Agricultural mower

Abstract

The present invention relates to an agricultural mower for attaching to a tractor, comprising a disk mowing unit suspended on a machine frame, the disk mowing unit having a cutter bar which, in the working position, extends transversely to the direction of travel in a horizontal position, and the disk mowing unit having mowing disks which are equipped with blades and which are mounted on the cutter bar for rotation about upright axes of rotation, the mowing disks being lined up next to one another, wherein a drive train for rotationally driving the mowing disks comprises drive wheels disposed on the cutter bar, preferably in the form of cylindrical gears in rolling engagement with one another, and wherein at least one mowing disk which, in the working position, is an outer mowing disk can be pivoted relative to inner mowing disks about a pivot pin which, in the working position, is upright, wherein the drive train has an upper train portion which extends between the axis of rotation of an inner mowing disk and the axis of rotation of the outer mowing disk and which is drivingly connected, by upright connection shafts, to the outer mowing disk and to a lower train portion for driving the inner mowing disks.

Description

[0001] Agricultural mower

[0002] The present invention relates to an agricultural mower for attachment to a tractor, comprising a disc mower suspended from a machine frame and comprising a cutter bar which, in the working position, extends transversely to the direction of travel, as well as mower discs equipped with blades which are mounted next to one another on the cutter bar so as to be rotatable about upright axes of rotation.

[0003] Such disc mowers typically have a flat design in the area of ​​the cutter bar, as the mower discs are driven by an underlying drive train running along the cutter bar, unlike drum mowers. In particular, the underlying drive train running along the cutter bar can feature a chain of spur gears that mesh with each other, so that the drive movement along the cutter bar occurs from disc to disc, resulting in a downward power and torque flow along the cutter bar. The flat design allows the cut material to slide easily over the cutter bar, reducing road resistance and simplifying interaction with downstream conditioners. At the same time, the lightweight construction allows for a large working width.

[0004] Such a disc mower is shown, for example, in EP 19 32 414 B1, in which the width of the cutter bar can be reduced for road transport by folding the outermost mowing discs upwards about horizontal pivot axes parallel to the direction of travel. To enable this upward folding of the outer mowing elements, gearboxes are provided on the outside of the machine frame. These gearboxes have a coupling so that the drive train leading to the outer mowing element can be separated and, when the coupling is released, enables the upward pivoting movement. However, this coupling is complex and at the same time vulnerable. In addition, the mower becomes bulky in the transport position in terms of its height and center of gravity, and the pivoted-up side elements also restrict the tractor driver's view.

[0005] EP 37 25 147 B1 also describes a disc mower whose outer mowing discs can be moved away from the working position in order to reduce the road transport width of the mower. However, the outer mowing elements can be pivoted away about upright pivot axes so that in the transport position they lie behind the inner section of the cutter bar in the direction of travel. In order to connect the outer, pivotable mowing discs to the drive train of the inner section of the cutter bar, an input gear is provided behind the cutter bar. This input gear is integrated into the pivot suspension for pivoting the outer mowing discs away or is arranged coaxially therewith and is guided via cutter bar extensions on the one hand to the drive train for the inner mowing discs and on the other hand to the outer mowing discs.However, such a pivot joint behind the cutter bar and the mower disc extensions required for the drive train make the cutter bar overall bulky and, above all, prevent a conditioner from being installed downstream of the cutter bar, extending all the way to the outside, as space is required there for the aforementioned transmission and the cutter bar extensions. The conditioner is therefore only provided behind the inner, non-pivoting mower discs. Document DE 20 2015 106 396 U1 also shows a disc mower in which the outermost mower disc can be pivoted about an upright pivot axis. The mower is designed as a laterally projecting rear mower in which only one mowing element at the outer end can be pivoted away. This results in similar limitations as explained above.

[0006] The present invention is therefore based on the object of creating an improved agricultural mower of the aforementioned type that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art and advantageously develops them further. In particular, the outer mower discs should be able to pivot away from the ground while maintaining a compact and lightweight, yet stable design without restricting the possible arrangement of downstream units such as conditioners or impairing the forage flow of the clippings.

[0007] According to the invention, the stated object is achieved by an agricultural mower according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] A combination of bottom-mounted and top-mounted drivetrains is therefore proposed to essentially maintain the slim design of the disc mower and avoid collision-prone, crop-flow-impairing gear arrangements and drivetrain wings with joints in the area of ​​the interface between the pivoting outer mower disc and the fixed inner mower discs. In the inner mower discs, the drivetrain is routed along the bottom of the cutter bar in a conventional manner, but then is routed upwards in the area of ​​the interface with the pivoting outer mower disc to bridge the interface at the top, and then downwards again at the outer mower disc to drive the latter.According to the invention, the drive train has an upper train section which extends between the axis of rotation of an inner mowing disc and the axis of rotation of the outer mowing disc and is drive-connected by upright connecting shafts on the one hand to the outer mowing disc and on the other hand to a lower train section for driving the inner mowing discs.

[0009] The upper section of the drive train, together with the two connecting shafts mentioned above, forms a U-shaped drive train bridge, or rather, a bridge section standing on the two connecting shafts as bridge pillars, to connect the lower section of the drive train of the inner mower discs with the outer, pivoting mower disc. This allows the use of intermediate gears known from the prior art, for example, located behind the cutter bar in the direction of travel, and of pivoting or folding gears.Pivoting drive train arms at the level of the mower discs are avoided so that the forage flow can pass unhindered over the mower bar even in the area of ​​the interface between the pivoting outer mower disc and the adjacent inner mower discs and, in particular, downstream units arranged behind the mower bar, such as a conditioner, can be pulled all the way out to the outer mower disc in order to serve the entire working width if such a downstream unit is required for forage processing.

[0010] In a further development of the invention, the two upright connecting shafts between the upper drive train section and the lower drive train section or the outer mower disc can be arranged at least approximately coaxially to the axis of rotation of the outer mower disc on the one hand and to the axis of rotation of the adjacent, inner mower disc on the other. For example, the connecting shafts can be connected directly to the adjacent outer and inner mower discs in a rotationally fixed manner in order to drive the said mower discs. In this case, the connecting shafts run at the same speed as the mower discs, without the need for an additional gear stage between the connecting shafts and the mower discs. This allows for a space-saving, compact, and lightweight design.

[0011] The connecting shafts mentioned can advantageously be designed in the form of cardan shafts, for example in the form of double cardan shafts, in order to be able to compensate for an axle offset, for example due to torsion between the upper drive train section and the mowing discs located below.

[0012] In particular, the connecting shaft connecting the upper section of the line to the lower section of the line for driving the inner mowing discs can be arranged approximately coaxially with the pivot axis about which the outer mowing disc can be pivoted. As a result, the articulation of the suspension of the outer mowing disc coincides at least approximately with said connecting shaft, whereby the upper section of the line extending between the upright pivot axis and the rotation axis of the outer mowing element can be designed in a simple manner. In particular, no articulations need to be provided, and no kinematic follow-up movements due to the pivotability need to be compensated.

[0013] The upper strand section, which forms the connecting leg of the drive train between the two upright connecting shafts, can in particular have a horizontal extension or orientation and preferably extend horizontally from the axis of rotation of the outer mowing disc to the axis of rotation of the adjacent, inner mowing disc. If the outer, pivotable mowing disc is in a pivot position in which the said outer mowing disc is arranged along a line of alignment with the inner mowing discs, the upper strand section can advantageously extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mower bar and / or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine frame arranged above it. In particular, the said upper strand section can, in the said pivot position of the outer mowing disc, point vertically downwards or upwards when viewed in a direction vertically downwards or upwards.extend parallel to the upright rotation axes of the mower discs within the contour of the cutter bar. The upper section of the line does not protrude forward or backward beyond the contour of the cutter bar defined by the mower discs.

[0014] The upper drive train section can extend approximately at the height level of the machine frame from which the cutter bar is suspended, wherein said upper drive train section can in particular be arranged directly below said machine frame. At least the upper drive train section can preferably be arranged closer to the machine frame than to the cutter bar, i.e., the height difference to the underside of the machine frame is smaller than the height difference to the top of the cutter bar.

[0015] The said upper section of the drive train, which bridges the interface between the pivotable outer mowing disc and the adjacent inner mowing disc, can in principle be designed in different ways, for example in the form of a belt or chain drive stage, wherein, for example, pinions mounted on upper end sections of the connecting shafts can be connected to one another by a drive chain.

[0016] In an advantageous development of the invention, the upper strand section can also be designed in the form of a spur gear stage comprising several spur gears in rolling engagement with one another. This not only allows precisely synchronous speeds to be achieved, but also allows the direction of rotation of the adjacent connecting shafts to be easily selected as desired, with an odd number of spur gears producing the same directions of rotation, and an even number of spur gears producing opposite directions of rotation. At the same time, stable operation can be achieved even under fluctuating loads.

[0017] The aforementioned spur gear stage preferably comprises an outer spur gear aligned with the rotational axis of the outer mower disc, an inner spur gear aligned with the rotational axis of an inner mower disc, and at least one intermediate gear arranged in the power flow between the aforementioned inner and outer spur gears. For example, a spur gear stage can comprise five spur gears, namely the aforementioned outer and inner spur gears aligned with the rotational axes, as well as three intermediate gears arranged between them. However, other numbers of spur gears can also be provided for the spur gear stage of the upper section of the line.

[0018] In order to be able to operate continuously without thermal problems and without substantial wear while being easy to assemble, even under high loads, the upper strand section, in a further development of the invention, has a separate lubricant and / or coolant supply that is separate from the lower strand section. In particular, the upper strand section can have a separate lubricant and / or coolant bath that is separate from the lower strand section, wherein at least one element of the upper drive train section, for example one of the aforementioned spur gears of the spur gear stage, can be at least partially immersed in such a lubricant and / or coolant bath in order to supply other drive train elements with lubricant and / or coolant, at least by splashing movements, wherein several or all drive train elements can also be at least partially immersed in the lubricant bath.The lubricant bath may be an oil bath or comprise a mixture of synthetic coolants and lubricants.

[0019] For example, the upper train section may comprise a closed drive train housing, the housing bottom of which may form an oil pan.

[0020] In an advantageous development of the invention, the upper strand section can form part of the pivotable suspension of the outer mower disc or be integrated therein or at least extend along an overhead pivot support by which the outer mower disc is pivotally suspended from the machine frame. Such an overhead pivot support can be arranged above the cutter bar and pivotally attached to the machine frame and / or a cutter bar support rigidly connected thereto by a pivot bearing, wherein said pivot support can extend horizontally between the pivot axis for the outer mower disc and the rotation axis of the outer mower disc. Said pivot bearing for pivotally mounting the pivot support can define the previously mentioned upright pivot axis about which the outer mower disc can be pivoted relative to the inner mower discs.The said pivot axis can be aligned vertically in particular when the disc mower extends transversely to the direction of travel in its working position.

[0021] The pivoting support can preferably be designed as a hollow support, for example, in the form of a plate-shaped box girder. This not only provides a torsion-resistant yet lightweight pivoting suspension for the outer mower disc, but also accommodates the upper section of the drive train, achieving a compact arrangement while simultaneously protecting the upper section from external influences.

[0022] The said pivoting support can be arranged approximately at the height level of the machine frame, in particular positioned directly below the underside of the machine frame and extend approximately horizontally or horizontally in the working position of the mower, in particular projecting from an end section of the machine frame.

[0023] The above-mentioned pivoting support can alone form the pivoting suspension of the outer mowing disc.

[0024] In order to achieve a more stable support of the outer, pivotable mowing disc in the event of greater driving resistance, for example when penetrating mounds of earth, and not to have to absorb all bearing reaction forces via the upper pivot support or its pivot lock, a further development of the invention can, however, provide an underlying support for supporting the pivotable mowing disc in a working position in addition to the upper pivot support.

[0025] In particular, in addition to the upper pivoting support, a support of the outer mowing disc can be provided on an inner section of the cutter bar and / or on a support rod provided between the machine frame and the cutter bar.

[0026] In the working position of the disc mower, the additional support is preferably located below the upper pivoting support and can in particular be arranged approximately at the height of the cutter bar and / or directly above the cutter bar in order to be able to absorb forces generated or acting on the outer cutter disc as directly as possible. The additional support can in particular be arranged on a pivoting rod which rigidly connects the upper pivoting support to an outer section of the cutter bar on which the outer cutter disc is rotatably mounted. The said pivoting rod can be supported by the additional support on the support rod which is rigidly connected to the machine frame and suspends the inner section of the cutter bar or rigidly connects the inner section of the cutter bar to the machine frame.

[0027] The support rod and the pivoting support can advantageously extend adjacent to each other, at least in the intended pivoting position of the outer mower disc, and / or have an at least approximately parallel course, so that the support of the pivoting rod on the support rod does not have to bridge large distances. This allows for stable and rigid guidance of the outer mower disc despite the pivoting suspension.

[0028] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0029] Fig. 1: a perspective, partial front view of an agricultural mower according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, wherein the outer mower disc is shown in a working position in which the outer mower disc together with the inner mower discs are arranged along an aligned line,

[0030] Fig. 2: a plan view of the mower from Figure 1 ,

[0031] Fig. 3: a sectional view along the line AA in Figure 2, showing the lower drive train for the inner mower discs and the upper drive train for bridging the interface between the outer, pivotable mower disc and the inner mower discs, Fig. 4: a perspective rear view of the mower from the previous figures, showing the support of a pivoting arm of the pivotable outer mower disc on a support arm by which the cutter bar is suspended from the machine frame,

[0032] Fig. 5: a plan view of the mower similar to Figure 2, with the outer mowing disc shown in a different pivoting position,

[0033] Fig. 6: a perspective rear view of the mower, showing the pivoting position of Figure 5 and the support between the pivoting arm and the support arm released in this pivoting position,

[0034] Fig. 7: a plan view of the mower similar to Figures 2 and 5, showing a further, even more pivoted position of the outer mowing disc,

[0035] Fig. 8: a perspective front view of the mower showing the pivoting position according to Figure 7,

[0036] Fig. 9: various views of a mower according to a further embodiment of the invention, in which the outer mower disc is suspended solely by an overhead pivoting support and does not comprise a pivoting handle, wherein different pivoting positions are shown in the various views, and

[0037] Fig. 10: a mower according to a further embodiment of the invention in various views, wherein a gear for introducing the drive movement into the drive train of the disc mower is arranged in the region of the overhead pivoting support for pivotably suspending the outer mower disc, wherein the various partial views show various pivoting positions of the outer mower disc. As the figures show, the mower 1 comprises a machine frame 2, which can include a longitudinal support 23, which can extend horizontally transversely to the direction of travel above a disc mower 3. Said machine frame 2 can be attached to a tractor at the rear or, in particular, at the front via a known attachment device, wherein the attachment device can, for example, have a headstock, which can be attached to the tractor via a three-point linkage with an upper link and two lower links.

[0038] The disc mower 3 can form a front mower that is driven centrally in front of the tractor, but alternatively it can also form a side wing of a mower combination that can be moved into a transport position, for example, about a horizontal or vertical pivot axis.

[0039] As the figures show, the disc mower 3 comprises a cutter bar 4, which is oriented horizontally transversely to the direction of travel, at least in the working position of the mower 1, wherein a plurality of cutter discs 5 are mounted on said cutter bar 4 so as to be rotatable about upright axes of rotation 7. Said cutter discs 5 can be plate-shaped and equipped on their circumference with blades 6, which, when the cutter discs 5 are driven in rotation along their orbits, cut the crop in a manner known per se.

[0040] The cutter bar 4, or an inner section thereof, is suspended from the aforementioned machine frame 2. For this purpose, a support rod or cutter bar support 20 can be provided, which is rigidly attached to the machine frame 2 on the one hand and can be rigidly connected to the cutter bar 4 on the other hand and can extend, for example, from the rear of the cutter bar 2 diagonally upwards to the machine frame 2, see Figure 4. Two such support rods or cutter bar supports 20 can be provided at the right and left end sections of the cutter bar 4.

[0041] The inner mower discs 5i are arranged in a fixed position along an aligned connecting line along the longitudinal axis of the cutter bar 4. In addition to the aforementioned inner mower discs 5i, an outer mower disc 5a is provided, which is arranged at the outer end of the cutter bar 4 and, in a working position, can also be arranged along the aforementioned aligned line 25 together with the other inner mower discs, see Figures 1 and 2. However, the outer mower disc 5a is pivotally mounted about an upright pivot axis 10 by means of a suspension 17 and can be brought into further working and / or transport positions, so that it can change its position relative to the inner mower discs 5i.

[0042] Without this being specifically shown, such adjustable outer mowing discs 5a can be provided on both, i.e. on the right and left end sections of the mowing bar 4.

[0043] The upright pivot axis 10 of the suspension 17 for pivoting the outer mowing disc 5a can preferably coincide with the rotation axis 7 of one of the inner mowing discs 5i, in particular with the rotation axis 7 of the second outermost mowing disc 5i or the inner mowing disc 5i immediately adjacent to the outer mowing disc 5a.

[0044] The pivotable suspension 17 for the outer mowing disc 5a comprises an overhead pivot support 18, which can extend horizontally from the pivot axis 10 to the rotation axis 7 of the outer mowing disc 5a. Said pivot support 18 can be oriented horizontally and / or positioned directly below the machine frame 2 and project from an end section of the machine frame 2, see Figures 1, 3, and 4.

[0045] Said pivot support 18 can form a hollow profile, for example a plate-shaped box girder, which can be mounted by means of a pivot bearing 19 about said upright pivot axis 10 on the machine frame 2 or on a bearing bracket rigidly connected thereto. Said pivot support 18, with its projecting end section, in turn carries the outer mowing disc 5a or an associated outer section of the cutter bar 4. For example, a pivot stem 22 can be provided which rigidly connects said horizontal pivot support 18 to the outer section of the cutter bar 4, on which the cutter disc 5 is rotatably mounted about the rotation axis 7. Said pivot stem 22 can, for example, extend obliquely upwards to the pivot support 18 on a rear side or from a rear edge of the outer section of the cutter bar 4, cf. Figure 4, and can therefore be at least approximately next to orbe arranged in proximity to the support bracket 24, by which the cutter bar 4 is suspended from the machine frame 2. The said proximity of the support bracket 24 and the pivoting arm 22 can be present at least in a working position in which the mowing disc 5 is lined up together with the inner mowing discs 5i along a line 25, see Figures 1 to 4.

[0046] As the further Figures 5 to 8 show, the outer mowing disc 5a can be pivoted towards the front of the cutter bar 4 or forward in the direction of travel by means of the pivotable suspension 17, with Figures 5 and 6 showing an intermediate position partially pivoted forward, still lying outside the inner mowing discs 5i, which can be used as a working position, while Figures 7 and 8 show a position pivoted even further forward, in which the outer mowing disc 5a is arranged within the working width of the inner mowing discs 5i in front of the cutter bar 4. This position can be used, for example, as a transport position to reduce the transport width of the disc mower 3.

[0047] The pivoting suspension can have an actuator for motorized adjustment of the pivot positions or for setting various pivot positions of the outer mowing disc 5a, for example in the form of an actuating cylinder, which can be designed as a pressure cylinder and can be hinged to the pivot support 18 on the one hand and to the machine frame 2 or its bearing bracket on the other hand, each at a distance from the pivot axis 10. However, a hydraulic motor can also be provided for pivoting, for example, or no drive can be provided at all, but rather a manual adjustment. The actuator can, for example, operate continuously and "freeze" or remain stationary in any position for work and / or transport and hold the respective position, or it can also operate in steps or be designed to only move to individual adjustment stages.

[0048] As Figures 5 to 8 show, the pivoting arm 22 is no longer located directly next to or in the vicinity of the support beam 24 in the forward-pivoted positions. Nevertheless, the pivoting arm 22 stiffens the suspension of the mower disc 5 or the outer section of the cutter bar 4.

[0049] As Figures 1 to 4 and also Figures 5 to 8 show, an additional support 21 can be provided in addition to the upper pivot support 19 in order to better absorb forces acting on the outer mower disc 5a, for example, when driving onto the ground. This additional support 21 can, for example, support the aforementioned pivoting arm 22 on the cutter bar support 20, see Figure 4. The additional support 21 is preferably located close to the ground or approximately at the height of the cutter bar 4 or directly above the cutter bar 4 in order to effectively absorb such forces arising from contact with the ground.

[0050] Several supports 21 can also be provided, for example at different heights between the pivoting arm 22 and the cutter bar support 20.

[0051] As Figures 9 and 10 show, in particular partial views b), c) and d), a support 21 can also be provided on top in the region of the upper pivot support 18, for example to support the said pivot support 18 on the machine frame 2 or a support bracket rigidly connected thereto, wherein the support 21 is spaced from the pivot axis 10 in order to be able to serve as a stop or to have a lever arm relative to the pivot axis 10.

[0052] As a comparison of Figures 9 and 10 shows, the previously described pivoting stem 22 can be dispensed with if necessary, wherein the aforementioned pivoting support 18 alone can form the pivotable suspension 17, see Figure 9. In this case, the outer mower disc 5a can be suspended solely by the aforementioned pivoting support 18. For example, an upright support sleeve extending downwards from the pivoting support can suspend the outer mower bar section and the mower disc 5a mounted thereon from the pivoting support, wherein the support sleeve can, for example, be trumpet-shaped or conical and can widen downwards towards the mower disc 5a.

[0053] As Figures 3, 9f and 10f show, the inner mowing discs 5i are driven by an underlying drive train 8u which is integrated into the mowing bar 4 or extends along the mowing bar 4, whereby the drive power is transmitted, so to speak, from mowing disc to mowing disc.

[0054] The lower strand section 8u can have, in a manner known per se, a spur gear transmission comprising a series of spur gears 26 arranged along the cutter bar 4 and in rolling engagement with one another, with each of the cutter discs 5 being rotationally fixedly coupled to one of the spur gears 9. The rotational movement of the cutter discs 5i is synchronized with one another via intermediate spur gears, and the drive power is further transmitted, with gears preferably being in meshing engagement with one another.

[0055] The drive movement can be transmitted via a cardan shaft from a power take-off shaft of the tractor (not shown) and introduced at one or the other end of the cutter bar 4 into a mower disc 5 located there. As the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 10 shows, an angular gear 27 can be provided, for example, at an end section of the machine frame 2, in particular located on the axis of rotation 7 of the second outermost mower disc 5i, in order to introduce the drive movement into the mower disc 5i located below and then to transmit it via the aforementioned drive train 8, more precisely the lower train section 8u, from mower disc to mower disc along the cutter bar 4. However, the drive power can also be introduced into the upper or lower drive train at another location.As Figures 3, 9f, and 10f show, the drive movement to the outer pivotable mower disc 5a is not transmitted further outward from the bottom along the mower bar 4, but rather via a drive train bridge and thus from the top of the second outermost mower disc 5i to the outer mower disc 5a. This drive train bridge comprises the explained, top drive train section 8o, which can extend approximately at the level of the machine frame 2 from the rotation axis 7 of the second outermost mower disc 5i to the outer mower disc 5a. This top drive train section 8o can, in particular, be integrated into the aforementioned pivot support 18 of the pivotable suspension 17 for the outer mower disc 5 or extend along this pivot support 18.

[0056] In particular, the upper strand section 8o can comprise a spur gear stage 14 with a plurality of spur gears 15, which can be accommodated in the interior of the box-shaped pivot support 18, cf. Figures 3, 9f and 10f, and in particular also 9i and 9j and 10i and 10j.

[0057] The aforementioned spur gear stage can have an inner spur gear 15i, which is non-rotatably connected to the inner mowing disc 5i and arranged coaxially to its rotational axis 7, as well as an outer spur gear 15a, which is non-rotatably connected to the outer mowing disc 5a and arranged coaxially to its rotational axis 7. Between the aforementioned inner and outer spur gears 15i and 15a, several intermediate gears can be arranged in order to synchronize the rotational speeds of the outer and inner mowing discs 5a, 5i with each other and to determine their direction of rotation as desired. If, as shown in Figures 9i, 9j, as well as 10i and 10j, a total of five spur gears 15 are provided between the adjacent outer and inner mowing discs 5a, 5i, which are in spur engagement with each other, the aforementioned mowing discs rotate in the same direction of rotation.However, this could also be achieved by using only one intermediate gear or generally an odd number of intermediate spur gears.

[0058] The aforementioned upper drive section 8o is guided downwards via two upright connecting shafts 12 and 13. The inner connecting shaft 13 can extend coaxially to the rotational axis 7 of the inner mowing disc 5i and couples the upper drive train 80 to the lower drive train 8u. More precisely, the aforementioned connecting shaft 13 can couple the inner spur gear 15i to the aforementioned inner mowing disc 5i and the spur gear 9 of the lower drive section 8u located there, the drive movement of which is then transmitted to the other inner mowing discs 5i via the previously explained lower drive section 8u.

[0059] The outer connecting shaft 12 couples the upper strand section 8o to the outer mower disc 5a in order to transmit the drive movement of the upper strand section 8o to the outer mower disc 5a. More specifically, the outer connecting shaft 12 can non-rotatably couple the outer spur gear 15a of the upper spur gear stage to the mower disc 5a.

[0060] The two connecting shafts 12 and 13 can each be designed as a cardan shaft, for example in the form of a double cardan shaft.

[0061] The upper strand section 8o can have an independent coolant and / or lubricant supply. In particular, a separate lubricant and / or coolant supply can be arranged in the pivot support 18, particularly in the form of an oil bath 16. For this purpose, the bottom of the pivot support 18 can be designed, for example, in the form of an oil pan, see Figs. 9i, 9j, and 10i and 10j.

Claims

Claims 1. An agricultural mower for attachment to a tractor, comprising a disc mower (3) suspended from a machine frame (2) and comprising a cutter bar (4) which, in the working position, extends transversely to the direction of travel (11), as well as mower discs (5) equipped with blades (6) which are mounted on the cutter bar (4) in a row next to one another and are rotatably mounted about upright pivot axes (7), wherein a drive train (8) for rotationally driving the mower discs (5) has drive wheels (9) arranged on the cutter bar (4), preferably in the form of spur gears in rolling engagement with one another, and wherein at least one mower disc (5a) which is outer in the working position can be pivoted relative to inner mower discs (5i) about a pivot axis (10) which is upright in the working position, characterized in that the drive train (8) has an upper train section (8o),which extends between the axis of rotation (7) of an inner mowing disc (5) and the axis of rotation (7) of the outer mowing disc (5a) and by upright connecting shafts (12, 13), on the one hand with the outer mowing disc (5a) and on the other hand with a lower strand section (8u) for driving the inner mowing discs (5i).

2. Agricultural mower according to the preceding claim, wherein one of the two said connecting shafts (12) is arranged at least approximately coaxially to the axis of rotation (7) of the outer mowing disc (5a) and the other of the two said connecting shafts (13) is arranged at least approximately coaxially to the axis of rotation (7) of the inner mowing disc (5i).

3. Agricultural mower according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting shaft (13) which connects the upper strand section (8o) to the lower strand section (8u) for driving the inner mowing discs (5i) is arranged at least approximately coaxially to the pivot axis (10) about which the outer mowing disc (5a) is pivotable.

4. Agricultural mower according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said connecting shafts (12, 13) are each designed as a cardan shaft.

5. Agricultural mower according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper strand section (8o) in a pivoting position of the outer mower disc (5a), in which said outer mower disc (5a) is arranged along an aligned line with the inner mower discs (5i), extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mower bar (4) and / or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the machine frame (2), in particular when viewed in a viewing direction parallel to the upright axes of rotation (7) of the mower discs (5) within the contour of the mower bar (4).

6. Agricultural mower according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper strand section (8o) is arranged closer to the machine frame (2) than to the cutter bar (4), in particular is arranged directly below the machine frame (2).

7. Agricultural mower according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper strand section (80) comprises a spur gear stage (14) with a plurality of spur gears (15) in rolling engagement with one another.

8. Agricultural mower according to the preceding claim, wherein the spur gear stage (14) has an outer spur gear (15a) aligned with the rotational axis (7) of the outer mowing disc (5a) and an inner spur gear (15i) aligned with the rotational axis (7) of an inner mowing disc (5i), as well as at least one intermediate gear (15m) arranged in the power flow between said inner and outer spur gears.

9. Agricultural mower according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper strand section (8o) has a separate lubricant and / or coolant supply, separate from the lower strand section (8u), in particular in the form of a lubricant and / or coolant bath (16).

10. Agricultural mower according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pivotable suspension (17) of the outer mowing disc (5a) has an overhead pivot support (18) which is arranged above the mower bar (4) and is fastened by a pivot bearing (19) to the machine frame (2) and / or a mower bar support (20) rigidly connected thereto so as to be pivotable about the upright pivot axis (10) of the outer mowing disc (5a), the upper line section (8o) of the drive line (8) extending along said pivot support (19).

11. Agricultural mower according to the preceding claim, wherein said pivoting support (18) is designed as a hollow support, preferably a plate-shaped box support, and the upper strand section (8o) extends inside said pivoting support (18).

12. Agricultural mower according to the preceding claim, wherein said pivot support (18) forms a drive train housing in which the upper strand section (8o) is housed, a bottom of the drive train housing forming an oil pan.

13. Agricultural mower according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the pivoting support (18) is arranged closer to the machine frame (2) than to the cutter bar (4), in particular is positioned directly below the machine frame (2).

14. Agricultural mower according to one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the pivoting support (18) extends substantially horizontally in the working position of the disc mower (3).

15. Agricultural mower according to one of claims 10 to 14, wherein said overhead pivot support (18) alone forms the pivotable suspension (17).

16. Agricultural mower according to one of claims 10 to 14, wherein in addition to the overhead pivoting support (18), a support for the outer mowing disc (5) is provided on an inner section of the mower bar (4) and / or on a support rod provided between the machine frame (2) and the mower bar (4), wherein said additional support (21) is arranged below the overhead pivoting support (18) in the working position of the disc mower (3), in particular at the level of the mower bar (4) and / or directly above the mower bar (4).

17. Agricultural mower according to the preceding claim, wherein the additional support (21) is arranged on a pivoting rod (22) which rigidly connects the upper pivoting support (18) to an outer portion of the cutter bar (4) on which the outer cutter disc (5a) is rotatably mounted, wherein said additional support (21) supports said pivoting rod (22) on the support rod which is rigidly connected to the machine frame (2) and which rigidly connects the machine frame (2) to the inner portion of the cutter bar (4).

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