Disc mower narrow transport frame

A support frame for an agricultural header enabling the header to be propelled by a prime mover in a forward direction while configured in one of two perpendicularly arranged orientations, the support frame comprising:

• an elongate tongue;
• a movable frame pivotally coupled to said tongue and movable between an operating position and a transport position, said movable frame supporting the header connected thereto and extending generally parallel to the header operating width, said frame configured to orient said operating width of the header generally transverse to the forward direction when in said operating position, and configured to orient the operating width of the header generally parallel to the forward direction when in said transport position;
• a first trailing wheel and a second trailing wheel each connected to said movable frame, said first and second trailing wheels normally aligned for movement in the forward direction when said movable frame is in said operating position;
• a first trailing wheel actuator and a second trailing wheel actuator, each configured to adjust the vertical position of said first and second trailing wheels, respectively, relative to said movable frame;
• a retractable transport mechanism mounted to said tongue, said transport mechanism pivotable about transport pivot axis between a raised stowed position and a deployed position, said transport mechanism having a transport wheel for engaging the ground to support said frame and a transport actuator for moving said mechanism between said stowed and deployed positions the connection between the transport mechanism and the tongue configured such that the wheel is moved both downward and laterally with respect to the tongue during movement from the stowed position and to the deployed position;
• and
• an axle pivot mechanism connecting said first trailing wheel to said movable frame, said pivot mechanism having an axle pivot actuator, said pivot mechanism configured to pivot said first trailing wheel approximately 90 degrees about a generally upright pivot axis;
• wherein by positioning said movable frame in said transport position, moving said transport mechanism to said deployed position, and pivoting said first trailing wheel to a position approximately 90 degrees from said normal alignment, said movable frame positions the header for transport such that the header operating width is aligned for movement along the forward direction.

A method for lateral transport of an agricultural harvester header comprising the steps of:

• providing an elongate tongue;
• providing a movable frame pivotally coupled to the tongue and movable between an operating position and a transport position, the movable frame supporting the header connected thereto and configured to orient the header operating width generally transverse to a forward direction when in the operating position, and configured to orient the header operating width generally parallel to the forward direction when in the transport position, the header having a footprint within a horizontal frame formed by the operating width and the depth of the header;
• providing a first trailing wheel and a second trailing wheel connected to the movable frame, the first and second trailing wheels aligned for movement in the forward direction when the movable frame is in the operating position;
• providing a first wheel actuator and a second wheel actuator, each configured to adjust the vertical position of the first and second trailing wheels, respectively, relative to said movable frame;
• providing a retractable transport mechanism connected to the tongue and movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, the transport mechanism having a transport wheel and a transport actuator for moving the mechanism between the stowed and deployed positions;
• providing an axle pivot mechanism connecting the first trailing wheel to the movable frame, the axle pivot mechanism having an axle pivot actuator, the pivot mechanism configured to selectively pivot said first trailing wheel approximately 90 degrees about a generally upright pivot axis;
• manipulating the movable frame from the operating position to the transport position;
• manipulating the transport mechanism from the stowed position to the deployed position whereupon the transport wheel is in ground contact within the footprint of the header;
• pivoting the first trailing wheel to a position approximately 90 degrees;
• raising the second trailing wheel to a position at which it is no longer in ground contact;
• and
• transporting the header such that the header operating width is aligned for movement along the forward direction.