Crop conveyor coupling mechanism
AssigneeKverneland Group Kerteminde AS
InventorBjarne NIELSEN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A coupling mechanism for coupling a crop conveyor unit 15, for creating a swath behind an agricultural machine, to a mounting structure 10 attached to an agricultural operating unit, e.g. a mower 21. The coupling mechanism consists of gendered elements 65/66, at least one of which is tapered, such that the connection is self-guiding into the engaged configuration. A quick coupling method is described where the conveyor unit 15 is rolled on wheels to locate the male element 11 underneath the female element 12. The mounting structure is raised such that the male element engages the female element and optional locking pins secure the engaged parts together. Quick de-coupling is performed by reversal of the coupling method.
Claims17
A crop conveyor comprising a conveyor unit (15) and a coupling mechanism for coupling the conveyor unit (15) to a mounting structure (10) associated with an operating unit of an agricultural machine, the coupling mechanism comprising:
- a gendered element (12) in the form of a male element or a female element configured for receiving a complementary gendered element (11) during engagement, wherein the gendered element (12) is attached to the conveyor unit (15) by a unitary supporting arm (13) and is engageable with the complementary gendered element (11) attached to the mounting structure (10);
- wherein said gendered element (12) is upwardly or downwardly tapered for facilitating self-guiding of the gendered element (12) into engagement with the complementary gendered element (11) by, in use, upward movement of the mounting structure (10) in relation to the conveyor unit (15).
A method of coupling a crop conveyor to a mounting structure associated with an operating unit of an agricultural machine, wherein a conveyor unit of the crop conveyor is attached by a unitary support arm to one part of a two-part coupling mechanism and the mounting structure includes the other part of the two-part coupling mechanism, including the following steps:
- (b) manoeuvring the crop conveyor, via ground contacting wheels, to align a tapered opening of one part of the two-part coupling mechanism above the other part of the two-part coupling mechanism;
- (c) moving the mounting structure upwards so that the two parts of the two-part coupling mechanism move into an engaged position;
- (d) fastening the two parts securely in the engaged position by fastening means;
- (e) optionally connecting hydraulic and/or electric lines between the conveyor unit and the mounting structure or its associated operating unit by mechanically locking and sealing the facing surfaces of the connectable ends.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.