TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001 ] This invention relates to agricultural machinery, and in particular machinery relating to harvesting of a grain crop such as a baler for residue from the crop.

[0002] More particularly, the invention is concerned with the provision of a power connection between a combine harvester and another piece of agricultural machinery such as baler, whereby the power connection enables harvesting and baling processes to be performed in a single operation (i.e. in a single pass).

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0004] It is known to tow a baler behind a combine harvester while harvesting a grain crop. The combine harvester cuts the crop and separates the cut crop into grain and residue (which may typically comprise unwanted straw, chaff and other waste material). The residue is discharged from the rear of the combine harvester and delivered to the trailing baler. Within the baler, the residue is formed into compact bales which are discharged from the baler onto the ground for subsequent collection.

[0005] Examples of such a known arrangement are disclosed in AU 2002350274 and AU 2007254591 , which are in the name of the present applicant and which relate to a link between a combine harvester and a baler, whereby the combine harvester can operably tow the baler while harvesting a crop.

[0006] In AU 2002350274 and AU 2007254591 , the contents of which are incorporated herein by way of reference, the link between the combine harvester and the baler is provided by a drawbar of the baler which is adapted for connection to a towbar of the harvester, and a conveyor means which is supported on the drawbar and which is operable to receive and transport residue discharged from the harvester to an entry end of the baler. The baler incorporates a hydraulic system for operating the conveyor means and also operating certain componentry within the baler for forming bales and depositing the bales on the ground. The hydraulic system of the baler is operated using hydraulic power derived from the combine harvester.

[0007] While such an arrangement has proved to be successful commercially, it is believed that there may be certain advantages in deriving mechanical power from the combine harvester for operating certain componentry within the baler.

[0008] It is against this background that the present invention has been developed.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0009] The present invention is discussed in relation to a baler associated with a combine harvester. However, the present invention is also applicable when other agricultural machinery, such as a grain cart, is associated with a combine harvester. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for providing a connection between a combine harvester and a baler, the apparatus comprising a conveyor means operable to receive and transport residue discharged from the combine harvester to an entry end of the baler, and a drive shaft assembly extending between the combine harvester and the baler for transmitting rotational drive to the baler.

[001 1 ] The conveyor means may be supported on a drawbar of the baler. The drawbar may comprise an original drawbar supplied with the baler or a modified or replacement drawbar.

[0012] The conveyor means may be in the form of a short conveyor which may receive and transport residue discharged from the combine harvester to a longer conveyor of the baler. This allows for more efficient and accurate delivery of the residue from the harvester to the baler and minimises the amount of residue which may be fall to the ground. [0013] The drive shaft assembly may incorporate one or more universal drive joints.

[0014] The drive shaft assembly may comprise first and second drive shafts

interconnected by a universal drive joint. The universal drive joint may be supported on a support fixed with respect to the baler. The support may be fixed with respect to the drawbar of the baler. In one arrangement, the support may be mounted on the drawbar above the conveyor means.

[0015] The universal drive joint between the first and second drive shafts may be configured to transmit a constant angular velocity between the two drive shafts or at least limit variations in angular velocities between the two drive shafts. The universal drive joint between the first and second drive shafts may, for example, comprise a double cardan joint or the like.

[0016] Any number of universal joints may be incorporated within the connection.

[0017] The first drive shaft may be connected to a drive output on the combine harvester, and a second drive shaft may be connected to a drive input on the baler.

[0018] The first drive shaft may be connected to the drive output on the combine harvester by way of a universal joint.

[0019] The second drive shaft may be connected to the drive input on the baler by way of a universal joint. The baler may be modified to provide the drive input in a form compatible with the second drive shaft.

[0020] The drive output on the combine harvester may comprise an output shaft.

[0021 ] The drive output may be configured to receive rotational drive from a drive system provided for driving a straw chopper forming part of the combine harvester. The drive system provided for driving a straw chopper may comprise a drive pulley, wherein the output shaft is drivingly coupled to the drive pulley. In one arrangement, the output shaft may be connected to a driven pulley through a driveline incorporating a gearbox and a shaft on which the driven pulley is mounted, the driven pulley being drivingly connected to the drive pulley through a drive belt, whereby rotational drive from the drive pulley can be transmitted through the driven pulley and the driveline incorporating the gearbox to the output shaft.

[0022] In another arrangement the shaft may be connected through a gearbox assembly wherein one or more gearboxes are interconnected. Preferably one of the gearboxes is able to rotate to accommodate alignment of the shafts. In such an arrangement less universal joints may be required.

[0023] The output shaft may not necessarily be an original component of the combine harvester. For instance, the combine harvester may be modified to incorporate the output shaft and the associated driven pulley and driveline for drivingly connecting the output shaft to the drive system for the straw chopper. Furthermore, the straw chopper may be removed from the combine harvester. If the straw chopper were to be removed from the combine harvester, its drive system would be retained to render the drive pulley available to provide rotational drive to the output shaft.

[0024] The combine harvester may be configured to discharge residue at a discharge zone. The combine harvester may be provided with a conveyor for delivering residue to the discharge zone. The conveyor may not necessarily be an original component of the combine harvester. For instance, the combine harvester may be modified to incorporate the conveyor and the residue discharge zone which it provides.

[0025] The output shaft may be disposed above the conveyor delivering residue to the discharge zone of the combine harvester. Furthermore, the respective end of the first drive shaft connected to the output shaft may be disposed above the conveyor.

[0026] The conveyor means operable to receive and transport residue discharged from the combine harvester to an entry end of the baler may comprise a receiving end and a discharge end, wherein the receiving end is disposed to receive residue discharging from the discharge zone of the combine harvester, and the discharge end is disposed to deliver residue to the inlet of the baler. Typically, the receiving end is positioned below the residue discharge zone of the combine harvester.

[0027] The residue discharge zone of the combine harvester may be disposed above the receiving end of the conveyor means to an extent sufficient to allow articulation between the combine harvester and the baler while traversing uneven or sloping ground.

[0028] The apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention may be provided as a kit for installation between a combine harvester and a baler.

[0029] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a combination comprising a combine harvester and a baler, the combination further comprising apparatus for providing a connection between the combine harvester and the baler, the apparatus being in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

[0030] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a combine harvester configured for use in a combination according to the second aspect of the invention.

The combine harvester may be so configured by incorporation of one or more of the modifications discussed above.

[0031 ] According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a baler configured for use in a combination according to the second aspect of the invention. The baler may be so configured by incorporation of one or more of the modifications discussed above.

[0032] According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of performing a crop harvesting and baling operation using a combination according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0033] According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of baling residue discharging from a combine harvester during a crop harvesting operation, the method comprising towing a baler behind the combine harvester, deriving mechanical power for operating the baler from the combine harvester by way of a rotatable drive shaft assembly extending from the combine harvester to the baler, and transporting residue discharged from the combine harvester to an entry end of the baler. [0034] According to a seventh aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for providing a connection between a combine harvester and a grain cart, the apparatus comprising a conveyor means operable to receive and transport grain from the combine harvester to an entry of the grain cart, and a drive shaft assembly extending between the combine harvester and the grain cart for transmitting rotational drive to the grain cart.

[0035] The conveyor means may comprise a conveyor belt, an auger, or other means to deliver grain from the combine harvester.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of a non-limiting embodiment thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a combine harvester, a baler, and apparatus for providing a link between the combine harvester and the baler;

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is side view of the combine harvester and the baler linked thereto, with the combine harvester towing the baler while harvesting a crop;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side view depicting the link between the combine harvester and the baler provided by the apparatus, the arrangement being shown in a field in which crop harvesting is being performed;

Figure 5 is a perspective side view of the arrangement shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a further fragmentary side view depicting the link between the combine harvester and the baler;

Figure 7 is a still further fragmentary side view depicting the link between the combine harvester and the baler; Figure 8 is a fragmentary side view illustrating in particular an input end section of a drive shaft assembly for transmitting mechanical power (rotational drive) from the combine harvester to the baler, and an arrangement for rotating the drive shaft assembly;

Figure 9 is a further view of the arrangement shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a still further view of the arrangement shown in Figure 8;

Figure 1 1 is a still further view of the arrangement shown in Figure 8;

Figure 12 is a still further view of the arrangement shown in Figure 8;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating in particular an output end section of a drive shaft assembly for transmitting mechanical power (rotational drive) from the combine harvester to the baler, the output end section being connected to a drive input of the baler; and

Figure 14 is a further view of the arrangement shown in Figure 13.

[0037] The drawings shown are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present disclosure.

[0038] The figures depict an embodiment exemplifying the principles of the present disclosure. The embodiment illustrates a certain configuration; however, it is to be appreciated that the inventive principles can be implemented by way of many different configurations, as would be obvious to a person skilled in the art, whilst still embodying any of the inventive principles. These configurations are to be considered within the embodiment described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

[0039] In the following detailed description, the present invention is described in connection with a preferred embodiment. However, to the extent that the following description is specific to a particular embodiment or a particular use of the present techniques, it is intended to be illustrative only and merely provides a concise description of the exemplary embodiment. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment described below, but rather the invention includes all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents falling within the true scope of the appended claims.

[0040] Referring to the drawings, there is shown a combine harvester 1 1 , a baler 13, and apparatus 15 for providing a link between the combine harvester 1 1 and the baler 13, whereby the combine harvester can operably tow the baler while harvesting a crop, thereby enabling harvesting and baling processes to be performed in a single operation (i.e. in a single pass).

[0041 ] The combine harvester 1 1 has a towbar assembly 21 to which the baler 13 is rigidly connected, as will be discussed in more detail later.

[0042] The combine harvester 1 1 is configured to discharge residue at a discharge zone. 22. The combine harvester 1 1 provided with a conveyor 23 for delivering residue to the discharge zone 22. The conveyor 23 may have a discharge end 25 which defines the discharge zone 22.

[0043] The conveyor 23 may not necessarily be an original component of the combine harvester 1 1 . For instance, the combine harvester 1 1 may be modified to incorporate the conveyor 23 and the discharge zone 22 which it provides.

[0044] The combine harvester 1 1 incorporates an output shaft 25 for delivering rotational drive (mechanical power) to the baler 13, as will be explained in more detail later. In this embodiment, the output shaft 25 is configured to receive rotational drive from a drive system 27 provided for driving a straw chopper (not shown) forming part of the combine harvester. The drive system 27 provided for driving the straw chopper comprises a drive pulley 29. In this embodiment, the output shaft 25 is drivingly coupled to the drive pulley 29. In the arrangement shown, the output shaft 25 is connected to a driven pulley 31 through a driveline 33 incorporating a right-angle gearbox 35 and a shaft 37 on which the driven pulley 31 is mounted. The driven pulley 31 is drivingly connected to the drive pulley 29 through a drive belt 39, whereby rotational drive from the drive pulley 29 can be transmitted through the driven pulley 31 and the driveline 33 to the output shaft 25 which is connected to the gearbox 35.

[0045] The output shaft 25 may not necessarily be an original component of the combine harvester 1 1 . For instance, the combine harvester 1 1 may be modified to incorporate the output shaft 25 and the associated driven pulley 29 and driveline 33 for drivingly connecting the output shaft 25 to the drive system 27 for the straw chopper. Furthermore, the straw chopper may be removed from the combine harvester 1 1 , but its drive system 27 retained to render the drive pulley 29 available to provide rotational drive to the output shaft 25.

[0046] The output shaft 25 is disposed above the conveyor 23 delivering residue to the discharge zone 22. A barrier 41 may be provided between the output shaft 25 and the conveyor 23 to inhibit contamination of the output shaft by any dust and extraneous matter emanating from residue being transported along, and discharging from, the conveyor 23.

[0047] The baler 13 has a drawbar 51 incorporating a coupling 53 at its forward end for releasable attachment to the towbar assembly 21 of the combine harvester 1 1 , whereby the baler can be towed behind the combine harvester. The drawbar 51 may comprise a conventional drawbar supplied with the baler, or it may comprise a modified or replacement drawbar.

[0048] The baler 13 incorporates an entry end 55 for receiving residue conveyed from the combine harvester 1 1 in a matter as will be described in further detail later. Residue received through the entry end 55 is formed into compact bales which are discharged from the baler 13 onto the ground for subsequent collection.

[0049] The baler 13 also incorporates a drive input 61 for receiving mechanical power (rotational drive) from the combine harvester 1 1 for operating certain componentry within the baler, as will be explained in more detail later. [0050] The apparatus 15 for providing a link between the combine harvester 1 1 and the baler 13 is associated with the drawbar 51 of the baler 13.

[0051 ] The apparatus 15 further comprises a drive shaft assembly 71 extending between the combine harvester 1 1 and the baler 13 for transmitting rotational drive to the baler. More particularly, the drive shaft assembly 71 extends between the output shaft 25 of the combine harvester 1 1 and the drive input 61 of the baler 15.

[0052] The baler 13 may require some modification to provide the drive input 61 in a form compatible with the drive shaft assembly 71 . Typically, the baler 13 would be configured to receive mechanical power (rotational drive) by way of a hydraulic motor mounted on the baler, and the drive input would be configured for driving engagement with the hydraulic motor. In the present case, however, the drive input 61 receives mechanical power (rotational drive) derived from the combine harvester 1 1 and transmitted via the drive shaft assembly 71 .

[0053] The drive shaft assembly 71 comprises first and second drive shafts 73, 75 interconnected by a central universal drive joint 77. The universal drive joint 77 is mounted on a support 79 fixed with respect to the baler 13. More particularly, the support 79 comprises a frame structure 81 mounted on and extending upwardly from the drawbar 51 of the baler 15.

[0054] The first drive shaft 73 has an input end 73a connected to the output shaft 25 of the combine harvester 1 1 by a universal joint 83. The universal joint 83 may be of known kind, comprising an adapter 85 placed over the input end 73a of the first drive shaft 73.

[0055] The first drive shaft 73 has an output end 73b connected to a further universal joint 84. The universal joint 84 may be of known kind, comprising an adapter 87 placed over the output end 73b of the first drive shaft 73. The further universal joint 84 is coupled to a first side of the central universal drive joint 77.

[0056] The second drive shaft 75 has an input end 75a connected to a further universal joint 91 . The universal joint 91 may be of known kind, comprising an adapter 93 placed over the input end 75a of the second drive shaft 75. The further universal joint 91 is coupled to a second side of the central universal drive joint 77. [0057] The second drive shaft 75 has an output end 75b connected to the drive input 61 of the baler 13.

[0058] The combination of the central universal joint 77 and the two universal joints 84, 91 on opposed sides of the central universal joint 77, provides an arrangement operable transmit a constant angular velocity from the first drive shaft 73 to the second drive shaft 75 or at least limit fluctuations in angular velocities between the two drive shafts as they rotate. The combination may, for example, represent or function as a double cardan joint or the like.

[0059] With this arrangement, the drive shaft assembly 71 is operable to transmit rotational drive from the output shaft 25 of the combine harvester 1 1 to the drive input 61 of the baler 13. Accordingly, mechanical power for operating certain componentry within the baler 13 can be derived from the combine harvester 1 1 .

[0060] The apparatus 15 further comprises a conveyor means 101 operable to receive and transport residue discharged from the discharge zone 22 of the combine harvester 1 1 to the entry end 55 of the baler 13.

[0061 ] The conveyor means 101 is supported on a drawbar 51 of the baler 13. More particularly, the conveyor means 101 is disposed immediately above the drawbar 51 and extends through the frame structure 81 mounted on the drawbar 51 to support the central universal drive joint 77 of the drive shaft assembly 71 . In other words, the frame structure 81 bridges the conveyor means 101 .

[0062] The conveyor means 101 comprises a receiving end 103 and a discharge end (not shown), wherein the receiving end 103 is disposed to receive residue discharging from the discharge zone 22 of the combine harvesterl 1 , and the discharge end is disposed to deliver residue to the entry end 55 of the baler 13. The receiving end 103 is positioned below the residue discharge zone 22 of the combine harvester 1 1 . More particularly, the residue discharge zone 22 is disposed above the receiving end 103 of the conveyor means 101 to an extent sufficient to allow articulation between the combine harvester 1 1 and the baler 13 while traversing uneven or sloping ground. [0063] In the arrangement shown, the conveyor means 101 comprises an endless conveyor belt 1 1 1 passing around opposed end rollers. At least one of the opposed end rollers constitutes a driven roller for causing the endless conveyor belt to circulate around the end rollers. In this embodiment, the driven roller is coupled to a hydraulic motor 1 13 to be driven by hydraulic power.

[0064] A skirt arrangement 1 15 is provided adjacent the receiving end 103 of the conveyor means 101 to inhibit sideways spillage of residue material being deposited onto the upper run of the endless conveyor belt 1 1 1 .

[0065] A press roller 1 17 is provided above the endless conveyor belt 1 1 1 to compress residue material being transported towards the baler 15 on the upper run of the endless conveyor belt 1 1 1 .

[0066] In operation, the combine harvester 1 1 is driven through a crop to be harvested in known manner, towing the baler 13 which is connected behind the combine harvester 1 1 by way of the apparatus 15. The combine harvester 1 1 functions in a conventional manner, harvesting crop material and separating the harvested material into grain and residue. The grain is cleaned and handled in a conventional manner. The residue is discharged at discharge zone 22 via the conveyor 23. The discharging residue is intercepted by the receiving end 103 of conveyor means 101 positioned below the discharge zone 22 and transported by the conveyor means 101 to the entry end 55 of the baler 13. The residue discharge zone 22 is disposed above the receiving end 103 of the conveyor means 101 to an extent sufficient to allow articulation between the combine harvester 1 1 and the baler 13 while traversing uneven or sloping ground.

Within the baler 13, the residue is formed into compact bales which are discharged from the baler onto the ground for subsequent collection. Mechanical power for operating certain componentry within the baler 13 is derived from the combine harvester 1 1 via the drive shaft assembly 71 . The various universal joints associated with the drive shaft assembly 71 accommodate articulation between the combine harvester 1 1 and the baler 13, and also angularity between the first drive shaft 73 and the second drive shaft 75. Furthermore, the central universal joint 77 and the two universal joints 84, 91 on opposed sides of the central universal joint 77 cooperate to provide a joint arrangement operable transmit a constant angular velocity from the first drive shaft 73 to the second drive shaft 75 or at least limit fluctuations in angular velocities between the two drive shafts 73, 75 as they rotate..

[0067] From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present embodiment provides an effective way of linking a combine harvester and a baler, enabling harvesting and baling processes to be performed in a single operation (i.e. in a single pass) and using mechanical power (rotational drive) derived from the combine harvester for operating certain componentry within the baler.

[0068] The foregoing disclosure is intended to explain how to fashion and use the particular embodiment described, rather than to limit the true, intended, and fair scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive, nor to be limited to the precise forms disclosed.

[0069] It should be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the principles described herein. Therefore, the principles should be understood to include all such modifications within its scope.

[0070] The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0071 ] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiment only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0072] As used herein, the singular forms“a”,“an” and“the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0073] Reference to any positional descriptions, such as "top”,“bottom" and“side”, are to be taken in context of the embodiment described and are not to be taken as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term but rather as would be understood by the skilled addressee.

[0074] Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”,“upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as“below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented“above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0075] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as“first,”“second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiment.

[0076] When an element or layer is referred to as being“on”,“engaged to”,“connected to” or“coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being“directly on,” “directly engaged to”,“directly connected to” or“directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus“directly between,”“adjacent” versus“directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0077] Additionally, where the terms“system”,“device”, and“apparatus" are used in the context of the invention, they are to be understood as including reference to any group of functionally related or interacting, interrelated, interdependent or associated components or elements that may be located in proximity to, separate from, integrated with, or discrete from, each other. [0078] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0079] Furthermore, throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “include” or variations such as “includes” or “including”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.