Mower Header Retaining System for Lateral Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural mowers face challenges in transporting their headers between fields due to width constraints, requiring additional trailers that are costly, skill-intensive to load/unload, and necessitate separate transportation.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable transport arrangement for agricultural mowers that includes a chassis, wheel, header unit, and actuators to elevate and retain the header in an elevated position, using retaining elements to securely support the header during lateral transport without additional implements or trailers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate trailer is used to transport the mower header laterally, then the machine can be transported between fields, but the cost increases significantly and requires special skill to load and unload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transport function with the existing mower header and chassis by integrating retaining elements directly onto these components. The header itself becomes the transport platform through the lateral transport configuration, eliminating the need for separate trailers while reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining elements serve dual functions: supporting the header during field operations and securing the header in lateral transport configuration. The chassis and header structure are designed to perform both cutting operations and self-transport, making the system multi-functional and eliminating dedicated transport equipment
2Length of moving object
If the header is retained in an elevated position during lateral transport, then the machine width reduces for passage through gates, but additional retaining mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining elements are integrated into the existing chassis and header structure rather than being separate components. The retaining element on the chassis works in conjunction with the retaining element on the header to create a unified retention system that leverages existing structural elements
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining elements act as intermediaries between the chassis and header, providing a simple mechanical connection that enables elevated position retention during transport without requiring complex locking or support mechanisms
3Productivity
If manual loading and unloading of the header is performed, then the transport process can be completed, but significant skill and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the mower can be self-loaded and self-unloaded by the tractor through hydraulic actuators. The retaining elements are designed to automatically engage and disengage during the loading/unloading process, eliminating the need for operator skill in manual handling
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations of lifting and securing the header are replaced with hydraulic actuation. The hydraulic system controlled by the tractor automatically performs the loading and unloading functions, reducing operator involvement and skill requirements
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural mower includes a chassis, a wheel coupled to the chassis, and a header unit coupled to the chassis. A first actuator is configured to move the header unit between a field position, in which the wheel contacts a ground surface to support the header unit, and to an elevated position in which the header unit is positioned further from the ground as compared with the field position. A first retaining element is mounted to the chassis. A second retaining element is mounted to the header unit. The second retaining element is configured to be releasably engaged to the first retaining element. A second actuator is provided for moving the first retaining element from a first position in which the first retaining element is remote and disengaged from the second retaining element to a second position in which the first retaining element is engaged with the second retaining element.