Combine harvester with feederhouse arrangement

1. A combine harvester ( 100 ) having a forward direction of harvesting travel over ground, the combine harvester ( 100 ) comprising:

a self-propelled vehicle ( 102 ) having a chassis ( 144 );

a feederhouse ( 104 ) extending forward from the self-propelled vehicle ( 102 ), the feederhouse ( 104 ) further comprising a front end ( 132 ) and a rear end ( 130 ), wherein the rear end ( 130 ) of the feederhouse ( 104 ) is pivotally coupled to the chassis ( 144 ) to pivot with respect to the chassis ( 144 ) about a first pivot axis ( 129 ) that extends generally horizontally and laterally, the feederhouse further comprising a front frame ( 120 ) pivotally coupled to the front end ( 132 ) to pivot with respect to the front end ( 132 ) second pivot axis ( 138 ) that extends generally horizontally and laterally;

a first feederhouse lift motor ( 141 ) coupled to the chassis ( 144 ) at a first end of the first feederhouse lift motor ( 141 ) and coupled to the front frame ( 120 ) at a second end of the first feederhouse lift motor ( 141 ); and

a first pivot motor ( 152 ) coupled to the front end ( 132 ) at a first end of the first pivot motor ( 152 ), and coupled to the front frame ( 120 ) at a second end of the first pivot motor ( 152 );

Wherein the pivot motor ( 152 ) is disposed such that when actuated the front frame ( 120 ) is tilted in a first direction about the second pivot axis ( 138 ) and causes the feederhouse ( 104 ) to pivot in a second and opposite direction about the first pivot axis ( 129 ).

2. The combine harvester ( 100 ) of claim 1 , wherein the feederhouse ( 104 ) encloses an endless belt conveyor ( 110 ).

3. The combine harvester ( 100 ) of claim 2 , wherein the endless belt conveyor ( 110 ) comprises an endless belt ( 116 ), and further comprises a front roller ( 112 ) and a rear roller ( 114 ) about which the endless belt ( 116 ) recirculates.

4. The combine harvester ( 100 ) of claim 3 , wherein the front roller ( 112 ) rotates about a rotational axis, and further wherein the rotational axis of the front roller is coaxial with the second pivot axis ( 138 ).

5. The combine harvester ( 100 ) of claim 3 , wherein the rear roller ( 114 ) rotates about a rotational axis and further wherein the rotational axis of the rear roller ( 114 ) is coaxial with the first pivot axis ( 129 ).

6. The combine harvester ( 100 ) of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the first feederhouse lift motor ( 141 ) is coupled to the front frame ( 120 ) to pivot about a third pivot axis ( 151 ) with respect to the front frame ( 120 ).

7. The combine harvester ( 100 ) of claim 6 , wherein the first end of the first feederhouse lift motor ( 141 ) is coupled to the chassis ( 144 ) to pivot about a fourth pivot axis ( 145 ) with respect to the chassis ( 144 ).

8. The combine harvester ( 100 ) of claim 6 , wherein the third pivot axis ( 151 ) is disposed below the second pivot axis ( 138 ).

9. The combine harvester ( 100 ) of claim 7 , wherein the third pivot axis ( 151 ) is disposed below the second pivot axis ( 138 ), and further wherein the fourth pivot axis ( 145 ) is disposed below the first pivot axis ( 129 ).

10. The combine harvester ( 100 ) of claim 7 , wherein a distance between the second pivot axis ( 138 ) and the third pivot axis ( 151 ) is less than or equal to the distance between the first pivot axis ( 129 ) and the fourth pivot axis ( 145 ).

11. The combine harvester ( 100 ) of claim 1 , wherein the front frame is configured to support a harvesting head ( 106 ) having a front portion and a rear portion.

12. The combine harvester ( 100 ) of claim 11 , wherein the first pivot motor ( 152 ), when actuated, is disposed to raise or lower the rear portion of the harvesting head ( 106 ) while maintaining the front portion of the harvesting head ( 106 ) at a constant height.

13. The combine harvester ( 100 ) of claim 11 , wherein the first pivot motor ( 152 ) is disposed to pivot the harvesting head ( 106 ) with respect to the ground about an instantaneous axis of rotation ( 162 ) that is disposed adjacent to the front portion of the harvesting head ( 106 ).

14. The combine harvester ( 100 ) of claim 13 , wherein the harvesting head ( 106 ) comprises a cutter bar ( 164 ), and further wherein the instantaneous axis of rotation ( 162 ) is disposed adjacent to the cutter bar ( 164 ).

15. The combine harvester of claim 13 , wherein the instantaneous axis of rotation ( 162 ) extends horizontally and transversely.