Harvester header with tilted top beam

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021400873-A1
Application number	US-201917293774-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 5, 2019
Priority date	Nov 16, 2018
Publication date	Dec 30, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

A header system includes a first header segment comprising a cutter bar configured to cut crops, and a first portion of a conveyor assembly. The header system further includes a center section comprising a center section tilted top beam and a second portion of the conveyor assembly, wherein the center section is configured to receive cut crops from the first header segment via the first portion of the conveyor assembly, wherein the center section tilted top beam is disposed at a first angle tilted relative to ground when the header system is in use.

First claim

1 .- 15 . (canceled)

16 . A header system, comprising:
a first header segment comprising a cutter bar configured to cut crops, and a first portion of a conveyor assembly; and a center section comprising a center section tilted top beam and a second portion of the conveyor assembly, wherein the center section is configured to receive cut crops from the first header segment via the first portion of the conveyor assembly, wherein the center section tilted top beam is disposed at a first angle tilted relative to ground when the header system is in use.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the first angle comprises a line-of-sight angle enabling an operator of the header system to visualize at least a portion of cut crop in the center section by looking down from a cab of a vehicle carrying the header system and by looking over the center section tilted top beam.

18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the center section tilted top beam comprises a square shape or a rectangular shape.

19 . The system of claim 16 , further comprising a first actuator coupling the first header segment to the center section via the center section tilted head beam, wherein the center section tilted top beam is coupled to one or more fluid conduits configured to carry a hydraulic fluid and wherein the center section tilted top beam is configured to be a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid.

20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the first actuator comprises a hydraulic actuator and wherein the hydraulic actuator is fluidly coupled to the center section tilted top beam via the one or more conduits.

21 . The system of claim 16 , further comprising a first actuator coupling the first header segment to the center section via the center section tilted head beam, wherein the first header segment comprises a first tilted top beam mechanically coupled to the first actuator and configured to move the first header segment based on actuation of the actuator, and wherein the first tilted top beam is disposed at a second angle tilted relative to ground when the header system is in use.

22 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the first angle is equal to the second angle.

23 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the first tilted top beam is coupled to one or more fluid conduits configured to carry a hydraulic fluid and wherein the first tilted top beam is configured to be a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid.

24 . The system of claim 16 , further comprising:
a second header segment comprising the cutter bar and configured to cut the crops; and a third portion of the conveyor assembly, wherein the center section is configured to receive cut crops from the second header segment via the first and the third portions of the conveyor assembly.

25 . The system of claim 24 , wherein the second tilted top beam is disposed at a second angle tilted relative to ground when the header system is in use.

26 . A header system, comprising:
a first header segment comprising a cutter bar configured to cut crops, a first portion of a conveyor assembly, and a first tilted top beam configured to move the first header segment; and a center section comprising a second portion of the conveyor assembly, wherein the center section is configured to receive cut crops from the first header segment via the first portion of the conveyor assembly, wherein the first tilted top beam is disposed at a first angle tilted relative to ground when the header system is in use.

27 . The system of claim 26 , wherein the first angle comprises a line-of-sight angle enabling an operator of the header system to visualize at least a portion of cut crop in the first header segment by looking down from a cab of a vehicle carrying the header system and by looking over the first tilted top beam

28 . The system of claim 26 , further comprising a first actuator coupling the first header segment to the center section via the first tilted top beam, wherein the first tilted top beam is coupled to one or more fluid conduits configured to carry a hydraulic fluid and wherein the first tilted top beam is configured to be a reservoir for the hydraulic fluid.

29 . The system of claim 26 , further comprising:
a second header segment comprising the cutter bar and configured to cut the crops; and a third portion of the conveyor assembly, wherein the center section is configured to receive cut crops from the second header segment via the first and the third portions of the conveyor assembly; and a second actuator coupling the second header segment to the center section via a second tilted top beam, wherein the second tilted top beam is included in the second header segment and is disposed at a second angle tilted relative to ground when the header system is in use.

30 . The system of claim 29 , wherein the first angle is equal to the second angle.

31 . A method of manufacturing a header, comprising:
determining a line-of-sight angle that enables an operator inside a cab a view of product being conveyed by a conveyor section of a header system; determining a tilt angle for a beam included in the header system, wherein the tilt angle enables the operator to view the product over the beam; manufacturing the beam; and positioning the beam at the tilt angle in the header system

32 . The method of claim 31 , further comprising manufacturing one or more hydraulic couplings in the beam, wherein the hydraulic couplings are configured to couple with one or more hydraulic conduits.

33 . The method of claim 31 , wherein the beam comprises a center section tilted top beam included in a center section of the header system, and wherein the center section is configured to receive cut crops from a first header segment via a first portion of the conveyor assembly included in the first header segment.

34 . The method of claim 31 , wherein the beam comprises a first tilted top beam included in a first header segment of the header system, the first header segment comprising a cutter bar configured to cut crops, and a first portion of a conveyor assembly configured to move the cut crops.

35 . The method of claim 34 , further comprising manufacturing a second beam, and positioning the second beam at a second tilt angle in a second header segment of the header system, the second header segment comprising the cutter bar configured to cut crops, and a second portion of a conveyor assembly configured to move the cut crops.

Assignees

• Cnh Ind America Llc

Inventors

• Kemmerer Benjamin David
• Noll Blaine Robert
• Farley Herbert M

Classifications

• A01D41/16

  Devices for coupling mowing tables to conveyors · CPC title

• A01D41/14 Primary

  Mowing tables · CPC title

• A01D41/127

  Control or measuring arrangements specially adapted for combines · CPC title

• A01D41/144 Primary

  Foldable headers · CPC title