GB170070A - Improvements in implements or machines for harvesting maize - Google Patents

Abstract

170,070. Du Plessis, D. J., and Verster, J. D. H. July 7, 1920. Thrashing-machines for harvesting and stripping maize cobs from the growing plants comprise a frame 1, 3, 4 supported on rollers 15, 16 and carrying one or more pairs of cob-detaching chains. The chains, which are driven from the rollers 16 through a clutch 22, chain 28, shaft 30, bevelgear 39 and sprockets 41, are arranged to diverge slightly from the front to the rear of the machine and are carried on frames 10, 11, 12, 13 pivoted on the axle 5 of the rollers and adjustable to varv their inclination to the ground, the rear end of the chains being maintained much higher than the front end. The chains pass at the front round sprockets 44 on brackets 45 which are adiustable to permit the distance between the two members of each pair of chains to be varied. Each chain consists of a number of links, each link being constructed in one piece with an outstanding finger 50, The fingers are preferably bevelled off to form a cutting-edge to cut through any cobs that might be gripped too tightly between the fingers. The fingers penetrate between the stalks and as the machine moves on pass upwards along the stems, stripping the cobs and carrying them rearwardly along a tray 53 to a container 55, the plant stems being held and crushed downwards by the rollers 16. The stems are guided to the rollers and chains by guides 51 which converge from the front of the machine, run parallel to each other for a short distance and then diverge, these guides also serving to support the fingers 50. Guards 57 which cover the sprockets 41 and 44 are provided with inner vertical edges which hold the cobs on the fingers. The driving-chain 28 may be maintained under tension by a heavy roller 58 bearing on the chain and carried by links 59. The frames 10-13 may be set at the desired inclination by operating a hand-lever 62 secured to the frame and movable along a quadrant 64 secured to the main frame 1.