U.S. patent application number 12/803686 was filed with the patent office on 2010-10-28 for flexible cutting platform to follow ground contour in an agricultural harvesting machine.
Invention is credited to Mark Michael Chaney, Bruce Alan Coers, Roderick James Jensen, Bradley James Watts.
Application Number | 20100269472 12/803686 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38470283 |
Filed Date | 2010-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100269472 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Coers; Bruce Alan ; et
al. |
October 28, 2010 |
Flexible cutting platform to follow ground contour in an
agricultural harvesting machine
Abstract
A cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvesting
machine includes at least one platform section having a frame, a
plurality of float arms movably coupled with the frame, an endless
belt carried by the plurality of float arms, a cutterbar assembly
carried by the plurality of float arms, and a plurality of crop
ramps extending from the cutterbar assembly. The plurality of crop
ramps are movable relative to each other and overly a leading edge
of the endless belt. The endless belt and the cutterbar assembly
are movable in a localized manner across the cutting platform in
upwards and downwards directions.
Inventors: |
Coers; Bruce Alan;
(Hillsdale, IL) ; Jensen; Roderick James; (Moline,
IL) ; Chaney; Mark Michael; (Geneseo, IL) ;
Watts; Bradley James; (Eldridge, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Taylor IP, P.C/Deere & Company
142 S. Main Street, P.O. Box 560
Avilla
IN
46710
US
|
Family ID: |
38470283 |
Appl. No.: |
12/803686 |
Filed: |
July 2, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12329157 |
Dec 5, 2008 |
|
|
|
12803686 |
|
|
|
|
11366035 |
Mar 2, 2006 |
7478521 |
|
|
12329157 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
56/15.8 ;
56/181 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01D 41/14 20130101;
A01D 61/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
56/15.8 ;
56/181 |
International
Class: |
A01D 43/06 20060101
A01D043/06; A01D 34/40 20060101 A01D034/40; A01D 34/03 20060101
A01D034/03; A01D 34/28 20060101 A01D034/28 |
Claims
1. An agricultural harvesting machine, comprising: a feeder
housing; and a cutting platform attached to said feeder housing,
said cutting platform including at least one platform section
having a frame, a plurality of float arms coupled with and
articulated with respect to said frame, an endless belt carried by
said plurality of float arms, and a cutterbar assembly carried by
said plurality of float arms and movable in a localized manner
across said cutting platform in upwards and downwards
directions.
2. The agricultural harvesting machine of claim 1, wherein said
cutterbar assembly includes a flexible substrate and a plurality of
knife guards carried by said flexible substrate.
3. The agricultural harvesting machine of claim 2, wherein each
said platform section includes a plurality of crop ramps extending
from said cutterbar assembly, said plurality of crop ramps being
movable relative to each other.
4. The agricultural harvesting machine of claim 3, wherein said
plurality of crop ramps overlie a leading edge of said endless
belt.
5. The agricultural harvesting machine of claim 1, wherein each
said float arm is pivotally coupled with said frame.
6. The agricultural harvesting machine of claim 5, wherein said
plurality of float arms include a pair of outboard float arms
positioned at opposite ends of said respective platform section,
said endless belt partially wrapping and reversing travel
directions around each said outboard float arm.
7. The agricultural harvesting machine of claim 6, wherein each
said outboard float arm includes a roller, said endless belt
partially wrapping said roller.
8. The agricultural harvesting machine of claim 1, wherein said at
least one platform section includes an adjacent pair of said
platform sections which are pivotally coupled together about a
corresponding axis.
9. The agricultural harvesting machine of claim 1, wherein said at
least one platform section comprises three platform sections.
10. The agricultural harvesting machine of claim 1, wherein said
cutting platform is one of a flexible draper with a plurality of
platform section which are movable relative to each other, and a
rigid draper with a plurality of platform section which are
substantially immovable relative to each other.
11. A cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvesting
machine, comprising: at least one platform section including a
frame, a plurality of float arms coupled with and articulated with
respect to said frame, an endless belt carried by said plurality of
float arms, a cutterbar assembly carried by said plurality of float
arms, a plurality of crop ramps extending from said cutterbar
assembly, said plurality of crop ramps being movable relative to
each other and overlying a leading edge of said endless belt, said
endless belt and said cutterbar assembly being movable in a
localized manner across said cutting platform in upwards and
downwards directions.
12. The agricultural harvesting machine of claim 11, wherein said
cutterbar assembly includes a flexible substrate and a plurality of
knife guards carried by said flexible substrate.
13. The agricultural harvesting machine of claim 11, wherein each
said float arm is pivotally coupled with said frame.
14. The agricultural harvesting machine of claim 11, wherein said
at least one platform section includes an adjacent pair of said
platform sections which are pivotally coupled together about a
corresponding axis.
15. The agricultural harvesting machine of claim 11, wherein said
at least one platform section comprises three platform
sections.
16. The agricultural harvesting machine of claim 11, wherein said
cutting platform is one of a flexible draper with a plurality of
platform section which are movable relative to each other, and a
rigid draper with a plurality of platform section which are
substantially immovable relative to each other.
17. A flexible cutting platform for use with an agricultural
harvesting machine, comprising: at least one transversely extending
platform section including a frame, a plurality of float arms
coupled with and articulated with respect to said frame, an endless
belt carried by said plurality of float arms, a cutterbar assembly
carried by said plurality of float arms, a plurality of crop ramps
extending from said cutterbar assembly, said plurality of crop
ramps being movable relative to each other and overlying a leading
edge of said endless belt, said endless belt and said cutterbar
assembly being movable in a localized manner across said cutting
platform in upwards and downwards directions.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/329,157, entitled "FLEXIBLE CUTTING PLATFORM TO FOLLOW GROUND
CONTOUR IN AN AGRICULTURAL HARVESTING MACHINE", filed Dec. 5, 2008,
which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/366,035, entitled "FLEXIBLE CUTTING PLATFORM TO FOLLOW GROUND
CONTOUR IN AN AGRICULTURAL HARVESTING MACHINE", filed Mar. 2, 2006,
now U.S. Pat. No. 7,478,521, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to agricultural harvesting
machines, such as combines, and, more particularly to agricultural
harvesting machines including a cutting platform with a belt
conveyor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] An agricultural harvesting machine 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.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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 feed 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] Draper platforms currently in use have a rigid framework not
allowing the framework to flex to any appreciable extent during
use. The draper platform can be placed in a "float" position such
that the cutterbar at the leading edge does not dig into the
ground, but the leading edge of the platform itself cannot flex
across the width of the platform as a result of uneven ground
terrain. This results in some crop material being missed in ground
depressions, etc., while also possibly causing a part of the
cutterbar to dig into localized ground elevations (e.g., small
mounds, etc.). Of course, missed crop material directly translates
into missed revenue, and localized gouging of soil can cause
additional repair expenses resulting from broken knives, knife
guards, etc.
[0008] What is needed in the art is a draper platform which better
follows the ground contour during operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention in one form is directed to an agricultural
harvesting machine, including a feeder housing and a cutting
platform attached to the feeder housing. The cutting platform
includes at least one platform section having a frame, a plurality
of float arms movably coupled with the frame, an endless belt
carried by the plurality of float arms, and a cutterbar assembly
carried by the plurality of float arms and movable in a localized
manner across the cutting platform in upwards and downwards
directions.
[0010] The invention in another form is directed to a cutting
platform for use with an agricultural harvesting machine. The
cutting platform includes at least one platform section having a
frame, a plurality of float arms movably coupled with the frame, an
endless belt carried by the plurality of float arms, a cutterbar
assembly carried by the plurality of float arms, and a plurality of
crop ramps extending from the cutterbar assembly. The plurality of
crop ramps are movable relative to each other and overly a leading
edge of the endless belt. The endless belt and the cutterbar
assembly are movable in a localized manner across the cutting
platform in upwards and downwards directions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, top view of an agricultural combine
including an embodiment of a draper platform of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the
agricultural combine of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the cutting
platform shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, top view of the leading edge of the
cutting platform shown in FIGS. 1-3:
[0015] FIG. 5 is fragmentary, sectional view as viewed along line
5-5 in FIG. 4;
[0016] FIG. 6 is fragmentary, perspective view illustrating the
belt guides, as viewed from the right of FIG. 5; and
[0017] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, side sectional view taken at the
leading edge of another embodiment of a cutting platform of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring now to the drawings, and, more particularly to
FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an agricultural harvesting machine 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.
[0019] 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 wing
platform section, and platform section 20 is a second wing platform
section. Although shown with three platform sections, cutting
platform 12 may be configured with more or less platform sections,
depending upon the particular application.
[0020] 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 30 carried by the outboard ends of respective
float arms 28, an endless belt 32, and a plurality of belt guides
34. 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.
[0021] Cutterbar assembly 22 includes two cutterbars 30 carried at
the outboard ends of float arms 28 (i.e., at the leading edge of a
platform section 16, 18 or 20). Each cutterbar 30 includes a
plurality of knives 42 carried by a bar (not specifically shown).
The particular type of knife can vary, such as a double blade knife
(as shown) or a single blade knife. The bar is formed from a metal
which is flexible to an extent allowing a desired degree of flexure
across the width of cutting platform 12. In the embodiment shown, a
majority of each cutterbar 30 is carried by a respective first wing
platform section 18 or second wing platform section 20, with a
lesser extent at the adjacent inboard ends of each cutterbar 30
being carried by center platform section 16. Cutterbars 30 are
simultaneously driven by a single knife drive 44, providing
reciprocating movement in concurrent opposite directions between
cutterbars 30. It is also possible to reciprocally drive cutterbars
30 with multiple knife drives, which can be positioned at the
adjacent, inboard ends or the outboard ends of cutterbars 30.
[0022] A plurality of knife guards 46 are positioned in opposition
to knives 42 for providing opposing surfaces for cutting the crop
material with knives 42. A plurality of keepers 48 spaced along
cutterbars 30 have a distal end above cutterbars 30 for maintaining
cutterbars 30 in place during reciprocating movement.
[0023] Float arms 28 may be pivoted at their connection locations
with a respective frame 26. A float cylinder 50 coupled between a
respective frame 26 and float arm 28 may be used for raising or
lowering the outboard end of float arm(s) 28 at the leading edge of
cutting platform 12. Each float cylinder 50 may also be placed in a
"float" position allowing the connected float arm 28 to generally
follow the ground contour during operation. More particularly, each
float cylinder 50 is fluidly connected with an accumulator 52
carried by a platform section 16, 18 or 20. Accumulator 52 allows
fluid to flow to and from attached float cylinders 50 such that no
pressure build-up occurs. In this manner, the rams associated with
each float cylinder 50 are free to move back and forth
longitudinally, thereby allowing float arms 28 to follow the ground
contour. When not in a float mode, float cylinders 50 can be
actuated to move float arms 28 in an upward or downward direction.
In the embodiment shown, each float cylinder 50 is a hydraulic
cylinder, but could possibly be configured as a gas cylinder for a
particular application.
[0024] Each float arm 28 is also associated with a respective
roller 54. The plurality of rollers 54 for each platform section
16, 18 and 20 carry and are positioned within a loop of a
respective endless belt 32. At the inboard end of first wing
platform section 18 and second wing platform section 20 is a driven
roller, and at the outboard end of first wing platform section 18
and second wing platform section 20 is an idler roller. The rollers
positioned between the inboard drive roller and outboard idler
roller at each float arm 28 also function as idler rollers. It will
be appreciated that the number of float arms 28, and thus the
number of rollers 54, may vary depending upon the overall width of
cutting head 12 transverse to the travel direction.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] According to an aspect of the present invention, each
platform section 16, 18 and 20 has a leading edge which is
configured to allow cutterbar assembly 22 to flex an appreciable
extent in a localized manner across the width of cutting platform
12.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, each float arm 28 has a distal
end adjacent the leading edge of cutting platform 12. The float
arms 28 associated with each respective platform section 16, 18 and
20 are mounted with a corresponding flexible substrate 74 extending
substantially across the width of that particular platform section
16, 18 or 20. Flexible substrate 74 for each particular platform
section 16, 18 and 20 in essence forms the backbone to which the
other modular components (to be described hereinafter) are mounted
and allows flexibility of the platform section across the width
thereof. In the embodiment shown, flexible substrate 74 is a steel
plate with various mounting holes formed therein, and has a modulus
of elasticity providing a desired degree of flexibility. The
geometric configuration and material type from which flexible
substrate 74 is formed may vary, depending upon the
application.
[0030] The distal end of each float arm 28 is fastened to a knife
guard 46, flexible substrate 74, crop ramp 76 and hold down 48.
Cutterbar 30, including blades 44 carried by bar 78, is
reciprocally carried by knife guards 46. Hold downs 48 which are
spaced across the width of cutterbar 30 retain bar 78 within the
corresponding grooves formed in knife guards 46.
[0031] Crop ramps 76 are overlapped but not rigidly attached to
each other, thereby allowing flexure during harvesting operation.
Each crop ramp 76 forms an upper ledge positioned above endless
belt 32 which assists in maintaining the crop material on endless
belt 32 as it is transported toward feeder housing 14. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 5, crop ramp 76 has a flat, angled
orientation to assist in transport of the crop material from
cutterbar assembly 22 to endless belt 32. For certain applications,
it may be possible to eliminate crop ramps 76.
[0032] A bushing housing 80 also mounted to flexible substrate 74
carries a bushing (not shown) which in turn carries a mount 82 for
rotatably supporting roller 54.
[0033] As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, endless belt 32 is guided by
a plurality of belt guides 84, upper run carriers 86 and lower run
carriers 88. Endless belt 32 has a plurality of spaced apart cleats
90 which do not extend to the lateral side edges thereof, allowing
belt 32 to travel between belt guides 84 and upper run carriers 86
without unnecessary clearance space therebetween.
[0034] Each belt guide 84 is positioned adjacent to but is not
connected with a corresponding crop ramp 76. The number and width
of belt guides 84 substantially corresponds to the number and width
of crop ramps 76. Each belt guide 84 has a generally L-shaped
cross-sectional configuration with leading and trailing edges
(relative to the direction of travel of endless belt 32) which are
overlapped relative to each other. In FIG. 6, the direction of
travel of the upper run of endless belt 32 between belt guides 84
and upper run carriers 86 is indicated by directional arrow 92. As
will be observed, each belt guide 84 includes a tongue 94 which is
underlapped with an adjacent belt guide 84. The direction of
underlapping between adjacent belt guides 84 is generally opposite
to the travel direction of endless belt 32. On the other hand, the
crop material which is carried by endless belt 32 also slides along
the upper surface of each belt guide 84. The underlap arrangement
between adjacent belt guides 84 is in the same direction as the
crop material across the upper surfaces thereof, resulting in less
resistance and accumulation of the crop material as it slides along
belt guides 84.
[0035] As described above with regard to crop ramp 76, belt guides
84 also may move relative to each other during flexure of cutting
platform 12. To accommodate such movement, adjacent belt guides 84
are underlapped in a manner providing a clearance distance 96
therebetween. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, clearance distance
96 is between 4 to 25 millimeters, preferably approximately between
6 to 12 millimeters. This clearance distance has been found to be
suitable to prevent impingement between adjacent belt guides 84
during maximum flexure in a downward direction.
[0036] Upper run carriers 86 and lower run carriers 88 each have
down turned leading and trailing edges to prevent catching with
endless belt 32. As may be observed in FIG. 6, each upper run
carrier 86 and generally vertically aligned lower run carrier 88
are positioned in correspondence with and generally below a belt
guide 84 and crop ramp 76. Endless belt 32 is for the most part in
fact carried by the upper surfaces of upper run carriers 86 during
operation. Conversely, endless belt 32 typically does not ride
along the upper surfaces of lower run carriers 88, which assist in
guiding endless belt 32 in the event of belt sagging, etc.
[0037] Configured as shown in FIG. 5, the leading edge of cutting
platform 12 has a projected height of between approximately 3 to 4
inches. The projected height is primarily defined by the distance
between skid shoe 96 and the upper extent of crop ramp 76.
[0038] During harvesting operation, float arms 28 are placed in a
float state allowing free upward and downward movement as combine
10 traverses over the ground surface. Cutterbar assembly 22 moves
up and down with float arms 28 on a localized basis, and crop ramps
76 and belt guides 84 move relative to each other to allow the
flexibility at the leading edge of each platform section 16, 18 and
20. Belt guides 84 also cause each belt 32 to follow the cutterbar
assembly by holding down on the upper surface of the belt as
cutterbar assembly 22 locally dips downward. This prevents crop
material from entering beneath belt 32. The present invention
therefore provides a cutting platform which flexes to a high
degree, efficiently moves crop material to the feeder housing, and
maximizes harvest yield by better following the ground contour.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a fragmentary,
sectional view through the leading edge of another embodiment of a
cutting platform 100 of the present invention. The embodiment shown
in FIG. 7 is in many respects similar to the embodiment shown in
FIG. 5 and described above. The primary difference is that cutting
platform 100 includes a plurality of adjacent and overlapped crop
ramps 102 with a generally vertical front wall and the crop
retaining ledge shifted closer to the cutterbar adjacent the front
wall. This allows more room under the crop ramps for accommodating
the various components which are interconnected together.
Additionally, shifting the crop retaining ledge to the front wall
which is closer to the cutterbar allows the crop material to be
shifted onto the upper deck adjacent endless belt 32 sooner, and
also provides a slightly larger carrying surface as the crop
material is moved toward feeder housing 14.
[0040] 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.
* * * * *