An agricultural machine

Abstract

The invention relates to an agricultural machine comprising: - a support unit having a central portion and at least two wheels on opposite sides of the central portion, and - a rigid frame extending more in a length direction than in directions traverse to the length direction, the frame comprises - a first frame end section having a connector configured for connecting the agricultural machine to an agricultural vehicle, for example a tractor, and - a second frame end section lengthwise opposite to the first frame end section, wherein between the first frame end section and the second frame end section the frame comprises a pickup mechanism adapted for pickup of a plant material product from the land in a working mode of the agricultural machine.

Description

[0001] Title: An agricultural machine

[0002] Description:

[0003] The invention relates to an agricultural machine comprising:

[0004] - a support unit having a central portion and at least two wheels on opposite sides of the central portion, and

[0005] - a rigid frame extending more in a length direction than in directions traverse to the length direction, the frame comprises

[0006] - a first frame end section having a connector configured for connecting the agricultural machine to an agricultural vehicle, for example a tractor, and

[0007] - a second frame end section lengthwise opposite to the first frame end section, wherein between the first frame end section and the second frame end section the frame comprises a pickup mechanism adapted for pickup of a plant material product from the land in a working mode of the agricultural machine.

[0008] The invention further relates to an agricultural vehicle with an agricultural machine of this disclosure, wherein by means of the agricultural vehicle the agricultural machine is displaceable in a direction of travel.

[0009] Such an agricultural machine is known from EP 3 479 669. The known agricultural machine comprises a frame which is identified with reference sign 20a in the figures of EP 3 479 669. The frame has a first frame end section with a connector (28) and a second frame end section providing a pivotable frame joint (30). In the known machine the support unit (16) is connected to the pivotable frame joint (30) with a relatively complex mechanism. This mechanism includes a cylinder (40) to adjust the angle between the support unit with the wheels and the frame (20a). A drawback of this relatively complex mechanism is that during movement of the agricultural machine in a travel direction, for example over a road, this mechanism results in an undesired swaying of the agricultural machine, in particular swaying of the support unit with the wheels with respect to the frame. These unexpected swaying movements may surprise a driver of the agricultural vehicle and may lead to accidents. Further, this mechanism makes manoeuvring of the agricultural machine along objects, for example on the land or parked cars on the road, relatively difficult. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved agricultural machine, such as for example an agricultural machine which is more flexible in the working mode, and / or an agricultural machine that is relatively operator friendly with respect to handling the machine.

[0010] At least one of these objects is achieved with the agricultural machine as defined by claim 1.

[0011] The agricultural machine comprises a support unit having a central portion and at least two wheels on opposite sides of the central portion, and a rigid frame extending more in a length direction than in directions traverse to the length direction. The frame comprises a first frame end section having a connector configured for connecting the agricultural machine to an agricultural vehicle, for example a tractor, and a second frame end section lengthwise opposite to the first frame end section. Between the first frame end section and the second frame end section the frame comprises a pickup mechanism adapted for pickup of a plant material product from the land in a working mode of the agricultural machine. The central section of the support unit is stationary connected to the second frame end section. The support unit comprises a wheel steering unit adapted for independently steering the wheels with respect to the rigid frame, wherein the wheel steering unit is configured to switch in the working mode of the agricultural machine between a normal steering mode and a crab steering mode and vice versa.

[0012] Crab steering, also known as crabbing, refers to a type of steering in which the wheels are turned at an angle to the machine's longitudinal axis, i.e. length direction of the frame and / or the agricultural machine. The steering unit configuration allows to move the agricultural machine in a diagonal arrangement with respect to the agricultural vehicle moving in a direction of travel. In the working mode the agricultural machine may be moved by means of the agricultural vehicle over the land to be processed. Further, the crab steering mode is useful in situations where precise lateral movement is required, and allows the machine to manoeuvre easier and / or more effectively, for example in relatively tight spaces or to navigate obstacles. Hence, the crab steering mode improves the agricultural machine in the working mode. In addition, the crab steering mode provides more flexibility for pickup in the working mode, for example the position of the pickup mechanism having a working width can be varied with respect to the track of the agricultural vehicle which may improve the product pickup process and / or makes the pickup process more efficient. A further advantage of crab steering is that the pickup angle of the pickup mechanism can be varied with respect to the direction of travel of the agricultural vehicle. This makes a more efficient pickup possible by means of the angled oriented pickup mechanism with respect to the direction of travel of the agricultural vehicle, in particular if the product to be picked up lies substantially in the direction of travel of the agricultural vehicle.

[0013] The independent steering of the wheels with respect to the agricultural vehicle and / or the rigid frame may also facilitate product pickup in relatively difficult sections of the land, like for example corners.

[0014] In addition, the rigid frame with the stationary, or unmoveable, support unit connected thereto provides a more stable control of the agricultural machine for an operator handling the machine. This rigid connection between support unit and the frame prevents undesired swaying or swinging movement of the support unit with respect to the frame for example during road travel. In this manner, accidents as a result of this swaying movement can be prevented and manoeuvring becomes more controllable and predictable for an operator. In this disclosure rigid frame means a frame having no frame parts that can pivot with respect to each other. The rigid connection between the support unit and the rigid frame provides an one-piece rigid structure. As a result the support unit cannot pivot with respect to the rigid frame. The connector of the frame may be configured to provide a single vertical pivot axis allowing pivot movement between the agricultural machine and an agricultural vehicle.

[0015] In one aspect, the pickup mechanism is adapted for movement between a working position and a non-working position, and vice versa, wherein in the nonworking position a dimension of the agricultural machine measured laterally with respect to the length direction of the frame is smaller than in the working position, for example at least two times smaller. A minimal dimension of the agricultural machine measured laterally with respect to the length direction of the frame in the non-working mode of the agricultural machine is desired or perhaps even required for example for road travel.

[0016] In a further aspect, the pickup mechanism comprises at least a first pickup unit on the left side of the frame and at least a second pickup unit on the right side of the frame, wherein each pickup unit is adapted for independent movement between a pickup unit working position and a pickup unit non-working position with respect to the other pickup unit. Such a pickup mechanism is adapted to provide a relatively large working width in the working position for the working mode of the agricultural machine and a relatively small dimension of the agricultural machine measured laterally with respect to the length direction of the frame in a non-working position. In the working mode of the agricultural machine at least one of the pickup units is in the pickup unit working mode. I n other words, the total working width of the pickup units can be varied in the working mode. Such a flexibility makes it possible to adapt the working width of the agricultural machine depending on circumstances, such as for example the shape of a land area to be processed and / or obstacles. In a non-working mode of the agricultural machine the pickup units may be in a non-working position.

[0017] In another aspect, in the crab steering mode the rotation axis of each wheel defines an acute angle with respect to the length direction of the frame. The acute angle may be smaller than 90 degrees and larger than 45 degrees, preferably 60-85 degrees.

[0018] The wheel steering unit may be configured for communication with an operator interface, for example a driver operator interface in the agricultural vehicle. By means of the operator interface it is for example possible for an operator to switch between a normal steering mode and a crab steering mode. The wheel steering unit is further configured to allow steering of the wheels of the agricultural machine in the normal steering mode, and / or to allow additional steering in the crab steering mode, for example for making turns between travel paths for processing the land. In the normal steering mode the agricultural machine is following the track of the agricultural vehicle during movement in a straight line direction of travel. It is further possible to steer the wheels by means of the wheel steering unit manually by an operator using the operator interface for example for dealing with circumstances on the land such as an obstacle. The wheel steering unit may comprise a electro hydraulic wheel steering mechanism enabling independent wheel steering in an accurate and reliable manner.

[0019] In a further aspect, the wheel steering unit is further configured to switch to a non-steering mode of the wheels in a non-working mode of the agricultural machine. In the non-steering mode the wheels have a fixed orientation to the length direction of the frame. In a fixed orientation the rotation axis of each wheel may extend traverse to the length direction of the frame. By means of the operator interface an operator may switch between the various modes, i.e. , a none-steering mode, a normal steering mode, a crab steering mode, and / or manual (override) steering mode. The manual override mode may for example be selected during another mode for dealing with a circumstance on the land or on the road.

[0020] The above-described aspects will be explained below by means of an exemplary embodiment in combination with the figures. However, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described below. Rather, a number of variants and modifications are possible which also use the inventive idea and therefore fall within the scope of protection. In particular, the possibility of combining the features / aspects which have only been mentioned in the description and / or been shown in the figures with the features of the claims, in so far as they are compatible, is mentioned.

[0021] Brief description of the drawings

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a top view of an agricultural vehicle with an agricultural machine connected thereto, wherein the agricultural machine is in a normal steering mode;

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a top view of the agricultural vehicle and the agricultural machine shown in figure 1 in a crab steering mode, wherein the agricultural machine has a first orientation with respect to the direction of travel;

[0024] Fig. 3 shows a top view of the agricultural vehicle and the agricultural machine shown in figures 1 and 2 in a crab steering mode, wherein the agricultural machine has a second orientation with respect to the direction of travel;

[0025] Fig. 4 shows a perspective views of a rear portion of the agricultural machine;

[0026] Fig. 5 shows a portion of a rigid frame and a support unit of the agricultural machine in more detail.

[0027] In the figures, similar components are denoted with the same reference signs.

[0028] Detailed description of the drawings

[0029] Figures 1-3 show an agricultural vehicle 10 with an agricultural machine 1 of this disclosure. The agricultural machine 1 is displaceable in a direction of travel P1 by means of the agricultural vehicle 10.

[0030] The agricultural vehicle 10 is a known tractor. Standard coupling means 12 may be used for releasably connecting the machine 1 to the tractor. The tractor 10 and the standard coupling means 12 require no further explanation and no further details will be described in this disclosure.

[0031] The invention relates to an agricultural machine 1 comprising:

[0032] - a support unit 3 having a central portion 5 (fig. 4) with at least two wheels 7, 9 on opposite sides of the central portion 5, and

[0033] - a rigid frame 15 extending more in a length direction L than in directions traverse to the length direction L. The rigid frame 15 comprises

[0034] - a first frame end section 15a having a connector 17 configured for connecting the agricultural machine 1 to the tractor 10, and

[0035] - a second frame end section 15b lengthwise opposite to the first frame end section 15a.

[0036] The frame 15 comprises between the first frame end section 15a and the second frame end section 15b a pickup mechanism 21 adapted for pickup of a plant material product from the land in a working mode of the agricultural machine 1.

[0037] Each end section 15a, 15b is defined by an end portion of the frame 15 and comprises the outer ends 19a, 19b (fig. 1) of the frame defining the length L of the frame 15. The elongate frame 15 is designed as a chassis beam.

[0038] In the embodiment shown, the connector 17 on end 19a of the frame 15 provides a single vertical pivot axis allowing pivot movement between the agricultural machine 1 and an agricultural vehicle 10. Pivot axes in other directions such as a horizontal pivot axis (not shown) may be provided by the connector 17 or by other means.

[0039] The pickup mechanism 21 is adapted for movement between a working position and a non-working position, and vice versa, wherein in the non-working position a dimension of the agricultural machine measured laterally with respect to the length direction of the frame is smaller than in the working position, for example at least two times smaller. The pickup mechanism 21 is provided with a conveyor belt 22 and with a rotating unit 24 for picking up a plant material-product from the land, for example for picking up hay or a similar product, and displacing the plant material in a displacement direction traverse to the length direction L of the frame 15 by the conveyor belt 22, by means of which the product can be deposited on the land again to the left or right of the machine with respect to the length direction L of the frame 15 in order to form at least one row of plant material (windrow) on the land. The pickup mechanism 21 comprises at least a first pickup unit 21a on the left side of the frame 15 and at least a second pickup unit 21 b on the right side of the frame 15. Each pickup unit is adapted for independent movement between a pickup unit working position as shown in figures 1-3 and a pickup unit non-working position (not shown) with respect to the other pickup unit. More specific, the elongate pickup units 21 a, b are being folded by means of a folding mechanism 23a, b from the working to the non-working position and vice versa. In the working position the pickup units 21a, b extend laterally with respect to the frame 15, i.e. to the left and to the right as shown in the figures 1-3. Each pickup unit 21a, b has its own rotating unit 24 and its own conveyor belt 22. In the non-working position the pickup units 21a, b extend more upwards / vertical (not shown) with respect to the land, i.e. traverse to the plane of drawing in figures 1-3. Such a pickup mechanism 21 is adapted to provide a relatively large working width in the working position for the working mode of the agricultural machine 1 and a relatively small dimension of the agricultural machine measured laterally with respect to the length direction of the frame in a non-working position. The lateral direction is indicated by the arrow W. The relatively small dimension of the agricultural machine 1 measured laterally with respect to the length direction of the frame 15 in a non-working position may for example correspond to the distance between outer sides of the wheels 7, 9 seen from a top view on the agricultural machine 1.

[0040] The central section 5 of the support unit 3 is stationary connected to the second frame end section 15b.

[0041] The support unit 15 comprises a wheel steering unit 25 adapted for independently steering the wheels 7, 9 with respect to the rigid frame 15.

[0042] The wheel steering unit 25 is configured to switch in the working mode of the agricultural machine between a normal steering mode (figure 1) and a crab steering mode (figures 2 and 3) and vice versa.

[0043] Reference is made to the advantages of this wheel steering unit 25 discussed above. With reference to the figures 1-3, the normal steering mode (figure 1) and the crab steering mode (figures 2 and 3) are explained.

[0044] In the normal steering mode (figure 1) the wheels 7, 9 have a basis orientation to the length direction L of the frame 15. In the basis orientation each rotation axis indicated by dotted line R in figure 1 of each wheel extends traverse to the length direction L of the frame 15. In other words, the angle p (fig. 1) between the rotation axes of the wheels 7, 9 indicated by dotted line R and the length direction L is 90 degrees. In addition, the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 10 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the machine 1 in the normal steering mode (figure 1) when the vehicle 1 moves in a straight line in the travel direction indicated by arrow P1. The longitudinal axis of the machine 1 coincides with the length direction L of the machine as shown in figures 1-3. Thus, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 10 and the length direction L of the machine 1 is approximately 180 degrees as shown in figure 1 in the normal steering mode.

[0045] The wheel steering unit 25 may further be configured to allow steering of the wheels 7, 9 of the agricultural machine 1 in the normal steering mode, for example for making turns between travel paths with opposite directions of travel for processing the land. In addition, the wheel steering unit 25 may further be configured for manual (override) steering for example in response to certain conditions like an obstacle.

[0046] Alternatively, the wheel steering unit 25 may further be configured to allow no steering of the wheels 7, 9 of the agricultural machine 1 in the normal steering mode such that the basis orientation of the wheels 7, 9 shown in figure 1 is a fixed orientation, wherein steering of the agricultural machine 1 is provided by the vertical pivot axis provided by the connector 17.

[0047] In the crab steering mode (figures 2 and 3) the wheels 7, 9 have an angled or oblique orientation to the length direction L of the frame 15. In the angled orientation each rotation axis indicated by dotted lines R1 , R2, R1', R2' in figures 2 and 3 of each wheel 7, 9 defines an acute angle with respect to the length direction L of the frame 15. In other words, the angle cp, cp’, a, a’, between the rotation axes of the wheels 7, 9 indicated by dotted line R and the length direction L is less than 90 degrees and each wheel 7, 9 of the machine has an identical or almost identical angle. In more detail, the angles cp, q>’ are approximately 70 degrees (fig. 2) and the angles a, a’ are approximately 75 degrees (fig. 3). The acute angle cp, cp’, a, a’ is preferably larger than 45 degrees, preferably between 60-85 degrees. The crab steering mode (figures 2 and 3) can also be identified by the angle between the longitudinal axis of the machine 1 and the length direction L of the machine, because this angle is no longer approx. 180 degrees in the crab steering mode, when the vehicle 1 moves in a straight line in the travel direction indicated by arrow P1. In figure 2 the smallest angle between the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 10 and the length direction L of the machine 1 is approx. 20 degrees and in figure 3 the smallest angle between the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 10 and the length direction L of the machine 1 is approx. 15 degrees.

[0048] The wheel steering unit 25 may further be configured to allow steering of the wheels 7, 9 of the agricultural machine 1 in the crab steering mode, for example for making turns between travel paths with opposite directions of travel for processing the land. In addition, the wheel steering unit 25 may further be configured for manual (override) steering for example in response to certain conditions like an obstacle.

[0049] Alternatively, the wheel steering unit 25 may further be configured to allow no additional steering of the wheels 7, 9 of the agricultural machine 1 in the crab steering modus, wherein further steering of the agricultural machine 1 is provided by the vertical pivot axis provided by the connector 17.

[0050] An advantage of crab steering is that it makes a more efficient pickup possible by means of the angled oriented pickup mechanism 21 with respect to the direction of travel P1 of the agricultural vehicle, in particular if the product to be picked up lies substantially in the direction of travel P1 of the agricultural vehicle. The pickup mechanism 21 can for example be moved to the angled pickup orientations as shown in figures 2 and 3, wherein an angle 0, co between the direction of travel P1 and a longitudinal center line C, C’ of the oriented pickup mechanism 21 in the working position may vary between a positive (figure 3) and a negative (figure 2) acute angle. In figure 2 the negative angle 0 is approximately 75 degrees and in figure 3 the positive angle co is approximately 70 degrees.

[0051] The wheel steering unit 25 is configured for communication with an operator interface, for example a driver operator interface Ol (figure 3) in the agricultural vehicle 1 or an operator interface on a mobile phone (not shown) or the like. The operator interface controls the wheel steering unit 25. The unit 25 may comprise a electro hydraulic wheel steering mechanism. The unit 25 may comprise a controller 40 (fig. 3) for controlling the steering mechanism of the unit 25 and adapted to communicate with an operator interface, for example a driver operator interface Ol (figure 3) in the agricultural vehicle 1 .

[0052] By means of the operator interface Ol an operator may switch between the various modes, i.e., a none-steering mode, a normal steering mode, a crab steering mode, and / or manual (override) steering mode. The manual override mode may for example be selected during another mode for dealing with a circumstance on the land or on the road or for making a certain turn, wherein after the circumstance or turn the wheel steering unit 25 is automatically switched back to the previous mode. The manual mode may also be selected, wherein in the manual mode there is no automatic switching back to the previous mode, such that after the manual mode another mode has to be selected again by an operator. The manual mode may for example be used in a difficult corner of the land to pickup material by manually steering the machine 1.

[0053] The electro hydraulic wheel steering mechanism of the wheel steering unit 25 comprises a stub axle assembly 26, steering knuckle 27, steering arm 28, tie rod 29 and a steering cylinders 30, see figure 4. The aforementioned components of the electro hydraulic wheel steering mechanism are connected to each other. Operation of the steering cylinder 30, for example by activation by means of the driver operator interface Ol, may vary the steering angle of each wheel 7, 9, for example between the normal steering mode (figure 1) and one of the crab steering modes (figures 2 and 3).

[0054] The elongate rigid frame 15 is shown in more detail in figure 5. The frame 5 has no frame parts as shown in figure 5 that can pivot with respect to each other. The rigid connection between the support unit 3 and the rigid frame 15 provides the one-piece rigid structure as shown in figure 5. In this one-piece rigid structure, the support unit 3 cannot pivot with respect to the rigid frame 15.

[0055] The wheel steering unit 25 may be further configured to switch to a non-steering mode of the wheels 7, 9 in a non-working mode of the agricultural machine 1. In the non-steering mode the wheels have a fixed orientation to the length direction of the frame. In a fixed orientation the rotation axis of each wheel may extend traverse to the length direction of the frame as shown in figure 1 and primarily steering of the agricultural machine 1 is provided by the vertical pivot axis provided by the connector 17.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An agricultural machine comprising:- a support unit having a central portion and at least two wheels on opposite sides of the central portion, and- a rigid frame extending more in a length direction than in directions traverse to the length direction, the frame comprises- a first frame end section having a connector configured for connecting the agricultural machine to an agricultural vehicle, for example a tractor, and- a second frame end section lengthwise opposite to the first frame end section, wherein between the first frame end section and the second frame end section the frame comprises a pickup mechanism adapted for pickup of a plant material product from the land in a working mode of the agricultural machine, characterised in that the central section of the support unit is stationary connected to the second frame end section, wherein the support unit comprises a wheel steering unit adapted for independently steering the wheels with respect to the rigid frame, wherein the wheel steering unit is configured to switch in the working mode of the agricultural machine between a normal steering mode and a crab steering mode and vice versa.

2. The agricultural machine according to claim 1 , wherein the pickup mechanism is adapted for movement between a working position and a non-working position, and vice versa, wherein in the non-working position a dimension of the agricultural machine measured laterally with respect to the length direction of the frame is smaller than in the working position, for example at least two times smaller.

3. The agricultural machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pickup mechanism comprises at least a first pickup unit on the left side of the frame and at least a second pickup unit on the right side of the frame, wherein each pickup unit is adapted for independent movement between a pickup unit working position and a pickup unit non-working position with respect to the other pickup unit.

4. The agricultural machine according to claim 3, wherein in the working mode of the agricultural machine at least one of the pickup units is in the pickup unit workingposition and / or in a non-working mode of the agricultural machine the pickup units are in a non-working position.

5. The agricultural machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in the crab steering mode the rotation axis of each wheel defines an acute angle with respect to the length direction of the frame.

6. The agricultural machine according to claim 5, wherein the acute angle is smaller than 90 degrees and larger than 45 degrees, preferably 60-85 degrees.

7. The agricultural machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the steering unit is configured for communication with an operator interface, for example a driver operator interface in the agricultural vehicle.

8. The agricultural machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connector is configured to provide a single vertical pivot axis allowing pivot movement between the agricultural machine and an agricultural vehicle.

9. The agricultural machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the wheel steering unit is configured to allow steering of the wheels of the agricultural machine in the normal steering mode and / or to allow additional steering of the wheels of the agricultural machine in the crab steering mode.

10. The agricultural machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the wheel steering unit is further configured to switch to a non-steering mode of the wheels in a non-working mode of the agricultural machine.

11. The agricultural machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the wheel steering unit comprises a electro hydraulic wheel steering mechanism.

12. An agricultural vehicle with the agricultural machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein by means of the agricultural vehicle the agricultural machine is displaceable in a direction of travel.

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