US 4,723,402 AGranted

Multi-function raking mechanism

AssigneeNew Holland Inc.

InventorsEmmett G. Webster, Donald O. Bigelow

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Abstract

A raking mechanism having a frame and a pair of rake baskets movably mounted thereon is disclosed wherein the frame includes a draft member adapted for connection to a prime mover and a pair of arms pivotally connected to the draft member and supported above the ground by respective wheels. The arms carry the respective rake baskets and are pivotally movable in a generally horizontal plane to displace the rake baskets transversely of the draft member. The rake baskets are also movable relative to the respective arms to vary the angle at which the rate baskets engage the crop material lying on the ground to provide a variety of positions of the rake baskets relative to the draft member and, consequently, provide a number of operative positions and operations the raking mechanism can undertake. A method of converting the raking mechanism from a collapsed transport position to an infinitely adjustable operative position is also disclosed. '

Claims8

Dependent claims

A harvesting machine for working crop material on the ground comprising:

a frame having a generally fore-and-aft extending draft member adapted for connection to a prime mover and first and second frame arms pivotally connected to said draft member and supported by respective ground engaging wheels to permit movement of said harvesting machine along a direction of travel, each said frame arm being pivotally movable along a generally horizontal path extending transversely of the respective sides of said draft member;
a crop working mechanism movably supported by each respective said frame arm and operable to work said crop material on said ground, the pivotal movement of said crop working mechanism with the corresponding said frame arm effecting a change in the orientation of said crop working mechanism with respect to the direction of travel to vary the operative engagement thereof with said crop material on the ground, each said crop working mechanism also being selectively movable in a generally horizontal plane relative to the respective said frame arm independently of the movement induced by the pivotal movement of the corresponding said frame arm to selectively provide a change in the orientation of said crop working mechanism with respect to the direction of travel and, thereby, to selectively vary the operative engagement thereof with said crop material on the ground;
and
a steering mechanism operatively associated with each said wheel to permit a selective movement of each of said wheel relative to the corresponding said frame arm to control the pivotal movement of said corresponding frame arm relative to said draft member when said harvesting machine is moved over the ground.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.