Folding pick-up attachment for a harvesting machine
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-11
AI Technical Summary
High-speed operation of forage harvesters leads to poor ground adaptation of pick-up attachments, resulting in crop losses, contamination, and increased machine wear due to ineffective contact pressure control, and the need for wider, rigid attachments complicates field clearing and transportation.
A foldable pick-up attachment with a swinging intake auger that adjusts to varying crop layer thicknesses and can be securely fixed in position during transport, allowing for optimal crop flow and easier maintenance.
Enhances crop flow and forage quality, reduces losses and machine wear, and simplifies setup and maintenance by allowing the attachment to adapt to changing crop conditions and securely stabilize during transport.
Smart Images
Figure DE2024100315_07112024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Foldable pick-up attachment for a harvester
[0002] The invention relates to a foldable pick-up attachment for a harvesting machine, preferably for a forage harvester, in particular for a self-propelled forage harvester, which has a pickup rotor with pickup tools for picking up crop from the ground and an intake auger for uniformly forwarding or delivering the picked up crop to the harvesting machine.
[0003] Forage harvesters are harvesting machines used for harvesting and gathering crops, cutting crops into short parallel lengths, and conveying the chopped material into containers or separate vehicles. Typical crops include grasses, stalk-like crops such as alfalfa or field grass, pulses, mixtures, and / or row-cropped crops such as corn or sorghum. The chopped material can either be fed directly to livestock as fodder or stored for later feeding to livestock as fodder. The forage harvester can harvest the crop directly by cutting across its full width or from single or multiple rows, or by gathering it from the swath. Forage harvesters can be tractor-mounted, tractor-trailed, or self-propelled.
[0004] A harvesting header is a usually removable device for picking up the crop into the harvesting machine, especially a forage harvester. A pick-up header is specifically a device for picking up previously cut crops. The crop can be laid in rows or swaths.
[0005] Self-propelled forage harvesters have now achieved engine power of over 1000 hp. Along with the increase in engine power, the throughput of forage harvesters has also increased. In addition to the high engine and throughput required for maize silage, harvesting capacity is also an important factor for high forage quality in grass silage. After mowing, the meadows and fields must be cleared within a short time frame in order to ensilage the green fodder with an optimal dry matter content, for example. To utilize the high throughput of a harvester, especially a forage harvester, it is necessary, among other things, to significantly increase the forward speed of the harvester.
[0006] Increasing the working speed or forward speed of the harvesting machine, especially the forage harvester, as a quasi investment-neutral increase in efficiency or harvesting capacity, is accompanied by negative side effects, which are described in more detail below.
[0007] It is well known that harvesting machines, such as forage harvesters, typically have a ground pressure control and a pendulum blade for height control or ground adaptation of the pick-up attachment. However, ground pressure control reacts slowly, meaning it can no longer work effectively and responsively at higher forward speeds. The result is poor ground adaptation of the pick-up attachment, which—as explained in more detail below—in turn leads to crop losses, massive forage contamination, and increased machine wear.
[0008] If the harvester, especially the forage harvester, travels over a hill at high forward speed, the ground pressure control system cannot lower the pick-up attachment and thus the collecting rotor in time, causing it to be raised too high for a certain time and distance. The collecting tools, especially the raking tines, of the collecting rotor no longer reach the turf, leading to crop losses because the crop material is not collected. The result is crop losses that are left behind in the field because the optimal raking height could not be maintained.
[0009] If the harvesting machine, especially the forage harvester, travels through a depression at high forward speed, the ground pressure control cannot raise the pick-up attachment and thus the intake rotor in time, resulting in the rotor being moved too low for a certain time and distance. As a result, the intake tools, especially the raking tines, of the intake rotor aggressively comb through the soil or turf, which leads to massive contamination of the crop and thus to forage contamination and consequently to a reduction in forage quality, damage to the turf and increased wear on both the pick-up attachment and the harvesting machine, for example the forage harvester, as a large amount of dirt, particularly sand and soil, is picked up. Breakage of the intake tools, especially the raking tines, is also possible.
[0010] Drivers of forage harvesters and material handling vehicles require a significantly higher level of concentration at higher forward speeds, so that exhaustion is reached much sooner. As a result, changes in the soil contour, caused, for example, by scours (narrow ditches used for drainage between individual fields), wet patches, or other obstacles, are only detected late, making it difficult to manually adjust the forward speed and the height of the pick-up attachment in a timely manner.
[0011] For the reasons mentioned above, it makes sense to increase the working width of the pick-up attachment so that more crop, crop mass, or crop material can be picked up in one pass. This allows the forward speed to be kept lower, which in turn reduces the strain on the driver, improves forage quality, prevents increased machine wear, and is also more fuel-efficient.
[0012] Harvesting capacity is a key factor for high forage quality and productivity, particularly in grass silage. As already described, meadows and fields must be cleared within a short time frame after mowing so that, for example, the green fodder can be ensiled with an optimal dry matter content. This puts significant time pressure on the harvester driver throughout the harvesting chain. Furthermore, especially during grass harvesting, the areas to be harvested are frequently changed due to the high harvesting power, leaving no time to set up or convert the pick-up attachment between road transport and field work. For this reason, wider, rigid pick-up attachments are not suitable, as they must be detached from the harvester, especially the forage harvester, and loaded onto a transport wagon for transfer between different areas.The transport wagon is then coupled to the harvesting machine, especially the forage harvester, and pulled to the next plot, where the pick-up attachment must be attached to the harvesting machine, especially the forage harvester, and prepared for field use. This process is very time-consuming and impractical.
[0013] The better alternative is to use foldable pick-up attachments.
[0014] Folding pick-up attachments are commonly used in conjunction with self-propelled forage harvesters, such as corn headers used for silage maize harvesting. Folding pick-up attachments are also commonly used in conjunction with self-propelled combine harvesters, such as corn headers or grain headers used for harvesting grain maize or other cereals.
[0015] The setup times of foldable pick-up attachments are advantageously significantly shorter than those of rigid, i.e. non-foldable, pick-up attachments, which must be placed on a transport wagon for road transport and pulled with the harvesting machine, e.g., a forage harvester, to the next field. The driver can advantageously pivot the foldable pick-up attachment hydraulically and / or electrically reversibly between a working position and a transport position from the cab or driver's position. In many cases, leaving the cab or getting off the driver's position is no longer necessary. With foldable pick-up attachments, the average setup time for changing between the two operating modes, i.e., the working position and the transport position, or vice versa, is well under one minute.
[0016] Folding pick-up attachments with two-part or three-part machine frames are common. With a two-part machine frame, one half of the machine folds 180° over the other. With a three-part machine frame, the two outer machine sections each fold 180° over the middle machine section. Both versions are fitted with intake augers that are arranged either rigidly or with minimal pendulum motion. With the rigid version, the position of the intake auger is adjustable relative to the machine frame, but is fixed in the currently set position. Especially when chopping and picking up stalk-like crops, especially grass, it is important that the components of the pick-up attachment can adapt to the layer thickness of the crop flow for picking up, conveying and guiding the crop without excessively accumulating and / or slowing down the crop.If the intake auger is rigidly mounted on the machine frame of the pickup attachment or is suspended with very little pendulum travel, it cannot adapt to the widely fluctuating thickness of the crop mat. This leads to uneven feeding of the harvester, especially the forage harvester, which in turn negatively impacts chop and forage quality and reduces productivity and fuel efficiency. Furthermore, the poor crop flow leads to higher harvest and crumbling losses in very dry and / or leafy crops, such as alfalfa.
[0017] It is not uncommon for grass silage to result in a crop flow interruption or an emergency stop of all intake elements, particularly when the intake elements of the harvesting machine, especially the forage harvester, detect foreign objects such as metal parts or stones. Such foreign objects can severely damage the harvesting machine, especially the forage harvester, necessitating lengthy and expensive repairs. If the intake elements and thus also the pick-up attachment are stopped during harvesting, large amounts of crop contaminated with these foreign objects remain in the pick-up attachment and in front of the pre-compression housing of the harvesting machine, especially the forage harvester. These residual quantities must be removed and examined for foreign objects. Since the intake auger of the pick-up attachment is located directly in front of the pre-compression housing of the harvesting machine, especially the forage harvester, it must be moved for cleaning and to search for foreign objects.Only then does better access to the pick-up attachment and the pre-compression rollers of the harvester, especially the forage harvester, become possible. With the conventional folding pick-up attachments with rigidly mounted intake augers or with intake augers with very limited pendulum travel, moving the intake auger is not easily possible. This makes it very difficult for the driver to clean and / or empty the pick-up attachment after an emergency stop or other irregularities in the crop flow.
[0018] Based on this prior art, the invention is based on the object of improving a foldable pick-up attachment for a harvesting machine, in particular for a forage harvester, preferably for a self-propelled forage harvester.
[0019] This object is achieved in a foldable pick-up attachment for a harvesting machine, in particular for a preferably self-propelled forage harvester, by the features of claim 1. Further developments and advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the subclaims.
[0020] The foldable pick-up attachment according to the invention for a harvesting machine, preferably for a forage harvester, particularly preferably for a self-propelled forage harvester, comprises a pickup rotor with pickup tools for picking up crop from the ground and an intake auger for evenly conveying or delivering the picked-up crop to the harvesting machine or to the forage harvester. The pick-up attachment has a machine frame that can be folded out into a working position and folded into a transport position via a folding mechanism, the machine frame having a folding machine frame section. According to the invention, the intake auger is suspended on the machine frame in such a way that it can be adapted to different layer thicknesses of the picked-up crop by raising and lowering.At least one device can be provided according to the invention by means of which, if required, at least that part of the intake screw which is suspended from the folding machine frame part can be reversibly fixed relative to this or to this machine frame part.
[0021] The pick-up attachment according to the invention for a harvesting machine, in particular for a forage harvester, is based on the inventive concept that, for example, in addition to the pickup rotor and a hold-down unit, the intake auger is also suspended in a pendulum manner on the machine frame of the pick-up attachment. The pendulum suspension enables the intake auger to be lifted, in particular to deflect upwards, and lowered downwards. If the layer thickness of the crop mat increases, the intake auger can deflect upwards according to the invention. If the layer thickness of the crop mat decreases, the intake auger can lower accordingly according to the invention. This achieves optimal intake, pre-compression, and conveying performance of the intake auger while simultaneously minimizing harvest losses. The maximum pendulum travel is specifiable.
[0022] The pick-up attachment according to the invention ensures optimal crop flow, which in turn has a positive impact on chop and forage quality, as well as increasing productivity and fuel efficiency. Furthermore, the optimized crop flow reduces crop and crumbling losses in very dry and / or leafy crops, such as lucerne or alfalfa.
[0023] Furthermore, the inventive pendulum connection of the intake auger to the machine frame is an important factor for accessibility to the interior of the pick-up attachment or to the intake elements of the harvesting machine, in particular the forage harvester. As already described, it is not uncommon for grass silage to result in a disruption of the crop flow or a stoppage of all intake elements, for example, when the intake elements of the harvesting machine, in particular the forage harvester, detect foreign objects, such as metal parts or stones. Foreign objects, in particular metal parts or stones, can severely damage the harvesting machine, in particular the forage harvester, necessitating lengthy and expensive repairs. In the event of an emergency stop of the intake elements and thus also of the pick-up attachment during harvesting, large residual quantities of contaminated crop remain in the pick-up attachment and in front of the pre-compression housing of the harvesting machine, in particular the forage harvester.These residual quantities must be removed and inspected for foreign objects. Since the intake auger of the pick-up attachment is located directly in front of the pre-compression housing of the harvesting machine, especially the forage harvester, it can be moved to an upper position of its pendulum guide and secured for cleaning and the search for foreign objects by lowering or raising it. This provides the operator, for example the harvesting machine driver, with good access to the pick-up attachment and the pre-compression rollers of the harvesting machine, especially the forage harvester.The disadvantage of movably or pendulously arranged assemblies, in particular the pendulum-mounted auger parts in accordance with the invention, in foldable pick-up attachments whose machine parts are folded between a transport and a working position, or vice versa, is that the auger parts, which are movably or pendulously suspended relative to the folding machine frame parts, can inadvertently fall from one end position to another when transferring the machine parts from a working position to a transport position, or vice versa. This is due to the fact that the folding machine frame parts are folded by more than 90°, usually even 180°, relative to the ground level.After the folding machine frame sections of the pick-up attachment have been moved by more than 90° from a working position to a transport position, the movable or swinging components or assemblies remain unsecured in their respective end positions, allowing them to continue to move in an uncontrolled and undefined manner during transport, road travel, or when crossing fields and / or field paths. This uncontrolled movement of the auger sections relative to the corresponding machine parts is not only unpleasant for the driver, but can also cause damage to the corresponding suspensions and other machine components.
[0024] According to the invention, the oscillating auger, or at least the auger parts that are attached to or suspended from the foldable machine frame parts, is therefore fixed in an end position, in particular locked or bolted, and thus secured, before the corresponding machine frame part is folded from the working position into the transport position. This is done as needed, i.e. in particular before the foldable machine frame parts are moved into the transport position. Preferably, the corresponding auger parts are fixed, in particular locked or bolted, in the lower end position. After the pick-up attachment according to the invention has been moved from its transport position into the working position, the fixing of the auger parts is released again. This is therefore referred to as a reversible fixing. The auger parts are therefore in particular unlocked or bolted again.This allows the intake auger to swing freely again in the working position or in harvesting mode and to adapt optimally to the crop flow.
[0025] It may be advantageous if the locking and unlocking of the folding pick-up attachment in the working position, i.e. before transferring from the working position to the transport position or after transferring from the transport position to the working position, can be carried out.
[0026] It may be advantageous if the device for reversibly fixing the auger part comprises hydraulically actuated means, preferably an extendable hydraulic cylinder, electrically actuated means, preferably an extendable actuator or an attractive magnet, and / or mechanically actuated means, preferably a lever or a spring plunger.
[0027] It may be advantageous if the feed screw part can be reversibly fixed at one or more than one point relative to or on the machine frame part.
[0028] It may be advantageous if the feed screw part can be reversibly fixed relative to or on an adjacent feed screw part and thus relative to or on the machine frame part.
[0029] It can be advantageous if the intake auger parts are each arranged between two intake auger arms or intake auger holders, wherein the intake auger arms or the intake auger holders each have an elongated hole which specifies the pendulum stroke of the intake auger, wherein two adjacent intake auger arms or intake auger holders have the elongated hole at the same height and form a folding point if these adjacent intake auger arms or intake auger holders can be folded apart and together, wherein the device for securing the intake auger part relative to or on the folding machine frame part has a spring tappet which is arranged on the folding machine frame part in such a way that when the pick-up attachment is transferred from the working position into the transport position the spring force moves the tappet into the position provided in the folding intake auger arm orIntake auger holder provided elongated hole, which can then be regarded as a locking bore, whereby the intake auger part assigned to this intake auger arm or intake auger holder is fixed immediately after leaving the working position and that when transferring the pick-up attachment from the transport position to the working position, a pressure piece arranged on the adjacent, non-folding machine frame part shortly before reaching the working position, presses the spring plunger out of the elongated hole or the locking bore, so that the intake auger can swing freely again in the working position.
[0030] It may be advantageous if the mechanism and / or the control for fixing the auger part relative to or on the machine frame part is operatively connected to the folding mechanism and / or the control of the folding mechanism.
[0031] It may be advantageous if the auger part can be reversibly fixed in the working position relative to or on the machine frame part, preferably in an upper end position, in order to avoid oscillation of the auger during necessary maintenance and / or repair work and to enable better access for such work.
[0032] It may be advantageous if the fixing of the auger part relative to or on the machine frame part in the working position can be activated from a secure service menu in order to prevent the auger from swinging or to create better access for maintenance and / or repair work.
[0033] The invention also relates to an improved method in connection with the unfolding and folding of a pick-up attachment for a harvesting machine, preferably for a forage harvester, particularly preferably for a self-propelled forage harvester, which comprises a pickup rotor with pickup tools for picking up crop from the ground and an intake auger for evenly delivering the picked up crop to the harvesting machine, wherein the pick-up attachment has a machine frame which is unfolded into a working position and folded into a transport position via a folding mechanism, wherein the machine frame has a folding machine frame part.According to the invention, the intake auger is suspended on the machine frame in such a pendulum manner that it can be adapted to different layer thicknesses of the crop by raising and lowering, and / or that at least that part of the intake auger which is suspended on the folding machine frame part is, if necessary, reversibly fixed, in particular reversibly locked or reversibly locked, relative to or on this machine frame part by means of a device.
[0034] It may be advantageous if the locking and unlocking of the folding pick-up attachment is carried out in the working position, i.e. before transferring from the working position to the transport position or after transferring from the transport position to the working position.
[0035] It may be advantageous if the fixing is done hydraulically, electrically and / or mechanically.
[0036] It may be advantageous if the feed screw part is reversibly fixed at one or more than one point relative to or on the machine frame part.
[0037] It may be advantageous if the feed screw part is reversibly fixed relative to an adjacent feed screw part and thus relative to or on the machine frame part.
[0038] It can be advantageous if the intake auger parts are each arranged between two intake auger arms or intake auger holders, wherein the intake auger arms or the intake auger holders each have an elongated hole which specifies the pendulum stroke of the intake auger, wherein two adjacent intake auger arms or intake auger holders have the elongated hole at the same height and form a folding point if these adjacent intake auger arms or intake auger holders can be folded apart and together, wherein the device for securing the intake auger part relative to or on the folding machine frame part has a spring tappet which is arranged on the folding machine frame part in such a way that when the pick-up attachment is transferred from the working position into the transport position the spring force moves the tappet into the position provided in the folding intake auger arm orThe elongated hole provided on the auger holder, which essentially represents a locking bore, presses the auger assigned to this auger arm or auger holder is fixed immediately after leaving the working position and that when the pick-up attachment is transferred from the transport position to the working position, a pressure piece arranged on the adjacent, non-folding machine frame part presses the spring tappet out of the locking bore shortly before reaching the working position, so that the auger can swing freely again in the working position.
[0039] It may be advantageous if the mechanism and / or the control for fixing the auger part relative to or on the machine frame part is operatively connected to the folding mechanism and / or the control of the folding mechanism.
[0040] It may be advantageous if the intake auger part is reversibly fixed, in particular locked or locked, at the latest immediately before the folding machine frame part starts moving and at the earliest after the intake auger part has come to a standstill.
[0041] It may be advantageous if the auger part is fixed, in particular locked or locked, shortly before or at the same time as the machine frame parts are unlocked.
[0042] It may be advantageous if the locking of the auger section is released, in particular if the auger section is unlocked, immediately before the pick-up attachment starts or moves into operation, and at the earliest immediately after the folding machine frame section has reached its end position in the working position. It may be advantageous if the locking of the auger section is released, in particular if the auger section is unlocked, shortly after or at the same time as the machine frame sections are locked in the working position.
[0043] It may be advantageous if, together with the auger parts, other machine components suspended movably or pendulum-like from the respective machine frame parts, in particular a hold-down unit, are fixed, in particular locked or locked, or if the fixings are removed, in particular unlocked or unlocked.
[0044] It may be advantageous if the fixing, in particular the locking or locking, or the release of the fixing, in particular the unlocking or unlocking, of the movable or pendulum-mounted machine components suspended on a machine frame part are operatively connected.
[0045] In view of all the above, the following advantages of a foldable pick-up attachment according to the invention for a harvesting machine, in particular for a forage harvester, are given compared to the prior art:
[0046] Increasing harvesting capacity by increasing the working width
[0047] Increase productivity or reduce setup times of a wide pick-up attachment by making it foldable
[0048] Improve crop flow and thus feed quality as well as productivity and fuel efficiency by oscillating the intake auger on a foldable pick-up header
[0049] Improvement of the ease of maintenance and accessibility of a foldable pick-up attachment mounted on the harvesting machine, especially on the forage harvester, by designing the pendulum path of the intake auger so large that the intake auger, in its upper end position, has sufficient distance from the floor of the machine frame of the pick-up attachment, which makes it significantly easier for the driver to clean and / or empty the pick-up attachment after an emergency stop or other irregularities in the crop flow.
[0050] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. All features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective specified combination, but also in other combinations or even on their own.
[0051] The invention will now be explained in more detail using preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:
[0052] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a folding pick-up attachment from the front in working position,
[0053] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the folding pick-up attachment shown in Fig. 1 from the front during the initial phase of the folding process from the working position to the transport position,
[0054] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the folding pick-up attachment shown in Fig. 1 from the front in transport position at the end of the folding process,
[0055] Fig. 4 is a side view of the foldable pick-up attachment shown in Fig. 1 in working position with an intake auger in the lower end position,
[0056] Fig. 5 is a side view of the foldable pick-up attachment shown in Fig. 1 in working position with a feed auger in a slightly lowered or raised position, Fig. 6 is a side view of the foldable pick-up attachment shown in Fig. 1 in working position with a feed auger in the upper end position,
[0057] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a device in the form of a hydraulic cylinder for reversibly fixing an auger part to a machine frame part;
[0058] Fig. 8 is a detailed view of the device shown in Fig. 7,
[0059] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a device in the form of a spring plunger for reversibly fixing an auger part to a machine frame part in a working position of the pick-up attachment,
[0060] Fig. 10 is a detailed view of the device shown in Fig. 9,
[0061] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the device according to Fig. 9 shortly after leaving the working position of the pick-up attachment and
[0062] Fig. 12 is a detailed view of the device shown in Fig. 11.
[0063] If the same reference numbers are used in Figs. 1 to 12, they also designate the same parts or areas.
[0064] Fig. 1 to 3 each show a perspective view of a foldable pick-up attachment 10 from the front, i.e. opposite to the direction of travel FR, in working position (Fig. 1), during the initial phase of the folding process from the working position into the transport position (Fig. 2) and in the transport position at the end of the folding process (Fig. 3).
[0065] The foldable pick-up attachment 10 for a self-propelled forage harvester (not shown here) comprises a machine frame 18 with two machine frame parts 18a, 18b, namely a left and a right machine frame part 18a, 18b, each supporting a machine half and which can be folded and unfolded via a folding mechanism. The right machine half 40a and the left machine half 40b are indicated by dashed frames in Fig. 1.
[0066] Each machine frame part 18a, 18b comprises a pickup rotor 12 with pickup tools 14, which in this case are designed as raking tines, for picking up crop from the ground, wherein each pickup rotor 12 is connected to three guide elements 30 resting on the ground or subsoil, which in this case are designed as sliding plates. The guide elements 30 guide the pickup rotor 12 and guide it to the ground. The ground usually forms the turf. Furthermore, each machine half or each machine frame part 18a, 18b has an intake auger 16, which transfers the picked-up crop as a crop mat and can also be referred to as a cross conveyor auger, consisting of two intake auger parts 16a, 16b. Furthermore, each machine half orEach machine frame part has a hold-down unit 32, preferably in the form of a front hold-down element 32a designed as a roller and a rear hold-down element 32b designed as a roller, which determine the direction of the crop flow when the crop is conveyed upwards with great acceleration due to the rotating pick-up tools 14. Pick-up rotor 12 and hold-down unit 32 are preferably suspended in a pendulum manner on the machine frame.
[0067] The pick-up attachment 10 further comprises a sliding frame 42, which is arranged on the side of the machine frame 18 facing rearward in the direction of travel FR and is connected to the latter to assist in the folding mechanism. In the case of the pick-up attachment 10, which can be folded in two parts in the present case, the folding axis 34 is in the working position, i.e., with the machine halves 40a, 40b or machine frame parts 18a, 18b unfolded in the direction of travel FR, in the center of the machine or in the center of the machine frame 18. As shown in various phases in Figs. 1 to 3, to change between the working position and the transport position, the right-hand machine half 40a or the right-hand machine frame part 18a, in the direction of travel FR, is folded onto the left-hand machine half 40b or the left-hand machine frame part 18b.For even load distribution into the forage harvester's pre-compression housing, the folded pick-up attachment 10 must be positioned symmetrically in front of the forage harvester's pre-compression housing, even in the transport position. To ensure that the pick-up attachment 10 is positioned symmetrically in front of the forage harvester's pre-compression housing in both the transport and working positions, the machine frame 18 is shifted accordingly in the sliding frame 42 during the folding process. For this purpose, the sliding frame 42 accommodates the two machine halves 40a, 40b or the machine frame parts 18a, 18b at its front end in the direction of travel FR. The two machine halves 40a, 40b or machine frame parts 18a, 18b are rotatably coupled to one another via the rotation axis or folding axis 34. A folding cylinder 36, which is arranged between the two machine halves or machine frame parts 18a, 18b, pivots the folding machine half 40a or.the folding machine frame part 18a by 180° to the sliding machine half 40b or the sliding machine frame part 18b. The sliding machine half 40b or the sliding machine frame part 18b is slidably guided in the sliding frame 42.
[0068] According to the invention, the intake auger 16 is suspended on the machine frame 18 in such a pendulum manner that it 16 can be adapted to different layer thicknesses of the crop by raising and lowering.
[0069] Figs. 4 to 6 show various positions of the intake auger 16 during oscillation. In Fig. 4, the intake auger 16 is in a lower end position. The intake auger 16 is lowered. This is a position in the working position of the pick-up attachment 10. In Fig. 5, the intake auger 16 is in a slightly lowered or raised state. The intake auger 16 has deviated upwards around a pivot point 38. This is the case, for example, when the layer thickness of the crop mat increases. This also shows a position of the intake auger 16 in the working position of the pick-up attachment 10. In Fig. 6, the intake auger 16 is in an upper end position. The intake auger 16 has moved upwards around the pivot point 38 to an upper end position. In this upper end position of the intake auger 16, the pick-up attachment 10 is moved inwards orto the intake elements of the harvester, especially the forage harvester, particularly easy to access for cleaning and maintenance work.
[0070] However, Figs. 4 to 6 also clearly illustrate a possible disadvantage of a pendulum suspension of the intake auger 16 on the foldable machine frame 18 of the foldable pick-up attachment 10. The intake auger parts 16a, which are suspended movably or pendulum-like relative to the folding machine frame parts 18a, fall unintentionally from one end position to the other end position when the machine frame parts 18a are transferred from a working position to a transport position, or vice versa.
[0071] To prevent such unwanted back-and-forth movement or falling, the invention provides at least one device 20, by which at least that part of the intake screw 16a that is suspended from the folding machine frame part 18a can be reversibly secured relative to or to this machine frame part 18a, if necessary. In addition, that part of the intake screw 16b that is suspended from the non-folding machine frame part 18b can also be reversibly secured relative to or to this machine frame part 18b.The fixing of the non-folding intake auger part 16b relative to or on the non-folding machine frame part 18b, as well as the fixing of the folding intake auger part 16b relative to or on the folding machine frame part 18b, has the advantage that the intake auger 16 can be secured in an upper end position in the working position of the pick-up attachment 10, in particular in a position in which the pick-up attachment 10 is particularly well accessible inwards or to the intake elements of the harvesting machine, in particular the forage harvester, for cleaning and maintenance work.
[0072] Figs. 7 and 8 show a device 20 for reversibly securing an auger part 16a to a machine frame part 18a in the form of a hydraulic cylinder. The auger 16 is arranged on a movable auger arm 24a or between two movable auger arms 24a, 24b or auger holders 24c, 24d. The hydraulic cylinder is arranged between an auger arm 24a and an outer side part 44 of the machine frame 18. The extension of the hydraulic cylinder prevents the auger arm 24a from moving relative to the machine frame part 18a or its outer side part 44.
[0073] Fig. 9 to 12 show a device in the form of a spring plunger for the reversible fixing of an intake screw part 14a to a machine frame part 18a.
[0074] As already explained, the feed screw parts 16a, 16b can each be arranged between two feed screw arms 24a, 24b or holders 24c, 24d. The feed screw arms 24a, 24b or holders 24c, 24d each have an elongated hole 26 which determines the pendulum stroke of the feed screw 16. Two adjacent feed screw arms 24a, 24b or holders 24c, 24d have the elongated hole 26 at the same height and form a folding point when these adjacent feed screw arms 24a, 24b or holders 24c, 24d can be folded apart and together, wherein the device 20 for securing the feed screw part 16a relative to theon the folding machine frame part 18a has a spring plunger 22, which is arranged on the folding machine frame part 18a in such a way that when the pick-up attachment 10 is transferred from the working position to the transport position, the spring force presses the plunger into the elongated hole 26 provided in the folding auger holder 24c, which represents a locking bore, whereby the auger part 16a assigned to this auger holder 24c is fixed immediately after leaving the working position and that when the pick-up attachment 10 is transferred from the transport position to the working position, a pressure piece 28 arranged on the adjacent, non-folding machine frame part 18b presses the spring plunger 22 out of the locking bore shortly before reaching the working position, so that the auger 16a can swing freely again in the working position. List of reference numbers.
[0075] 10 Pick-up attachment
[0076] 12 Pick-up rotor
[0077] 14 recording tools
[0078] 16 intake auger
[0079] 16a Intake auger part
[0080] 16b Intake auger part
[0081] 18 machine frames
[0082] 18a Machine frame part
[0083] 18b Machine frame part
[0084] 20 Device
[0085] 22 spring plungers
[0086] 24a auger arm
[0087] 24b auger arm
[0088] 24c auger holder
[0089] 24d auger holder
[0090] 26 slot
[0091] 28 Pressure piece
[0092] 30 guide element
[0093] 32 hold-down unit
[0094] 32a front hold-down element
[0095] 32b rear hold-down element
[0096] 34 folding axis
[0097] 36 folding cylinders
[0098] 38 Pivot point axis
[0099] 40a right machine half
[0100] 40b left machine half
[0101] 42 sliding frames
[0102] 44 side panel
[0103] FR direction of travel
Claims
P a t e n t a n s p r ü c h e 1. A foldable pick-up attachment (10) for a harvesting machine, preferably for a forage harvester, particularly preferably for a self-propelled forage harvester, comprising a pickup rotor (12) with pickup tools (14) for picking up crop from the ground and an intake auger (16) for uniformly delivering the picked-up crop to the harvesting machine, wherein the pick-up attachment (10) has a machine frame (18) which can be folded out into a working position and folded together into a transport position via a folding mechanism, wherein the machine frame (18) has a folding machine frame part (18a), characterized in that the intake auger (16) is suspended on the machine frame (18) in such a way that it (16) can be adapted to different layer thicknesses of the crop by raising and lowering, and / or that at least one device (20) is provided by which, if necessary, at least that part of the Intake auger (16a),which is suspended from the folding machine frame part (18a) and can be reversibly fixed relative to or on this machine frame part (18a).
2. Foldable pick-up attachment (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing and the release of the fixing can be carried out in the working position of the foldable pick-up attachment (10), i.e. before the transfer from the working position to the transport position or after the transfer from the transport position to the working position.
3. Foldable pick-up attachment (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (20) for reversibly fixing the auger part (16a) comprises hydraulically actuated means, preferably an extendable hydraulic cylinder, electrically actuated means, preferably an extendable actuator or an attractive magnet, and / or mechanically actuated means, preferably a lever or a spring plunger (22).
4. Foldable pick-up attachment (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intake auger part (16a) is arranged on one or can be reversibly fixed at more than one location relative to the machine frame part (18a).
5. Foldable pick-up attachment (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intake auger part (16a) can be reversibly fixed relative to or on an adjacent intake auger part (16b) and thus relative to or on the machine frame part (18a).
6. Foldable pick-up attachment (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the auger parts (16a, 16b) are each arranged between two auger arms (24a, 24b) or holders (24c, 24d), wherein the auger arms (24a, 24b) or holders (24c, 24d) each have an elongated hole (26) which specifies the pendulum stroke of the auger (16), wherein two adjacent auger arms (24a, 24b) or holders (24c, 24d) have the elongated hole (26) at the same height and form a folding point when these adjacent auger arms (24a, 24b) or holders (24c, 24d) can be folded apart and together, wherein the device (20) for fixing the intake screw part (16a) relative to theon the folding machine frame part (18a) has a spring plunger (22) which is arranged on the folding machine frame part (18a) in such a way that when the pick-up attachment (10) is transferred from the working position into the transport position, the spring force presses the plunger into the elongated hole (26) provided in the folding auger arm or holder (24c), which represents a locking bore, whereby the auger part (16a) assigned to this auger arm or holder (24c) is fixed immediately after leaving the working position and that when the pick-up attachment (10) is transferred from the transport position into the working position, a pressure piece (28) arranged on the adjacent, non-folding machine frame part (18b) presses the spring plunger (22) out of the locking bore shortly before reaching the working position, so that the auger (16a) can swing freely again in the working position.
7. Foldable pick-up attachment (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanism and / or the control for Fixing of the feed screw part (16a) relative to or on the machine frame part (18a) is in operative connection with the folding mechanism and / or the control of the folding mechanism.
8. Foldable pick-up attachment (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intake auger part (16a) can be reversibly fixed in the working position relative to or on the machine frame part (18a) in order to avoid oscillation of the intake auger (16) during required maintenance and / or repair work.
9. Foldable pick-up attachment (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the fixing of the intake auger part (16a) relative to or on the machine frame part (18a) in the working position to prevent the intake auger (16a) from swinging can be activated from a secure service menu.
10. A method for unfolding and folding a pick-up attachment for a harvesting machine, preferably for a forage harvester, particularly preferably for a self-propelled forage harvester, which comprises a pickup rotor with pickup tools for picking up crop from the ground and an intake auger for evenly delivering the picked-up crop to the harvesting machine, wherein the pick-up attachment has a machine frame which is unfolded into a working position and folded into a transport position via a folding mechanism, wherein the machine frame has a folding machine frame part, characterized in that the intake auger is suspended on the machine frame in such a way that it can be adapted to different layer thicknesses of the crop by raising and lowering, and / or that at least that part of the intake auger which is suspended on the folding machine frame part,if necessary, is reversibly fixed, in particular reversibly locked or reversibly locked, relative to or on this machine frame part by means of a device.
11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the fixing and the release of the fixing in the working position of the foldable pick-up attachment, i.e. before the transfer from the working position to the transport position or after the transfer from the transport position to the working position.
12. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing is carried out hydraulically, electrically and / or mechanically.
13. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed screw part is reversibly fixed at one or more than one point relative to or on the machine frame part.
14. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed screw part is reversibly fixed relative to an adjacent feed screw part and thus relative to the machine frame part.
15. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intake screw parts are each arranged between two intake screw arms and / or intake screw holders, the intake screw arms and / or the intake screw holders each having an elongated hole which specifies the pendulum stroke of the intake screw, two adjacent intake screw arms and / or intake screw holders having the elongated hole at the same height and forming a folding point when these adjacent intake screw arms and / or intake screw holders can be folded apart and together, the device for fixing the intake screw part relative to the oron the folding machine frame part has a spring plunger which is arranged on the folding machine frame part in such a way that when the pick-up attachment is transferred from the working position into the transport position, the spring force presses the plunger into the elongated hole provided in the folding auger arm and / or auger holder, which represents a locking bore, as a result of which the auger assigned to this auger arm and / or auger holder is fixed immediately after leaving the working position and that when the pick-up attachment is transferred from the transport position into the working position, a pressure piece arranged on the adjacent, non-folding machine frame part shortly before reaching the working position. The spring plunger is pushed out of the locking bore so that the feed screw can swing freely into the working position again.
16. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanism and / or the control for fixing the auger part relative to or on the machine frame part is operatively connected to the folding mechanism and / or the control of the folding mechanism.
17. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intake screw part is reversibly fixed, in particular blocked or locked, at the latest immediately before the folding machine frame part starts moving and at the earliest after the intake screw part has come to a standstill.
18. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed screw part is fixed, in particular blocked or locked, shortly before or at the same time as the unlocking of the machine frame parts.
19. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing of the intake auger part is removed at the latest immediately before the start or the approach of the pick-up attachment and at the earliest directly after the folding machine frame part has reached its end position in the working position, in particular the intake auger part is unlocked or unlocked.
20. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing of the auger part is released shortly after or at the same time as the locking of the machine frame parts in the working position, in particular the auger part is unlocked or released.
21. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that together with the intake screw parts, further movable or pendulum-mounted on the respective machine frame parts Machine components, in particular a hold-down unit, are fixed, in particular locked or bolted, or the fixings are canceled, in particular unlocked or unlocked.
22. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing, in particular the locking or locking, or the removal of the fixing, in particular the unlocking or unlocking, of the movable or pendulum-mounted machine component suspended on a machine frame part are operatively connected.