# US 10,499,567 B2 · Raking apparatus with independently adjustable raking width and windrow width > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,499,567 B2 - Document ID: US10499567B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/538,023 - Filed: 2017-02-01 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2016-02-02 - Assignees: Vermeer Manufacturing Company - Applicants: Vermeer Manufacturing Company - Inventors: Tyler G. Schiferl; Michael S. Kindley; Michael R. Vaske; Kent L. Thompson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10499567B2 ## CPC - A01D 57/28: Windrower attachments with tines - A01D 57/12: Rotating rakes - A01D 78/14: the tines rotating about a substantially horizontal axis - A01D: HARVESTING; MOWING ## Abstract An adjustable raking apparatus for gathering crop material into a windrow is disclosed. The raking apparatus allows the raking width and the windrow width to be independently adjusted. In some embodiments, both the raking width and the windrow width may be adjusted by the operator from the pulling vehicle attached to the raking apparatus. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An adjustable raking apparatus for gathering crop material into a windrow, the raking apparatus comprising: a plurality of rake wheels; a main frame having a first arm and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm each being adjustable between an extended operating position in which the rake wheels engage a surface supporting the raking apparatus and a travel position in which the rake wheels are raised from the surface; a first forward tool bar directly pivotally attached to the first arm to adjust a raking width of the apparatus; a first rear tool bar directly pivotally attached to the first arm to adjust a windrow width of the apparatus, the first rear tool bar being independently movable relative to the first forward tool bar; a second forward tool bar directly pivotally attached to the second arm to adjust the raking width; and a second rear tool bar directly pivotally attached to the second arm to adjust the windrow width, the second rear tool bar being independently movable relative to the second forward tool bar, wherein a rake wheel is attached to each of the first forward tool bar, first rear tool bar, second forward tool bar and second rear tool bar. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first forward tool bar, first rear tool bar, second forward tool bar and second rear tool bar each have a pivot axis, the pivot axis of the first forward tool bar and the pivot axis of the first rear tool bar being different and the pivot axis of the second forward tool bar and the pivot axis of the second rear tool bar being different. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first forward tool bar, first rear tool bar, second forward tool bar and second rear tool bar each have a pivot axis, the pivot axis of the first forward tool bar and the first rear tool bar being the same and the pivot axis of the second forward tool bar and the second rear tool bar being the same. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first forward tool bar is not attached to the first rear tool bar and the second forward tool bar is not attached to the second rear tool bar. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 comprising a first forward tool bar actuator and a second forward tool bar actuator for adjusting a raking width of the raking apparatus. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the first forward tool bar actuator and the second forward tool bar actuator include communication links to allow the raking width to be controlled from a pulling vehicle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the first forward tool bar actuator is mounted to the first arm and the second forward tool bar actuator is mounted to the second arm. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 comprising a first rear tool bar actuator and a second rear tool bar actuator for adjusting a windrow width of the raking apparatus. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein the first rear tool bar actuator is mounted to the first arm and the second rear tool bar actuator is mounted to the second arm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein the first rear tool bar actuator and the second rear tool bar actuator include communication links to allow the windrow width to be controlled from a pulling vehicle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 comprising: a first rear tool bar locking mechanism for locking the position of the first rear tool bar; and a second rear tool bar locking mechanism for locking the position of the second rear tool bar. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 comprising: a first forward tool bar locking mechanism for locking the position of the first forward tool bar; and a second forward tool bar locking mechanism for locking the position of the second forward tool bar. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least two raking wheels are attached to each of the first forward tool bar, first rear tool bar, second forward tool bar and second rear tool bar. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first arm and second arm are each vertically pivotal with the extended operating position being a lowered position and the travel position being a raised position with respect to a vertical axis of the raking apparatus. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein the first arm and second arm also have an adjustable length to adjust a raking width of the raking apparatus. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 comprising a control system for controlling the first and second rear tool bars to cause the tool bars to weave perpendicular to the direction of travel of the raking apparatus. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 comprising a sensor for sensing a plug of baling material between two most rearward rake wheels. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A method for raking material into a windrow by use of the adjustable raking apparatus of claim 1, the method comprising: pivoting the first forward tool bar and pivoting the second forward tool bar to a desired raking width; and pivoting the first rear tool bar and pivoting the second rear tool bar to a desired windrow width. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method as set forth in claim 18 wherein the adjustable raking apparatus is attached to a pull vehicle and pivoting of the first forward tool bar and pivoting of the second forward tool bar are controlled from the pull vehicle. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method as set forth in claim 18 wherein pivoting of the first rear tool bar and pivoting of the second rear tool bar are controlled from the pull vehicle.