# US 11,439,066 B2 · Length-variable and pitch-adjustable wheelbase combine

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- Number: US 11,439,066 B2
- Document ID: US11439066B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/750,493
- Filed: 2020-01-23
- Published: 2020-07-30
- Granted: 2022-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 2019-01-25
- Assignees: AGCO International GmbH
- Applicants: AGCO International GmbH
- Inventors: Alessio Addifetti
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439066B2

## CPC

- A01D 67/00: Undercarriages or frames specially adapted for harvesters or mowers (coupling arrangements between animal or tractor and harvester or mower A01B59/00); Mechanisms for adjusting the frame (adjusting devices for the cutter-bar A01D34/28); Platforms
- B60B 35/1054: {hydraulically}
- A01D 75/28: Control mechanisms for harvesters or mowers when moving on slopes; Devices preventing lateral pull
- B62D 49/0678: {Tractors of variable track width or wheel base (for vehicles in general B60B23/12 and B60B35/10)}
- B60B 35/1036: {operated with power assistance}
- B60G 2300/40: Variable track or wheelbase vehicles
- B60Y 2200/222: Harvesters
- A01D: HARVESTING; MOWING
- B60B: VEHICLE WHEELS (making wheels or wheel parts by rolling B21H1/00, by forging, hammering or pressing B21K1/28); CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)
- B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00})
- B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY

## Abstract

A combine harvester with a variable length wheelbase. For example, a combine harvester may have a chassis defining a forward end and a rear end, a feeder house at the forward end of the chassis, a first set of ground-engaging elements supporting the forward end of the chassis, and a second set of ground-engaging elements supporting the rear end of the chassis. The second set of ground-engaging elements are configured to move forward and rearward relative to the chassis.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A combine harvester comprising:
a variable length wheelbase;
a main body;
a pair of rear wheels configured to move forward and rearward relative to the main body;
a rear axle bar mounted on a longitudinal member protruding rearward from the main body, wherein the pair of rear wheels is mounted on the rear axle bar, wherein the longitudinal member is fixedly mounted on a suspension element;
a wheelbase extension actuator, wherein a first end of the actuator is fixed to the suspension element and a second end of the wheelbase extension actuator is fixed to the rear axle bar so that actuation of the wheelbase extension actuator moves the pair of rear wheels forward and rearward relative to the main body; and
a pitch control actuator configured to pivot the suspension element up and down relative to the main body to alter a pitch measurement of the main body, wherein when the pitch control actuator is extended to its fullest to alter the pitch measurement, activation of the wheelbase extension actuator results in further pivoting of the suspension element to further alter the pitch measurement of the main body.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The combine harvester of claim 1, wherein the rear axle bar is configured to move forward and rearward along the longitudinal member.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The combine harvester of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal member comprises a cylindrical bar.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The combine harvester of claim 3, wherein the pair of rear wheels comprises a left wheel and a right wheel, and wherein the longitudinal member comprises a pivot mount on which the rear axle bar is mounted to allow rotation of the rear axle bar around the longitudinal member, such that as the left wheel travels up or down, the right wheel travels correspondingly down or up in a direction opposite the left wheel.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The combine harvester of claim 1, wherein the wheelbase extension actuator comprises a longitudinal hydraulic or pneumatic actuator comprising a first end and a second end.

### Claim 6

A combine harvester comprising:
a variable length wheelbase;
a main body;
a pair of rear wheels configured to move forward and rearward relative to the main body;
a rear axle bar mounted on a longitudinal member protruding rearward from the main body, wherein the pair of rear wheels is mounted on the rear axle bar, wherein the longitudinal member is fixedly mounted on a suspension element;
a wheelbase extension actuator configured to control the forward and rearward movement of the rear axle bar along the longitudinal member, wherein the actuator is mounted above the longitudinal member; and
a pitch control actuator configured to pivot the suspension element up and down relative to the main body to alter a pitch measurement of the main body, wherein when the pitch control actuator is extended to its fullest to alter the pitch measurement, activation of the wheelbase extension actuator results in further pivoting of the suspension element to further alter the pitch measurement of the main body.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The combine harvester of claim 6, wherein the wheelbase extension actuator is fixed to at least one of a first end or a second end by a spherical joint.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The combine harvester of claim 1, wherein the suspension element is joined to a chassis of the combine harvester by at least one swing arm.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The combine harvester of claim 1
wherein the main body defines a forward end and a rear end; further comprising:
a feeder house at the forward end of the main body; and
a first set of ground-engaging elements supporting the forward end of the main body.