Agricultural implement having a large working width

Abstract

The invention relates to an agricultural implement (1) having a large working width, it being possible to pivot the booms (5) and (6) of said agricultural implement upwards and forwards from a working position into a transport position via a tilt axis (9) and pivot axes (10), wherein work tool planes (8) of the booms (5) and (6) having work tools (7) mounted thereon have an upwardly aligned orientation in the transport position and are positioned at an acute angle (α) obliquely to a centre plane (3).

Description

[0001]

[0002] Agricultural implement with large working width

[0003] The invention relates to an agricultural implement with a large working width according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0004] Agricultural machines with large working widths exceed the dimensions permitted for use on public roads and are therefore equipped with folding or collapsible machine frames in order to move them from a wide working position, which exceeds the permitted dimensions, to a narrow transport position, which corresponds to the permitted dimensions.

[0005] The German patent application DE 10 2005 026 812 A1 shows an agricultural tillage implement with a large working width, featuring a folding frame and attached tillage tools. A chassis frame is arranged in front of the frame. For road transport, the folding frame is first moved into a vertical position, and its outer segments are subsequently folded forward to comply with the permitted vehicle width.

[0006] The disclosure EP 2113159 A1 shows a similar soil tillage implement with a large working width, which, according to Figure 1, consists of a central frame segment and two outer frame segments arranged to the sides, with depth control elements arranged thereon. Folding from a working position to a transport position takes place as previously described for DE 10 2005 026 812 A1. In order to achieve a permissible height in the folded state, the depth control and leveling elements, which extend backward in the working position, are pivoted about an axis and reduce the overall height in the transport position after several securing bolts have been loosened for each segment. However, due to the pivoting of the depth control and leveling elements of the side segments, they extend further to the side in the transport position - as can be seen in Figure 6 - and, unlike the rear segment, can exceed the permissible transport width.The object of the invention is to provide an agricultural implement with a large working width, in which parts of the implement projecting backwards in the working position, which reach an upper, lateral position when folded into a transport position, do not exceed a permissible transport width of the agricultural implement.

[0007] This problem is solved by the features of the characterising part of claim 1.

[0008] The agricultural implement, comprising a center frame with a center plane and a chassis for transporting the agricultural implement, has at least a first boom and a second boom. Several working tools aligned in a tool plane are assigned to the booms. Furthermore, the booms are arranged extending laterally from the center frame in a working position, and the booms are also arranged extending laterally along the center frame in a further transport position.In this case, the booms are arranged so that they can be tilted from the working position into an upright intermediate position in a first pivoting movement about a tilting axis which is arranged transversely to the central plane, and in a second pivoting movement about a pivot axis which is arranged parallel to the central plane, they are arranged so that they can be pivoted from the intermediate position into the transport position. In the transport position, the tool planes of the booms with the working tools arranged on them are aligned upwards and are arranged at an acute angle to the central plane. As a result of this arrangement, the distance from the central plane in the upper area of ​​the booms in the transport position is smaller than in the lower area. While in the lower area of ​​the agricultural equipment the transport width is defined by the width of the chassis, the transport width is smaller in the upper area.This advantageously prevents collisions with obstacles outside the normally observed field of vision of a driver in road traffic. In a preferred embodiment of the agricultural implement, the pivot axes are inclined at an acute angle to the tool plane, wherein the inclination of the tool planes at an angle to the center plane in the transport position is identical to the inclination of the pivot axes to the tool plane in the working position. Since the inclination of the pivot axes to the tool plane in the working position has no significant influence on the work result of the agricultural implement, this inclination simultaneously advantageously achieves the inclination of the booms inclined inwards towards the center plane without any additional effort.

[0009] Preferably, a tipping frame is arranged on the agricultural implement in the region of the central plane, which is articulated to the central frame via the tipping axis and which is designed to be adjustable at an angle to the ground surface by means of a servomotor. The tipping angle of the tipping frame about the tipping axis, which can be adjusted via the servomotor, is preferably more than 90 degrees, but more preferably not more than 130 degrees, ideally 91 to 110 degrees. This tipping angle value achieves an approximately horizontal alignment of the boom in the transport position. At the same time, the tipping angle can be exaggerated in the working position of the agricultural implement in order to adapt the working tools to hilly terrain or to turn in the field using the depth control means downstream of the working tools.

[0010] Furthermore, the booms of the agricultural implement are preferably pivotally connected to the tipping frame by means of pivot axes to the right and left of the center plane and are designed to be adjustable at an angle to the center plane by means of servomotors. This angle between the center plane and the booms is at least 90 degrees in order to align the booms parallel to the center plane in the transport position and parallel to the ground surface in the working position. The angle is preferably more than 90 degrees, ideally between 91 and 99 degrees, to compensate for lateral terrain undulations.

[0011] In particular, the working tools of the agricultural implement are arranged in a first tool row and at least one second tool row, spaced laterally from the center plane and, in the working position, one behind the other, with the working tools of the first tool row being arranged at a greater distance from the pivot axes than the working tools of the second tool row are from the pivot axes. This results in corresponding distances from the center plane in the transport position and thus a smaller transport width in the upper area of ​​the agricultural implement. The same applies to the depth control elements arranged downstream of the working tools, which are even closer to the pivot axes than the distance between the working tools.

[0012] Furthermore, the pivot axes are preferably aligned perpendicular to the ground surface when the agricultural implement is in its transport position. This arrangement minimizes the pivoting torques required to pivot the booms about the pivot axes from the transport position to the intermediate position. The necessary servo motors can be designed accordingly, both cost-effectively and with minimal installation space.

[0013] In a supplementary embodiment, depth control means are assigned downstream to the working tools of the agricultural implement, with which the distance of the working tools from the soil surface can be adjusted or changed. At least one hinge unit is arranged between the booms and the depth control means, and preferably behind the working tools, by means of which the depth control means can swing downwards to the soil surface and the working tools when raised. As a result, when the booms are raised for turning in the field, the outreach of the depth control means is shortened, resulting in a lower lifting force requirement. At the same time, the smaller outreach of the depth control means also results in a lower transport height of the agricultural implement.The resulting increased distance between the depth control means and the center plane is compensated by the inventive inclination of the booms in the transport position.

[0014] Furthermore, depth control means are assigned downstream of the working tools of the agricultural implement, with which the distance of the working tools from the soil surface can be adjusted or changed. The depth control means is designed as a double-roller unit, which is connected to the booms via a pendulum compensation system to compensate for uneven ground. The pendulum compensation system is preferably provided with a bogie axle, which is located in the central region of the double-roller unit and is connected to the respective boom via at least one support frame.

[0015] Alternatively, the depth control means, which are arranged downstream of the working tools of the agricultural implement, can be arranged by means of a linkage mechanism such that the position of the depth control means relative to the working tools is adjustable or variable in terms of distance and / or inclination. This allows an instantaneous center of the links of the linkage mechanism to be preferably located in the area of ​​the depth control means. If the links are arranged parallel to each other, the height and / or distance of the depth control means can be adjusted together with other additional tools, such as leveling tools.

[0016] In a further embodiment, leveling, impact, damming, and / or harrowing tools are assigned to the working tools and / or depth control means. This allows the working results of the agricultural machine, in particular the incorporation or processing of agricultural material on or into the soil surface, to be further improved and optimized. The invention is characterized in particular by the fact that, simply by arranging the pivot axes of the booms in the working position of an agricultural implement at an angle, an improved transport position of the booms is advantageously achieved without the use of additional adjustment means. 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 exemplary embodiment with the necessary details and individual parts. They show:

[0017] Fig.1 agricultural implement in transport position in side view, Fig.2 the agricultural implement from Figure 1 in a partially folded intermediate position,

[0018] Fig.3 the agricultural implement from Figure 1 in working position,

[0019] Fig. 4 shows the agricultural implement from Figure 1 in a view from the rear, Fig. 5 shows the agricultural implement from Figure 2 in a perspective view,

[0020] Fig. 6 the agricultural implement from Figure 1 in a perspective view,

[0021] Fig 7 a detail of the depth control means from Figure 3

[0022] As well as Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 a detail of the depth control means analogous to the right half of the agricultural implement from Figure 4.

[0023] Character description

[0024] Figure 1 shows an agricultural implement 1 with a supporting central frame 2, which is supported in the rear area by a chassis 4 on a ground surface 12 and in the front area by a drawbar attached to an agricultural tractor 19, which moves the agricultural implement 1 in the direction of travel F. The drawbar is V-shaped and designed as an integral component of the central frame 2. Alternatively, a separate drawbar that can be moved laterally and vertically can be provided. Arranged near the chassis 4 is a tilting frame 11, which is connected to the central frame 2 so that it can be pivoted or tilted about the axis 9. Arranged on the tilting frame 11 are several working tools 7, which are designed as rotatable hollow discs and whose tools lie in a common tool plane 8 or form this plane.

[0025] By means of hinge joints, one boom 5 and 6 is pivotably attached to the tipping frame 11 on the left and right - viewed in the direction of travel F. The right boom 6 is largely concealed by the left boom 5 in the side view. The hinge joints each form a joint axis 10, around which the booms 5 and 6 can be pivoted sideways into an intermediate position. In the transport position, the pivot axes 10 are approximately perpendicular to the ground surface 12. This minimizes the moments and actuating forces required to pivot the booms 5 and 6 into the intermediate position or back. In the transport position shown, the booms 5 and 6 lie parallel to the direction of travel F along the center frame 2 and are supported in their end position on a crossbeam in the front area of ​​the center frame. The booms 5 and 6 are each equipped with work tools 7 in a first tool row 13 and a second tool row 14.As an alternative to the hollow discs mentioned above, the working tools 7 can also be designed as tines, shares, sowing tools, or for processing or cutting plant material. Depth control elements 17 designed as rollers are arranged above the booms 5 and 6 or the working tools 7 and are preferably adjustably connected to the respective booms 5 and 6. In the pivoted-out intermediate position of the booms 5 and 6, the centers of the working tools 7, together with the working tools 7 of the tilting frame 11, form the tool plane 8.

[0026] Figure 2 shows the agricultural implement from Figure 1 in a partially folded intermediate position, also in side view. The booms 5 and 6 are pivoted from the orientation parallel to the direction of travel F (transport position) into the illustrated orientation perpendicular to the direction of travel F (intermediate position) by means of the servomotors 16 designed as hydraulic cylinders, which are arranged between the tipping frame 11 and the booms 5 and 6. Here too, the respective pivot axes 10 of the tipping frame 11 are aligned perpendicular to the ground surface. The servomotor 15, which is hidden in Figure 1 and is also designed as a hydraulic cylinder and is articulated between the central frame and the tipping frame, holds the tipping frame 11 in this intermediate position or the transport position from Figure 1.With the servo motor 15, the tilt angle y can be adjusted in such a way that, on the one hand, the pivot axes 10 for the transport and intermediate position are perpendicular to the ground or the booms can be pivoted parallel to the ground surface and, on the other hand, the booms and the tilt frame with the working tools arranged thereon in tool rows 13 and 14 can be lowered into the working position, as shown below in Figure 3. The tilt angle y is dimensioned as an example between the tool level 8 and the ground surface, but generally describes the tilt angle of the tilt frame 11.

[0027] Figure 3 shows the previously mentioned working position of the agricultural implement 1. Here, the tipping frame 11 is lowered relative to the central frame 2 about the tipping axis 9 by means of the servomotor 15. In this position, the working tools 7 or their tool plane 8 are aligned parallel to the ground. The pivot axes 10 are inclined to the tool plane 8 at an angle ß, which is a maximum of 10°, preferably approximately 1° to 5°. The tipping frame is lowered so far that the pivot axes 10, viewed in the direction of travel, are inclined rearward by the angle ß towards the ground surface 12, since this, as shown in Figure 3, runs parallel to the tool plane 8. In the event of any uneven ground, the alignment of the tool plane 8 can be adjusted accordingly by the servomotor 15.The first row of tools 13 and the second row of tools 14 are arranged one behind the other behind the tilting axis 9, as seen in the direction of travel F. Behind them follow the depth control means 17, which are designed, for example, as rotatable rollers. In the present case, a double roller with overlapping roller rings is shown. This can have a bogie joint or, as shown, a linkage gear to also compensate for uneven ground or differences in the inclination of the tool level 8. By further adjusting the servo motor 15, the tool level 8 can be adjusted such that the working tools are at least partially raised from the ground and the entire device is supported solely on the depth control means 17 and can be turned on them at the end of the field.In addition, the depth control means 17 have one or more servomotors 20 or locking devices, with which their position relative to the booms and thus the working depth of the working tools 7 can be changed. Extending the servomotors 20 also enables the working tools 7 to be lifted out and thus turned on the depth control means 17. When the booms 5 and 6 are lifted back into the intermediate position, the depth control means 17 can drop downward by means of a hinge unit 18 and shorten the reach to the rear, opposite to the direction of travel F.

[0028] Figure 4 shows the agricultural implement 1 in transport position from the rear, i.e. in the direction of travel F. The depth control means 17 have been omitted for the sake of clarity. In this view, the center plane 3 is visible, which also forms the plane of symmetry of the agricultural implement 1 or its center frame 2 and the tipping frame 11. The tipping axis 9 runs perpendicular to the center plane 3 and parallel to the ground surface 12, on which the chassis 4 rests with its wheels. The inclination ß of the pivot axes 10 to the tool plane 8 shown in Figure 3 now results, due to the vertical alignment of the pivot axes 10 to the ground surface 12, in the inclination angle α, by which the booms 5 and 6 with the working tools arranged in the tool rows 13 and 14 or their tool planes 8 are inclined inwards towards the center plane 3.This can also be seen from the fact that the first tool row 13 in the direction of travel in Figure 3 has a greater distance a1 to the center plane 3 than the further tool row 14 with the distance a2. Since, as previously described in relation to Figure 3, the depth control means 17 can fold down via the hinges 18 during excavation, these would project less high due to the raised booms 5 and 6 and thus reduce the transport height, but also increase the distance to the center plane 3. However, this distance is compensated for by the inclination a or the difference between the distances a1 and a2. Thus, a permissible transport width is not exceeded even when the depth control means 17 are folded down.

[0029] Figure 5 shows the agricultural implement in working position in a perspective obliquely from the rear, as it is moved on the ground surface 12, shown as a plane, in the direction of travel F. Perpendicular to the ground surface 12 and parallel to the direction of travel is the central plane 3, which at the same time forms the plane of symmetry from which the left boom 5 and the right boom 6, with the rows of tools 13 and 14 and the corresponding depth control means 17, each extend outwards. The angle ö represents a pivoting movement of the booms 5 and 6 about the pivot axes 10 of the tipping frame 11, with which the booms 5 and 6, by means of the depth control elements 17, can follow unevenness in the terrain or undulations in the ground surface 12 that extend along the central plane 3.

[0030] Figure 6 shows the agricultural implement in transport position in a perspective diagonally from the rear, as it is moved in the direction of travel F and has already been shown and described in Figures 1 and 4.

[0031] Figure 7 shows the rear section of a boom 5 in side view. The depth control means 17 can be adjusted in height relative to the working tools 7 or the tool plane 8 via a pivoting support arm 25, which is actuated by a servomotor 20. The depth control means 17, designed here, for example, as a double roller unit 21, is suspended in an oscillating manner by means of a linkage 23. The double roller unit 21 is formed from a roller frame 29 and two rollers 27 rotatably mounted thereon. These rollers each have pressure rings arranged offset from one another on an axis. These overlap each other with their diameters and are thus self-cleaning. The support arm 25 forms a stop

[0032] 28 and the frame 29 of the double roller 21, together with two pendulum-mounted links 26, form a four-bar linkage 23. The two links 26 converge at a center of rotation 30, which forms the pendulum compensation 22. Between the rear row of tools 14 and the depth control means 17, a height-adjustable harrow is installed as a leveling tool. The stop 28 is pivotally connected to the support arm 25 via the hinge 18 and, as shown, is limited in its upward movement by the latter. When the boom 5 is lifted above the ground surface, the stop 28, together with the depth control means 17, can pivot downwards and in the direction of the working tools 7, as shown in Figures 8 and 9 in the upright folded position, analogous to Figure 4. The support arm 25 is aligned approximately parallel to the tool plane 8 and oriented at an angle a to the center plane 3, as already described and illustrated in Figure 4.The pendulum movement of the stop 28 around the axis of the hinge 18 and the link 26 causes this.

[0033] Depth guide element 17 into a lower transport position, which has a reduced transport height or a smaller distance to the working tools 7. The diameter of the roller 27 projecting outwards beyond the tool plane 8 remains within a permissible transport width, since the overhang is compensated by the inclined position of the tool plane 8. As an alternative to the stop 28 shown in Figure 8, this can also be provided at the other end of the guide rods 26 together with the roller frame

[0034] 29 Interaction. Through a clever selection of the hinge, stop, and link arrangements, the upward and lateral projection of the depth control elements 17 can be optimized. To save space and costs, an axis of the hinge 18 can be combined with a pivot point of a link 26, as shown in Figure 9 on the lower link 26.

[0035] This is followed by 7 pages of drawings. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

Claims

PATENT CLAIM E 1. Agricultural implement (1) with a large working width, comprising a central frame (2) having a central plane (3), a chassis (4) for transporting the agricultural implement (1), at least one first boom (5) and a second boom (6), wherein several working tools (7) are arranged in a tool plane (8) on the booms (5, 6), wherein the booms (5, 6) are arranged extending laterally from the central frame (2) in a working position and wherein the booms (5, 6) are arranged extending laterally along the central frame (2) in a transport position, wherein the booms (5, 6) are arranged to be tilted from the working position to an upright intermediate position in a first pivoting movement about a tilting axis (9) which is arranged transversely to the central plane (3), and wherein the booms (5, 6) are arranged to be tilted in a second pivoting movement about a pivoting axis (10) which is arranged parallel to the central plane (3).are arranged to pivot from the intermediate position to the transport position, characterized in that the tool planes (8) of the booms with the working tools (7) arranged thereon have an upward alignment in the transport position and are arranged at an acute angle (a) obliquely to the central plane (3).

2. Agricultural implement according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivot axes (10) have an inclination at an acute angle (β) to the tool plane (8), wherein the inclination of the tool planes (8) at the angle (α) to the central plane in transport position is identical to the inclination of the pivot axes (10) to the tool plane (8) in working position.

3. Agricultural implement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a tilting frame (11) is arranged in the area of ​​the central plane (3), which is pivotally connected to the central frame (2) via the tilting axis (9) and which is designed to be adjustable at an angle (y) to the ground surface by means of an actuator (15).

4. Agricultural implement according to claim 3, characterized in that the outriggers (5, 6) are pivotably connected to the tipping frame to the right and left of the central plane (3) by means of the pivot axes (10) and are adjustable at an angle (θ) to the central plane by means of actuators (16).

5. Agricultural implement according to the preceding claims, characterized in that working tools (7) in at least a first row of tools (13) and a second row of tools (14) are spaced apart laterally from the central plane (3) and arranged one behind the other in the working position, wherein the working tools (7) of the first row of tools (13) are arranged at a greater distance (a1) to the pivot axes (10) than a distance (a2) of the working tools (7) of the second row of tools (14) to the pivot axes (10).

6. Agricultural implement according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot axes (10) are aligned perpendicular to the ground surface (12) in the transport position of the agricultural implement (1).

7. Agricultural implement according to the preceding claims, characterized in that depth control means (17) are assigned downstream to the working tools (7) of the agricultural implement, with which the distance the working tools (7) can be adjusted or changed to the ground surface (12), wherein at least one hinge unit (18) is arranged between the booms (5, 6) and the depth control means (17), by means of which the depth control means (17) can swing downwards towards the ground surface and towards the working tools (7) when raised.

8. Agricultural implement according to the preceding claims, characterized in that depth control means (17) are arranged downstream of the working tools (7) of the agricultural implement, with which the distance of the working tools (7) to the soil surface (12) can be set or changed, wherein the depth control means (17) is designed as a double roller unit (21) which is connected to the booms (5, 6) via a pendulum compensation (22) for compensating for uneven ground.

9. Agricultural implement according to the preceding claims, characterized in that depth control means (17) are assigned downstream to the working tools (7) of the agricultural implement, wherein the depth control means (17) are designed to be adjustable or changeable in distance and / or inclination by means of a linkage mechanism (23).

10. Agricultural implement according to the preceding claims, characterized in that leveling and / or harrowing tools are assigned to the working tools (7) and / or the depth control means (17).

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