Method and apparatus for controlling pivotal movement of the tongue of a harvesting machine

In an agricultural crop harvester including an elongate harvesting mechanism having a top side and a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of the harvester when in field operation, said harvesting mechanism supported for movement by at least one ground-engaging wheel;

• an elongate tongue having a first end pivotably affixed to the top side of said harvesting mechanism and a second end remote therefrom, said second end of said tongue adapted to be affixed to a tractor and movable through a functional arc from an operating position to a transport position where said tongue is approximately parallel to said longitudinal axis;
• a gearbox pivotably supported by said harvesting mechanism at a pivot point spaced from said first end of said tongue;
• a telescoping driveline extending from said gearbox and supported by said tongue such that said driveline moves with said tongue and said gearbox pivots therewith;
• the improvement comprising:
• an hydraulic system supported by said harvesting mechanism and including a swing cylinder operable to selectively pivot said tongue through said functional arc;
• and
• a selector valve in said hydraulic system to shut off the flow of hydraulic fluid to said swing cylinder;
• said selector valve fixed in a position to be actuated if said gearbox pivots to a preselected position within said functional arc, thereby preventing further pivoting of said tongue toward said transport position.

An hydraulic system for an agricultural crop harvester having an elongate harvesting mechanism having a top side and a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of the harvester when in field operation, said harvesting mechanism supported for movement by at least one ground-engaging wheel;

• an elongate tongue having a first end pivotably affixed to the top side of said harvesting mechanism and a second end remote therefrom, said second end of said tongue adapted to be affixed to a tractor and movable through a functional arc from an operating position to a transport position where said tongue is approximately parallel to said longitudinal axis;
• a gearbox pivotably supported by said harvesting mechanism at a pivot point spaced from said first end of said tongue;
• a telescoping driveline extending from said gearbox and supported by said tongue such that said driveline moves with said tongue and said gearbox pivots therewith;
• said hydraulic system being supported by said harvesting mechanism and including a swing cylinder operable to selectively pivot said tongue through said functional arc;
• and
• a selector valve in said hydraulic system to shut off the flow of hydraulic fluid to said swing cylinder;
• said selector valve fixed in a position to be actuated if said gearbox pivots to a preselected position within said functional arc, thereby preventing further pivoting of said tongue toward said transport position.

In an hydraulic system for an agricultural crop harvester having an elongate harvesting mechanism having a top side and a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of the harvester when in field operation, said harvesting mechanism supported for movement by at least one ground-engaging wheel;

• an elongate tongue having a first end pivotably affixed to the top side of said harvesting mechanism and a second end remote therefrom, said second end of said tongue adapted to be affixed to a tractor and movable through a functional arc from an operating position to a transport position where said tongue is approximately parallel to said longitudinal axis;
• a gearbox pivotably supported by said harvesting mechanism at a pivot point spaced from said first end of said tongue;
• a telescoping driveline extending from said gearbox and supported by said tongue such that said driveline moves with said tongue and said gearbox pivots therewith;
• said hydraulic system being supported by said harvesting mechanism and including a swing cylinder operable to selectively pivot said tongue through said functional arc;
• the improvement comprising:
• a selector valve in said hydraulic system to shut off the flow of hydraulic fluid to said swing cylinder;
• said selector valve fixed in a position to be actuated if said gearbox pivots to a preselected position within said functional arc, thereby preventing further pivoting of said tongue toward said transport position.

A method for controlling pivotal movement of the tongue of an agricultural crop harvesting machine, said harvesting machine including an elongate harvesting mechanism having a top side and a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of the harvester when in field operation, said harvesting mechanism supported for movement by at least one ground-engaging wheel;

• an elongate tongue having a first end pivotably affixed to the top side of said harvesting mechanism and a second end remote therefrom, said second end of said tongue adapted to be affixed to a tractor and movable through a functional arc from an operating position to a transport position where said tongue is approximately parallel to said longitudinal axis;
• a gearbox pivotably supported by said harvesting mechanism at a pivot point spaced from said first end of said tongue;
• a telescoping driveline extending from said gearbox and supported by said tongue such that said driveline moves with said tongue and said gearbox pivots therewith;
• comprising the steps of:
• providing an hydraulic system supported by said harvesting mechanism and including a swing cylinder operable to selectively pivot said tongue through said functional arc;
• and
• providing a selector valve in said hydraulic system to shut off the flow of hydraulic fluid to said swing cylinder;
• said selector valve fixed in a position to be actuated if said gearbox pivots to a preselected position within said functional arc, thereby preventing further pivoting of said tongue toward said transport position.