Pull-type crop harvesting machine transport system where a transport wheel can move underneath the crop engaging system

A pull-type crop engaging machine for towed movement by a tractor comprising:

• a frame mounted on transversely spaced field ground wheels for forward movement during field operation across ground carrying a crop;
• a crop engaging system mounted in a transverse direction across a front of the frame so that the frame carries the crop engaging system in the forward direction generally at right angles to the transverse direction into the crop;
• a hitch arm extending from the frame to a coupling hitch arranged for attachment to a hitch connector of a tractor by which the frame is towed in the forward direction across the ground while running on the ground wheels;
• a mounting connecting the hitch arm to the frame, wherein the mounting is operable to cause movement of the hitch arm so that in the field position the hitch arm extends from the frame generally forwardly for towing the machine in the forward direction and in the transport position the hitch arm extends from the frame generally in the transverse direction for towing the machine in the transverse direction;
• and a transport assembly attached to the frame for transporting the frame and the crop engaging system carried thereon in the transverse direction during transport towed by the tractor through the hitch arm;
• the transport assembly comprising:
• a front transport ground wheel for engaging the ground in front of the crop engaging system and supporting the frame during transport;
• a frame member attaching said front transport ground wheel to the frame;
• an actuation arrangement which moves the frame member to carry said front transport ground wheel between a first position in which the transport ground wheel is raised from the ground for field operation and a second transport position in which said front transport ground wheel is in contact with the ground with the field ground wheels lifted from the ground;
• said frame member being shaped and arranged to support said front transport ground wheel on the frame in the first position rearward of the crop engaging system;
• said frame member being shaped and arranged to move said front transport ground wheel in movement from the first position downwardly and forwardly for engaging the ground in said transport position.

A pull-type disk header for towed movement by a tractor comprising:

• a frame including a main rear beam mounted on transversely spaced field ground wheels for forward movement during field operation across ground carrying a crop;
• a cutter bar including a row of cutter disks carried on the cutter bar with each cutter disk being rotatable about a respective upstanding axis;
• the cutter bar being mounted in a transverse direction across a front of the frame so that the frame carries the cutter bar in the forward direction generally at right angles to the transverse direction into the crop;
• a hitch arm extending from the frame to a coupling hitch arranged for attachment to a hitch connector of a tractor by which the frame is towed in the forward direction across the ground while running on the ground wheels;
• a mounting connecting the hitch arm to the frame, wherein the mounting is operable to cause movement of the hitch arm so that in the field position the hitch arm extends from the frame generally forwardly for towing the machine in the forward direction and in the transport position the hitch arm extends from the frame generally in the transverse direction for towing the machine in the transverse direction;
• and a transport assembly attached to the frame for transporting the frame and the crop engaging system carried thereon in the transverse direction during transport towed by the tractor through the hitch arm;
• the transport assembly comprising:
• a front transport ground wheel for engaging the ground in said transport position in front of the cutter bar and supporting the frame during transport;
• a rear transport ground wheel for engaging the ground rearwardly of the cutter bar and supporting the frame during transport;
• a support structure attaching said front transport ground wheel to the main rear beam of the frame;
• an actuation arrangement which moves at least part of the support structure to carry said front transport ground wheel between a first position in which the transport ground wheel is raised from the ground for field operation and a second transport position in which said front transport ground wheel is in contact with the ground with the field ground wheels lifted from the ground;
• said support structure being shaped and arranged to support said front transport ground wheel from said main rear beam in the first position rearward of the cutter bar;
• said support structure being shaped and arranged to move said front transport ground wheel in movement from the first position downwardly and forwardly for engaging the ground in said transport position.