AU2016377222B2

AU2016377222B2 - Improved harvesting machine for harvesting stalk crops

Info

Publication number: AU2016377222B2
Application number: AU2016377222A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Theodorus Ruthgerus DIJT; Bartele KLOPPENBURG
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-12-23
Filing date: 2016-12-21
Publication date: 2021-11-11
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-21
Also published as: NL2016015B1; WO2017111586A1; EP3393230A1; AU2016377222A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a harvesting machine for harvesting stalk crops comprising stalks with seedheads at the tips thereof, which harvesting machine comprises a series of separating devices, which are each provided with a separation channel and wherein each separating device is configured to separate the seedheads from the stalk crop in the separation channel, comprises for each separating device an infeed device for feeding the stalk crop into the separation channel, and comprises an outfeed device which is configured to discharge separated seedheads for further processing, wherein the separating device comprises engaging means for engaging on a stalk prior to separation, which engaging means comprise pulling means for pulling the stalk downward during engagement and comprise positioning means for positioning the seedhead, and comprise first transport means for transporting separated seedheads to the outfeed device.

Description

IMPROVED HARVESTING MACHINE FOR HARVESTING STALK CROPS

The harvesting machine according to the preamble is known in the field.

The known harvesting machine is described in the Netherlands patent application

NL8900759. The known harvesting machine is particularly suitable for harvesting Papaver.

Planting and harvesting of Papaver is regulated by the United Nations.

In the case of Papaver the seedpod, the ovary and the upper 8-10 cm of the stalk are important for pharmaceutical purposes. These parts of the Papaver plant contain alkaloid substances which are used as raw materials in the pharmaceutical industry.

The known harvesting machine has the drawback that the seedhead is pulled loose from the stalk. The upper 8-10 cm of the stalk hereby remain on the stalk, often together with a part of the ovary. Valuable alkaloid substances are thus lost along with the plant waste or will have to be extracted with other machines, and thus at higher costs.

The known harvesting machine is thus characterized by poor separation of usable and unusable mass of the Papaver plant. This results in loss of plant material containing alkaloid and/or on the other hand in a lot of useless plant material, which is mixed with the usable material.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved harvesting machine according to the preamble, wherein the separation between usable and unusable mass is greatly improved.

The harvesting machine according to the invention has for this purpose the feature that the separating device comprises cutting means which are arranged under and close to the first transport means, which cutting means are configured to cut through a stalk which has been pulled downward. These measures make it possible to harvest all alkaloid plant parts without appreciable harvesting losses and without useless plant debris. The complete seedpod, including ovary and the upper part of the stalk, in which all the alkaloid substances are present, can be harvested with the improved harvesting machine.

The distance from the cutting means to the transport means is preferably adjustable. This makes it possible to personally determine the height of the upper part of the stalk which is to remain on the seedhead.

The cutting means preferably comprise at least one drivable cutter.

The at least one cutter preferably has a rotatable cutting surface, this cutter being disposed adjacently of the separation channel and the cutting surface thereof at least partially overlapping the separation channel.

In a further development of the preferred embodiment of the harvesting machine according to the invention the separating device comprises second transport means for engaging on a stalk and transporting the engaged stalk to the at least one cutter, wherein the second transport means have at least one rotatably drivable engaging surface, wherein arranged on the peripheral edge thereof are engaging elements which are configured to engage on the stalk, this engaging surface being disposed adjacently of the separation channel and the engaging surface thereof at least partially overlapping the separation channel. With these measures a stalk to be cut off is guided to the cutting means, wherein the stalk is also supported during cutting. This results in an improved cutting of the stalk.

The engaging means are preferably provided with driven blade-like guide elements which are arranged on either side of the separation channel and which partially overlap the separation channel. The blade-like guide elements guide the stalks to the pulling means.

The invention will be further elucidated with reference to the following figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the harvesting machine according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows an isometric view of an upper side of a separating device which is combined with an infeed device;

Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the separating device;

Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the separating device in which the pulling balls have been omitted;

The same numerals designate the same components in the different figures.

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the harvesting machine 1 according to the invention. Harvesting machine 1 is configured to harvest stalk crops comprising stalks with seedheads at the tips thereof. Harvesting machine 1 comprises a series of separating devices 100(1), ...,100(12). Harvesting machine 1 preferably has an operating width of six metres, wherein each separating device has an operating width of 50 cm. The preferred embodiment of harvesting machine 1 thus consists of 12 (identical) separating devices 100(1), ..., 100(12). The invention is however not limited to these widths. Each separating device 100(1), ...,100(12) is provided with a separation channel

K(1), ... ,K(12). Each separating device 100(1),...,100(12) is configured to separate the seedheads from the stalk crop in the separation channel K(1), ... ,K(12). Arranged in front of each separating device 100(1), ...,100(12) is an infeed device 30(1), ... ,30(12) for feeding the stalk crop into the separation channel K(1), ... ,K(12). Arranged on the rear side of harvesting machine 1 is an outfeed device 5 which is configured to discharge separated seedheads for further processing. The operation of a separating device 100(1),...,100(12) will be further elucidated in the following figures.

All drivable parts in harvesting machine 1 are preferably driven by a tractor to which harvesting machine 1 is coupled. A drive rod (not shown) is connected for this purpose to a power take-off of the tractor. Several drivable parts of harvesting machine 1 can however also be electrically driven. Harvesting machine 1 is in that case also electrically connected to the tractor.

Harvesting machine 1 is shown as an auxiliary device to be attached to a tractor, wherein the tractor produces the power (hydraulic on/or electric) to drive harvesting machine 1. Harvesting machine 1 can however also be provided with its own drive for displacing harvesting machine 1 and driving separating devices 100(1), ..., 100(12), infeed devices 30(1), ... ,30(12) and outfeed device 5.

Each infeed device 30(1 ,..,12) consists of brush belts 31 (1 , .., 12); 32(1 ,.., 12) and guide rods (not shown). Adjoining infeed devices 30 share a guide rod so that a total of 13 guide rods are necessary for 12 separating devices 100. The guide rods can comprise covers which are placed over brush belts 31 (1 , .., 12); 32(1 , .., 12).

Figure 2 shows an isometric view of an upper side of a separating device 100 which is combined with an infeed device 30. The endless brush belts 31 and 32 are tensioned by means of rollers 35; 36 and rollers 37; 38 and are driven in the indicated rotation direction during operation. When harvesting machine 1 is displaced over a field with stalk crops, the stalk crops will be moved toward brush belts 31 ; 32 by the guide rods. Brush belts 31 ; 32 will then feed the stalks into the separation channel K of separating device 100. Separation channel K is shown in broken lines in the figure. Separating device 100 is also provided with endless brush belts 101 ; 102 which are tensioned by means of rollers 103; 104 and rollers 105; 106 and are driven in the indicated rotation direction during operation. Brush belts 101 ; 102 are wider than brush belts 31 ; 32. The stalks fed into separation channel K will be displaced further by brush belts 101 ; 102. The separating device comprises engaging means 107 which engage on a stalk prior to separation. Engaging means 107 also comprise pulling means 107-1 ; 107-2 for pulling the stalk downward during engagement. Pulling means 107- 1 ; 107-2 are embodied as two pulling balls placed adjacently of each other, and rotating counter to each other and touching each other during operation, wherein they compress each other to some extent. Only pulling ball 107-1 is visible in this figure. The subsequent figure shows both pulling balls 107-1 ; 107-2.

Figure 3 shows a bottom view of separating device 100. Both pulling balls 107-1 ; 107- 2 are shown, wherein pulling balls 107-1 ; 107-2 rotate in the indicated rotation direction during operation. Separating device 100 also comprises positioning means for positioning the seedhead. The positioning means comprise two endless belts 108-1 ; 108-2 which run parallel to the separation channel at a short mutual distance in separation channel K. This distance is chosen such that the seedhead of a stalk which is pulled down by pulling balls 107-1 ; 107-2 is stopped by the positioning means. Pulling balls 107-1 ; 107-2 are here configured such that the stalk is not pulled off the seedhead. Brush belts 31 ; 32 in fact form the first transport means which transport the separated seedheads to outfeed device 5.

Separating device 100 comprises cutting means 109 which are arranged under and close to first transport means 31 ; 32. Cutting means 109 are configured to cut through a stalk which has been pulled downward. This stalk has been pulled downward by pulling balls 107- 1 ; 107-2 during operation, wherein the stalk has caught on the belts 108-1 ; 108-2 of the positioning means. This stalk has then been fed further into separation channel K by the first transport means, after which it has been cut through by cutting means 109. The distance from cutting means 109 to the first transport means is preferably adjustable. Cutting means 109 comprise a rotatable cutting surface, such as a cutter. Cutter 109 is disposed adjacently of separation channel K and partially overlaps separation channel K.

Separating device 100 comprises second transport means for engaging on a stalk and transporting the engaged stalk to cutter 109. The second transport means comprise one rotatable engaging surface 1 10 which is driven during operation. Engaging elements 11 1 are arranged in the peripheral edge thereof. These engage on the stalk during operation.

Engaging surface 110 is disposed adjacently of separation channel K and at least partially overlaps the separation channel.

The engaging means are provided with driven blade-like guide elements 1 12-1 ; 1 12-2 which are arranged on either side of separation channel K. Guide elements 1 12-1 ; 1 12-2 partially overlap separation channel K. The blade-like guide elements 1 12-1 ; 1 12-2 guide the stalks toward pulling means 107-1 ; 107-2.

Figure 4 shows a bottom view of separating device 100 around cutter 109 and rotatable engaging surface 110, wherein pulling balls 107-1 ; 107-2 have been omitted. The positions and shapes of cutter 109 and engaging surface 1 10 are more clearly visible in this figure. In addition, belts 108-1 ; 108-2 of the positioning means are visible in separation channel K.

The device is expressly not limited to the shown figures.

Claims

Harvesting machine for harvesting stalk crops comprising stalks with seedheads at the tips thereof, which harvesting machine comprises a series of separating devices, which are each provided with a separation channel and wherein each separating device is configured to separate the seedheads from the stalk crop in the separation channel, comprises for each separating device an infeed device for feeding the stalk crop into the separation channel, and comprises an outfeed device which is configured to discharge separated seedheads for further processing,

wherein the separating device comprises engaging means for engaging on a stalk prior to separation, which engaging means comprise pulling means for pulling the stalk downward during engagement and comprise positioning means for positioning the seedhead, and comprise first transport means for transporting separated seedheads to the outfeed device,

characterized in that the separating device comprises cutting means which are arranged under and close to the first transport means, which cutting means are configured to cut through a stalk which has been pulled downward.
Harvesting machine as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the distance from the cutting means to the transport means is adjustable.
Harvesting machine as claimed in any of the claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the cutting means comprise at least one drivable cutter.
Harvesting machine as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the at least one cutter has a rotatable cutting surface, this cutter being disposed adjacently of the separation channel and the cutting surface thereof at least partially overlapping the separation channel.
Harvesting machine as claimed in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the separating device comprises second transport means for engaging on a stalk and transporting the engaged stalk to the at least one cutter, wherein the second transport means have at least one rotatably drivable engaging surface, wherein arranged on the peripheral edge thereof are engaging elements which are configured to engage on the stalk, this engaging surface being disposed adjacently of the separation channel and the engaging surface thereof at least partially overlapping the separation channel.
6. Harvesting machine as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the engaging means are provided with blade-like guide elements which are arranged on either side of the separation channel and which partially overlap the separation channel, and which are configured to guide stalks fed into the separation channel to the pulling means.
7. Method for harvesting stalk crops comprising stalks with seedheads at the tips thereof, wherein the method comprises of pulling taut a stalk, wherein the seedhead of the stalk is held at a fixed height, characterized in that the method also comprises the following step of:

cutting off the stalk directly below the seedhead.