Raking apparatus with independently adjustable raking width and windrow width

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018317390-A1
Application number	US-201715538023-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 1, 2017
Priority date	Feb 2, 2016
Publication date	Nov 8, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

An adjustable raking apparatus for gathering crop material into a windrow is disclosed. The raking apparatus allows the raking width and the windrow width to be independently adjusted. In some embodiments, both the raking width and the windrow width may be adjusted by the operator from the pulling vehicle attached to the raking apparatus.

First claim

1 . An adjustable raking apparatus for gathering crop material into a windrow, the raking apparatus comprising:
a plurality of rake wheels; a main frame having a first arm and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm each being adjustable between an extended operating position in which the rake wheels engage a surface supporting the raking apparatus and a travel position in which the rake wheels are raised from the surface; a first forward tool bar pivotally attached to the first arm to adjust a raking width of the apparatus; a first rear tool bar pivotally attached to the first arm to adjust a windrow width of the apparatus, the first rear tool bar being independently movable relative to the first forward tool bar; a second forward tool bar pivotally attached to the second arm to adjust the raking width; and a second rear tool bar pivotally attached to the second arm to adjust the windrow width, the second rear tool bar being independently movable relative to the second forward tool bar, wherein a rake wheel is attached to each of the first forward tool bar, first rear tool bar, second forward tool bar and second rear tool bar.

2 . The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first forward tool bar, first rear tool bar, second forward tool bar and second rear tool bar each have a pivot axis, the pivot axis of the first forward tool bar and the pivot axis of the first rear tool bar being different and the pivot axis of the second forward tool bar and the pivot axis of the second rear tool bar being different.

3 . The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first forward tool bar, first rear tool bar, second forward tool bar and second rear tool bar each have a pivot axis, the pivot axis of the first forward tool bar and the first rear tool bar being the same and the pivot axis of the second forward tool bar and the second rear tool bar being the same.

4 . The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first forward tool bar is not attached to the first rear tool bar and the second forward tool bar is not attached to the second rear tool bar.

5 . The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 comprising a first forward tool bar actuator and a second forward tool bar actuator for adjusting a raking width of the raking apparatus.

6 . The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the first forward tool bar actuator and the second forward tool bar actuator include communication links to allow the raking width to be controlled from a pulling vehicle.

7 . The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the first forward tool bar actuator is mounted to the first arm and the second forward tool bar actuator is mounted to the second arm.

8 . The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 comprising a first rear tool bar actuator and a second rear tool bar actuator for adjusting a windrow width of the raking apparatus.

9 . The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein the first rear tool bar actuator is mounted to the first arm and the second rear tool bar actuator is mounted to the second arm.

10 . The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein the first forward tool bar actuator and the second forward tool bar actuator include communication links to allow the raking width to be controlled from a pulling vehicle.

11 . The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 comprising:
a first rear tool bar locking mechanism for locking the position of the first rear tool bar; and
a second rear tool bar locking mechanism for locking the position of the second rear tool bar.

12 . The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 comprising:
a first forward tool bar locking mechanism for locking the position of the first forward tool bar; and
a second forward tool bar locking mechanism for locking the position of the second forward tool bar.

13 . The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least two raking wheels are attached to each of the first forward tool bar, first rear tool bar, second forward tool bar and second rear tool bar.

14 - 18 . (canceled)

19 . The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first arm and second arm are each vertically pivotal with the extended operating position being a lowered position and the travel positon being a raised position with respect to a vertical axis of the raking apparatus.

20 . The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein the first arm and second arm also have an adjustable length to adjust a raking width of the raking apparatus.

21 . (canceled)

22 . The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 comprising a control system for controlling the first and second rear tool bars to cause the tool bars to weave perpendicular to the direction of travel of the raking apparatus.

23 . The adjustable raking apparatus as set forth in claim 1 comprising a sensor for sensing a plug of baling material between two most rearward rake wheels.

24 . A method for raking material into a windrow by use of the adjustable raking apparatus of claim 1 , the method comprising:
pivoting the first forward tool bar and pivoting the second forward tool bar to a desired raking width; and pivoting the first rear tool bar and pivoting the second rear tool bar to a desired windrow width.

25 . The method as set forth in claim 24 wherein the adjustable raking apparatus is attached to a pull vehicle and pivoting of the first forward tool bar and pivoting of the second forward tool bar are controlled from the pull vehicle.

26 . The method as set forth in claim 24 wherein pivoting of the first rear tool bar and pivoting of the second rear tool bar are controlled from the pull vehicle.

27 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Vermeer Mfg Co

Inventors

• Schiferl Tyler G
• Kindley Michael S
• Vaske Michael R
• Thompson Kent L

Classifications

• A01D78/14

  the tines rotating about a substantially horizontal axis · CPC title

• A01D57/12 Primary

  Rotating rakes · CPC title

• A01D57/28 Primary

  Windrower attachments with tines · CPC title