Crop harvesting machine convertible between field operating and road transporting orientations

Claim 2

In a crop harvesting machine movable in a forward direction across a field and being of the type which includes an elongated crop material harvesting means, improved apparatus for facilitating conversion of said harvesting means from field operating to road transporting orientations which comprises: first structure supporting said harvesting means, said first structure and said harvesting means being pivotal in relation to each other about a generally upright axis; second structure supporting said first structure and being rotatable in relation thereto about a generally horizontal axis; rotatable spaced apart ground wheels mounted to and supporting said second structure at locations similarly offset from said horizontal axis; means for rotating said second structure and ground wheels relative to said first structure so as to effect relative movement between said wheels and said first structure and thereby move said harvesting means relative to said wheels and the field between a lowered position in which said harvesting means is disposed adjacent the field and a raised position in which said harvesting means is disposed remote from the field; and means for pivoting said first structure and said harvesting means relative to each other about said upright axis, when said harvesting means is at its raised position, so as to facilitate conversion of said harvesting means from a field operating orientation in which said harvesting means axially extends generally transverse to said forward direction of machine movement across the field to a road transporting orientation in which said harvesting means axially extends generally parallel to said forward direction of machine movement across the field.

Claim 3

The machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said ground wheels are rotatable about a common horizontal axis extending generally parallel to said horizontal axis of rotation of said first and second structures.

Claim 4

The machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said second structure includes: an elongated cylindrical member rotatably supporting said first structure; and spaced apart transversely extending arms respectively fixed to said cylindrical member, said ground wheels being respectively rotatably mounted to said arms.

Claim 5

The machine as recited in claim 3, wherein said first structure includes a tubular member concentrically mounted about said cylindrical member of said second structure between said arms thereof.

Claim 6

The machine as recited in claim 4, wherein: said first structure further includes a first pivot element fixed along said tubular member thereof; and said harvesting means includes a second pivot element, said first and second pivot elements being concentrically arranged together and defining said upright axis.

Claim 7

The machine as recited in claim 5, wherein said harvesting means further includes a coupling element laterally spaced from said second pivot element so as to couple with one of said second structure cylindrical member or said first structure tubular member when said harvesting means is disposed in said field operating orientation and uncouple from said one of said members upon conversion of said harvesting means to said road transporting orientation.

Claim 8

The machine as recited in claim 4, wherein said means for rotating said second structure relative to said first structure includes extensible and retractable means interconnecting and capable of acting between sAid first structure tubular member and at least one of said arms on said second structure cylindrical member.

Claim 9

The machine as recited in claim 4, wherein said means for pivoting said first structure and said harvesting means relative to each other includes extensible and retractable means interconnecting and capable of acting between said first structure tubular member and said harvesting means.

Claim 10

In a crop harvesting machine movable in a forward direction across a field and being of the type which includes a main frame and an elongated crop material harvesting header mounted to said main frame and extending along a forward side thereof, improved apparatus for facilitating conversion of said header from field operating to road transporting orientations which comprises: first structure supporting said main frame in overlying relation, said first structure and main frame being pivotal in relation to each other about a generally upright axis; second structure supporting said first structure and being rotatable in relation thereto about a generally horizontal axis; rotatable spaced apart ground wheels mounted to and supporting said second structure at locations similarly offset from said horizontal axis; means interconnecting said first and second structures and actuatable for rotating said second structure and said wheels relative to said first structure so as to effect relative movement between said wheels and said first structure and thereby move said main frame and header relative to said wheels and the field between a lowered position in which said header is disposed adjacent the field forwardly of said wheels and a raised position in which said header is disposed forwardly and above said wheels; and means interconnecting said first structure and said main frame and actuatable for pivoting said first structure and main frame relative to each other about said upright axis, when said main frame and header are at said raised position, so as to facilitate conversion of said header from a field operating orientation in which said header extends generally transverse to said forward direction of machine movement across the field to a road transporting orientation in which said header extends generally parallel to said forward direction and overlies said second structure and one of said ground wheels.

Claim 11

In a crop harvesting machine movable in a forward direction across a field and being of the type which includes a main frame and an elongated crop material harvesting header mounted to said main frame and extending along a forward side thereof, improved apparatus for facilitating conversion of said header from field operating to road transporting orientations which comprises: first structure supporting said main frame in overlying relation, said first structure and main frame being pivotal in relation to each other about a generally upright axis; second structure supporting said first structure and being rotatable in relation thereto about a generally horizontal axis; rotatable spaced apart ground wheels mounted to and supporting said second structure at locations similarly offset from said horizontal axis; means interconnecting said first and second structures and actuatable for rotating said second structure and said wheels relative to said first structure so as to effect relative movement between said wheels and said first structure and thereby move said main frame and header relative to said wheels and the field between a lowered position in which said header is disposed adjacent the field forwardly of said wheels and a raised position in which said header is disposed forwardly and above said wheels; and means interconnecting said first structure and said main frame and actuatable for pivoting said first structure and main frame relative to each other about said upright axis, when said main frame and header are at said raised position, so as to facilitate conversion of said header from a field operating orientation in which said header extends generally transverse to said forward direction of machine movement across the field to a road transporting orientation in which said header extends generally parallel to said forward direction and overlies said second structure and one of said ground wheels.

Claim 12

The machine as recited in claim 9, wherein said second structure includes: an elongated cylindrical member rotatably supporting said first structure; and spaced apart transversely extending arms respectively fixed to said cylindrical member, said ground wheels being respectively rotatably mounted to said arms.

Claim 13

The machine as recited in claim 10, wherein said first structure includes a tubular member concentrically mounted about said cylindrical member of said second structure between said arms thereof.

Claim 14

The machine as recited in claim 11, wherein said actuatable means for rotating said second structure and said wheels relative to said first structure is a hydraulic cylinder interconnecting and acting between said tubular member of said first structure and at least one of said wheel arms of said second structure.

Claim 15

The machine as recited in claim 11, wherein: said first structure further includes a first pivot element fixed along said tubular member thereof; and said main frame includes a second pivot element, said first and second pivot elements being concentrically arranged together and defining said upright axis.

Claim 16

The machine as recited in claim 13, wherein said main frame further includes a coupling element laterally spaced from said second pivot element so as to couple with one of said second structure cylindrical member or said first structure tubular member when said header is disposed in said transverse alignment in said field operating orientation and uncouple from said one of said members upon conversion of said header to said parallel alignment in said road transporting orientation.

Claim 17

The machIne as recited in claim 11, wherein said actuatable means for pivoting said first structure and said main frame relative to each other is a hydraulic cylinder interconnecting and acting between said tubular member and said main frame.

Claim 18

The machine as recited in claim 9, wherein said improved apparatus further comprising: an elongated draft member pivotally mounted at its rear end to said main frame about a generally upright axis, said draft member extending to a forward end which is adapted for attachment to a towing vehicle; and means coupled between said rear end of said draft member and said main frame for causing relative pivotal movement between said draft member and said main frame so as to further facilitate conversion of said header between said field operating and road transporting orientations.

Claim 19

In a crop harvesting machine movable in a forward direction across a field behind a towing vehicle and being of the type which includes an elongated crop material harvesting means, improved apparatus for converting said harvesting means between field operating and road transporting orientations which comprises: mobile means supporting said harvesting means, said mobile means and said harvesting means being pivotal in relation to each other about a first upright axis; first hydraulic actuating means coupled between said mobile means and said harvesting means for pivoting said mobile means and said harvesting means relative to each other about said first upright axis between a field operating orientation in which said mobile means supports said harvesting means in a generally transverse alignment to said forward direction of machine movement during harvesting operation across the field and a road transporting orientation in which said mobile means supports said harvesting means in a generally parallel alignment to said forward direction; an elongated draft member pivotally mounted at its rear end upon said harvesting means about a second upright axis, said draft member extending longitudinally forward from said harvesting means to a forward end which is adapted for attachment to said towing vehicle; and second hydraulic actuating means coupled between said harvesting means and said rear end of said draft member for pivoting said draft member and said harvesting means relative to each other about said second upright axis, whereby coordinated actuation of said first and second actuating means effects relative pivoting between said harvesting means and said mobile means about said first upright axis and between said harvesting means and said draft member about said second upright axis and thereby pivoting of said harvesting means with respect to said mobile frame and draft member between its generally transverse alignment in said field operating orientation and its generally parallel alignment in said road transporting orientation.

Claim 20

In a crop harvesting machine movable in a forward direction across a field behind a towing vehicle and being of the type which includes an elongated crop material harvesting means, improved apparatus for converting said harvesting means between field operating and road transporting orientations which comprises: mobile means supporting said harvesting means, said mobile means and said harvesting means being pivotal in relation to each other about a first upright axis; first hydraulic actuating means coupled between said mobile means and said harvesting means for pivoting said mobile means and said harvesting means relative to each other about said first upright axis between a field operating orientation in which said mobile means supports said harvesting means in a generally transverse alignment to said forward direction of machine movement during harvesting operation across the field and a road transporting orientation in which said mobile means supports said harvesting means in a generally parallel alignment to said forward direction; an elongated draft member pivotally mounted at its rear end upon said harvesting means about a second upright axis, said draft member extending longitudinally forward from said harvesting means to a forward end which is adapted for attachment to said towing vehicle; and second hydraulic actuating means coupled between said harvesting means and said rear end of said draft member for pivoting said draft member and said harvesting means relative to each other about said second upright axis, whereby coordinated actuation of said first and second actuating means effects relative pivoting between said harvesting means and said mobile means about said first upright axis and between said harvesting means and said draft member about said second upright axis and thereby pivoting of said harvesting means with respect to said mobile frame and draft member between its generally transverse alignment in said field operating orientation and its generally parallel alignment in said road transporting orientation.

Claim 21

In a crop harvesting machine movable in a forward direction across a field behind a towing vehicle and being of the type which includes a main frame and an elongated crop material harvesting header mounted to said main frame, improved apparatus for converting said header between field operating and road transporting orientations which comprises: a mobile auxiliary frame supporting said main frame in overlying relation, said auxiliary frame and main frame being pivotal in relation to each other about a first upright axis; first means interconnecting said auxiliary frame and main frame and actuatable for pivoting said auxiliary frame and main frame relative to each other about said first upright axis between a field operating orientation in which said auxiliary frame supports said main frame with said header in a generally transverse alignment to said forward direction of machine movement during harvesting operation across the field and a road transporting orientation in which said auxiliary frame supports said main frame with said header in a generally parallel alignment to said forward direction; an elongated draft member pivotally mounted at its rear end upon said main frame about a second upright axis at a generally central location between opposite lateral sides of said main frame and above an upper portion thereof, said draft member extending longitudinally forward from said main frame to a forward end which is adapted for attachment to said towing vehicle; and second means coupled between said main frame and said rear end of said draft member and actuatable for pivoting said draft member and main frame relative to each other about said second upright axis, whereby coordinated actuation of said first and second means effects relative pivoting between said main frame and auxiliary frame about said first upright axis and between said main frame and draft member about said second upright axis and thereby pivoting of said header with respect to said draft member and auxiliary frame between its generally transverse alignment in said field operating orientation and its generally parallel alignment in said road transporting orientation.

Claim 22

In a crop harvesting machine movable in a forward direction across a field behind a towing vehicle and being of the type which includes a main frame and an elongated crop material harvesting header mounted to said main frame, improved apparatus for converting said header between field operating and road transporting orientations which comprises: a mobile auxiliary frame supporting said main frame in overlying relation, said auxiliary frame and main frame being pivotal in relation to each other about a first upright axis; first means interconnecting said auxiliary frame and main frame and actuatable for pivoting said auxiliary frame and main frame relative to each other about said first upright axis between a field operating orientation in which said auxiliary frame supports said main frame with said header in a generally transverse alignment to said forward direction of machine movement during harvesting operation across the field and a road transporting orientation in which said auxiliary frame supports said main frame with said header in a generally parallel alignment to said forward direction; an elongated draft member pivotally mounted at its rear end upon said main frame about a second upright axis at a generally central location between opposite lateral sides of said main frame and above an upper portion thereof, said draft member extending longitudinally forward from said main frame to a forward end which is adapted for attachment to said towing vehicle; and second means coupled between said main frame and said rear end of said draft member and actuatable for pivoting said draft member and main frame relative to each other about said second upright axis, whereby coordinated actuation of said first and second means effects relative pivoting between said main frame and auxiliary frame about said first upright axis and between said main frame and draft member about said second upright axis and thereby pivoting of said header with respect to said draft member and auxiliary frame between its generally transverse alignment in said field operating orientation and its generally parallel alignment in said road transporting orientation.

Claim 23

The machine as recited in claim 18, wherein: said header extends along a forward side of said main frame and substantially beyond said opposite lateral sides of said main frame; and said draft member extends longitudinally forward from said main frame above said header.

Claim 24

The machine as recited in claim 18, wherein said mobile auxiliary frame includes: first structure supporting said main frame in overlying relation, said first structure and main frame being pivotal in relation to each other about said first upright axis; second structure supporting said first structure and being rotatable in relation thereto about a generally horizontal axis; rotatable spaced apart ground wheels mounted to and supporting said second structure at locations similarly offset from said horizontal axis; and third means interconnecting said first and second structures and actuatable for rotating said second structure and said ground wheels relative to said first structure so as to effect relative movement between said wheels and said first structure when said header is in its transverse alignment in said field operating orientation and thereby move said main frame and header relative to said wheels and the field between a lowered position in which said header is disposed adjacent the field and a raised position in which said header is disposed remote from the field.

Claim 25

The machine as recited in claim 20, wherein said second structure includes: an elongated cylindrical member rotatably supporting said first structure; and spaced apart transversely extending arms respectively fixed to said cylindrical member, said ground wheels being respectively rotatably mounted to said arms.

Claim 26

The machine as recited in claim 21, wherein said first structure includes a tubular member concentrically mounted about said cylindrical member of said second structure between said arms thereof.

Claim 27

The machine as recited in claim 22, wherein: said first structure further includes a first pivot element fixed along said tubular member thereof; and said main frame includes a second pivot element, said first and second pivot elements being concentrically arranged together and defining said first upright axis.

Claim 28

The machine as recited in claim 23, wherein said main frame further includes a coupling element laterally spaced from said second pivot element so as to couple with one of said second structure cylindrical member or said first structure tubular member when said header is disposed in said transverse alignment in said field operating orientation and uncouple from said one of said members upon conversion of said header to said parallel alignment in said road transporting orientation.

Claim 29

The machine as recited in claim 22, wherein said actuatable means for rotating said second structure and said wheels relative to said first structure includes extensible and retractable means interconnecting and Capable of acting between said first structure tubular member and at least one of said arms on said second structure cylindrical member.

Claim 30

The machine as recited in claim 22, wherein said actuatable means for pivoting said first structure and main frame relative to each other includes extensible and retractable means interconnecting and capable of acting between said first structure tubular member and said main frame.

Claim 31

The machine as recited in claim 18, wherein said second means includes: linkage means pivotally coupled at one end to said rear end of said draft member and at another end to said main frame at a location thereon adjacent to said rear end of said draft member; and extensible and retractable means pivotally coupled at one end to said main frame at a location thereon remote from said rear end of said draft member and at an opposite end to said linkage means at a location thereon between said ends of said linkage means.

Claim 32

The machine as recited in claim 27, wherein: said second means further includes a tab fixed to and protruding from one side of said rear end of said draft member; and said linkage means of said second means comprises a first link pivotally coupled at one end to an outer end of said tab and at an opposite end to said opposite end of said extensible and retractable means, and a second link pivotally coupled at one end to said main frame at a location thereon adjacent to an opposite side from said one side of said rear end of said draft member, said second link extending to an opposite end located adjacent said one side of said rear end of said draft member and pivotally coupled to said opposite end of said extensible and retractable means, whereby extension and retraction of said extensible and retractable means causes movement of said first link along an arcuate path located adjacent said one side of said rear end of said draft member and pivotal movement of said second link toward and away from said rear end of said draft member and thereby relative pivotal movement between said main frame and said draft member about said upright axis.

Claim 33

The machine as recited in claim 28, wherein said second link has an arcuate profile which projects away from said rear end of said draft member such that upon pivotal movement of said second link to adjacent said rear end of said draft member an imaginary line connecting said one end and opposite end of said second link extends through said rear end of said draft member.

Claim 34

The machine as recited in claim 18, wherein: said draft member at its forward end also is adapted for pivotal movement relative to said vehicle about a third upright axis; said second means further is actuatable for causing selected pivoting of said draft member relative to said main frame about said second upright axis, when said auxiliary frame supports said main frame with said header in said generally transverse alignment in said field operating orientation, such that said draft member extends to any position located from adjacent the forward left side of said main frame and said header mounted thereto to adjacent the forward right side thereof, said pivotal movement of said draft member relative to said main frame in turn causing opposite pivoting of said draft member relative to said vehicle about said third upright axis, due to said main frame being supported by said auxiliary frame with said header in said transverse alignment, to thereby provide for towing of said machine by said vehicle and disposing of said main frame and header at any selected position between offset of the right and of the left rear sides of said vehicle during field harvesting operation.

Claim 35

The machine as recited in claim 30, wherein: said header extends along a forward side of said main frame and substantially beyond said opposite lateral sides of said main frame; and said draft member extends longitudinally forward from said main frame above said header.