US 7,007,450 B2 · Internal windrow width adjustment system for a V-rake

Abstract

A bifold rake for agricultural crop material includes a rear wheeled trolley and a forwardly extending drawbar adapted for interconnection with a tow vehicle such as a tractor. A pair of rake arms are pivotably interconnected to opposite sides of the trolley, and each rake arm carries a series of rake members such as rotatable rake wheels. An opening and closing mechanism is interposed between the drawbar and the rake arms, for moving the rake arms between open and closed positions. The rake includes a windrow width adjustment system for adjusting the width of a windrow of crop material formed by the rake, independent of adjustment in the width of the trolley. In one embodiment, the windrow width adjustment system is in the form of a variable position connection arrangement interposed between each rake arm and the trolley, for adjusting the lateral position of the rearward end of the rake arm so as to adjust the position of the innermost rake member. The variable position connection arrangement includes a transversely extending guide rod located on each side of the trolley, with a slidable engagement connection between the guide rod and the rearward end of the rake arm. An actuator, such as a rotatable screw assembly, is interconnected with the bracket arrangement for moving the bracket arrangement on the guide rod, to alter the position of the rearward end of the rake arm to adjust the position of the rearwardmost rake member. In another embodiment, each innermost rake member is interconnected with its respective rake arm via an angularly adjustable connection arrangement, which enables the innermost rake members to be pivoted toward and away from each other to adjust the windrow width.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A V-type rake, comprising:

a rear wheeled frame assembly;
a pair of rake arms extending forwardly from the rear frame assembly, wherein each rake arm defines an inner end, and wherein a series of rake members are mounted to each rake arm, wherein the series of rake members includes a pair of innermost rake members;
and
a windrow width adjustment system for varying the distance between the innermost rake members, wherein the windrow width adjustment system comprises a variable position rake arm mounting subassembly connected between the inner end of each rake arm and the rear frame assembly for varying the lateral position of the rake arm relative to the rear frame assembly, wherein each variable position rake arm mounting subassembly includes a mounting arrangement, a lateral guide member secured to the mounting arrangement and to which the inner end of the rake arm is mounted for lateral movement, and a lateral actuator carried by the mounting arrangement and engaged with the inner end of the rake arm for moving the rake arm on the lateral guide member toward and away from the other rake arm for varying the spacing between the innermost rake members without varying the width of the rear frame assembly, and wherein each rake arm is secured to the rear frame assembly by securement of the variable position rake arm mounting subassembly to the rear frame assembly without engagement of the rake arm with the rear frame assembly other than through the variable position rake arm mounting subassembly.

1 more element

In a V-rake assembly including a wheeled rear frame assembly and a pair of rake arms extending forwardly therefrom, wherein each rake arm defines an inner end and includes a series of rake members, the improvement comprising a variable position rake arm mounting subassembly interposed between the inner end of each rake arm and the rear frame assembly for varying the point of engagement of each rake arm with the rear frame assembly and to adjust the space therebetween, so as to vary the width of a windrow formed by movement of the rake assembly along the ground, wherein each variable position rake arm mounting subassembly includes a mounting arrangement, a lateral guide member secured to the mounting arrangement and to which the inner end of the rake arm is mounted for lateral movement, and a lateral actuator carried by the mounting arrangement and engaged with the inner end of the rake arm for moving the rake arm on the lateral guide member toward and away from the other rake arm for varying the spacing between the innermost rake members without varying the width of the rear frame assembly, and wherein of each rake arm is secured to the rear frame assembly by securement of the variable position rake arm mounting subassembly to the rear frame assembly without engagement of the rake arm with the rear frame assembly other than through the variable position rake arm mounting subassembly.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Internal windrow width adjustment system for a V-rake

Life of this patent

Internal windrow width adjustment system for a V-rake

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18