A torque balancing scheme for a velocity controlled drive system of a mower is provided. The torque balancing scheme can be employed on any mower or other similar vehicle having a drive system in which a separate motor is used to independently drive each wheel. By implementing the torque balancing scheme, a drive system can prevent excessive heating of the motors that may otherwise occur when unaccounted-for factors exist.
B60L 15/20 - Procédés, circuits ou dispositifs pour commander la propulsion des véhicules à traction électrique, p. ex. commande de la vitesse des moteurs de traction en vue de réaliser des performances désiréesAdaptation sur les véhicules à traction électrique de l'installation de commande à distance à partir d'un endroit fixe, de différents endroits du véhicule ou de différents véhicules d'un même train pour la commande du véhicule ou de son moteur en vue de réaliser des performances désirées, p. ex. vitesse, couple, variation programmée de la vitesse
A mower deck can include a rocker suspension that enables a more uniform cut even when the ground is bumpy. The rocker suspension can include opposing rocker members that are coupled to a support assembly via a pivot point. The opposing rocker members can support front and rear rollers or other rolling mechanisms. When the front or rear rollers encounter a bump, the rocker members can rotate around the pivot point to minimize the vertical displacement of a cutting unit. The front and/or rear rollers may be part of a roller assembly that forms a secondary rocker suspension.
Techniques are provided for path-based mower deck lifting. A mower can include a control system that is configured to receive path data defining a path that the mower should traverse to cut an area of grass. The path data can include lift instructions that define where within the path the mower decks should be lifted. The control system can use the path data to cause the mower to traverse the path and to predictively cause the mower decks to be lifted at the defined locations within the path.
A mower deck can include a suspension that allows a rear roller to pivot rearwardly and upwardly when the rear roller encounters a bump in the ground. The suspension can include brackets having a front end that is coupled to a housing of the mower deck at a pivot point. The rear roller can be coupled between rear ends of the brackets. Springs can be used to bias the brackets into a maximum angle of less than 90 degrees to the horizontal.
A01D 34/64 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses caractérisés par des particularités relatives au type d'appareil de coupe comportant des couteaux rotatifs comportant des couteaux tournant autour d'un axe vertical montés sur un véhicule, p. ex. un tracteur, ou tirés par un animal ou un véhicule
Techniques are provided for selecting one or more angles for parallel lines of a path a mower will traverse while cutting an area. Each angle can be selected based on its alignment with the boundary of the area to thereby minimize the amount of grass that will remain uncut when the mower traverses a path that includes parallel lines at the selected angle.
A cutting unit for a mower can include blades and separate lifting devices to cause grass to stand up before being cut by the blades. The cutting unit can include disks to which the blades and lifting devices are secured. The lifting devices can be positioned rotationally in front of the blades.
A01D 34/66 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses caractérisés par des particularités relatives au type d'appareil de coupe comportant des couteaux rotatifs comportant des couteaux tournant autour d'un axe vertical montés sur un véhicule, p. ex. un tracteur, ou tirés par un animal ou un véhicule à plusieurs couteaux
An automatic feed system for a trimmer is provided. Such trimmers include a line that can be spun at high speeds to cut vegetation along roadsides or other areas. The automatic feed system is configured to dynamically detect the current length of the line and automatically feed the line to maintain a maximum or desired length for cutting. This length may typically correspond with the radius of a trimmer deck in which the line spins.
A01D 34/416 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses caractérisés par des particularités relatives au type d'appareil de coupe comportant des couteaux rotatifs sous forme de fils flexibles
B65H 61/00 - Utilisation de dispositifs pour mesurer des longueurs prédéterminées du matériau pendant son défilement
Sod harvesters can be configured to stack rolls of sod in unique layers on a pallet. A sod harvester can include control circuitry that is configured to operate a stacking head and a stacking conveyor in a manner that enables the layers to be formed. The structure of the layers can facilitate harvesting wider rolls even when narrower pallets are used to transport the rolls.
Sod harvesters can be configured to stack rolls of sod in unique layers on a pallet. A sod harvester can include control circuitry that is configured to operate a stacking head and a stacking conveyor in a manner that enables the layers to be formed. The structure of the layers can facilitate harvesting wider rolls even when narrower pallets are used to transport the rolls.
A01G 20/15 - Appareils coupe-gazon ou lève-gazon spécialement adaptés à l’empilage de gazon ou de plaques de gazon
B65G 61/00 - Utilisation d'appareils de prise ou de transfert, ou de manipulateurs, pour empiler ou désempiler des objets, non prévus ailleurs
B65G 57/22 - Empilage d'objets de forme particulière à trois dimensions, p. ex. cubiques, cylindriques en couches, chacune selon une disposition horizontale prédéterminée
A steering system for a mower can include a wheel-specific driving unit for each wheel and a controller for providing control signals to each wheel-specific driving unit to thereby cause each wheel to be independently rotated at a different speed during a turn. By independently rotating each wheel, the mower can complete a turn without damaging the grass. The controller may also provide control signals to cause each steerable wheel to be positioned in a different wheel direction during the turn.
B62D 5/04 - Direction assistée ou à relais de puissance électrique, p. ex. au moyen d'un servomoteur relié au boîtier de direction ou faisant partie de celui-ci
A01D 34/00 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses
A steering system for a mower can include a wheel-specific driving unit for each wheel and a controller for providing control signals to each wheel-specific driving unit to thereby cause each wheel to be independently rotated at a different speed during a turn. By independently rotating each wheel, the mower can complete a turn without damaging the grass. The controller may also provide control signals to cause each steerable wheel to be positioned in a different wheel direction during the turn.
A mower's control system can maintain horizon maps that associate horizon features with known relative positions. When a mower's orientation is unknown, the control system can obtain an image that captures the horizon from the mower's current viewpoint. The control system can process the image to detect any horizon features that appear within the image and to determine their positions within the image. The control system can then access a horizon map to identify matching horizon features. The control system can compare the known relative positions of any matching horizon features with the positions of the horizon features within the image to thereby determine the mower's current orientation.
A mower's control system can maintain horizon maps that associate horizon features with known relative positions. When a mower's orientation is unknown, the control system can obtain an image that captures the horizon from the mower's current viewpoint. The control system can process the image to detect any horizon features that appear within the image and to determine their positions within the image. The control system can then access a horizon map to identify matching horizon features. The control system can compare the known relative positions of any matching horizon features with the positions of the horizon features within the image to thereby determine the mower's current orientation.
A sod harvester's stacking position can be dynamically adjusted to form vertically aligned stacks. More particularly, a sod harvester's control system can be configured to automatically adjust the stacking position as a stack is being formed based on a sensed orientation of the pallet. In this way, the control system can ensure that a slab of sod that is dropped from the stacking head will fall into the intended location on the stack regardless of the orientation of the pallet relative to the stacking head.
A stacking head's path can be dynamically calculated during a stacking operation. A control system of a sod harvester can include a dynamic path calculator for performing these dynamic calculations to prevent the stacking head from colliding with the sod harvester's frame or to cause the stacking head to traverse the most efficient path between the pickup position and the stacking position. These dynamic calculations could be performed in scenarios where the pickup position may be dynamically adjusted for a particular stacking operation.
A sod harvester's stacking position can be dynamically adjusted to form vertically aligned stacks. More particularly, a sod harvester's control system can be configured to automatically adjust the stacking position as a stack is being formed based on a sensed orientation of the pallet. In this way, the control system can ensure that a slab of sod that is dropped from the stacking head will fall into the intended location on the stack regardless of the orientation of the pallet relative to the stacking head.
A stacking head's path can be dynamically calculated during a stacking operation. A control system of a sod harvester can include a dynamic path calculator for performing these dynamic calculations to prevent the stacking head from colliding with the sod harvester's frame or to cause the stacking head to traverse the most efficient path between the pickup position and the stacking position. These dynamic calculations could be performed in scenarios where the pickup position may be dynamically adjusted for a particular stacking operation.
Synchronizing variables can be tuned based on a sod harvester's speed. A sod harvester's control system can include a tuning component that receives as input a current speed of the sod harvester. The tuning component can apply logic to the current speed to calculate values for synchronizing variables that are tuned for the current speed. In this way, the sod harvester can be operated with precision across a range of speeds, including at high speeds.
B65B 35/18 - Alimentation en articles séparés, p. ex. transport de ces articles par griffes fonctionnant par succion
B65B 5/10 - Remplissage des réceptacles ou récipients, progressivement ou par stades successifs, en introduisant successivement les objets
B65B 57/14 - Dispositifs de commande automatique, de vérification, d'alarme ou de sécurité sensibles à l'absence, à la présence, à l'alimentation anormale ou au mauvais positionnement des objets ou matériaux à emballer et dont le fonctionnement commande ou arrête l'alimentation des objets ou matériaux à emballer
21.
Tuning synchronizing variables based on a sod harvester's speed
Synchronizing variables can be tuned based on a sod harvester's speed. A sod harvester's control system can include a tuning component that receives as input a current speed of the sod harvester. The tuning component can apply logic to the current speed to calculate values for synchronizing variables that are tuned for the current speed. In this way, the sod harvester can be operated with precision across a range of speeds, including at high speeds.
Low profile object detection can be performed on mowers or other vehicles that may be autonomous. An autonomy controller can be employed on a mower to receive and process sensor data for a detection area to determine whether an object may be present in a region of interest within the detection area. When the autonomy controller determines that an object may be present, it can cause the ground speed of the mower to be slowed and can commence buffering region of interest sensor data over a period of time. The autonomy controller can process the buffered region of interest sensor data to determine whether an object is present in the region of interest, and if so, can alter the path of the mower appropriately.
G05D 1/00 - Commande de la position, du cap, de l'altitude ou de l'attitude des véhicules terrestres, aquatiques, aériens ou spatiaux, p. ex. utilisant des pilotes automatiques
A01D 34/00 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses
Low profile object detection can be performed on mowers or other vehicles that may be autonomous. An autonomy controller can be employed on a mower to receive and process sensor data for a detection area to determine whether an object may be present in a region of interest within the detection area. When the autonomy controller determines that an object may be present, it can cause the ground speed of the mower to be slowed and can commence buffering region of interest sensor data over a period of time. The autonomy controller can process the buffered region of interest sensor data to determine whether an object is present in the region of interest, and if so, can alter the path of the mower appropriately.
A sod harvester can employ a roll forming mechanism that includes a roll starter that is configured to initiate the formation of rolls. The roll starter can include pivoting supports and front and rear slab flippers that also pivot to cause the rolls to be tightly and consistently formed. The roll forming mechanism can also include a roll advancer that continues the formation of the rolls. The roll advancer can be suspended to cause it to conform to the shape and size of the rolls as they advance.
A sod harvester can employ a roll forming mechanism that includes a roll starter that is configured to initiate the formation of rolls. The roll starter can include pivoting supports and front and rear slab flippers that also pivot to cause the rolls to be tightly and consistently formed. The roll forming mechanism can also include a roll advancer that continues the formation of the rolls. The roll advancer can be suspended to cause it to conform to the shape and size of the rolls as they advance.
Sod harvesters are configured to stack rolls of sod in layers on a rectangular pallet. A sod harvester can include control circuitry that is configured to operate a stacking head and a stacking conveyor in a manner that produces a first type of layer that includes spaced groups of accumulated rolls and a number of offset rolls positioned between the groups. The stacking head can pick up and stack each offset roll in isolation and may pick up the offset rolls in a center position of the stacking head.
B65G 57/03 - Empilage d'objets en ajoutant les objets au sommet de la pile par au-dessus
B65G 57/14 - Empilage d'objets en ajoutant les objets au sommet de la pile les objets étant empilés par action directe du transporteur d'alimentation les objets étant transférés des transporteurs se déplaçant selon une voie sans fin adjacente aux piles
Sod harvesters are configured to stack rolls of sod in layers on a rectangular pallet. A sod harvester can include control circuitry that is configured to operate a stacking head and a stacking conveyor in a manner that produces a first type of layer that includes spaced groups of accumulated rolls and a number of offset rolls positioned between the groups. The stacking head can pick up and stack each offset roll in isolation and may pick up the offset rolls in a center position of the stacking head.
B65G 57/03 - Empilage d'objets en ajoutant les objets au sommet de la pile par au-dessus
A01G 20/15 - Appareils coupe-gazon ou lève-gazon spécialement adaptés à l’empilage de gazon ou de plaques de gazon
B65G 57/14 - Empilage d'objets en ajoutant les objets au sommet de la pile les objets étant empilés par action directe du transporteur d'alimentation les objets étant transférés des transporteurs se déplaçant selon une voie sans fin adjacente aux piles
B65G 61/00 - Utilisation d'appareils de prise ou de transfert, ou de manipulateurs, pour empiler ou désempiler des objets, non prévus ailleurs
B65G 57/18 - Empilage d'objets de forme particulière allongés, p. ex. baguettes, tiges, barres
28.
Dynamically adjusting the cutting height of a mower deck based on a mower's location
A mower can dynamically adjust the cutting height of a mower deck based on a mower's location. As a mower travels over an area of grass to be cut, a control system can track the current location of each mower deck on the mower. The control system can compare the current location of a mower deck to a boundary of one or more sections defined within the area to thereby determine which section the mower deck is within. When the control system detects that a mower deck has crossed or will cross into a section, it can identify a particular cutting height assigned to the section and dynamically adjust the cutting height of the mower deck to the particular cutting height. When a mower includes more than one mower deck, the control system can be configured to independently adjust the cutting height of each mower deck based on its location.
A mower can dynamically adjust the cutting height of a mower deck based on a mower's location. As a mower travels over an area of grass to be cut, a control system can track the current location of each mower deck on the mower. The control system can compare the current location of a mower deck to a boundary of one or more sections defined within the area to thereby determine which section the mower deck is within. When the control system detects that a mower deck has crossed or will cross into a section, it can identify a particular cutting height assigned to the section and dynamically adjust the cutting height of the mower deck to the particular cutting height. When a mower includes more than one mower deck, the control system can be configured to independently adjust the cutting height of each mower deck based on its location.
A01D 34/01 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses caractérisés par des particularités relatives au type d'appareil de coupe
A01D 34/04 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses caractérisés par des particularités relatives au type d'appareil de coupe comportant des couteaux à mouvement alternatif montés sur un véhicule, p. ex. un tracteur, ou tirés par un animal ou un véhicule à couteaux en tête
G05D 1/00 - Commande de la position, du cap, de l'altitude ou de l'attitude des véhicules terrestres, aquatiques, aériens ou spatiaux, p. ex. utilisant des pilotes automatiques
A cutting head for a sod harvester is configured to counterbalance forces that are generated during operation. When the cutting head is operated, the cutting blade oscillates to sever sod from the ground. This oscillation of the cutting blade generates significant horizontal vibration forces that are transferred to the cutting head and other components of the sod harvester. The cutting head can include a crankshaft assembly with counterweights that are designed to balance these horizontal vibration forces. The cutting head can also include a countershaft assembly with counterweights that are also designed to balance these horizontal vibration forces while also balancing vertical vibration forces that the counterweights of the crankshaft assembly create.
A cutting head for a sod harvester is configured to counterbalance forces that are generated during operation. When the cutting head is operated, the cutting blade oscillates to sever sod from the ground. This oscillation of the cutting blade generates significant horizontal vibration forces that are transferred to the cutting head and other components of the sod harvester. The cutting head can include a crankshaft assembly with counterweights that are designed to balance these horizontal vibration forces. The cutting head can also include a countershaft assembly with counterweights that are also designed to balance these horizontal vibration forces while also balancing vertical vibration forces that the counterweights of the crankshaft assembly create.
A01G 20/00 - Culture de gazon, pelouse ou similairesAppareils ou méthodes à cet effet
A01B 76/00 - Parties constitutives ou accessoires des machines ou instruments agricoles non prévus dans les groupes
A01D 34/00 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses
A01D 34/02 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses caractérisés par des particularités relatives au type d'appareil de coupe comportant des couteaux à mouvement alternatif
A01D 34/30 - Mécanismes d'entraînement des couteaux
A stacking head for stacking rolls of sod can include a number of screw assemblies that are employed to secure and remove sod rolls from a stacking conveyor. Each screw assembly can include a center stake and a corkscrew that pierce a roll as the stacking head is forced into the roll. The rate at which the stacking head is moved vertically relative to the roll can be synchronized with the rate at which each screw assembly is rotated. This synchronization ensures that the corkscrew will pass into the roll while the stacking head is simultaneously forced into the roll without damaging the delicate sod.
A stacking head for stacking rolls of sod can include a number of screw assemblies that are employed to secure and remove sod rolls from a stacking conveyor. Each screw assembly can include a center stake and a corkscrew that pierce a roll as the stacking head is forced into the roll. The rate at which the stacking head is moved vertically relative to the roll can be synchronized with the rate at which each screw assembly is rotated. This synchronization ensures that the corkscrew will pass into the roll while the stacking head is simultaneously forced into the roll without damaging the delicate sod.
A01G 20/15 - Appareils coupe-gazon ou lève-gazon spécialement adaptés à l’empilage de gazon ou de plaques de gazon
B65G 57/24 - Empilage d'objets de forme particulière à trois dimensions, p. ex. cubiques, cylindriques en couches, chacune selon une disposition horizontale prédéterminée les couches étant transférées comme un tout, p. ex. sur palettes
B65G 57/03 - Empilage d'objets en ajoutant les objets au sommet de la pile par au-dessus
A roll forming mechanism can include a passive roll-up mechanism that initiates the roll and an active roll-up mechanism that completes the roll. The active roll-up mechanism can include an upper conveyor that is rotated in different directions. The upper conveyor can initially be rotated in a direction opposite that of an inclined conveyor to cause a forming roll to advance along the inclined conveyor. The rotation of the upper conveyor can then be reversed to cause the roll to be completed. Then, the upper conveyor can again be rotated in the direction opposite that of the inclined conveyor to cause the completed roll to be transferred towards the stacking conveyor. The amount by which the upper conveyor is rotated in the reverse direction can be based on a detected length of a tail of the forming roll.
A roll forming mechanism can include a passive roll-up mechanism that initiates the roll and an active roll-up mechanism that completes the roll. The active roll-up mechanism can include an upper conveyor that is rotated in different directions. The upper conveyor can initially be rotated in a direction opposite that of an inclined conveyor to cause a forming roll to advance along the inclined conveyor. The rotation of the upper conveyor can then be reversed to cause the roll to be completed. Then, the upper conveyor can again be rotated in the direction opposite that of the inclined conveyor to cause the completed roll to be transferred towards the stacking conveyor. The amount by which the upper conveyor is rotated in the reverse direction can be based on a detected length of a tail of the forming roll.
A mower can include a control system that is configured to detect when the mower is turning or will be turned and can adaptively support one or more mower decks during the turn to transfer weight from the mower decks to the mower's tires. This transfer of weight will increase the traction of the mower's tires while also minimizing the yawing force caused by the mower decks thereby preventing the mower from slipping during the turn.
A01D 34/00 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses
A01D 34/03 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses caractérisés par des particularités relatives au type d'appareil de coupe comportant des couteaux à mouvement alternatif montés sur un véhicule, p. ex. un tracteur, ou tirés par un animal ou un véhicule
A01D 34/06 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses caractérisés par des particularités relatives au type d'appareil de coupe comportant des couteaux à mouvement alternatif montés sur un véhicule, p. ex. un tracteur, ou tirés par un animal ou un véhicule à couteaux latéraux
A01D 34/44 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses caractérisés par des particularités relatives au type d'appareil de coupe comportant des couteaux rotatifs comportant des couteaux tournant autour d'un axe horizontal, p. ex. des cylindres de coupe montés sur un véhicule, p. ex. un tracteur, ou tirés par un animal ou un véhicule à plusieurs couteaux
A01D 34/64 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses caractérisés par des particularités relatives au type d'appareil de coupe comportant des couteaux rotatifs comportant des couteaux tournant autour d'un axe vertical montés sur un véhicule, p. ex. un tracteur, ou tirés par un animal ou un véhicule
A mower can include a control system that is configured to detect when the mower is turning or will be turned and can adaptively support one or more mower decks during the turn to transfer weight from the mower decks to the mower's tires. This transfer of weight will increase the traction of the mower's tires while also minimizing the yawing force caused by the mower decks thereby preventing the mower from slipping during the turn.
A01D 34/66 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses caractérisés par des particularités relatives au type d'appareil de coupe comportant des couteaux rotatifs comportant des couteaux tournant autour d'un axe vertical montés sur un véhicule, p. ex. un tracteur, ou tirés par un animal ou un véhicule à plusieurs couteaux
A mower can be adaptively controlled to optimize efficiency based on loads experienced by motors that drive the cutting blades. If the load is below a threshold, the ground speed of the mower can be increased. The mower's performance can also be monitored to identify characteristics of an area being cut and then such characteristics can be used to further enhance the efficiency of the mower.
A01D 34/00 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses
A01D 34/63 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses caractérisés par des particularités relatives au type d'appareil de coupe comportant des couteaux rotatifs comportant des couteaux tournant autour d'un axe vertical
A01D 34/66 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses caractérisés par des particularités relatives au type d'appareil de coupe comportant des couteaux rotatifs comportant des couteaux tournant autour d'un axe vertical montés sur un véhicule, p. ex. un tracteur, ou tirés par un animal ou un véhicule à plusieurs couteaux
A mower can be adaptively controlled to optimize efficiency based on loads experienced by motors that drive the cutting blades. If the load is below a threshold, the ground speed of the mower can be increased. The mower's performance can also be monitored to identify characteristics of an area being cut and then such characteristics can be used to further enhance the efficiency of the mower.
A01D 34/00 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses
A01D 34/66 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses caractérisés par des particularités relatives au type d'appareil de coupe comportant des couteaux rotatifs comportant des couteaux tournant autour d'un axe vertical montés sur un véhicule, p. ex. un tracteur, ou tirés par un animal ou un véhicule à plusieurs couteaux
A mower can be adaptively controlled to optimize efficiency based on loads experienced by motors that drive the cutting blades and/or based on vertical movement that a mower deck is experiencing. If the load is below a threshold, the ground speed of the mower can be increased. If the vertical movement or load exceeds a threshold, the ground speed can be reduced. The mower's performance can also be monitored to identify characteristics of an area being cut and then such characteristics can be used to further enhance the efficiency of the mower. A density map can be created based on monitored load, vertical movement and possibly other characteristics as a mower is cutting a particular area. The density map can be employed by any mower that is subsequently used to cut the same area.
A01D 34/00 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses
A01D 34/66 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses caractérisés par des particularités relatives au type d'appareil de coupe comportant des couteaux rotatifs comportant des couteaux tournant autour d'un axe vertical montés sur un véhicule, p. ex. un tracteur, ou tirés par un animal ou un véhicule à plusieurs couteaux
A01D 34/76 - Mécanismes d'entraînement des couteaux
B60K 31/00 - Accessoires agissant sur un seul sous-ensemble pour la commande automatique de la vitesse des véhicules, c.-à-d. empêchant la vitesse de dépasser une valeur déterminée de façon arbitraire ou maintenant une vitesse donnée choisie par le conducteur du véhicule
A mower deck can include roller assemblies that prolong the life of bearings by more evenly distributing the roller's load to the bearings. The roller assembly can include a roller that is secured between opposing bearings via a tapered shaft of the roller and a correspondingly tapered collar that is housed within the corresponding bearing. The interface between the tapered shaft and the tapered collar causes the collar to be secured snugly within the bearing while also providing even distribution of the roller's load to the bearing.
A sod harvester stacking head can include a base that couples to a stacking head supporting mechanism of a sod harvester and a frame that couples to the base via crankshaft assemblies that are configured to allow the frame to rotate through 360 degrees during each stacking operation. Accordingly, a motor that controls the rotation of the crankshaft assemblies can be driven a single time during each stacking operation thereby enhancing the efficiency of the sod harvester. The crankshaft assemblies can also be configured so that the crankshafts are in a vertical orientation while the stacking head travels in a lateral direction such that the load is centered on the rotational axis of the stacking head. A stacking conveyor could similarly be configured with a base and a frame that are coupled via crankshaft assemblies to thereby allow the stacking conveyor to be lifted using 360 degrees of rotation.
A mower deck can include a linkage that enables adjusting the height of the mower deck with a single action. The mower deck can include a rolling mechanism support arm at each corner and a coupling mechanism that extends between the front and rear rolling mechanism support arms on each side of the mower deck. A shaft can extend between the two front rolling mechanism support arms and can be rotated via an actuator. When the shaft is rotated, the front rolling mechanism support arms will rotate in unison, and the coupling mechanisms will cause the rear rolling mechanism support arms to also rotate in unison. In this way, a single action can cause the height of the mower deck to be adjusted. Alternatively, a mower deck can include a height adjustment mechanism at each corner of the mower deck which can be controlled synchronously to adjust the height.
A01D 34/00 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses
A01D 34/66 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses caractérisés par des particularités relatives au type d'appareil de coupe comportant des couteaux rotatifs comportant des couteaux tournant autour d'un axe vertical montés sur un véhicule, p. ex. un tracteur, ou tirés par un animal ou un véhicule à plusieurs couteaux
A mower deck can include a linkage that enables adjusting the height of the mower deck with a single action. The mower deck can include a rolling mechanism support arm at each corner and a coupling mechanism that extends between the front and rear rolling mechanism support arms on each side of the mower deck. A shaft can extend between the two front rolling mechanism support arms and can be rotated via an actuator. When the shaft is rotated, the front rolling mechanism support arms will rotate in unison, and the coupling mechanisms will cause the rear rolling mechanism support arms to also rotate in unison. In this way, a single action can cause the height of the mower deck to be adjusted.
A01D 34/66 - FaucheusesAppareils de fauchage des moissonneuses caractérisés par des particularités relatives au type d'appareil de coupe comportant des couteaux rotatifs comportant des couteaux tournant autour d'un axe vertical montés sur un véhicule, p. ex. un tracteur, ou tirés par un animal ou un véhicule à plusieurs couteaux
45.
Sod harvester hydraulic system for actuating components with precise timing
Sod harvesters can have hydraulic systems that are configured to actuate components with precise timing. The hydraulic system of a sod harvester can be configured to maintain the temperature of hydraulic fluid both during harvesting and while harvesting is paused to thereby eliminate or minimize the occurrence of periods of variation in the timing of actuation of the components that the hydraulic fluid drives. As a result, these components can be consistently actuated with precise timing even after harvesting has been paused. Additionally, such configurations can minimize the amount of time required to warm the hydraulic fluid to a steady operational temperature.
A01G 20/15 - Appareils coupe-gazon ou lève-gazon spécialement adaptés à l’empilage de gazon ou de plaques de gazon
F15B 11/16 - Systèmes de servomoteurs dépourvus d'asservissement avec plusieurs servomoteurs
F15B 13/06 - Dispositifs de distribution ou d'alimentation du fluide caractérisés par leur adaptation à la commande de servomoteurs pour utilisation avec plusieurs servomoteurs
F15B 13/02 - Dispositifs de distribution ou d'alimentation du fluide caractérisés par leur adaptation à la commande de servomoteurs
A sod harvester can include an auxiliary stacking conveyor for stacking or folding slabs of sod on a conveyor prior to the stacked/folded slabs being removed from a stacking conveyor by a stacking head. The auxiliary stacking conveyor can be configured to receive a leading slab of sod and then stack the leading slab on top of a trailing slab while the trailing slab is being advanced along a conveyor. The auxiliary stacking conveyor can also be configured to partially receive a slab of sod and then reverse direction to cause the slab to be folded backwards on top of itself while being advanced along a conveyor. Different configurations can be employed to cause slabs to be selectively positioned on an auxiliary stacking conveyor.
A sod harvester can include an inclined stacking conveyor from which slabs of sod are removed for stacking on a pallet. The direction of incline of the stacking conveyor can be opposite that of one or more inclined conveyors used to convey sod from a cutting head to the stacking conveyor. Therefore, slabs of sod can ascend along the one or more inclined conveyors and then descend along the inclined stacking conveyor from which they are removed by the stacking head. The stacking head can also be inclined to correspond with the incline of the stacking conveyor. By inclining the stacking conveyor and the stacking head, the stacking head does not need to move vertically when removing slabs of sod from the stacking conveyor.
A sod harvester can include a preliminary stacking head for stacking slabs of sod prior to the stacked slabs being removed from a stacking conveyor for stacking on a pallet. In this way, the stacking head can remove multiple layers of sod during a single stacking operation. The preliminary stacking head can be positioned overtop a conveyor and can be configured to pick up a slab of sod as the slab travels along the conveyor. The preliminary stacking head can then drop the slab on top of a trailing slab thereby forming a stack of slabs on the conveyor. The conveyor over which the preliminary stacking head is positioned can be an inclined conveyor that transports slabs of sod from the ground to a stacking conveyor.
A sod harvester can include an auxiliary stacking conveyor for stacking or folding slabs of sod on an inclined conveyor prior to the stacked/folded slabs being removed from a stacking conveyor by a stacking head. The auxiliary stacking conveyor can be configured to receive a leading slab of sod and then stack the leading slab on top of a trailing slab while the trailing slab is being advanced along an inclined conveyor. The auxiliary stacking conveyor can also be configured to partially receive a slab of sod and then reverse direction to cause the slab to be folded backwards on top of itself while being advanced along an inclined conveyor. Different configurations can be employed to cause slabs to be selectively positioned on an auxiliary stacking conveyor.
Sod harvester stacking head and stacking conveyor configurations can increase the rate at which sod can be harvested. The movement of the stacking head and/or the stacking conveyor can be controlled to maximize the rate at which the stacking head can remove sod from the stacking conveyor. A stacking head can employ multiple pick up positions. A stacking conveyor may also advance sod for pick up at varying rates. A stacking head may include a pivoting connection to allow the stacking head to rotate around a pivot during a pick up operation.
A01G 20/15 - Appareils coupe-gazon ou lève-gazon spécialement adaptés à l’empilage de gazon ou de plaques de gazon
B65G 57/03 - Empilage d'objets en ajoutant les objets au sommet de la pile par au-dessus
B65G 43/08 - Dispositifs de commande actionnés par l'alimentation, le déplacement ou le déchargement des objets ou matériaux
B65G 47/64 - Changement de voies des transporteurs
B65G 47/31 - Dispositifs pour influencer la position relative ou l'orientation des objets pendant le transport par transporteurs arrangeant les objets, p. ex. faisant varier l'espace entre chaque objet pendant le transport par une série de transporteurs en faisant varier les vitesses relatives des transporteurs en série
B65B 57/14 - Dispositifs de commande automatique, de vérification, d'alarme ou de sécurité sensibles à l'absence, à la présence, à l'alimentation anormale ou au mauvais positionnement des objets ou matériaux à emballer et dont le fonctionnement commande ou arrête l'alimentation des objets ou matériaux à emballer
B65B 5/10 - Remplissage des réceptacles ou récipients, progressivement ou par stades successifs, en introduisant successivement les objets
B65G 47/71 - Dispositifs pour transférer objets ou matériaux entre transporteurs, p. ex. pour décharger ou alimenter adaptés pour recevoir les objets arrivant d'un transporteur en une couche et pour les transférer en couches individuelles à plus d'un transporteur, ou vice versa, p. ex. en combinant l'écoulement des objets transportés par plus d'un transporteur les objets étant déchargés sur plusieurs transporteurs
B65B 35/18 - Alimentation en articles séparés, p. ex. transport de ces articles par griffes fonctionnant par succion
B65B 57/16 - Dispositifs de commande automatique, de vérification, d'alarme ou de sécurité sensibles à l'absence, à la présence, à l'alimentation anormale ou au mauvais positionnement des objets ou matériaux à emballer et fonctionnant pour arrêter ou commander la vitesse de la machine entière
53.
Sod harvester chop mechanism having position based speed control
A chop mechanism for a sod harvester can include a motor for rotating a cam to lift a chop frame. The cam can include a ready position in which it remains until a chopping action is started. The cam can be rotated from the ready position to a drop position in which the cam no longer supports a follower mounted to the chop frame. After the cam reaches the drop position, the rotation of the cam can be stopped to position the cam in a safe position to prevent the follower from striking the cam as the chop frame descends. Then, rotation of the cam can be resumed to return the cam to the ready position to await the next chopping action. The rotation of the cam from the ready position to the safe position and from the safe position to the ready position can be performed at different rates.
A stacking head of a sod harvester can be configured to move with a stacking conveyor during a pick up operation. A stacking head on a roll harvester can be configured to move with a stacking conveyor to allow the stacking conveyor to be moved while the stacking head is removing rolls of sod from the stacking conveyor.
Sod harvester stacking head and stacking conveyor configurations can increase the rate at which sod can be harvested. The movement of the stacking head and/or the stacking conveyor can be controlled to maximize the rate at which the stacking head can remove sod from the stacking conveyor. A stacking head can employ multiple pick up positions. A stacking conveyor may also advance sod for pick up at varying rates. A stacking head may include a pivoting connection to allow the stacking head to rotate around a pivot during a pick up operation.
B65G 43/08 - Dispositifs de commande actionnés par l'alimentation, le déplacement ou le déchargement des objets ou matériaux
B65G 47/64 - Changement de voies des transporteurs
B65G 47/31 - Dispositifs pour influencer la position relative ou l'orientation des objets pendant le transport par transporteurs arrangeant les objets, p. ex. faisant varier l'espace entre chaque objet pendant le transport par une série de transporteurs en faisant varier les vitesses relatives des transporteurs en série
B65B 57/14 - Dispositifs de commande automatique, de vérification, d'alarme ou de sécurité sensibles à l'absence, à la présence, à l'alimentation anormale ou au mauvais positionnement des objets ou matériaux à emballer et dont le fonctionnement commande ou arrête l'alimentation des objets ou matériaux à emballer
B65G 47/71 - Dispositifs pour transférer objets ou matériaux entre transporteurs, p. ex. pour décharger ou alimenter adaptés pour recevoir les objets arrivant d'un transporteur en une couche et pour les transférer en couches individuelles à plus d'un transporteur, ou vice versa, p. ex. en combinant l'écoulement des objets transportés par plus d'un transporteur les objets étant déchargés sur plusieurs transporteurs
B65B 57/16 - Dispositifs de commande automatique, de vérification, d'alarme ou de sécurité sensibles à l'absence, à la présence, à l'alimentation anormale ou au mauvais positionnement des objets ou matériaux à emballer et fonctionnant pour arrêter ou commander la vitesse de la machine entière
56.
Conveyor system for controlling spacing between sod slabs
The present invention extends to a conveyor system that allows the spacing between slabs on a conveyor to be controlled. Because the spacing can be controlled, a single stacking head can be used to pick up and stack multiple slabs at the same time. In this manner, a harvesting machine employing the conveyor system of the present invention can utilize a single stacking head while still harvesting sod at least as quickly as harvesting machines employing multiple stacking heads.
B65G 47/31 - Dispositifs pour influencer la position relative ou l'orientation des objets pendant le transport par transporteurs arrangeant les objets, p. ex. faisant varier l'espace entre chaque objet pendant le transport par une série de transporteurs en faisant varier les vitesses relatives des transporteurs en série
B65H 5/22 - Transfert des articles retirés des pilesAlimentation des machines en articles par jet d'air ou dispositifs aspirant
B65G 15/58 - Courroies ou porte-charges sans fin analogues avec moyens pour tenir ou retenir les charges dans la position fixée, p. ex. magnétiques
A01G 1/00 - Horticulture; Culture des légumes (étiquettes ou plaques d'identification G09F 3/00, G09F 7/00)
57.
Articulated cutting head and conveyor mount for sod harvesting machines
An articulated cutting head and conveyor mount for sod harvesting machines. The invention provides a linkage design that can provide many benefits including: allowing the operator to see the cutting operation, enabling the high lifting of the cutting head for service and maneuvering, managing the vertical bending load of the ground reference roller, providing high transverse stiffness, maintaining the position of the conveyor relative to the cutting head. The linkage design can include fewer parts than previous designs while still being robust and durable. As such, cutting heads employing the linkage design of the present invention can produce higher quality slabs with less service and maintenance than when using current designs.
The present invention extends to a lifting system for lifting a portion of a conveyor. The lifting system maintains the length of the conveyor while changing the shape of the conveyor to lift the top surface of the conveyor belt towards a stacking head. This design facilitates the quick lifting and lowering of slabs of sod while minimizing the stress on the sod harvesting machine.
B65G 21/14 - Châssis ou carters de support ou de protection pour transporteurs sans fin ou éléments de traction des transporteurs à courroies ou à chaînes mobiles ou à pièces interchangeables ou relativement mobilesDispositifs pour déplacer le châssis ou des parties de celui-ci pour permettre le réglage de la longueur ou du profil des porte-charges ou de l'élément de traction
The present invention extends to a stacking mechanism having electrical actuators for stacking slabs of sod on a sod harvesting machine. The electrical actuators allow the stacking head to be driven in three axes. The stacking mechanism also includes position feedback sensors for reporting the position of the stacking head to enable precision when operating the stacking head at a fast rate. The stacking mechanism of the present invention also provides temporary pallet support wings to enable the continued stacking of slabs of sod on one pallet even while another pallet is being dropped from the sod harvesting machine.
B65G 47/24 - Dispositifs pour influencer la position relative ou l'orientation des objets pendant le transport par transporteurs présentant les objets selon un orientement donné
G05B 19/23 - Commande numérique [CN], c.-à-d. machines fonctionnant automatiquement, en particulier machines-outils, p. ex. dans un milieu de fabrication industriel, afin d'effectuer un positionnement, un mouvement ou des actions coordonnées au moyen de données d'un programme sous forme numérique caractérisée par systèmes de commande de positionnement ou de commande de contournage, p. ex. pour commander la position à partir d'un point programmé vers un autre point ou pour commander un mouvement le long d'un parcours continu programmé utilisant un dispositif de mesure numérique différentielle pour commande point par point
B65G 47/08 - Dispositifs pour alimenter en objets ou matériaux les transporteurs pour alimenter en objets à partir d'un seul groupe d'objets rangés en ordre, p. ex. pièces à usiner en magasin espaçant ou groupant les objets pendant l'alimentation
