The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 30, 2007
Filed:
Apr. 12, 2004
Kenneth W. Mclean, New Holland, PA (US);
Douglas R. Otto, New Holland, PA (US);
David M. Dechristopher, Akron, PA (US);
Robert L. Fackler, Ephrata, PA (US);
Charles H. Hoffman, New Holland, PA (US);
Donald L. Osborne, Quarryville, PA (US);
Stephen V. Paulin, Alpharetta, GA (US);
Kenneth W. McLean, New Holland, PA (US);
Douglas R. Otto, New Holland, PA (US);
David M. DeChristopher, Akron, PA (US);
Robert L. Fackler, Ephrata, PA (US);
Charles H. Hoffman, New Holland, PA (US);
Donald L. Osborne, Quarryville, PA (US);
Stephen V. Paulin, Alpharetta, GA (US);
CNH America LLC, New Holland, PA (US);
Abstract
A hydraulic lift/flotation system for the header of a crop harvesting machine wherein each side of the header is supported by a single cylinder, which performs both the flotation and lift functions. For even lifting and flotation of an unbalanced header, each cylinder has its own control valve, pump, and accumulator. The operator sets the desired flotation force by actuating rocker switches; one switch position allows hydraulic oil to enter an accumulator to reduce header contact force with the ground. The other position allows oil to exit the accumulator to increase header contact force with the ground. To evenly float an unbalanced header, separate switches adjust each side independently. Once the flotation forces are set, the control valves will return to this preset flotation condition whenever float mode is selected, regardless of subsequent header lift and lower operations.