Agricultural machine having a support device

Abstract

The invention relates to an agricultural machine (1) having a central part (3) and a support device (8), wherein tool frames (5, 6) extend in a transport position along a central part (2), wherein depth guide elements (7) are arranged on the support device (8) so as to at least partly support or receive the weight of the tool frames (5, 6).

Description

[0001]

[0002] Agricultural machine with support device

[0003] The invention relates to an agricultural machine according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0004] Folding or collapsible agricultural machines above a certain working width are equipped with a folding frame and a chassis in order to limit both permissible weights and axle loads as well as transport dimensions to the values ​​permitted for use on public roads.

[0005] From the publication DE1915825A1, a semi-mounted soil tillage implement with a large working width is known. The lateral outriggers have depth control wheels on the outer area to ensure ground adaptation even with a large working width. The pivoting outriggers of the implement can be pivoted forward in a cantilevered manner to a narrow transport width. This increases the load on the rear pivot frame due to the forward-shifted weight of the outriggers. In particular, the structure can easily swing open during transport. A similar cantilevered structure is known from a forage harvesting machine from WO 2015086533 A1.

[0006] The disclosure WO 2014056077 A1 shows a soil tillage implement as in DE1915825A1 , but there a part of the boom weight is placed on support posts 225 projecting upwards from the frame 160, as can be seen in Fig. 2. Due to the upwardly projecting construction, the posts are exposed to strong lateral loads, such as those that occur dynamically during transport.

[0007] DE 102007026186 A1 discloses a seed drill with outriggers and support wheels arranged at their outer ends. The seed drill has a storage tank at the front, which already occupies the space for a possible support device for the outriggers.

[0008] The object of the invention is to provide a folding or collapsible agricultural implement with a stable and cost-effective boom support device that eliminates the above disadvantages. This object is achieved by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

[0009] An agricultural machine, in particular for tilling the soil and / or spreading material on a field, has a central section with a vertical central plane and a chassis. At least a first and a second tool frame extend from the central section. These have at least one depth control element offset laterally, preferably at the outer end of the tool frame. In a first working position, the tool frames extend laterally away from the central section and are at least partially supported on the field by the depth control elements. In a second transport position, the tool frames extend along the central section, with the depth control elements of the tool frames being arranged or displaced in front of the chassis of the agricultural machine in the transport position.The middle section has at least one support device, which is arranged such that the depth control elements, in the transport position, at least partially support or absorb the weight of the tool frame on the support device and are arranged accordingly. Because the support device only indirectly absorbs the weight of the tool frame via the depth control elements instead of directly contacting it, the support device can be arranged significantly lower or closer to the middle section. This makes the support device more compact and cost-effective and does not obstruct any installation space for additional structures on the middle section. At the same time, the view of a driver of a towing vehicle is not obstructed by a high support device.

[0010] Preferably, the depth control elements of the agricultural machine are arranged so that they can be moved relative to the tool frames. This allows the working depths of the agricultural machine's tools to be flexibly adjusted relative to the field.

[0011] Furthermore, the depth control elements preferably have a pivot arm with a pivot axis. The pivot axis is arranged parallel to the direction of extension of the tool frames. Alternatively or simultaneously, one or more pivot axes of the pivot arm of the depth control elements can be arranged obliquely or perpendicularly to the direction of extension of the tool frames. In both cases, a vertical movement of the depth control elements relative to the tool frames can be achieved by a rotary pivot arm movement, whereby the connection of the pivot bearings of the pivot axes can be realized in a compact manner with bearing plates, bolts, and bushings, compared to a purely translational pivoting device.

[0012] In an improved form of the invention, the support device has a support area with an inner and an outer end and a support plane extending between them. By slanting the support plane towards the center of the machine or by the support plane forming an acute angle with the center plane, the support force of the depth control element, which bears on the support device with the weight of the tool frame, creates a force acting inwards towards the center plane, which centers the tool frames inwards in the transport position. This increases transport safety against unintentional pivoting of the tool frames. Furthermore, various setting or pivoting positions of the depth control means relative to the tool frames can be ignored without the transport height of the agricultural machine increasing significantly.

[0013] Furthermore, the support device or its support area can advantageously be designed to be adjustable in distance and / or inclination relative to the central section. Depending on the dimensions of the depth control means or their projection or position relative to the tool carrier, the contact point between the depth control means and the support area can be varied and adjusted.

[0014] It has proven advantageous in the invention that the support device has a support area for receiving the depth control elements, wherein the support area is arranged perpendicular to a radius R, which forms the shortest distance between the support area and the pivot axis of the pivot arms of the depth control elements on the respective tool frame. This arrangement reduces or largely eliminates forces on locking or adjusting means that hold the pivot arms in position relative to the tool frame. In the case of an adjusting means, this is advantageously moved to an end position or defined setting position.

[0015] The advantages of the invention are particularly evident when one or more storage containers are assigned to the middle section of the agricultural machine, which are arranged between and / or below the tool frames extended in the transport position. Since the pivot arms with the associated depth control elements extend downwards from the tool frames arranged above the chassis in the transport position, the support device can extend mainly laterally from the lower area of ​​the middle section. This frees up the required installation space for containers from the middle section upwards. A support structure that would otherwise be higher up need not spatially penetrate or delimit the containers, thus opening up potential for simplified and larger container volumes.

[0016] In a special embodiment, the tool frames are pivotably mounted on the central section with at least one first lifting axis and two folding axes, with the first lifting axis being perpendicular to the central plane of the central section and the second folding axes being parallel to the central plane. This allows both tool frames to be lifted out using a central device at the headland for turning maneuvers and folded forward into the transport position via the additional folding axes. At the same time, the tool frames can be adapted to the terrain in the working position via the two second folding axes.

[0017] Further details and advantages of the subject matter of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an embodiment with the necessary details and individual parts. They show:

[0018] Fig. 1 an agricultural machine in working position side view,

[0019] Fig. 2 the representation from Figure 1 in working position,

[0020] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the agricultural machine in transport position,

[0021] Fig. 4 the agricultural machine as a front view in transport position and

[0022] Fig. 5 shows a section of the middle part and the support device as a perspective.

[0023] Figure 1 shows a side view of an agricultural machine 1, which is moved in the working position by means of a tractor 16 across a field 18 to be cultivated in a direction of travel F. The agricultural machine 1 has a central section 2, which forms the supporting frame of the agricultural machine 1. A storage container 15 is arranged above the central section 2. This is used, for example, to carry fertilizer or seed. At the rear end of the central section 2, a chassis 4 supports the weight of the agricultural machine 1 on the field 18 or a soil surface. The central section 2 extends at the front into a drawbar 17, which movably connects the agricultural machine 1 to the towing vehicle 16 and transfers part of the weight of the agricultural machine 1 to the towing vehicle 16 as a support load.The drawbar 17 can be pivotable or steerable, or it can be rigidly connected to the center section 2 to compensate for lateral or vertical steering movements of the towing vehicle 16 or uneven ground. Furthermore, the drawbar 17 can also extend rearward to the chassis as a central tube or V-shaped drawbar construction and form an integral part of the frame of the center section 2. At the rear end of the agricultural machine 1, two tool frames 5 and 6 extend laterally to the left and right of the center section 2, as seen in the direction of travel F. A plurality of working tools 19 are arranged at a distance from one another on the tool frames 5 and 6.These can be share, tine, or disc tools, either for cultivating plant material on the field or for soil cultivation, or, combined with a fertilizer or seed application device, also sowing or fertilizer shares, as well as a combination of various tools, in particular those mentioned above. Outside the track of the chassis 4, further depth control elements are arranged on the respective tool frames 5 and 6, which, particularly in the outer area of ​​the tool frames 5 and 6, ensure proper depth control over the contour of the field 18 in the working position of the agricultural machine. In the front, lower area of ​​the middle section 2, a support area 11 is also arranged as a support, which is described below in the other figures.

[0024] Figure 2 shows the illustration from Figure 1 in perspective, seen diagonally from the rear, but without the towing vehicle. Here, too, the agricultural machine 1 is shown with the tool frames 5 and 6 unfolded, with the working tools 19 arranged laterally thereon at a distance from one another. A dosing device (not shown) is attached below the storage container 15, with which material can be taken from the storage container 15 and fed via lines to the individual working tools 19 for application on or into the soil 18. The lines are not shown for the sake of clarity. The tool frames 5 and 6 extend to the left and right of a central plane 3, viewed in the direction of travel F. The central plane 3 forms the plane of symmetry of the agricultural machine 1 and is perpendicular to the field 18 and parallel to the direction of travel F.Depth control elements 7 in the form of one or more rotatable support wheels are arranged in the outer area of ​​the tool frames 5 and 6. These are connected to the left tool frame 5 or the right tool frame 6 by a pivot arm 9, which can pivot about the pivot axis 10 and is hinged. The angular position of the pivot arm 9 to the tool frame 5, 6 and thus the distance to the soil 18 can be adjusted via a servomotor, a spindle, or a locking device. The tool frames 5 and 6 are each pivotally connected to a folding frame 20 via a folding axis 13. The position of the tool frames 5 and 6 relative to the folding frame 20 can be changed by means of servomotors 14. The folding frame 20 itself and a further lifting frame 21 are pivotally connected to the central section 2 of the agricultural machine 1 by means of a lifting axis 12 and the associated bearings.Corresponding servomotors for lifting the folding frame 20 are arranged invisibly below it and are also articulated to the middle section 2. Using a further servomotor 14', the inclination of the folding frame 20 to the lifting frame 21 can be adjusted transversely to the direction of travel F. The folding frame 20 and with it the tool frames 5, 6 can thus be lifted out to achieve ground clearance of the working tools 19 from the field surface 18, for example for a turning maneuver at the end of the field. During a partial excavation of the tool frames 5, 6, the depth control elements 7 can continue to maintain ground contact with the field surface 18. During a complete excavation, only the chassis 4 is in ground contact. During a complete excavation, the folding frame, together with the folding axes 13, the protruding tool frames 5 and 6 and their working tools 19, rotates upwards by approximately 90 degrees around the lifting axis 12.The two tool frames 5 and 6 can then be pivoted forward in the direction of travel F into a transport position via the servo motors 14, as shown below in Figure 3.

[0025] Figure 3 shows the agricultural working machine 1 from the same perspective as in Figure 2, but in transport position. The folding frame 20 is rotated approximately 90 degrees upwards relative to the lifting frame 21 about the lifting axis 12', and the lifting frame 21 is rotated approximately 90 degrees upwards relative to the central section 2 about the lifting axis 12 by means of the servo motors 14" and 14'. With the folding frame 21, the two folding axes 13 are now pivoted into an upright position in which they are approximately perpendicular to the ground surface 18. Since the two tool frames 5 and 6 are pivoted forward in the direction of travel about the folding axes 13, they, together with the working tools 19, assume the transport position above the chassis 4. The storage container 15 is now located below and / or between the two tool frames 5 and 6. At the end of the tool frame 5, the depth control means 7 with its pivot arm 9 and pivot axis 10 is attached and locked to the tool frame 5 via hinge bearings.Due to the lifting and folding movements described above, the depth control element 7, with its pivoting arm 9, projects downwards from the tool frame 5 and places a load on the support device 8. The same applies analogously to the depth control element, which is concealed by the storage container 15, on the tool frame 6 on the other side of the center plane 3. It can be clearly seen that the support device 8 is directly connected to the center section 2 without taking up any additional space in the storage container 15. The support load of the tool frames 5 and 6, applied by the depth control elements 7 to the support device 8, can thus be transmitted into the frame of the center section 2 in the best possible way and over a short distance. If the depth control element 7 is designed as an elastic wheel 22, for example with a pneumatic tire, the load on the support device 8 is dampened at the same time.By positioning the support device 8 at an angle to the center plane 3, the tool frames 5 and 6 are simultaneously centered and secured in position in the direction of the center plane 3.

[0026] Figure 4 shows the agricultural machine 1 from Figure 3 in a view from the front, i.e. opposite the direction of travel F from Figure 3. The agricultural machine rests with its chassis 4 on the ground surface 18 and with the front end of the drawbar 17 on a trailer coupling of the towing vehicle 16 (not shown) from Figure 1. A storage container 15 is arranged above the central section 2. The support devices 8 with their support areas 11 extend to the right and left of the central section 2 and the central plane 3, respectively. The support devices 8 are mounted on the central section 2 by means of fastening means. The support devices 8 can also be an integrated frame component of the central section 2. A wheel 22 of the respective depth control element 7 rests on the support area 11 and, via the pivot arm 9, supports the weight of the respective tool frame 5 and 6 with the work tools 19 attached to it.A support plane 11e extends through the outer end 11a and the inner end 11i of the support area 11 and is set at an acute angle to the center plane 3. The preferred values ​​for the acute angle have proven to be in the range between 45 and 85 degrees, which corresponds to a complementary angle ß between the support plane 11e and a horizontal line between 5 and 45 degrees. Due to this angular position, the wheels of the depth control elements 7 roll inward toward the center plane 3 when placed on the support area 11 and center the tool frames 5 and 6 against unintentional outward pivoting. The depth control elements 7 are articulated to the respective tool frames 5 and 6 via the pivot arms 9 by means of the pivot axes 10. As already described for Figure 2, their angular position can be changed or locked relative to the tool frames 5 and 6 via servo motors 14"'.An optimal locking position of the depth guide elements 7 is achieved when the shortest distance a between the support area 11 and the pivot axis 10 forms a radius R that is perpendicular to the support plane 11 e. In this case, the reaction of the support force acts perpendicularly from the support plane 11 e into the pivot axis 10, thereby avoiding or at least reducing torsional moments within the tool frames 5 and 6.

[0027] Figure 5 shows, in an oblique view from the front, the support device 8 on the right in the direction of travel F and its attachment to the central section 2. The support area 11 has the inner end 11i and the outer end 11a, between which the support plane 11e extends. At the two ends 11i and 11a and in between, grid bars are arranged as a support for the wheel 22. This allows soil adhering to the wheel 22 to fall through downwards. At the same time, when the agricultural machine 1 is in the working position, these bars can serve as a step or storage area. The grid bars are preferably arranged parallel to the direction of travel F or to align an axis of the wheel 22. For the sake of clarity, the depth control element 7 with the wheel 22 has been omitted. The middle grid bars can be lowered relative to the support plane 11e to form a wheel recess.The wheel recess can be designed concentrically to the diameter of the wheel 22 or to the pivot radius R of the depth control element 7. Alternatively, only one outer and preferably another inner support rod can be arranged at the ends 11 i and 11 a of the support area 11, which supports the wheel circumference of the depth control element 7.

[0028] This is followed by four sheets of drawings.

[0029] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

Claims

PATENT CLAIM E 1. Agricultural machine (1), in particular for soil cultivation and / or for spreading material on a field, comprising a central section (2) having a vertical central plane (3), a chassis (4), at least a first and second tool frame (5, 6) which are laterally offset, preferably at the outer end of the respective tool frame, have at least one depth control element (7), wherein the tool frames (5, 6) extend laterally away from the central section (2) in a first working position and are at least partially supported on the field by the depth control elements (7), wherein the tool frames (5, 6) extend along the central section (2) in a second transport position, wherein the depth control elements (7) of the tool frames (5, 6) are arranged or displaced in front of the chassis (4) of the agricultural machine in the transport position, characterized in thatthat the middle part (2) has at least one support device (8), wherein the depth control elements (5, 6) are arranged in the transport position to support or absorb at least partially the weight of the tool frame (5, 6) on the support device (8).

2. Agricultural machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the depth control elements (7) are arranged movably to the tool frames (5, 6).

3. Agricultural machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the depth control elements (7) have a pivot arm (9) with a pivot axis (10), wherein the pivot axis (10) runs parallel to the extension direction of the tool frames (5, 6).

4. Agricultural machine according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the depth control elements (7) have a pivot arm (9) with a pivot axis (10), wherein the pivot axis (10) is inclined or perpendicular to the extension direction of the tool frames (5, 6).

5. Agricultural machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support device (8) has a support area (11) with an inner and an outer end (11 i, 11a) and a support plane (11e) extending between them, wherein the support plane (11e) is inclined obliquely inwards to the center of the machine or to the central plane (3) or forms an acute angle with the central plane (3).

6. Agricultural machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support device (8) or its bearing area (11) is designed to be adjustable in distance and / or inclination relative to the central part (2).

7. Agricultural machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support device (8) has a support area (11) for receiving the depth control elements (7), wherein the support area (11) or the support plane (11e) is arranged perpendicular to a radius R which forms the shortest distance (a) between the support area (11) and the pivot axis (10) of the pivot arms (9) of the depth control elements (7) on the respective tool frames (5, 6).

8. Agricultural machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more storage containers (15) are assigned to the central part (2), which are arranged between and / or below the tool frames (5, 6) extended in transport position.

9. Agricultural machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool frames (5, 6) are pivotably arranged on the central part with at least one first lifting axis 12 and two second folding axes, wherein the first lifting axis 12 is arranged perpendicular to the central plane 3 of the central part 2 and the second folding axes 13 are arranged parallel to the central plane 3.

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