Support and linkage system for harvester platforms

Claim 2

A crop harvester including a wheeled frame and a harvester platform mounted on said frame forwardly thereof in the direction of travel of the crop harvester, wherein the improvement comprises: arm means pivotally interconnecting said platform and said frame; lift means for raising said platform relative to said frame; and suspension means effective in torsion operatively interconnected between said frame and said arm means for floatably supporting said platform relative to said frame, said suspension means including a portion extending transversely to the direction of travel so as to define a transverse axis along which the torsion is effective.

Claim 3

A crop harvester including a wheeled frame and a harvester platform mounted on said frame forwardly thereof in the direction of travel of the crop harvester, wherein the improvement comprises: arm means pivotally interconnecting said platform and said frame; lift means for raising said platform relative to said frame; and suspension means effective in torsion operatively interconnected between said frame and said arm means for floatably supporting said platform relative to said frame, said suspension means including an elongate bar having an end fixed to said frame, a torque arm rigidly coupled to the other end of said bar, and a control rod pivotally coupled between said torque arm and said arm means, whereby downward movement of said platform is effective to induce torsional stress in said bar to yieldably resist said downward movement.

Claim 4

A crop harvester including a wheeled frame and a harvester platform mounted on said frame forwardly thereof in the direction of travel of the crop harvester, wherein the improvement comprises: arm means pivotally interconnecting said platform and said frame; lift means for raising said platform relative to said frame; and suspension means effective in torsion operatively interconnected between said frame and said arm means for floatably supporting said platform relative to said frame, said suspension means including an elongate bar having an end fixed to said frame, a torque arm rigidly coupled to the other end of said bar, and a control rod pivotally coupled between said torque arm and said arm means, whereby downward movement of said platform is effective to induce torsional stress in said bar to yieldably resist said downward movement.

Claim 5

A crop harvester including a wheeled frame and a harvester platform mounted on said frame forwardly thereof in the direction of travel of the crop harvester, wherein the improvement comprises: a pair of lift arms pivotally connected to said frame and extending forwardly in coupled relation to said platform; a pair of lift cylinders coupled between said frame and said lift arms respectively for raising said platform relative to said frame; and a pair of torsion bars operatively coupled between said frame and said lift arms respectively for floatably suspending said platform relative to said frame.

Claim 6

A crop harvester including a wheeled frame and a harvester platform mounted on said frame forwardly thereof in the direction of travel of the crop harvester, wherein the improvement comprises: a pair of lift arms pivotally connected to said frame and extending forwardly in coupled relation to said platform; a pair of lift cylinders coupled between said frame and said lift arms respectively for raising said platform relative to said frame; and a pair of torsion bars operatively coupled between said frame and said lift arms respectively for floatably suspending said platform relative to said frame.

Claim 7

The subject matter of claim 3, wherein said lift arms are disposed adjacent opposite end portions of said platform and coupled thereto by universal connections permitting each end portion to move in a generally vertical direction independently of the opposite end portion.

Claim 8

A windrower including an ambulatory frame, a harvester platform mounted on said frame forwardly thereof in the direction of travel of the windrower for harvesting a crop, wherein the improvement comprises: a pair of lift arms pivotally connected to said frame and extending forwardly therefrom for connection to said harvester platform; connection means coupling said lift arms to said platform about a horizontal axis; a pair of lift cylinders coupled between said frame and said lift arms respectively for raising said platform relative to said frame; a pair of torsion bars operatively coupled between said frame and said lift arms respectively for floatably suspending said platform relative to said framE; and longitudinally adjustable link means coupled between said frame and said platform for pivoting said platform about said axis for varying the attitude of said platform relative to said frame.

Claim 9

A windrower including an ambulatory frame, a harvester platform mounted on said frame forwardly thereof in the direction of travel of the windrower for harvesting a crop, wherein the improvement comprises: a pair of lift arms pivotally connected to said frame and extending forwardly therefrom for connection to said harvester platform; connection means coupling said lift arms to said platform about a horizontal axis; a pair of lift cylinders coupled between said frame and said lift arms respectively for raising said platform relative to said frame; a pair of torsion bars operatively coupled between said frame and said lift arms respectively for floatably suspending said platform relative to said framE; and longitudinally adjustable link means coupled between said frame and said platform for pivoting said platform about said axis for varying the attitude of said platform relative to said frame.

Claim 10

The subject matter of claim 5, wherein said connection means includes a ball and socket connections permitting independent vertical movement of the opposite ends of said platform.

Claim 11

The subject matter of claim 5, wherein each of said torsion bars includes an end anchored to said frame and an opposite end journaled for rotation, a torque arm coupled to said opposite end, and a control rod pivotally coupled between said torque arm and a respective one of said lift arms.

Claim 12

A windrower including a wheeled frame and a harvester platform mounted on said frame forwardly thereof in the direction of travel of the windrower for harvesting a crop, wherein the improvement comprises: arm means disposed in the direction of travel of the windrower pivotally interconnecting said platform and said frame; lift means for raising said platform relative to said frame between lower operative positions and a raised transport position; and suspension means effective in torsion operatively interconnected between said frame and said arm means for floatably supporting said platform relative to said frame in the operative positions, said suspension means including a portion extending transversely to the direction of travel so as to define a transverse axis along which the torsion is effective.

Claim 13

A windrower including a wheeled frame and a harvester platform mounted on said frame forwardly thereof in the direction of travel of the windrower for harvesting a crop, wherein the improvement comprises: arm means disposed in the direction of travel of the windrower pivotally interconnecting said platform and said frame; lift means for raising said platform relative to said frame between lower operative positions and a raised transport position; and suspension means effective in torsion operatively interconnected between said frame and said arm means for floatably supporting said platform relative to said frame in the operative positions, said suspension means including a portion extending transversely to the direction of travel so as to define a transverse axis along which the torsion is effective.

Claim 14

The subject matter of claim 8, wherein said suspension means includes a lost-motion connection permitting raising of the platform to its transport position without inducing torsional stress in said suspension means.

Claim 15

The subject matter of claim 8, wherein said arm means includes a pair of lift arms disposed adjacent opposite end portions of said platform and coupled thereto by universal connections permitting each end portion to move in a generally vertical direction independently of the opposite end portion.