Agricultural Header Lateral Transport Assembly with Folding Tandem Axle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transporting modern agricultural headers is cumbersome due to their increased size, weight, and the need for additional equipment, with existing transport assemblies being either suboptimal or cumbersome to operate, particularly when transitioning between transport and harvesting positions.
Innovation Solution
A tandem axle support device with pivot shafts and walking beams allows for a transport assembly with four wheels to be positioned in either a transport or storage configuration, using smaller tandem wheels that can be easily reattached and detached, reducing the height requirement and weight on the tongue during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a transport assembly with large wheels is used to support the header during transport, then the load-carrying capacity is improved, but the header height increases and the wheels become cumbersome to detach and reattach
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is divided into separate components - the wheels can be detached from the axle mount, allowing the wheels to be stored separately when not in use. This segmentation enables easy removal and attachment while maintaining adequate load capacity when the wheels are installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport assembly utilizes a folding mechanism that allows the wheel support structure to collapse vertically when the wheels are removed. This dimensional change enables the header to achieve a lower transport height without compromising the load-carrying capacity when the wheels are attached for transport.
2Strength
If a transport assembly with permanently attached wheels is used, then the load-carrying capacity is improved, but the device complexity and ground clearance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel support structure incorporates a folding mechanism that dynamically changes the configuration of the transport assembly. The support beams can be folded to a horizontal position parallel to the header frame, reducing ground clearance requirements and simplifying the overall device when transport is not needed, while still providing adequate support when the wheels are installed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the header is transported lengthwise on a separate transport trailer, then the transport capability is improved, but the cost and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transport assembly is integrated directly into the header structure, merging the transport function with the header itself. The wheel support structure is attached to the header frame, eliminating the need for a separate transport trailer. This integration reduces costs by eliminating additional equipment while maintaining the capability to transport the header lengthwise for road compliance.
Data Source
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AI summary
A header (110) for an agricultural vehicle (100) including a frame (112) having lateral ends and a transport assembly (120) connected to the frame (112) and configured for being positioned in a transport position and a storage position. The transport assembly (120) includes a tandem axle support device (122) including at least one pivot shaft (126) pivotally connected to the frame (112), a first walking beam (128), and a second walking beam (130). The first and second walking beams (128, 130) are operably connected to and moveable by the at least one pivot shaft (126). The transport assembly (120) also includes at least four wheels (124) including a first pair of tandem wheels (124) removably connected to the first walking beam (128) and a second pair of tandem wheels (124) removably connected to the second walking beam (130).