Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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1
CROP HARVESTING MACHINE WITH A HEADER SEPARABLE FROM A
TRACTOR
This invention relates to a crop harvesting machine including a header
and a tractor where the header is separable from the tractor._
Reference is made to the following patents and applications by the
same assignee, the disclosure of each of which provides further details which
may be
used in the machines disclosed herein:
US Patent 8,245,489 (Talbot) issued August 21 2012 which discloses a
combine harvester where the header is carried on gauge wheels.
US Patent 8,225,903 (Dunn) issued July 24 200712 which discloses a
tractor of the type suitable for use herein where the tractor includes a
suspension
system.
US Patent 8,020,648 (Otto) issued September 20 2011 which discloses
a tractor of the type suitable for use herein where the tractor has a rear
suspension.
US Patent 7,958,706 (Remillard) issued June 14 2011 which discloses a
tractor of the type suitable for use herein where the tractor includes a reel
speed
control.
US Patent 7,918,076 (Talbot) issued April 5 2011 which discloses a
header of the type suitable for use herein where the header has three sections
which
include a balance of lifting forces across the three sections.
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US Patent 7,721,830 (Dunn) issued May 25 2010 which discloses a
tractor of the type suitable for use herein with steering control.
US Patent 7,373,769 (Talbot) issued May 20 2008 which discloses a
header with a wear shield under the cutter bar.
US Patent 7,347,277 (Enns) issued March 25 2008 which discloses a
header with a self-contained transport system.
US Patent 7,472,533 (Talbot) issued Jan 6 2009 which discloses a
header with a cutter bar and draper with a seal between the draper and cutter
bar.
US Patent 7,159,687 (Dunn) issued Jan 9 2007 which discloses a
tractor of the type suitable for use herein where the tractor carries a header
across a
front face thereof for movement across the field for forming a swath from a
standing
crop where the tractor can be reversed in direction for transport.
US Patent 7,197,865 (Enns) issued April 3 2007 which discloses a
header for mounting across a front face of the tractor above for movement
across the
field for forming a swath from a standing crop where the header includes
ground
wheels movable from field positions to a transport position where the header
can be
turned through 90 degrees and pulled by the tractor in a longitudinal
direction behind
the tractor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a crop harvesting machine for harvesting
standing crop where a header can be moved into a transport position.
A machine of this type generally includes a crop header for cutting a
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standing crop including a header frame, a cutter extending across a front
cutter bar of
the header frame for cutting the crop, and a transport system operable to
transport the
crop to a central discharge opening of the header so as to form a swath.
Typically the cutter is a sickle knife of the type described in the above
patents but in some cases other types of cutter can be used. In many cases the
transport device is a draper but other types of transport including augers can
be used.
The machine further includes a tractor or other vehicle for carrying the
header including a tractor frame having a first end and a second end, ground
wheels
for supporting the tractor in movement across the ground including a pair of
transversely spaced first wheels at the first end, a mounting assembly at the
first end
of the tractor frame for supporting the header, and a lift arrangement for
raising and
lowering the mounting assembly.
In some cases the tractor can be a swather tractor where the first
ground wheels and the mounting assembly are arranged such that the swath when
discharged from the central discharge opening passes between the first ground
wheels and components of the mounting assembly so as to be deposited as a
swath
behind the tractor. In most cases there is provided a spring float assembly
connecting
the header frame to the mounting assembly so as to allow movement of the
header
relative to the mounting assembly of the tractor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a crop
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harvesting machine comprising:
a tractor having a front and a rear with the front arranged forward of the
rear when moving in a working direction;
a driver cabin on the tractor;
ground wheels rotatably supported on the tractor frame for movement of
the tractor in the working direction across the ground which carries a crop to
be
harvested;
an engine and hydraulic pump mounted on the tractor for providing a
pressurized fluid output;
a header having an elongate support structure arranged across the front
of the tractor extending from one end of the header to an opposed end of the
header;
the header including a cutter system extending across a width of the
header for cutting a standing crop as the header is moved over the ground;
the header including a hydraulic header drive system for driving at least
the cutter system;
a mounting assembly carrying the header at a position forward of the
front of the tractor so as to support the header in movement over the ground
as the
tractor is moved in the working direction;
the mounting assembly including linkages mounting the header on the
tractor for movements of the header relative to the tractor at least in a
first direction
upwardly and downwardly and in a second direction of twisting movement where
said
one end of the header is movable upwardly and downward relative to said
opposed
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end of the header;
the mounting assembly being releasable for disconnection of the header
from the tractor;
a flexible conduit assembly having one or more conduits having an
5 extent from the tractor to the header for connecting the pressurized fluid
from the
tractor to the hydraulic header drive system;
and a conduit support member for supporting the conduit assembly in at
least part of the extent from the tractor to the header;
the conduit support member being connected by a rear connection
member at a rearward end of the conduit support member to the tractor;
the conduit support member being connected by a front connection
member at a forward end of the support conduit member to the header;
one of the front and rear connection members forming a releasable
coupling for disconnection of the conduit support member from either the
tractor or the
header;
the conduit support member including articulation components providing
articulation of said forward end of the conduit support member relative to the
rearward
end of the conduit support member so as to accommodate said movements of the
header relative to the tractor;
the conduit support member including support components providing
support to the conduit assembly to prevent collapse thereof when said
releasable
coupling is disconnected.
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6
The tractor is typically a swather tractor where the header is a swather
header for collecting the cut crop or discharge into a swath behind the
tractor.
However the same arrangement can also be used on other constructions including
a
combine harvester.
In general therefore the arrangement as described in more detail
hereinafter provides a support arm attached to the header which is arranged to
carry
the heavy hydraulic hoses which are connected to the tractor for supplying the
drive
fluid to the hydraulic system of the header. Support arm is articulated so as
to
accommodate the up-and-down and twisting movement of the header relative to
the
tractor during harvesting action. The support arm is attached at the rear to
the tractor
preferably at the wheel strut by a releasable ball joint coupling. From the
coupling at
the wheel strut, there is a free portion of the hydraulic hoses which extends
to the
manifold at the tractor where the ends of the houses are attached to manually
graspable handle portions which can be lifted away and the attached to a
bracket on
the support arm.
Preferably the conduit assembly includes a manifold for disconnection of
ends of a plurality of conduits of said conduit assembly.
Preferably the conduit assembly includes a portion of said plurality of
conduits extending freely beyond said releasable coupling and the conduit
support
member includes at least one bracket for supporting the free ends of the
conduits
when disconnected.
Preferably the manifold includes at least two components and there are
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provided at least two separate brackets at spaced positons on the conduit
support
member each for a receiving a respective one of the components.
Preferably each of the components includes a hand graspable handle
member and each of the brackets is arranged to receive the hand graspable
handle
member looped or hooked thereon for example using a transverse bar where the
bracket defines a slot into which the bar engages.
Preferably the releasable coupling comprises a ball joint which allows
swivelling of the releasable end and has a connection which allows the release
of the
coupling.
Preferably the articulation components provide pivot members pivotal
about two orthogonal axes, typically an upright axis and a transverse axis.
Preferably the articulation component provides a mounting base, a first
portion of the conduit support member extending from the mounting base and
pivotal
relative thereto about a first transverse axis and a second portion connected
at a
distal end of the first portion and pivotal relative thereto about an axis
parallel to the
first axis. The support components then resist the movement about the pivot so
as to
hold the portions in place against collapse about the pivot axes so that the
support
components can comprise damper members such as gas shock absorbers which
provide a resistance to collapse.
Preferably the conduit support member comprises a channel defined by
a base and side walls within which said at least one conduit sits.
Preferably the conduit support member is arched.
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Preferably the conduit support member is connected between a main
support beam of the header and a front wheel support strut of the tractor.
Preferably the conduit support member is permanently connected at
said one end to the header and there is provided a releasable coupling on the
header
for receiving and locating the other end of the conduit support member when
disconnected from the tractor.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a crop
harvesting machine comprising:
a tractor having longitudinally opposed first and second ends;
a driver cabin on the tractor;
ground wheels rotatably supported on the tractor frame for movement of
the tractor in a working direction across the ground which carries a crop to
be
harvested;
an engine and hydraulic pump mounted on the tractor for providing a
pressurized fluid output;
a header having an elongate support structure arranged across a width
of the tractor extending from one end of the header to an opposed end of the
header;
the header including a cutter bar extending across a width of the header
for cutting a standing crop as the header is moved over the ground;
the header including a feeding system for carrying the cut crop along the
header frame for collecting at a discharge area of the header;
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the header including a hydraulic header drive system for driving the
cutter knife and the feed system;
a mounting assembly carrying the header at a position forward of the
first end of the tractor frame so as to support the header in movement over
the ground
as the tractor frame is moved in the working direction;
the mounting assembly mounting the header on the tractor for
movements of the header relative to the tractor at least in a first direction
upwardly
and downwardly and in a second direction of twisting movement where said one
end
of the header is movable upwardly and downward relative to said opposed end;
the mounting assembly being releasable for disconnection of the header
from the tractor;
a flexible conduit assembly having one or more conduits having an
extent from the tractor to the header for connecting the pressurized fluid
from the
tractor to the hydraulic header drive system;
and an arched channel member for supporting the conduit assembly in
at least part of the extent from the tractor to the header;
the arched channel member including articulation components providing
first movement about an upstanding axis and second movement about an axis
transverse to said upstanding axis so as to accommodate movement of one end
relative to the other end;
the conduit support member including support components providing
support to the conduit assembly to prevent collapse thereof for disconnection
of the
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header from the tractor at said mounting assembly.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a crop
harvesting machine comprising:
a tractor having longitudinally opposed first and second ends;
5 a driver cabin on the tractor;
ground wheels rotatably supported on the tractor frame for movement of
the tractor in a working direction across the ground which carries a crop to
be
harvested;
an engine and hydraulic pump mounted on the tractor for providing a
10 pressurized fluid output;
a header having an elongate support structure arranged across a width
of the tractor extending=from one end of the header to an opposed end of the
header;
the header including a cutter bar extending across a width of the header
for cutting a standing crop as the header is moved over the ground;
the header including a feeding system for carrying the cut crop along the
header frame for collecting at a discharge area of the header;
the header including a hydraulic header drive system for driving the
cutter knife and the feed system;
a mounting assembly carrying the header at a position forward of the
first end of the tractor frame so as to support the header in movement over
the ground
as the tractor frame is moved in the working direction;
the mounting assembly mounting the header on the tractor for
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movements of the header relative to the tractor at least in a first direction
upwardly
and downwardly and in a second direction of twisting movement where said one
end
of the header is movable upwardly and downward relative to said opposed end;
the mounting assembly being releasable for disconnection of the header
from the tractor;
a flexible conduit assembly having a plurality of conduits having an
extent from the tractor to the header for connecting the pressurized fluid
from the
tractor to the hydraulic header drive system;
a manifold for disconnection of ends of a plurality of conduits of said
conduit assembly from the tractor;
and a conduit support member for supporting the conduit assembly in
part of the extent from the tractor to the header with a free portion of the
conduit
assembly extending beyond the conduit support member;
an end of the conduits at the manifold including at least one hand
graspable handle member for manual lifting of the ends from the manifold;
wherein the conduit support member includes at least one bracket for
receiving and supporting said at least one hand graspable handle member.
In some cases and to obtain the best advantage the tractor can be
drivable in both directions with the first end forward and with the second end
forward
with the linkage arranged such that the header is towed behind the tractor as
it moves
in a direction opposite to the working direction with the first end at the
rear. This
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allows a simple connection of the header to the tractor in the transport
position since
the header remains at the same end when working and when towed. However it is
also possible to keep the header at the same end by pushing the header forward
in
the transport position. In this case it is likely that a support wheel for the
outboard or
forward end of the header will be steered to keep the header aligned with the
front of
the tractor.
In order to meet modern transport requirements over roads, it is
preferable that the header is towed at a position located between a path of
the first
wheels as the tractor moves in a straight line, where this be towed or pushed.
Of
course when towed, the header will follow the tractor in the form of a trailer
so that it
will follow to one side as the tractor turns.
In order to provide a proper transport position of the header relative to
the tractor, it is preferable that in the transport position, with the header
disconnected
from the tractor at the mounting system, xxx
Typically the present arrangement as defined above is concerned with
sickle headers where the transport system is a draper since such headers can
be as
much as 45 feet in length. In this case the header should be propelled along
its
length since any offset or angle will take it to an operating width greater
than that
allowed for road use. However the present invention is not limited to headers
of such
a length so that smaller headers may tolerate other angles and orientations of
the
header relative to the tractor.
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13
Preferably therefore the hitch is rigidly connected to the header such
that the adjacent end of the header is supported on the tractor and such that
up and
down movement of an end of the hitch connected to the tractor causes up and
down
lifting movement of the end of the header. In this way the header acts as a
conventional two wheel trailer. However other constructions are possible and
for
example the hitch may connect to a steerable wheel or steerable axle.
Preferably the hitch comprises a rigid arm connected at a forward end of
the arm to the header and at a rearward end to the tractor and the arm is held
rigidly
connected to the header by engaging into a fixed receptacle at a position
spaced from
its end which acts to locate a point on the arm at a fixed position on the
header. Thus
the forward end at the header can be a pivotal connection and the preferred
rigid
connection is provided by the two point connection.
Preferably the ground wheels on the header include at least one wheel
adjacent that end of the header which is adjacent to the hitch. This wheel
acts for
supporting the end of the header as the header moves from the working position
to
the transport position. The wheel is then retracted during transport so that
the end of
the header is supported by the tractor through the linkage. Thus the wheel is
provided only for temporary support as the movement between the two positions
occurs.
Preferably the mounting system includes a lift system for up and down
movement and a spring float system connecting the header to the lift system so
as to
allow up and down and floating movement of the header relative to the tractor.
Where
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the linkage remains in place during the working operation, the linkage is thus
preferably arranged and connected such that in the working position the
linkage
allows the up and down movement of the header and the floating movement of the
header relative to the tractor. For this purpose, one preferred arrangement
for
effecting this action is to connect end of the linkage to the header by a
connector
member at the header which allows limited side to side movement of the end of
the
linkage and limited twisting movement of the end of the linkage about an axis
parallel
to the working direction.
In a preferred arrangement, the tractor is of the conventional type
including an engine mounted on the tractor frame; at least one hydraulic pump
driven
by the engine for generating a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure for
driving
components of the tractor and components of the header when attached to the
tractor; two driven wheels of the tractor mounted at the first end of the
tractor; two
non-driven castor wheels of the tractor mounted at the second end of the
tractor and a
cab mounted on the tractor frame at the first end. This is the type of tractor
conventional used as a swather. However other constructions can be used.
In such conventional swather tractors there is provided an operator's
seat and control assembly arranged for controlling driving movement of the
tractor in
both a first end forward position and in a second end forward position, the
control
assembly including a steering control and a speed control; wherein each of the
driven
wheels including a respective drive motor driven by hydraulic fluid from the
at least
one hydraulic pump; wherein the speed control is arranged to control a rate of
supply
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of hydraulic fluid from the at least one hydraulic pump to the respective
drive motor to
control a common speed of rotation of the driven wheels and thus a speed of
movement of the tractor; and wherein the steering control is arranged to
control a
differential in rate of supply of hydraulic fluid from the at least one
hydraulic pump to
5 the respective drive motor to control a relative speed of rotation of the
driven wheels
and thus a turning direction of the tractor.
Where the tractor is bi-directional, the tractor preferably includes a cab
with an operator seat within the cab and wherein the operator seat is
rotatable for
driving the tractor in both directions with the first end forward and with the
second end
10 forward.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction
15 with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic top plan view partly in phantom and partly
broken away showing a crop harvesting machine in a field operating position
and
including a hose management device according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a top plan view similar to that of Figure 1 showing the
machine in the towing position with the hose management system in stored
position.
Figure 3 is an isometric view of the machine in the position of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the header in the position of Figure
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16
2 and showing the hose management device in the stored position.
Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the header in the position of Figure
1 and showing the hose management device in the connected position.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts
in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A swather tractor generally indicated at 10 includes a frame 11 which is
carried on a first pair of driven ground wheels 12 and 13 and on a second pair
of non-
driven castor wheels 14 and 15. The driven wheels 12 and 13 are mounted on
suitable supports 16 which support the ground wheels from the frame 11. The
driven
ground wheels 12 and 13 are each driven by a hydraulic motor 17 carried on the
support 16 which receives hydraulic fluid under pressure from a supply line
and drives
the ground wheel at a rate of rotation dependent upon the rate of flow of the
hydraulic
fluid.
The wheels 14 and 15 are mounted on conventional castors 18 which
swivel about a castor pin 19. The ground wheels 14 and 15 are non-driven and
are
simply mounted in a supporting bracket 20 which can pivot around the castor
pin 19
so that the castor wheels follow the movement of the vehicle as controlled by
the
driven wheels 12 and 13. Thus the speed of the vehicle over the ground is
controlled
by the rate of rotation of the wheels 12 and 13 and steering is controlled by
a
differential in speed between the wheels 12 and 13.
The frame is shown only schematically since this can vary widely in
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17
accordance with requirements as is well known to a person skilled in this art.
At the
driven end 11A of the frame is mounted suitable supports 21 and 22 for
carrying a
header 23. Again these elements are well known to persons skilled in this art
and
various different designs can be used. Thus the support elements 21, 22 on the
header carried thereby are shown only schematically. Various different types
of
headers can be used including disc type cutters or sickle knife cutters. The
width of
the header can vary considerably depending upon the type of crop and the
cutting
system employed. The header is preferably carried on the tractor rather than
on
separate supports and the tractor includes the mounting system 21, 22 which is
operable to raise and lower the header on the tractor between different
working
positions and between working positions and a raised position cleared from the
ground for moving the header over the ground when not in working position.
The tractor includes an engine 24 carried on the frame 11 adjacent a
second end 11B of the frame. The engine is arranged to drive a series of pumps
25,
26 and 27 for generating pressurized hydraulic fluid for driving the various
components of the tractor as described hereinafter. Separate pumps can be used
as
shown or single pump can be used with the hydraulic fluid under pressure
generated
thereby being separated into separate controlled fluid paths for operating the
various
components. The pumps communicate with the manifolds 25 a and 20 5B located on
the frame of the tractor behind the wheel 12 for connection to supply hoses
25C drive
fluid to the header at a manifold 25D.
At the driven end 11A of the frame is provided a cab 30 which sits over
=
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the driven end between the driven wheels 12 and 13 so the operator can look
over the
header during the operating action on the field. The cab 30 encloses an
operator
console generally indicated at 31 which includes a seat 32, a steering control
33 in the
form of a conventional steering wheel, a speed control 34 and an accessory
control
35. The steering wheel 33 is of a conventional nature and is mounted in the
console
in front of the seat by suitable mounting arrangements which allow the
operator to
enter the seat and be comfortably located on the seat behind the steering
wheel. To
the right hand of the operator is provided a speed control 34 generally in the
form of a
lever which can pivot forwardly and rearwardly between a reverse position at
the rear,
a neutral position at the center and a forward position at the front. In an
intuitive
manner, therefore, the operator can pull rearwardly on the lever for reverse
and push
forwardly on the lever for forward movement with the rate of the movement
being
controlled by the relative position of the lever along its sliding action. In
addition there
is provided a switch 34A which can be operated to select speed ranges for the
driving
speed of the vehicle.
To the right hand of the operator, on the same lever as the speed
control for convenient access to the operator's hand, is provided the
accessory control
35 which includes a series of switches and levers for operating the position
and
operating parameters of the header attached to the tractor. The switches
include a
header height and angle control by way of a four way (two axis) switch 35A, a
reel
height and forward location control by way of a four way (two axis) switch 35B
and a
reel speed control two way one axis switch 35C so that the skilled operator
can
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19
control the parameters of the header during the working action. The header is
engaged by a main drive control lever 35D in many cases also be reversed in
the
event of a blockage and thus will include a switch 35E for allowing such
reversal.
The operator console 31 including the operator seat 32, the steering
wheel 33, the speed control 34 and the accessory control 35 are all carried on
a
platform or base plate 40 carried by the cab on top of the frame 11. The base
plate
40 can rotate on a support shaft 41 about a vertical axis 42 between a first
position
shown in Figure 1 where the seat faces the driven end 11A to the second
position
shown in Figures 2 and 3 in which the seat faces the engine end 11B. These
positions are known herein as "cab forward" in which the cab 30 is located at
the
forward end of the tractor as it moves with the end 11A at the front and
"engine
forward" in which the end 11B is at the front and moves forwardly.
In transportation, it is intended therefore that the operator's console is
moved to the engine forward position and that the tractor moves forward
rapidly at
high speed in the transport position at a speed significantly higher than can
be
achieved in current tractors of this type. When the header is of a relatively
narrow
width, this header can remain in place and is simply carried behind the
tractor. In a
situation where the header is of significant width greater than can be
accommodated
in a road width, the header is disconnected from the supports 21 and 22 and is
instead trailed on wheels attached to a hitch 60 at the end 11A of the
tractor.
Thus the tractor includes an engine 24 mounted on the tractor frame, at
least one hydraulic pump 25, 26, 27 driven by the engine 24 through a
transmission
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for generating a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure for driving
components of the
tractor and components of the header when attached to the tractor. In
particular the
hydraulic pumps generate fluid which is controlled by controls 46, 47 to
supply fluid
under pressure to two driven wheels 12, 13 of the tractor mounted at the first
end of
5 the tractor. Speed control and steering control; are provided by the
controls 46, 47 in
either direction of travel of the tractor. Two non-driven castor wheels 14, 15
of the
tractor are mounted at the second end of the tractor. A cab 30 is mounted on
the
tractor frame at the first end.
There is provided an operator's seat 32 and control assembly 34
10 arranged for controlling driving movement of the tractor in both a first
end forward
position and in a second end forward position, the control assembly including
a
steering control 33 and a speed control 34. Each
of the driven wheels 12, 13
includes a respective drive motor 17 driven by hydraulic fluid from the at
least one
hydraulic pump 25, 26 wherein the speed control 34 is arranged to control a
rate of
15 supply of hydraulic fluid from the at least one hydraulic pump to the
respective drive
motor to control a common speed of rotation of the driven wheels and thus a
speed of
movement of the tractor. The steering control 33 is arranged to control a
differential in
rate of supply of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump to the respective
drive motor
17 to control a relative speed of rotation of the driven wheels 12, 13 and
thus a turning
20 direction of the tractor.
The header 23 includes an elongate header frame 23B defined by a
main beam 23C and forwardly extending legs 230 which carry a cutter bar 23A.
The
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21
cutter extends longitudinally along the front cutter bar of the header frame
for cutting
the crop when the header is moved in a working direction W generally at a
right angle
to its longitudinal direction L. Different types of cutter can be used but the
typical
example comprises a sickle knife. A transport system 23F, generally drapers
but
other systems can be used, is provided for transporting the crop
longitudinally of the
header to a central discharge opening 23G of the header so as to form a swath
to be
deposited on the ground between the wheels 12, 13 of the tractor.
The mounting assembly carrying the header at the forward position at
the first end of the tractor supports the header in movement over the ground
as the
tractor is moved in the working direction. The mounting assembly 21, 22 mounts
the
header on the tractor for movements of the header relative to the tractor in
corrections
both upwardly and downwardly and in twisting movement where one end of the
header is moved upwardly and downwardly relative to the other end and vice
versa.
The header can also tilt forwardly and rearwardly on the support arms 21, 22
by a
tilting movement actuated typically by a centre actuation cylinder (not
shown). Such
movements are typically floating movements in that the mounting assembly 21,
22
includes springs or float action so that the header can move upwardly and
downwardly and can twist depending upon ground contour. However in some cases
control the movement of the header can also be provided. In some cases the
header
floats with the cutter bar on the ground and the cases are gauge wheels are
provided,
depending upon crop requirements.
The mounting assembly 21, 22 is also releasable for disconnection of
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22
the header from the tractor so that the header can be located in the trailed
position
relative to the tractor to be towed by the tractor on ground wheels provided
on the
header attached to the header. However the present invention does not require
that
the header be moved to a transport position since the header can simply be
disconnected for storage or can be transported on a conventional trailer by
the tractor
depositing the header on to the trailer before disconnection. In all cases it
is required
that the header be disconnected from the tractor at the mounting assembly 21,
22.
As previously described the pump 25 communicates fluid to manifolds at
25A, 25B for communication of fluid to the hydraulic drive system 25E of the
header
through the hoses 25C and the manifold 25D. The hoses thus provide a flexible
conduit assembly having at least one hose and typically a series of hoses
having an
extent from the tractor for connecting the pressurised fluid from the tractor
to the
hydraulic drive system.
The arrangement of the present invention provides a conduit support
member 70 for supporting the hoses or conduits of the conduit assembly in at
least
part of their extent from the tractor to the header.
The conduit support member 70 is shown best in figure 3 and comprises
a base member 71 mounted on the main support beam 230 of the header at a fixed
position which is maintained attached to the header at all times. On top of
the base
member 70 is mounted a swivel member 72 which can rotate about a vertical
swivel
pin 73 so as to provide a clevis 74 at the top of the swivel member 72 and so
as to
provide a base 75 of the swivel member 72. The clevis 74 can therefore rotate
about
CA 2904912 2017-04-06
23
the vertical axis of the pin 73 so as to allow the arm to rotate about the
axis of the pin.
The further includes a first portion 76 and a second portion 77 which
together generally form an arch extending from the clevis 74 to an outer end
of the
second portion 77 at the end 78. The first portion 76 is pivotally mounted on
the clevis
at a pivot pin 79 generally orthogonal or right angles to the pin 73 little
movement of
the first portion about a generally horizontal axis. The second portion 77 is
pivotally
mounted on the outer end of the first portion at a second pin 80 parallel to
the first pin
79 so that the first portion can move upwardly and downwardly and the second
portion can also pivot upwardly and downwardly relative to the outer end of
the first
portion.
The conduit support member 70 is therefore connected at one end to
the header and is connected at the other end to a releasable coupling 81 at
the end
73 of the second portion. The conduit support member 70 includes the
articulation
components provided by the pin 73 and the pivot pins 79 and 80 which allow
articulation of the end 78 relative to the fixed end 71 so as to accommodate
the
movements of the header relative to the tractor.
The conduit support member 70 further includes support components
82A and 83A providing support to the conduit assembly 25C to prevent collapse
of the
conduit assembly when the conflicts are disconnected from the manifolds 25A
and
25B, that is when the end 78 is disconnected from the coupling 81.
The coupling 81 includes a ball joint which allows the end 78 to swivel in
all directions relative to the fixed point on the tractor. The coupling 81 is
outside
CA 2904912 2017-04-06
24
surface of the wheel strut 16 of the tractor which is a suitable position
relative to the
video main beam of the header and relative to the manifolds at 25A, 25B. The
end 78
of the arm carries a depending rod 82 which carries the ball of the ball and
socket
coupling providing the connection between the end 78 and the bracket 81. The
ball
and socket coupling can be disconnected only suitable location to separate the
end
78 from the bracket 81.
The end 78 is separated from the manifolds 25A and 25B by a free
floating portion 25F of the conduits. At the manifolds is provided to
disconnection
couplings are 86 and 87 of the conduits which can be separated from the
respective
manifolds. Of the 67 carries hand grasp member 88, 89 which allows the manual
operator operating to and support the end the couplings 86 and 87 when they
are
disconnected using conventional connection systems from the manifolds. Each of
the
hand grasp members 88, 89 includes a transverse bar 90 44- which acts as a
handle
and can be moved to a respective bracket 92, 93 on the second portion 77 of
the
support arm. Each of the brackets comprises a pair of upstanding lugs with a
slot 94
for receiving the transverse bar which is draped over the slot slide into the
slot to hold
and support the in the couplings 86 and 87 after their disconnection. In this
way the
operator when disconnecting the header can firstly separate the connectors 86
and 87
and can move them to the draped position at the brackets 92, 93. The heavy
hoses
are therefore firstly supported wholly by the arm 70 including the portion
attached to
the arm and the free end portion 25F.
The conduit support 70 or arm includes a flat base 97 and two
CA 2904912 2017-04-06
=
upstanding sides 95, 96 forming an arched channel 97A having a width
sufficient to
receive the series of hoses. The bracket 92 and 93 form extensions the
sidewalls
extending upwardly from the top of the sidewalls. A further bracket 98 is
located on
the first portion 76 so as to carry a hose coupler 99.
5 The
support components 82A and 83A, each comprise a pair of gas
shocks which provide a resistance to collapse. That is the gas shock absorbers
can
be expanded and collapsed by pressure from the operator but tend to hold the
first
portion 76 at a fixed position to the bracket and to hold the second portion
77 at a
fixed position relative to the first portion 76. In this way when the coupling
81 is
10
disconnected after the hoses are hung on the brackets 92 and 93, the conduit
support
member or arm remains in supported position against collapse. The operator is
required to manually support the hoses when disconnected since they remain
supported by the arm. The operator can then twist the arm about the vertical
pivot pin
73 to the position shown in figure 4 where the end 78 of the arm is located on
a
15 bracket
81A identical in construction to the bracket 81. In this position the hoses
are
maintained correctly supported on the header alone by the connection at one
end by
the base 71 to the main and at the other end other end to the bracket 81A. The
bracket 81A bus forms a releasable coupling on the header for receiving and
locating
the other end of the conduit support member 70 when disconnected from the
tractor.
20 When the
hoses are disconnected from the tractor, the header can be
disconnected from the tractor using conventional systems. The header can be
moved
to transport position or can be deposited on the ground for storage. In some
cases the
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26
header can be placed onto a trailer. It will be understood that these
arrangements are
not part of the present invention where the present arrangement is provided
for
management of the heavy hoses to allow the operator to manage the
disconnection of
the header from the tractor with a low level of manual labour involved in the
disconnection procedure.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein
above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same
made,
it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification
shall be
interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
