GB2239156A

GB2239156A - Separating device for root crop harvesters

Info

Publication number: GB2239156A
Application number: GB8928569A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Roy Scott
Original assignee: Reekie Manufacturing Ltd
Current assignee: Reekie Manufacturing Ltd
Priority date: 1989-12-19
Filing date: 1989-12-19
Publication date: 1991-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 2009-12-19
Also published as: GB8928569D0; GB2239156B

Abstract

A roller table separating device 3 fitted to a root crop harvester is mounted to allow ready adjustment of longitudinal operating angle of table to suit crop conditions. Adjustment is by actuators controlled either manually by operator or by automatic level sensors pre-set to relate table angle to horizontal irrespective of angle of slope being traversed in work. Due to the relative position of pivot points of the roller table, and the linkage of roller table to feed conveyor 1, the height of drop of the crop from feed conveyor to table and from table to loading conveyor is minimum and is maintained so, thereby reducing possibility of crop bruising/damage at that point. <IMAGE>

Description

A SEPARATING DEVICE FOR ROOT VEGETABLE HARVESTER The invention relates to the method of application of a roller table device for separating potatoes and other root crops from stones, clods, haulm, weeds etc. on a root crop harvester.

Roller separator tables having up to 10 rubber rollers in pairs (one spiral and one plain) rotating towards each other and both conveying and separating the crop are well known in American produced harvesters.

In this known application, they are normally positioned between a rising conveyor running forward alongside the harvester, and the cross conveyor loader feeding into truck or trailer. In this application the table is restricted in width to about 10 rollers 40" i.e. 5 spiral and 5 plain.

According to the present invention the roller table is the full width of the digging/separating belts of a two-row harvester i.e. app. 16 rollers (60" wide) and it is mounted complete with special feed conveyor web belt on the rear of the harvester, separating stones, clods, weeds etc. prior to discharge into loading elevator.

A very important requirement for the efficient operation of this type of device is that angle of operation must be correct to effect efficient separation relative to particular conditions and although in flat field conditions this would not cause a great problem, in conditions where the harvester was travelling up and down gradients the efficiency of separation would be impaired if the roller table maintained a fixed angle relative to harvester chassis.

According to the present invention the roller table is mounted and fed in such a way to allow it to be adjusted in operating angle either manually (through electric or hydraulic acctuators) from the tractor seat or preferably automatically by a level controller to maintain the correct pre-set angle of operation, irrespective of angle of slope being travelled up or down.

Another important feature of the invention is that the roller separating table and its feed conveyor are constructed and mounted in such a way that the drop of crop from the feed conveyor to roller table and the drop from the roller table to the conveyor/loading elevator remain constant irrespective of angle of table. This is an important feature as height of drop is directly relevant to possible bruising damage to potatoes being harvested and therefore it is very desirable to maintain minimum transfer point drops at all times.

Referring to Fig. 1 This shows plan view of roller separator table with spiral rubber roller 3 and plain rubber rollers 4, mounted on frame 6 and driven through gearbox 1 by hydraulic motors 2, the rollers being supported on bearings on frame at their discharge end 5.

Referring to Fig. 2 This shows the rear of a 2 Row in-line potato/vegetable harvester with the crop being deposited on feed conveyor 1 of separation unit, which in turn deposits crop on to roller separator table at 9.

The roller table 3 is mounted to pivot about its discharge end at 4 and is in turn coupled to articulating section of feed conveyor so that when roller-table 3 is raised cr lowered, the end of the feed conveyor 2 moves in unison with roller table by articulating at 6 and thereby maintaining height of drop between end of conveyor 2 and rollers 7.

Referring to Fig. 3 This shows an alternative application arrangement also allowing manual or automatic control of angle of table 1 relative to chassis of harvester 3 by having discharge end of table supported on pins 2 in horizontal slides on chassis, feed end 4 of roller table is mounted relative to shaft 5 of harvester conveyor whereby when the angle of the table is adjusted manually or automatically shaft 5 moves up or down accordingly, maintaining height of drop between conveyor and roller table. As this adjustment is made the discharge end moves slightly in a horizontal direction along slide slots on chassis at 2 i.e. when table is raised support pins on table move forward in slot and vice versa.

Claims

CLAIM 1

A two row root vegetabl harvester having a roller separator the full width of harvester main web conveyors and mounted on chassis of harvester in such a way to allow it to be fed with crop from harvester and allowing ins longitudinal operating angle of incli nation to be adjusted by tie operator,or automatically,while on the move and in work.

CLAIM 2 A 2-row root/vegetable harvester as in claim 1 having a full width roller separator table mounted on chassis of harvester to pivot about its discharge Uud arlu be raised or lowered either by electric or hydraulic actuators, to increase or decrease angle of inclination.

CLAIM 3 A 2 row root/vegetable harvester as in claim 2 having a full width roller separator table mounted on chassis for adjustment of operating angle by hydraulic or cleot:iic actuation and having that actuation controlled by operator on tractor to allow adjustment to be made to angle of inclination while in work.

CLAIM 4 A 2 row root/vegetable harvester as in claim 3 having a full width roller separator table mounted on chassis for adjustment of operating angle. Having electric or hydraulic actuation controlled automatically by level controller mounted on chassis to maintain pre-set angle of roller table relative to horizontal when travelling up or down slopes in field.

CLAIM 5 A 2 row root/vegetable harvester as in claim 4 having a full-width roller separator table mounted for adjustment of operating angle and being inter-connected to feed conveyor discharge point so that any vertical movement of roller table is automatically transferred to discharge end of feed conveyor to maintain a fixed relationship between feed conveyor and roller table.

CLAIM 6 A 2 row root/vegetable harvester as in claim 5 having a roller separator table fed from articulating feed conveyor able to pivot about a point along its length to vary height of discharge relative to chassis of harvester.