US 2011/0209454 A1 · Tractor Mounted Cotton Harvester

Abstract

A low-cost, highly maneuverable cotton harvester (10) with a row unit (26) that effectively follows the ground contour includes frame structure (30) pivotally connected to the two lower links (22) of a tractor three-point hitch (14). A picking unit (26) is connected by a linkage structure (52) to the frame (30) and is closely coupled behind a rear drive wheel (16) of the tractor (12). A lift arm (98) extends forwardly and downwardly from an end (99) pivotally connected to the linkage structure (52a). The lower forward end of the lift arm includes a non-steerable gauge wheel (44) generally aligned with the tractor axle (44a), and a hydraulic cylinder (100) pivots the lift arm (98) relative to the linkage structure to adjust row unit operating height and to raise and lower the row unit to and from the field operating position. The gauge wheel axis (44a) is aligned with the axis (16a) of the drive wheel (16). A variable speed pulley assembly (90) synchronizes picker drum speed to ground speed.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A harvester adapted for attachment to a three-point hitch of a tractor movable in a forward direction over a field plants to be harvested, the tractor having a rear ground engaging wheel with an axle, the hitch including connecting members, the harvester comprising:

a transversely extending frame including hitch connectors pivotally supported by the connecting members, the frame including a side portion extending transversely from the connecting members to a location rearwardly of the ground engaging wheel of the tractor;
a vertically movable linkage extending forwardly from the side portion of the frame;
a harvester row unit supported from the linkage;
an arm connected to the linkage and extending downwardly therefrom;
a gauge wheel supported from a lower forward end of the arm in contact with the ground, the gauge wheel moving the row unit up and down over irregularities in the surface of the field;
and
a row unit lift actuator connected to the arm and moving the gauge wheel relative to the row unit to raise and lower the row unit relative to the frame.

4 more elements

A cotton harvester adapted for attachment to a three-point hitch of a tractor movable in a forward direction over a field plants to be harvested, the tractor having a rear drive wheel with an axle, the hitch including connecting members, the harvester comprising:

a transversely extending frame including hitch connectors pivotally supported by the connecting members, the frame including a side portion extending transversely from the connecting members to a location rearwardly and outwardly of the ground engaging wheel of the tractor;
a row unit support extending forwardly from the side portion of the frame;
a cotton harvester row unit supported from the row unit support and having a row receiving area offset to one side of the rear drive wheel;
and
an row unit lift wheel assembly connected to the row unit, the lift wheel assembly including a gauge wheel having an axle aligned in the fore-and-aft direction with the rear drive wheel and a lift actuator for moving the gauge wheel relative to row unit to raise and lower the row unit relative to the frame.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tractor Mounted Cotton Harvester

Life of this patent

Tractor Mounted Cotton Harvester

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20