FR2487159A1 - Tufted crop harvesting machine - has rotary beater with flexible blades brushing crop against cutter blade - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine harvests tufted crops such as thyme, and has a cutter blade (7), and a rotary beater (3) flattening the tufts down onto it, together with a conveyor for the cut plants to a collecting hopper. The beater component comprises flexible blades (3a) fixed to the free ends of radial arms (3c) rotating round a shaft (10) above the cutter blade, and which brush against the latter. The blade can be of the type used on a mower, extending across the machine. The beater comprises a drum with protruding radial arms to which flexible strips are fixed, extending at right angles to the drum.

Description

Machine for harvesting plants in tufts.

 The present invention relates to a machine for harvesting plants in clumps such as thyme or other similar plants.

 The technical sector of the invention is that of agricultural machines and relates more particularly to cutting devices with reels.

 Various types of reel cutting devices are already known for harvesting plants with stems.

 The known machines are however not suitable for harvesting plants in tufts whose stems are short and close to the ground.

 The present invention aims to remedy this drawback.

 The objective to be achieved is thus a machine specially designed for the harvesting of plants in clumps.

 This objective is achieved by the machine according to the invention, comprising a cutting blade, means for folding down the tufts on the side of the cutting blade and at least one conveyor for conveying the plants, after they have been cut, in a receiving tray, characterized in that said folding means consist of flexible blades, fixed to the free end of radial arms, driven in rotation about an axis located above the cutting blade, which blades touch said blade.

A machine, the cutting blade of which is of the type fitted to the mowers and which extends transversely to the chassis of the machine, is distinguished by the fact that the folding device consists of a drum comprising radial arms extending beyond the periphery of the drum and on which flexible bands extending transversely are fixed, which flexible bands are of a
length substantially equal to that of said blade.

The drum is rotatably mounted on two telescopic arms
articulated by their lower part to the machine chassis. That
this comprises on both sides of the cutting blade, two sectors per
drilled on the side of their periphery and the arms are articulated so as to be able to pivot by moving parallel and close to said sec
teurs, which arms are perforated right through and are immobilized
in position by bolts passed through the sectors and arms.

The conveyor is supported on the side of the cutting blade by
a strong sheet extending transversely to the chassis, which sheet extends below the conveyor to protect the conveyor belt.

 Such a machine comprises, behind the cutting blade, an inclined plane, which extends on the one hand over the width of the cutting blade and on the other hand of the latter above said conveyor for conveying the stems cut by the blade on the conveyor belt.

 A machine comprising two so-called "dividing" members, arranged in front of and on either side of the cutting blade, each of these dividers being carried by an elastic blade, fixed to the chassis of the machine and comprising, at its free end , a metal part of a generally triangular shape forming a point at its end, is characterized in that each of said dividers comprises flexible curved rods fixed to said triangular part and diverging from the side of said sector, which rods are formed by parts of steel target.

 Each divider further comprises at least one flexible rod extending in an oblique direction between the dividers: from the triangular metal piece up to approximately the cutting blade, the free end of said rod coming close to the latter.

 Said triangular end piece comprises cylindrical housings diverging from the tip of said piece towards the rear thereof, in which housings are engaged the cable parts, which are fixed by welding to said housings and on the side of the tip of said piece.

 The cable part, which delimits the divider at its upper part, is engaged in a guide of a circular cross section, fixed to said frame and comprises on either side of said guide, an adjustable position stop ring.

 The result of the invention is a machine suitable for cutting and harvesting plants in clumps such as thyme, sage or other small plants whose stems are short and close to the ground.

 The rotary slat reel has flexible bands at its periphery and is adjustable in height and forward and backward relative to the blade. The flexible bands bring the stems to the knives and touch the cutting blade as they pass over this member.

 The rods cut by the blade are projected by the reel on said conveyor, which deposits them in the receiving bin. The lateral dividers allow the rods to be raised on each side of the row to be cut. Said dividers are composed of blades and flexible rods so as to ensure constant support on the ground of their tips as well as a slight penetration of these into the ground. The operation of the dividers is increased by the fact that the rods composing it are produced by means of steel cable parts of great flexibility. The oblique rods group the lateral plants together to put them in the cutting zone of the blade. .

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description of a machine according to the invention in a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment, with reference to the appended drawing in which FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a machine according to the invention, which is mounted on the side of a tractor,
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic overall view in elevation of a machine according to the invention, the conveyor being partially shown,
FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a divider fitted to the machine of FIGS. 1 and 2,
- Figure 4 is a top view of the front part of the machine, illustrating the cutting blade and the dividers, the rotary reel not being shown.

 An embodiment of a machine according to the invention is shown in the drawing, the figure> 1 est.une overview. As illustrated in this figure, the machine is carried on a tractor 1 and on the right side thereof. A machine for harvesting plants according to the invention essentially comprises a structure 2, comprising a longitudinal frame 2a and a gantry 2b. On this structure is mounted for rotation, a reel 3, disposed above a cutting blade extending transversely to the front of the chassis 2a and at its lower part. Two dividers 4 frame the cutting blade. On the frame 2a is mounted a conveyor 5, preferably a conveyor, extending from the cutting blade to a receiving tank 6. The machine is carried by an articulated arm to the tractor and the setting in motion of the various components: reel, cutting blade, conveyor is obtained by the hydraulic system of the tractor.

 Referring now to Figures 2 to 4 which illustrate in more detail the characteristic parts of the machine 1 according to the invention.

 The chassis 2a is in a slightly inclined position, so that the front part, which comprises the dividers 4, is closer to the ground than the rear part which opens into the receiving tank 6.

 The chassis 2 & which is composed of profiled commercial irons assembled together, comprises, at its front part, a cutting blade 7, which is preferably of the kind which equips the mowers. The cutting blade 7 thus extends transversely between the two lateral bars of the chassis and is carried by a cross member 2c, constituted by a strong sheet joining said lateral bars.

The frame 2a carries a conveyor belt 8, which, as has already been said, extends from the cutting blade 7 to the receiving tank 6. This belt 8 is wound on end rollers 8a and may also include intermediate support rollers distributed below the upper section of the belt. The conveyor occupies the width of the chassis 2a and can be of a width equivalent to the length of the cutting blade 7. It has on either side a vertical wall 8b which forms, with the carrying strand of the belt 8, a corridor. The receiving tank 6 is open on its front wall and the conveyor 8 extends slightly inside through this opening. The side walls 8b of the conveyor are preferably removably attached to the front wall of the tank 6. The sheet 2c, which carries the cutting blade 7, extends towards the rear ----- shape protection at the front of the conveyor. The rods cut by the blade 7 are moved to the conveyor 8, on a sheet 9 forming an inclined plane connecting the blade 7 and the conveyor. This sheet 9 overhangs the front end of the conveyor 8 over its entire width
Above the blade 7, the reel 3 is rotated. The latter is mounted on an axis parallel to the cutting blade 7 and takes the form of a drum comprising a hub 3a extending over the length of the blade 7, two peripheral circles 3b joined by crosspieces and radial arms 3c situated in two planes parallel to each other at the ends of the drum. Each end adopts the shape of a wheel and comprises for example twelve arms, thus thus in total twenty-four arms. These extend outside. circles 3b and are connected two by two by transverse slats 3d, which are parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum and equidistant therefrom.

 The drum 3 is mounted on a shaft 10, the ends of which are engaged in bearings 11, fixed to the free end of two telescopic arms 12.

 In the plane of the side walls 8b of the conveyor 8, two sectors 13 are arranged, fixed to the structure of the machine and which frame the cutting blade 7. The telescopic arms 12 are articulated by their lower end 12a to said sectors 13.

 The upper edge 13a of the sectors 13 takes the form of an arc of a circle, the center of which coincides with the axis 12a, around which the arms 12 are articulated.

 Each sector 13 comprises several circular perforations 13b distributed over a line in an arc 13c, parallel to the edge 13a of the sector and located on the side of the latter.

 Each of the arms 12 is made up of two parts 12b / 12c sliding one inside the other. For example, the lower part 12b is tubular and of a square cross-section, in which the upper part 12c is slidably mounted, which is preferably a tube of square section, with an outer contour slightly smaller than the internal tubular section of the lower part 12b. The parts 12b / 12c are drilled right through 12d.

 The position of the reel 3 relative to the blade 7 is obtained by adjusting the inclination and the length of the telescopic arms 12 and by immobilizing them by means of pins or bolts 14, passed through the holes 12d of the arms and 13b of the sectors.

 Note that a machine called ~ could be equipped with telescopic arms with hydraulic or electric operation, controlled from the tractor cockpit, the example described being of a simplified model for reasons of cost price.

 Each pair of arms 3c of the drum carries a flexible strip 3e preferably made from a rubberized strong cloth, which strips 3e touch the cutting blade 7 to fold the plants down and put them in contact with the knives.

 The machine also includes two dividers 4, which are fixed to the chassis 2a and are connected by being slidably mounted on the sectors 13.

 Each divider (fig. 3) consists of a flexible support blade, for example a spring, bent into an S with a large amplitude 4a, of a rectangular cross section and fixed by one of its ends 4b by means of two bolts 15. This blade is fixed by welding at its free end to a metal part with a triangular shank 4c, a point 4d of which is directed forward. On this triangular piece 4c, are fixed by welding, parts of tube 4e which diverge from front to back, one tube being in the extension of one of the sides of the triangular piece 4c, the other two being distributed between the blade 4a and said side. In each of these parts of tube 4e, a piece of steel cable 4f / 4g / 4h is engaged, which are fixed by welding to the right of the ends 4j of the tubes 4e. The parts of cable 4f / 4g / 4h s1 extend from the part 4e to sector 13, so that the ends 4f î / 4gî are close to and parallel to said sector.

 The 4h cable is engaged to slide in a guide sleeve 16 fixed to the upper part and to the front of the sector 13.

 it comprises on either side of the guide 16 on the one hand of the cor t of its end 4h1, a stop ring 17 and on the other hand, a ring 18. The rings 17/18 are in adjustable position and are immobilized on the cable by means of a pressure screw.

 The position of these rings makes it possible to delimit the travel of the dividers 4.

 The dividers also include flexible rods 4R constituted by cable parts fixed to said triangular parts 4c in the same way as cables 4f / 4g / 4h.

 These rods 4t are also parts of steel cable, they extend in oblique directions and converge on the side of the cutting blade 7 (fiv.4) to straighten the tigessituées along the lateral edges of the rows of plants. The end 4Q1 of said oblique rods are located a short distance from the front end of the cutting blade 7 and are preferably located above the latter.

 Of course, without departing from the scope of the invention, the various parts which have just been described by way of example may be replaced by equivalent parts fulfilling the same function, for example, it is specified that the gantry 2b is not required on machines with a narrow cutting blade.

 According to another preferred embodiment, the conveyor 8 has an adjustable inclination and is articulated in the axis of the front drum 8a. The rods cut by the blade 7 pass through a corridor of a U-shaped cross section comprising a bottom on which the carrying strand of the conveyor belt rests, and two side walls extending along the length of the conveyor and both on the other side of the band. In this design the receiving tank 6 is fixed and the walls 8b of the conveyor are not fixed to said tank 6 in order to allow the articulation of the conveyor around the axis of the roller 8a, which conveyor can adopt various inclinations depending on the relative position of the blade 7 relative to the ground.

Claims (10)

1 - Machine for harvesting plants in clumps, such as thyme or  similar, comprising a cutting blade (7) means (3) for flap  be the tufts on the side of the cutting blade and at least one con  voyeur (8) to transport the plants, after they have been  swords, in a receiving tank C6) characterized in that said  folding means (3) consist of flexible blades (3e), fixed to  the free end of the radial arms (3c), rotated about  an axis (10) located above the cutting blade (72 which pa  the (3e) touch said blade (7). 2 - Machine according to claim 1, whose cutting blade (7) is  kind of those which equip the mowers and extends transversa  Lement at the ch ssis (2a) of the machine, characterized in that the dis  positive reel (3) consists of a drum with straight arms  dials 3c, extending beyond the periphery of the drum and on  which are fixed flexible bands (3e) extending transversely  drum, which flexible bands (3e) are of a length  substantially equal to that of said blade (7). 3 - Machine according to any one of claims 1 and 2, character  laughing in that said drum is rotatably mounted on two arms  telescopic (12) articulated by their lower part (12a) to the frame  located on the machine. 4 - Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that it com  door on either side of the cutting blade (7) two sectors (  perforated from the side of their periphery (13a) and in that said arms  (12) sarit: articulated to be able to pivot while moving parallel  ment and near said sectors (13) which arms (12) are  perforated right through and are immobilized in position by  bolts 14 passed through the sectors (13) and said arms (2). 5 - Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said con  voyeur (8) is supported on the side of the cutting blade (7) by a drill  sheet CZg) extending transversely to the frame (2a) which  sheet extends below the conveyor to protect the belt  conveyor (8). 6 - Machine according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 5, charac  terized in that it comprises, behind the cutting blade (7) a  inclined plane (9) which inclined plane extends on the one hand over the lar  cutter blade and other parts of the blade  above said conveyor, to convey the stems cut by the  blade (7) on the conveyor belt (8). 7 - Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which  comprises two so-called "divider" members (4), arranged in front and  on either side of the cutting blade (7), each of these dividers (4)  being carried by an elastic blade (4a) fixed to the chassis (-2a) derla  machine and comprising, at its free end, a metal part  of a general triangular shape (4c) forming a point (4d) to its  end, characterized in that each of said dividers comprises  te flexible curved rods - (4f; 14gZ4h) fixed to said: piece  triangular (4c) and diverging on the sector side (13), which ti  ges consist of parts of steel cable. 8 - Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that each di  viewfinder 4 further comprises at least one flexible rod (4t) extending  in an oblique direction between the dividers (4): from the part  this triangular metallic (4c) up to approximately the blade  cutting (7) the free end (4t1) of the rod coming close to  the latter (7).  9 - Machine according to claim 8, characterized in that said  triangular end piece (4c) has cylin housings  bricks (4th) diverging from the tip (4d) of said part towards  the back of it, in which housings (4th) are engaged  the cable parts (4f / 4g / 4h), which are fixed by solder  re to said housings and from the side (4j) of the point (4d) of said  room. 10- Machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the part  of cable (4h), delimiting the divider at its upper part, is  engaged in a guide (16) of a circular cross section, fixed  to said chassis (2a / 13) and comprises on either side of said guide  (16) an adjustable position stop ring (17/18).