Cotton picker unit lift structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10952377-B2
Application number	US-201916668605-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 30, 2019
Priority date	Jul 20, 2017
Publication date	Mar 23, 2021
Grant date	Mar 23, 2021

Abstract

A cotton picker unit lift structure having a first frame, a second frame pivotally coupled to the first frame about a pivot axis, and at least one sliding joint coupling the first frame to the second frame. Wherein, the sliding joint is not positioned at the pivot axis.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A cotton harvester system, comprising:
a work machine comprising:
at least one ground engaging mechanism for moving the work machine over an underlying surface; and
a cab containing a plurality of controls for the work machine; and

a header unit, comprising:
a header frame assembly comprising:
a first frame removably coupled to the work machine; and
a second frame pivotally coupled to the first frame about a pivot axis; and

a plurality of row units coupled to the header frame assembly;

wherein the second frame selectively pivots relative to the first frame in response to manipulation of the plurality of controls; and
wherein the pivot axis is not oriented through the first frame or the second frame.

2. The cotton harvester system of claim 1 , further wherein the first frame comprises:
a single water coupler; and
a single hydraulic coupler;
wherein the plurality of row units are is coupled to the work machine through the single water coupler and the single hydraulic coupler.

3. The cotton harvester system of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one sliding joint pivotally coupling the first frame to the second frame;
wherein, the at least one sliding joint comprises an arcuate opening defined in the second frame and a slider coupled to the first frame.

4. The cotton harvester system of claim 1 , wherein the second frame further comprises:
a first header cross-member;
a second header cross-member spaced from and coupled to the first header cross-member;
a first sliding joint slidably coupling the second cross-member to the first frame;
a second sliding joint slidably coupling the first cross-member to the first frame; and
a third sliding joint slidably coupling the first cross member to the first frame.

5. The cotton harvester system of claim 1 , further comprising a linear actuator pivotally coupled at a first end to the first frame and pivotally coupled at a second end to the second frame, wherein the linear actuator articulates to pivot the second frame about the pivot axis relative to the first frame.

6. The cotton harvester system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a linkage assembly coupled to the first frame
at least one top link coupling the first frame to the work machine;
at least one linear actuator coupling the first frame to the work machine; and
a sub-frame pivotally coupling the first frame to the work machine;
wherein the top link adjusts fore and aft orientation of the header unit relative to the work machine and the linear actuator raises and lowers the header unit relative to the work machine.

7. The cotton harvester system of claim 5 , further comprising a ground sensor positioned on at least one row unit of the plurality of row units, wherein the linear actuator articulates responsive to the proximity of the ground sensor to the underlying surface.

8. The cotton harvester system of claim 1 , wherein the pivot axis is defined at a location away from the first frame and the second frame and towards the underlying surface.

9. The cotton harvester system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a linkage assembly coupled to the first frame
at least one top link coupling the first frame to the work machine;
at least one linear actuator coupling the first frame to the work machine; and
a sub-frame pivotally coupling the first frame to the work machine;
wherein the top link adjusts fore and aft orientation of the header unit relative to the work machine and the linear actuator raises and lowers the header unit relative to the work machine.

10. A cotton picker unit lift structure, comprising:
a first frame;
a second frame having a first header cross-member and a second header cross-member, the second frame pivotally coupled to the first frame about a pivot axis; and
at least one row unit coupled to the second frame;
wherein, the pivot axis is not oriented through the first frame or the second frame.

11. The cotton picker unit lift structure of claim 10 , further comprising:
a first sliding joint slidably coupling the first frame to the first header cross-member; and
a second sliding joint slidably coupling the first frame to the second header cross-member.

12. A cotton harvester system, comprising:
a work machine comprising:
at least one ground engaging mechanism for moving the work machine over an underlying surface; and

a header unit, comprising:
a header frame assembly comprising:
a first frame removably coupled to the work machine; and
a second frame pivotally coupled to the first frame about a pivot axis;

a plurality of row units coupled to the header unit assembly; and
at least one sensor configured to measure a height of at least one row unit of the plurality of row units relative to the underlying surface;

wherein the pivot axis is not oriented through the first frame or the second frame.

13. The cotton harvester system of claim 12 , further comprising:
a controller in communication with the at least one sensor;
wherein the second frame selectively pivots relative to the first frame in response to command of the controller.

14. The cotton harvester system of claim 13 , further comprising a linear actuator pivotally coupled at a first end to the first frame and pivotally coupled at a second end to the second frame, wherein the linear actuator articulates in response to command of the controller to pivot the second frame about the pivot axis relative to the first frame.

15. The cotton harvester system of claim 12 , further wherein the first frame comprises:
a single water coupler; and
a single hydraulic coupler;
wherein the plurality of row units is coupled to the work machine through the single water coupler and the single hydraulic coupler.

16. The cotton harvester system of claim 12 , further comprising:
at least one sliding joint pivotally coupling the first frame to the second frame;
wherein, the at least one sliding joint comprises an arcuate opening defined in the second frame and a slider coupled to the first frame.

17. The cotton harvester system of claim 12 , wherein the second frame further comprises:
a first header cross-member;
a second header cross-member spaced from and coupled to the first header cross-member;
a first sliding joint slidably coupling the second cross-member to the first frame;
a second sliding joint slidably coupling the first cross-member to the first frame; and
a third sliding joint slidably coupling the first cross member to the first frame.

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Goering Kevin J
• Rumohr John O
• Reed Barrett D

Classifications

• A01D67/005 Primary

  Arrangements of coupling devices · CPC title

• A01D46/14

  using lint-from-plant pickers · CPC title

• A01D46/085

  Control or measuring arrangements specially adapted for cotton harvesters · CPC title

• A01D46/08 Primary

  of cotton · CPC title

• A01D46/081

  with harvesters characterised by transversally adjustable row units · CPC title