초록 ▼

An agricultural combine such as used in the harvesting of crops includes oscillating or fixed forward tandem drive wheels which are coupled to the combine\s support frame, or undercarriage, to provide a smooth ride over rough fields and a more uniform crop cutting height above the soil. The combine

An agricultural combine such as used in the harvesting of crops includes oscillating or fixed forward tandem drive wheels which are coupled to the combine\s support frame, or undercarriage, to provide a smooth ride over rough fields and a more uniform crop cutting height above the soil. The combine also includes a body typically housing a diesel engine, operator controls such as in an enclosed cab, a grain and residue separating system, a grain storage bin, and an auger of off-loading the harvested grain. The combine body, which also typically has an array of row crop heads disposed on a forward portion thereof, is disposed on and coupled to the support frame in a slidable manner permitting the body to move forward to distribute the weight primarily over the tandem drive wheels for improved traction for operating in muddy fields and to accommodate larger grain loads. The combine body may also be slid rearward on the support frame to distribute sufficient weight over the aft steerable wheels to facilitate turning of the combine such as at the end of a field. The tandem wheel arrangement is also adapted to accommodate a drive track arrangement for even greater traction, with steering provided by an independent track drive or braking arrangement.

대표청구항 ▼

A combine for harvesting grain comprising: a lower support frame having a plurality of wheels including first and second pairs of forward tandem wheels and an aft pair of steerable wheels; drive means coupled to said forward tandem wheels for displacing the combine; an upper body including a forward

A combine for harvesting grain comprising: a lower support frame having a plurality of wheels including first and second pairs of forward tandem wheels and an aft pair of steerable wheels; drive means coupled to said forward tandem wheels for displacing the combine; an upper body including a forward header assembly for receiving grain-bearing crops, an intermediate crop threshing arrangement for separating the grain from crop residue, and a bin for storing the thus separated grain; coupling means for connecting said upper body to said lower support frame in a sliding manner; and displacement means coupled to said lower support frame and to said upper body for displacing said upper body between a forward position on said lower support frame wherein said upper body is disposed primarily over said forward tandem drive wheels for improved traction and stability and an aft position on said lower support frame wherein an increased portion of said upper body is disposed over said aft steerable wheels for improved maneuverability of the combine.