USRE22279E - Corn picker - Google Patents

Description

March 2, 1943. B. M. HYMAN ET AL Re. 22,279

CORN PI CKER Original Filed May 27, 1938 14 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 2, 1943. B. M. HYMAN ETAL 22,279

CORN PICKER Original Filed May 27, 1938 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 2, 1943. B. M. HYMAN ETAL 22,229

CORN PICKER Original Filed May 27, 1938 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 I 7206 Mars By f March 2, 1943.

Original Fild May 27, 1938 /2a/21 /06- m8 mg l 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 g. as Q Q) Q Q g Q g o g Q a ,1 0 Q g Inventors BJZIT JZZNMZZ 13.65 wa on March 2, 1943 I HYMAN ET AL 22,279

CORN PICKER Original Filed May 1938 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 2, 194-3. 5 M, HYMAN ET A Re. 22,279

CORN PICKER Original Filed May 27, 1938 l4 Sheets-Sheet 6 lift March 2, 1943. B. M. HYMAN ET AL 22,279

CORN PICKER Original Filed May 27, 1958 14 Sheets-Sheet 7 n f 3 L90 l l J Aw /88 /86 A99 65 Inventors ii Mlfj'ymarz 13C. Fe yason.

March 2, 1943. BQM HYMAN EI'AL Re. 22,279

CORN BECKER Original Filed May 27, 1958 14 Sheets -Sheet 8 March 2, 1943. M, HYMAN ETAL Re. 22,279

CORN PICKER Original Filed May 27, 1938 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 B. M. HYMAN ET AL V CORN PICKER March 2, 1943.

Original Filed May 2'7, 1958 14 Sheets-Sheet 1O I 114 5/2/0/ 3 I H. N. if 1 1/14 r4 M. (J. Rik (1.9021

.March 2, 194-3. E, M HYMAN AL Re. 22,279

CORN FICKER Original Filed May 27, 1958 14 Sheets-Sheet 11 w E. 4m ilE IQ.

March 2, 1943. B; M. HYMAN ET AL 22,279

CORN PKGKER Original Filed May 27. 1958 14 Sheets-Sheet 12 Q I72 verztors g} Jilflifgman B Fezqason March 2, 1943. B. M. HYMAN ETAL 22,279

CORN PICKER Original Filed May 27, 1958 14 Sheets-Sheet 13 Inventors ymarzHZCFgyaw/z 3y I AM March-2, 1943. M. HYMAN ET AL Re. 22,279

CORN PICKER Original Filed May 2'7, 1938 1-4- Sheets-Sheet 14 H [nae/Mars B. M. [j yumm 1. C. l' fga 19071 Reissued Mar. 2, 1943 Re. 22,279 v CORN PICKER Benjamin M. Hyman, Molinc, 111., and Rector C.

Fergason, La Porte, Ind., assignors to International Harvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey Original No. 2,255,168, dated September 9, 1941, Serial No. 210,464, May 27, 1938. Application for reissue December 1, 1941, Serial No. 421,254

53 Claims.

i the implement be capable of quick attachment to and detachment from the tractor and be easily controlled in its mounted position on the tractor.

Tractor mounted corn harvesters of various types are well known and their construction often embodies the rigid attachment to the tractor of various devices, such as gathering units, husking units, and elevators. These units are generally cumbersome, hard to handle during operation, and difficult, if not impossible, to remove from the tractor. In some instances wherein the various units do not normally balanceone another, heavy springs or bracing for this purpose is required. In other instances, corn pickers have been provided which have supporting wheels of their own and are not entirely supported through their mounting on the tractor.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved, tractor-mounted corn picker, which will not be subject to the disadvantages above mentioned.

Another object is to provide in a corn picker a rigid unit composed of husking and gathering units supported in balanced relation over the rear axle of a tractor.

Still another object is to provide for a. corn picker a separate rigid unit composed of a feed device and a wagon elevator which is supported from the husker unit of the corn picker.

A further object is the provision of an improved feed between the husker unit and the wagon elevator of alcorn picker.

Another object of the invention is to provide a corn picker which is supported imbalanced relation over the rear axle of a tractor by a framework carried by and beneath the rear axle.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of quick attachable means for supporting a corn picker from points beneath the axle of a tractor.

Another object is the provision of rigidly united anism which will cause the wagon elevator to raise as the gathering unit is raised. I

Another object is to provide a pair of rigid units, each composed of gathering and husker units in balanced relation over the opposite ends of the rear axle, and a third rigid unit composed of an auger feed device and a wagon elevator carried by the husker units.

Another object is to provide an improved device for use in conveying ears of corn between a husker unit and a wagon elevator.

.A further object is the provision of, an improved feed device of special form which may function as a reservoir.

Still another object is to provide a feed device between a husker unit and a wagon elevator, which comprises an auger feed free from support at its end adjacent the wagon elevator, so that a satisfactory discharge'of ears from the auger feed will result.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a shield for the front of a, tractor carrying corn picker units which will allow easy access to the crank of the engine.

A further object is to provide an improved counterbalancing device for controlling the balance of a corn picker supported from a tractor.

Another object is the provision in a tractor mounted corn picker with an attached wagon elevator of a device for preventing the lowering of the wagon'elevator as the forward time: the picker is moved away from the ground-.

Still another object is to provide a heater with the husker of a corn picker for directing the discharge of husks from the husker'...,

A further object is the provisionof paddle adapted to rotate with the axle of a tractor sup-- porting a corn picker to prevent the entangle;-- ment of husks with the axle and any devices attached to the axle.

Another object is the provision of a supporting framework for'a corn picker, which will allow the attachment of the picker to tractors of dif ferent wheel bases.

Other objects will appear from the disclosure.

According to the present invention, a picking unit, composed of rigidly united gathering and husker units, is mounted in balanced relation over the rear axle of a tractor between one rear wheel and the engine and is supported by a framework which is positioned beneath the rear axle and carried thereby. A secondrigid unit,

- composed of an auger feed device and a wagon elevator, is supported by the husker unit. There may be either one or two picking units positioned over the rear axle. If there is only one unit.-

the auger feed and wagon elevator'are supported not. only by the husker but also by a framework which extends from the rear axle of .the tractor onthe side opposite from which the picker unit is-mounted. In a.-construction*where there are two picker units, one on either side of the engine,

the auger feed device-"and wagon elevators-re the connection, between the gathering units and wagon elevator;

Figure 19 he detail showing a beater in a husker unit and a paddlemounted on the rear axle of a-tractor adjacent the husker unit;

Figure 20 shows a plan view of a construction wherein there are two picker units mounted on a tractor;

carried by the two husker units oi the .two picker units. The wagon elevator andaugerfeed 'device are detachable as a unit from the. picker Detachment or this rigid unit allows a simple and easy detachment of the picker units from the axle of the tractor. For this'purpose, a jack is placed 'under the hus'ker unit and the tramework which supports the picker-unit, isdetached from the axle of the tractor and allowed todrop to the ground, Then, the jack is;

removed and the tractor driven away from the picker unit, which is left standing on the ground.

In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a plan view of a tractor with a single picker unit mounted thereon; Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the structure of Figure 1 with one wheel of the tractor re- Figure 3 shows a elevator removed Figure 4 shows a section taken along the line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a section taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a view generally similar to that of Figure 3, but taken in perspective and intended to show the manner in which the auger feed device and wagon elevator are supported by the husker unit: t

Figure 7 is a side view showing in detail the husker unit and the manner in which the picker unit is supported from the tractor;

Figure 8 is a detail showing the rigid unit composed of the wagon elevator and auger feed device intended ior the construction where there is but a single picker unit mounted on the tractor;

Figure 9 shows a picker unit detached from the tractor;

Figure 10 is a section taken along the line ili-I0 of Figure 9 Figure 11'is a detail showing in plan the framework usedior supporting a single picking unit on the tractor;

Figure 12 is a side elevation of the same framework;

Figure 13 is a detail showing the manner in which a wagon for receiving corn from the picker is attached to the tractor;

Figure 14 is a plan view of the framework employed for supporting a pair of picker units from the tractor;

Figure 15 shows in side elevation the manner in which the framework is attached to the picker unit;

Figure 16 is a view taken from the rear of the tractor and showing the device attached to the rear axle of a tractor for carrying theframework supporting a single picker unit;

Figure 17 is another view of the same structure taken from the side of the tractor;

Figure 18 is a side view of the corn picker and tractor with some parts omitted, showing the manner in which raising of the gathering unit eflects raising of the wagon elevator; t

Figure 18a is a detail view in plan, showing its view ofthe structure of Figure 1, with the auger feed device and wagon Figure 21 shows a rigid unit composed of- I wagon elevator and auger feed for use with the construction embodying two picker units on a tractor;

Figure 22 is a detail showing the nose portion of a gathering unit;

. Figure 23 is aview in perspective showing the shield for. the front of the engine of a tractor;

Figure 24 is a detail showing provision of a longitudinal adjustment of the gathering chain in a gathering unit; and,

Figure 25 is a section along line 2525 of Figure 8, showingthe auger feed in detail.

.As seen in Figures 1 and 2, there is a tractor Ill oi the well known tricycle type provided with a front truck 3| and'a pair of rear wheels 32 and I3 carried on a rear axle 34 in spaced relation to the tractor body 35. As is to be noted from Figure 1, the rear wheel 32' is spaced a greater distance from theengine than the wheel 33 and,

in this larger spacing, 'a harvester or picker unit 38 is carried. As seen in Figure 2; this picker unit is positioned over the rear axle and is com, posed of a gatheringunit 31 and ahucker unit ll rigidly attached to one another. Supported at the rear of the husker unit 38 is a second rigid unit 39, comprising an auger feed device 40 and a wagon-"elevator -ll. There is also a wagon 42 attachedto the tractor and intended to receive com from the discharge end of the wagon elevator.

The picker unit 36 is positioned in balanced relation over the rear axle and supported by a framework supported in turn from beneath the rear axle. This framework is shown in detail in Figures 11 and 12 and comprises a cross shaft or transverse pipe 45, a' gusset plate 46 rigidly attached thereto at one end having a seriesof openings 46', a rearwardly extending member 41 composed of angle iron,a pair of gusset plates 48 and 49 rigidly attached in spaced relation to one another at the opposite end of the transverse pipe, there being a series of openings 49' in the plate 49, a channel memberill extending upwardly and rearwardly from between the gusset plates with a small notched end plate 5| at its extremity, as well as a pin 52. There are also angle iron members 53 and 54 attached to the gusset plates 48 and 49, and extending forwardly therefrom. There is a brace 55 extending from end a considerable distance.

rigidly attached to the central portion of the 45 and extends rearwardly thereof.

The manner in which this framework is at-' tached to the picker unit may be seen from Fig ures 2, 9, 11 and 12. The member 58 is pivotally attached to the gathering unit by means A bracket 65 is.

pipe

of the connecting piece 59, and the member 54 also is pivotally attached, with the hole BI in the member 54 receiving a bolt 66, and the notch 60 receiving a bolt 81 slidable in an arcuate slot 68 in the gathering unit/ The channel member 50 supports the husker unit 38 with the slotted portion of the plate engaging a bolt 89 attached to the husker unit and the projection 52 engaging an opening in the husker unit. Figure 9 does not show the last mentioned parts in engagement since the picker unit is shown in detached position from the tractor. The method of reaching this detached position will be described later. An angle member II and a flat member 12 extend from a pivotal connection with the member 54 and receive in telescoping relation a tubular member I3 attached to the gatherlng unit. A pin I4 through the tubular member I3 holds the members II, I2 and I3 in extended relation, as shown in Figure 9,.these same members being shown in collapsed position in Figures 2, 11 and 12.

The frame structure of Figures 11 and 12, along with the picker unit, is supported by means shown in Figures 4, 5, 16 and 17. The rear axle 34 of the tractor carries flanges I5, and, on opposite sides of one of these flanges, a pair of plates 16 is bolted. Between these plates, swinging bolts 11 are mounted. Nuts I9 fit on the ends of the bolts and, by this means, the plate I8 may be held in quick detachable relation to the plates I6, with the bolts 11 sliding into slots 18' in the plate I8. A member 80 is bolted to the plate I8, being of channel shape over the portion which is bolted, and having a U-shaped portion 8| at its lower extremity. This member 80 is attached on Y the side of the tractor away from the picker unit. On the same side of the tractor as the picker unit and attached in the same fashion, through plates I6, bolts-TI and a plate I8, is a somewhat similar member 82, which is also of channel shape throughout the major portion of its length, and has a U-shaped portion 83 at its lower extremity. There are openings 84 in the U-shaped portions 8| and 83.

Figures 4 and 5 are sections showing details of the plates 18. Figure 4 shows the plate I8 on the same side of the tractor as the corn picker unit. This plate has an upper flange 88, which engages the plates I6. Figure 5 shows the plate I8 on the opposite side of the tractor, and this plate has a flange 81, which engages the under sideof the plates I6. These flanges 88 nd 81 will tend to counteract the tipping effect produced because there is a picker unit mounted on one side of the tractor and none on the other. In attached position, the framework is carried beneath the rear axle of the tractor with the cross shaft or transverse pipe 45 paralleling it. The plates 46 and 49 of the framework (Figures 11 and 12) fit, respectively, within the'U-shaped portions 8| and 83 of the members 80 and 82 (Figures 16 and 17) with the proper'holes 45' and 49' opposite the holes 84. Pins 88, as shown in Figures 2, 5 and 9, fit through the openings and allow the framework with the picker unit thereon to be swingably supported from beneath the axle of the tractor.

As previously stated,- the picker unit is sup ported in balanced relation. As seen in Figure 2, a spring 89, which counteracts any slight unbalance, is connected at one end, as at 90, to the tractor frame, and at its other end to one end of a bell crank 9| pivoted on the tractor frame. The other end of the bell crank is connected to the angle member 54 of the framework supporting the gathering unit by means of a chain 92.

As previously stated in the description of the framework of Figures 11. and 12, there is a series of openings 46 and 49' in the gusset plates 48 and 49. By this arrangement, tractors of different wheel bases may be accommodated. If the distance between the rear axle 34 and the front wheels 3| is great, then the pins 88, supporting the framework from the tractor, will be inserted in the openings 45' and 49' toward the rear of the gusset plates 48 and 49. Thus, the front end of the gathering unit is kept ahead of the front wheels of the tractor. If the distance between the rear axle and the front wheels is small, the pins 88 are inserted in the openings 48' and 49' toward the front of the gusset plates 48 and 49.

The means for adjusting theposition of the gathering unit with respect to the ground is shown in Figures 9, 16 and 17. A notched arcuate member 93 is attached to the member 82 by means of a connecting piece 94. A lever 95 is pivoted on the piece 94 and arranged to swing about the same center as that of the arcuate member 93, and has a detent which fits in any of the notches of the arcuate member, which detent is controllable from the handle of the lever. As seen in- Figure 9, there is a connecting link 96 composed of a bolt 91 adjustably fixed to a square hollowmember 98 carrying a nut 99 within it threaded to the bolt 91. A rod 100 is attached to the gathering unit at one end and yieldingly attached to the square hollow member by means of a spring IOI. Thus, it will be seen that the link 98 is made yielding by virtue of the spring IM and adjustable in length by means One end of the bolt 91 fits in of the nut 99. an opening I02 in the lever 95. Thus, it will be seen that the link 96 connects the lever 95 and the gathering unit, and changing of the position of the lever effects, by means of the link, a change in position of the gathering unit with respect to the ground.

As shown in Figures 5, 6, l1 and 12, there is a member 41 extending rearwardly from the transverse pipe 45. This member 41 carries at its extremity a bracket I03 (Fi ure 6), which supports one end of a cross pipe I04 at the rear of the tractor. The opposite end of the pipe is supported by the lower part of the husker unit in a pair of swinging bolts and yoke members I05 and I06. As previously stated, a rigid unit 39 composed of an auger feed device 40 and a wagon elevator 4| is supported by the husking unit 38. This supporting is effected by means of a slotted portion MI in the husker, as well as a locking pin l08,.which fits across the slot. This is best seen in Figure 6. A bracket member I09 extends from the cross pipe I04 adjacent its point of support.by,the member 41, and carries at its outer end a supporting yoke IIO of substantially the same shape as the slotted portion I01 in the husker unit and in alinement therewith,- as shown in Figure 6. There isa locking pin III positioned in the supporting yoke similar to the locking pin I08. The auger feed device and wagon elevator, as shown in Figure 8, are supported by these parts with a bearing member I I2 fitting in the supporting yoke H0 and a bearing sleeve II3 fitting in the slotted portion I0I. The axis of the auger feed. device coincides with the heavy center line (Figure 6) extending between the slotted portion I01 and the yoke I I0.

shaft Thacross pipe or shaft I54, in addition to forming means 'for aiding the support of the auger feed deviceand the wagon elevator. supports a gear-box II4. This gear-box is connected with a power take-011 shaft II of the tractor through a universal joint II5, slip clutch H1, and a second universal joint II8, as seen in Figure 7. As seen in Figures 3 and 6, a stub pin is removed and the sleeve slid out of engagement with the opening in the gear I22. By means of the described parts. connection is established between the power take-oil shaftand the sear i22..

As seen in Figure .9, drive of the husker unit and gathering unit is effected by means of this gear. A sprocket chain I24 is driven by the gear I22, which chain, in turn, drives tightener gears I25 and I25, a gear I21 driving the husking rolls of the husker unit, a gear I25 driving the gathering rolls through a shaft I23, 9. gear I30 driving a beater within the husker unit, and a gear I3I driving a fan, also within the husker unit. The portion of the chain extending between the gears I30 and I3I passes over a guide member I32. A gear I33, keyed to the same shaft as the gear I21 for the husking rolls, is a driver for a chain I34, which drives a gear I35 for the ear forwarder of the husking unit, a gear I35 driving the husk conveyer in the husking unit and a tightener gear I31. As seen in Figure 2, there is a gear I35 keyed to the same shaft as the gear I35 but located on the opposite side of the husker.

This gear I35, by means of a chain I35, drives a gear II, which, in turn, drives an elevator I4l (Figure 1) serving to carry the ears from the tion, gathering chains I43, through gears 4,145

and I45, and a chain within a housing I41.

The driving of the auger feed device and the wagon elevator is effected by means of the shaft I23, as shown in Figure 1. Reference is also made to Figures 2, 3, 6 and 8. This shaft I23 (Figures 3 and 6) drives a shaft I48 through a slip clutch I49 controllable by the operator through a link I5II-and lever I5I. The shaft I45 drives a gear I52 supported on it, which, in turn, drives a gear I53. The gear I53 (Fimre 2) meshes with a gear I54 fixed to a shaft I55 (Figures 8 and 25) of the auger feed. This shaft I55 (Figure 25) is supported entirely from one end through the bearing sleeve II3, which extends over a considerable portion of the shaft and is itself supported by the plate I55 with the aid of a conical member I51 In welded connections. The shaft I55 is adapted to rotate within roller bearings H3 in the ends of the sleeve III.

There is a sleeve I53 surrounding the shaft I55 and bearing sleeve H3 and connected to the I 55 through welded plate connections I58. A helical fin I53 is welded to the sleeve I58. These last two parts constitute the auger feed proper. As seen in Figure 19, which among other things shows a section through the auger feed device, a trough I15 partially surrounds the auger feed proper, and there are a flat portion I11 extending upwardly and rearwardly from the trough and a flat shield portion I15 extending back over the auger feed proper.

These part constitute a reservoir or hopper for the corn when the auger feed and wagon elevator are not operating. A flat part I13 (Figures 7 and 8) extends upwardly from the trough over the auger feed proper for the width of the auger feed, which does not come opposite the husker. 1'

The wagon elevator 39 has a conveyer mechanism I5II driven by the gear I54 through a gear I5I, shaft I52, gear I53, sprocket chain I54, and gear I55. The conveyer mechanism iil iscarried within a housing I55 openat its upper side except over a portion connected to a discharge spout I51. From the foregoing description, it is apparent how the gathering unit, the husking unit, the auger feed, and the wagon elevator are driven from .the power take-off II5 through the gear-box I l 4.

In operation, the corn picker is moved over the ground-in a position as shown in Figure 2. When turns are made, however, it is necessary tov raise the gathering unit, as shown in Figure 18. The. natural effectof this would be to lower the wagon elevator to the dotted line position,

, operation of this mechanism may be seen from husker unit,.by means of a link I14.

Figuresls and 18a. Supporting pieces I55 connected 'to the elevator casing I55 carry a bail member I55. A link I" connects the bail mem-' her and abent link I" fastened at its ends to corresponding ends of hell cranks I12 pivotally mounted on the members II and 82 carried by the rear axle 34 of the tractor. The opposite end of the bell crank I12, on the same side of the tractor as the picker unit, is connected to a bracket member I13 on the under side of the The corresponding end of the bell crank I12, supported on the member 55 on the opposite side of the tractor, is connected to the member 41 of the supporting framework by means of a link I15. From this description and from Figure 18, it will be apparent that, as the picker unit moves away from the ground in a clockwise direction (Figure 18), the husker unit and the member 41 move toward the ground, pulling one arm of the bell cranks down in a clockwise direction, and the other arm of the bell cranks will also be moved in a clockwise direction. Consequently, the wagon elevator is moved away from the ground, pivoting about the shaft I55 of the auger feed. It may happen that, through the arrangement shown, an upward movement of the gathering unit will produce only a very slight upward movement of the wagon elevator,

' or the lengths of the arms of the bell crank may be varied so that a considerable upward movement of the wagon elevator is effected. In any event, the important thing is that there be no substantial downward'movementof the wagon elevator, so that neither the elevator casing nor the discharge spout strikes the wagon on turns.

The wagon 42, drawn behind the tractor, has a folding tongue I13 (Figures 7 and 13) clamped between plates I50. A casting I82 is held between these plates by means of a U-shaped pin I3I and has members I" and I54 clamped to its upper and lower sides. Spaced' plates I85 and I88 are fixed between the members I83 and I84 near their ends. A tubular member I81, carryin'g a'limiting flange I88 at one end, extends through openings in theplates I85 andl88, and has attached to its other end spaced pieces. I89 and I90, which receive an end of the bracket 85 attached to the transverse pipe 45 of the supporting framework for the picker unit. A pin I90 holds the bracket 85 between the pieces I89 and I90. A control member I9I in the form of a bell crank is pivoted on the member I83 and is held by a spring against the tubular member I81. The members I83 and I84 and tubular member I81 are supported by a pipe I92 carried beneath the cross pipe I04 by supporting members I93 and I94 (Figures 3 and 6). The parts I82 to I9I and bracket 65 constitute the wagon hitch proper. If, for example-,the wagon is to be attached to the tractor, the tractor is brought into as nearly close to proper position as possible to the wagon tongue. If the casting I 82 is not far enough forward to go between the plates I8I, then the control member I9I may be pushed back out of contact with the pipe I81 and stop flange I88. Then, the members I83 and I84 with the casting I82 maybe slid forwardly with respect to the tractor and into proper relationship with respect to the plates I8I, and the casting and plates will be attached. Whenthe tractor moves forwardly, the control lever I9I will snap back into the position shown in Figure 7.

The detaching of the picker unit from the tract-or will now be described. The unit 39 (Figure 8), comprising the wagon elevator and auger feed device, is released by removal of the pins I08 and III and sliding of the unit out of the slot I01 and supporting yoke IIO (Figures 3 and 6). Then, the link 98 (Figure 9) is disconnected from the tilting lever 95 (Figure 17). A jack I95 (Figure 9) is placed under the husker unit. The pin I90 (Figures '1 and 13) connecting the bracket 86 and the pieces I89 and I90, and the pin I8I holding the casting I82 between the plates I80 are knocked out for disengagement of the wagon hitch. The counterbalancing chain 92 (Figure 2) is disconnected from the member 54 of the supporting framework;- The square sleeve I2I (Figures 3 and 6), engaging the square opening in the gear I22, is slid out of engage ment with the gear, and then the bracket I03 supporting the cross pipe from the member 41; next, the cross pipe I04 is removed from the husker unit by disengagement of the bolts I05 from the yoke members I06. A cross brace I98 (Figures 3 and 6), connecting the husker unit and the member 41, is removed. Then, the supporting pins 88 are knocked out of the plates 46 and 49 (Figures 11 and 12) and the U-portions 8I and 83 (Figures 16 and 17), of the members 80 and 82. Then, the slotted plate 5| and projection 52 of the member 50 are removed from engagement with the bolt 69 and opening in the husker unit (Figure 9), and the supporting framework for the husker unit is allowed to drop to the ground with the member 54 pivoting about the bolt 68, which connects the member 54 to the gathering unit and the bolt 61 sliding in the arcuate slot 68. The pins 88 are replaced in the plates46 and 49. Then, a pipe I91 is slipped. partially Within the transverse pipe 45, as shown in Figure 10, and supported upon a block I98. This pipe prevents tipping of the icker unit when free of the tractor. Then, the

ick I95 is caused to raise the husker unit sufii- I04 is disconnected ciently, so that the ends of the members H and 12 come opposite an opening in the tube 13. The

pin 14 is slipped into the opening and the telescoping members are held in fixed position. Then, the jack is removed, the weight of the picker unit being carried von the framework through the members H, 12 and 13 andpin 14, tipping being prevented by the pipe I91 and block I98. The tractor is now backed away from the picker unit with only the front wheels 3| passing over the transverse pipe 45. The unit is now in the position shown in Figure 9, except that the jack is shown under the husker unit in this figure. When the picker unit is to be attached again to the tractor, the above procedure is reversed.

From the foregoing description it will be'seen that the removal or attachment of the corn picker is comparatively simple and easy. Except for the'removal of the rigid unit 39, comprising the wagon elevator and auger feed device, one man may carry out the entire procedure. The operations are simple and easy to perform, and, when removal is effected, the picker unit, comprising gathering and husker units, rests as a stable and steady unit upon the ground. From this position, reattachment of the picker unit is just as easy as detachment was.

A description has already been given of the various gears and chains on the outside of the husker unit for driving the husker unit. Attention is now directed to Figure 19, which shows a section through the husker unit. There are sets of staggered husker rolls 200-and 20I, of conventional form, driven by gears 203 and 204 and gear 205, coaxially mounted with gear I21 (Figure 9) Over the rolls there is an ear retarder composed of a driving gear 206 coaxially mounted with gear I 35 (Figure 9), a second gear 201, a sprocket chain 208, and ear retarder flaps 209 secured to the chain. Beneath the husker rolls there is a husk conveyer 2I0 driven by gear 2| I, coaxially mounted with gear I36 (Figure 9). There is an adjustable block 2I2 below the gear 2| I, as well as a rear gear 2I3. A fan 2I4 is within the husk conveyer and is coaxially mounted with the gear I3I (Figure 9). A shield 2I5 protects the shaft of the gear 2 from the fan." A shield 2| 5 protects the conveyer.

In operation, ears of corn are discharged by the elevator I4I onto the husking rolls 200 and 20I. They pass the length of the rolls, being retarded by the flaps 209, and stripped of husks,

, and fall into the auger feed device 40. The husks fall onto the husk conveyer, which moves them forwardly, as shown by the arrow. They would normally fall from the front end of the conveyer upon the axle 34 and become entangled in the devices which support the picker unit from the axle. In order that this may be avoided, a beater 2I1, coaxially mounted with gear I 30 (Figure 9), has been provided. This rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow and causes the husks leaving the conveyer to fall straight down and in back of the axle 34 and the supporting devices thereon for the picker unit. Where there is no axle housing over a portion of the axle,

as shown in Figure 19, a paddle 2I8 may be attached to the axle so as to rotate with it. The paddle serves to keep the axle and supporting devices free of husks and may be employed either with or instead of the beater. The fan 2 I4 serves to keep the conveyer 2I0 from becoming clogged with husks.

The description up to this point has been only of a one-row machine, that is, a tractor with but a single picker unit mounted thereon. Figure shows in plan a tractor with two picker units mounted thereon. The pickerunits 36 are the same as those shown in Figure 1 and are mounted on opposite sides of the tractor engine, between the rear wheels. In this case, however, a slightly modified form of rigid unit 223, composed of an auger feed device I and wagon elevator 22!, is employed. This is shown inFlgure 21. As part from the end. The framework is carried beneath of the auger feed device III, there are a pair oi shafts III carried within a pair of bearing sleeves I21 supported in side plates 22' with the aid of conical members I", a pair of sleeves 230 around 8 and 25 for the'one-row model. The pairsloi helical elements 2 and sleeves constitute the.

auger teed proper. A pair of troughs Ill partially surround the auger feed proper and have portions 234 on either side of the wagon elevator extending upwardly and rearwardly, and cover portions 2" extending forwardly like the portion I'll (Figures 8 and 19) for the one-row model. There is also a portion 238 extending upwardly from the trough 2|! over the auger feed, like the portion I" (Figure 7) for the one-rowmodel. The wagon elevator 226 has a conveyor mechanism 231 extending rearwardly and centrally from the auger feed device within a casing 238. There is a discharge spout 239 similar to the spout I61 of the wagon elevator for the one-row model. The auger feed device and wagon elevator are supported as a unit in a manner similar to that described" for the one-row model. except that the entire support is through the husker units rather than through one husker unit and a brace extending from the supporting structure tor the picker unit. The bearing sleeves 221 are carried within slots in the husker units, similar to the slot ll'l shown in Figure 9 for the one-row model. There are gears '24! iixed to the shafts 228 and meshing with gears corresponding to the gear i5] shown in Figure 2, for the one-row model, and driven from a gear-box connected to the power take-oifshaft. Driving of thewagon elevator is ever, there are two stub shafts correspondingto the single stub shaft I l9'for connection to the two the rear axle of the tractor by means oi pins '8 extending through the proper holes 49' of the plates 49 and through attachments to the rear axle of the tractor, very similar to those shown in Figures 16 and 17 for the one-row model.

In the two-row model, raising of the wagon elevator is effected in the same manner as in the one-row model. Just as in the one-row model, connecting pieces I" extend from the elevatorcasing 2I5. A ball I89 is fastened to the connecting pieces and to a'link "II, which extends down to a bent link "I. The bent link is connected at its ends to bell-cranks similar to the bell-cranks I12 shown in Figure 18. There are also links extending from the bell-cranks similar to the links It'll, bothsof them being connected to the husker units rather-than one to the supporting framework for the picker units, as is the case with the one-row model.

Detachment of the pair of picker units of the two-row model from the tractor iseflected in substantially the same way as with the one-row model. The unit comprising the wagonelevator and auger feed device is removed from its connection with the husker units; then, the tilting lever for the picker units is disconnected; counterbalancing chains are disconnected; jacks are placed under the husker units; then, the stub shafts extending from the gear-box are disconnected from the husker units; then, cross braces, similar to the cross brace I 88 for the one-row model shown in Figure 3, are'removed; the wagon hitch is disconnected from the wagon; the cross pipe supporting, the gearbox is disconnected from the husker units; the pins 88 supporting the picker units and the framework are knocked out; the counterbalancing springs are removed; the slot- "ted plate 5i and projection 51 of the channel member ill for supporting the husker units are disengaged from the husker units, and the framework is allowed to drop to the ground; then. the jacks supporting the husker units are raised until thetelescoping members ll, 12 and 13 reach one-row model on Figure 9; then, the jacks are removed and the tractor is backed out. from under the picker units, the front wheels passing Figure 22 shows a detail of the divider point suitable for the gathering unit 31 on either the one-row orv the two-row model. There is anon;

picker units. The gear-box is also supported on g a pipe similar to the cross pipe I. of the onerow-model, which is, however,"suppor'ted at both ends by husker units rather than at one end by the member 47 of the framework for the picker unit.

The framework for the two-row model is shown in Figures 14 and 15, and it willbe seen from a comparison of Figures 11 and 12 thatthe two frameworks are similar, except that both ends portion 250 at the end of the gathering unit connect-ed thereto by means of a plate Iii in engagement with a plate 248 as part of the gathering unit by means of bolts 253. Snapping rolls I42 are shown in dotted lines. The bolts 253, which clamp the plates ZSI and 248 against one another,

extend through openings 2 in the plates (Figur of the transverse pipe carry structures like that piece SI, and a channel member ill, with a slotted 76 24). Adjustment of the nose 250 with respect to the gathering unit is eifected by'change in relative position of the plates 25! and 248, so that there is a registration of diiierent openings'in the plates. Similar adjustment may be had of shield 25! by shifting of plate 252 with respect to the plate 249. This in effect adjusts the position of the snapping rolls with respect to the ground.

7 Figure 23 shows a novel form of shield 25! for the engine of the tractor. This is composed of a substantially cylindrical portion 258 and a coni-

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