Hitch swing cylinder mounting point repositioning mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10194583-B2
Application number	US-201314081996-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 15, 2013
Priority date	Sep 11, 2013
Publication date	Feb 5, 2019
Grant date	Feb 5, 2019

Abstract

A hitch swing cylinder mounting point repositioning mechanism for use on an agricultural mower that enables the draft tongue to be pivoted through a swing range during mower operation when the mounting point is in a first position. Repositioning the mounting point to a second position enables the swing cylinder to pivot the draft tongue to a position generally perpendicular to the normal operating direction of travel thereby enabling lateral transport of the mower.

First claim

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A mechanism for positioning a draft tongue of an agricultural mower between a normal operating range and a lateral transport position, the mechanism comprising:
an actuator that is selectively adjustable between a retracted length and an extended length, wherein the actuator is positioned between a frame of the mower and a draft tongue, the actuator having a first end connected to the draft tongue and a moveable end opposite the first end;
a linkage associated with the actuator to allow movement of the moveable end, the linkage allowing selective movement of the moveable end between an operating position of the linkage and a transport position of the linkage, the operating position locating the moveable end so that movement of the actuator between the retracted length and the extended length causes movement of the draft tongue in an operating swing range for pulling the mower in an operational travel direction, the transport position locating the moveable end so that movement of the actuator between the retracted length and the extended length causes movement of the draft tongue beyond the operating swing range to a lateral transport position oriented generally perpendicularly to the operational travel direction, the linkage comprising first and second link portions pivotally connected to each other; and
a latch for restraining the linkage in either the operating position or the transport position, the latch engaging the first link portion to restrain the linkage in either the operating position or the transport position,
wherein the first end of the actuator is moveable between the retracted length and the extended length while the linkage remains in either the transport or operating position.

2. The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the first and second link portions are elongate.

3. The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the linkage further comprises an elongate guide link connected at one end to the moveable end and to the frame at a second pivot location at an opposite end.

4. The mechanism of claim 3 , wherein the latch is normally positioned in a latched position to restrain the linkage in either the operating or transport positions, and wherein the latch is selectively moveable to a released position wherein the linkage is moveable between the operating position and the transport position.

5. The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the moveable end of the actuator when the linkage is in the operating position is spaced from the moveable end of the actuator when the linkage is in the transport position.

6. The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the second link portion includes a pair of detents for respectively engaging the latch in the operating position or the transport position.

7. The mechanism of claim 6 , wherein the second link portion further includes a cam positioned between the detents for allowing movement of the latch to move the linkage between the operating and transport positions.

8. The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the first link and the second link are folded with respect to one another when the linkage is in the operating position.

9. An agricultural mower comprising:
a frame;
a draft tongue pivotally coupled to the frame about a generally upstanding axis;
an actuator having opposing fixed and moveable ends and a selectively adjustable length ranging between a retracted length and an extended length, the fixed end being connected to the draft tongue;
a linkage connecting the moveable end of the actuator to a first mount on the frame, the linkage allowing selective movement of the moveable end of the actuator between an operating position of the linkage and a transport position of the linkage, the operating position locating the moveable end of the actuator so that movement of the actuator between the retracted length and the extended length causes movement of the draft tongue in an operating swing range for pulling the mower in an operational travel direction, the transport position locating the moveable end of the actuator so that movement of the actuator between the retracted length and the extended length causes movement of the draft tongue beyond the operating swing range to a lateral transport position oriented generally perpendicularly to the operational travel direction, the linkage comprising first and second link portions pivotally connected to each other; and
a latch for restraining the linkage in either the operating position or the transport position, the latch engaging the first link portion to restrain the linkage in either the operating position or the transport position.

10. The agricultural mower of claim 9 , wherein the first and second link portions are elongate and are pivotally connected to each other at respective first ends, respective seconds ends of the first and second link portions being pivotally connected to the moveable end and the first mount, respectively.

11. The agricultural mower of claim 10 , wherein the linkage further comprises an elongate guide link connected at one end to the moveable end of the actuator and to the frame at a second mount at an opposite end, the second mount being spaced apart from the first mount, the guide link guiding the moveable end of the actuator through an arc as the actuator is adjusted between the extended length and the retracted length.

12. The agricultural mower of claim 11 , wherein the latch is normally positioned in a latched position to restrain the linkage in either the operating or transport positions, and wherein the latch is selectively moveable to a released position wherein the linkage is moveable between the operating position and the transport position.

13. The agricultural mower of claim 9 , wherein the first end is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position while the linkage remains fixed in position.

14. The agricultural mower of claim 9 , wherein the moveable end of the actuator when the linkage is in the operating position is spaced from the moveable end of the actuator when the linkage is in the transport position.

15. The agricultural mower of claim 9 , wherein the first link and the second link are folded with respect to one another when the linkage is in the operating position.

16. A method for positioning an agricultural mower between a normal operating configuration and a lateral transport configuration, the method comprising:
providing a draft tongue and a moveable frame connected thereto, the draft tongue for propelling the mower in a normal operating direction wherein the frame is transverse to the normal operating direction, the frame being pivotable in relation to the draft tongue about a generally upstanding hitch pivot;
providing an actuator having generally opposing fixed and moveable ends defining a length therebetween, the length being selectively adjustable between a retracted length and an extended length, the fixed end being directly connected to the draft tongue;
providing a linkage connecting the moveable end of the actuator to the mower frame at a pivot location, the linkage allowing selective movement of the moveable end between a first position and a second position, the linkage comprising first and second link portions pivotally connected to each other;
providing a latch for restraining the linkage in either an operating position or a transport position;
positioning the linkage so that the moveable end is in the first position;
adjusting the actuator to the extended length;
restraining the frame to prevent movement relative to the draft tongue;
selecting of the linkage to allow movement of the

Assignees

• Rude Derek S
• Kosokowsky Murray
• Cnh Ind America Llc

Inventors

• Rude Derek S
• Kosokowsky Murray

Classifications

• A01D34/00

  Mowers (combined with apparatus performing additional operations while mowing A01D37/00 - A01D41/00, A01D43/00; convertible to apparatus for purposes other than mowing or capable of performing operations other than mowing A01D42/00); Mowing apparatus of harvesters · CPC title

• A01D34/66 Primary

  with two or more cutters · CPC title

• A01D75/00

  Accessories for harvesters or mowers · CPC title

• A01D75/002

  Carriers for the transport of harvesters or mowers · CPC title

• A01D34/001 Primary

  Accessories not otherwise provided for · CPC title