REAR PICKER UNIT LIFT AND TILT MECHANISM Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application is an international application designating the United States of America and filed under 35 U.S.C. § 120, which claims priority to U.S.

Provisional Serial Number 61/712,557, filed on October 1 1, 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates generally to a tractor on top cotton harvester, wherein the tractor is supported on a raised platform or frame, above and forward of rear wheels generally bounding a space below the platform, including picker unit support structure carried on legs in connection with the rear wheels, configured for carrying at least one cotton picker unit in the space beneath the tractor, the support structure being optimally configured for lifting and tilting the picker unit or units, while lowering an overall center of gravity of the harvester and counterbalancing a cotton receiving basket carried on the rear end, to reduce possibility of tipping and rollover, and providing a good sightline to an inlet region of the picker unit or units.

Background Art

[0002] Tractor on top harvesters are well known. Typically, the tractor is carried on a raised platform or frame, and drives drive wheels via a chain, with grain or maize cutting units or a header mounted to the front of the platform or frame, forwardly thereof. The tractor can be driven onto the platform over removable ramps. Also typically, the platform or frame has forwardly located drive wheels and steerable rear wheels much like a conventional self-propelled harvester. This arrangement is suitable for harvesting crops where the plant is cut from the ground. [0003] However, as a shortcoming, for plants that are to be picked but not cut from the ground, such as cotton, the known steerable rear wheel tractor on top configuration is less desirable, as the operator may not have an adequate sight line to monitor alignment of the picker with the plant rows, which could result in driving over or into the cotton plants and damage to and/or loss of cotton bolls.

[0004] As another concern, top heaviness can be a disadvantage with tractor on top machines, and automatic cotton picking mechanisms are typically relatively heavy but narrow compared to grain and multiple row maize harvesting mechanisms, so the machine layout and design should be balanced and reduce the possibility of tipping and rollover.

[0005] Thus, what is sought is a tractor on top harvester configuration suitable for row sensitive harvesting applications such as cotton picking, which overcomes one or more shortcomings or disadvantages set forth above. Summary Of The Invention

[0006] What is disclosed is a tractor on top cotton harvester, including an elevated platform for carrying a tractor, supported on platform support structure including forward legs carried on forward wheels and rear legs carried on rear wheels, bounding a space below the platform, characterized by picker unit support structure in connection with the rear legs and extending forwardly into the space, configured for carrying at least one cotton picker unit in the space, suitable for row sensitive harvesting applications. This arrangement provides a balanced configuration, with a relatively low overall center of gravity, so as to provide good stability and protection against tipping and roll over. This arrangement also provides good sightlines from an operator's station on or adjacent to the tractor, so as to overcome one or more of the shortcomings and disadvantages set forth above.

[0007] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the tractor on top cotton harvester includes an elevated platform or frame supported on and above forward and rear wheels generally bounding a space below the platform, for carrying a tractor above the space. The tractor will be of conventional construction having an engine connected in driving relation to a drive train and an operator station including controls for operating the tractor. The harvester has a mechanism configured for connecting the drive train in driving relation to at least one of the wheels, preferably both rear wheels.

[0008] According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the picker unit or units are each elongate structures, and have an open inlet end configured for receiving a row or rows of cotton plants to be picked, which is advantageously located just rearward of the forward wheels. The forward wheels are preferably steerable, and the platform is configured to provide at least one aperture or passage through which a portion of at least one of the forward wheels (or a guard or cover covering the wheel), along with an inlet region immediately forward of the inlet end of the picker unit or units, are visible by an operator sitting or standing at the operator station, to enable the operator to steer the wheels to align the unit or units with a row or rows of cotton plants, so that driving into or over the rows and damage to the plants when picking can be avoided. Not only can the operator view the alignment of the picker unit with the row, the operator may also be able to view the steering movements, to enable better following the row.

[0009] According to further preferred aspects of the invention, the platform carries a blower to be powered by the tractor, a duct or ducts connecting the blower to the picker unit or units, and a cotton receiving basket carried on a rear portion of the harvester, preferably in cantilever relation to the rear legs. And, the harvester includes at least one cotton duct extending upwardly through the platform to the basket for carrying an airborne flow of the picked cotton to the basket. As another preferred aspect, the ducts extend through the platform to conserve space and provide support for the ducts.

[0010] According to a still further preferred aspect of the invention, the picker unit support structure is configured for carrying the at least one cotton picker unit in cantilever relation to the rear legs. This is advantageous as it enables the picker unit or units to counterbalance the cotton receiving basket, which is supported in cantilever relation in the opposite direction. This also positions the weight of the picker unit or units relatively low, below the tractor and related drive mechanisms, blower, and the like, as well as the cotton receiving basket, so as to lower the overall center of gravity of the harvester, to reduce possibility of tipping or rolling over, in the forward and rear directions, and also sideward directions.

[0011] As another preferred aspect, the picker unit support structure is configured to allow lifting and/or tilting the picker unit or units carried thereon, to provide a capability for adjusting to different terrains, etc., and for avoiding obstacles and the like.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

[0012] FIG. 1 is a side view of a tractor on top cotton harvester of the invention, shown harvesting rows of cotton plants;

[0013] FIG. 2 is perspective view of the tractor on top harvester, in association with a ramp structure usable for driving a tractor onto and off of a raised platform of the harvester;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a simplified top view of the harvester, showing a preferred layout of the raised platform, with the tractor, cotton picker units, and a cotton receiving basket in dotted lines;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side view of the harvester, showing an operator seated at an operator station on the tractor and sightlines to the forward inlet regions of the picker units;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective illustration from the operator station showing an inlet region on the front end of a cotton picker unit through an aperture of the platform of the harvester;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a simplified schematic perspective view of the harvester, showing aspects of a drive mechanism for wheels of the harvester;

[0018] FIG. 7 is another simplified schematic perspective view of the harvester, showing aspects of a drive mechanism for picker units of the harvester;

[0019] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side view of the harvester showing aspects of the drive mechanism for the picker units;

[0020] FIG. 9 is another fragmentary side view of the harvester, showing the picker units supported by the support structure, a blower, and associated duct structure for carrying an airborne flow of picked cotton to a cotton receiving basket of the harvester;

[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing aspects of a preferred embodiment of a structural frame for the harvester of the invention;

[0022] FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a rear leg structure of the structural frame, along with a picker unit support structure of the invention and a representative picker unit in dotted lines; [0023] FIG. 12 is a simplified schematic side view of a harvester of the invention, including a tractor carried on an elevated platform thereof and a representative picker unit supported by the picker unit support structure below the platform, illustrating location of an overall center of gravity of the harvester; and

[0024] FIG. 13 is a simplified schematic front view of the harvester, illustrating location of an overall center of gravity.

Detailed Description Of The Invention

[0025] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a tractor on top cotton harvester 20 constructed and operable according to the teachings of the present invention, particularly suited for row sensitive cotton harvesting applications wherein it is desired to carefully drive along the rows of cotton plants 22 for automatedly picking cotton from the plants, without driving into or over the cotton plants so as to damage the plants, and which is balanced, stable, and resistant to possible tipping and/or rolling over.

[0026] Referring also to FIGS. 2 and 3, tractor on top cotton harvester 20 includes an elevated frame or platform 24 supported on and above a pair of forward wheels 26, and a pair of rear wheels 28, that generally bound a space 30 below platform 24. Platform 24 is configured to serve as a tractor carrying structure 32 including an arrangement of structural beams 34 and cross members 36 for carrying a tractor 38 above space 30, here on upstanding supports 40. As a convenience feature, a tractor such as tractor 38 can be driven, pushed, and/or pulled upwardly from the ground or another surface, onto platform 24 on a removable or temporary ramp structure 42. Once properly positioned on platform 24, the tractor can be raised, such as by jacking, the tractor wheels removed if desired, and the tractor lowered onto upstanding supports 40, and secured in position using U-bolts, straps, and/or the like. A blower 44 is also carried on platform 24 above space 30, rearward of tractor 38, and a large cotton receiving basket 46 is carried on harvester 20 to the rear of platform 24. Here, it should be noted that platform 24 can comprise a variety of arrangements of beams 34, cross members 36, and tractor carrying structures 32, as desired or required for accommodating and carrying a particular tractor, and for providing the capabilities and advantages of the invention discussed below. As an example, referring also to FIG. 10. platform 24 is illustrated having an alternative arrangement of beams 34 and cross members 36, wherein a forward area of platform 24 is narrower and a rear end is wider.

[0027] In any configuration of platform 24 according to the invention, when mounted on platform 24, a tractor such as tractor 38 will be located directly over space 30. Space 30 is open at least at its forward end for accommodating passage of at least one row of plants, and is configured for containing at least one automatic cotton picker unit 48 in alignment with the row or rows of plants. Cotton picker unit 48 can be of conventional commercially available construction and operation, and can comprise, as a non-limiting example, any of a variety of automatic cotton picker row units commercially available from CNH Global N.V., Deere and Company, as well as others. Non-limiting representative picker units that can be used are disclosed and illustrated in Orsborn et al. U.S. Patent No. 7, 146,789 issued

December 12, 2006; and Copley et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,519,988 issued May 28, 1996, the disclosures of which and related patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0028] Generally, each picker unit 48 has a plant flow channel 50 extending forwardly and rearwardly therethrough from a forwardly located inlet region 52. Each unit 48 has at least one picker mechanism including an internal picker drum (not shown) beside channel 50, rotatable about a generally vertical axis, and having rows of picker fingers (also not shown) that extend into the channel and rotate about their axis and the drum axis for extracting cotton filaments from bolls of cotton plants as they move through the channel. A doffer mechanism (not shown) contained in the unit 48 cooperates with the picker fingers to remove the cotton filaments, which are then carried away in an air flow, in a well known manner. The picker units will additionally include internal moistening pads (also not shown) for moistening the picker fingers. Each picker unit 48 can be configured for receiving one or two rows (planted in a double row configuration) of plants, and can be configured to have a single drum to pick from one side of the plants as they pass through the channel, or drums on both sides of the channel for picking from both sides of plants, in the well known manner. It should also be understood that the present invention is not contemplated to be limited to use with cotton picker row units as just described, and can instead utilize a wide variety of other types of units, including, but not limited to, stripper type units that strip the cotton bolls and other foliage from the plants.

[0029] Picking cotton in the above described manner differs from harvesting many other crops, in that the plant is not cut during the picking operation, and it may be desired to pick plants again at a later time or times. Therefore, it is typically desired to avoid damaging the cotton plants during the picking operation, which is accomplished by avoiding driving directly into or over the plants. The plants are typically planted in rows, but terrain can vary and can include ruts and other irregularities, and the plant foliage can be dense, making it important to closely monitor and control the movements of a cotton harvester through a field and to make corrective movements immediately responsive to deviations from a row or rows of plants being picked, and more preferably to make anticipatory movements for closely following the plant rows, to avoid driving into and over and potentially damaging the plants, e.g., by breaking the stalk or productive branches of the plant, driving over bolls, and like damaging actions.

[0030] Referring also to FIGS. 4 and 5, with harvester 20 of the present invention wherein the tractor, such as tractor 38, is disposed directly above the picker unit or units 48, the above desired monitoring capability is achieved by providing at least one space or aperture 54 through platform 24 at a location to advantageously provide a direct sightline 56 between an operator station 58 of tractor 38, and the inlet region 52 just forwardly of the plant flow channel 50 of a picker unit 48. Here, picker units 48 each have at least one row divider 60 extending forwardly beside inlet region 52 of the unit, and as illustrated in FIG. 5, at least a portion of divider 60 can be observed along sightline 56 for use in steering. Additionally, each of forward wheels 26 is positioned beside and preferably includes a streamlined guard or cover 62, at least the side of which can preferably also be observed through aperture 54 from operator station 58, to facilitate alignment of the harvester with rows of plants to be picked, as can be envisioned from FIG. 4. To facilitate this, and passage of the wheels between plant rows, an inner surface of one or both covers 62 can be generally aligned in the forward and rearward directions with an adjacent divider 60, as illustrated in FIG. 5. To also facilitate steering, the visibility of one or both wheels 26 (or cover 62) enables an operator to view the actual wheel angle and wheel movements , denoted by arrow WM in FIG. 5, resulting from steering wheel motions, to better maintain the picker units or units 48 aligned with the plant row or rows. As an additional aid, when looking down through aperture 54, the operator can use the adjacent beam 34 of platform 24 as a visual reference point if desired.

[0031] Tractor 38 will preferably be of conventional construction and operation, and operator station 58 will typically include a seat 64, a steering wheel 66, as well as various operator controls, including a throttle, range selector, brake or brakes, drive clutch, and power take off clutch controls (not shown), in the conventional, well known manner. Alternatively, station 58 can be a standing station, if desired. In either case, sightline 56 through the at least one aperture 54 will be suitably positioned to allow an operator OP to look downwardly through platform 24 to clearly and unobstructedly view the inlet region 52 forwardly of at least one of the picker units 48 and preferably the associated cover 62 over wheel 26 also, while being able to additionally look up and forwardly downfield and elsewhere as denoted by the higher sightline and the range of vision between the sightlines.

Forward wheels 26 of harvester 20 are the preferred steering wheels and can be suitably connected to the steering mechanism of tractor 38 so as to be steerable via rotation of steering wheel 66, e.g., through a convenient mechanism such as a steering linkage 68 connectable to tie rods, a steering arm, or other elements of the steering mechanism of tractor 38.

[0032] Referring also FIG. 6, harvester 20 is preferably propelled by connection with a drive train 70 driven by an engine 86 of tractor 38, here by a pair of chain drives 72 including a drive sprocket 76 disposed on each rear drive axle or hub 74 of drive train 70, a transfer sprocket set 78 mounted at a suitable location on platform 24 or elsewhere on harvester 20, and a driven sprocket 80 on each rear wheels 28 of the harvester, sprocket set 78 and sprocket 80 being connected to drive sprockets 76 by drive chains 82 and 84 which encircle the sprockets, such that operation of drive train 70 will drive rear wheels 28. Alternatively, it is contemplated that a shaft drive or a fluid drive using hydraulic motors driven by a pump could be used for propelling the harvester if desired.

[0033] Referring more particularly to FIG. 1 and also to FIGS. 7 and 8, picker units 48 will also be driven by tractor 38, preferably via a power take off (PTO) connected to a drive shaft 88 extending rearwardly to and powering a drive belt arrangement 90 supported on and below a rear end of platform 24 above rear wheels 28. Belt arrangement 90 is an exemplary arrangement that is configured to drive the drum and doffers of picker units 48, as well as blower 44 and a water pump 92 for the moistening pads of the picker units, at desired operating speeds. More particularly referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, PTO drive shaft 88 connects in rotatably driving relation to blower 44 and a main pulley 94 encircled by a main drive belt 96 that extends down through the platform and encircles a pulley of a picker unit drive pulley set 98. Picker unit drive pulley set 98 is connected in driving relation to a first picker unit drive shaft 100, and optionally a second drive shaft for the second picker unit can connect via a transfer belt and pulley (not shown) in driven relation to pulley set 98. The picker unit drive shaft 100 extends forwardly to a right angle gear box on the top of the picker unit in the conventional manner, and can include universal joints as required to accommodate different positions of the picker units relative to pulley set 98. A drive belt 102 extends upwardly from pulley set 98 to a transfer pulley set

104, which drives a belt 106 that powers water pump 92. Alternatively, it is contemplated that a chain and/or shaft drives in connection with the PTO or the tractor drive train, or hydraulic drive or electric motors, could be used for propelling the picker units, blower, and water pump, if desired.

[0034] Referring also to FIG. 9, platform 24 is supported in its elevated or raised position, at the forward end by upstanding, steerable front support legs 108 in connection with forward wheels 26 and steering linkage 68 (FIGS. 3 and 4). The rear end of platform 24 is supported by fixed rear legs 1 10 in connection with rear wheels 28. Drive chains 84 extend down from platform 24 to driven rear wheels 28 generally parallel and close to rear legs 110. This eliminates the need for a solid rear axle extending between rear wheels 28 to facilitate passage of harvester 20 over picked plants without damaging the plants. This also allows use of the tractor differential (of drive train 70) for driving the wheels at different speeds when turning and other maneuvers. Suitable structure can be provided, as required or desired for adjusting the width apart of wheels 26 and 28, in the well known manner.

[0035] Referring also to FIGS. 10, 1 1, and 12, rear legs 1 10 of harvester 20 are of robust and strong construction, as they comprise the main support structure for platform 24, as well as tractor 38 carried thereon, basket 46, and picker units 48. In regard to the latter two items, harvester 20 includes a picker unit support structure 1 12 configured and operable for supporting a picker unit or units 48 in cantilever, forward extending relation to rear legs 110, and a rearwardly extending basket support platform 1 14 supported by diagonal braces 116 connected to lower portions of legs 1 10, in a manner such that the picker unit or units 48, and basket 46, will essentially counter balance each other in the fore and aft directions about legs 1 10. Additionally, the mass of picker unit or units 48, combined with the masses of wheels 26 and 28, the legs 108 and 1 10, and picker unit support structure 112, lower the overall center of gravity OCG of harvester 20 to reduce possibility of tipping or rollover in all of the fore and aft and side directions, as generally illustrated by the location of overall center of gravity OCG in FIGS. 12 and 13. Here, it should be noted that overall center of gravity OCG will vary for different applications as a function of a number of factors, including, but not limited to, mass and location of a center of gravity of a tractor 38 used, presence or absence of an operator, amount of cotton in basket 36, whether one or two picker units 48 are carried, size and contents of tires used, and fuel, hydraulic fluid, and water levels, and therefore the location of center of gravity OCG shown should be considered as representative only, but one skilled in the art should understand that placement of a relatively large mass such as that on one or two picker units 48 at a relatively low and centered location within space 30 will have the advantageous effect of lowering and centering the overall center of gravity of harvester 20, and provide enhanced resistance to tipping and rollover.

[0036] Picker unit support structure 1 12 is additionally preferably configured and operable for advantageously lifting and/or tilting picker units 48 supported thereon, for purposes that can include, to improve harvesting and picking capability and operation, and for enabling passage over obstacles and irregularities of underlying surfaces, such as furrows, bumps, depressions, ruts, ditches, and the like. As noted above, picker or units 48 are supported in forwardly extending cantilever relation from rear legs 1 10. To incorporate the lifting and tilting function, support structure 1 12 includes a pivoting lift arm assembly 1 18 pivotally connected to and supported on rear legs 1 10 by pivot joints 120. Arm assembly 1 18 extends forwardly, and is adjustably supported by a lift mechanism 122 including a fluid powered lift cylinder pivotally connected thereto by an upper pivot joint 124, and at its lower end by a lower pivot joint 126, to a lower cross member 128 extending between legs 110 (FIG. 10). A tilt mechanism 130 including a fluid powered tilt cylinder has a rear end that connects by a pivot joint 132 to a support bracket 134 carried on the forward end of lift arm assembly 118, and a forward end that connects via a pivot joint 136 to a cross member of a picker unit support frame 138. Picker unit support frame 138 is a rectangular structure that carries a tool bar 140 from which the rear end or ends of a picker unit or units 48 is/are hung by hooks 142 similarly to the manner of supporting picker units on a conventional harvester. Frame 138 extends forwardly over the picker unit or units 48 to a forward support point 144 that connects to and supports the forward end or ends of the picker unit or units 48 via suitable attachment elements such as fasteners, another hook, or the like. A tilt control rod 146 is additionally pivotally connected between bracket 134 and a cross member 148 extending between rear legs 1 10. The lift cylinder of lift mechanism 122 and the tilt cylinder of tilt mechanism 130 are preferably provided with pressurized operating fluid from the hydraulic system of tractor 38 and can be suitably connected to that system with hydraulic hoses, and controllably operated using suitable controls of the tractor, typically at operator station 58, all in the conventional, well known manner.

[0037] Here it should be noted that although picker unit support structure 1 12 is illustrated utilizing only a single lift cylinder and a single tilt cylinder, it could alternatively be configured to use dual cylinder arrangements for those purposes, or other actuators such as motors, linear actuators, gear and/or chain drives, pulleys, and the like.

[0038] In operation, the lift cylinder of lift mechanism 122 is controllably operable to be extended to raise or lift picker unit support frame 138 and any picker units 48 carried thereby, and retracted to lower frame 138 and the unit or units 48. As this occurs tilt control rod 146 will pivot upwardly or downwardly, respectively, about its pivotal connection to cross member 148, to generally maintain the tilt orientation of support frame 138 and the picker unit or units carried thereon. To tilt up the forward end and the forward ends of any picker units carried on frame 138, tilt cylinder of tilt mechanism 130 is controllably extended. To tilt the picker unit or units down, the tilt cylinder is retracted. Thus, a wide range of picker unit orientations and elevations can be achieved. A contemplated alternative for supporting and providing a tilt capability includes, but is not limited to, a rotating rock shaft that would be substituted for tool bar 140.

[0039] As another operational capability, a picker unit or units 48 can be attached to support structure 1 12, by driving harvester 20 over a picker unit, lowering structure 1 12 to place tool bar 140 under the hook or hooks of the picker unit or unit, and lifting. If desired, hook or hooks 142 of the picker unit or units 48 can be slidable or otherwise movable along tool bar 140, e.g., utilizing a gear or powered mechanism, to achieve a desired or required spacing between or position of the picker unit or units.

[0040] As noted above, harvester 20 includes a blower 44 carried on platform 24, driven by the tractor PTO. Blower 44 is connected to each picker unit 48 by an air delivery duct 150 for delivering a flow of air AF to the unit, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9. A larger cotton transfer duct 152 extends upwardly and rearwardly from each picker unit 48 to cotton receiving basket 46, for carrying an airborne stream of the cotton from the picker unit to the basket for collection. Ducts 150 and 152 extend through apertures 154 through the rear end of platform 24, as shown in various of the figures, for compactness and support .

[0041] Based on the foregoing description, it is evident that harvester 20 provides a capability for row sensitive picking of cotton plants. Advantageously, the forward wheels of the harvester are steerable, streamlined, and portions thereof or associated covers, can be directly visible through the one or more ideally positioned apertures of the platform of the harvester, to allow precise alignment of the plant flow channel or channels of the picker unit or units with the plant rows for precise alignment and picking. This facilitates making anticipatory steering movements for good row following, and fast responsive correction of deviations from the plant rows, if necessary, to provide good picking capability and minimize damage to plants. As an additional advantage of mounting the picking unit or units below the tractor, narrow roads, bridges and passages can be navigated, and the larger rear wheels are positioned for carrying the bulk of the weight of the picking unit or units and the cotton basket.

[0042] It is also evident that the harvester is of relatively simple and economical construction and operation so as to be advantageous for emerging economies and allows use of an associated tractor for other purposes with minimal trouble. The harvester is also configured to have the versatility for use with a variety of tractors, cotton picking units, and baskets available from various manufacturers.

[0043] In light of all the foregoing, it should thus be apparent to those skilled in the art that there has been shown and described a tractor on top cotton harvester with a picker unit lift and tilt capability. However, it should also be apparent that, within the principles and scope of the invention, many changes are possible and contemplated, including in the details, materials, and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention. Thus, while the foregoing description and discussion addresses certain preferred embodiments or elements of the invention, it should further be understood that concepts of the invention, as based upon the foregoing description and discussion, may be readily incorporated into or employed in other embodiments and constructions without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to protect the invention broadly as well as in the specific form shown, and all changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.