WO2025169138A1

WO2025169138A1 - Processing machine for processing fibre plants and use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2025169138A1
Application number: PCT/IB2025/051316
Authority: WO
Inventors: Niels BAERT
Original assignee: Hyler BV
Current assignee: Hyler BV
Priority date: 2024-02-07
Filing date: 2025-02-07
Publication date: 2025-08-14
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-07
Also published as: BE1032393A1; BE1032393B1

Abstract

Processing machine for processing fibre plants, particularly flax or hemp, the processing machine comprising a self-propelled vehicle; a processing assembly arranged on the front side of the vehicle chassis and comprising a number of processing units; a transport assembly mounted on the vehicle chassis and comprising a number of transport units; and a delivering assembly arranged on the rear side of the vehicle chassis and comprising a number of delivering units; wherein the processing assembly comprises at least one centrally positioned first processing unit which is configured to pick the fibre plants or parts thereof in a central area; at least one further processing unit which is configured to pick the fibre plants or parts thereof in one or more lateral areas adjacently of the central area, wherein each of the further processing units is displaceable between a transport position and an end operating position and wherein the overall width of the processing assembly is smaller in the transport position than in the end operating position.

Description

PROCESSING MACHINE FOR PROCESSING FIBRE PLANTS AND USE THEREOF

Described is a processing machine for processing fibre plants and use of such a processing machine for processing fibre plants.

In the agricultural industry fibre plants, such as flax, are cultivated in fields on a ground. These plants consist for the most part of elongate, upright (usually vertical) stems. The fibre plants are generally harvested mechanically by means of self-propelled processing machines.

Such processing machines are for instance provided on the front side with picking units for picking the fibre plants by pulling or cutting them loose, and for subsequently cutting these fibre plants into parts, gripping them and/or rotating them to a horizontal orientation. The machines can further be provided with transport units for displacing the fibre plants or parts thereof over the machine and placing them down onto the ground behind the machine so they can ret there for some time.

Despite working with processing machines, processing of fibre plants is labour-intensive. It is often difficult for growers of fibre plants to find enough personnel, especially since the periods of optimal working conditions for processing fibre plants are short and unpredictable, resulting in a great deal of work having to be done in a short amount of time in order to limit the risk of a harvest partially failing.

In order to limit the labour demand use is made of large processing machines with which a single driver can do a relatively great amount of work. A limiting factor for the size of such machines is that driving them around must still be practically feasible and legally permitted. This is for instance a problem on the public highway. The permitted dimensions of a vehicle, particularly the maximum width thereof, are limited as a result of statutory rules. The width of the known processing machine must then either be limited to the maximum permitted width, or the processing machine is no longer suitable for being driven over the public highway.

It is an object to at least partially reduce one of the above stated problems.

It is a further object to provide a processing machine which further limits labour needs in the processing of fibre plants.

It is a further object to provide a processing machine which can process more fibre plants in the same amount of working hours and/or throughput time.

It is a further object to limit or to prevent additional limitations to driving around the machine.

According to a first aspect, at least one of these objects is achieved at least partially in a processing machine for processing fibre plants, particularly flax or hemp, the processing machine comprising: - a self-propelled vehicle, comprising a vehicle chassis with arranged thereon a number of wheels for driving over a ground and a drive motor for driving at least two, preferably all, wheels;

- a processing assembly arranged on the front side of the vehicle chassis and comprising a number of processing units for processing fibre plants, particularly a picking assembly comprising a number of picking units configured to pick fibre plants during travel over the ground and to transport the picked fibre plants to the vehicle chassis, or a pick-up assembly comprising a number of pick-up units for picking up fibre plants from a ground and transporting the picked-up fibre plants to the vehicle chassis;

- a transport assembly mounted on the vehicle chassis and comprising a number of transport units which are configured to transport fibre plants supplied from the processing assembly from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle chassis;

- a delivering assembly arranged on the rear side of the vehicle chassis and comprising a number of delivering units which are configured to place picked or picked-up and then transported fibre plants onto the ground; wherein the processing assembly comprises:

- at least one centrally positioned first processing unit which is configured to pick or pick up the fibre plants or parts thereof in a central area and to displace them to a corresponding transport unit of the transport assembly;

- at least one further processing unit which is configured to process the fibre plants or parts thereof in one or more lateral areas adjacently of the central area and to displace them to a corresponding transport unit of the transport assembly; wherein each of the further processing units is displaceable, particularly displaceable in lateral direction, between a position forming part of a transport position of the processing machine and a position forming part of an end operating position of the processing machine, and wherein the overall width of the processing assembly is smaller in the transport position than in the end operating position.

The preferred displacement in lateral direction is not limited to a displacement having only a lateral component. In embodiments of the invention the displacement can comprise in addition to a lateral component at least also one upward or downward component.

Adjusting the width in this way makes it possible to make the processing machine relatively narrow on one hand (for instance equally narrow as or narrower than the maximum legally permitted width to be allowed to drive on the public road system without any special permits) and to make it relatively wide otherwise and so enable more processing units to be deployed adjacently of each other at the same time for the purpose of picking or picking up the fibre plants, which can greatly increase the processing capacity of the processing machine. As already stated above, instead of being provided with picking units for picking fibre plants, the vehicle can also be provided with pick-up units for picking up fibre plants already picked and placed onto a ground previously. In the following, any time picking units are referred to, these could also be pick-up units.

In determined embodiments a first or further processing unit comprises a conveyor which is configured to deliver plant parts to a respective transport unit of the transport assembly in the end operating position, and another first or further processing unit comprises a conveyor which is configured to deliver plant parts to another transport unit of the transport assembly in the end operating position.

In determined embodiments all transport units are positioned such in the end operating position that the front of a respective transport unit is positioned behind each first and further processing unit for the purpose of receiving fibre plants processed by this processing unit.

In determined embodiments there is a single first picking or pick-up unit. In other embodiments the machine however comprises at least two first picking units or two first pick-up units. These are optionally also embodied to be displaceable in (at least) lateral directions.

In determined embodiments, the processing machine is provided with at least two further processing units. The two further processing units are here preferably positioned on either side of the first processing unit or first processing units.

In a preferred embodiment at least one processing unit is arranged exchangeably on the processing machine, for instance in order to easily replace the processing unit with a pick-up unit.

When each further processing unit or pick-up unit is in the transport position, the processing machine is a maximum of 3 metres, preferably a maximum of 2.6 metres, wide. When each further processing unit is in the end operating position, the processing machine can pick (or pick up) fibre plants over a width of at least four metres, preferably at least five metres.

In a preferred embodiment at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is positioned more centrally in the width direction in the transport position than in the end operating position

In a preferred embodiment at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is in the transport position positioned substantially at the same position in a width direction as a first processing unit.

In a preferred embodiment at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is in the transport position positioned substantially above the first processing unit. The movement from the transport position to the end operating position comprises in this embodiment preferably both a lateral component and a downward component. In a preferred embodiment at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is in the end operating position positioned substantially at the same position in an operating direction as a first processing unit.

In a preferred embodiment at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is in the end operating position positioned at the same vertical position as a first processing unit.

In a preferred embodiment at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is in the end operating position positioned on an outer side of the processing assembly.

In a preferred embodiment at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is mounted on a respective first processing unit.

In a preferred embodiment at least one first processing unit, preferably each first processing unit, is mounted at a substantially fixed position and at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is mounted pivotally for the purpose of displacement between the transport position and the end operating position. At least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is provided here with a respective first actuator, preferably a hydraulic actuator, for pivoting this further processing unit.

In a preferred embodiment at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is mounted on the respective first processing unit such that the at least one further processing unit is pivotable between the respective transport position and end operating position about a respective imaginary axis running in a processing direction of the processing machine.

In a preferred embodiment this at least one further processing unit is mounted on the respective first processing unit at a distance via at least one pivotable carrier element.

In a preferred embodiment each pivotable arm is pivotable about a first point on the first processing unit and is pivotable about a second point on the further processing unit, wherein this first point preferably lies on the respective imaginary axis.

In a preferred embodiment the pivoting of each pivotable arm about the first point is coupled mechanically to the pivoting of this pivotable arm about the second point, preferably coupled such that owing to counter-rotation, the further processing unit remains in a substantially constant orientation relative to the ground during displacement between the transport position and the end operating position.

In a preferred embodiment at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is configured to pivot about this axis between an end operating position in which this further processing unit is oriented in substantially the same orientation as an adjacent first processing unit, and a transport position in which this further processing unit is oriented rotated through at least 90 degrees, preferably at least 120 degrees, more preferably at least 150 degrees, most preferably substantially 180 degrees relative to an adjacent processing unit.

In a preferred embodiment at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is adjustable within the end operating position in a processing direction of the belts of this processing unit for the purpose of controlling the location of picking or picking up of fibre plants or parts thereof.

In a preferred embodiment at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is configured to be displaced in a processing direction of the belts of this processing unit by means of a respective second actuator.

In a preferred embodiment the processing machine is provided with at least one sensor on the processing assembly for the purpose of instantaneously determining a distance to a ground surface, wherein the processing machine is preferably configured to determine the correct adjustment position for one or more processing units on the basis of the determined distance, wherein the determined adjustment position is more preferably used to automatically control at least one second actuator to adjust one or more processing units.

In a preferred embodiment each processing unit comprises several inlets which are defined by chains or belts tensioned on a frame of this processing unit.

In a preferred embodiment each pair of mutually adjacent inlets of a processing unit of the processing assembly or of several mutually adjacent processing units is separated by a distributor.

In a preferred embodiment at least one pair, preferably each pair, of a first processing unit and further processing unit positioned adjacently of each other is provided with a hydraulically adjustable distributor for improving the connection between these two processing units.

As already stated above, it is the case for all embodiments of the invention described herein that pick-up units for picking up already previously picked fibre plants from a ground surface can be applied instead of picking units for picking fibre plants.

According to a second aspect, an exchangeable processing assembly is provided which is configured as the processing assembly of the processing machine, wherein the processing assembly comprises:

- at least one centrally positioned first processing unit which is configured to pick or pick up fibre plants or parts thereof in a central area and to displace them to a corresponding transport unit of a transport assembly;

- at least one further processing unit which is configured to process the fibre plants or parts thereof in one or more lateral areas adjacently of the central area and to displace them to a corresponding transport unit of the transport assembly; wherein each of the at least one further processing units is displaceable, particularly displaceable in lateral direction, between a position forming part of a transport position of the processing machine and a position forming part of an end operating position of the processing machine, and wherein the overall width of the processing assembly is smaller in the transport position than in the end operating position. A third aspect relates to use of a processing machine as defined herein, for processing fibre plants.

These aspects will be further elucidated below with reference to the following figures.

Figures 1A, 1C-1G show partially cut-away detail views and figure IB a schematic top view of an embodiment of a processing machine which is provided with two picking units positioned mutually adjacently, two transport units positioned mutually adjacently and two delivering units positioned mutually adjacently.

Figures 2A-2C show perspective views of an embodiment of a processing machine in different positions.

Figures 3A and 3B show an embodiment of a processing machine in different positions, as seen from a lateral side.

Figures 4A and 4B show an embodiment of a processing machine in different positions, as seen from the upper side.

Figures 5A-5C show an embodiment of a processing machine in different positions, as seen from the front side.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a processing machine in crabbing motion, as seen from the upper side.

Figures 7-9 show an embodiment of a pivoting installation for a picking assembly for a processing machine from different perspectives.

Figures 10-12 show an embodiment of a picking assembly for a processing machine in an offset position from different perspectives.

Figure 13 shows an embodiment of a picking assembly for a processing machine in a different offset position from different perspectives.

Figures 14A-14B show embodiments of an intermediate distributor for a picking assembly for a processing machine as seen from the upper side.

Figure 15 shows an embodiment of a transport assembly for a processing machine as seen from a lateral side.

Figures 16A-16C show an embodiment of a transport assembly for a processing machine as seen from the upper side.

Figures 17A-17C show an embodiment of a transport assembly for a processing machine as seen from the underside.

Figures 18 A and 18B show details of an embodiment of a pivot arm and an outward folding support frame for a transport assembly for a processing machine in different positions. Figures 19A and 19B show an embodiment of an outward sliding annular chassis for a transport assembly for a processing machine.

Figure 20 shows a detail of an embodiment of a transport unit for a processing machine as seen from a lateral side.

Figure 21 shows a perspective view of a detail of an embodiment of a transport unit for a processing machine.

Figure 22 shows an embodiment of a delivering unit for a processing machine as seen from the rear side.

Figures 23A and 23B show an embodiment of an outward folding annular chassis for a transport assembly for a processing machine from different perspectives.

Figures 24A and 24B show an embodiment of an outward folding annular chassis for a transport assembly for a processing machine in a different position from different perspectives.

Figures 25A and 25B show a somewhat abstracted representation of an alternative embodiment of a transport assembly for a processing machine as seen from a lateral side.

Figures 26A-26C show a somewhat abstracted representation of an alternative embodiment of a transport assembly for a processing machine as seen from the upper side.

Figure 27 shows details of a partially cut-away embodiment of an outward folding annular chassis for a transport assembly for a processing machine from the underside.

Figures 28A and 28B show an embodiment of a sensor for a distributor for a picking assembly for a processing machine.

Figures 29A-C and 29E-G show schematically embodiments of processing machines in different positions, as seen from the upper side. Figure 29D shows schematically a detail of an embodiment of a processing machine as seen from a lateral side.

Figures 30A-D show schematically embodiments of processing machines in transport position, as seen from the front side. Figures 30E-F show schematically embodiments of processing machines in wing position, as seen from the front side.

Figures 31 A and 3 IB show schematically embodiments of processing machines with control means, as seen from the front side.

Figure 32 shows a somewhat abstracted view of an embodiment of a processing machine for turning fibre plants.

Several examples of embodiments of a processing machine specifically suitable for picking fibre plants, for instance relatively short fibre plants such as flax or relatively long fibre plants such as hemp, are given below. Such a processing machine is also referred to as a fibre plant picking machine or, more specifically, a flax picking machine or hemp picking machine. These techniques can also be used for other processing machines, for instance - although not limited to - machines which are more suitable for picking up fibre plants such as hemp or flax, also referred to here as flax or hemp turning machines.

When reference is made here to picking fibre plants or picking them up from a ground surface, this can mean that the whole fibre plant is picked or picked up or that one or more parts of the whole fibre plant are picked or picked up.

Flax is a fibre crop which is cultivated for making linen (clothing, home decor), among other things. The flax plant is usually between 40 and 130 cm long, for instance between 80 and 130 cm long, and is harvested using a drawn or self-propelled flax picking machine. Such a machine can also be suitable for picking other relatively short fibre plants such as ramie. Hemp is likewise a fibre crop which is cultivated for making textile fabrics (clothing or home decor), among other things. The hemp plant is a lot longer than the flax plant. The hemp plant is characteristically between 140 cm and 350 cm in length. Hemp is harvested with a hemp picking machine configured specifically for this purpose. Such a machine can also be suitable for picking other relatively long fibre plants such as kenaf or jute.

The fibre plant picking machine comprises a vehicle (usually a self-propelled vehicle, although a drawn vehicle is also possible) and has for this purpose on the front side a processing assembly 40 (comprising one or more picking units) which is embodied specifically to harvest fibre plants such as flax plants or hemp plants by pulling them from the ground and/or cutting them loose. The fibre plants harvested by the picking assembly are transported to the vehicle and transported with conveyors provided on the vehicle to a delivering assembly where the fibre plants are delivered, for instance by placing them down onto the ground in one or more swathes. The machine can be driven over a field in order to harvest a pass of fibre plants with a width of the picking assembly 40.

A fibre plant turning machine (also referred to as fibre plant pick-up machine) likewise comprises a vehicle (particularly the same vehicle as the vehicle of the fibre plant picking machine) having on the front side a take-up (pick-up) and turning assembly 260 (comprising one or more first take-up and turning units 261 and further take-up and turning units 262) which is embodied specifically to pick up previously retted fibre plants, such as flax plants or hemp plants, and fibre plants placed down onto the ground for retting from the ground and then rotate the picked-up fibre plants through a half turn. See figure 32. In the take-up machines the fibre plants are also transported to transport units 81, 82 and thereby to delivering units 91, 92 in order to deliver the fibre plants, for instance by placing them down onto the ground (once again).

The invention will be further elucidated below, particularly by the description of possible embodiments of processing machines in the form of picking machines, although it will be apparent to the skilled person that processing machines in the form of turning machines can be embodied similarly. As described above, the harvested or picked-up (and turned) fibre plants are then processed by the flax or hemp processing machine by displacing them to the rear side of the machine and placing the fibre plants onto the ground surface during travel. The relatively long hemp plants must still be cut into two or more parts before they are suitable for placing down onto the ground, while the relatively short flax plants can usually be placed directly onto the ground. The fibre plants or the fibre plants cut into parts are placed flat on the ground in long rows, also referred to as “swathes”, wherein the stems of the harvested plants extend substantially transversely of the longitudinal direction of the swathes. This placing back of the flax or hemp flat onto the ground surface so that said swathes are created is also referred to as “depositing” or “picking up”. When the flax or hemp plants are placed in rows or swathes, an intermediate space is left between adjacent rows. These spaces are provided in order to prevent the swathes from becoming tangled in each other.

Harvested plants which were placed flat on the ground in swathes are then retted under the influence of a combination of dew, rain and sunlight. The retting of the flax or the hemp by leaving them on the ground (i.e. a field or retting field) for some time is referred to in the field of processing flax as field retting or dew retting. In order to obtain a uniform retting and to prevent rotting of the flax or the hemp, the fibre plants placed flat on the ground in rows must be flipped over regularly. This flipping over of the flax or hemp placed flat on the ground is also referred to as “turning”. The turning of the flax is performed using the drawn or self-propelled flax pick-up machine (also referred to here as flax turning machine), while the turning of the hemp is performed using a drawn or self-propelled hemp pick-up machine (also referred to as hemp turning machine). More generally, reference will be made here to a fibre plant turning machine in which fibre plants or fibre plant parts are turned over and placed back onto the field. In determined embodiments the flax turning machine and the hemp turning machine are combined into one single machine, which can thus process both hemp and flax. According to determined embodiments, the flax and hemp turning machines are further also constructed as respective flax and hemp picking machines, and in yet another embodiment the machine is or can be made suitable for at least picking flax, picking hemp, turning flax and turning hemp.

In this description embodiments of machines, units and components are designated with reference numeral. Multiple units or components of the same type in the same figure will sometimes be designated with the same reference numeral, followed by a letter. The same letter can refer to different instances of the same type of unit or component in different figures. Use of the reference numeral without the addition of a letter refers to units or components of this type in general.

If multiple units or components in the same figure have the same numeral and a different letter, it will be apparent to the skilled person from context whether they should be embodied identically or whether they should be embodied slightly differently, for instance mirrored, due to for instance their differing placement for the purpose of fulfilling a corresponding function.

Figures 1A-1C show a self-propelled vehicle 2 of a processing machine 1 according to a determined embodiment. Self-propelled vehicle 2 comprises a vehicle chassis 6 on which four wheels, i.e. two front wheels 7 and two rear wheels 8, are arranged in known manner. In determined embodiments the vehicle chassis 6 comprises a stiff chassis and the front part of the chassis (located close to picking assembly 40) is not pivotable (tiltable) relative to the rear part (located close to the delivering assembly). The chassis comprises an essentially stiff chassis. In other embodiments vehicle chassis 6 comprises a number of chassis parts pivotable (tiltable) relative to each other. An example of a vehicle chassis constructed from a plurality of parts, wherein the chassis parts are tiltable relative to each other around an upright axis, is described in the publication WO 2022/106887 Al, the content of which should be deemed as included here. An example is the embodiment of figure IB. In the embodiment the vehicle chassis 6 comprises a front chassis part 110 and a rear chassis part 111, wherein the rear chassis part 111 is connected to the front chassis part 110 via an articulating device 112, for instance comprising an upright pivot shaft. The front wheels of the vehicle are here provided on the front chassis part 110, while the rear wheels are provided on the rear chassis part 111 Correctly controlling the (speed and/or running direction) of the front and/or rear wheels enables the vehicle to travel over the ground in a straight motion (for instance figures IB, 2A, 4A, 4B, 16A-16D), wherein the rear chassis part 111 is in line with the front chassis part 110, or for instance in a crabbing motion wherein the rear chassis part 111 is tilted relative to the front chassis part (for instance figures 2B, 6).

In figure 1 A a part of the front left side of the vehicle has been cut away (i.e. the front left wheel and the relevant part of the wheel suspension) in order to obtain a better view of the construction of the vehicle on the front side. The vehicle is self-propelled, which means that it is provided with its own drive motor whereby a number of the wheels, for instance the two rear wheels, or all the wheels can be driven. The self-propelled vehicle 2 is preferably driven by a number of hydraulic motors, one for each wheel 7, 8, which hydraulic motors are connected to a hydraulic pump unit which is configured to provide a hydraulic medium under pressure via a hydraulic circuit provided in the vehicle. The hydraulic pump unit is driven by a combustion engine, for instance a diesel engine. The combustion engine and hydraulic pump unit together are designated in figure ID in schematic manner with reference numeral 9.

The vehicle is steered from a driver’s cab 3 on the front side of the vehicle. The driver’s cab 3 can be reached from the ground via a ladder system 10 provided on the side of the machine. This ladder system 10 comprises a folding ladder which is mounted via ladder mounting means 11 on a support 12 provided on the vehicle. The support 12 can for instance form part of the chassis of the vehicle, but can also be mounted on for instance the driver's cab. The ladder system 10 is constructed from, among other things, ladder parts 13, 14 which are pivotable relative to each other. The ladder parts 13, 14 are pivotable between a wholly folded-in position and a wholly folded-out position (and, in determined embodiments, pivotable into any random intermediate position between the wholly folded-out position and the wholly folded-in position).

In the folded-out position (and in principle also in any of the intermediate positions) the mutual orientation of the ladder parts 13, 14, i.e. the angle between a first, upper ladder part 13 relative to the second, lower ladder part 14, can be securable such that the driver is safely able to climb onto or come down from the machine at all times.

The pivoting of the first ladder part 13 about support 12 and a pivoting of the second ladder part 14 about the first ladder part 13 can be coupled such that the second ladder part 14 always remains in the same orientation relative to a ground surface, for instance in that these two pivots are equal and opposite.

The chassis 6 of the vehicle further comprises a transport assembly 80 comprising two transport units 81 (more particularly a first transport unit 81a and a second transport unit 81b) extending substantially parallel to each other. In determined embodiments each of the transport units 81 comprises a flat support element 83 (also referred to here as a table) over which fibre plants can slide and an endless conveyor belt 85 provided thereabove for the purpose of carrying along the fibre plants resting on the table 83. In determined embodiments the tables of the two transport units 81 are combined into one single, shared table 83.

At least one of the transport units 81a, 81b, particularly at least one of the endless conveyor belts 85, is preferably displaceable in width direction of vehicle chassis 6 (also referred to here as the lateral direction) so that the intermediate distance between the two conveyor belts 85 can be adjusted, this in order to realize a suitable intermediate distance for narrower or wider swathes. Referring to the top view of figure IB, the two transport units 81a, 81b are arranged along both longitudinal edges of vehicle 2 so that a quantity of fibre plants can be transported counter to chassis direction C with each of these. In the shown embodiment each of the transport units 81 comprises an endless conveyor belt 85 which runs on a front roller 84a and a rear roller 84b. At least one of the rollers 84a, 84b is driven via a drive (not shown). In a determined embodiment the drive comprises a hydraulic motor arranged in the rear (triple) pulley or roller 84b. Each of the respective part-rollers of the multiple (triple) pulley is driven separately yet synchronously to each other, preferably according to a determined ratio as desired. So-called carriers 86 are provided on the outer side of each of the conveyor belts 85. These can displace the fibre plants lying on table(s) 83, at least on guide rails 87 of table(s) 83 (figure 1A), in said chassis direction C to the rear side of vehicle chassis 6. The fibre plants are thus enclosed here between the relevant conveyor belt 85 and the guide rails 87. A delivering assembly 90 comprising a corresponding delivering unit 91 for each transport unit 81 is arranged on the rear side of vehicle 2. In the shown embodiment the delivering unit 91 comprises an endless conveyor belt 95. This endless conveyor belt can optionally be provided with carriers 96. The endless conveyor belt 95 of each of the endless delivering units 13 is trained around a roller 94 and around said roller 84b (a delivering unit 91 therefore sharing this with a transport unit 81). Driving of delivering unit 91 takes place via the first roller 84b. This extends obliquely rearward to some extent and is configured to displace the fibre plants coming from respective transport unit 81a, 81b downward in dosed and controlled manner so that the fibre plants can be placed onto the ground on the rear side of the vehicle. As shown in figure IB, when the vehicle moves in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle chassis, also referred to here as chassis direction C, the fibre plants (v) picked or picked up on the front side of the vehicle will be displaced to the rear side of vehicle 2 and will each be placed down on the ground (o) in a separate row (swathe) 15a, 15b via the delivering units 13. In determined applications the rows 15a, 15b of fibre plants are composed of the same parts of the fibre plant, for instance in the case of the relatively short flax plants. In other embodiments the one row is however composed of the lower portions of the harvested fibre plants, while the other row consists of the upper portions of the harvested fibre plants. This is for instance the case when hemp plants are harvested. In both cases the fibre plants are placed flat on the ground, parallel to each other as far as possible, after which said retting can commence.

Vehicle 2 is provided with a picking assembly 40 (comprising one or more picking units) on its front side in order to be able to pick the fibre plants. This can be a first picking assembly 40 (also referred to herein as a hemp picking assembly 40) developed especially for picking long fibre plants (such as hemp), or a second picking assembly 40 (also referred to herein as a flax picking assembly 40) developed especially for picking short fibre plants (such as flax). Depending on the length of the crop to be picked, a different picking assembly 40 must thus be mounted on the vehicle. Different examples of a first picking assembly 40 for picking relatively long fibre plants are shown in figures ID and IE. Different examples of a second picking assembly 40 for picking relatively short fibre plants are shown in figures IF and 1G.

Referring to figures 1A and 1C in particular, the chassis comprises a number of support chassis parts 33a, 33b on the front side of chassis 6 of vehicle 2. The first support chassis parts 33b extend in line with the rest of chassis 6 of vehicle 2, while the second support chassis parts 33a mounted on the first support chassis parts 33b and the rest of chassis 6 are disposed obliquely. Chassis 6 is further provided with a number of hinges 39 on which two parallel longitudinal lifting arms 35a, 35b are arranged. Both longitudinal lifting arms 35a, 35b are connected at their outer ends to a transverse lifting arm 36. The support chassis parts 33a, 33b, longitudinal lifting arms 35a, 35b and transverse lifting arm 36 together form a strong and stable support structure for mounting a number of actuators whereby a picking assembly 40 coupled to the chassis 6 of vehicle 2 can be pivoted upward and downward. Together with these actuators the support structure forms the above stated lifting unit.

The upward or downward pivoting of picking assembly 40 is brought about by a number of actuators, for instance electric actuators (motors) or, preferably, lifting cylinders 31, of the lifting unit (figure 1C). In figures 1A and 1C the actuators are formed by two lifting cylinders 31. In the shown embodiment two lifting cylinders positioned laterally adjacently of each other are provided. In other embodiments use is however only made of a single lifting cylinder, or three or more lifting cylinders are applied. The lifting cylinders are mounted pivotally on the support chassis parts 33a, 33b and on transverse lifting arm 36 via a mounting support 32. One or more lifting cylinders 31 can also be provided between a lower processing unit 41, such as a lower picking unit, and an upper processing unit 42, such as an upper picking unit 42, for the purpose of controlling the relative height, particularly controlling the height of the upper picking unit 42 relative to a lower picking unit 41 placed at a determined height relative to chassis 6 by other lifting cylinders 31. A further description of the construction of the lifting unit and of the operation thereof will follow below.

Further referring to figure 1C, chassis 6 is provided on either side of the support chassis parts 33a, 33b with first mounting means 30 for mounting a picking assembly 40 thereon in pivotable and releasable manner. The first mounting means 30 can be embodied in numerous ways, but in the shown specific embodiment comprise a number of flanges in which respective pivot shafts 34 can be rotatably mounted.

Each of the different picking assemblies 40 comprises one or more frame parts of a support frame, which can be mounted in pivotable and releasable manner on said first mounting means 30. In the embodiments shown in figures ID, IE the picking assembly 40 comprises a first, lower hemp picking unit 41 and a second, upper hemp picking unit 42 placed thereabove. The lower hemp picking unit 41 comprises a frame part 51a which can be mounted pivotally and in easily releasable manner on the first mounting means 30 of the vehicle using second mounting means 54. The upper hemp picking unit 42 comprises a frame part 51b which also takes a pivotable (yet not necessarily easily releasable) form, albeit that in the shown embodiment frame part 51b of the upper hemp picking unit 42 is mounted on the frame part 51a of the lower hemp picking unit 41 instead of directly on the chassis 6 of the vehicle. In other embodiments (not shown) it is however precisely the upper hemp picking unit that is mounted on chassis 6 of vehicle 2, and the lower hemp picking unit on the upper hemp picking unit. In still further embodiments (not shown) the two hemp picking units are mounted pivotally and releasably on vehicle 2. In determined embodiments the lower and upper picking units are height-adjustable independently of each other by pivoting respective frame parts 51a and 51b. In yet other embodiments only one picking unit is provided, wherein this one picking unit is configured to pick shorter hemp plants, such as flax. A flax picking unit 43 can in principle have a similar construction as one of the two hemp picking units 4, 5, and in determined embodiments a flax picking unit 43 is even almost identical or wholly identical to a hemp picking unit.

For mounting on chassis 6 of vehicle 2, more particularly on the first mounting means 30 thereof, such as the flanges 30 positioned on or close to the sides of vehicle 2 and having the pivot shafts 34 mounted therein, the picking assembly 40, in the shown embodiment the lower hemp picking unit 41, is provided with second mounting means 54. The second mounting means 54 are embodied for easy mounting on the first mounting means 30. The first and second mounting means 30, 54 together form a mounting hinge between picking assembly 40 and vehicle 2, such that picking assembly 40 can be pivoted in upward and downward direction around the lying pivot shafts 34.

To make picking assembly 40 pivot relative to vehicle 2 the above described lifting unit is utilized. As described above, the lifting cylinders 31 are arranged rotatably on chassis 6, for instance on the flanges 38 of chassis 6, at one outer end. On their opposite sides the lifting cylinders 31 are coupled via mounting supports 32 to the transverse lifting arm 36. The transverse lifting arm 36 of the lifting unit has a substantially U-shaped cross-section, which is clearly visible particularly in figures 1 A and 1C. The U-shape forms a receiving space for a part of the frame part 51a of the lower hemp picking unit 41. In other words, the picking assembly 40 can be connected to the lifting unit in simple manner by placing frame part 51a of the lower hemp picking unit 41 into the transverse lifting arm 36 of the lifting unit from above or, conversely, by simply pressing transverse lifting arm 36 against frame part 51a from below. Finally, the whole is locked by a locking mechanism 37 (figure 1C), for instance in the form of a remotely controllable extending cylinder which in extended state ensures that picking assembly 40 remains locked to the lifting unit, or manually with a locking pin. The lifting unit is then ready to lift picking assembly 40.

As shown in figure 1A with arrows (Pi, P2), the length of each of the lifting cylinders 31 is controllable. It will be apparent that when the length of lifting cylinders 31 between a picking unit 41, 42 and the chassis 6 or between two picking units 41, 42 is increased, frame part 51a and/or frame part 51b will respectively pivot upward, while the relevant frame part 51a, 51b will pivot downward if the length of the lifting cylinders is reduced. In this way the height of the free outer end of picking assembly 40 can be varied, for instance in order to adjust the position in which picking assembly 40 grips the flax plants and pulls them from the ground during travel of the vehicle.

Figures ID and IE show different embodiments of a processing machine 1 wherein the processing machine is provided with an exchangeable picking assembly 40 comprising a first picking unit and a second picking unit placed thereabove. This embodiment is embodied for picking relatively long fibre plants, such as hemp plants, as shown schematically in the figure. In the shown embodiment the processing machine 1 comprises the above stated self-propelled vehicle 2 and a specific picking assembly 40, i.e. a hemp picking assembly 40. The hemp picking assembly 40 comprises a lower hemp picking unit 41 and arranged thereabove an upper hemp picking unit 42. The lower picking unit 41 is mounted on the first mounting means 30 of the vehicle in the above stated manner, this such that the first hemp picking unit 41 can be pivoted in upward and downward directions by controlling one or more of said lifting cylinders 31. The upper hemp picking unit 42 is pivotally arranged via pivot shafts 34 on the lower hemp picking unit 41 so that the upper hemp picking unit 42 can be pivoted (pivoting directions R2) relative to the first hemp picking unit 41 (and relative to vehicle 2 and the ground). The pivoting movement of the upper hemp picking unit 42 relative to the lower hemp picking unit 41 is driven by a number of further lifting cylinders (not shown) arranged on frame parts 30, 33, wherein increasing the length of lifting cylinders results in an upward rotation of the upper hemp picking unit 42 relative to the lower hemp picking unit 41, while reducing the length results in a downward rotation of the upper hemp picking unit 42 relative to the lower hemp picking unit 41.

Figure ID shows schematically that the relatively long fibre plants (h), such as hemp, kenaf, jute or similar fibre plants, have an overall length l_tot (characteristically between 1.4 and 4.0 metres, 2.4 metres on average). The lower part (hl) of each of the fibre plants (h) has a length l_o (for instance 110 cm to 123 cm), while the upper part (h2) has a length lb (for instance 123 to 130 cm). In the shown embodiment both lengths l_o and lb are roughly the same, although in practice these lengths may of course differ. What is important is only that the fibre plants (h) are cut into at least two parts (hl, h2) and then processed further by processing machine 1. Said lower hemp picking unit 41 is for this purpose made suitable for picking and processing the lower fibre plant parts (hl), while the upper hemp picking unit 42 is intended for picking the upper fibre plant parts (h2).

The upper hemp picking unit 42 comprises a transport installation 53b for gripping hemp plants and transporting them to vehicle 2, while the lower hemp picking unit 41 comprises a (preferably wholly or almost wholly identical) transport installation 53a whereby hemp plants can likewise be gripped and transported to vehicle 2. When vehicle 2 travels in the chassis direction C, the upper hemp picking unit 42 will reach the hemp plants first. After a short time interval the lower hemp picking unit 41 will also reach these same hemp plants. In other words, the engaging position at which the upper hemp picking unit 42 engages a determined hemp plant at a determined point in time is shifted relative to the engaging position at which the lower hemp picking unit 41 engages a (different) fibre plant at the same point in time. This has the result that the upper hemp picking unit 42 first engages the upper part (h2) of the hemp plants and cuts them loose from the lower part (hl) with a cutting element 58 (also referred to here as mowing element 58) provided on the front side of the upper hemp picking unit 42, while it is after this, so only when upper part h2 has been cut loose and is already being carried away, that the lower hemp picking unit 41 will engage on the lower part (hl) of the same hemp plant.

The lower hemp picking unit 41 is configured to engage the lower part (hl) of the hemp plant. As a result of the forward movement of vehicle 2 and/or as a result of displacement by means of the transport installation 53a the hemp plants are pulled from the ground along with the roots.

As shown in figure ID, the gripped upper part (h2) of a hemp plant (h) which has been cut loose with mowing element 58 is picked up by the upper hemp picking unit 42. This upper part (h2) of the fibre plant comprises a top, flower or plume portion (h5) and a remaining upper portion (h3). The top portion (h5) of the upper part (h2) of the hemp plant (h) can be removed using a cutting unit 64. The top portion (h5) is here discharged via discharge means comprising a discharge pipe 24 with an inlet opening 25 close to the cutting unit, a centrifugal fan 23 connected to the discharge pipe and an outlet opening to a receptacle 21 arranged via a frame 22 on the rear side of vehicle 2. The discharge pipe 24 can form part of the picking unit 42, or be mounted fixedly on the receptacle 21, or be provided separately, and is mounted between picking unit 42 and receptacle 21. An inlet opening 25 can form part of the picking unit 42 and/or be mounted fixedly on discharge pipe 24. Receptacle 21 can be mounted on frame 22 fixedly, or releasably via coupling means 26.

Plant parts are delivered to a respective transport unit 81 via conveyors 61 of the hemp picking assembly 40. These conveyor 61 comprise endless conveyor belts 62. The conveyor belts 62 are provided with carriers 63.

As further elucidated elsewhere, in determined embodiments the two delivering units 13 are configured to place a first row 15a of only lower remaining parts (h4) of the hemp plant and a second row 15b of only upper remaining parts (h3) of the hemp plants (h) onto the ground and then have them undergo the desired retting process (figure IB).

Figures ID and IE show a side view of a first embodiment of the hemp picking assembly 40. Figures ID and IE also show the transport installations 53a, 53b whereby the hemp plants are gripped and transported to vehicle 2. Each of the transport installations 53a, 53b comprises a number of endless conveyor belts for gripping the crop, transporting the crop and rotating or tilting the crop (from an upright to a lying position, so through an angle of about 90 degrees) during transport, and transporting the crop to the transport units on vehicle 2.

Distributors 55 are provided on the front side of both the lower hemp picking unit 41 and the upper hemp picking unit 42. Their object is to make it possible, when the vehicle and the picking assembly 40 mounted thereon are advanced, to push the hemp plants (h) to the side and guide them into a number of, in figure IE six per hemp picking assembly 40 (although this can also be a greater or smaller number in other embodiments), passages Di-D<> for the upper hemp picking unit 42 and passages D7-D12 for the lower hemp picking unit 41, all configured to receive and grip the hemp plants. These twelve passages are formed by a number of driven conveyor belts 56 and a number of guide rollers 57. The guide rollers 57 can perform one or more different functions. A guide roller 57 can for instance be a support roller for supporting a conveyor belt 56, be a drive roller for driving a conveyor belt 56, and/or be a pressing roller for locally providing a pressing force against a conveyor belt 56. Each drive roller is driven by a hydraulically powered roller drive 59 which protrudes slightly below the belts 56 in the shown embodiment. Each picking unit 41, 42 is configured such that the passages D converge gradually in combining areas S in order to gradually form a single stream of fibre plants.

In the above stated embodiments the processing machine 1 is geared toward processing relatively high/long crops, such as hemp. In other embodiments processing machine 1 can be made suitable in very simple manner for processing shorter/less high crops, such as flax. For this purpose hemp picking unit 3 consisting of at least the upper and lower hemp picking units 41, 42 is replaced with a flax picking unit 43 which is embodied specifically to process this lower crop. The height of the crop, such as flax, is generally between 80 cm and 123 cm (l_tot = 80-123 cm).

As shown in figures IF and 1G, the flax picking unit 43 comprises a frame part 43 which is provided with essentially the same mounting means as said lower hemp picking unit 41 of the hemp picking assembly 40. Frame part 130 can for instance be mounted on the pivot shaft of the first mounting means 30 of vehicle 2 in simple manner with said mounting means 54. This flax picking assembly 40 can be placed on the transverse lifting arm 36 of the lifting assembly of vehicle 2 in similar manner as the hemp picking assembly 40, so that lifting cylinders 31 can pivot the frame 130 of the flax picking unit 43 in upward and downward direction. The present flax picking assembly 40 essentially uses the same techniques to grip this fibre plant, in this case flax, pull it from the ground and transport it toward vehicle 2, and to change the position of the crop during transport toward vehicle 2. Use is for this purpose once again made of a transport installation which is once again constructed from the above-described endless conveyor belts, among other things. A difference with the hemp picking assembly 40 is however that the flax picking assembly 40 provides the option and space to realize a plurality of passages adjacently of each other. While there are six passages per hemp picking unit (so a total of twelve passages, although this number can also be increased or reduced in other embodiments) in the hemp picking assembly 40, there are eight passages in the embodiment of figure IE, these all being positioned adjacently of each other. The four passages on the left receive flax and this flax is carried via a first conveyor 61a to the first conveyor 11 on vehicle 2, while the four passages on the right are used to carry the remaining flax plants via a second conveyor 61b toward the second conveyor 12 of vehicle 2. The two conveyors 61a, 61b are here situated adjacently of each other instead of above each other, as was the case with the conveyors 61a, 61b of the hemp picking assembly 40.

Figure IE further shows that in determined embodiments two pressing rollers 60a, 60b are provided which are configured to press the flax, at least the upper part thereof, for better retting. In determined embodiments a cutting unit 64 is present which is configured to cut off the seed parts (particularly the bolls, seed capsules), although in other embodiments the cutting off does not take place. These pressing rollers 60a, 60b and/or this cutting assembly are otherwise also optional, and in determined embodiments they are therefore dispensed with.

Figures ID and IE show embodiments of a picking assembly 40 for picking relatively long fibre plants, such as the hemp picking assembly 40, and figures IF and 1G show a picking assembly 40 for picking relatively short fibre plants. These are however merely specific examples of processing assemblies which can be mounted on vehicle 2 and removed from vehicle 2 in the above stated simple manner. Another example of such a processing assembly is a pick-up assembly. As already described above, the fibre plants are placed down flat on the ground on the rear side of the vehicle after having been picked and rotated. These fibre plants are then left on the ground for some time so that a retting process takes place. To enable retting to take place properly and uniformly, the fibre plants on the ground surface must however be turned over at regular intervals. This turning over can likewise be performed with the same processing machine 1, wherein a so-called pick-up assembly is then however arranged as processing assembly 3. The previously used picking assembly 40, for instance flax picking assembly 40 or hemp picking assembly 40, is exchanged for a pick-up assembly which is configured to pick up the crop lying flat on the ground, rotate it through 180 degrees and place it back onto the ground in overturned state on the rear side of the vehicle. This turning over of these picked-up fibre plants can once again take place in similar manner using endless conveyor belts between which the fibre plants are gripped. Conveyor belts 56 are here placed such that the fibre plants are rotated through a half turn instead of a quarter turn. The fibre plants reach the vehicle in the overturned (half turn) state and can be transported toward the delivering units in known manner by the vehicle. This application requires in principle no modifications on vehicle 2 either to make it suitable for picking up and turning the fibre plants. This means that the processing machine is not only suitable for picking fibre plants of different lengths (i.e. relatively long fibre plants such as hemp or relatively short fibre plants such as flax), but is also suitable for picking back up, wholly turning over and placing back onto the ground surface fibre plants after they have been picked and placed down on the ground. In other words, the proposed processing machine is not only a picking machine but also a turning machine. It will be apparent that the costs of processing the fibre plants can hereby be limited to considerable extent and an extremely versatile processing machine can be realized. The embodiments described with reference to figures 1A-1G are processing machines 1 for relatively long and/or relatively short fibre plants, for instance hemp and/or flax. The embodiments described with reference to the other figures are processing machines 1 which are suitable for processing at least relatively short fibre plants, such as flax.

Units and components with the same name, the same position and/or the same numeral in different embodiments generally correspond. Particularly, the configuration of the different types of picking units 41-44 largely corresponds. For the sake of clarity, determined units, components and features are described and/or shown for only a part of the embodiments. It will however be apparent to the skilled person in the field that many units, components and features can be applied in the same or corresponding manner in other embodiments.

The embodiments described with reference to figures 1A-1G are processing machines 1 comprising two picking units 41, 42 and a chassis with two corresponding transport units 81, 82 and delivering units 91, 92. In an embodiment of a processing machine 1 it is instead also possible to provide different numbers of picking units 41, 42, 43, 44 and/or different numbers of transport units 81, 82 and delivering units 91, 92, for instance one, three, four, five, six or more than six picking units 41, 42, 43, 44, transport units 81, 82, and/or delivering units 91, 92. The number of transport units 81, 82 and the number of delivering units 91, 92 is preferably equal here.

Picking assembly 40 can be arranged fixedly as a whole and/or at least a part of the picking units 41, 42, 43, 44, such as lower picking units 41 and/or first picking units 43, can be arranged fixedly. It is however otherwise or also possible for the picking assembly 40, a group of picking units 41, 42, 43, 44 not mutually displaceable or adjustable after mounting, and/or individual picking units 41, 42, 43, 44 to be arranged exchangeably. Exchangeable picking assemblies 40, groups of picking units 41, 42, 43, 44, and/or individual picking units 41, 42, 43, 44 can be supplied or backordered separately from the rest of processing machine 1.

If all the picking units 41, 42, 43, 44 are arranged fixedly, the number of transport units 81, 82 is preferably equal to the number of picking units 41, 42, 43, 44. It is particularly when at least a part of the picking units 41, 42, 43, 44 is arranged exchangeably that the number of transport units 81, 82 can differ from the number of picking units 41, 42, 43.

It will be apparent to the skilled person in the field that a chassis 6 with a determined number of transport units 81, 82 can be combined with an exchangeable picking assembly 40 with a smaller number of picking units 41, 42, 43, 44. A part of the transport units 81, 82 will in that case not transport fibre plants. A determined number of picking units 41, 42, 43, 44, optionally embodied specifically for this purpose, can further be combined with a chassis 6 with a smaller number of transport units 81, 82 by positioning a plurality of the picking units 41, 42, 43, 44 such that they transport the picked fibre plants or parts thereof to substantially the same position in the width direction B 1. Picking units 43 for picking relatively short fibre plants such as flax and lower picking units 41 for picking relatively long fibre plants such as hemp can take the same or a mutually exchangeable form.

While figures 1A-1G show an embodiment of a processing machine comprising a vehicle and a picking assembly for picking fibre plants, figure 32 shows a somewhat abstracted representation of a vehicle with a turning assembly (more particularly a pick-up and turning assembly) for picking up and turning fibre plants. The characteristics of such a vehicle with a picking assembly described here are essentially the same as those of the pick-up assembly. Use is made of a driven drum provided with radially protruding rods which picks up fibre plants resting on the ground, after which a number of endless conveyor belts transport the picked-up fibre plants toward the vehicle. The endless conveyor belts 56 are crossed conveyor belts which are embodied such that they take up the (horizontal) lying fibre plants and rotate them through about 180 degrees in order to supply the fibre plants in the rotated position to the further transport units 81, 82 provided on the vehicle itself.

A number of imaginary axes and planes will now be defined for the description of processing machine 1. Figure 2A shows a processing machine 1 together with two coordinate systems. Two mutually opposite directions can be distinguished on each axis of a coordinate system. One of the two directions on this axis will sometimes be used to designate an axis.

The first coordinate system comprises a chassis direction C (on a longitudinal chassis axis, at right angles to a transverse plane), a height direction H (on a height axis, at right angles to a base plane), and a first width direction Bl (on a first width axis, at right angles to a sagittal plane). These directions lie at right angles to each other. In figure 2A the chassis direction C corresponds with a likewise designated operating direction W (on an operating axis, at right angles to an operating plane).

The processing machine 1 is configured to advance in the chassis direction C during transport, for instance over the public highway. The driver's cab 3 is oriented in the chassis direction C. The transport assembly 80 is configured to transport plant parts substantially counter to the chassis direction C. In the shown movement, processing machine 1 will operate in the operating direction W, i.e. successive fibre plants will be processed in this direction. The height direction H is the direction pointing counter to the force of gravity if the base plane of chassis 6 is horizontal (owing to a horizontal ground surface). The first width direction Bl lies at right angles to the height direction H and chassis direction C. The transport units 81, 82 lie substantially adjacently of each other in the width direction Bl. An imaginary centre line runs in chassis direction C in the centre of chassis 6, as seen in the width direction Bl.

Shown in a second coordinate system are a processing device P (on a picking axis, at right angles to a transverse picking plane), a picking height direction PH (on a picking height axis, at right angles to a picking plane), and a first width direction B2 (on a second width axis, at right angles to a sagittal picking plane). These directions lie at right angles to each other.

In the base plane the second width direction B2 lies at right angles to the operating direction W and in figure 2A is the same as the first width direction B 1. The conveyor belts of a picking unit are configured to transport picked fibre plants in the processing direction P. This processing direction P is preferably the same in all picking units. The processing direction P can be obtained by rotating the operating direction W, more specifically by rotating the operating direction W about the second width axis B2 so that it points into the ground, and then mirroring it. The operating direction W is here preferably rotated about the second width axis B2 through between 15 and 75 degrees, more preferably between 30 and 60 degrees, for instance 45 degrees. The axes of the rollers of the picking units are oriented in picking height direction PH.

Figure 2A shows a processing machine travelling in a straight motion. The processing machine can be configured to operate in one or more alternative motions, for instance a crabbing motion, also referred to as crab steering, as in figure 6. In crabbing motion the chassis direction C and operating direction W do not correspond, and the first and second width direction Bl, B2 do not correspond. In many cases, particularly in most of the figures of this document, these directions will however correspond, or the distinction will be irrelevant. Reference is therefore in some cases made below to a width direction in general, without any distinction being made between the first and second width direction Bl, B2.

Figures 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A show an embodiment of a processing machine 1 in transport position. Figures 2B, 3B, 4B and 5B show an embodiment of a processing machine 1 in one of the possible end operating positions. The processing machine 1 according to these embodiments is configured to make units, particularly further picking units 44, move in order to switch between the transport position and the end operating position.

Figures 29A and 29E show schematically a top view of said transport position of a processing machine 1. In this position the overall width of the vehicle is relatively small, for instance so small that the vehicle is permitted to travel freely over the public highway. The processing machine 1 comprises a front chassis part 110 and a rear chassis part 111 which are coupled pivotally (around an upright (imaginary) pivot axis) via an articulating device 112. Provided directly in front of the articulating device or, as shown in the figure, directly above articulating device 112 is a driver's cab 3, preferably on the front chassis part 110 so that it corotates with the operating direction W.

Figure 29 A shows an embodiment with two picking units 43, two transport units 81 and two delivering units 91. Figure 29D shows an embodiment with four picking units 43, 44, four transport units 81 and four delivering units 91 in the same position. Situated on the rear chassis part 111 in this latter is a transport assembly 80 comprising parallel first transport units 81 A, 8 IB and further transport units 82 A, 82B, and a delivering assembly 90 comprising first delivering units 91 A, 9 IB and further delivering units 92 A, 92B, wherein a transport unit 81, 82 and a delivering unit 91, 92 in each case form a pair. Provided on front chassis part 110 is picking assembly 40 comprising first picking units 43 A, 43B and further picking units 44A, 44B. In the transport position the transport units 81, 82 are located relatively close together in the width direction B 1 , and the further picking units 44A, 44B are located above a respective first picking unit 43 A, 43B.

Figures 29B and 29F show schematically one of the possible end operating positions of the processing machine 1 of figure 29A.

Figure 29B shows an embodiment with two picking units 43, two transport units 81 and two delivering units 91. Figure 29F shows an embodiment with four picking units 43, 44, four transport units 81 and four delivering units 91 in the same position. The transport units 81, 82 in this position are further apart as seen in width direction. The picking units 43, 44 are all positioned adjacently of each other. Processing machine 1 processes fibre plants in a pass and delivers them to the ground in parallel swathes (four swathes in principle).

Figures 29C and 29G show schematically a different end operating position. In this end operating position the processing machine 1 operates in crabbing motion. Figure 29C shows an embodiment with two picking units 43, two transport units 81 and two delivering units 91. Figure 29G shows an embodiment with four picking units 43, 44, four transport units 81 and four delivering units 91 in the same position. In this end operating position the chassis direction does not correspond with the operating direction. The swathes are still delivered parallel to each other and to the pass, but offset relative to the pass and at a greater distance from the as yet unpicked fibre plants on the other side adjacently of the pass.

If operation in crabbing motion is not required, dividing the chassis 6 into a plurality of parts 110, 111 and use of an articulating device 112 are otherwise not necessary. In embodiments without articulating device 112 the driver's cab 3 can also be provided at the position shown in the figures.

Processing machine 1 can for instance be configured for manual displacement of the units or preferably to bring about a displacement of units by means of one or more actuators provided on the machine. These actuators can be configured to be controlled by means of control means in the driver's cab 3 or by means of other control means, for instance control means mounted on the relevant parts of machine 1 , such as a control panel. Other actuators stated in this description can also be configured to be controllable in this way or other ways. An example of control means is the electronic control unit 230 shown in schematic figures 31 A and 3 IB.

As far as the figures 2A and beyond show a whole picking assembly 40, this generally comprises four picking units 43, 44 comprising two first picking units 43 and two further picking units 44, and as far as these figures show a whole transport assembly 80 and delivering assembly 90, these generally comprise four transport units 81, 82 comprising two first transport units 81 and two further transport units 82, and also four delivering assemblies 91, 92 comprising two first delivering assemblies 91 and two further delivering assemblies 92. The number of first picking units 43 of a processing machine 1 preferably corresponds to the number of first transport units 81 , and the number of further picking units 44 preferably corresponds to the number of further transport units 82. The respective first picking units are here positioned adjacently of each other at a substantially fixed, optionally adjustable and/or pivotable position in the width direction Bl, B2, and processing machine 1 is configured to allow displacement of the respective further units.

In the end operating position all first and further picking units 43, 44 are positioned adjacently of each other in the width direction B2 in order to enable a wide pass of fibre plants to be processed, for instance a pass with a width of four to five metres or more than five metres. In the transport position and in the shown intermediate position at least the further picking units 44 are in a different position, this to make it possible that the further picking units form no or less of an impediment during travel of processing machine 1 in that they do not prevent machine 1 , at least to a determined height, from maintaining a straight motion within a determined width, for instance a width of a maximum of 3 metres, such as a width of 2.6 metres. Less of an impediment can for instance mean that the processing machine 1 is suitable and/or permitted for use on the public highway and/or that, when the processing machine is used on a field, there is less risk of crops around machine 1 coming damaged.

In the shown embodiments the further picking units 44 are configured to move in the transverse picking plane between an end operating position lying adjacently of the first picking units 43 in the second width direction B2 and a transport position lying above the first picking units 43 in the picking height direction PH.

In the end operating position all first and further transport units 81, 82 are positioned such that positioned on the operating axis behind each picking unit 43, 44 is the front side 180 of a transport unit 81, 82 for the purpose of receiving fibre plants picked by the picking unit 43, 44. In the transport position all transport units 81 , 82 are positioned such that they do not prevent the machine 1 , at least to a determined height, from remaining within a determined width in a straight motion.

In the shown embodiments the further transport units 82 are configured to move, at least on their front side, in the first width direction Bl between a transport position and a less central and therefore more lateral end operating position. The first transport units 81 are optionally also configured to be adjusted in the first width direction.

In the end operating position all delivering units 91, 92 are positioned such that positioned on the operating axis behind each transport unit 81, 82 is a delivering unit 91, 92 for the purpose of receiving fibre plants transported by the transport unit 81, 91. If, and as far as, the first and/or further transport units 81, 82 are configured to move between a transport position and an end operating position on their rear side, the respective delivering units 91, 92 are also configured to move in order to continue connecting to the corresponding transport unit 81, 82.

In the shown embodiments two first units 43, 81, 91 and two further units 44, 82, 92 are provided of each unit, i.e. picking unit 43, 44, transport unit 81, 82 and delivering unit 91, 92. These can also be different numbers of first and further units, preferably an equal number of first picking units 43, first transport units 81 and first delivering units 91 and an equal number of further picking units 44, further transport units 82 and further delivering units 92. It is for instance possible to provide one or more further picking units 44 on only one lateral side and/or to provide three or four first picking units 43. It is also possible to provide a plurality of further picking units 44, for instance two picking units, on one or two lateral sides. These further picking units 44 can then each have their own first actuator 121 and/or second actuator 150 (as described below) and adjust them relative to each other individually, and/or they can share a first actuator 121 and/or second actuator 150 and be displaceable as a group.

By way of example, figures 30A-D show schematically embodiments of processing machines in transport position, as seen from the front side.

Figure 30A shows an embodiment with a group of two first picking units 43 in the centre of the picking assembly 40 and on either side in each case a single further picking unit 44A, 44B. In the transport position the further picking units are located essentially at the same height. The shown position can serve as transport position, wherein the further transport units 44A, 44B have some intermediate distance. In other embodiments the further transport units 44 A and 44B are located closer to each other (for instance as close as shown for a different embodiment in figure 30B) or are even placed essentially against each other in the transport position. Figure 30B shows an embodiment with a single first picking unit 43 in the centre of the picking assembly 40 and on either side in each case a single further picking unit 44A or 44B.

It is also possible to position the further picking units 44A, 44B at a plurality of different heights in the transport position, for instance in order to be able to further limit the width of picking assembly 40 relative to a mutually adjacent positioning. Figure 30C shows an embodiment with a group of two first picking units 43 in the centre of picking assembly 40 and on either side a group of two further picking units 44. The one group is positioned above the other group. Figure 30D shows an embodiment with a single first picking unit 43 in the centre of picking assembly 40 and on either side a single further picking unit 44 A, 44B. In the transport position the one picking unit 44B is positioned wholly above the other picking unit 44A.

A picking unit 43, 44 is configured to transport fibre plants or parts thereof to a common position in the width direction B2 via one or more passages D, if necessary via one or more combining areas S. The picking assemblies 40 shown from figure 2 A onwards form four passages D per picking unit 43, 44. It is also possible to provide picking units 43, 44 with different numbers of passages D, such as one, two, three, five, six, seven or eight or more than eight passages. It is for instance possible for each first picking unit 43 to form the same first number of passages D and for each further picking unit 44 to form the same, second number of passages D, wherein the first number and the second number are not the same. The number of passages D per picking unit 43, 44 can for instance be selected so as to obtain with a determined favourable combination of a first number of first picking units 43 and a second number of further picking units 44 a machine 1 having a determined total number of passages D and/or having a determined minimum and/or maximum width.

In figure 2A a first picking unit 43A and two further picking units 44A and 44B are designated in a processing machine 1 in transport position. Another first picking unit 43B is in this perspective located behind the other picking units. Further designated are two first transport units 81A, 81B and two further transport units 82 A, 82B and two first delivering units 91 A, 9 IB and two further delivering units 92A, 92B. The shown processing machine 1 has substantially the same width over the whole length in chassis direction C.

In figure 2B four picking units 43, 44 are visible in a processing machine 1 in end operating position, namely first picking units 43A, 43B at a central width position and further picking units 44A, 44B at a lateral width position. Also designated on the chassis at the front (further) transport unit 82A and the front (further) delivering unit 92A are respective tables 83, 93 for the purpose of guiding picked or picked-up fibre plants on the underside of the respective unit. Such a table is present but less visible in each transport unit 81, 82 and delivering unit 91, 92.

Figures 2C and 5C show an embodiment of a processing machine 1 in an intermediate position between the transport position and an end operating position. In figure 2C four picking units 43, 44, four transport units 81, 82 and a delivering unit 92 A are once again designated at a processing machine 1 in intermediate position. The other delivering units are not or hardly visible in this perspective. The further picking units 44 are located at an intermediate position lying in a pivot through the transverse picking plane between transport position and an end operating position. The further picking units 44 are here located further along in the picking height direction PH and height direction H, and slightly more lateral in the width direction B 1 than the first picking units 43.

A processing machine 1 can be configured to run through this intermediate position when switching between the transport position and the end operating position, and/or to displace units in order to switch to this intermediate position, for instance so that the intermediate position can be used as end operating position for processing fibre plants by means of only the first picking units 43. In this latter case this intermediate position is also referred to as wing position. In the wing position the picking units 44 leave sufficient visibility from driver's cab 3 to enable a driver to operate the processing machine 1 safely and effectively during picking and/or turning.

In a wing position the machine is narrower at the picking height for relatively short fibre plants than in an end operating position in which picking takes place with all picking units 43, 44. In a wing position the distance between the first picking units 43 and further picking units 44 is greater than in the transport position, so that the risk of jamming of or damage to the conveyor belts 56 by parts of the further picking units 44 is not substantially increased in operation of the first picking units 43, irrespective of the rotation angle of the further picking element 44 in the transport position.

Figure 30E shows schematically the same wing position for an embodiment with two first picking units 43 and on either side a further picking unit 44. A wing position can also be set in the case of different numbers of first and/or further picking units 43, 44. Figure 30F for instance shows schematically a wing position for the embodiment with two first picking units 43 and on either side a group of two further picking units 44. In the wing position shown here the two groups of picking units 44 are not at the same height, but the above described features of the wing position are preserved.

In addition to the positions shown in different figures, a processing machine 1 can also be embodied to be placed in further end operating positions (for instance for a crabbing motion instead of a straight motion) and/or to run through further positions.

In figure 3 A a front (leftmost) first picking unit 43, further picking unit 44, further transport unit 82 and further delivering unit 92 are designated in a processing machine 1 in transport position. It is further shown schematically that the picking assembly 40 of which the picking units form part is located at a front position in chassis direction C, while a transport assembly 80 is located at a position lying further rearward. A delivering assembly 90 is located at a rear position and extends in height direction H in order to guide fibre plants toward the ground.

In figure 3B the picking units 43, 44, only the front (further) picking unit of which is visible, are designated in a processing machine 1 in end operating position. Additionally designated are a further transport unit 82 and further delivering unit 92 and the driver’s cab 3.

In figure 4A the picking units 43 A, 43B, 44A, 44B, the transport units 81A, 81B, 82 A, 82B and the delivering units 91A, 91B, 92A, 92B are designated in a processing machine 1 in transport position. An intermediate distributor 170 is additionally designated. At least one intermediate distributor 170 can be arranged as part of the picking assembly 40 in order to better distribute fibre plants which are located between two picking units 43, 44, as seen in the width direction B2, during operation. This is particularly advantageous in combination with a fixed picking assembly 40 or with an exchangeable picking assembly 40 which can be mounted as one piece, although 1 such an intermediate distributor 170 can also be embodied to be arranged as separate component in combination with individually exchangeable picking units 43, 44.

In figure 4B the picking units 43 A, 43B, 44A, 44B, the transport units 81A, 81B, 82 A, 82B and the delivering units 91A, 91B, 92A, 92B are designated in a processing machine 1 in end operating position. Distributors 55A-55N, 170A-170C are additionally designated.

In the shown picking assembly 40 each first picking unit 43 and each further picking unit 44 forms four passages D. A total of seventeen distributors 55, 170 are present, these forming sixteen passages D, so one more distributor than the number of passages.

Each first picking unit 43 is provided with three distributors 55E-55G, 55H-55J in order to separate the four passages D formed by this picking unit 43 from each other. Each further picking unit 44 is provided with four distributors 55A-D, 55K-N. Three distributors 55B-55D, 55K-55M per further picking unit 44 serve to separate the four passages D formed by this picking unit 44 from each other. The outer distributor 55A, 55N of a further picking unit serves to separate fibre plants in a pass of machine 1 from fibre plants outside this pass in order to obtain a straight boundary of the pass.

Three intermediate distributors 170A-170C are further designated, these serving to separate two mutually adjacent passages D of a pair of mutually adjacent picking units, in this case the pairs 44A+43A, 43A+43B, and 43B+44B, from each other. For a uniform distribution it is favourable for an intermediate distributor 170 to be arranged exactly between the surrounding picking units 43, 44. In the case of an intermediate distributor 170A, 170C lying between a first picking unit 43 and a second picking unit 44, wherein the first picking unit 43 and second picking unit 44 are attached to each other via a real or imaginary pivot axis, this can be achieved by mounting the distributor 170A, 170C at the same position in the width direction B2 as this axis, for instance on a real pivot shaft.

In figure 5 A picking units 43 A, 43B, 44A, 44B are designated in a processing machine 1 in transport position. The driver's cab 3 and the front wheels 7A, 7B are additionally designated. Mirrors (not numbered) are visible, which can if necessary be mounted adjustably so as not to make the machine 1 as a whole any wider.

It is advantageous for the position of the driver's cab 3 and the transport position of the further picking units 44 to lie at a relative height such that the visibility for a driver having the height of an adult human, for example between 1.50 metres and 2.00 metres, is not substantially impeded during transport by the further picking units 44 in a direction of travel corresponding with the operating direction W, but this driver is able to see over or around all picking units 43, at least to a determined minimum distance in front of machine 1.

In figure 5B picking units 43A, 43B, 44A, 44B and driver’s cab 3 are designated in a processing machine 1 in end operating position. The further picking units 44 do not lie in front of the (window of the) driver's cab 3 in the least. In this end operating position the picking assembly 40 is wider than in the transport position for the purpose of processing a pass of fibre plants which is wider than machine 1 as a whole in transport position. It can also be seen that the picking units are rotated slightly relative to the ground surface on which machine 1 is positioned, i.e. the height direction H is not equal to the picking height direction PH.

In figure 5C picking units 43A, 43B, 44A, 44B and driver’s cab 3 are designated in a processing machine 1 in end operating position. For the sake of clarity it is further noted that, owing to the higher position of the further picking units 44, it is possible to see underneath the further picking units 44A, 44B to the tables 93 A, 93B of the further delivering units 92 A, 92B.

The underside of the further picking units 44 is located higher in the picking height direction PH, and also higher in the height direction H corresponding with the upper side of figure 5C, than the underside of the first picking units 43. The underside of the further picking units 44 in the height direction H can for instance be located higher than a usual growth height of relatively short fibre plants such as flax, such as 0.8 metres or 1.2 metres.

Just as figure 4B, figure 6 shows a processing machine 1 in end operating position. Figure 4B however shows the vehicle in a straight motion, whereas figure 6 shows the processing machine in a crabbing motion. A coordinate system is further shown, in which it can be seen that, in crabbing motion, the operating direction W and second width direction B2 deviate by the same angle a from respectively the chassis direction C and the first width direction B 1 , in the base plane.

In order to enable operation in crabbing motion, the chassis 6 of the shown embodiment is embodied as articulating frame comprising a front chassis part 110 which is mounted pivotally on a rear chassis part 111, relative to which the chassis direction C is determined. More generally, the processing machine can comprise a first chassis part which is configured for mounting of a first set of wheels and of the picking units (or pick-up units), a second chassis part which is configured for mounting of a second set of wheels and of the transport units and delivering units, and a pivoting element (for instance the articulating device 112 designated in figures IB and figures 16A and 16B) mounted between the first and second chassis part for the purpose of making the first and second chassis parts pivotable relative to each other about an imaginary or physical upright pivot axis or shaft.

The articulating device 112 can further be configured to pivot the second chassis part 111 between a first pivot position in which the first and second chassis parts extend mutually in line and a second pivot position in which the second chassis part extends obliquely relative to the first chassis part. Vehicle chassis 6 can be configured such that the second chassis part 111 can pivot relative to the first chassis part 110 between a first pivot position in which the angle between the axial directions of respectively the first and second chassis part amounts to a maximum of 4 degrees and a second pivot position in which said angle amounts to between 5 and 30 degrees, preferably between 10 and 20 degrees, still more preferably about 15 degrees.

As shown in the figures, the front wheels 7 are mounted on the front chassis part 110 and the rear wheels 8 on the rear chassis part 111. The front wheels 7 and/or the rear wheels 8 are configured to be driven by one or more motors 9. The wheels are preferably individually driveable. The front wheels and/or rear wheels can furthermore be mounted on the chassis such that only the front wheels, only the rear wheels or both the front and rear wheels take a steerable form.

In an embodiment the (tilting) chassis 6 is configured to make the front chassis part 110 and the rear chassis part 111 tilt relative to each other, for instance by means of a steering device (not shown) which allows a driver in driver's cab 3 to steer the vehicle 2 and to control the drive of the front wheels 7 and/or rear wheels 8.

Arranged on the front chassis part are the picking units (or of course the take-up units) and a part of the transport units, while the remaining parts of the transport units of transport assembly 80 and the delivering units of delivering assembly 90 are arranged on the rear chassis part 111.

In the shown embodiment the driver's cab 3 is arranged on the front chassis part 110, at a position such that it is located above the rear chassis part 111 in the height direction H. This corresponds with the position of the driver's cab 3 in for instance figure 3B.

In crabbing motion the wheels 7, 8 will be at an angle a relative to chassis 6, so that when wheels 7, 8 are driven, machine 1 advances in the operating direction W, and not exactly in the chassis direction C. The chassis 6 then protrudes to one lateral side in the width direction B2 relative to a pass over a field, which pass will always be bounded by the extension of the picking assembly 40 in the second width direction B2.

If a processing machine 1 is driven over a field of fibre plants during picking such that successive parallel rows of fibre plants are harvested, fibre plants will then always remain on a maximum of one lateral side of the pass. By now making use of a processing machine suitable for working in crabbing motion, and moreover ensuring that the side toward which chassis 6 protrudes is a lateral side where there are no (longer any) fibre plants, delivering of picked fibre plants by delivering assembly 90 will be done at a distance from the fibre plants still to be picked, as seen in the second width direction B2. This distance is roughly the length of the rear chassis part 111 times the sine of angle a. Maintaining sufficient distance can reduce the risk of picked fibre plants ending up in unpicked fibre plants, and more space can be provided for further processing of the delivered fibre plants, such as a later turning step during retting.

Figures 7-9 show an embodiment of a pivotally mounted further picking element 44. In this embodiment the further picking element 44 is mounted pivotally on an adjacent first picking element 43 via a pivoting device 120. The pivoting device 120 comprises a first actuator 121 which comprises a bearing 122, for instance a bushing, and a shaft 123 in this bearing 122. The bearing 122 is mounted fixedly on or forms part of the frame part of the first picking unit 43. The shaft 123 is mounted fixedly on or forms part of a carrier element 130 for the further picking unit 44. A skilled person in the field will appreciate that bearing 122 and shaft 123 can also be provided the other way around. The first actuator 121 is configured to make the shaft 123 rotate relative to the bearing 122 and so make the further picking element 44 carried by carrier element 130 pivot about the actuator 121.

The carrier element 130 is configured to hold the further picking element 44 at a distance from shaft 123 in order to make picking element 44 pivot about this shaft 123, and can take different forms. In this case the carrier element 130 comprises two arms 131A, 131B. The carrier element 130, particularly each arm 131 of carrier element 130, is articulated. This has the result that the carrier element 130 is able to pivot the further picking unit 44 to a position above the adjacent first picking unit without having to travel a path running through or just along the first picking unit 43.

Carrier element 130 can be mounted on further picking element 44 in a fixed orientation. In the shown case the further picking element 44 is however mounted on the further picking element 44 for rotation to different orientations. This is achieved by embodying carrier element 130 with at least one bearing 133, for instance a bearing 133 in each arm 131. A threaded rod 132 of the further picking element 44 is bearing-mounted rotatably in the at least one bearing 133 of carrier element 130. This bearing can also be provided the other way around.

An advantage of a further picking element 44, which is pivotable not only to different locations in the transverse picking plane but also rotatable to different orientations, is that the further picking element 44 does not automatically co-rotate with the pivot during pivoting. This prevents the further picking element 44 from ending up in an unfavourable orientation relative to the adjacent first picking element 43. In some embodiments the further picking element 44 would in the transport position come to lie opposite and close to the adjacent first picking element 43, for instance rotated through between 150 and 210 degrees, such as for instance 180 degrees, in the picking height direction PH. Although such an embodiment has the advantage that it is easier to realize, very careful measures are needed to prevent parts of the one picking unit 43, 44 from engaging in parts of the other picking unit 43, 44, which may result in jamming and/or damage. An example of such measures is that distributors 55 are mounted removably on the frame parts 51a, 51b of the respective picking units 43, 44.

An actuator can be provided to bring about rotation of the further picking unit 44. In the shown case only non-driven coupling means 140 are however provided. These coupling means comprise a first coupling element 141, such as a first roller or toothed wheel, a second coupling element 142, such as a second roller or toothed wheel, and a connecting element 143, such as a belt or chain. An advantage of a chain, or optionally a toothed belt, is that slip is almost wholly prevented. These coupling means 140 can be provided in or on the carrier element 130. In the shown case the coupling means 140 are provided in an arm 131 of carrier element 130. It is also possible to provide a plurality of substantially identical coupling means 140 for distributing the resulting forces, for instance coupling means 140 in each arm 131 of support element 130.

The orientation of the first and second coupling element 141, 142 is mutually coupled to the orientation of respectively the bushing 122 and the threaded rod 132. The connecting element 143 connects the first and second coupling element 141, 142 such that the orientation of threaded rod 132 relative to bushing 122 remains the same when shaft 123 rotates. This has the result that shaft 123 and threaded rod 132 undergo a rotation relative to each other, this being opposite to the rotation of shaft 123 itself. Without such a connection, the orientation of further picking unit 44 relative to the picking height direction PH would change by an angle equal to the pivoting angle when this further picking unit 44 rotates. With such a connection, this orientation of the further picking unit 44 relative to the picking height direction PH will remain at least substantially the same during pivoting.

Figures 7-9 further show that a second actuator 150 is present per further picking unit 44. This second actuator 150 serves to allow the further picking unit 44 to be adjusted reciprocally in the processing direction P. In such an adjustment the picking unit 44 is effectively also adjusted in the height direction H and operating direction W, while the transport installation 53 of picking unit 44 remains positioned in the same plane in the picking height direction PH. Distributors 55, 170 and the inlets of the formed passages D can thus be positioned at different positions relative to a ground surface, while distributors 55, 170 and/or belts 56 of mutually adjacent picking unit 43, 44 continue to connect to each other in order to respectively distribute and grip the fibre plants to be picked.

The second actuator 150 can be a hydraulic actuator. The second actuator 150 has a first mounting point 151 which is located at a fixed position relative to carrier element 130 and is preferably connected thereto, and a second mounting point which is connected to the further picking unit 44, for instance to the threaded rod 132 of the further picking unit 44. The second actuator can displace the further picking unit 44 by sliding the threaded rod 132 as a shaft in the at least one bearing 133 of carrier element 130.

In the shown embodiment it is not only the first mounting point 151 that is located at a fixed position relative to carrier element 130, the second actuator 150 as a whole is located at a fixed position relative to the carrier element 130. This means that the second actuator 150 can be located in different directions relative to the threaded rod 132 during pivoting of carrier element 130 with the further picking element 44. In the end operating position the second actuator 150 is for instance located substantially under threaded rod 132, and in the transport position substantially above threaded rod 132.

Figure 10 shows a configuration of a picking assembly 40 wherein the picking units 43, 44 are arranged offset in the processing direction P in that the further picking units 44 have been adjusted. It is shown by means of a coordinate system that the picking assembly 40 is seen from the upper side in the picking height direction PH. In figure 11 this configuration can be seen from the underside in the picking height direction PH. In figure 12 this configuration can be seen in the operating direction W, together with a progressive ground surface and a broken horizontal line representing the progression of the ground under the wheels 7, 8 (not shown here for the sake of clarity).

The further picking units 44 have been adjusted without the width of the pass in the second width direction B2 having changed. In the shown configuration picking unit 44b has been adjusted in the processing direction P, with the effect that it is positioned higher in the height direction H than the first picking units 43. The first picking units 43a, 43b are positioned at the same height. In the shown configuration picking unit 44a has been adjusted counter to the processing direction P, so that it is positioned lower in the height direction H than the first picking units 43.

Adjusting at least a part of the picking units 43, 44, particularly outermost picking units, in this way can result in the picking units 43, 44 lying at a fixed and/or adjustable distance from the ground. It can particularly be achieved that picking units 43, 44 do not touch the ground and/or that the fibre plants are not cut at an unnecessarily high position.

In order to improve the connection between the picking elements 43, 44 offset in the operating direction an intermediate distributor 170, which is provided with a third actuator 171 for displacing the intermediate distributor 170 between these two picking elements 43, 44, is arranged halfway between two picking units 43, 44, in this case an adjustably arranged further picking unit 44 and a non-adjustably arranged first picking unit 43. In the shown case the third actuator 171 is a hydraulic cylinder.

For this purpose the intermediate distributor 170 is arranged on a corresponding shaft 172. In figure 12 this shaft 172 is visible only in the intermediate distributor 170 A on the right-hand side, since this distributor is shifted forward, while the distributor 170B the left-hand side is shifted rearward. Visible in figures 14A and 14B are respectively a forward-shifted and rearward-shifted intermediate distributor 170 with third actuator 171 and, in figure 14A, shaft 172.

The third actuator 171 is preferably mounted on a frame part of a picking unit, for instance a first picking unit 43, more preferably parallel to the pivot shaft of an adjacent further picking unit 44 and in the second width direction B2 at substantially the same position.

A plurality of intermediate distributors 170 can be present, at least a part of which is adjustable by means of a third actuator 171 and/or at least a part of which is non-adjustable, for instance one or more distributors between two picking units 43, 44 which form part of the same group. In for instance figure 12 the intermediate distributors 170A and 170B are arranged adjustably by means of respective third actuators 171 A and 17 IB, while there is also a non- adjustable intermediate distributor 170C in the centre of picking assembly 40, between two picking units 43, 44 in the same group, in this case two first picking units 43.

Because the adjustment takes place in the picking surface in which the conveyor belts 56 also lie on guide rollers 57, it is possible to achieve that two mutually adjacent passages of two different picking units 43, 44, at least one of which is adjusted, still remain directly adjacently of each other, optionally separated by an intermediate distributor 170, in order to co-act optimally for the purpose of taking up the fibre plants in a pass.

The current distance to the ground (i.e. the height) and the variations therein can be determined by arranging at least one sensor 160 on one or both sides of picking assembly 40, for instance on a frame part 51 of an outer picking unit. More specifically, figure 12 shows schematically two sensors 160a and 160b which are arranged at the position of the two outermost picking units.

Figure 31 A shows a picking assembly 40 in the operating direction W, with other possible positions for sensors 160A-160E. The sensors 160 are all connected by means of a wired or wireless connection designated with a broken line to an electronic control unit (ECU) 230. The use of a plurality of such sensors 160 is particularly advantageous for determining a progression of the ground surface in the width direction B2.

Sensors 160A and 160E are connected to (a distributor 55, 170 of) a further picking unit 44, particularly (a distributor 55, 170 of) an outermost further picking unit 44, more particularly on an outermost distributor 55 of an outermost further picking unit 44, for the purpose of determining the height of the corresponding picking unit 44 or group of picking units 44 relative to the ground.

Sensor 160C is connected to (a distributor 55, 170 of) a first picking unit 43, particularly to (a distributor 55, 170 of) a first picking unit 43 or group of first picking units 43, for instance an intermediate distributor 170C of a group of first picking units 43, for the purpose of determining the height of the corresponding picking unit 43 or group of picking units 43 relative to the ground.

Sensors 160B and 160D are connected to (a distributor 55, 170 of) a first picking unit 43 or group of first picking units 43, particularly outermost first picking units 43, more particularly to outermost distributors 55 of an outermost first picking unit 43, at multiple positions in the width direction B2. Combining the signals from a plurality of sensors 160 to the same picking unit 43, 44 or group of picking units 43, 44 enables a more accurate calculation to be made of the relative height of this picking unit 43, 44 or group of picking units 43, 44.

An example of such a sensor 160 is shown in figures 28A and 28B. Figure 28A shows a distributor 55, 170 constructed from, inter alia, a distributor support 175 which is mounted on or formed integrally with a frame part of the relevant picking unit. Most advantageous is mounting of a sensor 160 on a non-displaceably arranged distributor 55, 170. Provided on the underside of distributor support 175 is mounting block 163 in which a shaft 166 is arranged for pivotable rotation (rotation direction Ri, figure 28A). The rods 174 of the distributor are arranged on this shaft 186. At the front outer end these rods 174 converge in a distributor shoe 173. This distributor shoe 173 is embodied to drag along the ground. The shape of the distributor shoe 173 and the pivotability of the distributor relative to the above stated shaft 186 enable the local variations in ground height to be followed, as it were. These variations in the ground height result in the distributor 55, 170 pivoting upward and downward. The degree of pivoting can be detected by a sensor 160.

The embodiment shown in figure 28B has a sensor 160 provided with a compressible outer end 167 (direction 168), wherein the compression is realized by a disc 164, coupled to shaft 186, with eccentric element 165 (see the enlargement of figure 28B). The output signal of the sensor is representative of the degree of compression, and thereby of the degree of angular rotation and thus also for the position of the distributor. Measuring the degree of pivoting with a sensor 160 enables a control unit to calculate the height of the relevant distributor relative to the ground on the basis of the received sensor signal. The control unit can then optionally operate one or more of the picking units in order to adjust the height thereof relative to the ground. The pivoting of the distributor relative to the lying (in principle horizontal) shaft 186 is otherwise limited to a predetermined angular range. This is realized by a connecting rod 176 (the length of which is adjustable, for instance by rotating a first part of the connecting rod relative to a second part) which is coupled rotatably via hinge 177 to an upper rod 174 of the distributor on one side and is coupled rotatably via hinge 178 to said distributor support 175 on the other. Hinge 178 is here arranged on distributor support 175 for displacement in height direction in a slotted hole 179.

The correct adjustment position for one or more picking units can more particularly be determined on the basis of the determined distance. A measured height and/or determined adjustment position can be shown in the driver's cab 3 and/or can be used to automatically control the second actuator to adjust one or more picking units. The one or more picking units 43, 44 can be adjusted in order to increase or decrease the distance to the ground.

This principle is shown schematically in figure 29D for the situation wherein the front of a processing machine 1, comprising a driver's cab 3, a roller 82A and a front wheel 7, reaches a rising part of the ground surface with the shoe 173 of a distributor 170 on a shaft 186. Following this, a picking unit 44A can be displaced in the processing direction P. It is possible to use this embodiment with upright fibre plants, as shown in figure 29D. This embodiment is however particularly advantageous for use with fallen fibre plants. This means fibre plants that have not yet been harvested but which are no longer upright, for instance due to weather conditions, due to growing too tall, or due to the absence of an adjacent pass of fibre plants, but are hanging over to one side or even resting with their outer end on the ground. This is because, when harvesting fallen fibre plants, it is particularly advantageous to drag the front of the picking units 43, 44, particularly the distributors 55, 170, over the ground or to move them along a short distance from the ground.

Figure 3 IB shows from the picking height direction PH an embodiment which is particularly advantageous in use when processing upright fibre plants, or in other cases in which the picking assembly 40 is positioned higher. This embodiment comprises alternative sensors 200, for instance radar sensors, which are arranged on the underside of picking assembly 40 for the purpose of measuring the height of the picking assembly 40 relative to the ground. These sensors 200 are also connected to an electronic control unit 230 by means of a wired or wireless connection indicated with a broken line.

Shown are sensors 200A and 200C, both under a further picking unit 44 or group of further picking units 44, and a sensor 200B under a first picking unit 43 or group of first picking units 43. These sensors 200A, 200B, 200C can be used as alternatives or in combination, wherein a sensor on or close to the centre line of the picking assembly 40 is especially advantageous. A drawback of using such sensors 200 is that a part of the ground surface which has already been passed by a part of the picking assembly is observed, but the advantage is that no contact with the ground is necessary.

Returning to the sensors 160: if the distance to the ground is increased, or if the ground becomes lower, a distributor 55, 170 can come loose from the ground at any moment. The sensor 160 will hereby fail to detect any pivoting for some time, whereby the signal will not provide any detailed information for determining the correct adjustment position. This can be obviated in various ways: for instance by using additional sensors, by adjusting one or more distributors 55, 170 provided with a sensor 160 continuously such that they remain in contact with the ground while the pivoting of the distributors 55, 170 provided with sensors 160 remains limited to a predetermined angle, and/or by gradually moving the picking units 43, 44 back again after a predetermined time interval in order to reduce the distance to the ground.

Positioning the picking units 43, 44 in a progressive arrangement, wherein the one outermost picking unit is positioned higher than the other outermost picking unit in the second width direction B2 while in the progression from the one to the other outermost picking unit each subsequent picking unit 43, 44 is positioned at the same height or lower, enables the picking assembly 40 to be adjusted for better connection to a ground surface sloping downward in the second width direction B2. If the ground however slopes uniformly downward such that it is at the same oblique angle under the wheels 7, 8 on the chassis 6 of vehicle 2 as at the front of the picking units 43, 44, the picking assembly 40 mounted on vehicle 2 will automatically already be equally oblique as the chassis 6, rendering height adjustment unnecessary. The use of sensors 160 as described here also obviates this latter case by then not resulting in a height adjustment.

Another possible configuration of picking assembly 40 is that further picking units 44 are adjusted in the same direction relative to first picking units 43 on both lateral sides of picking assembly 40, i.e. both upward or both downward, and preferably equally far. This is favourable in the case that the path of vehicle 2 lies lower or higher relative to surrounding parts of the ground surface. A ground surface with such a lowered path is also referred to as a concave ground.

When at least one picking unit 43, 44 is adjusted in the processing direction P, the location at which this at least one picking unit 43, 44 delivers fibre plants to a corresponding transport unit 81 will also change. It is preferred for the processing machine 1 to be configured to automatically adjust the location of the front side 180 of transport units 81, 82 to changes in the delivering location.

Figure 13 shows an embodiment of a picking assembly for a processing machine in a different offset position from different perspectives. This position is an intermediate position which can be run through by the machine during displacement of the further picking units 44 between an operating position and the transport position. The processing machine 1 is configured to displace the intermediate distributors 170 by extending or retracting in the processing direction P to a position, for instance all the way forward (figure 12), such that they are not in the way when the further picking units 44 move, before these picking units 44 are displaced between their transport position and an end operating position.

Figure 15 shows an embodiment of a transport assembly for a processing machine as seen from a lateral side. Figures 16A and 17A show an embodiment of a processing machine 1 in transport position. Figures 16B and 17B show an embodiment of a processing machine 1 in one of the possible end operating positions.

These figures show that a transport assembly 80 and delivering assembly 90 are arranged on the rear part 111 of chassis 6, while the front chassis part 110 is also visible. The front wheels 7, which are mounted on the front chassis part, are in this embodiment located at the very front of chassis 6, at a position which, if an optionally exchangeably embodied picking assembly 40 is present, is located under this picking assembly 40 for optimal support.

Figure 16A shows an articulating device 112 to which the front chassis wheel 110 can be pivotally coupled in order to bring about an articulation between the front and rear chassis part 110, 111. Also designated is a connecting point 113 via which a picking assembly 40 can be coupled to chassis 6. This connecting point 113 can be an addition or alternative to the first mounting means 30. The driver's cab 3 is not shown, but is preferably located above the articulating device 112 and above the front side 180 of the transport unit, so that the driver's cab 3 can pivot along with the picking assembly 40 and at the same time has some distance thereto for a good overview. In this embodiment there are two first transport units 81 in the middle, at least grouped in a range in the width direction B2 overlapping the longitudinal axis of symmetry, and two further transport units 82 on the lateral outer side in the width direction B2.

In the transport position all first transport units 81 and further transport units 82 are preferably placed against each other for maximum compactness, although space can be left between at least one mutually adjacent pair of transport units 81, 82 on the front side 180 and/or on the rear side 181, while the transport assembly 80 is still compact enough for road transport.

In the shown embodiment space has been left in the centre between the middle first transport units 81 A, 8 IB over the whole length of these first transport units 81 A, 8 IB. On the front side 180 of transport assembly 80 the middle first transport units 81 A, 8 IB lie apart from each other in order to provide space for structural elements of chassis 6. On the rear side 181 the middle first transport units 81 A, 8 IB lie apart in order to provide space for moving parts and actuators 202 of an outward sliding support frame 190 which will be further elucidated with reference to figures 19A and 19B. All left-hand transport units 81A, 82A and all right-hand transport units 81B, 82B are however placed against each other on both sides in the width direction B 1.

In the end operating position the front side 180 of each transport unit 81, 82 must be placed at a position in the width direction B 1 such that it connects to the position of a corresponding picking unit 43, 44. For this purpose at least the front side 180 of the first transport units 81 can be configured to be displaceable. When the first transport units 81 A, 8 IB however already lie apart from each other on the front side 180 in the transport position of processing machine 1 , it is possible that the transport position and an end operating position of these transport units 81 A, 8 IB are the same on front side 180, so that these transport units 81 A, 8 IB need not be configured to be displaceable to any considerable extent.

It is advantageous if, in an end operating position, the rear sides of each pair of mutually adjacent transport units 81, 82 are placed at substantially equal mutual distances, and the corresponding pairs of delivering units 91, 92 are thereby also placed at a predetermined swathe distance. Swathes of fibre plants are thus placed down onto the ground at equal mutual distances. For this purpose at least the rear side 181 of the first transport units 81 can be configured to be displaceable. When the first transport units 81 A, 8 IB however already lie apart from each other on the rear side 181 in the transport position of processing machine 1 , it is possible that the transport position and an end operating position of these transport units 81 A, 8 IB are the same on rear side 181, so that these transport units 81 A, 8 IB need not be configured to be displaceable to any considerable extent.

In the shown embodiment the first transport units 81 are mounted on chassis 6 at multiple positions, more specifically two positions, in the chassis direction C via respective means. On front side 180 the first transport units 81 are mounted, optionally pivotally, on chassis 6 at a fixed point. On rear side 181 the first transport units 81 are mounted via an annular chassis 190.

In the shown embodiment the further transport units 82 are mounted displaceably on the rest of transport assembly 80 at multiple positions, more specifically two positions, in the chassis direction C via respective means. On the front side 180 the further transport units 82 are mounted via a pivot arm 210. On the rear side 181 the further transport units 81 are also mounted via the annular chassis 190.

For operating in crabbing motion it is advantageous to arrange the mountings on the front side, such as the pivot arms 210 and fixed mounting points, on chassis 6 in one line at the same position in chassis direction C. These can be arranged on an element of chassis 6 which is configured to pivot about a mechanical or imaginary point of rotation about the centre line of chassis 6, particularly about a point of rotation at or close to the articulating device 112. An example of such an articulating device is described in the document WO 2022/106887 Al. The articulating device 112 makes it possible to make this pivotable element of chassis 6 pivot along with picking assembly 40 relative to the rest of the chassis. The length of the first transport units 81 and/or the progressive positioning of their front sides 180 can thus be controlled automatically.

Figures 16C and 17C show an embodiment of a processing machine 1 in an intermediate position between the transport position and an end operating position. The movement between the transport position and an end operating position can take place in two stages. In a first stage the transport units 81 , 82 are displaced to their final end operating position. In the shown intermediate position this stage has already been completed. In a second stage further parts of the transport assembly 80 are then displaced in order to create sufficient space around transport units 81, 82 for fed-through fibre plants, these displaced parts in this case comprising at least the slide-out parts 193, 194 and/or the outward folding support frame 220.

Figures 18 A and 18B show details of an embodiment of a pivot arm and an outward folding support frame for a transport assembly for a processing machine in different positions.

The shown further transport unit 82 is mounted displaceably on chassis 6 by means of a pivot arm 210. More specifically, the pivot arm 210 carries on the front side 180 of transport assembly 80 a table 240 under the transport unit 82, and transport unit 82 is mounted on this table 240 via an outward folding support frame 220. Embodying the mounting means as a pivot arm 210 reduces the risk of the mounting means and/or the transport unit 82 and/or table 240 hitting chassis 6 during displacement. Using an indirect mounting of transport unit 82 via a support frame 220 prevents any impediment from occurring for fibre plants fed through between the transport unit 82 and the corresponding table 240. Giving the support frame 220 an outward folding form enables the transport assembly 80 to be narrower in the transport position than if a statically embodied support frame 220 were used. Pivot arm 210 comprises a first arm part 211 and a second arm part 212 with a hinge 213A between two outer end thereof. The other outer end of the first arm part 211 is mounted on chassis 6 at a first mounting point 214. The further transport unit 82 is mounted on the other outer end of the second arm part 212 via a second mounting point 215. A fifth actuator 216, in the shown case a hydraulic actuator, is mounted between chassis 6 and first arm part 211 in order to make the pivot arm move by moving this first arm part 211. An additional support arm part 217, which is mounted between chassis 6 and a hinge 213B at a point at a distance from the outer end of the second arm part 212, is also provided in order to increase the load-bearing capacity of the pivot arm 210 in outward-pivoted position.

The outward folding support frame 220 comprises one or more pivoting elements, in the shown embodiment two pivoting element 222 A, 222B, which are each mounted on the corresponding table 240 between a respective upper mounting point 224A, 224B on the further transport unit 82 and a respective lower mounting point 225A, 225B for the purpose of carrying the transport unit 82, at least the front thereof. These pivoting elements 222 can be folded out via at least one sixth actuator 226, in the shown case a hydraulic actuator. The pivoting elements 222 are substantially U-shaped, so that the vertical part of a pivoting element 222 is placed at a distance from the passage between the transport unit 82 and the corresponding table 240. Each pivoting element 222 can be provided with its own sixth actuator 226, although in the shown embodiment pivoting elements 222 are each coupled by a frame element 221 via a respective hinge 223 A, 223B. Such a frame element 221 is preferably mounted on or close to the vertical part placed at a distance from the passage. The use of a frame element 221 has the result that fewer sixth actuators 226 are required, in the shown case only one sixth actuator 226.

Figures 19A and 19B show an embodiment of an outward sliding annular chassis 190 for a transport assembly 80 for a processing machine 1. Figure 19B is partially cut away.

An outward sliding annular chassis 190 comprises an upper middle part 191 and lower middle part 192, a first slide-out part 193 and a second slide-out part 194. The first slide-out part 193 and the second slide-out part are both mounted for outward sliding on the upper middle part 191 on the upper side and mounted for outward sliding on the lower middle part 192 on the underside. A lower middle part 192 can be dispensed with if the slide-out parts 193, 194 are mounted directly on chassis 6. For throughfeed of plant parts it is advantageous if no direct structural connection runs between the middle parts 191, 192, such as a post in the middle between the transport units 81. The slide-out parts 193, 194 can be the only elements supporting the upper middle part 191. Provided for each further transport unit 82, optionally also for each first transport unit 81, is an upper guide recess 195 and a lower guide recess 195. The conveyor belt 85 of the transport unit 81, 82, particularly the rear transport unit part 183, is mounted movably in the upper guide recess via a guide pin 197, and the table 83, particularly the lower table 241, is mounted movably in the lower guide recess via another guide pin 197. The guide recesses run in the width direction B 1 of chassis 6 in order to be able to displace the respective transport unit 81, 82 in this direction (and only in this direction) by displacing the respective components of the transport unit 81, 82 collectively.

For displacing these components of the transport unit 81, 82 a respective eighth actuator 198, for instance a hydraulic actuator, is mounted between each of the upper middle part 191 and the lower middle part 192 and each of the further transport units 82 for the purpose of displacing these further transport units 82 in the width direction Bl. Each eighth actuator 198 comprises a rod which is connected to a respective guide pin 197 of the slide-out part 193, 194 running through a respective guide recess 195.

In the shown embodiment there are a total of four eighth actuators 198. It is also possible to provide only one eighth actuator 198 on the underside or upper side per slide-out part 193, 194, but in order to limit the forces acting on the displaced further transport units 82 it is advantageous to be able to slide out at the top and at the bottom simultaneously.

A ninth actuator 199, for instance a hydraulic cylinder with rod, is further provided between a middle part, in this case the lower middle part 192, and each of the slide-out parts 193, 194 for the purpose of displacing the slide-out parts 193, 194 in the width direction B2 independently of the further transport units 82. In the shown embodiment there are a two ninth actuators 199. Being able to displace the slide-out parts 193, 194 separately of the further transport units 82 makes it possible to first position the further transport units 82 at a desired position and then create maximum throughfeed space through the annular chassis by lateral displacement of the slide-out parts 193, 194. The presence of the guide recesses 195 enables the further transport units 82 to be displaced laterally first while the slide-out parts 193, 194 are stationary, and the slide-out units 193, 194 to then be displaced laterally while the further transport units 82 are stationary.

Coupling means 196, in the shown embodiment toothed wheels, can be provided between the slide-out parts 193, 194, for instance in the upper middle part 191 as shown, in order to ensure that the slide-out parts 193, 194 always remain at the same distance relative to the centre line of chassis 6.

A transport unit 81, 82 can comprise a plurality of transport unit parts. In the shown embodiment each transport unit 81, 82 comprises two transport unit parts 182, 183. These always remain mutually in line and can be displaced in longitudinal direction relative to each other in order to make the overall length of the relevant transport unit 81, 82 greater or smaller as required. When the vehicle chassis 6 is for instance tilted between a straight motion and a crabbing motion by means of an articulating device 112, it is advisable to adjust the length of each of the transport units, at least the length of the portion of each of the transport units located on the rear chassis part 111, to ensure that the fibre plants picked by picking units 43, 44 and/or picked up by the take-up units can be transported through the transport units 81, 82 correctly. If the length of one or more of the transport units 81, 82 were not adjusted, an intermediate space may result between a picking or take-up unit and a transport unit or between a portion of a transport unit located on the front chassis part 110 and a portion of this same transport unit located on the rear chassis part 111. Figure 6 for instance shows that the transport unit 82 on rear chassis part 111 located furthest to the right (as seen from above) has been made considerably longer than the transport units adjacently thereof. The length of the transport units varies from left to right.

In a preferred embodiment each of the transport unit parts is constructed from one or more parallel conveyor belt parts, wherein the conveyor belt parts of each pair of transport unit parts successive in the chassis direction are positioned alternately. The shown embodiment comprises, among other things, a front transport unit part 182 comprising two parallel conveyor belt parts 184 and a rear transport unit part 183 comprising a single conveyor belt part 185 lying partially therebetween. The rear and front transport unit parts 182, 183 can thus be displaced relative to each other in order to vary their overall length (i.e. the overall length of the relevant transport unit 81, 82), without uninterrupted transport of picked-up picked fibre plants being compromised here.

In determined embodiments there is no direct attachment between a front transport unit part 183 and the corresponding rear transport unit part 183. The rear mounting point of a transport unit 81, 82 is attached, for instance via an annular chassis 190, 250, to the rear transport unit part 183. The front mounting point of a transport unit 81, 82 is attached, for instance at a fixed point or via a pivot arm 210, to the front transport unit part 182.

The shown support frame 220 is attached to the further transport unit 82 at two positions at the front (bottom front and top front) and also at two positions at the rear (bottom rear and top rear). This outward folding support frame 220 is attached to table 240. The object is to carry the transport unit 82 without getting in the way of transported plant parts.

The front and rear transport unit part 183, 184 of a transport unit 81, 82 lie slightly articulated relative to each other, as seen from the lateral plane. The articulation is directed upward. This provides for a favourable shape of the space under the conveyor belts 85A, 85B so as to allow plant parts to be passed more easily between the conveyor belts 85 A, 85B. The successive conveyor belts 85A, 85B preferably do not run around a shared roller, but both around a separate roller 84A, 84B, so that the conveyor belts 85 A, 85B overlap over a part of the length of the transport unit 81, 82 for the purpose of passing plant parts on gradually.

Figure 21 shows a perspective view of a detail of an embodiment of a transport unit for a processing machine. In the embodiments shown in figures 21 and 22 a folded plate, also referred to as upper table 240, is located under the conveyor belt 85 of a transport unit 81, 82, this plate being configured to slide reciprocally with its folds 242B over folds 242 A in a further plate, also lower table 241, at the bottom of the rear transport unit part 183. The folds 242B of the upper table 240 form guide rails 87 for transporting plant parts over the table with less friction.

The upper table 240 is elongate, overlaps partially with the rear transport unit part 183, and reaches to the front side 181 of the corresponding transport unit 81, 82. The upper table 240 comprises a rear part 243 and a front part 244 which succeed each other in the longitudinal direction, and the upper surfaces of which connect for the purpose of passing on plant parts. The front part 244 is located under the front transport unit part 182, and the rear part 243 is located under the rear transport unit part 183. Preferably located between the front part 244 and rear part 243 is an articulation at the position where transport unit parts 182, 183 also form an articulation. For the sake of safety the upper table 240 is limited when sliding in the operating direction in that it cannot slide beyond its articulation. The upper table 240 is configured to be co-displaced with the corresponding front transport unit part 182 in the longitudinal direction by means of the pivot arm 210 to which both are attached.

In the shown embodiment the delivering assembly 90 comprises two first delivering units 91 which are configured to connect to and co-displace with respective first transport units 81, and two further delivering units 92 which are configured to connect to and co-displace with respective first transport units 82. For this purpose a delivering unit 92 can for instance be mounted, as shown, on a slide-out part 193, 194 of an outward sliding annular chassis 190.

A delivering unit 91, 92 comprises an endless conveyor belt 95 which is configured such that it connects to a conveyor belt 95 of the corresponding transport unit 81, 82. Transport unit 90 can for instance comprise one or more parallel conveyor belts 95A, 95B which are placed alternating with one or more parallel belt parts 183, 184 of the corresponding transport unit 81, 82. The conveyor belt of a delivering unit 91, 92 runs on rollers 84, 94, for instance a first roller 84 which is shared with the corresponding transport unit 81, 82 and a second roller 94 at the free outer end of the delivering unit 91, 92.

A delivering unit 91, 92 is configured to transport plant parts over a part of the distance between the transport unit 81, 82 and the ground in order to deliver the plant parts to the ground in relatively controlled manner. Delivering unit 91, 92 comprises for this purpose a table 93, in addition to one or more conveyor belts 95. The one or more conveyor belts 95 and the table 93 (figure 2B) together form a cavity which connects to a cavity between the conveyor belt 85 and table 83 of the corresponding transport unit 81, 82 and extends substantially vertically. For the purpose of better guiding of the plant parts the one or more conveyor belts 95 comprise carriers 96 (figure 1A).

The delivering units 91, 92 of a delivering assembly 90 can all be arranged at the same position in the chassis direction C, or can be arranged at progressive positions. This can reduce the risk of the operation of processing machine 1 being disrupted by the plant parts which become tangled due to different mutually adjacent delivering units 91, 92 and so come to lie on the ground askew. A delivering unit 91, 92 can further comprise a seventh actuator 97 for pivoting the delivering unit 91, 92 about an imaginary axis running in the width direction Bl, so that the angle and location of the delivering can be adjusted.

Figures 23A and 23B show an embodiment of an outward folding annular chassis for a transport assembly for a processing machine from different perspectives. Figures 24A and 24B show an embodiment of an outward folding annular chassis for a transport assembly for a processing machine in a different position from different perspectives.

The outward folding annular chassis 250 is an alternative to the outward sliding annular chassis 190. Just as the outward sliding annular chassis 190, the outward folding annular chassis 250 comprises an upper middle part 251 and a lower middle part 252 which is optionally distinct from chassis 6. There are one or two folding parts on both sides of these middle parts 251, 252, i.e. a front folding part 253 which is configured to be folded in forward and to be folded out laterally, and/or a rear folding part 254 which is configured to be folded in rearward and to be folded out laterally. Both are present in the shown embodiment. Figures 23A and 23B show the outward folding annular chassis 250 in folded-out position for use in an end operating position of the processing machine 1 , figures 24A and 24B show the outward folding annular chassis 250 in folded-in position for, among others, the transport position of the processing machine 1.

As with the outward sliding variant, with the outward folding variant there is in principle no direct mechanical coupling between the upper middle part 251 and lower middle part 252 of the annular chassis, such as a reinforcing bar in the centre. This has the advantage that the passage (through the annular chassis) is in principle not impeded anywhere. A further advantage of the outward folding embodiment is that it has a reduced mechanical complexity (for sliding out) in the centre of the annular chassis.

The folding parts 253, 254 are configured to carry the upper middle part 251. Each folding part 253A, 253B, 254A, 254B is provided with a corresponding ninth actuator 258A, 258B, 258C, 258D, for instance a hydraulic actuator, for folding the corresponding folding part forward or rearward.

Upper and lower pairs of guide recesses 255, 256, a total of eight guide recesses, are located on either side of the outward folding annular chassis 250. The two lower pairs of guide recesses 255A, 256A, 255B, 256B are designated in figure 23. Each pair (top left, top right, bottom left and bottom right) comprises an inner guide recess 255 in the middle part 251 , 252 and an outer guide recess 256 in a folding part 253, 254. In the shown embodiment the outer guide recesses 256 are in each case provided in the rear folding part 254. For this purpose the rear folding part 254 in each case takes a wider form than the corresponding front folding part 253. Providing one or more outermost guide recesses 256 in respective front folding parts 253 is however also possible. A pair of guide recesses 253, 254 is embodied such that, when the outward folding annular chassis 250 is in folded-out position, they together form a combined guide recess for displacing a guide pin 257 of a respective further transport unit 82 therein.

Upper and lower single guide recesses 255 can further be provided on either side of the outward folding annular chassis 250 for the purpose of displacing therein a guide pin 257 of a respective first transport unit 81, four guide recesses 255 in total. As in the outward sliding annular chassis, eighth actuators 259 are present (see figure 27 for a cut-away view from the underside).

When the outward folding annular chassis 250 is in folded-in position (figures 24A and 24B), an inner guide recess 255 and the corresponding outer guide recess 256 do not form a combined recess but are both open on one side. A further transport unit 82 can be held safely by the outward folding annular chassis 250 by positioning the respective guide pin 257 in the inner guide recess.

Figures 25A and 25B show a somewhat abstracted representation of an alternative embodiment of a transport unit for a processing machine as seen from a lateral side. Figures 26A- 26C show a somewhat abstracted representation of an alternative embodiment of a transport unit for a processing machine as seen from the upper side. An outward folding annular chassis 250 is present in these figures.

These figures only show rear wheels 8 of the self-propelled vehicle 2. This in contrast to for instance figures 15 and 16A-16C, which only show front wheels 7. Both wheel types 7, 8 are however present in both embodiments.

In both variants of the annular chassis there is no direct mechanical connection between the conveyor belts 85 of the conveyors and the lower table 241: the first are connected to the upper table 240 on the upper middle part 251 of annular chassis 250 and on pivot arm 210, the second on the lower middle part 252.

Other features of this embodiment of the processing machine 1 generally also correspond with those of figures 15 and 16A-16C. Some special features are as follows.

Figures 25B and 26B show that the outermost transport units 82 are provided on the outer side with two pivoting element 222 of an outward folding support frame 220. In the embodiment shown in figures 18 A and 18B these pivoting elements 222 are connected to each other by a frame element 221 and move in the same direction. In the alternative embodiment shown in figures 25B and 26B the pivoting elements 222 are not connected to each other. In this embodiment the pivoting elements 222 are configured to pivot toward each other in opposite directions.

When an outward folding support frame 190 is used, an intermediate position can be run through during the displacement between the transport position and an end operating position, in which intermediate position the transport units 81, 82 are already positioned at the end operating position but determined parts of mounting means are yet to be displaced to make space for throughfeed of fibre plants. When an outward folding annular chassis 250 is used, intermediate positions can also be run through.

A possible sequence of intermediate steps is as follows. In a first step the outward folding annular chassis 250 is folded out for the purpose of forming the combined guide recesses. This results in a first intermediate position. In a second step the rear side 181 of transport units 81 , 82 is displaced to an end operating position in the width direction B 1. This results in the intermediate position that can be seen in figure 26C. The front side 180 of transport units 81, 82 is then displaced to an end operating position, for instance by means of a pivot arm 210 as discussed above. This results in the position shown in figure 16B. Any further mounting means, such as the outward folding support frame 220, are then optionally displaced in order to make space.

Both embodiments can however also be embodied to achieve a determined intermediate position by not waiting for a first component before displacing a second component, so that these intermediate positions are not passed through.

In the case that a ladder system 10 is present on the left-hand or right-hand side of driver's cab 3, it is advantageous for the processing machine 1 to be configured to position the transport units 81, 82 on this same side of chassis 6 with their front side 180 in the transport position (toward the centre line of chassis 6). It is particularly advantageous for the processing machine 1 to be configured to displace these transport units 81, 82 on this left-hand or right-hand side with their front side 180 from an end operating position to the transport position without having to displace the rear side 181 of these transport units 81, 82 here, and/or without having to displace the transport units 81, 82 on the other of the left-hand or right-hand side of chassis 6 here. This makes it possible to quickly and easily give the driver, or other persons present on or around processing machine 1 , the necessary space to step on and off.

The embodiments described here serve only to illustrate the subject-matter of the claims, which define the scope of protection and within which many variations are possible.

Claims

1. Processing machine for processing fibre plants, particularly flax or hemp, the processing machine comprising:

- a self-propelled vehicle, comprising a vehicle chassis with arranged thereon a number of wheels for driving over a ground and a drive motor for driving at least two, preferably all, wheels;

2. Processing machine according to claim 1, wherein a first or further processing unit comprises a conveyor which is configured to deliver plant parts to a respective transport unit of the transport assembly in the end operating position, and wherein another first or further processing unit comprises a conveyor which is configured to deliver plant parts to another transport unit of the transport assembly in the end operating position.

3. Processing machine according to claim 2, wherein all transport units are positioned such in the end operating position that the front of a respective transport unit is positioned behind each first and further processing unit for the purpose of receiving fibre plants processed by this processing unit.

4. Processing machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, which is provided with at least two first processing units, wherein the at least two first processing units are preferably also displaceable in lateral directions, and/or which is provided with at least two further processing units, and/or wherein at least one processing unit is arranged exchangeably on the processing machine.

5. Processing machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein, when each further processing unit is in the transport position, the processing machine is a maximum of 3 metres, preferably a maximum of 2.6 metres wide.

6. Processing machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein, when each further processing unit is in the end operating position, the processing machine is configured to process, particularly pick or pick up, the fibre plants or parts thereof over a width of at least four metres, preferably at least five metres.

7. Processing machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is positioned more centrally in the width direction in the transport position than in the end operating position.

8. Processing machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is in the transport position positioned substantially at the same position in a width direction as a first processing unit.

9. Processing machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is in the transport position positioned substantially above this first processing unit.

10. Processing machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is in the end operating position positioned substantially at the same position in an operating direction as a first processing unit.

11. Processing machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is in the end operating position positioned at the same vertical position as a first processing unit.

12. Processing machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is in the end operating position positioned on an outer side of the processing assembly.

13. Processing machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is mounted on a respective first processing unit.

14. Processing machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one first processing unit, preferably each first processing unit, is mounted at a substantially fixed position, and wherein at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is mounted pivotally for the purpose of displacement between the transport position and the end operating position.

15. Processing machine according to claim 14, wherein at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is provided with a respective first actuator, preferably a hydraulic actuator, for pivoting this further processing unit.

16. Processing machine according to claim 13, and 14 or 15, wherein at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is mounted on the respective first processing unit such that the at least one further processing unit is pivotable between the respective transport position and end operating position about a respective imaginary axis running in a processing direction of the processing machine.

17. Processing machine according to claim 16, wherein this at least one further processing unit is mounted on the respective first processing unit at a distance via at least one pivotable carrier element.

18. Processing machine according to claim 17, wherein each pivotable arm is pivotable about a first point on the first processing unit and is pivotable about a second point on the further processing unit, wherein this first point preferably lies on the respective imaginary axis.

19. Processing machine according to claim 18, wherein the pivoting of each pivotable arm about the first point is coupled mechanically to the pivoting of this pivotable arm about the second point, preferably coupled such that owing to counter-rotation, the further processing unit remains in a substantially constant orientation relative to the ground during displacement between the transport position and the end operating position.

20. Processing machine according to claim 18, wherein at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is configured to pivot about this axis between an end operating position in which this further processing unit is oriented in substantially the same orientation as an adjacent first processing unit, and a transport position in which this further processing unit is oriented rotated through at least 90 degrees, preferably at least 120 degrees, more preferably at least 150 degrees, most preferably substantially 180 degrees relative to an adjacent processing unit.

21. Processing machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is adjustable within the end operating position in a processing direction of the belts of this processing unit for the purpose of controlling the location of picking or picking up of fibre plants or parts thereof.

22. Processing machine according to claim 21, wherein at least one further processing unit, preferably each further processing unit, is configured to be displaced in a processing direction of the belts of this processing unit by means of a respective second actuator.

23. Processing machine according to claim 21 or 22, which is provided with at least one sensor on the processing assembly for instantaneously determining a distance to a ground surface, wherein the processing machine is preferably configured to determine the correct adjustment position for one or more processing units on the basis of the determined distance, wherein the determined adjustment position is more preferably used to automatically control at least one second actuator to adjust one or more processing units.

24. Processing machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein each processing unit comprises several inlets which are defined by chains or belts tensioned on a frame of this processing unit.

25. Processing machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein each pair of mutually adjacent inlets of a processing unit of a processing assembly or of several mutually adjacent processing units is separated by a distributor.

26. Processing machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one pair, preferably each pair, of a first processing unit and further processing unit positioned adjacently of each other is provided with a hydraulically adjustable distributor for improving the connection between these two processing units.

27. Exchangeable processing assembly for a processing machine according to any one of the claims 1-26, wherein the processing assembly comprises:

- at least one further processing unit which is configured to process the fibre plants or parts thereof in one or more lateral areas adjacently of the central area and to displace them to a corresponding transport unit of the transport assembly; wherein each of the at least one further processing units is displaceable, particularly displaceable in lateral direction, between a position forming part of a transport position of the processing machine and a position forming part of an end operating position of the processing machine, and wherein the overall width of the processing assembly is smaller in the transport position than in the end operating position.

28. Use of a processing machine according to any one of the claims 1-26 for processing, particularly picking or picking up, fibre plants.