an open position in which the clamping bearing is open for inserting or removing the chopper drum assembly.

[0008] By using the locking device, the clamping bearing element (second clamping bearing element) pivotally attached to the stationary clamping bearing element (first clamping bearing element) can be locked in this open position when moved from a closed position, in which the chopper drum assembly can neither be installed nor removed, to the open position, which can also be referred to as the locking position and in which the chopper drum assembly can be installed or removed. The fitter can therefore install or remove the chopper drum assembly particularly easily without having to hold the pivoting clamping bearing element in the open position and thereby run the risk of serious injury when installing or removing the chopper drum assembly, since the fitter's fingers are positioned in the area of ​​the clamping bearing that accommodates the chopper drum assembly to hold the pivoting clamping bearing element.As the chopper drum assembly is inserted into the clamping bearings, the pivoting clamping bearing element is pivoted beyond the locking position (i.e., the open position) via contact between the chopper drum assembly and the pivoting clamping bearing element, thereby releasing the locking of the pivoting clamping bearing element in the open position achieved by the clamping device. Once the chopper drum assembly is finally in the installed position in the clamping bearings, the pivoting clamping bearing element automatically lowers into the closed position. It is also possible that, as soon as the chopper drum assembly has been installed or removed by the fitter(s), the locking is released beyond the locking position by a further manual actuation of the pivoting clamping bearing element, and the pivoting clamping bearing element lowers from the open position into the closed position.

[0009] Furthermore, the number of technicians involved in installing or removing the chopper drum assembly can be reduced, since a technician is not required to mount each pivoting clamping bearing element, whose sole task is to hold the pivoting clamping bearing element in the open position. Rather, the solution according to the invention allows a technician to first move the pivoting clamping bearing elements of both clamping bearings into their open position, where they are secured by the clamping device, and then carry out or assist in the installation or removal of the chopper drum assembly.

[0010] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the locking device comprises a first locking element arranged on the first clamping bearing element and a second locking element arranged on the second clamping bearing element. The first locking element and the second locking element cooperate with one another to secure the second clamping bearing element in the open position.

[0011] The use of two locking elements, which together form the locking device, allows for a simple mechanism that nevertheless ensures reliable locking of the pivoting clamping bearing element. Furthermore, by arranging one locking element on one clamping bearing element and the other locking element on the other clamping bearing element, the individual components of the clamping device can be easily replaced in the event of necessary maintenance, without having to replace the entire clamping device.

[0012] Preferably, the first locking element is pivotably mounted on the first clamping bearing element, and the second locking element is fixedly mounted on the second clamping bearing element. When the second clamping bearing element pivots into the open position, the first and second locking elements move relative to one another.

[0013] Due to the stationary arrangement of the second locking element on the pivotable clamping bearing element, the latter moves along with the pivoting of the pivotable clamping bearing element. The pivotable attachment of the first locking element to the first clamping bearing element then ensures that the movement of the pivotable clamping bearing element and thus also of the second locking element, through the interaction of the two locking elements with each other, triggers a movement of the first locking element. This relative movement of the two locking elements to one another, triggered by various arrangement points of the locking elements, ensures that the second locking element is guided along the first locking element when the pivotable clamping bearing element is pivoted in such a way that the second clamping bearing element is locked at the end of the pivoting process, i.e. in the open position.

[0014] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the first locking element comprises a recess into which the second locking element engages in the open position of the second clamping bearing element.

[0015] The engagement of the second locking element in the recess of the first locking element secures the pivotable clamping bearing element in the open position in a particularly uncomplicated manner. In particular, the connection of each locking element to one of the clamping bearing elements and the ability of the first locking element to rotate relative to the clamping bearing element fixed to the frame, combined with the fixed arrangement of the second locking element on the pivotable clamping bearing element and the recess provided on the first locking element, ensure that the pivotable clamping bearing element does not move from the open position as soon as the second locking element engages the recess.

[0016] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the first locking element comprises a, preferably curved, contour surface along which the second locking element slides when the second clamping bearing element is pivoted into the open position.

[0017] The contour surface of the first locking element ensures that the second locking element is guided in a controlled manner along the first locking element, so that the second locking element ultimately assumes a position with respect to the first locking element which leads to the pivotable clamping bearing element being locked in the open position.

[0018] Preferably, the recess of the first locking element is formed in the contour surface of the first locking element.

[0019] By forming the recess in the contoured surface of the first locking element, the second locking element is guided into the recess in a controlled manner along a path line. This counteracts the risk of the second locking element becoming misaligned with respect to the first locking element, which could lead to unintentional release of the pivoting clamping bearing element during installation or removal of the chopper drum assembly, thus creating a significant risk of injury during this work step.

[0020] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the first locking element is designed as a bracket and the second locking element is designed as an engagement projection.

[0021] The design of the clamping device as a combination of bracket and engagement projection allows the provision of a particularly simple, cost-effective but very safe clamping device, which is characterized by a very small installation space requirement.

[0022] Preferably, the engagement projection is formed by means of a fastening means, in particular a screw or a bolt, arranged in a recess formed on the second clamping bearing element.

[0023] This makes it particularly easy to replace the second locking element, i.e. the engagement projection, in the event of maintenance of the clamping device, by simply removing the damaged fastening means from the recess formed on the pivotable clamping bearing element and inserting a new fastening means.

[0024] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the clamping bearings each comprise a clamping screw for fastening the first clamping bearing element and the second clamping bearing element to one another in a closed position of the second clamping bearing element.

[0025] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the clamping bearings are designed as spherical clamping bearings.

[0026] This design of the clamping bearings means that not every clamping bearing defines the axis of rotation individually, but rather each clamping bearing defines only a single point, the center of the spherical surface, as the point through which the axis of rotation must pass. This allows the chopper drum assembly to be mounted to the frame parts free of internal stress and rotate relative to them with minimal friction and wear.

[0027] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that the chopping drum assembly comprises a shaft rotatably received in the clamping bearings and an adapter for a harvesting attachment connected to the shaft in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0028] By rotating the shaft and with it the adapter, the height of the header above the ground can be adjusted very precisely.

[0029] In particular, the chopper drum assembly comprises a chopper drum rotatably mounted on the shaft.

[0030] The shaft, which is rotatably mounted in the clamping bearings, only needs to make small, slow turns to adjust the adapter and therefore does not rotate at the high speed of the chopper drum. The shaft can therefore be mounted on a plain bearing in the clamping bearing, which reduces the complexity of the bearing.

[0031] Preferably, the forage harvester comprises at least one hydraulic actuator for driving a pivoting movement of the adapter.

[0032] This makes it particularly easy and preferably automatic to adjust the height of the header above the ground.

[0033] The present invention is described in more detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the figures.

[0034] They show: FIG. 1 shows a schematic and exemplary representation of a forage harvester according to the invention; FIG. 2 shows a schematic and exemplary representation of a frame assembly according to the invention of the forage harvester according to the invention and a chopper drum assembly mounted on the frame assembly; FIG. 3 shows a schematic and exemplary partial representation of the frame assembly according to the invention of the forage harvester according to the invention without a mounted chopper drum assembly; FIG. 4 shows a schematic and exemplary representation of the clamping bearings according to the invention of the frame assembly according to the invention in a first position (closed position); and FIG. 5 shows a schematic and exemplary representation of the clamping bearings according to the invention of the frame assembly according to the invention in a second position (open position or locking position).

[0035] FIG. 1shows a schematic and exemplary representation of a forage harvester 1 according to the invention. The body of the forage harvester 1 is shown cut open in its front section, below a driver's cab 2, in order to show internal, crop-processing assemblies or working units of the forage harvester 1. One of these assemblies or working units is a so-called chopper drum assembly 3 with a chopper drum 5 rotating about a rotation axis 4 extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle.

[0036] A conveyor device 6 for crop material is arranged upstream of the chopper drum assembly 3. The conveyor device 6 comprises several pairs of rollers 7, 8, each of which defines a gap and is driven in opposite directions to feed the crop material conveyed through the gap to the chopper drum 5.

[0037] The conveyor device 5 in turn carries a harvesting attachment 9 which can be exchanged to suit the crop to be picked up.

[0038] Crop shredded in the chopper drum assembly 3 is fed to a post-accelerator 10, which imparts the necessary speed to the shredded crop to pass through a discharge spout 11 and be transferred to an accompanying vehicle (not shown in the FIGS.).

[0039] The FIGS. 2 to 5 each show a front area of ​​a frame assembly 12 of the forage harvester 1, on which the chopper drum assembly 3 is rotatably mounted. In FIG. 2 is the frame assembly 12 with mounted chopper drum assembly 3, in the FIGS. 3 to 5the frame assembly 12, however, is shown without the chopper drum assembly 3 mounted. At least one front axle and one rear axle of the forage harvester 1 are suspended from the frame assembly 12. The frame assembly 12 comprises two frame elements 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the forage harvester 1, each of which is designed as a hollow profile. Between the two frame elements 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the forage harvester 1, in the front region of the frame assembly 12, there is a frame element 14 extending in the transverse direction of the forage harvester 1, which can also be referred to as a transverse frame strut. Furthermore, the frame assembly 12 of the forage harvester 1 comprises two clamping bearings 15 for supporting the chopper drum assembly 3, wherein one clamping bearing 15 is assigned to each frame element 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the forage harvester 1.

[0040] The front end of the frame elements 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the forage harvester 1 is in FIG. 2 hidden behind a pulley 16 driving the rotation of the chopper drum 5 or a housing 17 of the chopper drum assembly 3 surrounding the chopper drum 5.

[0041] The frame element 14 arranged in the transverse direction of the forage harvester 1 is connected in a force-locking and / or form-locking manner to a frame element 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the forage harvester 1 and to a clamping bearing 15 assigned to the respective frame element 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the forage harvester 1 at at least one common fastening point 18a. In other words, the frame element 14 extending in the transverse direction of the forage harvester 1 is connected in a force-locking and / or form-locking manner to one end of the ends opposite in the transverse direction of the forage harvester 1, to a frame element 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the forage harvester 1 adjacent to the corresponding end, and to a clamping bearing 15 assigned to this frame element 13 at at least one common fastening point 18a. The connection of the elements 13, 14, 15 at at least one common fastening point 18a is in a preferred embodiment, FIG. 3illustrated embodiment by means of a or as a screw connection, preferably as a through-screw connection.

[0042] Preferably, the respective connection of the frame element 14 arranged in the transverse direction of the forage harvester 1 with a frame element 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the forage harvester 1 and a clamping bearing 15 associated with this frame element 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the forage harvester 1 is not formed via only one common fastening point 18a. Rather, a plurality of such common fastening points 18a are provided for such a connection. According to a preferred embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 3As shown, such a connection comprises four common fastening points 18a in each case, at which the aforementioned elements 13, 14, 15 of the frame assembly are connected to one another in a force-locking and / or form-locking manner. The connection of the elements 13, 14, 15 of the frame assembly 12 in at least one common fastening point 18a in each case ensures a rigid connection of the frame element 14 arranged in the transverse direction of the forage harvester 1, the frame cross strut, the two frame elements 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the forage harvester 1 and the two clamping bearings 15 and a supporting frame assembly 12. Furthermore, an advantageous force transmission between the elements 13, 14 and 15 is achieved by the at least one common fastening point 18a in each case.

[0043] The frame element 14 arranged in the transverse direction of the forage harvester 1 comprises at each of the ends opposite in the transverse direction a, in particular in FIG. 3The plate-shaped connection area 19 shown or each end of the frame element 14 arranged in the transverse direction of the forage harvester 1 comprises a plate-shaped connection area 19 which, in the assembled state of the frame assembly 12, lies flat against an outer wall 20 of a frame element 13 of the two frame elements 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the forage harvester 1 and is used for the previously described connection in at least one common fastening point 18a. The two outer walls 20 of the two frame elements 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the forage harvester 1, against which a plate-shaped connection area 19 of the frame element 14 arranged in the transverse direction of the forage harvester 1 each rests, are arranged or aligned facing one another in the assembled state of the frame assembly 12.The plate-shaped connection area 19 is preferably designed to be force flow optimized in such a way that the connection area 19 has material accumulations in the areas intended or required for force transmission and connection.

[0044] The two clamping bearings 15 each comprise a first clamping bearing element 21 and a second clamping bearing element 22. The second clamping bearing element 22 is pivotally attached to the first clamping bearing element 21. The pivotal attachment of the second clamping bearing element 22 to the first clamping bearing element 21 can, for example, be achieved via a combination of bearing bolt and bearing sleeve, as shown in the FIGS. 3 to 5shown, or can also be implemented using other bearing concepts. In the mounted state of the clamping bearing 15 on the corresponding frame element 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the forage harvester 1, the first clamping bearing element 21 is arranged in a fixed location or position relative to the corresponding frame element 13. In other words, the first clamping bearing element 21 cannot move relative to the corresponding frame element 13, whereas the second clamping bearing element 22 can be pivoted or moved relative to the first clamping bearing element 21.

[0045] Each clamping bearing 15, in particular the first clamping bearing element 21 of each clamping bearing 15, is at least partially inserted or plugged into the corresponding frame element 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the forage harvester 1, which is designed as a hollow profile. In this context, at least partially means that a region or sector of the first clamping bearing element 21 receiving the chopper drum group 3 or serving for the bearing is not arranged within the frame element 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the forage harvester 1, but, as shown in the FIGS. 3 to 5can be seen, protrudes from the respective frame element 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the forage harvester 1. Each first clamping bearing element 21 inserted into a corresponding frame element 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the forage harvester 1 is, in the assembled state of the frame assembly 12, as already described above, non-positively and / or positively connected to the corresponding frame element 13 and to the frame element 14 arranged in the transverse direction of the forage harvester 1 at least one common fastening point 18a, preferably four common fastening points 18a, preferably screwed to these elements 13, 14. Similar to the plate-shaped connection areas 19 of the frame element 14 arranged in the transverse direction of the forage harvester 1, the first clamping bearing element 21 is preferably designed to be force flow-optimized in such a way that the first clamping bearing element 21 is in the positions provided for or required for power transmission and connection.required areas. This creates a highly resilient structure with optimized weight or optimized weight distribution. Preferably, the first clamping bearing element 21 is designed as a cast component, particularly preferably as a spheroidal cast iron component. Alternatively, a design as a cast steel component is also conceivable.

[0046] In addition to the connection of the first clamping bearing element 21 in the at least one common fastening point 18a, the first clamping bearing element 21 can further be connected in a force-locking and / or form-locking manner in some further, in particular three further, fastening points 18b only to the corresponding frame element 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the forage harvester 1.

[0047] As already indicated, the two clamping bearings 15 serve to support the chopper drum assembly 3 of the forage harvester 1. In order to enable installation or removal of the chopper drum assembly 3, the second clamping bearing element 22, which is pivotably attached to the first clamping bearing element 21, must be moved from a closed position S, which is in FIG. 4 and in which installation or removal of the chopping drum assembly 3 is not possible, into an open or locking position O, which is shown in FIG. 5 is shown and in which the clamping bearing 15 is open, can be pivoted or moved.

[0048] So that one or more fitters tasked with installing or removing the chopper drum assembly 3 do not have to hold the second clamping bearing element 22 permanently in the open position O during the installation or removal of the chopper drum assembly, each clamping bearing 15 comprises a locking device 23 which serves to releasably lock the second clamping bearing element 22 in the open position or locking position O.

[0049] The locking device 23 comprises a first locking element 24, which is arranged on the first clamping bearing element 21, and a second locking element 25, which is arranged on the second clamping bearing element 22, which cooperate with one another to lock the second clamping bearing element 22 in the open position or locking position O. The first locking element 24 is pivotably arranged or fastened to the first clamping bearing element 21, while the second locking element 25 is fixedly arranged or fixed in position to the second clamping bearing element 22. When the second clamping bearing element 22 is pivoted or moved from the closed position S into the open position or locking position O, the two locking elements 24, 25 move relative to one another due to their arrangement on the two clamping bearing elements 21, 22, whereby the second clamping bearing element 22 is locked in the open position or locking position O.

[0050] The first locking element 24 comprises a recess 26, into which the second locking element 25 engages in the open position or locking position O of the second clamping bearing element 22 for the purpose of locking the same. The first locking element 24 further comprises a contoured surface 27, along which the second locking element 25 slides when the second clamping bearing element 22 is pivoted or moved from the closed position S into the open position or locking position O. The recess 26 of the first locking element 24 is preferably formed in the contoured surface 27 of the first locking element 24, whereby the second locking element 25 slides along the contoured surface 27 into the recess 26 when the second clamping bearing element 22 is pivoted or moved from the closed position S into the open position or locking position O. The contoured surface 27 of the first locking element 24 is preferably curved, whereby in particular in the FIGS. 3 to 5In the illustrated embodiment of the locking device 23, which will be described below, an exact guidance of the second locking element 25 into the recess 26 of the first locking element 24 for securing the second clamping bearing element 22 is realized. Furthermore, the contour surface 27 can preferably comprise a projection 28 disposed in front of the recess 26 in the sliding direction of the second locking element 25, which advantageously counteracts an unintentional release of the engagement of the second locking element 25 in the recess 26.

[0051] According to a preferred and in the FIGS. 3 to 5In the embodiment shown, the first locking element 24 is designed as a bracket and the second locking element 25 is designed as an engagement projection. The engagement projection is preferably formed by means of a fastening means, in particular a screw or a bolt, arranged in a recess 29 formed on the second clamping bearing element 22, in particular a bore. Alternatively, the second locking element 25 or the second locking element 25 designed as an engagement projection can be a component of the second clamping bearing element 22, for example a web welded on or formed integrally with the second clamping bearing element 22.

[0052] As an alternative to the design of the clamping device 23 as a combination of a cooperating bracket (first locking element 24) and an engagement projection (second locking element 25), other designs of the clamping device 23 that enable the second clamping bearing element 22 to be locked in the open position or locking position O are also conceivable, for example a design in the form of a spring-loaded locking mechanism.

[0053] The clamping bearings 15 further each comprise a clamping screw 30 by means of which the first clamping bearing element 21 and the second clamping bearing element 22 are fastened to one another in the closed position S of the second clamping bearing element 22 in order to fix the chopper drum assembly 3. For this purpose, both the first clamping bearing element 21 and the second clamping bearing element 22 comprise a bore. In particular, the bore in the first clamping bearing element 21 is designed as a through bore, while the bore in the second clamping bearing element 22 is designed as a blind bore.

[0054] Taking into account the described design of the two clamping bearings 15, installation of a chopping drum assembly 3 can therefore be carried out, for example, as follows. First, the clamping screw 30 of each clamping bearing 15 is removed. The second clamping bearing element 22 is pivoted or moved from the closed position S into the open position or locking position O. During the pivoting or moving of the second clamping bearing element 22 from the closed position S into the open position or locking position O, the two locking elements 24, 25 of the locking device 23 move relative to one another in such a way that the second clamping bearing element 22 is locked by means of the locking device 23 when the open position or locking position O is reached, in that the second locking element 25 engages in the recess 26 of the first locking element 24. An automatic pivoting back of the second clamping bearing element 22 from the open position orLocking position O due to the weight of the second clamping bearing element 22 is prevented by the locking device 23. In the open position or locked position O of the second clamping bearing element 22, the corresponding clamping bearing 15 is open, so that the chopper drum assembly 3 can be inserted into the clamping bearing 15. During the installation process of the chopper drum assembly 3, a shaft of the chopper drum assembly 3 (not shown in the figures), which is received by the clamping bearings 15 and on which the chopper drum 5 is rotatably mounted, comes into contact with the second clamping bearing element 22 of each clamping bearing 15. As a result, during the installation process of the chopper drum assembly 3, the second clamping bearing element 22 is pivoted or moved beyond the open position or locked position O. Due to the movement of the second clamping bearing element 22 beyond the open position orlocking position O, the locking is released by the locking device 23. If the shaft of the chopper drum assembly 3 is in its final installation position in each clamping bearing 15, the respective second clamping bearing elements 22 automatically pivot back into their respective closed position S, in which the first clamping bearing element 21 and the second clamping bearing element 22 can then be fixed to one another by means of the clamping screw 30. When the chopper drum assembly 3 is removed, it is not necessary for the second clamping bearing element 22 to be manually pivoted or moved into the open position or locking position O. Rather, the second clamping bearing element 22 is pivoted or moved into the open position or locking position O by lifting the chopper drum assembly 3 via the contact of the shaft of the chopper drum assembly 3 with the second clamping bearing element 22 of each clamping bearing 15.

[0055] It is also possible that the chopper drum assembly 3, in particular the shaft of the chopper drum assembly 3, does not come into contact with the second clamping bearing elements 22 during its installation, so that the second clamping bearing elements 22 are still in the locked open position or locking position O in the final installation position of the shaft of the chopper drum assembly 3. By manually pivoting or moving the second clamping bearing elements 22 beyond the open position or locking position O, the locking by the locking device 23 can then be released and the second clamping bearing elements 22 can be pivoted or moved into their closed position S.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the clamping bearings 15 are designed as spherical clamping bearings 15. The two clamping bearing elements 21, 22 together form the clamping bearing 15 with two ring sectors having a concavity. An annular element - not shown in the figures - is inserted into the concavity, which in turn is intended to receive the shaft of the chopper drum assembly 3. The concavity of the ring sectors is part of a spherical surface, just like the outer circumferential surface of the annular element. The annular element is therefore, when inserted into the concavity, pivotable about two axes running orthogonally to the shaft of the chopper drum assembly 3. When the chopper drum assembly 3 is inserted into the clamping bearings 15 oris inserted, the alignment of its axis can freely adapt to any tolerances in positioning and alignment of the clamping bearings 15, so that when the clamping screw 30 is tightened and the annular element is fixed or clamped between the annular sectors formed by the first and second clamping bearing elements 21, 22, no internal stresses result in the chopper drum assembly 3.

[0057] The spherical surfaces of the concavity of the ring sectors and the outer peripheral surface of the annular element each have the same radii, so that the ring sectors and the annular element form a large-area contact with each other in the assembled state of the chopper drum assembly 3.

[0058] On a front side of the housing 17 of the chopper drum assembly 3 is a FIG. 2 shown, preferably square shaped, adapter 31 is provided, to which a - in FIG. 2not shown - harvesting header 9 mounted or a - in FIG. 2 also not shown - lifting machine can be coupled to support the installation or removal of the chopper drum assembly 3. The adapter 31 is connected to the shaft of the chopper drum assembly 3 in a rotationally fixed manner. A hydraulic actuator 32 extends under each of the frame elements 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the forage harvester 1. A rear end of each actuator 32 is connected to the frame assembly 12, the front ends jointly engage a - in FIG. 2 only indicated - crossbeam 33 of the housing 17 of the chopper drum assembly 3. By extending the actuators 32 together, they pivot or move the housing 17 of the chopper drum assembly around the rotation axis 4 and thereby position the harvesting attachment 9 mounted on the adapter 31.

[0059] Finally, it should be noted that the embodiments described above serve only to describe the claimed teaching, but are in no way to be regarded as limiting or exhaustive. List of reference symbols

[0060] 1 forage harvester 24 first locking element 2 Driver's cab 25 second locking element 3 Chopper drum assembly 26 Recess on the first locking element 4 axis of rotation 27 Contour surface on the first locking element 5 chopper drum 28 Projection on the first locking element 6 conveyor system 29 Recess on the second clamping bearing element 7 pair of rollers 30 clamping screw 8 pair of rollers 31 Adapter for harvesting header 9 Harvesting header 32 hydraulic actuator 10 Post-accelerator 33 Crossbeam of the chopper drum assembly housing 11 discharge spout O Open position or locking position of the second clamping bearing element 12 frame assembly S Closed position of the second clamping bearing element 13 Frame element of the frame assembly 14 Frame element of the frame assembly 15 Clamping bearing of the frame assembly 16 pulley 17 Housing 18a common attachment point 18b additional attachment points 19 Connection area of ​​the cross frame strut 20 Outer wall of the frame element 21 first clamping bearing element 22 second clamping bearing element 23 locking device

Claims

1. A forage harvester (1) with a frame assembly (12) and a chopping drum assembly (3) rotatably mounted on the frame assembly (12), wherein the frame assembly (12) comprises two frame elements (13) extending in the longitudinal direction of the forage harvester (1) and two clamp bearings (15) for mounting the chopping drum assembly (3), wherein a respective clamp bearing (15) is associated with a respective frame element (13), wherein each clamp bearing (15) comprises a first clamp bearing element (21) and a second clamp bearing element (22) which is pivotably fixed to the first clamp bearing element (21), characterized in that each clamp bearing (15) comprises a locking device (23), which is configured to releasably lock the second clamp bearing element (22) in an open position (O) in which the clamp bearing (15) is open for insertion or removal of the chopping drum assembly (3).

2. The forage harvester (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking device (23) comprises a first locking element (24) which is disposed on the first clamp bearing element (21) and a second locking element (25) which is disposed on the second clamp bearing element (22), wherein the first locking element (24) and the second locking element (25) cooperate together in order to lock the second clamp bearing element (22) in the open position (O).

3. The forage harvester (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first locking element (24) is pivotably disposed on the first clamp bearing element (21) and the second locking element (25) is immovably disposed on the second clamp bearing element (22), wherein, when the second clamp bearing element (22) is pivoted into the open position (O), the first and the second locking elements (24, 25) move relative to one another.

4. The forage harvester (1) according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that the first locking element (24) comprises a recess (26), into which the second locking element (25) engages in the open position (O) of the second clamp bearing element (22).

5. The forage harvester (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first locking element (24) comprises a contoured surface (27), which is preferably curved, along which the second locking element (25) slides when the second clamp bearing element (22) is pivoted into the open position (O).

6. The forage harvester (1) according to claim 4 and claim 5, characterized in that the recess (26) of the first locking element (24) is formed in the contoured surface (27) of the first locking element (24).

7. The forage harvester (1) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the first locking element (24) is formed as a shackle and the second locking element (25) is formed as an engaging protrusion.

8. The forage harvester (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the engaging protrusion is formed by means of a fastening means, in particular a screw or a bolt, disposed in a recess (29) formed on the second clamp bearing element (22).

9. The forage harvester (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the clamp bearings (15) each comprise a tensioning screw (30) for fastening the first clamp bearing element (21) and the second clamp bearing element (22) together in a closed position (S) of the second clamp bearing element (22).

10. The forage harvester (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the respective clamp bearings (15) are constructed as spherical clamp bearings (15).

11. The forage harvester (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the chopping drum assembly (3) comprises a shaft which is received for rotation in the clamp bearings (15) and an adapter (31) for a harvester front assembly (9) which is connected to the shaft in a manner which is fixed against rotation.

12. The forage harvester (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the chopping drum assembly (3) comprises a chopping drum (5) which is mounted for rotation on the shaft.

13. The forage harvester (1) according to claim 11 or claim 12, characterized in that the forage harvester (1) comprises at least one hydraulic actuator (32) for actuating a pivotal movement of the adapter (31).