Pull-Type Crop Harvesting Machine Transport System

Abstract

A pull-type crop engaging machine such as a rotary mower comprises a frame mounted on transversely spaced field ground wheels for movement with a hitch arm extending to a tractor and a transport assembly attached behind the frame for moving downwardly to a transport position so that in the transport position the hitch arm extends from one end of the frame generally in the transverse direction for towing the machine in the transverse direction. The transport includes a transport ground wheel which acts to raise the frame to pass underneath the crop engaging system to support the machine on the wheel, on a second wheel behind the frame and on the hitch. The movement of the hitch and the wheel is connected and started at a position of the hitch so that the machine remains balanced. A shield behind the frame includes a portion which moves with the transport wheel.

1 . A pull-type crop engaging machine for towed movement by a tractor comprising:
 a frame mounted on transversely spaced field ground wheels for forward movement during field operation across ground carrying a crop;   a crop engaging system mounted in a transverse direction across a front of the frame so that the frame carries the crop engaging system in the forward direction generally at right angles to the transverse direction into the crop;   a hitch arm extending from the frame to a coupling hitch arranged for attachment to a hitch connector of a tractor by which the frame is towed in the forward direction across the ground while running on the ground wheels;   a mounting connecting the hitch arm to the frame, wherein the mounting is operable to cause movement of the hitch arm so that in the field position the hitch arm extends from the frame generally forwardly for towing the machine in the forward direction and in the transport position the hitch arm extends from the frame generally in the transverse direction for towing the machine in the transverse direction;   and a transport assembly attached to the frame for transporting the frame and the crop engaging system carried thereon in the transverse direction during transport towed by the tractor through the hitch arm;   the transport assembly comprising:
 a front transport ground wheel; 
 a rear transport ground wheel; 
 coupling components which connect the front and rear transport ground wheels to the main transverse beam of the frame for supporting the frame during transport in said transport position; 
 actuation components which move said front transport ground wheel and said rear transport ground wheel relative to the frame between said field position and the transport position; 
   in the field position:
 the front and rear transport ground wheels are carried by the main transverse beam in a stored position spaced from the ground so that the frame is carried on the field ground wheels; 
 the front and rear transport ground wheels are located in said stored position at a height above the cutter bar and rearwardly of the cutter bar; 
   and in the transport position:
 the front transport ground wheel engages the ground in front of the cutter bar and supports the frame during transport with the field ground wheels raised from the ground; 
 the rear transport ground wheel engages the ground behind the cutter bar and supports the frame during transport with the field ground wheels raised from the ground. 
   
     
     
         2 . The machine according to  claim 1  wherein said coupling components include a front wheel component which moves said front transport ground wheel from said stored position downwardly and forwardly to engage the ground in front of the cutter bar in said transport position. 
     
     
         3 . The machine according to  claim 1  wherein said coupling components comprise at least a part which is moved to said transport position after the field wheels are lifted from the ground. 
     
     
         4 . The machine according to  claim 1  wherein, in said stored position, a first of said front and rear transport ground wheels is located on one side of the center line and a second of said front and rear transport ground wheels is located on an opposed side of the center line. 
     
     
         5 . The machine according to  claim 4  wherein said coupling components move at least one of said front and rear transport ground wheels from said stored position closer to the center line. 
     
     
         6 . The machine according to  claim 1  wherein, in said stored position, a first part of the coupling components is located on one side of the center line and a second of said coupling components is located on an opposed side of the center line. 
     
     
         7 . The machine according to  claim 6  wherein said coupling components move at least one of said front and rear transport ground wheels from said stored position closer to the center line. 
     
     
         8 . The machine according to  claim 1  wherein said coupling components provide pivotal movement of at least one of the front and rear transport ground wheels about a first axis generally parallel to the main transverse beam and provide pivotal movement of at least one of the front and rear transport ground wheels about a second axis generally at right angles to the main transverse beam. 
     
     
         9 . The machine according to  claim 1  wherein said coupling components provide a first axis generally parallel to the main transverse beam and a second axis generally at right angles to the main transverse beam and wherein one of the front and rear transport ground wheels is pivotal relative to the other about one of the first and second axes and both the front and rear transport ground wheels are commonly pivotal about the other of the first and second axes. 
     
     
         10 . The machine according to  claim 9  wherein one of the front and rear transport ground wheels is pivotal relative to the other about the second axis at right angles to the main beam and both the front and rear transport ground wheels are commonly pivotal about the first axis parallel to the main beam. 
     
     
         11 . The machine according to  claim 1  wherein both the front and rear transport ground wheels in the stored position are behind the transverse main beam. 
     
     
         12 . The machine according to  claim 1  wherein both the front and rear transport ground wheels in the stored position are have at least part thereof above the transverse main beam. 
     
     
         13 . The machine according to  claim 1  wherein the machine comprises a disk mowing machine comprising a row of cutter disks at spaced positions along a cutter bar with each cutter disk being rotatable about a respective upstanding axis. 
     
     
         14 . The machine according to  claim 1  wherein the frame comprises a main transverse beam with the crop engaging member being carried on the main transverse beam in front of the main transverse beam in a transverse direction. 
     
     
         15 . The machine according to  claim 1  wherein the hitch arm is connected to the main transverse beam of the frame at a center line of the frame for pivotal movement relative to the frame between a first field position inclined forwardly and outwardly toward a first end of the frame to a second field position inclined outwardly and forwardly toward a second end of the frame and wherein the front and rear transport ground wheels are located in said stored position allowing said movement of the hitch arm between said first and second field positions.