U.S. patent application number 12/173932 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-21 for center conveyor front coupler for a draper cutting platform.
Invention is credited to Joseph Oberlander, Gordon L. Salley.
Application Number | 20100011729 12/173932 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41172460 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100011729 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Salley; Gordon L. ; et
al. |
January 21, 2010 |
CENTER CONVEYOR FRONT COUPLER FOR A DRAPER CUTTING PLATFORM
Abstract
A draper cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvester
includes a pair of side platform sections, with each side platform
section including a side belt. A center platform section is
disposed in an area between the side platform sections. The center
platform section includes at least one alignment device and at
least one latch. A center conveyor assembly is removably attached
to the center platform section, and carries a center belt. The
center conveyor assembly includes at least one mating alignment
device and at least one mating latch.
Inventors: |
Salley; Gordon L.; (Moline,
IL) ; Oberlander; Joseph; (Parkview, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Taylor & Aust, P.C/Deere & Company
P.O. Box 560
Avilla
IN
46710
US
|
Family ID: |
41172460 |
Appl. No.: |
12/173932 |
Filed: |
July 16, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
56/14.5 ;
29/464 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01D 61/002 20130101;
Y10T 29/49895 20150115; A01D 57/20 20130101; A01D 41/16
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
56/14.5 ;
29/464 |
International
Class: |
A01D 61/02 20060101
A01D061/02; B23Q 3/00 20060101 B23Q003/00 |
Claims
1. A draper cutting platform for use with an agricultural
harvester, said cutting platform comprising: a pair of side
platform sections, each said side platform section including a side
belt; a center platform section in an area between said side
platform sections, said center platform section including at least
one alignment device including a pair of vertical alignment guides
having a top flange, a spaced apart diverging bottom flange, and a
seat at an apex between said top flange and said bottom flange, and
at least one latch; and a center conveyor assembly removably
attached to said center platform section, said center conveyor
assembly carrying a center belt, said center conveyor assembly
including at least one mating alignment device associated with said
center conveyor assembly including a pair of guide pins and further
including a pair of guide plates, each said guide plate associated
with a respective said guide pin and at least one mating latch.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. The draper cutting platform of claim 1, wherein each said
vertical alignment guide includes a latch hole adjacent said seat,
and each said mating alignment device includes a latch pin passing
through a respective said guide pin and into a respective said
latch hole.
6. The draper cutting platform of claim 5, wherein each said
vertical alignment guide is pivotable through a fixed range about
an axis of rotation of said latch hole.
7. The draper cutting platform of claim 6, including a pair of
locks, each for locking pivotal movement of a respective said
vertical alignment guide.
8. The draper cutting platform of claim 7, wherein each said lock
includes a spring biased pin.
9. The draper cutting platform of claim 5, wherein each said latch
pin is spring biased into a respective said latch hole.
10. The draper cutting platform of claim 1, wherein each said side
platform section carries a cutterbar assembly extending across a
working width of said cutting platform, said center platform
section being positioned behind said cutterbar assembly.
11. An agricultural harvester, comprising: a feeder housing; and a
cutting platform including: a pair of side platform sections, each
said side platform section including a side belt; a center platform
section in an area between said side platform sections, said center
platform section including at least one alignment device including
a pair of vertical alignment guides, having a top flange, a spaced
apart diverging bottom flange, and a seat at an apex between said
top flange and said bottom flange having a top flange and at least
one latch; and a center conveyor assembly attached to said feeder
housing and removably attached to said center platform section,
said center conveyor assembly carrying a center belt, said center
conveyor assembly including at least one mating alignment device
associated with said center conveyor assembly including a pair of
guide pins and further including a pair of guide plates, each said
guide plate associated with a respective guide pin and at least one
mating latch.
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. The agricultural harvester of claim 11, wherein each said
vertical alignment guide includes a latch hole adjacent said seat,
and each said mating alignment device includes a latch pin passing
through a respective said guide pin and into a respective said
latch hole.
16. The agricultural harvester of claim 15, wherein each said
vertical alignment guide is pivotable through a fixed range about
an axis of rotation of said latch hole.
17. The agricultural harvester of claim 16, including a pair of
locks, each for locking pivotal movement of a respective said
vertical alignment guide.
18. The agricultural harvester of claim 17, wherein each said lock
includes a spring biased pin.
19. The agricultural harvester of claim 15, wherein each said latch
pin is spring biased into a respective said latch hole.
20. The agricultural harvester of claim 11, wherein each said side
platform section carries a cutterbar assembly extending across a
working width of said cutting platform, said center platform
section being positioned behind said cutterbar assembly.
21. A method of attaching a center conveyor assembly to a center
platform section of a draper cutting platform, said attachment
method comprising the steps of: positioning a base unit of an
agricultural harvester such that a center conveyor assembly mounted
to the front of the base unit is in general alignment with a center
platform section of the cutting platform; moving the base unit
forward until at least one vertical alignment device including a
pair of vertical alignment guides having a top flange, a spaced
apart diverging bottom flange, and a seat at an apex between said
top flange and said bottom flange mounted to the center platform
section engages with a pair of pins on a corresponding pair of
guide plates mounted to the center conveyor assembly; and latching
the center conveyor assembly to the center platform section.
22. (canceled)
23. (canceled)
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
26. The method of attaching a center conveyor assembly of claim 21,
wherein each said vertical alignment guide includes a latch hole
adjacent said seat, and each said mating alignment device includes
a latch pin passing through a respective said guide pin and into a
respective said latch hole.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to agricultural harvesters,
and, more particularly, to agricultural combines including a draper
cutting platform.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] An agricultural harvester such as a combine includes a head
and a feeder housing which remove the crop material from the field,
gather the crop material and transport the crop material to a
separator. In the case of thinner stemmed crops such as soybeans,
wheat, etc. which may be cut with a sickle bar carrying a plurality
of knives, the head may also be known as a cutting platform. The
separator removes the grain crop material from the non-grain crop
material. The grain is cleaned and deposited in a grain tank. When
the grain tank becomes full, an unloading auger which is positioned
alongside the combine during harvesting is moved to the unloading
position in which the auger extends approximately perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis of the combine. The combine drives alongside
a vehicle into which the grain is to be unloaded, such as a
semi-trailer, and the unloading auger is actuated to discharge the
grain into the vehicle.
[0003] A cutting platform may generally be of two types. One type
typically has a sheet metal floor with a dual feed auger near the
rear of the cutting platform for feeding the crop material
longitudinally to the feeder housing. A cutting platform of this
type with auger feed is more common.
[0004] Another type of cutting platform, also known as a draper
platform, utilizes a flat, wide belt, referred to as a draper or
draper belt to convey crop material. The arrangement and number of
belts vary among platforms. One style of draper platform has two
side belts that convey crop material longitudinally, to the center
of the platform, where a center belt moves the crop material
laterally into the feeder housing. Each belt is wrapped around a
pair of rollers, one being a drive roller and the other being an
idler roller. An example of this type draper arrangement is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,397, which is assigned to the
assignee of the present invention.
[0005] An advantage of a draper platform is that larger amounts of
crop material can be transported without plugging, etc. For
example, with wide platforms approaching 40 feet or even larger,
the amount of crop material transported to the feeder housing can
be substantial. With an auger feed platform, the crop material may
bind between the auger and the back wall of the platform. In
contrast, with a draper platform, the crop material is carried on
top of the belt with less chance for plugging.
[0006] With a draper platform as described above, it is known to
have a draper platform which may be operated either as a harvester
or a swather. When configured as a harvester, the center section in
front of the feederhousing which carries the center belt is in
place between the side sections. When configured as a swather, the
center section is removed from the draper cutting platform. This
allows the crop material from each side section to be deposited in
the open area between the side sections, forming a windrow as the
swather moves forward.
[0007] A problem with a removable center section on a draper
platform is that it is difficult and time consuming to align and
attach the center section to the frame and cutterbar assembly. This
process typically takes multiple personnel to accomplish, and
results in a loss in productivity.
[0008] What is needed in the art is a draper cutting platform which
may be operated either as a harvester or a swather, with simple and
fast conversion between the two.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention in one form is directed to a draper cutting
platform for use with an agricultural harvester. The cutting
platform includes a pair of side platform sections, with each side
platform section including a side belt. A center platform section
is disposed in an area between the side platform sections. The
center platform section includes at least one alignment device and
at least one latch. A center conveyor assembly is removably
attached to the center platform section, and carries a center belt.
The center conveyor assembly includes at least one mating alignment
device and at least one mating latch.
[0010] The invention in another form is directed to an agricultural
harvester, including a feeder housing and a cutting platform. The
cutting platform includes a pair of side platform sections, with
each side platform section having a side belt. A center platform
section is disposed in an area between the side platform sections,
and includes at least one alignment device and at least one latch.
A center conveyor assembly is attached to the feeder housing and
removably attached to the center platform section. The center
conveyor assembly carries a center belt, and includes at least one
mating alignment device and at least one mating latch.
[0011] The invention in yet another form is directed to a method of
attaching a center conveyor assembly to a center platform section
of a draper cutting platform, including the steps of: positioning a
base unit of an agricultural harvester such that a center conveyor
assembly mounted to the front of the base unit is in general
alignment with a center platform section of the cutting platform;
moving the base unit forward until at least one alignment device
mounted to the center platform section engages with a corresponding
at least one mating alignment device mounted to the center conveyor
assembly; and latching the center conveyor assembly to the center
platform section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, top view of an agricultural combine
including an embodiment of a draper platform of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the
agricultural combine of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the center
conveyor assembly positioned relative to the center platform
section;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a top, fragmentary view of the center conveyor
assembly and center platform section shown in FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, perspective, partially phantom view
of the center conveyor assembly and center platform section shown
in FIGS. 3 and 4;
[0017] FIG. 6 is another fragmentary, perspective, partially
phantom view of the center conveyor assembly and center platform
section shown in FIGS. 3-5;
[0018] FIG. 7 is yet another fragmentary, perspective, partially
phantom view of the center conveyor assembly and center platform
section shown in FIGS. 3-6;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating the alignment device of
the center conveyor assembly in a seated position within the
vertical alignment guide of the center platform section; and
[0020] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the vertical alignment guide
in a locked position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Referring now to the drawings, and, more particularly to
FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an agricultural harvester in the form
of a combine 10 including an embodiment of a cutting platform 12 of
the present invention. Combine 10 includes a feeder housing 14
which is detachably coupled with cutting platform 12. Feeder
housing 14 receives the crop material from cutting platform 12,
both grain and non-grain crop material, and transports the crop
material to a separator within combine 10 in known manner (not
shown). The grain crop material is separated from the non-grain
crop material, cleaned and transported to a grain tank. The
non-grain crop material is transported to a chopper, blower, etc.
in known manner and distributed back to the field.
[0022] Cutting platform 12 generally includes a plurality of
platform sections 16, 18 and 20, a cutterbar assembly 22 and a reel
assembly 24. In the embodiment shown, platform section 16 is a
center platform section, platform section 18 is a first side
platform section, and platform section 20 is a second side platform
section. First side platform section 18 and second side platform
section 20 are each configured as partially foldable wing sections
in the illustrated embodiment, and thus may be referred to as wing
platform sections hereinafter. It will be appreciated, however,
that side platform sections 18 and 20 need not be partially
foldable. Further, although shown with three platform sections,
cutting platform 12 may be configured with more or less platform
sections, depending upon the particular application.
[0023] Each platform section 16,18 and 20 generally includes a
frame 26, a plurality of float arms 28 coupled with a respective
frame 26, a cutterbar assembly 22 carried by the outboard ends of
respective float arms 28, and at least one endless belt 32 (FIG.
2). The frame 26 of first wing platform section 18 and second wing
platform section 20 are each pivotally coupled with center platform
section 16, such that the outboard ends of first wing platform
section 18 and second wing platform section 20 can move up and down
independent from center platform section 16. To that end, a lift
cylinder 36 coupled between the frame of combine 10 and feeder
housing 14 lifts the entire cutting platform 12, a first tilt
cylinder 38 coupled between the respective frame 26 of first wing
platform section 18 and center platform section 16 pivotally moves
first wing platform section 18 relative to center platform section
16, and a second tilt cylinder 40 coupled between the respective
frame 26 of second wing platform section 20 and center platform
section 16 pivotally moves second wing platform section 20 relative
to center platform section 16.
[0024] Reel assembly 24 includes two reels 56, center reel support
arm 58 and a pair of outer reel support arms 60. Outer reel support
arms 60 are pivotally coupled at one end thereof with an outboard
end of a respective first wing platform section 18 or second wing
platform section 20. Outer reel support arms 60 rotationally carry
a respective reel 56 at an opposite end thereof. Each outer reel
support arm 60 may be selectively moved up and down using a
hydraulic cylinder, and the pair of hydraulic cylinders are
typically coupled in parallel so that they move together upon
actuation.
[0025] Center reel support arm 58 is pivotally coupled at one end
thereof with center platform section 16 above the opening leading
to feeder housing 14. Center reel support arm 58 rotationally
carries an inboard end of each reel 56 at an opposite end thereof.
A hydraulic motor 62 or other suitable mechanical drive
rotationally drives each reel 56. More particularly, hydraulic
motor 62 drives a common drive shaft 64 through a chain and
sprocket or other suitable arrangement (not shown). The rotational
speed of reels 56 can be adjusted by an operator by adjusting the
rotational speed of hydraulic motor 62.
[0026] Center reel support arm 58 may be selectively moved up and
down using a hydraulic cylinder 66. Center reel support arm 58 is
movable independently from outer reel support arms 60. To
accommodate this independent movement, drive shaft 64 driven by
hydraulic motor 62 is coupled at each end thereof via a universal
joint 68 with a respective reel 56. This independent movement of
center reel support arm 58 can be accomplished manually using a
separate actuating switch or lever in operator's cab 70, or
automatically using an electronic controller 72 located within cab
70 or other suitable location.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, center platform section 16 includes a
removable center conveyor assembly 70 which is positioned between
the pair of side belts (one of which is shown and labeled 32B)
carried by respective side platform sections 18 and 20. Each side
platform section 18 and 20 carries cutterbar assembly 22, which
also spans across center platform section 16. When center conveyor
assembly 70 is in the installed position, cutting platform 12 may
be used as a harvester, and when in an uninstalled position,
cutting platform 12 may be used as a swather or windrower.
[0028] Center conveyor assembly 70 includes a sub-frame 72 which
carries at least a pair of rollers (not specifically shown), which
in turn carry a center belt 32A. The rear end 74 of center conveyor
assembly 70 is coupled with a feeder drum 76 positioned at the
front of feeder housing 14. The front or leading edge 78 of center
conveyor assembly 70 carries at least one alignment device 80 which
mates with a corresponding alignment device 82 carried by center
platform section 16.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 4-9, center platform section 16 includes
at least one alignment device 82 in the form of a pair of vertical
alignment guides. Each vertical alignment guide 82 has a generally
triangular shape when viewed from the side, and includes a top
flange 84, a spaced apart diverging bottom flange 86, and a seat 88
at an apex between top and bottom flanges 84 and 86. Bottom flange
86 defines an upwardly sloped ramp which guides the alignment
device 80 at the leading edge of center conveyor assembly 70. Each
vertical alignment guide 82 is also slightly laterally flared (see
FIG. 4) which assists in side to side alignment between center
conveyor assembly 70 and center platform section 16.
[0030] Vertical alignment guide 82 also includes a latch hole 90
which extends through a side wall of vertical alignment guide 82 at
a position adjacent to seat 88, and defines an axis of rotation 92
about which vertical alignment guide 82 may pivot through a fixed
angular range. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the vertical alignment guide 82
when positioned at a downward angle of about 20 degrees prior to
connection with alignment device 80, and FIGS. 7 and 8 show the
vertical alignment guide 82 when rotated upward upon seating of
alignment device 80.
[0031] In the specific embodiment of FIGS. 3-8, the at least one
alignment device 80 includes a pair of guide pins 94 and
corresponding guide plates 96. Each guide pin 94 extends laterally
from a respective forward, lateral edge 78 of center conveyor
assembly 70. Guide pins 94 have an outside diameter which is sized
to seat within a corresponding seat 88 of a vertical alignment
guide 82. Each guide plate 96 extends rearwardly and generally
tangent from a top edge of a corresponding guide pin 94. Guide
plates 96 engage top flange 84 of a respective vertical alignment
guide 82 and rotate vertical alignment guides 82 to the upper
position shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 when guide pin 94 is fully seated
in seat 88.
[0032] A pair of latch pins 98 are slidably disposed in a bore (not
numbered) formed in a respective guide pin 94. Each latch pin 98
passes through a respective guide pin 94 and extends into a
respective latch hole 90. Latch pins 98 are preferably spring
biased (FIGS. 5-7) into a respective latch hole 90 when guide pin
94 is in the seated position in seat 88.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the angular position of each
vertical alignment guide 82 may be locked in place using a lock
100. In the illustrated embodiment, each lock 100 includes a spring
biased pin 102 which engages with a recess 104 formed in a
corresponding vertical alignment guide 82. FIG. 8 shows pin 102 in
the unlocked position, and FIG. 9 shows pin 102 in the locked
position. Pin 102 is spring biased (see, e.g., FIG. 5) and can be
manually moved from the locked to the unlocked position, or vice
versa.
[0034] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3-9, alignment guide
80 includes a guide pin 94 and a guide plate 96. Further, vertical
alignment guide 82 includes a top flange 84, bottom flange 86 and
seat 88. It is possible, however, that a different type of
alignment arrangement can be provided between center conveyor
assembly 70 and center platform section 16. For example, it could
be possible that the leading edge of center conveyor assembly 70
can have a generally U-shaped nose extending across it's width
which fits into a corresponding U-shaped recess positioned behind
the cutterbar assembly 22. Further, it is possible that the
latching mechanisms for latching center conveyor assembly 70 to
center platform section 16 can be of a different form.
Additionally, it is possible that the locking mechanisms for
locking the angular orientation of vertical alignment guide 82 can
be of a different form.
[0035] During an attachment procedure, the base unit of
agricultural harvester 10 is positioned such that center conveyor
assembly 70 mounted to the front of the base unit is in general
alignment with center platform section 16 (FIG. 3). The base unit
is moved forward (as indicated by arrow 106) until each vertical
alignment guide 82 mounted to center platform section 16 engages
with a corresponding alignment device 80 mounted to center conveyor
assembly 70. When in the seated position, each spring biased latch
pin 98 latches within a corresponding latch hole 90 to latch center
conveyor assembly 70 to center platform section 16 (FIGS. 7 and 8).
When cutting platform 12 is used as a windrower, it may be
desirable to hold vertical alignment guide 82 in an up position to
avoid dragging on the ground during use. Accordingly, latch pins
102 may be manually pulled, rotated and locked in place within a
corresponding recess 104 to lock the vertical alignment guide 82 in
the up position. To remove the center conveyor assembly 70 from
cutting platform 12, the procedure can be simply reversed.
[0036] Having described the preferred embodiment, it will become
apparent that various modifications can be made without departing
from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *