LATERAL TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR HARVESTER AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME
FIG2 is a left side view of an exemplary lateral transport system of FIG1 in a stowed configuration
The system 100 comprises a tongue 112 pivotally coupled to the chassis 102. The tongue 112 comprises a distal end 114 pivotally coupled to the chassis 102 and a proximal end 116 at the opposing end. The proximal end 116 is configured to be coupled to a cab for pulling the system 100 during transport or during a mowing operation (see, e.g., cab or harvester 109 and frame 111 of FIG2). Between the distal and proximal ends 114, 116, the tongue 112 comprises a lateral flange 118 fixedly coupled to the tongue 112. The system 100 comprises a secondary double-sided flange 118 with a gap therebetween for pivotally receiving the flange 120.
left side view
128
wheels
100
system
148
lateral member
126
field suspension system
104
cutting elements
146
lateral member lateral members
112
tongue
118
flange
138
wheels wheel
102
chassis
152
side member
108
frame
109
harvester
114
distal end proximal ends
120
flange
['1. A lateral transport system (100) for a harvester (109), comprising: a chassis (102); first and second ground wheels (128, 130) rotatably coupled to the chassis (102); and a lateral transport assembly (132) operably coupled to the chassis (102) and operable between a transport operation mode and a stowed operation mode, the lateral transport assembly (132) comprising: a tongue (112) pivotally coupled to the chassis (102); a first suspension element (134) rotatable about a first axis (142) and a second axis (144), the first axis (142) being perpendicular to the second axis (144) ; a second suspension element (136) rotatably about the second axis (144); and a hydraulic actuation system (160, 230) operably coupled to the tongue (112), the first suspension element (134), and the second suspension element (136); wherein in the transport operation mode, hydraulic fluid is allowed to flow into the hydraulic actuation system (160, 230) to rotate the first suspension element (134) about the first axis (142), and subsequently rotate the first and second suspension elements (134, 136) about the second axis (144); characterized in that  in the transport operation mode, a first tongue hydraulic cylinder (122) is actuated to extend to partially rotate the tongue (112) relative to the chassis (102) prior to rotation of the first suspension element (134) about the first axis (142); and after rotation of the first suspension element (134) about the first axis (142), a second tongue hydraulic cylinder (101) is actuated to extend to rotate the tongue (112) relative to the chassis (102) to a laterally extending position.', '4. The lateral transport system (100) of any of claims 1-3, wherein: the first tongue hydraulic cylinder (122) is pivotally coupled between a first flange (118) of the tongue (112) and a first flange (110) of the chassis (102); and the second tongue hydraulic cylinder (101) is pivotally coupled between the first flange (118) of the tongue (112) and a second flange (103) of the tongue (112).', '7. A harvester (109), comprising: a frame (111); the lateral transport system (100) according to any of the claims 1-6; first and second lift cylinders (210, 212) operably coupled to the frame (111) and configured to selectively lift and lower the lateral transport system (100) relative to the frame (111).']