Windrow merger

• US 20110094202A1
• Filed: 12/22/2010
• Published: 04/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oxbo International Corporation (Ploeger Oxbo Group BV)
• Original Assignee: Oxbo International Corporation (Ploeger Oxbo Group BV)
• Inventors: Dow, Paul W., Dow, Steven S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,511,052 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 56/228
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 73/02 Folding frames
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 80/005 Carriers for the transport of haymakers arrangements of the haymaker to facilitate transportation A01D78/1007
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 84/00 Haymakers not provided for in a single one of groups A01D76/00 - A01D82/00

Abstract

A windrow merger including three pickup and transfer units, a folding system, and a plurality of float mechanisms. The folding system employs simultaneous rearward, outward, and upward folding motion so as to ensure none of the units interfere with the other units while folding, and likewise while unfolding. The folding system can further fold and unfold each of the three pickup and transfer units at the same time. During merging operations, the plurality of float mechanisms of the windrow merger limits the range of motion of each pickup and transfer unit. The float mechanisms further transfer a portion of the weight of each pickup and transfer unit from the ground to the frame of the merger. The units of the windrow merger can also include a rub rail having a surface that reduces swirling or clumping of material as the material is conveyed toward an end of the windrow merger.

Claims

1. A windrow merger, comprising:

a) a pickup and transfer unit defining a trough in which material is conveyed, the unit including a merger head and a conveyor, the merger head including a plurality of tines that rotate during operation, the merger head further defining slots through which the tines pass during rotation; and

b) a rub rail mounted on the pickup and transfer unit and within the trough, the rub rail having a surface free of obstructing structure that would otherwise cause conveying material to catch.

2. The merger of claim 1, wherein the rub rail is defined by a plurality of segments, the plurality of segments extending from one end of the merger head to an opposite end of the merger head.

3. The merger of claim 2, wherein the plurality of segments is a plurality of comb segments.

4. The merger of claim 1, further including a plurality of pickup and transfer units, each pickup and transfer unit including a rub rail, the plurality of pickup and transfer units defining the trough in which material is conveyed.

5. The merger of claim 4, wherein the plurality of pickup and transfer units includes three pickup and transfer units, the merger further including a folding system that simultaneously moves each of the three pickup and transfer units from an unfolded position to a folded position wherein one of the three units moves forward and the other two units move rearward.