MXPA06000597A - Row divider having a variable-height ear saver - Google Patents

Abstract

For a row crop header, a row divider having a variable-height ear saver feature. The row divider comprises a point, a cover, and a partition. The point has a trailing edge vertically moveable relative to the cover. The partition fills a resultant gap between the point and the cover, forming a variable-height ear saver feature. A crankshaft functions to articulate the trailing edge relative to the cover, and to move the partition vertically with the trailing edge. A support functions to support the point at a midpoint. Aguide constrains the partition within the gap.

Description

RIVER DIVIDER HAVING A VARIABLE HEIGHT COVERS SAVOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to headers of agricultural combine, and more specifically to a header row divider having cob savers of varying height.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION An agricultural combine is a large machine used to harvest a variety of crops from a field.

During a harvest operation, a headboard on the front of the combine cuts the mature crop from the field. A feeder box that supports the header transfers the harvest material to the combine. The threshing and separation sets within the combine remove the grain from the harvest material and transfer the clean grain to a grain tank for temporary containment. The harvest material other than grain comes out of the back of the combine. A discharge auger transfers the clean grain from the grain tank to a truck or grain cart for transportation, or to another recipient for containment.

Row and maize crop heads are types of, headboards commonly used when harvesting row-seeded plants such as soybeans and corn. These types of headboards have row dividers that extend forward from the headboard to divide the rows to harvest and guide the harvest material into the header row units that cut the harvest. When the corn is harvested, a corn head, the row dividers can be equipped with a feature called a cob savior to prevent corn cobs from falling on the front of the head during the harvesting operation. Traditionally, the cob savior was either a removal component holding the row splitter or a non-removable and permanent design feature of the row unit.

In standing corn, it is desirable to have a relatively high ear savior to essentially prevent corn cobs from falling overboard while harvesting is done. However, in the conditions of fallen corn, a relatively tall ear rescuer creates a tilt on the row divider that is too steep for the crop to slide easily over and into the row units. For a cob savior that is a non-removable and permanent design feature of the row divider, maximizing the height of the ear splitter for one condition compromises the performance of the cob savior for the other condition. Alternatively, removable cob saviors are often lost, can slip off the machine and cause damage, and are consumers of time to install and remove with changing crop conditions.

SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION This invention allows a variable ear saver height without removing or installing separate components for the row splitter. The cob savior in this invention is a feature resulting from a difference in relative height between the row splitter point and the row divider cover. The row dividing point in this invention is vertically movable relative to the row cover. Therefore, moving the point up or down in relation to the cover varies the height of the cob savior. In standing maize conditions, the point is put to a normal working position, resulting in a height of maximum corncob savior. In low maize conditions, where it is desirable to provide a minimum resistance to the harvest material that slides over the row divider, the point is set to a lower working position, resulting in a minimum height of sapling height. .

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a row crop header.

Figure 2 is a detailed perspective view showing a head row splitter.

Figure 3 is a detailed perspective view for the bottom of two row dividers.

Figure 4 is a side view of the row crop header showing the row divider with the front part in a lowered work position.

Figure 5 is a side view of the row crop header showing the row divider, with a front part in a normal working position.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the division of the row head with the front part in the lowered work position.

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the division of the row divider with the front part in the normal working position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a corn head with reference to the coordinated axes X, Y and Z. In the following detailed description, the X-axis defines a horizontal longitudinal, with the positive X direction defined forward. The Y-axis defines the vertical, with the positive Y direction defined upwards. The Z-axis defines a horizontal side with the positive Z direction defined on the right.

The head corn 10 in the illustrated embodiment consists of a frame 12, multiple row units 14 distributed along the frame 12, a divider row 16 placed between each row unit 14, a conveying hole 18 behind the units of row 14, and an opening 20 in the center of the head 10 carrying inside the combined one. Referring to Figure 1, the frame 12 extends laterally through the full width of the head 10 and functions to support the head structure. The row units 14 extend longitudinally forward from the frame 12 and function to cut and collect the rows of standing maize. Row dividers 16 are mounted above the row units 14 and function to divide and guide the rows that are standing toward the cutting portions 22 and collection of row units 14. The conveyor auger 18 extends laterally across the width of the head 10 and functions to bring the crop of cut corn to the head opening 20 and into the combined one.

The swath divider 16 in the illustrated embodiment is comprised of a front portion called a tip 24, a back portion called a cover 26, and a split that fills a resulting vertical and lateral separation 30 between the tip 24 and the cover 26. Referring to figure 2, the tip 24 is a component having a tapered surface 32 which sweeps longitudinally rearwardly from a forward location 34 to a tail edge of arches up 36. the tip 24 serves the primary function of the row divider 16 of dividing and guiding the rows of corn standing up to the row units 14. The cover 26 is a component having a surface 38 that sweeps longitudinally backward from below the tail edge 36 of the tip 24. cover 26 functions to shield the crop material cut from the moving parts 40 of the row unit 40 as the crop passes to the combine. Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the region between the surface 38 of the cover 26 and the tail edge 36 of the tip 24 defines the resulting vertical and lateral separation 30. With the division 28 present, this feature becomes a savior of cob 42, working to prevent the ears of corn falling on the front of the head 10 during a harvesting operation.

A crankshaft 44 comprising a shaft 46 and crankpins 48 and 50 'at either end, extending laterally across the width of the tip 24 near the edge of tail 36. Referring to Figure 3, the shaft 46 holds rotatably to the front cover 26, the tip 24 pivotally holding the crankpins 48 and 50, and the partition 28 slidably holding the crankpins 48 and 50. the crankshaft 44 functions to articulate the edge 36 of tail the tip 24 vertically in relation to the surface 38 of the cover 26, while pivoting movement at point 24 around crankshaft journals 48 and 50 is also allowed. Crankshaft 44 also functions to vertically move division 28 together with tail edge 36, thereby maintaining the coverage of the spacing 30 for ear saver function 42. A support 52 extends longitudinally forward from the pairs of adjacent row units 14, functioning to support the tip 24, which rests on a support 52 at midpoint 54 below the surface 32 of the tip 24. A guide 56 fastened to the front of the cover 26 functions to constrict the partition 28 longitudinally within the gap 30. An operator can move the crankshaft 44 manually, fixing it in place with a shaft lock 58 , such as a spring-loaded locking bolt shown in the illustrated embodiment. Alternatively, an actuator (not shown) such as an electric motor or a hydraulic cylinder, can move and maintain the position of the crankshaft 44 under the remote control of the operator or of an electronic controller.

During a harvesting operation under normal conditions, the position of the crankshaft 44 is normally set to an elevated position, as shown in Figure 5, whereby the crank pins 48 and 50 are oriented directly above the axis 46. The position of the raised crankshaft 44 results in a raised tail edge position 36 and at the maximum spacing 30 between the tail end 36 and the surface 38 of the cover 26, providing a maximum 42 lifeline saver performance. During a low corn harvesting operation, the crankshaft 44 can be rotated so as to lower the tail edge 38 relative to the cover surface 38, as shown in Figure 4, thereby reducing the angle of the point 24 in relation to the horizontal and minimizing the resistance for the crop material to slide on the row divider 16. The illustrated embodiment has only one crankshaft position 44 lowered, whereby the crankshaft journals 48 and 50 are oriented directly below the shaft 46. This lowered crankshaft position 44 results in a minimum clearance 30 between the tail edge 36 and the surface 38 of the cover 26. Alternatively,. the intermediate crankshaft positions 44 can be provided. In addition, the use of an actuator can allow an infinite number of intermediate crankshaft positions 44.

Having described the preferred embodiment it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (14)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A row splitter for a head of an agricultural harvester, the row splitter comprises: a front part for guiding a harvest material into the headboard, the front part having a tapered surface sweeping longitudinally backward from a front location to a tail edge that arches upward, the front edge of the tail having a position of normal work, and one or more "descending work positions; a back part for covering a part of the headboard, the rear part having a surface that sweeps longitudinally back and forth from below the front edge of the tail; a division for retaining the harvest material on the headboard, the division has a flat surface essentially extending vertically and laterally between the front surface and the back surface when the front edge of the tail is in the position of work norm l.

2. The row splitter as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that it also comprises: a support to hold the frontal part vertically; Y a crankshaft to move vertically and fasten the front part to the headrest in the form of a pivot, the crankshaft having a laterally extending axle that can rotate in relation to the rear part, and having one or more crankshaft crankshaft off-centered by rotating fastening to the front near the tail edge.

3. The row splitter as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that it further comprises an axle lock for selectively securing the crankshaft in a desired working position.

4. The row splitter as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that it also comprises: a guide to longitudinally restrict the division; Y the crankshaft to move vertically and fasten the division to the headboard, with one or more crankshaft crankshaft offset by slidably fastening to the division.

5. The row splitter as claimed in clause 4, characterized in that it also comprises an axle closure to selectively secure the crankshaft in a desired working position.

6. A row splitter for a head of an agricultural harvester, the row splitter - comprises: a front part for guiding the harvest material inside the headboard, the front part having a tapered surface sweeping longitudinally backward from a front location to a tail edge arching upward, the front edge tail having a position of normal work, and one or more work positions descended; a back part for covering a part of the headboard, the rear part having a surface that sweeps longitudinally backwards from below the tail edge of the front part; a division for retaining the harvest material on the headboard, the division having a flat surface essentially extending vertically and laterally between the surface of the front part and the surface of the rear part; a support to hold the frontal part vertically; a guide to longitudinally restrict the division; Y a crankshaft to move vertically and fix in the form of piyote the front part to the headboard, and to move vertically and fasten the division to the headboard, the crankshaft having a central line extending laterally that can rotate in relation to the rear part, and having one or more crankshaft pins rotatingly attached to the front near the tail edge, and slidably holding the split.

7. The row splitter as claimed in clause 6, characterized in that it further comprises an axle closure for selectively securing the crankshaft in a desired working position.

8. A headboard for an agricultural combine, the headboard comprises. a frame to hold the headboard; two or more row units for cutting the harvest material, each row unit having a structure extending longitudinally forward from the frame; Y one or more row dividers, each row splitter having a structure extending longitudinally above portions of two adjacent row units, each row splitter comprising: a front part for guiding the harvest material inside the headboard, the front part having a tapered surface sweeping longitudinally backward from a front location to a tail edge that arches upward, the front edge tail having a position of normal work and one or more descending work positions; a back part for covering a part of the headboard, the back part having a surface sweeping longitudinally backwards from below the front edge of the tail; a division for retaining the harvest material on the head, the division having a flat surface essentially extending vertically and laterally between the front surface and the rear surface.

9. The header as claimed in clause 8, characterized in that it also comprises: a support to hold the frontal part vertically; Y a crankshaft for vertically moving and pivotally fastening the front part to the headboard, the crankshaft having a central line extending laterally that can rotate relative to the rear part, and having one or more off-center crankshaft pins rotatably fastened to the front part near the tail edge.

10. The headrest as claimed in clause 9, characterized in that it further comprises an axle closure to selectively secure the crankshaft in a desired working position.

11. The header as claimed in clause 9, characterized in that it also comprises: a guide to longitudinally restrict the division; Y the crankshaft to move vertically and fasten the division to the headboard, with one or more crankshaft crankshaft offset by slidably fastening to the division.

12. The headrest as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that it further comprises an axle closure for selectively securing the crankshaft in a desired working position.

13. A headboard for an agricultural combine, the headboard comprises: a frame to hold the headboard; two or more row units for cutting the harvest material, each row unit having a structure extending longitudinally forward from the frame; Y one or more row dividers, each row splitter having a structure extending longitudinally above portions of two adjacent row units, each row splitter comprising: a front part for guiding a harvest material into the headboard, the front part having a tapered surface sweeping longitudinally backward from a front location to a tail edge that arches upward, the front edge of the tail having a position of normal work and one or more descending work positions; a back part for covering a part of the headboard, the back part having a surface sweeping longitudinally backwards from below the front edge of the tail; a division for retaining the harvest material on the head, the division having a flat surface essentially extending vertically and laterally between the front surface and the rear surface; a support to hold the frontal part vertically; a guide to longitudinally restrict the division; Y a crankshaft for vertically moving and pivotally fastening the front to the headboard, and for moving vertically and securing the split to the headboard, the crankshaft having a central line extending laterally that can rotate relative to the rear, and having one or more off-center crankshaft bolts rotatably fastened to the central part near the tail edge and slidably fastening to the partition.

14. The headboard as described in clause 13, characterized in that it also comprises an axle closure for selectively securing the crankshaft in a desired working position. SUMMARY For a row crop header, a crop divider that has a variable height cob savior feature. The crop divider comprises a point, a cover and - a division. The tip has a tail edge that can move vertically in relation to the cover. The division fills a resulting gap between the tip and the cover, forming a variable-height cob savior feature. A crankshaft works to articulate the tail edge in relation to the deck, and to move the division vertically with the tail edge. A bracket works to hold the tip at the middle point. A guide constrains the division within the separation.