BRPI0709365A2 - sugar cane harvester and adjustable feeding set - Google Patents

Abstract

<B> SUGARCANE HARVESTER AND ADJUSTABLE FEED SET FOR THE SAME <D> A double row cane harvester has two separate feeding sets, which are arranged side by side, each feeding set being adjustable in a way that the base cutters, attached to each feeding set, are 'tuned' to the height of the sawmill in the cultivated area.

Description

SUGAR CANE HARVEST AND ADJUSTABLE FEED ASSEMBLY

Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a harvester (typically a sugar cane harvester) of the type that can harvest two or more rows of crop at the same time, and which can take into account the different heights of the soil in each row.

State of the Art

Most sugar cane harvesters are single row harvesters and these harvesters are extremely well known. Also provided is the provision of harvesters specifically designed to harvest two or more rows of sugarcane at the same time.

Thus, it is well known to provide an attachment that can be attached to the front of a single row harvester to convert the single row harvester into a two row harvester. This accessory is particularly useful in a low season when a single row harvester would be able to harvest multiple rows.

Two-row harvester made for specific purposes are also known. In most cases, these harvesters still have a single feed set. The feeding set is usually positioned behind the harvester collectors and its function is to clean and mince the sugarcane in stalks. These purpose-built two-row harvesters usually have two pickers for harvesting two rows of sugarcane; These two rows are then combined and fed through a single feed set. This type of harvester has limited yields by having a single feed set.

Therefore, it is also a widespread practice to supply purpose-built dual row harvesters that have two feed sets next to each other with each set processing a separate row of sugarcane.

These harvesters have a particular kind of problem. The problem arises because sugar cane is planted on mounds of land separated by a "ditch". The mounds typically have a height of between 10-50 cm. It is common for adjacent mounds of earth to have different heights. This is where the problem arises regarding double row harvesters. In other words, the sugarcane in each row is initially straightened and then cut close to the ground by base cutters. These base cutters are positioned behind the straighteners and in front of each feed assembly. It is important that the base cutters are positioned so that they can cut as close as possible to the sugarcane base (to maximize the amount harvested), but not cut the mound itself.

Some double row harvesters have base cutters in place and these cutters cannot be adjusted for any height differences between adjacent rows of sugarcane.

It is common practice to provide height adjustment 30 to the front of the harvester typically by providing some type of cylinder or similar device at the harvester end. Activation of the cylinder may raise or lower the harvester relative to the front wheel. Figure 1 schematically illustrates this known type of setting used in single row harvesters. However, for double row harvesters with side-by-side feed assemblies, this type of regulation will only regulate the base cutters together, which does not solve the problem of different heights from mounds in adjacent rows.

An attempt was made to provide some form of differential height adjustment between the base cutters on a double row harvester. To this end, the harvester is supported by a pair of spaced caterpillars, and each caterpillar can be adjusted using a specific caterpillar carcass and suspension. Thus, the harvester can tilt left or right by raising or lowering one caterpillar compared to the other caterpillar. It is considered quite expensive to manufacture a harvester with this type of track regulation. Also, tilting solves only part of the problem as it does not allow the base cutters to be at exactly the right height on the specific ground mound and with the base cutter guide cutting edge substantially parallel to the top of the ground mound in place. tilted to the left or right (in practice, the base cutters are angled towards the ground mound, but it is not considered satisfactory to tilt the base cutters to the left or right of the ground mound).

There is an advantage in being able to cut more sugarcane per unit of time and the standard harvest payment system rewards high operating speeds. A seemingly simple way to do this is to increase the harvester's travel speed while sugarcane. However, increasing the speed of the harvester also increases the amount of dirt collected during the harvesting process. Higher levels of cane dirt negatively affect the milling process and create further losses for the industry. For example, increasing the cutting speed range from approximately 4 km per hour to approximately 9 km per hour creates much higher levels of cane dirt, which is undesirable. Therefore, it would be advantageous if it was possible to cut more cane per unit of time, but without having to increase the cutting speed range substantially.

Increasing ground speed also decreases the harvester life component due to increased wear.

Sugar cane harvesters also create undesirable soil compaction during use, and there would be an advantage if soil compaction could be reduced during harvesting.

Higher yields on a sugar-cane harvester also result in increased cane loss and traditionally a loss in cane at harvest has always been accepted as inevitable. Higher throughput may occur with a double row harvester using a single feed set as described above. Higher yield can also occur with a traditional single row harvester traveling at a higher ground speed. It would be desirable if it were possible to reduce sugarcane loss.

Harvesting large green cane crops has always been difficult due to the higher yield of cane material. Large green cane crops can occur with irrigated crops.

There would be an advantage if it were possible to harvest large green cane crops as a commercially viable index.

It will be clearly understood that when a reference to a prior art publication is cited herein, such reference does not mean that the publication is part of the general knowledge of the art in Australia or in any other country.

Object of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a harvester and particularly a double row sugar cane harvester with a pair of feed assemblies which can overcome at least some of the above disadvantages or provide a useful or commercial option.

In one form, the invention relates to a harvester (typically a sugar cane harvester) comprising: (a) a main carcass assembly, (b) an engine, (c) wheels and / or tracks to enable that the harvester moves along the ground, (d) a first feed set with a front inlet area and a rear outlet, (e) a second feed set with a front inlet area and a rear outlet (f) the first feed set and the second feed set being in a side-by-side relationship, (g) height adjuster to adjust the height of the first feed set input area from the ground, (h) height adjuster To adjust the height of the second feed set inlet area from the ground, (i) base cutters in the first feed set and second feed set inlet area, the height adjuster also adjusts the height of the cut ground base, (j) at least one cutter adjacent to the rear of the feed assembly, (k) a cane lift on the cutter, and (1) crop dividers on the front of the first set of and the second power pack.

Conveniently, the first feed assembly is pivotally mounted with respect to the main housing adjacent the rear outlet.

Conveniently, the second feed assembly is pivotally mounted with respect to the main housing adjacent the rear outlet.

Conveniently, the height adjuster comprises a cylinder with one end fixed to the main housing and the other end fixed to the inlet area of the feed assembly.

Conveniently, the spacing between the first feed set and the second feed set is adjustable to suit the different spacings of the culture rows.

Conveniently, at least one of the feed assemblies is modular in design and may be removed from the harvester, for example for maintenance.

Conveniently, the height adjuster comprises two cylinders in each power package.

Conveniently, the base cutters are fixed with respect to the inlet area of each feed assembly to rise and fall with the rise and fall of the inlet area of each feed assembly through the height adjuster.

Conveniently, each feed set comprises the base cutters, feed rollers and said cutter. Conveniently, the harvester has a primary bagasse remover and which is positioned in the cutter area of each feed set, the harvester thus having two primary extractors.

Conveniently, the harvester has a single secondary puller adjacent to the upper end of the elevator.

The main casing assembly may comprise a relatively light casing fabricated of any suitable elements such as a steel box section and the like. The main housing assembly may comprise an upper platform. The platform can support the engine and can also support a cab. The main frame assembly may comprise a substantially horizontal upper platform and various vertical elements dependent on the frame. The harvester wheels and / or tracks may be attached to or supported by one or more of these vertical elements of the carcass. The height adjuster (which is usually a hydraulic adjuster cylinder) may have an end attached to the horizontal upper platform. The or each primary puller may be supported by the main housing assembly. Crop dividers may be supported by a front portion of the main housing assembly. The or each feed assembly may be hingedly fixed with respect to the main housing assembly and preferably to a rear portion two or each of the feed assembly and to the main housing assembly (i.e. the rear linkage assembly). The elevator may also be supported by a rear portion of the main frame assembly.

Typically, the harvester is self-propelled and therefore contains an engine that generally comprises a diesel engine or a gasoline engine.

The harvester will have wheels and / or caterpillars and, in a particular embodiment of the present invention, the sugarcane harvester has caterpillars. These tracks may be of conventional design and may be attached to a lower portion of the main frame assembly and may be operatively connected to the engine by any suitable means, which may comprise the use of hydraulics (one of the wheels on the tracks may be driven by a hydraulic motor), or the use of drive chains, drive belts and the like. Typically, the harvester will be guided using a sliding steering mechanism which is well known with tracked vehicles.

The second feed assembly will typically comprise modular assemblies which may be attached or removed from the harvester. Each feed set will typically comprise a conveyor belt for transporting the harvested material (e.g. sugar cane) from the inlet area to the rear outlet and the conveyor belt may comprise several feed rollers. Therefore, the feed assembly will typically comprise a pair of side plates spaced to support the rollers etc., the side plates 30 being typically made of sheet steel. A rear interconnecting element (which could be another steel blade, rod, tie rod, etc.) and a front interconnecting element (again could be another steel blade, rod, tie rod, etc.) will typically be present to provide a housing. or rigid chassis for the adjustable power pack.

If the harvester is a harvester

In the double row, there will be a first feed set and a second feed set that may be in a side by side relationship, and the spacing between the feed sets will correspond to the distance between the crop rows. This distance can be between 1-3 m. You can adjust the spacing between the feed sets if required and depending on the distance between the crop rows. Thus, spacing means may be provided and spacing means may comprise risers, rods, spacing panels, spacing blocks and the like. It is also envisaged that there may be some form of hydraulic regulator to regulate the spacing between the side by side feed assemblies.

Each power package will typically be tilted from a lower front entry area to a higher rear exit. This is typical in sugar cane harvesters.

A height adjuster is provided to allow the distance between the entrance area and the ground to be adjusted. Thus, when properly tuning, excessive amounts of dirt etc. are very unlikely. collected by the harvester. Regulation also enables the height of the input area of a feed set to differ from the adjacent feed set and this can occur when the mounds of adjacent crop rows are of different heights. The height adjuster will typically be such that the inlet area can be raised or lowered relative to the ground, but in a substantially horizontal manner so that the inlet area remains horizontal or level and does not become inclined. Any inclination of the entry area may result in the base cutters becoming uneven and may result in improper harvesting.

The height adjuster may comprise a cylinder and it is envisaged that each feeder assembly will have a pair of spaced cylinders to raise or lower the front edge (inlet area) of each feeder assembly. Adjustments can be performed by an operator in the harvester cab. Each cylinder may have one end connected to the power assembly part and the other end connected to the main frame assembly so that cylinder operation will raise and lower the front entry area of each power assembly. If the feed assembly is pivotally connected to the rear of the feed assembly, operating the cylinders will cause the feed assembly to pivot between the raised and lowered position.

The height adjuster may comprise other mechanisms or devices such as support chains / ropes that may be attached to a winch or the like, pulleys, a rack and pinion device, a worm gear and the like. It is also envisaged that circumstances may exist where simple manual or mechanical adjustment may be provided and this may be accomplished using slotted pin devices, clamps and the like.

Each power pack is expected to have its own height adjuster (eg cylinder). This allows each power pack to be operated independently of each other power pack. The height adjuster may also comprise pneumatic cylinders.

The harvester will have base cutters in the entrance area to cut the crop (typically sugar cane). The base cutters are quite conventional in sugar cane harvesters and typically comprise a pair of hydraulically actuated counter-rotating cutter discs whose function is to cut the base of the cane. The type and size of the cutting discs may vary to suit and the mechanism or means by which the cutting disc is actuated may also vary to suit.

The base cutters will typically be fixed relative to the feed assembly and typically attached adjacent to the front end of the feed assembly so that raising and lowering of the feed assembly will also raise and lower each base cutter. However, there may be circumstances where it is desirable for the height of each base cutter to be adjustable with respect to the feed assembly.

A cutter is provided adjacent to the rear end of the feed assembly. The cutter may comprise a cutter drum which is already known in the sugar cane harvesters and whose function is to chop the cane stalks into smaller portions that are commonly called "stalks". These stems will typically be between 20-60 cm in length. It is contemplated that it is possible to provide any suitable type of cutter drum which may be a conventional cutter drum or a specially designed cutter drum. It is recommended that each feed set have its own cutter allowing each feed set to be relatively modular and relatively "standalone".

It is desirable to provide a primary puller adjacent to each cutter. The primary puller will typically comprise a powerful blower that will blow bagasse (fibrous material) from the vicinity of the cane stalks and usually through an extraction screen or the like. Thus, for a double row harvester, it is desirable to have a pair of primary pullers.

Typically the harvester will include an elevator whose function is to raise the cane stems of the mower drum so that the stems can be thrown or dropped onto an adjacent cane carrier (usually a large bucket that can be pulled by a tractor or part of a truck). ). The elevator may have a conventional or special design and typically comprises some form of conveyor belt for carrying the cane stalks from a lower part of the elevator to the upper exit of the elevator. A secondary puller may be provided adjacent to the upper exit of the elevator and may comprise a powerful blower that will blow more bagasse from the proximity of the stalks before the cane stalks are thrown into the bucket.

Typically the harvester will have front crop dividers that are well known in the sugarcane harvesting industry and whose function is to split and lift the sugarcane plants before they are cut and placed on the harvester. Usually the crop dividers comprise large swivel tapered "screws". Generally the crop dividers will be attached to the main carcass assembly and typically will comprise a center divider, a left divider and a right divider (for a double row harvester). These dividers can be removed if not needed, so for a single row harvester you can remove either the left divider or the right divider.

In another form, the invention comprises an adjustable feed assembly for a sugarcane harvester, the feed assembly comprising a front inlet area and a rear outlet area, base cutters in the front inlet area, rollers of and a cutter drum in the rear output area, a hinge in the rear output area to pivotally secure the feed assembly to the harvester housing, and an attachment to allow the height adjuster to be attached to the feed assembly via the accessory.

Conveniently, the feed set is modular and can be attached to a sugar cane harvester.

In another form, the invention relates to a multiple row harness implement, the implement comprising a first feed assembly and a second feed assembly, the first feed assembly adapted to process a row of material to be harvested, and the second feed set adapted to process another row of material to be collected, each feed set having an inlet through which material to be collected may pass, the inlet of one feed set being adjustable with respect to the inlet of the other feed set .

Thus each feed set can be adjusted with respect to the other and the harvester operator can adjust each feed set to the height of the mound of material to be harvested and, once done, can collect multiple rows even if the heights of the earth mound of the rows are different from each other.

Simply put, a cylinder or up and down device may be associated with each feed assembly to raise or lower the front of each feed assembly to the desired height.

The harvesting implement will typically comprise a sugarcane harvester.

The harvesting implement will typically be capable of harvesting two adjacent rows of material such as sugar cane.

If the implement is a sugar cane harvester, the feed assembly will typically comprise a roll assembly, a base cutter and cutter drums.

The base cutter will typically be fixed relative to the remainder of the feed assembly so that adjusting the feed assembly will regulate the base cutter.

The feed assembly may comprise a support frame frame for supporting the rollers, base cutter and cutter drums. The frame frame can be hinged to the back of the harvester.

A regulating device, typically for raising or lowering the front portion of the feed assembly may be provided adjacent the front portion of the harvester. The regulating device may comprise a cylinder, such as a pneumatic cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder, but may also comprise a gear assembly, lifting and lowering chains and the like. Although the invention has particular convenience for a sugar cane harvester Multi-row, articulated or adjustable feeding set can also be convenient for single-row sugarcane harvesters as it can reduce dirt entry with the cane, especially if the heights of the mounds are different in rows. many different. Therefore, another form of the invention may comprise a single row harvester having the following characteristics: (a) a main frame assembly, (b) an engine, (c) wheels and / or tracks to allow the harvester to move along (d) a feeder assembly having a front inlet and a rear outlet, (e) height adjuster to adjust the height of the feeder inlet area from the ground, (f) height adjuster to adjust the height of the feeder inlet area from the ground, (g) base cutters in the feeder inlet area; the height adjuster also adjusting the height of the base cutters from the ground, (h) a cutter drum adjacent to the rear of the feed assembly, (i) a lift to raise the cutter's cane, and (j) dividers crops on the front of the power pack.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which:

Figure 1. Illustrates a known harvester design that can be raised or lowered at the front by a cylinder on the front wheel.

Figure 2. Schematically illustrates a harvester according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 3. Schematically illustrates the front of the harvester showing a pair of side by side feed assemblies, each feed set having a pair of base cutters; and the mounds of earth which are of different heights.

Figure 4. Illustrates a double row sugar cane harvester according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5. Illustrates in more detail a first and second feed assemblies adjustable in a side-by-side relationship and secured to the harvester main frame.

Figure 6. Illustrates a front view of the first and second adjustable power packs of Figure 5.

Preferred Embodiment

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1, there is schematically illustrated in lateral elevation a known type of harvester. The harvester contains a feed assembly comprising a front base cutter 11, a roller assembly 12 within the feed assembly, and rear cutter drums 13 which cut the sugarcane stalks into smaller stalks and throw them into an elevator 14. The elevator 14 lifts the stalks so that they can be thrown into an adjacent container which is then conveyed to the sugar mill for milling. This arrangement is extremely well known.

The base cutters 11 are slightly inclined, as shown in Figure 1, and the guiding edge of the cutters is designed to be just above the ground height 14 at which sugar cane is grown 15. Thus, the cutters base cut sugar cane at the base without leaving behind too much sugar cane stalks (which will reduce production). To adjust the height of the base cutters 11, a cylinder 15A is generally provided on the harvester front wheel 16. The operation of the cylinder will raise and lower the front of the harvester and thus the positioning of the base cutters 11 with respect to the mound 14. Again, this is 10 well known.

The harvester of the present invention is shown schematically in Figures 2 and 3. With reference to the figures and initially to Figure 2, the harvester 20 contains a pair of side by side feed assemblies 21, 22, the positioning being better. Each feed set 21, 22 comprises base cutters 23, rollers 24 and cutter drums 25 in a manner very similar to the conventional feed set. The feed set inlet is adjacent to the base cutters 23, and the feed set outlet is behind the cutter drums 25. However, in the present invention, the entire feed set is not rigidly fixed to the rest of the harvester . Instead, the feed assembly is hinged and, in the present embodiment, this is illustrated by the pivot point 26 in figure 2. The feed assembly may include a support frame frame for holding the various components, such as the cutter. base 23, rollers 24 and cutter drums 25, and the frame frame is "detached" from the remainder of the harvester and secured by the pivot point 26. This allows the feed assembly to be raised or lowered relative to the remainder of the harvester . In the recommended embodiment, this is accomplished by means of a hydraulic cylinder 27 positioned adjacent the front of the feed assembly. Cylinder operation can then raise or lower the feed assembly. Because the base cutter is supported by the feed assembly, cylinder operation will also raise and lower the base cutter.

In Figure 3 (a front view) a pair of mounds 28 is illustrated and the left mound is perceived to be lower than the right mound. To compensate, the cylinder in the left feeder assembly 21 has been lowered more than the cylinder in the right feeder assembly 22. Consequently, the base cutters in each feeder assembly are in the correct position with respect to the heights of the earthmount.

The power pack may be powered by a power source from the harvester and such form is reasonably conventional. Drive means are typically provided to drive the feed assembly (i.e. base cutters, rollers, and cutter drums), and this may be similar to known devices. Thus, drive belts / chains, electric motors, hydraulic motors, air motors, or other types of drive means may be provided.

The implement does not require any complicated track adjustment, and there is no need to provide a cylinder on the front wheel (caterpillar) as illustrated in the already known implement of figure 1.

The cylinders 27 may comprise "active cylinders" to continuously compensate for the height of the mound. Thus, a harvester operator can operate the compliance cylinders. Alternatively, a sensor can be provided to constantly monitor the ground height and adjust the compliance cylinders. The sensor may comprise a mechanical sensor or an optical sensor, a distance reader sensor and the like.

Referring to Figures 4-6, a sugar cane harvester is illustrated in more detail. The harvester 20 comprises front crop dividers which, in this particular embodiment, comprise a left pair of dividers 30, a central pair of dividers 31 and a right pair of dividers 32, each of which may be removably attached to the remainder of the harvester. 20 and which may be driven by hydraulic mechanisms in the harvester 20. A cab 34 is provided in front of the engine 33 and supported by an upper platform 35. The platform 35 is supported by, or is part of the harvester main frame assembly. The main housing assembly is best illustrated in Figure 5 and comprises a transverse front housing component 36, a pair of parallel side housing components 37, 38 and a transverse rear housing component 39. All may be manufactured from a box section of steel and welded, or otherwise fixed together to form a strong and rigid unit.

Tracks 40 are positioned on either side of harvester 20 and driven by hydraulic motors. Tracks are fixed to the vertical carcass elements 41 of the main carcass assembly (although any other type of construction may be suitable).

In a particular embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the harvester contains a first feed set 41 and a second feed set 42. Each feed set has a front input area 43, 44 and an outlet. 45, 46. The front inlet area 43, 44 is lower than the rear outlet 45, 46, so that each power assembly is inclined.

Each feed assembly 41, 42 comprises a rigid chassis formed from a pair of 5 opposing parallel side plates 47, 48, an interconnecting front plate 49 and a rear plate 50. A plurality of feed rollers 51 are rotatably mounted between the side plates 47, 48 to form a conveyor device or feed assembly. The feed rollers may be driven by a hydraulic motor or any other drive (eg drive chains, belts, pulleys, teeth, gears, etc.) to assist in moving sugarcane from the inlet area. to the rear exit. The feed rollers feed the cane 15 evenly into the upper system and allow dirt and debris from the cane mat to be removed as there are spaces between adjacent feed rollers. Upper floating rollers allow even feeding of larger volumes of sugar cane.

Each power set is associated with a pair of base cutters 52-55. Each base cutter may have a conventional type arrangement comprising a circular cutter disc with each pair of base cutters rotating in an opposite direction of rotation (counter-rotation). Blades may be fixed to the substantially vertical axis in each base cutter, this being quite conventional. Each base cutter is driven by a hydraulic motor in a conventional manner. The function of the base cutters is to cut the cane to ground level and feed the cane (lower end first) into the feed roller assembly. Each base cutter has four knives attached to each disc. The front end of each feed assembly has a lower end lift roller 70, 71 (see particularly Figure 6) that raises the base cutter disc cane and feeds the cane on the feed rollers. The lower end lift roller is driven by a hydraulic motor, but can also be driven by chains, belts or a universal joint.

The rear of each feed assembly 41, 42 is associated with a cutter 56, 57 that pricks the sugarcane stalks into smaller pieces (stalks). The cutter typically comprises a pair of transversely extending counter-rotating cylinders, each cylinder being provided with at least one longitudinal blade (knife) (and generally between 3-4 knives), the cylinders being "tuned" so that the blade of one cylinder meets the blade of the other cylinder to cut the sugar cane into stalks. The cutters can be driven by a gearbox and hydraulic motor, but can also be driven by other means such as chain, belts, universal joint etc.

Each feed assembly is modular in design meaning that each feed assembly can be removed and comprises the base cutters, chassis, rollers and cutter.

The rear of each feed assembly is hingedly attached to the main housing assembly by means of pivot points comprising a shaft and bearings. The pivot points 58, 59 of a feeder assembly are illustrated in FIG. 5. The other feeder assembly will be similarly pivotally attached to the rear portion. The shaft can be removed for removal of the feeder assembly for maintenance, repairs etc.The front of each feeder assembly is secured to a pair of height adjusters which, in the recommended embodiments, comprise 60, 61 hydraulic cylinders. have one end attached to small mounting straps in front of each feeder assembly and the other end attached to mounting points on the main body assembly. Operation of the cylinders will cause each feed assembly to rise or fall. Also, the operation of the rollers is such that the front of each feed assembly will rise and fall substantially horizontally, meaning that the attached base cutters 52-55 also retain the correct direction for cutting. The cylinders allow the base cutters to be aligned with the formation of the mound or the soil on which the crop grows. Cylinders can also be adjusted during operation to accommodate contours on the ground.

Behind each cutter 56, 57 is a primary extractor 62, 63 comprising a powerful blower (not shown) that blows as the stems fall from the cutter onto the underside of elevator 64 and blows the expeller through the exhaust hoods. . Pullers 62, 63 can be mounted on a mounting plate 65 (see figure 5) on the rear of the main frame assembly. the extractor fan may be activated by a hydraulic motor 25, but may also be driven by chains, belts or other means.

The elevator 64 is normally secured to the rear of the main frame assembly using a pivot or hinged joint, which means that the elevator 64 can move side by side if necessary. the elevator comprises a closed flow chute (generally formed of thin rolled metal) containing an internal conveyor (not shown, but comprising a chain and elances) that carries the stems from the bottom of the elevator up along the conveyor belt to the exit. top 66 of the elevator, where the stalks can be thrown into an adjacent traction bucket (not shown). A secondary puller 67 is provided at the top of the elevator 64 which comprises a powerful blower (not shown) that removes further bagasse from the stems and blows the bagasse through the bulkhead 68.

The harvester can have each power pack set to the row it is cutting. The harvester allows the power pack and other important components to become modular. It is possible to remove the harvester power pack for maintenance and repair. This can also improve or assist in transportation to different locations. The harvester can then harvest two rows of crop (eg sugar cane) and, if desired, the spacing between the feed sets can be "tuned" to the particular row spacing in the cropped area using a regulated spacer. The harvester has a double extraction system that provides better cleaning of cut sugarcane leading to higher productivity. With the double extraction system, there is the benefit of using two extraction bulkheads, which is an advantage compared to the design of a single bulkhead as it could be able to have a certain degree of displacement. With this offset in the bulkheads, the operator will be able to direct the bagasse of the next cut thus avoiding double processing of unwanted material. Increasing the overall width of the harvester allows a straight feed current compared to the folded feed current in single row models. A straight feed assembly allows the sugarcane to have a more natural flow through the feed rollers, avoiding the need to direct the cane around the fold.

Throughout the report and claims (if present), unless the context otherwise requires, the term "comprising", or variations such as "comprising" or "comprising", shall be understood to apply to the inclusion of said member or group of members, but not the exclusion of any member or group of members.

Throughout the report and claims (if present), unless the context otherwise requires, the terms "substantially" or "around" will be construed as not limited to the value of the range qualified by the terms.

Any embodiment of the invention is intended to be illustrative only and not limitative with respect to the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made to any described embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (15)

1. Sugar cane harvester comprising: (a) a main carcass assembly, (b) an engine, (c) wheels and / or tracks to allow the harvester to move along the ground, (d ) a first feed set with a front inlet area and a rear outlet, (e) a second feed set with a front inlet area and a rear outlet, (f) the first feed set and a second feed set being in a side-by-side relationship, (g) height adjuster to adjust the height of the entry area of the first feed set from the ground, (h) height adjuster to adjust the height of the entry area of the second set (i) base cutters in the entry area of the first feed set and the second feed set, the height adjuster also regulating the height of the base cutters from the ground, (j) by minus c tiller adjacent to the rear of the feeder assembly, (k) a lift to lift cane out of the cutter, and (1) crop dividers at the front of the first feeder assembly and the second feeder assembly. Harvester according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first feed assembly is pivotally mounted with respect to the main housing adjacent to the rear outlet. Harvester according to Claim 2, characterized in that the second feed assembly is pivotally mounted with respect to the main housing adjacent to the rear outlet. Harvester according to Claim 2, characterized in that the height adjuster comprises a cylinder with one end fixed to the main housing and the other end fixed to the input area of the feed assembly. Harvester according to Claim 2, characterized in that the spacing between the first feed set and the second feed set is adjustable to suit the different spacings of the crop rows. Harvester according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one of the feed assemblies is modular in design and can be removed from the harvester to convert the harvester into a single row harvester. Harvester according to Claim 4, characterized in that the height adjuster comprises two cylinders in each feed assembly. Harvester according to Claim 1, characterized in that the base cutters are fixed in relation to the input area of each feed set to rise and fall with the raising and lowering of the input area of each feed set. through the height adjusters. Harvester according to Claim 8, characterized in that each feed assembly comprises the base cutters, feed rollers and said cutter. A harvester according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a primary extractor for removing bagasse and which is positioned in the cutter area of each feed assembly, the harvester thus having two primary extractors. Harvester according to Claim 50, characterized in that it comprises a single secondary extractor adjacent the upper end of the elevator. 12. Adjustable feeding set for a sugar cane harvester, characterized in that the feeding set comprises a front entry area and a rear exit area, base cutters in the front entry area, feed rollers and a cutter drum in the rear outlet area, a hinge in the rear outlet area to pivotally secure the feeder assembly to the harvester housing, and an attachment to enable the height adjuster to be secured to the feeder assembly by middle of the attachment. Feeding assembly according to Claim 12, characterized in that it is modular and can be attached to a sugarcane harvester. 14. Multi-row harvesting sugar cane harvester, characterized in that it comprises a first feed set and a second feed set, the first feed set adapted to process a row of material to be harvested, and the second set 25 of A feed adapted to process another row of material to be collected, each feed set having an inlet through which the material to be collected may pass, the inlet of one feed set being adjustable with respect to the inlet of the other feed set. 15. Single row sugar cane harvester, characterized in that it comprises: (a) a main-car assembly, (b) an engine, (c) wheels and / or tracks to allow the harvester to move along the ground, (d) a feeder assembly having a front inlet and a rear outlet, (e) height adjuster to adjust the height of the feeder inlet area from ground, (f) height adjuster to adjust the height of the feeder inlet area from the ground, (g) base cutters in the feeder inlet area, the height adjuster also regulating the height of the feeder base cutters, (h) a cutter drum adjacent to the rear of the feed assembly, (i) an elevator for raising the cane out of the cutter, and (j) crop dividers at the front of the feed assembly.