Agricultural machine with a feeder for harvesting plants

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of agricultural machinery and concerns a machine enabling operations to be carried out in a field or meadow.

[0002] It specifically concerns a machine for harvesting plants, such as a haymaking machine, and more particularly a mower equipped with a conveyor.

[0003] Many machines of this type are already known in the prior art.

[0004] Thus, from document EP 1 444 880, we know of a towed mower comprising a mowing unit equipped at the rear with a conveyor of the conveyor belt type bringing at least part of the cut vegetation to the lateral side of the machine.

[0005] This conveyor belt is attached in an articulated manner and with the ability to move laterally to the mowing unit by means of a link structure comprising two parallel arms mounted pivoting on said mowing unit and on the conveyor.

[0006] The aforementioned arms both connect the frame of the mowing unit with the rear of the conveyor.

[0007] The disadvantages of producing this document EP 1 444 880 are as follows: The conveyor cannot be retracted upwards, so it is not possible to deposit the vegetation except in windrows. The mechanical stresses in the connecting structure are significant because the conveyor is only supported on one side. Given the distance between the arm-frame connections and the conveyor's center of gravity, each arm has a substantially vertical section at the rear of the connecting structure and a horizontal section above it. This horizontal section is positioned away from the conveyor's working surface to avoid disrupting the flow of vegetation. This wide span of the arms results in a significant weight for the connecting structure itself, and consequently, high mechanical stresses. The portion of the connecting structure located at the rear of the conveyor also increases the overall weight of the assembly and moves its center of gravity further from its attachment point on the frame.This distance results in a particularly high mechanical stress on the connecting structure.

[0008] The applicant markets, under the designation FC 883 RA, a mower equipped with a rear side conveyor, which comprises an articulated frame with a support structure connected to or forming part of a motor vehicle that can be moved in a forward direction. This frame carries a mowing unit designed to cut standing vegetation and is movable relative to the support structure between a working configuration in which the mowing unit extends laterally from the support structure, and a transport configuration in which the machine's wingspan, measured horizontally and perpendicular to the forward direction, is reduced.

[0009] In this FC 883 RA machine, a conveyor is positioned at the rear of the mowing unit, aligned with the direction of travel, and allows the transfer of previously cut vegetation in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel. This conveyor is connected to the frame via a linkage structure that allows, at least when the mowing unit is in working configuration, lateral movement of the conveyor relative to the frame. During this movement, the conveyor moves between an inner position, where it is close to the support structure, and an outer position, where it is further away from the support structure.

[0010] A primary drawback of this commercially available machine is that transferring the conveyor between its inner and outer positions requires detaching it, along with part of the connecting structure, from the rest of the machine. This operation is complex, requires specialized tools, and necessitates immobilizing the machine. While manageable on a one-off basis, this adjustment quickly becomes tedious with repeated use.

[0011] The machine's connecting structure has a number of components and dimensions that place it under significant mechanical stress, particularly at its connections to the frame and / or the conveyor. Therefore, these connections require substantial reinforcement.

[0012] Furthermore, as the linkage structure of this machine extends above the conveyor, its span must be large in order not to disrupt the flow of forage coming from the mowing group and directed towards the conveyor.

[0013] Furthermore, in order to ensure the support of the conveyor and its transverse movement, the link structure also includes a significant number of joints which complicates the mechanics of the machine and increases its manufacturing and maintenance costs.

[0014] Finally, as in most previous designs, the conveyor is partially attached to a part of the connecting structure extending over said conveyor.

[0015] Thus, a first objective of the present invention is to propose an agricultural machine of the type mentioned above whose conveyor can be transferred laterally in a simple manner.

[0016] Document EP 2 529 614 also discloses a machine of the aforementioned type where the conveyor can be retracted upwards and moved laterally. A drawback of this machine is that the conveyor is articulated to the frame by means of a connecting structure with multiple pivot joints on parallel axes. The assembly of the conveyor to the frame can generate internal stresses due to manufacturing inaccuracies in the various components of these numerous pivot joints. It is therefore necessary to design a robust connecting structure capable of withstanding these stresses.

[0017] Furthermore, the transfer to the raised position of the conveyor of the machine described in this document EP 2 529 614 is achieved by two actuators connected to the same component. However, even when these two actuators are controlled simultaneously, a desynchronization of their respective actuations can occur, resulting in significant stresses on the connecting structure, in addition to the internal stresses mentioned previously. The desynchronization of the retracting actuator movements must then be compensated for by the rigidity of the connecting structure, notably through a suitable mechanical link between the two arms.

[0018] An additional objective of the invention is to provide a machine of this type whose linkage structure is made and arranged in such a way as to minimize the number of its components, its weight and the mechanical stresses it causes.

[0019] Another objective is to offer a machine with a simpler overall construction, while having a conveyor that is easier to maneuver, and whose manufacturing and maintenance costs are reduced.

[0020] In order to achieve at least the first objective mentioned above, the invention relates to an agricultural machine for harvesting plants, of the mower type, according to the preamble of claim 1 and also having the characteristics of the characterizing part of this claim 1.

[0021] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: THE figures 1A And 1Bare top views of an agricultural machine of the conveyor mower type according to a first embodiment of the invention, in which the mowing unit is in working configuration and the conveyor in the lowered position, the conveyor being respectively in two extreme positions of transverse offset, namely in the inner position (proximal to the support structure) on the figure 1A and in an external position (away from the support structure) on the figure 1B ; there figure 1C is a side view of the agricultural machine shown on the figure 1B ; there figure 2 is a perspective view of an assembly [conveyor / connecting structure] according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention; the figure 3 is a rear view of a [conveyor / connecting structure] assembly that is part of the machine shown figure 1B ; THE figures 4 et 5 are views, respectively from above ( figure 4 - the flange being adjusted in a proximal position to the support structure) and from the outside ( figure 5 - view towards the support structure from the right side of the figure 4 ) of an assembly [conveyor / connecting structure] according to the preferred embodiment of the invention shown figure 2 ; there figure 6 is a view from inside a conveyor / connecting structure assembly] that is part of the machine shown figures 1B ; there figure 7 is a side view of an agricultural machine as shown figures 1A à 1C with the conveyor in the raised position; the figure 8 is a perspective view of the agricultural machine according to the invention attached to a tractor where the mowing unit is in transport configuration; the figure 9 is a top view of the agricultural machine according to the invention where the mowing unit is in transport configuration; the figures 10 et 11 are top views of an assembly [conveyor / connecting structure] according to the preferred embodiment of the invention ( figures 2 , 4 et 5 ), in which the conveyor is respectively in two extreme positions of transverse offset, namely in the inner position (of the support structure) on the figure 10 and in an external position (away from the support structure) on the figure 11 , and in which the flange is set in a distal position of the support structure, and, the figure 12 is a perspective of an assembly [conveyor / connecting structure] according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0022] As shown by figures 1 à 12 The invention relates to an agricultural machine 1 for harvesting plants, of the mower type.

[0023] This machine 1 essentially comprises a support structure 2, a mowing unit 3, and a frame 4 articulating the support structure 2 and the mowing unit 3 so as to move said mowing unit 3 between, on the one hand, a working configuration in which it rests on the ground S and extends laterally relative to the support structure 2 and substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel A of the machine 1, and, on the other hand, a transport configuration in which it is in a raised position at a distance from the ground S. In the transport configuration, the mowing unit 3 is further folded towards the support structure 2 (see figures 8 et 9 ).

[0024] The support structure 2 may include a hitch for attaching the machine 1 to a tractor T or may be part of a self-propelled mower. The frame 4 may be made in one or more parts. In the embodiment shown, it comprises a boom 30 articulated with the support structure 2, preferably around a substantially horizontal axis. The boom 30 may also be articulated with a chassis 34, preferably around an axis directed substantially parallel to the direction of travel A.

[0025] This machine 1 also includes a conveyor 5 or a similar conveying device, disposed at the rear of the mowing unit 3 in the direction of travel A and having a movable member 6 transferring the mowed vegetation transversely with respect to the direction of travel A, said conveyor 5 having a front longitudinal side 5' closer to the mowing unit 3 and a rear longitudinal side 5" further away from the latter and said conveyor 5 being connected to the frame 4 by a linking structure 7 allowing, at least when the mowing unit 3 is in its working configuration, a lateral movement of the conveyor 5 at least between an inner position and an outer position.

[0026] In order to selectively choose a mowing mode with or without windrow formation, the connecting structure 7 also includes a tilting device 19. This device connects the conveyor 5 to the frame 4 in an articulated manner. It further includes at least two retracting actuators 21 and 21' for transferring the conveyor 5 between a lowered and a raised position. In the lowered position of the conveyor 5, the working surface 6' of the component 6 is substantially horizontal or has a slight forward inclination. In the raised position, the conveyor 5 is away from the ground S, and is preferably further from the ground S than in the lowered position. The tilting device 19, and the retracting actuators 21 and 21' respectively, enable this transfer of the conveyor 5 by pivoting around a substantially horizontal retracting axis AE.

[0027] The linking structure 7 has two articulated branches 8 and 8', the first articulated branch 8 and the second articulated branch 8' are distinct and each of these first and second articulated branches 8 and 8' connects the frame 4 to the conveyor 5.

[0028] According to the invention, each of the first and second articulated branches 8 and 8' incorporates at least one ball joint 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 38 and is associated with a retracting actuator 21, 21'.

[0029] Thanks to the degrees of freedom inherent in ball joints, the integration of at least one ball joint per articulated arm 8,8' makes it easier to mount the conveyor 5 and to avoid internal stresses in the link structure 7. In addition, the fact that each articulated arm 8,8' is distinct from the other articulated arm 8,8' and is associated with its own retracting actuator 21,21' allows for a further reduction of stresses in the link structure 7 when transferring the conveyor 5 between its lowered and raised positions, particularly when the actuation of the retracting actuators is not simultaneous.

[0030] The fact that the connecting structure 7 is subjected to less stress slows its fatigue and extends its lifespan. Thanks to these reduced stresses, it is also possible to lighten certain parts or even the entire connecting structure 7, for example by manufacturing it / them from aluminum (instead of steel or cast iron). This can result in a weight saving of several tens of kilograms.

[0031] Furthermore, the connecting structure 7 comprises only two articulated arms 8 and 8' and is made up of a limited number of parts, these parts being arranged in such a way as to minimize the overall weight of the connecting structure 7, as well as the mechanical stresses induced by its own weight. Thus, the connecting structure according to the invention is both simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and of limited overall weight.

[0032] When it is stated that the first articulated arm 8 and the second articulated arm 8' are (mutually) distinct, this description means that their respective movements during the transfer between the lowered and raised positions can be independent, at least over a given pivoting range. Furthermore, during the lateral movement of the conveyor 5, the respective movements of the articulated arms 8 and 8' can also be dissimilar. It should be noted that the articulated arms 8 and 8' are mechanically connected only by the conveyor 5 on one side and by the frame 4 on the other.

[0033] It is noted that ball joints can be made with one or more male and female spherical parts. However, they can also be made with pivot joints with crossed axes and / or made of flexible material, for example elastomer or rubber of a type known under the designation "silentbloc" (registered trademark).

[0034] On the aforementioned machine type 1, the mowing unit 3 cuts standing vegetation when the machine 1 moves along the forward direction A. In order to maximize the working width of the machine 1, when the mowing unit 3 is in working configuration, it is preferably oriented substantially perpendicular to the forward direction A (see figure 1A ).

[0035] The mowing unit 3 preferably comprises a cutter bar 29 and a conditioning element 27 positioned at the rear, along the forward direction A, of the cutter bar 29. The cutter bar 29 preferably has discs 25 driven in rotation about substantially vertical axes 25' and on which knives 26 are pivotally mounted. The conditioning element 27 is, for example, in the form of a roller driven about a substantially horizontal axis perpendicular to the forward direction A and may be equipped with radial fingers. It could also be made of two rollers driven in opposite directions about substantially horizontal axes perpendicular to the forward direction A and having interpenetrating profiles. The mowing unit 3 includes, in particular, the conditioning element 27 and the cutter bar 29.

[0036] Preferably, and as shown, the moving part 6 is made in the form of an endless belt tensioned and driven by rollers. The upper face of the moving part 6, or of said belt, when the conveyor 5 is in the lowered position, is designated as the working surface 6'.

[0037] The conditioning element 27 allows for faster drying of the cut vegetation. It projects the cut vegetation backwards, thus generating a flow of cut vegetation directed towards the conveyor 5, more precisely towards the working surface 6' when the conveyor 5 is in its lowered position.

[0038] Once the cut vegetation is placed on the working surface 6', the moving part 6 can transfer it transversely to the direction of travel A. The moving part 6 then deposits the cut vegetation on the side of the conveyor 5 in a windrow 28. This depositing of the cut vegetation in a windrow 28 results from the advance of the machine 1 in the direction of travel A.

[0039] Lateral movement of conveyor 5 allows adjustment of the distance between an edge of the swath 28 and the support structure 2. Thus, the swath 28 can be deposited close to the support structure 2 ( figure 1A ) or further removed from the latter ( figure 1B ), or at a distance between these two extreme positions.

[0040] In order to be able to deposit the cut vegetation on each side of the conveyor 5, the movable member 6 can be arranged so as to transfer the cut vegetation in a direction orthogonal to the direction of advance A. In the preferred embodiment, the movable member 6 transfers the cut vegetation towards the support structure 2, so that the windrow 28 is deposited on the side of the support structure 2.

[0041] In a particular embodiment, the machine 1 can include two mowing groups 3, each arranged laterally on either side of the support structure 2. When the two conveyors 5 transfer the mowed vegetation towards the support structure 2, the lateral movement of one or both of the conveyor(s) 5 then advantageously allows the width of the swath 28 to be modified.

[0042] Preferably, the tilting device 19 comprises a first lever arm 24 and a second lever arm 24', each connecting the conveyor 5 to the frame 4 and each advantageously located near one of the two lateral ends of the conveyor 5.

[0043] In accordance with the invention and as shown in the figures 1B And 4 , the first articulated branch 8 includes a front arm 9 articulated with the conveyor 5 by a longitudinal joint 10 located at the front side 5' of the conveyor 5. The longitudinal joint 10 is intended to guide the lateral movement of the conveyor 5.

[0044] In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the second articulated arm 8' comprises a twin arm 39 articulated with the conveyor 5 by a second longitudinal joint 15. This second longitudinal joint 15 is located at the front side 5' of the conveyor 5, and preferably intended to guide the lateral movement of the conveyor 5. The fact that the joint 10 or the joints 10 and 15 allowing the guidance of the lateral movement of the conveyor 5 are placed at the front of the conveyor 5 makes it possible to bring the center of gravity of the connecting structure 7 closer to the frame 4, further reducing the stresses in the connecting structure 7. The twin arm 39 also makes it possible to further consolidate and stiffen the connecting structure 7 (additional connection).

[0045] As depicted on the figures 3 And 12in particular, the front arm 9 is articulated with the frame 4, respectively with the lever arm 24, by a front joint 13, preferably located at the front side 5' of the conveyor 5. At least one of the longitudinal joint 10 and front joint 13 is a ball joint.

[0046] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the twin arm 39 is articulated with the frame 4, respectively with the second lever arm 24', by an external joint 38, preferably located at the front side 5' of the conveyor 5. At least one of the second longitudinal joint 15 and external joint 38 is a ball joint.

[0047] Following the structure made in the present description, and in accordance with the attached figures, the longitudinal joint 10 and the anterior joint 13 are included in the first articulated branch 8.

[0048] In accordance with an advantageous design feature of the invention, the longitudinal joint 10 is of the sliding pivot type. In the preferred embodiment, the longitudinal joint 10 is of the sliding type with a sliding axis AC substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel A. The front joint 13 is then preferably of the ball joint type. The sliding axis AC is also substantially parallel to the front side 5' of the conveyor 5.

[0049] Such a construction makes it possible to minimize the displacement component along the direction of advance A, and to maintain a minimal gap between the front longitudinal side 5' of the conveyor 5 and the mowing group 3, thus preventing forage losses.

[0050] The second longitudinal joint 15 can also be of the sliding pivot type. In the preferred embodiment, the second longitudinal joint 15 is of the sliding type, with a sliding axis parallel to, and preferably coinciding with, the sliding axis AC. The front joint 38 is then preferably of the ball joint type. It follows from the above that each of the articulated arms 8 and 8' is articulated with the conveyor 5 by at least one ball joint.

[0051] This design ensures that the lateral movement of conveyor 5 consists solely of translation along the sliding axis AC, further reducing forage losses. Therefore, the lateral movement of conveyor 5 includes no pivoting component or vertical translational component.

[0052] The AC sliding axis and the AE retracting axis can advantageously be parallel to each other.

[0053] According to the invention and as shown in the figures, the second articulated arm 8' comprises a lateral arm 11 connected to the conveyor 5 at the rear side 5" of the conveyor 5 by at least one articulation. Furthermore, the conveyor 5 is advantageously supported at the rear solely by the lateral arm 11, so as to bring the center of gravity of the connecting structure 7 closer to the frame 4. These measures prevent the conveyor 5 from being cantilevered, thus further reducing the stresses in the connecting structure 7.

[0054] The lateral arm 11 is further connected to the frame 4 by a lateral joint 14. In accordance with another advantageous design feature of the invention, the lateral joint 14 is of the pivot type with a pivot axis AP substantially perpendicular to the sliding axis AC, and preferably substantially vertical. When the front joint 13 is of the ball joint type, the guidance of the lateral movement of the conveyor 5 is dictated by the orientation of the axis AP.

[0055] In the preferred embodiment, the lateral arm 11 is connected to the conveyor 5 via a connecting rod 36 articulated with the conveyor 5 by a first rear joint 12 and with said lateral arm 11 by a second rear joint 37. The first and second rear joints 12 and 37 are pivot joints with axes parallel to the pivot axis AP. This technical arrangement ensures that the conveyor 5 remains in a given plane. Consequently, the orientation of the working surface 6' of the moving part 6 maintains the same orientation relative to the ground (S) from the inner position of the conveyor 5 ( figures 1A And 10 ) until its outer position ( figures 1B And 11 ), allowing for the production of regular windrows.

[0056] By placing joints 10, 13, 14, and 15 at the front of conveyor 5, the stresses in the connecting structure 7, due to the weight of the conveyor and the conveyor itself, are considerably reduced compared to previous machines of this type. The first and second rear joints 12 and 37 are located at the rear of conveyor 5. Conveyor 5 is thus supported by tractor T via the support structure 2, the frame 4, and the connecting structure 7. Machine 1 is a mounted type, and in the configuration for transporting the mower unit 3, it has no ground support S other than that of the tractor T, thus providing good maneuverability to the tractor T - machine 1 combination.

[0057] The constraints in the link structure 7 are also low thanks to the sliding link of the longitudinal joint 10 which advantageously allows the conveyor 5 to be kept close to the support structure 2, regardless of the position of the conveyor 5 relative to a median plane M of the support structure 2.

[0058] According to a preferred practical embodiment of the agricultural machine 1 according to the invention, the front arm 9 is secured on the one hand, directly or indirectly, with the frame 4 at the level of a region close to an end 23 of the longitudinal front side 5', and on the other hand with the conveyor 5 by the sliding connection of the longitudinal joint 10. The front arm 9 extends substantially perpendicularly to the direction of advance A.

[0059] Furthermore, the lateral arm 11 is connected to the conveyor 5 by the first rear joint 12 at a region near an end 23' of the longitudinal rear side 5", which is preferably diagonally opposite to the aforementioned end 23 of the front side. The lateral arm 11 extends substantially parallel to the direction of travel A.

[0060] The end 23 of the conveyor 5 is preferably located on the side of the support structure 2. It can be noted that due to the implementation of a front arm 9 which extends along the longitudinal front side 5' of the conveyor 5, no obstacle opposes the aforementioned discharge.

[0061] Furthermore, the aforementioned configuration of the front arm 9 and side arm 11 and the arrangement of their respective articulated links with the conveyor 5, makes it possible to do without the presence of any support or attachment device extending, in the lowered position of the conveyor 5, over the working surface 6'.

[0062] In order to allow a significant lateral movement of the conveyor 5, while limiting the interference of the lateral arm 11 with the plants transported by the mobile organ 6, it is favorable that the distance between the front joint 13 and lateral joint 14 be greater than the length of the conveyor 5.

[0063] Additionally, it may be provided that the lateral arm 11 has at least a slight bend or inflection (see figures 1 ).

[0064] The lowered position of conveyor 5 corresponds to its working position, in which it can transfer the cut vegetation transversely to the direction of travel A. Conveyor 5 can occupy the lowered position, on the one hand, when the mowing unit 3 is in its working configuration, as illustrated in the diagrams. figures 1C And 5 , and, on the other hand, when the mowing group 3 is in transport configuration as illustrated on the figures 8 et 9 . In its lowered position, the conveyor 5 can occupy the inner, outer, or any other intermediate position between these two positions, thus allowing the cut vegetation to be deposited more or less far from the median plane M of the support structure 2.

[0065] As illustrated by the figure 7 Conveyor 5 can be in the raised position when the mowing unit 3 is in working configuration. In the raised position, conveyor 5 is retracted, preventing the lateral movement of cut vegetation. Preferably, in the raised position, the working surface 6' is substantially vertical. In the raised position, conveyor 5 can be in the inner, outer, or any position where its distance from the median plane M is between the inner and outer positions.

[0066] As can be seen on the figures 8 et 9 In the transport configuration of the mowing unit 3, the latter is preferably positioned substantially vertically to reduce the wingspan of the machine 1 measured horizontally and perpendicular to the direction of travel A. Furthermore, in the transport configuration of the mowing unit 3, the conveyor 5 is preferably in an external position and, moreover, preferably in a lowered position. To bring the center of gravity of the machine 1 closer to the tractor T, the conveyor 5 can also be in a raised position when the mowing unit 3 is in the transport configuration.

[0067] In order to achieve its transport configuration in a simple manner, the mowing group 3 is pivoted from its working configuration around a transport axis AT substantially parallel to the forward direction A.

[0068] In a preferred embodiment of machine 1, the mowing unit 3 can also be in a maneuvering configuration in which it is slightly raised off the ground. Preferably, in the maneuvering configuration of the mowing unit 3, it is pivoted around the transport axis AT, in a position between its working and transport configurations.

[0069] According to another interesting feature of the invention, the longitudinal sliding joint 10 is located, in the lowered position of the conveyor 5, below the plane passing through the working surface 6', thus preventing disruption to the flow of plant material guided towards the conveyor 5 and coming from the mowing unit 3, or from the conditioning element 27. In order to reduce stress in the connecting structure 7, the sliding joint of the longitudinal joint 10 is further located at the front of the conveyor 5.

[0070] Advantageously, the first and second lever arms 24 and 24', respectively the tilting device 19, extend in the lowered position of conveyor 5, at the front of conveyor 5, preferably in front of its front longitudinal side 5'. Thus, the center of gravity of the conveyor 5 - connecting structure 7 assembly is close to the frame 4, resulting in a reduction of stresses in said structure and at its connection points with said frame.

[0071] As illustrated in particular on the figures 2 And 7Specifically, the tilting device 19, and respectively the first lever arm 24 and second lever arm 24', are connected to the frame 4 by two pivot joints 20 and 20' respectively, with mutually aligned axes coinciding with the retraction axis AE. The first lever arm 24 is connected to the front arm 9 by the front joint 13, and the second lever arm 24' to the lateral arm 11 by the lateral joint 14. The lateral joint 14 preferably takes the form of two elementary pivot joints, spaced apart and with mutually aligned axes, perpendicular to the sliding axis AC of the longitudinal joint 10. Where applicable, the first articulated arm 8 comprises the first lever arm 24, and the second articulated arm 8' comprises the second lever arm 24'.

[0072] As depicted on the figure 5 , each retracting actuator 21, 21' is connected to the frame 4 and respectively to the first and second lever arms 24, 24'. The retracting actuators 21, 21' are preferably actuated simultaneously to transfer the conveyor 5 between its lowered position and its raised position.

[0073] In order to further limit the constraints in the linking structure 7 when the conveyor 5 is in the lowered position, it may be provided that the conveyor 5, or the tilting device 19, rests on the frame 4, in the lowered position of the conveyor 5, preferably below the working surface 6' of the transfer element 6 of the conveyor 5.

[0074] As also shown by the figure 1C , the support of the tilting device on the frame 4 is advantageously achieved by means of pads made of elastic material located at the free ends of the lever arms 24 and 24'.

[0075] In order to reduce the stresses in the linking structure 7 in the raised position, or retracted position, of the conveyor 5, it may also be provided that the distance separating the plane passing through the working surface 6' from the retracting axis AE is less than the diameter of the outer path of a knife 26, in the lowered position of the conveyor 5. Thus, in the raised position, the conveyor 5 is positioned close to the frame 4.

[0076] To make adjusting the lateral positioning of the conveyor 5 more convenient for the user, and in particular to allow control of the conveyor's lateral movement from a tractor cab, the linkage structure 7 includes an actuating cylinder 22, preferably associated with the front arm 9, which allows the conveyor 5 to be moved laterally relative to the forward direction A of the machine 1. In the lowered position of the conveyor 5, the actuating cylinder 22 extends to the front of the conveyor 5, and preferably in front of its front longitudinal side 5'. The front arm 9 may also have a telescopic configuration (see figures 1A , 1B And 3 ). In this case, the sliding connection of the longitudinal joint 10 is therefore achieved by the actuation cylinder 22.

[0077] The actuator cylinder 22 is fixed on one side with the frame 4, preferably via the third articulation 13, and on the other side with the conveyor 5. The actuator cylinder 22 is intended to perform the transverse movement of the conveyor 5.

[0078] It should be noted that, regardless of how the sliding joint of the longitudinal articulation 10 is implemented, an axial locking system (continuous or discrete) maintains the position of the conveyor 5 relative to the support structure 2 during the lateral movement of the conveyor 5. For example, in the case of a telescopic configuration of the front arm 9, the axial locking system could be achieved by a pin inserted radially into holes made for this purpose in each of the sliding parts of the telescopic configuration. Preferably, however, the axial locking of the sliding joint is ensured by the actuating cylinder 22.

[0079] The actuating cylinder 22 is preferably double-acting. As illustrated on the figure 1B The cylinder of the actuating actuator 22 is fixed to the front longitudinal side 5'. The rod of the actuating actuator 22 is further fixed to a tube 33 forming part of the front arm 9 and connected to the frame 4 by the front joint 13. This tube 33 is also slidably mounted in two eyelets 33' fixed to the front longitudinal side 5' of the conveyor 5, preferably near the end 23 on this side. Preferably, the twin arm 39, also made in the form of a tube, is slidably mounted in two eyelets 33'.

[0080] In this construction variant, the front arm 9 is formed by the cylinder 22 / tube 33 assembly.

[0081] Preferably, the front arm 9 and side arm 11 are both arranged below a plane including the retracting axis AE and parallel to the working surface 6' when the conveyor 5 is in the lowered position, allowing a reduction in the weight of the connecting structure 7 and the stresses generated by it.

[0082] To avoid as much as possible the two articulated branches 8 and 8' of the linking structure 7 from disturbing the flow of cut and transferred vegetation, it is advantageously provided that in a transverse sliding position of the conveyor 5 close to the longitudinal joint 10, the planar projection of the front arms 9 and lateral arm 11 on a plane parallel to the working surface 6' of the transfer member 6 of the conveyor 5 in the lowered position, are located outside the working surface 6' of the conveyor 5.

[0083] In order to modify the distance between the median plane M and the conveyor 5, in the inner position of the conveyor 5, an additional positioning system can be provided to translate the conveyor 5 relative to the tube 33 along the sliding axis AC. For this purpose, the positioning system includes a means for connecting and disconnecting the tube 33 and / or the spindle 39 from the part of the actuating cylinder 22 (cylinder or rod) that is not fixed to the conveyor 5 (the rod in the example given).

[0084] As depicted on the figure 12 The positioning system is a flange 43 integral with the rod of the actuating cylinder 22. The flange 43 comprises two movable parts that can be clamped together to secure the flange 43 to the tube 33 by wedging. By loosening and separating these movable parts, it is possible to translate the tube 33 relative to the spindle 39 along the sliding axis AC. This makes it possible to obtain different internal positions of the conveyor 5 relative to the support structure 2 ( figure 4 : flange adjusted in a proximal position of support structure 2; and figure 10 (flange adjusted in distal position) while maintaining the same possible lateral movement stroke of the conveyor 5 from these different internal positions. This additional positioning system advantageously allows for further adjustment to modify the width of the swath 28.

[0085] Within the framework of the implementation illustrated in particular by the figures 1A , 1B , 3 And 6 and described in more detail below in relation to these figures, the second articulated arm 8' of the connecting structure 7 also includes a connecting rod 16 articulated, on the one hand, with the lateral arm 11 by means of a central ball joint 17 and, on the other hand, with the conveyor 5 by means of an upper ball joint 18, in order to achieve rigid support of the conveyor. In this embodiment, the lateral arm 11 is directly connected to the conveyor 5 by the first rear joint 12, which is also a ball joint.

[0086] There figure 1B represents the conveyor 5 in an external position in which it is away from the support structure 2, the front longitudinal side 5' being substantially perpendicular to the direction of advance A.

[0087] There figure 1A Figure 5 represents the conveyor 5 in its inner position, in which it is closer to the support structure 2 than in its outer position. The front longitudinal side 5' forms an angle with the forward direction A between 85° and 95°, and preferably between 88° and 92°. It appears that, in the second embodiment, the joints 10, 12, 13, and 14 allow a substantially linear lateral movement of the conveyor 5, including a pivoting component in a substantially horizontal plane, more precisely in a plane parallel to the working surface 6'. During this pivoting, the conveyor 5 pivots about an axis passing through the front joint 13, at an angle of less than 5°, more precisely less than 2°. The lateral movement of the conveyor 5 does not include any vertical component, nor any vertical pivoting component, nor any vertical translational component.In this embodiment, the lateral movement of the conveyor 5 consists solely of a translation and a pivoting, both in a plane parallel to the working surface 6'.

[0088] In the method of implementation of figures 1 , 3 And 6 , in order to be able to easily block the conveyor 5 in rotation around the line passing through the first rear joint 12 and the front joint 13, the upper joint 18 is offset relative to the or a line passing through the first rear joint 12 and the front joint 13 and / or relative to the working surface 6', said upper joint 18 being located in the region of said first rear joint 12.

[0089] Advantageously, the upper joint 18 is provided on the same attachment piece, rigidly fixed to the conveyor 5, as the first rear joint 12 (see figure 1C ).

[0090] Connecting rod 16 can, if necessary, be adjusted in length, mechanically or hydraulically, in a discrete or continuous manner.

[0091] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. Agricultural machine 1 for harvesting plants, of the mower type, said machine (1) comprising essentially a support structure (2), a mowing unit (3), and a frame (4) articulately connecting the support structure (2) and the mowing unit (3) so as to move said mowing unit (3) between, on the one hand, a work configuration in which it rests on the ground (S) and extends laterally relative to the support structure (2) and substantially perpendicular to a forward direction (A) of the machine (1), and, on the other hand, a transport configuration in which it is in a raised position away from the ground (S), said machine (1) also comprising a conveyor (5) or similar transport device, arranged at the rear of the mowing unit (3) in the forward direction (A) and comprising a movable member (6) transferring the mowed plants transversely with respect to the forward direction (A), said conveyor (5) having a front longitudinal side (5') closer to the mowing unit (3) and a rear longitudinal side (5") further away from the latter, and said conveyor (5) being connected to the frame (4) by a connecting structure (7) allowing, at least when the mowing unit (3) is in its work configuration, lateral movement of the conveyor (5) directed substantially transversely to the forward direction (A) at least between an inner position and an outer position, the connecting structure (7) comprising a first and a second articulated branches (8 and 8') being separate, each of these first and second articulated branches (8 and 8') connecting the frame (4) to the conveyor (5), and the connecting structure (7) also comprising a tilting device (19) having at least two retraction actuators (21 and 21') for moving the conveyor (5) between a lowered position and a raised position in which the conveyor is away from the ground (S), agricultural machine (1) characterised in that each of the first and second articulated branches (8 and 8') incorporates at least one ball joint and is associated with a retraction actuator (21, 21'), the first articulated branch (8) comprises a front arm (9) articulated to the conveyor (5) by a longitudinal joint (10) located at the front longitudinal side (5') of the conveyor (5) and designed to guide the lateral movement of the conveyor (5), the second articulated branch (8') comprises a lateral arm (11) connected to the conveyor (5) at the rear longitudinal side (5") of the conveyor (5).

2. Machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the front arm (9) is articulated with the frame (4) by a front joint (13), at least one of the longitudinal joint (10) and front joint (13) being a ball joint.

3. Machine according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the second branch (8') comprises a twin arm (39) articulated to the conveyor (5) by a second longitudinal joint (15).

4. Machine according to claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the longitudinal joint (10) and the second longitudinal joint (15) are of the slide type or sliding pivot type, with a sliding axis (AC) substantially perpendicular to the forward direction (A).

5. Machine according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterised in that the twin arm (39) is articulated with the frame (4) by an external joint (38), at least one the second longitudinal joint (15) and external joint (38) being a ball joint.

6. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the conveyor (5) is supported at the rear solely by the lateral arm (11).

7. Machine according to claim 4 or claim 6, insofar as it depends on claim 4, characterised in that the lateral arm (11) is connected to the frame (4) by a lateral joint (14) of the pivot type with a pivot axis (AP) substantially perpendicular to the sliding axis (AC), and to the conveyor (5) by means of a small connecting rod (36) articulated to the conveyor (5) by a first rear joint (12) and to the lateral arm (11) by a second rear joint (37), the first and second rear joints (12 and 37) being pivot connections with axes parallel to the pivot axis (AP).

8. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that in the lowered position of the conveyor (5), the first and second lever arms (24 and 24') extend at the front of the conveyor (5).

9. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the connecting structure (7) comprises an actuating cylinder (22) which enables the conveyor (5) to be moved laterally relative to the forward direction (A) of the machine (1), the actuating cylinder (22) extending at the front on the conveyor (5) when the conveyor (5) is in the lowered position.

10. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the conveyor (5) rests on the frame (4) in the lowered position of the conveyor (5), preferably below the working surface (6').

11. Machine according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterised in that the front arm (9) and the lateral arm (11) are both arranged below a plane comprising the retraction axis (AE) and parallel to the working surface (6') of the movable member (6) when the conveyor (5) is in the lowered position.