Windrow merging apparatus

Abstract

A windrow merger has a frame supporting first, second and third pickup assemblies, with the two outside pickup assemblies foldable between an extended use position and a retracted travel position. Each of the pickup assemblies includes a reversible conveyor providing multiple windrow merging configurations. The pickup assemblies are interchangeable and aligned to define an unobstructed pickup face.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A windrow merger apparatus configured for travel in a first direction, comprising:
 a frame;   a first pickup assembly supported by the frame, the first pickup assembly including a first belt conveyor arranged to convey material in a direction transverse to the first direction of travel and driven by a first motor;   a second pickup assembly supported by the frame, the second pickup assembly including a second belt conveyor arranged to convey material in a direction transverse to the first direction of travel and driven by a second motor; and   a third pickup assembly supported by the frame, the third pickup assembly including a third belt conveyor arranged to convey material in a direction transverse to the first direction of travel and driven by a third motor;   wherein at least two of the pickup assemblies are foldable between an extended position and a retracted position, each of the first, second, and third pickup assemblies being aligned side by side when each of the pickup assemblies is positioned in the extended position such that the first, second, and third pickup assemblies provide an unobstructed continuous line of material pickup.   
     
     
         2 . A windrow merger apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the merger is operable with at least one of the pickup assemblies in the retracted position. 
     
     
         3 . A windrow merger apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first second and third belt conveyors is independently driven. 
     
     
         4 . A windrow merger apparatus according to  claim 1 , the pickup assemblies being uncoupled from one another in all positions. 
     
     
         5 . A windrow merger, comprising:
 a frame;   a merger assembly including a center pick up head including a first conveyor and a first conveyor motor, a left pick up head including a second conveyor and a second conveyor motor, and a right pick up head including a third conveyor and a third conveyor motor, each of the center, left and right pick up heads having a length, the left and right pick up heads each being positionable in an extended position and a retracted position;   wherein the first conveyor, the second conveyor and the third conveyor are aligned with the lengths of the left and right pick up heads being generally transverse to a direction of travel when positioned in the extended position.   
     
     
         6 . A windrow merger according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the center pick up head includes a first motor driving the first belt conveyor;   the left pick up head includes a second motor driving the second belt conveyor;   the right pick up head includes a third motor driving the third belt conveyor.   
     
     
         7 . A windrow merger apparatus configured for travel in a first direction, comprising:
 a frame;   a first pick up assembly supported on the frame including a first belt conveyor arranged to convey material in a direction transverse to the first direction of travel a second pick up assembly supported on the frame including a second belt conveyor arranged to convey material in a direction transverse to the first direction of travel;   a third pick up assembly supported on the frame including a third belt conveyor arranged to convey material in a direction transverse to the first direction of travel;   wherein at least two of the pick up assemblies are foldable between an extended position and a retracted position, each of the first, second and third pick up assemblies being aligned side by side when each of the pick up assemblies is positioned in the extended use position such that the first, second and third pick up assemblies provide a continuous line of material pick up and the belt conveyors are configured to provide transport to either end of the aligned assemblies.