GB2217566A - Straw chopper and weed seed collector for combine harvesters - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for attachment to a combine harvester comprises a wheeled-trailer having a first hopper 1 positionable to receive chaff from the combine and a second hopper 2 for receiving straw from the combine straw outlet. Hopper 1 includes a shaking riddle through which weed seeds pass to container 3, the chaff passing via auger 16 and chute 17 to a distributor 11 for distribution over the ground. Hopper 2 includes a gauze 4 through which weed seeds pass to container 3, and a conveyor 5 feeding straw to a knife 9, the chopped straw passing to distributor 11. Means may be provided to cover hopper 2 if it is desired to lay unchopped straw on the ground. <IMAGE>

Description

The "BAYNAM" GROUND CLEANING ATTACHMENT This Invention relates to the cleaning of the land where Combine Harvesters are used.

Until the 20th. Century corn had been cut by hand and when ripe was carried to the barns and threshed out. All the weed seeds were then taken away and burned.

With the arrival of the Reaping machine and later the Self Binder the corn was cut leaving about four inches of stubble. By so doing the main of the weeds were tied into the sheaves. After the corn had been taken to the farm a mechanical Threshing Machine came and threshed out the corn and the weed seeds and rubbish were separated and blown into aheap ready for distruction, the result was that the land did not become weed infested so no artificial method of control was necessary.

The scene changed with the advent of the Combine Harvester which instead of collecting the weed seeds broadcast them back onto the land to multiply. This resulted in weed infestation and chemical sprays were introduced to control their growth and contaminating the land and destroying Wild Life.

For these reasons I have invented a machine which will reverse this process.

The machine is an attachment to a combine harvester which will collect all the weed seeds and rubbish which then can be destroyed. It also embodies a straw cutter to reduce the straw to chaff thereby eliminating straw burning.

To cover all contingencies, including baling, I have designed the machine, Figure 2, so that a chute 8 can be quickly and easily fitted covering the straw hopper 2 allowing the straw a direct passage to the ground.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1. shows the layout of the hoppers, conveyor belt, gauze base, drive sprocket, collecting chamber and the withdrawal base.

Figure 2. shows the layout as in Figure 1 but with the machine fitted for passing out the straw ready for baling etc.

Figure 3. This shows the position of the straw cutter, the chute and the distribution plate.

Figure 4. This shows the drawbar and the land wheels.

The machine is of simple construction with the least possible mechanism and complications.

The machine is attached to the Combine and driven direct by by a chain and sprocket 14 which is fitted with a fast and loose drive dog.

As in 1 the machine is fitted with two hopppers 1 & 2. The one which fits under the Combine to catch the weed seed and chaff 1 is fitted with a shaking riddle 15 through which the weed seeds are passed through and collected in a container 3. The chaff and short straw are then conveyed by an auger 16 into a chute 17 and deposited onto the distributor 11. Then the seeds and dross need removing from the container 3 a sliding base plate 6 can be withdrawn, preferably onto a hard standng or sheet from which they can be disposed of.

Immediately behind the first hopper 1 is a second hopper 2 which is situated directly beneath the straw walkers so as to collect the straw. At the base of 2 is situated a gauze 4 through which any over throw of weed seeds can be deposited into the container 3. Above this gauze is a conveyor belt 5 which conveys the straw under a compression roller through an apature an is cut into chaff by knife or chobbler 9. this chaff is then blown down a chute 10 onto a revolving distribution plate 11. where it is scattered which allows other cultivations to be carried out without delay.

As shown in Figure 2 if the straw is to be left un-chaffed for any other reason the board at the rear of 2 can be removed by undoing and removing the locking bolt 13. A chute 8 is then positioned which covers the second hopper 2 and this deposites the straw directly onto the ground.

Prior to this operation the sprockets 14 must be placed in the loose position. This does not interfere with the desposits entering hopper 1.

The land wheels 7 are fitted at the rear of the machine and are of a castor type to allow easy turning and avoid push skidding.

A drawbar 12 as in figure 4, is fitted and can easily be removed if not required.

The weed seeds which are collected in 3 could be used for other commercial purposes.

It is envisaged that this attachment will save much of the pollution of the countryside, protect the Wild Life, reduce the chemical spraying and its effect on human and wild life and in return be of financial benefit to the Agricultural Industry.

It is anticipated that this attachment be only a temporary measure and that future combines will have these additions incorporated in their structure. This would make the Combine harvester a complete harvester.

Safety It is essential that no repairs are carried out whilst the machine is in motion, and that all safety guards are in position and secure when the machine is operative.

Storage On completion of the harvest it is recommended that the machine be cleaned down and all moving parts oiled or greased. Note should be taken of any worn or damaged parts which have to be ordered and replaced.

Distribution The requirement of this machine and its distribution could be world wide wherever Combine Harvesters are used.

The initial cost of the machine would soon be recovered by the saving of materials, time and labour.

This machine could be instrumental in making the countryside a cleaner and healthier place in which to live.

Claims (6)

1 This attachement when fitted to a Combine Harvester is of an improvement to the Agricultural Industry and the Countryside.

2 With the reduction of operational costs, ie no straw burning and a reduction of chemical spraying.

3 Pollution of the atmosphere would improve from the result of Claim 2.

4 Wild Life would be at less risk.

5 Nature could be fully oeprative when the results of the operation in Claim 2 had become fully operative.

6. The attachmemt is provided with a drawbar to attach it to the main machine.

7, A spinner is fitted to the rear of the machine to ditribute the material which has passed through the attachment over a wide area, 8. That the weed seeds collected by the attachment are retained in a receptical situated below the hoppers.

6 With the fitting of differently graded riddles this attachment as in Claim 1 could be used World wide on varing crops.

Amttazi "lairs, 1. An attachment of this nature secured to a chassis can be adapted to fit Combine Harvesters.

2. This attachment is fitted with caster type wheels so as to enable it to turn in any direction easily.

3. The attachment being fitted with these wheels avoid the pushing of obstr uction when turning.

4. The Hoppers, which are a part of the attachment, are situated to pure that all residue from the Combine passes into the attachment.

5. When the straw is required for other purposes a slide is fitted to divert it from the attachment.