Rotating lift system and method
A rotating lift system and method for transporting oversized agricultural implements. The rotating lift system includes a rotator arm, a rotator arm guide, an arcuate rotation track all mounted on a trailer frame. A load lift assembly is mounted on the rotator arm and is movable between lowered and raised positions and is adapted for connecting to a load. The rotator arm is pivotally connected to the trailer frame and rotates about a vertical axis. The rotator arm guide is connected to the opposing end of the rotator arm and engages the rotation track. The rotating lift system and method are adapted for engaging, lifting and rotating an implement and moving the implement between perpendicularly opposed field use and transport positions.
1. A system for placing a load on a vehicle including a vehicle frame and a vehicle longitudinal axis, which load-placing system comprises:
a single arcuate rotation track mounted on said vehicle frame and forming an arcuate path of rotation centered on a generally vertical rotational axis;
said single arcuate rotation track comprising a vertically aligned channel member;
a rotator assembly including a rotator arm with a proximate end rotatably mounted on said vehicle frame and rotatable about said rotational axis;
said rotator arm including a distal end;
said rotator arm distal end mounting a rotator arm guide engaging said rotation track, said rotator arm guide being adapted for movement along said rotation track;
said rotator arm being rotatable between first and second positions with respect to said frame;
a load lift assembly mounted on said rotator arm and having a first, lowered position adapted for connecting to the load and a second, raised position adapted for positioning the load over said vehicle frame;
a lift actuator connected to said load lift assembly and adapted for moving said load lift assembly between its lowered and raised positions;
a stow lock assembly rotatably mounted on said frame;
said stow lock assembly being rotatable between a first, lowered position and a second, raised position adapted for engaging said load lift assembly; and
a stow lock actuator connected to said frame and to said stow lock assembly and adapted for rotating said stow lock assembly between its first and second positions.
2. The loading system according to claim 1 , which includes:
a rotation actuator connected to said frame and to said rotator arm and adapted for rotating said rotator arm between its first and second positions.
3. The loading system according claim 2 , which includes:
said rotation actuator comprising a piston-and-cylinder unit with first and second ends connected to said frame and to said rotator arm respectively; and
a hydraulic system including a hydraulic pump and valve for selectively, hydraulically powering said piston-and-cylinder unit.
4. The loading system according to claim 1 , which includes:
a stabilizer assembly connected to said frame and adapted for stabilizing said frame while a load is lifted; and
said stabilizer assembly being movable between a lowered position engaging a ground surface and a raised position disengaged from the ground surface.
5. The loading system according to claim 4 , which includes:
a stabilizer actuator connected to said frame and to said stabilizer assembly and adapted for raising and lowering said stabilizer assembly.
6. The loading system according to claim 1 adapted for loading and transporting a combine header, which loading system includes:
a header adapter including a horizontal header adapter bracket, a horizontal header member and a pair of generally vertical header members;
said vertical header members extending between said horizontal header adapter bracket and said horizontal header member and collectively forming a generally frame-shaped configuration;
said header adapter including a pair of header elbows each attached to a respective vertical header members and to said horizontal header member;
said header elbows and said header lift adapter being adapted for connection to a three-point hitch; and
said header adapter including a pair of header adapter brackets each mounted on a respective vertical header member and adapted for mounting a combine header.
7. The loading system according to claim 6 wherein each said header adapter bracket forms an upwardly-open hook adapted for receiving a combine header structural member whereby said combine header is retained on said header adapter.
8. The loading system according to claim 6 , which includes:
a storage bracket connected to said frame and adapted for storing said header adapter.
9. The loading system according to claim 1 , which includes:
a tow connection connected to said frame and adapted for hitching said load-placing system frame to a tow vehicle.
10. The loading system according to claim 9 , wherein said tow connection comprises a bumper pull hitch.
11. The loading system according to claim 9 , wherein said tow connection comprises a goose-neck hitch.
12. A system for placing a load on a vehicle including a vehicle frame and a vehicle longitudinal axis, which load-placing system comprises:
a single arcuate rotation track mounted on said vehicle frame and forming an arcuate path of rotation centered on a generally vertical rotational axis;
said single arcuate rotation track comprising a vertically aligned channel member;
a rotator assembly including a rotator arm with a proximate end rotatably mounted on said vehicle frame and rotatable about said rotational axis;
said rotator arm including a distal end;
said rotator arm distal end mounting a rotator arm guide engaging said rotation track, said rotator arm guide being adapted for movement along said rotation track;
said rotator arm being rotatable between first and second positions with respect to said frame;
a load lift assembly mounted on said rotator arm and having a first, lowered position adapted for connecting to a load and a second, raised position adapted for positioning the load over said frame;
a lift actuator connected to said load lift assembly and adapted for moving said load lift assembly between its lowered and raised positions;
a rotate actuator connected to said frame and to said rotator arm and adapted for rotating said rotator arm between its first and second positions;
an extend actuator connected to said load lift assembly and adapted for aligning said load lift assembly to a load;
a stabilizer assembly connected to said frame and adapted for stabilizing said frame while a load is lifted;
said stabilizer assembly being movable between first and second positions;
a stabilize actuator connected to said frame and to said stabilizer assembly and adapted for lowering said stabilizer assembly between its first and second positions;
a stow lock assembly rotatably mounted on said frame;
said stow lock assembly being rotatable between a first, lowered position and a second, raised position adapted for engaging said load lift assembly;
a stow lock actuator connected to said frame and to said stow lock assembly and adapted for rotating said stow lock assembly between its first and second positions;
a header adapter connected to said load lift assembly including a frame and adapted for connecting to a load;
said header adapter including a lift bar attached to said header adapter frame and adapted for connecting to a load, a pair of lift brackets adjustably mounted to said header adapter frame and adapted for connecting to a load, and a connection assembly attached to said header adapter frame for connecting to a loading system;
a storage bracket connected to said frame and adapted for storing said header adapter; and
a tow connection connected to said frame and adapted for hitching said frame to a tow vehicle.
13. The loading system according to claim 12 , wherein said pair of lift brackets comprise sloped lift brackets.
14. The loading system according to claim 12 , wherein said tow connection comprises a bumper pull hitch.
15. The loading system according to claim 12 , wherein said tow connection comprises a goose-neck hitch.