Pick-up attachment for a harvesting machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a pick-up attachment for a harvesting machine, preferably for a forage harvester, particularly preferably for a self-propelled forage harvester, comprising a pick-up rotor having pick-up tools for picking up harvested material from the ground, at least one guide element which rests on the ground and undertakes the guidance of the pick-up rotor and guides the latter to the ground, a machine frame to which the pick-up rotor and the at least one guide element are connected, and a drive for driving the pick-up rotor.

Description

[0001] Pick-up attachment for a harvesting machine

[0002] The invention relates to a pick-up attachment for a harvesting machine, preferably for a forage harvester, particularly preferably for a self-propelled forage harvester, comprising a pickup rotor with pickup tools for picking up crop material from the ground, at least one guide element resting on the ground which guides the pickup rotor and directs it to the ground, a machine frame to which the pickup rotor and the at least one guide element are attached, and a drive for driving the pickup rotor.

[0003] Forage harvesters are harvesting machines used for harvesting and collecting crops, cutting them 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, legumes, mixtures, and / or row crops such as corn or millet. The chopped material can either be fed directly to livestock or stored as silage or dried for later use. The forage harvester can harvest the crop directly by cutting it across its entire width, from single or multiple rows, or by collecting it from a swath. Forage harvesters can be tractor-mounted, tractor-drawn, or self-propelled.

[0004] A harvesting header is a usually detachable attachment for drawing crop material into a forage harvester. A pick-up header, specifically designed for collecting pre-cut crop material, can be arranged in rows or swaths.

[0005] Self-propelled forage harvesters have now reached engine outputs of over 1000 hp. Parallel to this increase in engine power, the throughput capacity of these harvesters has also risen. Besides the high engine and throughput required for maize silage, harvesting capacity is also a crucial factor for high forage quality in grass silage. After mowing, meadows and fields must be cleared within a short timeframe to ensure, for example, that the green fodder can be ensiled with optimal dry matter content.

[0006] In order to take full advantage of the high throughput of a harvesting machine, especially a forage harvester, it is necessary, among other things, to significantly increase the forward speed of the harvesting machine.

[0007] Increasing the working speed or forward speed of the harvesting machine, especially the forage harvester, as a virtually investment-neutral increase in efficiency or harvesting capacity, is accompanied by negative side effects, which are described in more detail below.

[0008] Drivers of forage harvesters and transfer vehicles require a significantly higher level of concentration at higher speeds, leading to fatigue being reached much sooner. As a result, changes in the ground contour, caused, for example, by ditches (narrow drainage channels between fields), wet patches, or other obstacles, are detected late, making timely manual adjustments to the driving speed and the height of the pickup attachment more difficult.

[0009] It is known that harvesting machines, such as forage harvesters, typically use a ground pressure control system and a pendulum blade to adjust the height and ground contours of the pick-up header. However, ground pressure control systems are slow to react, meaning they can no longer operate effectively and responsively at higher working speeds or the forward speeds of the harvesting machine, especially the forage harvester. This results in poor ground contouring of the pick-up header, which—as explained in more detail below—leads to harvest losses, significant forage contamination, and increased machine wear.If the harvesting machine, especially a forage harvester, travels over a crest at high speed, the ground pressure control may not be able to lower the pick-up header and thus the intake rotor in time. As a result, the rotor remains too high for a certain period and distance, and the pickup tools, particularly the rake tines, no longer reach the grass surface. This leads to crop losses because material is not collected. Consequently, crop losses remain in the field because the optimal raking height could not be maintained. In this context, "driving over a crest" refers to the return journey from the crest to level ground.

[0010] If the harvesting machine, especially a forage harvester, travels through a dip at increased speed, the ground pressure control may not be able to raise the pick-up header and thus the intake rotor in time, causing it to remain too low for a certain period of time and distance. In this context, "traversing a dip" refers to the return from the dip to level ground. This causes the intake tools, particularly the tines of the intake rotor, to aggressively dig into the soil or turf, resulting in significant contamination of the crop and consequently reduced forage quality, damage to the turf, and increased wear on both the pick-up header and the harvesting machine itself, such as the forage harvester, as a large amount of dirt, especially sand and soil, is also picked up.Breakage of the picking tools, especially the tines, and other damage to the pick-up attachment or the harvesting machine are also possible.

[0011] For gentle and clean crop pickup, optimal adjustment of the raking height, or the distance of the pickup tools, especially the tines, to the ground, particularly the arable land or grass cover, is crucial. Raking height refers to the distance between the raking point and the ground or grass cover. The raking point is located where the envelope of the pickup tools, especially the tines, of the pickup rotor is closest to the ground or grass cover. The raking height, or the distance of the pickup tools to the ground, should always be such that the crop can be completely picked up from the ground without loss and fed into the harvesting machine, especially the forage harvester.

[0012] In principle, the intake rotor or the pick-up attachment should be guided in a defined position relative to the ground in every position and on every type of ground contour. This ensures that the intake tools, especially the raking tines, adapt optimally to the ground contour and maintain an optimal raking height, particularly at the aforementioned higher forward speeds. Maintaining a consistent raking height reduces wear and breakage of the intake tools, especially the tines, and minimizes the introduction of dirt into the harvested crop or forage.

[0013] The invention is based on the understanding that direct guidance of the pickup rotor is particularly important on uneven ground contours. On concave ground contours, the raking height is determined by guide elements, especially gauge wheels, arranged on the outside of the pickup attachment. These are typically located to the left and right of and / or in front of the pickup rotor when viewed in the direction of travel, and thus lie outside the effective working width of the pickup rotor. On convex ground contours, which are often found in areas with surface drainage, the raking height is determined by guide elements arranged behind the pickup rotor when viewed in the direction of travel. Unlike the aforementioned guide elements, these are not located outside beside or in front of the pickup rotor, but rather behind the pickup rotor when viewed in the direction of travel, and thus within the effective working width of the pickup rotor.Therefore, adjusting and maintaining the rake height or distance of the pickup tools to the ground or turf is a very important factor for increasing the quality of the harvested crop or feed, as well as for reducing damage to the field, the soil or turf, and the pick-up attachment.

[0014] Various drive arrangements for powering the pickup rotor are known in the prior art. For example, pickup rotors of attachments are known that have a drive located outside the effective working width or effective working width of the pickup rotor, specifically to the side of the pickup rotor when viewed in the direction of travel. Such pickup attachments can have guide elements arranged outside the effective working width of the pickup rotor, or guide elements arranged within the effective working width of the pickup rotor, such as a gauge wheel or a similarly arranged roller positioned centrally with respect to the pickup rotor when viewed in the direction of travel.

[0015] Furthermore, pickup rotors of attachments are known which have a drive within the effective working width or effective working width of the pickup rotor, which, viewed in the direction of travel of the pickup attachment, is arranged centrally, i.e., in the middle, with respect to the pickup rotor. The drive is located directly behind the pickup rotor in the direction of travel of the pickup attachment. Such pickup attachments are known to have the previously described guide elements arranged externally, i.e., outside the effective working width of the pickup rotor, but also include internal guide elements arranged behind the pickup rotor, i.e., within the effective working width of the pickup rotor.The inner guide element can be, firstly, a gauge wheel or roller positioned centrally, i.e., in the middle, relative to the pickup rotor when viewed in the direction of travel of the pickup attachment. This guide element is located behind the centrally located drive and thus at a considerable distance from the pickup rotor. This distance is sufficient to prevent the guide element, positioned centrally relative to the pickup rotor, from colliding with the centrally located drive of the pickup rotor. Secondly, the inner guide elements can be gauge wheels or rollers positioned off-center relative to the pickup rotor when viewed in the direction of travel of the pickup attachment. These are located next to and at a distance from the centrally located drive.

[0016] Based on this, the invention is founded on the following further insights. First: Drives located outside the effective working width or effective raking width of the intake rotor reduce the effective working width or effective raking width due to their design and arrangement. This results in larger edge zones or side sections of the intake rotor that do not rake effectively.

[0017] This can increase crop losses when harvesting wider swaths. Furthermore, it makes it more difficult for the driver to pick up crops when cornering or in narrow passages. Additionally, the load distribution on the pickup rotor shaft is very uneven, which is detrimental. Secondly, for optimal guidance of the pickup rotor, it is important that the guide elements are positioned as close as possible to the pickup rotor. A large distance between the guide plane and the rake arm results in long lever arms and consequently poor, indirect, and sluggish guidance of the pickup rotor or the header. This can lead to significant tine wear, increased tine stress, and tine breakage, especially in the center of the pick-up header. Additionally, the sward can be damaged, and a higher proportion of dirt can be introduced into the crop, particularly forage.Thirdly: In certain regions, for example, areas with surface drainage, the highest point of the soil profile is often located in the center of the harvester or pick-up header when the swath is being picked up. This means that the ground level at the outer edges of the pick-up header is lower than in the center. If the pick-up header is guided only by external guide elements, the raking height in the center of the header is too low, allowing the picking tools, especially the raking tines, of the pickup rotor to dig into the soil. This results in high rake tine wear and high rake tine forces, leading to tine breakage. Furthermore, the delicate grass cover is damaged, and contaminants are introduced into the harvested crop or forage.

[0018] The invention is based on the objective of improving a pick-up attachment for a harvesting machine, preferably for a forage harvester.

[0019] This problem is solved by a pick-up attachment with the features of claim 1. Further developments and advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0020] The 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 material from the ground, at least one guide element resting on the ground which guides the pickup rotor and directs it or the pick-up attachment with pickup rotor to the ground, a machine frame to which the pickup rotor and the at least one guide element are attached, and a drive for driving the pickup rotor.According to the invention, at least one guide element is arranged within the effective working width of the pickup rotor, as seen in the direction of travel of the pick-up attachment, and preferably centrally, i.e., in the middle, with respect to the pickup rotor, and the drive is arranged within the effective working width of the pickup rotor, as seen in the direction of travel of the pick-up attachment, and decentrally, i.e., off-center, with respect to the pickup rotor.

[0021] The effective working width of the pickup rotor is understood to be the effective reach of the pickup rotor, which, viewed in the direction of travel of the pick-up attachment, refers to the distance between the outermost left and the outermost right pickup tool, in particular tines, of the pickup rotor arranged transversely to the direction of travel of the pick-up attachment.

[0022] The decentralized arrangement of the drive according to the invention allows one or more guide elements, which, according to the prior art, were previously positioned behind a centrally arranged drive in the direction of travel of the pick-up attachment, to be placed or arranged closer to the pickup rotor. A closer arrangement means that changes in the ground contour, which are detected by the guide element located on the ground, affect the position of the pickup rotor more quickly and reactively. This enables faster adaptation of the pickup rotor's picking tools to changing ground contours.

[0023] The drive mechanism for the pickup rotor, positioned within its effective working width, offers advantages over a drive mechanism located laterally to the side of the pickup rotor, outside its effective working width (viewed from the direction of travel). With such a drive mechanism positioned within the effective working width, the ends of the pickup rotor—that is, the left and right lateral ends as viewed from the direction of travel—can be made very narrow. This allows for a greater effective working width relative to the maximum machine width, which in turn reduces pickup losses with wider swaths and provides more clearance for the harvester operator, especially when cornering or navigating tight spaces.On the other hand, the decentralized arrangement of the drive, which is provided within the effective working width according to the invention, allows the force to be distributed essentially evenly over the entire intake rotor, resulting in uniform rotation and intake of the harvested crop.

[0024] It is advantageous if at least one guide element is arranged centrally, i.e., in the middle, with respect to the pickup rotor, as viewed in the direction of travel of the pick-up attachment. According to the invention, this can therefore be a single guide element or a group of two or more guide elements arranged centrally. In the case of a group, the guide elements are arranged around the center or the middle of the pickup rotor. The single guide element or the group of guide elements is arranged behind the pickup rotor as viewed in the direction of travel of the pick-up attachment. Because the drive for driving the pickup rotor is arranged decentrally according to the invention, i.e., next to the aforementioned guide element or group of guide elements, but nevertheless within the effective working width, the aforementioned guide element or group of guide elements can be positioned close to the pickup rotor.In other words, the drive is located to the left or right of the center or middle of the pickup rotor when viewed in the direction of travel of the pick-up attachment, and outside of a collision area with the aforementioned guide element or group, but within the effective working width of the pickup rotor.

[0025] It can be advantageous if the drive for powering the pickup rotor, viewed in the direction of travel of the pickup attachment, is placed as far off-center as necessary with respect to the pickup rotor, but as close as possible to the center or middle with respect to the pickup rotor.

[0026] If only one guide element is arranged centrally in relation to the pickup rotor when viewed in the direction of travel of the pick-up attachment, it may be advantageous for the drive to be arranged to the left or right of this guide element.

[0027] It can be advantageous if several, preferably two, guide elements spaced apart transversely to the direction of travel are arranged together, i.e. as a group, centrally, i.e. in the middle, in relation to the pickup rotor, viewed in the direction of travel of the pick-up attachment, wherein the drive is arranged within the effective working width of the pickup rotor and outside these guide elements arranged together, i.e. as a group, centrally, and thus decentrally, i.e. off-center, in relation to the pickup rotor.

[0028] It can be advantageous if two guide elements, spaced transversely to the direction of travel, are arranged together, i.e., as a group, centrally (i.e., in the middle) with respect to the pickup rotor when viewed in the direction of travel of the pickup attachment, with the drive unit being arranged within the effective working width of the pickup rotor and outside of these guide elements, and thus off-center (i.e., off-center) with respect to the pickup rotor, and with the drive unit being located to the left of the left guide element or to the right of the right guide element when viewed in the direction of travel of the pickup attachment. This depends on the overall design of the drive train.

[0029] It can be advantageous to provide an odd number of guide elements (more than two) spaced transversely to the direction of travel within the effective working width of the pickup rotor, with the drive unit positioned to the left or right of the central guide element or one of the nearest outer guide elements within the effective working width of the pickup rotor, as viewed in the direction of travel of the pick-up attachment. This depends on the overall design of the drive train.

[0030] It can be advantageous to provide an even number of more than two guide elements spaced transversely to the direction of travel within the effective working width of the pickup rotor, with the drive unit located within the effective working width of the pickup rotor, viewed in the direction of travel of the pick-up attachment, next to the first left guide element or one of the next left guide elements, or to the right of the first right guide element or one of the next right guide elements. This depends on the overall design of the drive train. It can also be advantageous if at least one guide element is located behind the pickup rotor within the effective working width of the pickup rotor, viewed in the direction of travel, and if this guide element maintains a minimal distance from the pickup rotor.This short distance, which is located virtually between the guide plane and the calculating arm, results in smaller lever arms compared to the state of the art, leading to more direct, precise and responsive guidance.

[0031] It can be advantageous if one or more than one guide element is designed to be rolling, preferably as a wheel, sliding, preferably as a skid or plate, driven, not driven, movable and / or rigid, wherein, if several guide elements are present, they are designed to be identical or at least partially different.

[0032] It can be advantageous if, in addition to the at least one guide element arranged within the effective working width of the pickup rotor, one or more, preferably two, guide elements are provided arranged outside the effective working width of the pickup rotor, wherein preferably one guide element, preferably a gauge wheel, is arranged outside the effective working width of the pickup rotor, viewed in the direction of travel of the pick-up attachment, to the left of and / or to the left in front of the pickup rotor, and wherein preferably one guide element, preferably a gauge wheel, is arranged outside the effective working width of the pickup rotor, viewed in the direction of travel of the pick-up attachment, to the right of and / or to the right in front of the pickup rotor.

[0033] This advanced training is based on the understanding that in areas with surface drainage, meadows and fields are often leveled and structured almost like a road profile. Convex soil contours are created as tracks, with a drainage ditch, also called a ditch, located at the bottom of each of the valleys between these convex tracks. The water flows surface-level into the drainage ditch and is then channeled away. During grass harvesting, swaths are laid down from the valleys onto the highest point of the track-shaped convex soil contour, i.e., onto the ridge. When the pick-up header or harvester picks up this swath laid on the ridge, the highest point of the soil profile, viewed from the direction of travel of the pick-up header, is located in the center of the header or harvester.Thus, the ground level at the left and right outer edges of the pickup attachment, as seen in the direction of travel, is lower than in the middle of the pickup attachment.

[0034] If the pick-up header is guided only in the direction of travel by guide elements located to the left and right of or in front of the intake rotor, the raking height in the center of the pick-up header is too low, allowing the raking tools, especially the tines, to dig into the ground. This results in high wear on the raking tools and exerts high forces on them, which can lead to breakage of the raking tools, particularly the tines. Furthermore, sensitive turf is damaged, and the amount of dirt entering the harvested crop or forage is increased.

[0035] Therefore, as mentioned above, it is very advantageous to provide, in addition to the guide elements arranged outside the effective working width of the pickup rotor to the left and right of or in front of the pickup rotor when viewed in the direction of travel of the pickup attachment, at least one guide element arranged within the effective working width of the pickup rotor when viewed in the direction of travel of the pickup attachment, preferably with a minimal distance to the pickup rotor and preferably centrally located, i.e. in the middle, with respect to the pickup rotor when viewed in the direction of travel of the pickup attachment.

[0036] It can be advantageous if only one guide element is arranged within the effective working width when viewed in the direction of travel of the pick-up attachment, and if only two guide elements are provided outside the effective working width of the pickup rotor, wherein one guide element, preferably a gauge wheel, is arranged outside the effective working width of the pickup rotor to the left of and / or to the left in front of the pickup rotor when viewed in the direction of travel of the pick-up attachment, and wherein one guide element, preferably a gauge wheel, is arranged outside the effective working width of the pickup rotor to the right of and / or to the right in front of the pickup rotor when viewed in the direction of travel of the pick-up attachment.

[0037] It can be advantageous if the guide elements provided outside the effective working width of the pickup rotor, which are arranged to the left and right of the pickup rotor when viewed in the direction of travel of the pickup attachment, are designed to be pivotable in such a way that they can be brought in front of the pickup rotor when viewed in the direction of travel of the pickup attachment.

[0038] It can be advantageous if at least one guide element arranged within the effective working width of the pickup rotor, preferably one or more than one guide element arranged centrally, i.e. in the middle, with respect to the pickup rotor, is designed as a wheel.

[0039] It may be advantageous if at least one guide element provided within the effective working width of the pickup rotor is fixed in position relative to the pickup rotor and / or the pick-up attachment, and / or if at least one guide element provided within the effective working width of the pickup rotor is movable, preferably vertically movable, relative to the pickup rotor and / or the pick-up attachment.

[0040] It can be advantageous if the drive for powering the pickup rotor is a geared drive.

[0041] It can be advantageous if the drive for the pickup rotor is hydraulic, electric, or mechanical. It can also be advantageous if the pickup attachment is foldable and has multiple pickup rotors, whereby the pickup rotors, when unfolded, can be considered collectively as a single pickup rotor or individually as multiple pickup rotors.

[0042] For certain applications, a rigid pickup rotor can be advantageous. For other applications, it can be beneficial if the pickup rotor is composed of several segments, at least partially articulated, to adapt to the contours of the ground. By assembling the pickup rotor of the attachment from several segments, at least partially articulated, it becomes flexible even laterally to the direction of travel, allowing it to better conform to the ground contours. This enables the pickup rotor to at least partially conform to the contour of a dip when driving over one, or conversely, to conform to the contour of a crest when driving over one. In this way, the pickup rotor essentially sags downwards at the relevant point or, conversely, arches upwards at the relevant point.Because the pickup rotor adapts to the contours of the terrain, it, and thus the pickup tools, especially the rake tines, can be guided at an optimal distance from the sward to collect the crop. This prevents harvest losses, as the material is reliably collected even in depressions. Furthermore, it prevents the pickup tools, particularly the rake tines, from aggressively combing through the sward. Since this protects the sward and prevents the ingestion of dirt such as sand or soil, forage contamination is avoided and forage quality is improved. The flexibility of the pickup rotor therefore ensures high forage quality with minimal harvest losses. In addition, it prevents increased wear and tear on both the pick-up attachment and the harvester.

[0043] The invention can be implemented in all machines with pick-up attachments. Therefore, the following advantages of a pick-up attachment according to the invention for a harvesting machine, in particular for a forage harvester, are gained compared to the prior art:

[0044] - Improved ground contour following, especially with larger working widths and higher forward speeds

[0045] - High smoothness of operation of the pickup rotor or the entire pickup attachment

[0046] - Preservation of the turf and adherence to the cutting height, especially in wet, highly contoured and boggy areas.

[0047] - Higher feed quality; less dirt entering the feed

[0048] - reduced wear and tear throughout the entire pick-up attachment and the entire harvesting machine

[0049] - reduced risk of tine breakage

[0050] - Reduced harvest losses when picking up the crop from the ground; raking quality

[0051] - Driver relief when cornering and in narrow passages

[0052] - Even load distribution in the main shaft of the pickup rotor

[0053] Further features of the invention will become apparent 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 those subsequently mentioned in the description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone, are usable not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually.

[0054] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. These show:

[0055] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pick-up attachment according to the invention from a front oblique angle, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the pick-up attachment according to Fig. 1 from a rear oblique angle,

[0056] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the pick-up attachment according to Fig. 1 from below,

[0057] Fig. 4 shows a schematic top view of a first arrangement according to the invention of a receiving rotor, guide elements and drive of a pick-up attachment device,

[0058] Fig. 5 shows a schematic top view of a second arrangement according to the invention of a receiving rotor, guide elements and drive of a pick-up attachment and

[0059] Fig. 6 shows a schematic top view of a third arrangement according to the invention of receiving rotor, guide elements and drive in accordance with the pick-up attachment shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

[0060] If the same reference numerals are used in Figures 1 to 6, these also denote the same parts or areas.

[0061] Figures 1 to 3 and 6 relate to a variant, here referred to as the third variant, of an arrangement according to the invention of a receiving rotor 12, guide elements 18, 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b and drive 22 of a pick-up attachment 10 according to the invention for a harvesting machine not shown here, preferably a forage harvester.

[0062] The pick-up attachment 10 comprises a pickup rotor 12 with pickup tools 14 for picking up crop from the ground 16. The pickup tools 14 are tines arranged in a degressive pattern. The direction of travel FR, or the forward direction of travel of the pick-up attachment 10, is indicated by an arrow in the figures. To adapt to the contours of the ground 16, the pickup rotor 12 is composed of several segments 30, at least partially articulated to one another, as shown in Fig. 1. The segments 32, which are at least partially articulated to one another, can be of different widths, but in this case, they are all the same width.

[0063] The pick-up attachment 10 also includes a feed screw 32 to draw in the harvested crop and transport it towards the harvesting machine, which is not shown here.

[0064] Furthermore, the pick-up header 10 has a hold-down unit 34. As is known to those skilled in the art and can be clearly seen in Figures 1 to 3, this unit comprises a hold-down device and swath rollers. The hold-down device is a type of arm, usually hydraulically operated. Its function is to press the crop evenly onto the ground during the harvesting process and to ensure that it is properly picked up by the intake rotor 12. This helps to ensure a uniform layer of crop on the pick-up header 10 and prevents the crop from being thrown away or protruding beyond the pick-up header 10. The swath rollers are cylinders arranged along the width of the pick-up header 10 and positioned above the crop. Their function is to align and bundle the crop before it enters the pick-up header 10, particularly when the crop is in swaths.The swath rollers help to guide the harvested crop evenly and efficiently into the pick-up attachment 10 by pressing and aligning it beforehand.

[0065] Furthermore, the pick-up attachment 10 has a drive 22 for driving the pickup rotor 12. The pickup rotor 12 of the pick-up attachment 10 can be driven in various ways. The drive 22 for driving the pickup rotor 12 is preferably a gear drive, which is hydraulically, electrically, or mechanically operated. The aforementioned components 12, 22, 32, 34 are connected to a machine frame 20 of the pick-up attachment 10.

[0066] The pick-up attachment 10 can be designed to be movable or pivotable about a pivot axis extending transversely to the direction of travel FR towards and away from the ground 16 in order to adjust an optimal raking height. For this purpose, an adapter frame 36 is provided, which is connected on one side, namely on its side facing forward in the direction of travel FR, to the machine frame 20 of the pick-up attachment 10, and on the other side, namely on its side facing rearward in the direction of travel FR, has at least one mounting point for the pick-up attachment 10 to be received by the harvesting machine, wherein the machine frame 20 of the pick-up attachment 10 is movable relative to the adapter frame 36 and thus to the harvesting machine that can be connected to the adapter frame 26.

[0067] The pick-up attachment 10 according to the invention further comprises several guide elements resting on the ground 16, namely guide elements 18, 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b according to the third variant, guide elements 18, 26a, 26b according to the first variant, and guide elements 18', 18", 26a, 26b according to the second variant. The guide elements 18, 18', 18", 26a, 26b are gauge wheels. The guide elements 28a, 28b are skids or sliding plates.

[0068] According to the invention, the guide elements 18, 28a, 28b are arranged within the effective working width 24 of the pickup rotor 12 when viewed in the direction of travel FR of the pick-up attachment 10. The effective working width, which can also be referred to as the effective raking width, is shown for the third variant in Fig. 6. Here, the guide elements 18, 28a, 28b are arranged, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 6, directly behind the pickup rotor 12 and, as shown particularly in Fig. 6, within the effective working width of the pickup rotor 12. According to the invention, the drive 22 is also arranged within the effective working width 24 of the pickup rotor 12 when viewed in the direction of travel FR of the pick-up attachment 10 and off-center, i.e., eccentrically, with respect to the pickup rotor 12.

[0069] Because the drive 22 is arranged decentrally, but still within the effective working width, there is now space for a guide element 18 arranged within the effective working width 24, which can be positioned centrally with minimal distance to the pickup rotor 12. Since the guide elements direct the pick-up attachment 10 to the ground, the attachment 10, or rather the pickup rotor 12, reacts much faster when entering and exiting a depression, or when driving up onto and down from a crest, due to the arrangement according to the invention.

[0070] In addition to the guide element 18 centrally arranged within the effective working width 24, in the third variant shown in Figs. 1-3 and 6, two further guide elements 28a, 28b are arranged within the effective working width 24 of the receiving rotor 12, wherein one guide element 28a, which is designed as a skid, is arranged to the left of and spaced apart from the centrally arranged guide element 18 when viewed in the direction of travel FR of the pick-up attachment 10, and wherein the other guide element 28b, which is designed as a skid, is arranged to the right of and spaced apart from the centrally arranged guide element 18 when viewed in the direction of travel FR of the pick-up attachment 10.In such a constellation, in which an odd number of three guide elements 28a, 18, 28b spaced apart transversely to the direction of travel FR are provided within the effective working width 24 of the receiving rotor 12, the drive 22 is preferably arranged to the left or - as here - to the right of the central guide element 18 within the effective working width 24 of the receiving rotor 12 seen in the direction of travel FR of the pick-up attachment 10.In addition to the guide elements 18, 28a, 28b arranged within the effective working width 24 of the pickup rotor 12, two guide elements 26a, 26b are provided outside the effective working width 24 of the pickup rotor 12, wherein one guide element 26a, namely a gauge wheel, is arranged outside the effective working width 24 of the pickup rotor 12, viewed in the direction of travel FR of the pick-up attachment 10, to the left of and partially in front of the pickup rotor 12, and wherein one guide element 26b, namely a gauge wheel, is arranged outside the effective working width 24 of the pickup rotor 12, viewed in the direction of travel FR of the pick-up attachment 10, to the right of and partially in front of the pickup rotor 12.

[0071] The variant shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 6, referred to here as the third variant, therefore has two guide elements 26a, 26b arranged outside the effective working width 24 of the receiving rotor 12, a central guide element 18 arranged within the effective working width 24 of the receiving rotor 12, two decentralized guide elements 28a, 28b arranged within the effective working width 24 of the receiving rotor 12 and a decentralized drive 22 arranged within the effective working width 24 of the receiving rotor 12.

[0072] The variant shown in Fig. 4, referred to here as the first variant, differs from the third variant in that, in addition to the central guide element 18 arranged within the effective working width 24 of the receiving rotor 12, no further decentralized guide elements are provided within the effective working width 24 of the receiving rotor 12.

[0073] The variant shown in Fig. 5, referred to here as the second variant, differs from the first variant in that, instead of the central guide element 18 arranged within the effective working width 24 of the pickup rotor 12, two guide elements 18', 18" spaced apart from each other transversely to the direction of travel (FR) are arranged together, as a group, centrally, i.e., in the middle, with respect to the pickup rotor 12 when viewed in the direction of travel FR of the pickup attachment 10. The drive 22 is arranged within the effective working width 24 of the pickup rotor 12 and outside this centrally arranged guide elements 18', 18" and thus off-center, i.e., off-center, with respect to the pickup rotor 12, when viewed in the direction of travel FR of the pickup attachment 10.

[0074] Reference symbol list

[0075] (is part of the description)

[0076] 10 Pick-up attachments

[0077] 12 Recording rotor

[0078] 14 recording tools

[0079] 16 Floor

[0080] 18 guide element - central (within 24)

[0081] 18' Guide element - central group (within 24) 18” Guide element - central group (within 24) 20 Machine frame

[0082] 22 Drive

[0083] 24 effective working width

[0084] 26a left guide element (outside of 24)

[0085] 26b right guide element (outside of 24)

[0086] 28a left guide element (within 24)

[0087] 28b right guide element (within 24)

[0088] 30 segment

[0089] 32 Intake screw

[0090] 34 Down-hold unit

[0091] 36 adapter frames

[0092] FR direction of travel

Claims

P a t e n t a n s p r ü c h e 1. 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 (16), at least one guide element (18, 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b) resting on the ground (16), which guides the pickup rotor (12) and directs it to the ground (16), a machine frame (20) to which the pickup rotor (12) and the at least one guide element (18, 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b) are attached, and a drive (22) for driving the pickup rotor (12), characterized in that at least one guide element (18, 28a, 28b) is located within the effective working width (24) of the pickup attachment (10) when viewed in the direction of travel (FR). recording rotor (12) and preferably predominantly centrally, i.e. in the middle,in relation to the pickup rotor (12) and that the drive (22) is arranged in the direction of travel (FR) of the pick-up attachment (10) within the effective working width (24) of the pickup rotor (12) and off-center, i.e. off-center, in relation to the pickup rotor (12).

2. Pick-up attachment (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that at least one guide element (18, 18', 18") is arranged centrally, i.e. in the middle, with respect to the receiving rotor (12) in the direction of travel (FR) of the pick-up attachment (10).

3. Pick-up attachment (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each guide element (18, 18', 18", 28a, 28b) arranged within the effective working width (24) of the pickup rotor (12), preferably each centrally arranged guide element (18, 18', 18"), is arranged at least partially next to the decentrally arranged drive (22) when viewed in the direction of travel of the pick-up attachment (10).

4. Pick-up attachment (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several, preferably two, guide elements (18', 18”) spaced apart from each other transversely to the direction of travel (FR) are arranged together centrally, i.e. in the middle, with respect to the receiving rotor (12) when viewed in the direction of travel (FR) of the pick-up attachment (10), wherein the drive (22) is arranged within the effective working width (24) of the receiving rotor (12) and outside these centrally arranged guide elements (18', 18”) and thus decenterly, i.e. off-center, with respect to the receiving rotor (12) when viewed in the direction of travel (FR) of the pick-up attachment (10).

5. Pick-up attachment (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one guide element (18, 18', 18”, 28a, 28b) is arranged behind the pickup rotor (12) in the direction of travel (FR), wherein the at least one guide element (18, 18', 18”, 28a, 28b) has a minimal distance to the pickup rotor (12).

6. Pick-up attachment (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more than one guide element (18, 18', 18”, 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b) is designed to be rolling, preferably as a wheel, sliding, preferably as a skid or plate, driven, not driven, movable and / or rigid, wherein, in the presence of several guide elements (18, 18', 18”, 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b), these (18, 18', 18”, 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b) are designed to be identical or at least partially different.

7. Pick-up attachment (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in addition to the at least one guide element (18, 18', 18”, 28a, 28b) arranged within the effective working width (24) of the pickup rotor (12), one or more, preferably two, guide elements (26a, 26b) arranged outside the effective working width (24) of the pickup rotor (12) are provided, wherein preferably one guide element (26a), preferably a gauge wheel, is located outside the effective working width (24) of the pickup rotor (12) in the direction of travel (FR) of the pick-up attachment (10). seen to the left of and / or to the left in front of the pickup rotor (12) and wherein a guide element (26b), preferably a gauge wheel, is arranged outside the effective working width (24) of the pickup rotor (12) in the direction of travel (FR) of the pick-up attachment (10) seen to the right of and / or to the right in front of the pickup rotor (12).

8. Pick-up attachment (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that only one guide element (18) is arranged centrally within the effective working width (24) when viewed in the direction of travel (FR) of the pick-up attachment (10), and that only two guide elements (26a, 26b) are provided outside the effective working width (24) of the pickup rotor (12), wherein one guide element (26a), preferably a gauge wheel, is arranged outside the effective working width (24) of the pickup rotor (12) when viewed in the direction of travel (FR) of the pick-up attachment (10) to the left of and / or to the left in front of the pickup rotor (12), and wherein one guide element (26b), preferably a gauge wheel, is arranged outside the effective working width (24) of the pickup rotor (12) when viewed in the direction of travel (FR) of the pick-up attachment (10) to the right of and / or to the right in front of the pickup rotor. (12) is ordered.

9. Pick-up attachment (10) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the guide elements (26a, 26b) provided outside the effective working width (24) of the pickup rotor (12), which are arranged to the left and right of the pickup rotor (12) when viewed in the direction of travel (FR) of the pick-up attachment (10), are each designed to be pivotable by means of pivot arms connected articulately to each other, such that they can be brought in front of the pickup rotor (12) when viewed in the direction of travel (FR) of the pick-up attachment (10).

10. Pick-up attachment (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one guide element (18, 18', 18", 28a, 28b) arranged within the effective working width (24) of the pickup rotor (12), preferably one or more than one in the direction of travel (FR) of the The guide element (18, 18', 18”) is designed as a wheel when viewed centrally, i.e. in the middle, in relation to the pickup rotor (12) of the pick-up attachment device (10).

11. Pick-up attachment (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one guide element (18, 18', 18”, 28a, 28b) provided within the effective working width (24) of the receiving rotor (12) is arranged in a fixed position relative to the receiving rotor (12) or to the pick-up attachment (10) and / or that at least one guide element (18, 18', 18”, 28a, 28b) provided within the effective working width (24) of the receiving rotor (12) is arranged to be movable, preferably vertically movable, relative to the receiving rotor (12) or to the pick-up attachment (10).

12. Pick-up attachment (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive (22) for driving the pickup rotor (12) is a gear drive.

13. Pick-up attachment (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive (22) for driving the pickup rotor (12) is a hydraulic, electric or mechanical drive.

14. Pick-up attachment (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the same (10) is foldable with several receiving rotors (12), wherein the receiving rotors (12) in the unfolded state are to be regarded as a whole as only one receiving rotor (12) or each separately and thus as several receiving rotors (12).

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