US 8,261,521 B2 · Self-leveling four-bar linkage for suspending a header of an agricultural implement

Abstract

A suspension system for agricultural implements having at least one floating head using a four-bar linkage, and permitting the floating head to accommodate variations in ground surface elevation in a lateral or transverse direction. By permitting the floating head to float, a more consistent cutting height is realized when ground surface elevation varies in a transverse direction. A main frame is provided to which the ground engaging wheels are attached. A sub-frame is connected to the main frame via the four-bar linkage. The sub-frame is pivotally attached to the arms of the four-bar linkage by spherical and cylindrical bearings. The lower linkage arms of the four-bar linkage are maintained in compression while the upper linkage arms are maintained in tension. Due to the compression and tension in the linkage arms, the floating head will self-level in the transverse direction when raised, yet allow the header to float during operation.

Claims34

Dependent claims

A method of suspending a header from a towed implement to permit the header to float, the towed implement comprising a main frame, a sub-frame comprising a first side and a second side, and a four-bar linkage system comprising an upper link, a lower link, and an actuator, the method comprising:

(a) operatively, pivotally attaching a first end of the upper link to the main frame of the towed implement using a first spherical bearing;
(b) operatively, pivotally attaching a second end of the upper link to the first side of the sub-frame using a second spherical bearing;
(c) operatively, pivotally attaching a first end of the lower link to the main frame using a first cylindrical bearing;
(d) operatively, pivotally attaching a second end of the lower link to the first side of the sub-frame using a third spherical bearing in such a way that the upper link is not parallel to the lower link;
(e) operatively, pivotally attaching the actuator to the first side of the sub-frame at a point lower than the second end of the upper link and higher than the second end of the lower link;
(f) operatively attaching the header of the towed implement to the second side of the sub-frame, and
(g) operatively rotatably attaching at least one ground engaging wheel to the main frame along a substantially horizontal axis, the main frame being fixed with respect to the horizontal axis of the ground engaging wheel.

4 more elements

A towed implement comprising:

(a) a left side;
(b) a right side;
(c) a main frame;
(d) a first ground engaging wheel disposed on the left side of the towed implement for supporting the towed implement, the towed implement having a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the first ground engaging wheel;
(e) a second ground engaging wheel disposed on the right side of the towed implement for supporting the towed implement;
(f) a sub-frame for supporting a work tool;
(g) a left upper link having a first end operatively, pivotally connected to the main frame by a spherical bearing;
and a second end operatively, pivotally connected to the sub-frame by a spherical bearing;
(h) a right upper link having a first end operatively, pivotally connected to the main frame by a spherical bearing, and a second end operatively, pivotally connected to the sub-frame by a spherical bearing;
(i) a lower link having a first end operatively, pivotally connected to the main frame by a cylindrical bearing, and a second end operatively pivotally connected to the sub-frame by a spherical bearing, the left upper link and the right upper link being non-parallel;
(j) an actuator, operatively, pivotally connected to the sub-frame at a lower point than the second end of the left upper link and the right upper link, and higher than the second end of the lower link;
and
(k) a work tool, operatively attached to the sub-frame.

10 more elements

A towed implement comprising:

(a) a main frame having a front, a left side and a right side;
(b) a first ground engaging wheel, disposed on the left side of the main frame for operatively supporting the towed implement on the ground, the main frame additionally comprising a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the first ground engaging wheel;
(c) a second ground engaging wheel, disposed on the right side of the main frame for operatively supporting the towed implement on the ground;
(d) a two-component sub-frame for supporting a work tool wherein a first component of the sub-frame is operatively, pivotally connected to the main frame, and a second component of the sub-frame is operatively, pivotally connected to the work tool;
(e) a left upper link having a first end operatively, pivotally connected to the main frame by a spherical bearing;
and a second end operatively, pivotally connected to the sub-frame by a spherical bearing;
(f) a right upper link having a first end operatively, pivotally connected to the main frame by a spherical bearing, and a second end operatively, pivotally connected to the sub-frame by a spherical bearing, the left and right upper links being non-parallel to each other;
and
(g) a lower link having a first end operatively, pivotally connected to the main frame by a cylindrical bearing, and a second end operatively pivotally connected to the sub-frame by a spherical bearing;
and
(h) an actuator connected to the sub-frame at a point lower than the second end of the left upper link and the right upper link, and higher than the second end of the lower link.

8 more elements

A method of suspending a header from a towed implement to permit the header to float, the towed implement comprising a main frame, a sub-frame, and a four-bar linkage system comprising an upper link and a lower link, the method comprising:

(a) operatively, pivotally affixing an end of the upper link to the sub-frame;
(b) operatively, pivotally affixing an end of the lower link to the sub-frame at a point on the sub-frame lower than the end of the upper link in such a way that the lower link is not parallel to the upper link;
(c) operatively, pivotally affixing an actuator to the sub-frame below the end of the upper link and above the end of the lower link;
(d) applying a force to the sub frame with the actuator in a direction toward the main frame;
(e) placing the upper link in tension due to the force;
(f) placing the lower link in compression due to the force;
(g) raising the sub-frame due to the force;
and
(h) permitting the sub-frame to self-level due to the tension in the upper link.

6 more elements

A mower for mowing agricultural crops while moving in a forward direction of travel and cutting a swath a width between a mower left side and a mower right side comprising:

a longitudinal plane parallel to the forward direction, oriented vertically and disposed equidistant from the mower left side and the mower right side;
a sub-frame generally perpendicular to the longitudinal plane having a sub-frame left side, a sub-frame right side, a sub-frame upper side and a sub-frame lower side;
a main frame with a portion that is perpendicular to the longitudinal plane;
a four bar linkage comprising:
a first link extending between a first point at a connection to the sub-frame with a first spherical bearing and a second point at a connection to the main frame with a second spherical bearing with a first link axis extending between the first and second points along a line at a first angle relative to the longitudinal plane;
a second link extending between a third point at a connection to the sub-frame with a third spherical bearing and a fourth point at a connection to the main frame with a fourth spherical bearing with a second link axis extending between the third and fourth points along a line at a second angle relative to the longitudinal plane;
and wherein the first angle is not equal to the second angle;
and
an actuator connected to the sub-frame at a place lower than the first point of connection of the first link to the sub-frame and higher than the third point of connection of the second link at a connection to the sub-frame.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Self-leveling four-bar linkage for suspending a header of an agricultural implement

Life of this patent

Self-leveling four-bar linkage for suspending a header of an agricultural implement

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims34