GB1474507A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1474507 Harvesting sugar cane P C BELL and G W BELL 7 Oct 1975 [15 Oct 1974] 40914/75 Heading A1F A cane harvester 10 has a base cutter assembly 12 comprising a reciprocatory cutter 18 for cutting cane at or adjacent the ground and a pivotally mounted gathering arm 30, the gathering arm 30 being swung by means of an hydraulic ram 28 from a position substantially behind the edge of the cutter, for supporting and gathering cane being cut to a position for depositing cut cane, substantially alongside the cutter 18. The cutter 18 is slidably mounted, for horizontal reciprocating movement, in a support sleeve 12.6 of a support arm 12.1 pivotally attached to the frame 10.1 of the harvester for movement in a vertical plane, into and out of its working position. The cutter 18 is held in the sleeve by springs 20 and reciprocated by an eccentric 22. The harvester 10 also comprises a grab 36 for picking up cut cane deposited by the gathering arm and a reciprocatory cutter 38. movable in a vertical plane, for cutting the leaf tops from cane being held by the grab. Positioning of the cutter assembly 12, the grab 36 and the cutter 38 is achieved by hydraulic or pneumatic rams. The harvester may be tractor mounted or, as shown, self-propelled and steered by controlling the operation of hydraulic motors (not shown) which independently drive the wheels 10.2.