Self-propelled agricultural machine

• US 6,244,613 B1
• Filed: 09/09/1999
• Issued: 06/12/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH (CLAAS KGaA mbH)
• Original Assignee: Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH (CLAAS KGaA mbH)
• Inventors: Renger, Hermann
• Primary Examiner(s): DePumpo, Daniel G.
• Application Number:
  US09/392,861
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 280/440, 280/485, 280/486, 280/489, 280/492, 280/442, 280/439, 280/438.1, 280/483, 280/494, 280/124.111, 280/124.11, 280/124.169, 460/23, 56/145, 56/154
• US Class Current: 280/440
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 51/026 of the automotive vehicle type, e.g. including driver accommodation A01B51/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 11/225 Neidhart type rubber springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2202/1424 Torsional
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/026 Heavy duty trucks
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/042 Semi-trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2300/044 Truck-trailer connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 5/02 mounted on a single pivoted arm , e.g. the arm being rigid
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 9/02 the axle or housing being pivotally mounted on the vehicle , e.g. the pivotal axis being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle B60G9/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/005 Combinations with at least three axles and comprising two or more articulated parts articulated buses B62D47/025

Abstract

An articulated self-propelled agricultural machine, in particular, a forage harvester, whose group of rear axles comprise two frame parts having regions thereof arranged one above the other and the frame parts being coupled to one another by a bearing which limits the angle of rotation. One of these two frame parts is coupled to the front axle of the forage harvester by an articulated joint, while one frame part is coupled to the optionally driveable rear axle of the forage harvester via an elastic joint.

Claims

1. A self-propelled agricultural machine, having a longitudinal axis, including a front portion, a rear frame;

a driven front axle on the front portion;

a rear axle on the rear frame;

the rear frame having an upper part and a lower part; and

a fifth wheel for coupling that pivots along a transverse axis and is mounted on the upper part of the rear frame and a longitudinally-extending axle-box having a plurality of resilient members surrounding an interior axle in a housing wherein the longitudinally-extending axle-box resiliently connects the upper part and the lower part of the rear frame so that an angle of rotation along the longitudinal axis for the upper part of the rear frame in relation to the lower part of the rear frame is limited.

2. A self-propelled agricultural machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the interior axle of the at least one longitudinally-extending axle-box is rigidly connected to at least one transverse cross member of the upper part of the rear frame and is attached to at least one transverse cross member of the lower part of the rear frame by the housing.

3. A self-propelled agricultural machine in accordance with claim 2, wherein the interior axle has a square cross-section and upon each face of the interior axle rests a at least one of the plurality of resilient members which is pressed against the respective outer surface of the interior axle by means of the housing.

4. A self-propelled agricultural machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the housing is in the form of a channel having a U-shaped cross-section having at least one arm, each arm forming an outwardly directed collar to which a cover for closing the housing may be bolted.

5. A self-propelled agricultural machine in accordance with claim 2, wherein the housing is welded to the at least one transverse cross member.

6. A self-propelled agricultural machine in accordance with claim 2, each piece of said plurality of resilient members is held in the housing through at least one angle piece.

7. A self-propelled agricultural machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the interior axle of the at least one longitudinally-extending axle-box is rigidly connected to at least one transverse cross member of the lower part of the rear frame and is attached to at least one transverse cross member of the upper part of the rear frame by the housing.

8. A self-propelled agricultural machine, having a longitudinal axis, including a front portion, a rear frame;

a driven front axle on the front portion;

a rear axle on the rear frame;

the rear frame having an upper part and a lower part; and

a fifth wheel for coupling that pivots along a transverse axis and is mounted on the upper part and a first longitudinally-extending axle-box having a plurality of resilient members surrounding an interior axle in a housing wherein the first longitudinally-extending axle-box resiliently operatively connects the fifth wheel and the upper part of the rear frame so that an angle of rotation along the longitudinal axis for the fifth wheel in relation to the upper part of the rear frame is limited and a second longitudinally-extending axle-box having a plurality of resilient members surrounding an interior axle in a housing wherein the second longitudinally-extending axle-box resiliently connects the upper part of the rear frame and the lower part of the rear frame so that an angle of rotation along the longitudinal axis for the upper part of the rear frame in relation to the lower part of the rear frame is limited.