WO2019053738A1

WO2019053738A1 - A self propelled track type axial flow combine harvester

Info

Publication number: WO2019053738A1
Application number: PCT/IN2018/050549
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sourabh SRIVASTAVA
Original assignee: Tirth Agro Technology Pvt. Ltd.
Priority date: 2017-09-14
Filing date: 2018-08-28
Publication date: 2019-03-21

Abstract

A combine harvester includes a header unit (4) to cut and convey the crop, towards feeder, feeder unit (23) to convey crop to axial flow thresher to separate (25) grain from straw, a cleaning unit (25a) to clean grain and a straw‐discharge unit (26) to discharge the straw perpendicular to the direction of travel and between the tracks, a conveyor to convey the clean grain to the storage unit or grain tank. Said straw discharge unit (5) includes a curved shaped guid wall that guide the straw material to fall between the tracks (6). A storage box (22b) for day to day needs of operator is inbuilt with grain storage unit (22) with easy access to operator. Further, the track frame (7) is designed such that it provides required rigidity without causing accumulation of water or debris inside.

Description

A SELF PROPELLED TRACK TYPE AXIAL FLOW COMBINE HARVESTER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a combine harvester and more particularly it relates to a self-propelled track type axial flow combine harvester that is provided with an improved straw discharge unit, a storage space integral with grain tank and an open type track frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The modern combine harvester, or simply combine, is a versatile machine designed to efficiently harvest a variety of grain crops. The name derives from its combining three separate operations comprising of reaping, threshing, and winnowing into a single process. The waste straw left behind on the field is the remaining dried stems and leaves of the crop with limited nutrients which is either chopped and spread on the field or baled for feed and bedding for livestock.

One of such combine harvester is disclosed in document US4884993A comprises a chassis, a housing, a threshing and separating mechanism operating in accordance with the principle of a tangential flow and including a threshing drum and a threshing basket, a shaker located after the threshing mechanism as considered in direction of an agricultural product flow, and a threshing and separating device located after the shaker in the housing, operating in accordance with the principle of axial flow and including a rotor and a casing. Another such harvester is disclosed in JPH01218504 and JPH0662642. In such known conventional combine harvester, the straw and/or chaff is discharged from the rear of the machine or from the side of the machines. Disadvantages of this discharge system are that straw falls on tread of tracks on the ground which is difficult to collect for baling. Further, such discharge getting crushed by the harvester track whereby soil getting mixed up makes the straw quality degraded for animal feeding purpose.

Further in known combine harvester, limited or not easily accessible space is available for storing day to day needs of operator. Further, the mountings like bearing of discharge augur may damage due to accumulation of dirt and chaff.

Further, in known combine harvester, the track frame is configured with closed spaces wherein water and debris enters gradually and remain trapped for long duration which can cause rusting, resulting in lesser life of chassis.

OBTECT OF THE INVENTION

The main object of present invention is to provide a self propelled track type axial flow combine harvester that obviates drawbacks associated with prior arts. Another object of the present invention is to provide a self propelled track type axial flow combine harvester that is equipped with an improved straw discharged unit for safe disposal of straw/chaff between two tracks.

Further object of present invention is to provide a self propelled track type axial flow combine harvester wherein a storage space is provided within the grain tank for accessibly accommodating the day to day requirement of operator and also for accommodating and protecting the bearings and other rotating parts of the discharge augur from dirt and chaff.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a self propelled track type axial flow combine harvester that is equipped with open track frame that preclude the storage of water and debris in the frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a self propelled track type axial flow combine harvester that comprises a header assembly mounted in front of machine for cutting, and conveying cut crop for processing towards feeder house. Said feeder house transfers the cut crop towards threshing & separator unit where grain and straw are separated. Separated grain is cleaned by cleaning sieve with the help of air draft from fan and cleaned grain conveyed by clean grain elevator towards grain storage tank. The straw discharged from thresher/separator moves towards straw discharge unit. Straw moves through straw discharge unit, change the direction through curved shape guide wall of straw discharge unit and slides down with the help of slope provided on the unit and falls between tracks perpendicular to the direction of harvester travel. The straw discharge unit has opening equal to separator outlet to collect straw properly, having slope to slide straw so that there are no chances of chocking. The outlet of straw discharge unit is opened between two tracks.

Further, a storage space is provided at the front end of the grain tank near to lower auger. The grain tank wall has inclination such that accumulated grain can easily slide towards unloading augur. Bottom of inclined walls is utilized to build storage space. One end of lower discharge auger shaft in grain tank is mounted on the bearing located inside storage space. Thus, mountings of lower discharge auger shaft are protected against damages occurred during accumulation of dirt and chaff and resulting in increased life of bearings and systems.

Further, the rubber tracks are mounted on track frame welded to main Chassis. Each track frame has two longitudinal side members parallel to each other and cross members connect to longitudinal members for creating a box structure that is open from top and bottom so that no water or mud gets accumulated inside and thus the rusting problem is solved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS'

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic left side view of a combine harvester with header, an axial separating unit and straw discharge unit to discharge the straw or chaff according to present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic right side view of a combine harvester with header, operator platform, grain tank and an engine according to present invention.

Fig. 3a and 3b shows an isometric view of straw discharge unit mounted behind thresher unit according to present invention.

FIG.4a and 4b is detailed view of grain tank with storage space according to present invention.

FIG. 5a and 5b is detailed view of rubber track system according to present invention.

Fig. 5c illustrates isometric view from top of the track frame according to present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanied drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments, as depicted in different figures as described above and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

The present invention particularly discloses a self-propelled track type axial flow combine harvester that is provided with an improved straw discharge unit, configuration for convenient storage space within grain tank and an open type track frame. The detailed description of said harvester is given below in detail.

Before explaining the present invention, it should be noted that the term "rubber" relates to any elastic and primarily non metallic materials such as rubber, elastomers, or combinations thereof used in the manufacture of endless tracks.

Now, reference to the drawings, more particularly Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the combine harvester (1) according to present invention mainly includes a main frame (chassis) (2), a hydraulic transmission system (3) located at rear side of the main frame (2), a crop cutting apparatus or header (4) located at front side of the main frame (2) and a rubber track system (5) located beneath the main frame (2).

Mounted onto the main frame (2) is an operator platform (21) from which the various functions of the machine are controlled by the operator, a grain tank (22) located to the rear of the operator platform (21), a feeder house (23) being extended alongside the operator's platform (21) and a header ( 4) in front of operator Platform an unloading auger (24) for discharging harvested grain introduced in the grain tank (22) to another container, an axial flow threshing and separating unit (25) wherein threshing, separating and cleaning process of harvested crops take place, a tailing augur (not shown) for throwing tailings back to the cleaning sieve of the threshing and separating unit (25), a removable straw discharge unit (26) having opening equal to separator outlet to collect straw properly and located behind the threshing and separating unit (25) for collecting and disposing the crop residue (straw or chaffs) thrown out from said threshing and separating unit (25). The crops harvested by the crop harvesting apparatus (4) are fed to the threshing and separating unit (24) by the feeder house (23) for further processing as discussed below.

Said crop cutting apparatus (4) mainly comprises a cutterbar (4a) in front, a rotatable screw conveyer and a reel in the form of framework with tine carriers carrying tines for conveying crop, said reel is supported at both ends by reel support arms. Said reel tines grab and sweep standing or lodged crop material rearwardly over the cutterbar (4a) which severs the crops and said severed crops are consolidated and conveyed rearwardly through the screw conveyer towards the crop conveyer. Said feeder house (23) receives the harvested crops from the crop harvesting apparatus (4) and feeds to the threshing and separating unit (25) for further harvesting treatment. Said threshing and separating unit (25) consists of a rotary separating mechanism having a rotor, a concave combined with rotary separating mechanism and a top cover having spiral vanes to ensure necessary rotation of crop and gradually guide the crop towards a cleaning system. The grains and chaff are separated through the concave placed below the rotor. The threshing and separating unit (25) also comprises a cleaning sieve assembly (25a) having an upper sieve (not shown) located below the concave and a lower sieve (not shown) positioned below the upper sieve in a stacked relationship therewith and a cleaning blower (25b), said bottom grain auger (not shown) is arranged in some distance towards the sieve means (25a) for collecting and transporting clean grains from the lower sieve to the grain collecting tank (22).

Said operator platform (21) is provided with hydraulic transmission levers that acts as a steering for driving the machine by controlling the forward, reverse and turning motion thereof, control levers provided at another side of the operator's seat for controlling the lifting and lowering movement of the header and reel and levers (not shown) for controlling threshing and grain unloading operation. Further, the platform (21) is equipped with instrument panel in front of operator's seat having safety indications in form of warning lights for the engine oil temperature and level. Also, meters are provided on the panel for monitoring oil pressure, engine temperature, engine RPM and fuel gauge. Said hydraulic transmission system (3) mainly comprises an engine, an oil cooler for providing cooling to circulated oil, an hydraulic pump for providing hydraulic power to the hydraulic motor mounted on a planetary gear box which drives the Track sprockets.

Now, as threshing system (25) operates, cut crop is fed into the rotor housing where the rotor rotates and threshing and separating take place through which threshed gain, unthreshed gain (tailings), short straws and long straws are formed from the harvested crops. Said threshed, unthreshed grain and straws will fall and/or be conveyed therefrom, onto the upper sieve. The upper and lower sieves are configured to be reciprocally moved to effect a sifting of material (threshed gain, unthreshed gain (tailings), short straws) falling onto the upper sieve. The cleaned grains from the lower sieve are collected into the grain tank (22) and the chaff is thrown out.

Now, according to present invention, as shown in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b, said straw discharge unit (26) is mounted at outlet of threshing unit (25). The straw discharge unit (26) having an opening equal to thresher outlet. The discharge unit (26) comprises a side wall (26a), a top cover (26b) and a bottom face (26c). Said bottom face (26c) having a guide wall (26d) with a smooth curvature shape. Here, the straw coming from the threshing unit (25) falls onto the bottom plate of Straw Discharge unit (26) having downward slope and said guide wall(26d) turns straw towards right of the machine such that straw can easily slide and fall down between the tracks as shown in FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b. Now, Fig. 4a and 4b illustrates a grain tank (22) for storage of harvested grains according to present invention. Said grain tank (22) comprises a plurality of side walls (22a). Said side walls are inclined towards the bottom side for easy flow of grains towards the discharge augur (22c) located in the bottom of the tank. Further, said grain tank (22) is pivoted on the rear of main frame and configured to swing open outside for maintenance needs of inner parts.

Referring continuous Fig. 4a and 4b, a storage space (22b) is integrated on the front side of grain tank (22) near to lower auger (22c). Said grain tank walls (22a) have inclination such that accumulated grain can easily slide towards unloading augur and the bottom face of the inclined wall forms the storage space (22b) by combining with additional side walls. Here, one end of the lower discharge auger shaft (22c) in grain tank (22) is mounted on the bearing (not shown) being received in said storage space, this makes it less susceptible to accumulation of dirt and chaff resulting in increased life of bearings and systems. Further, said storage space (22b) is opened from the side of the machine so that operator can get access after lifting side panel.

Now as shown in Fig. 5a and 5b, there illustrates a view of the rubber track system (5) according to present invention. Said rubber track system (5) mainly comprises a pair of tracks (6) which allow the machine to be propelled in the field. Now, each said track (6) includes a track frame (7) and an endless-crawler rubber belt (8) mounted on said track frame (7) and having slots embedded in inner surface and aligned in the longitudinal direction thereof. Said track frames (7) are connected to main chassis through ladder type transverse members to two longitudinal sections on which rests the top frame consisting of welded network of longitudinal and transverse members to which all other aggregates are fastened.

Said track frame (7) comprises an open box structure (7a), a drive sprocket (7b) having plurality of teeth on outer peripheral thereof and being mounted ahead of box structure (7a), an idler tumbler (7c) being located opposite to the drive sprocket (7a) on the track frame (7) and a plurality of guide rollers (7d) disposed interiorly of and in contact with the crawler belt (8) between the sprocket (7b) and the idler tumbler (7c) and which roll along the internal periphery of the crawler belt (8) during the translation of the machine in the field, as illustrated in FIG. 5a and 5b.

Now, said open box structure (7a) comprises two longitudinal side members (7e) being extended parallel with respect to each other and cross members (7f) for connecting said longitudinal member (7e) such that the open and bottom side of the box structure (7a) remains open (shown in Fig. 5b). Said endless rubber-crawler belt (8) extends over the sprocket (7b) and the idler tumbler (7c) and during translation of the machine, the teeth of the sprocket (7b) are received in the slots of the belt (8). Further, each said track (6) is also provided with the spring means (not shown) for controlling track tension and absorbing shocks during operation of the machine (1) that increase the life of the tracks. Further, each said track (6) is equipped a motor (9) coupled with the sprocket (7b) and a gearbox (10) coupled to the motor (9). Said engine (3) operates the hydraulic pump which supplies oil under pressure to the motor (9) and the gearbox (10) that cause the sprocket (7b) to rotate through which said endless rubber- crawler belt (8) is driven by adjustment of teeth of sprockets (7b) in the slots of belt (8) which then propel the machine (1).

Here, said rubber- crawler belt (8) are coated with rubber that ensures a low ground pressure in the field thereby said self propelled track mounted harvester (1) according to present invention is moved into any kind of soil condition. Further, said track frame (7) is open from bottom and top (shown in Fig. 5c) so that no water or mud gets accumulated therein. Thus, the problem of rusting occurs in conventional combine harvester is eliminated.

The invention has been explained in relation to specific embodiment. It is inferred that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present invention and it is not intended that the invention be limited or restrictive thereto. Many other specific embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the foregoing disclosure. All substitution, alterations and modification of the present invention which come within the scope of the following claims are to which the present invention is readily susceptible without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention should therefore be determined not with reference to the above description but should be determined with reference to appended claims along with full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. List of Reference Numerals:

Combine Harvester (1)

Main Frame (2)

Operator Platform (21)

Grain Tank (22)

Side walls (22a)

Storage Space (22b)

Lower discharge augur (22c)

Feeder House (23)

Unloading Auger (24)

Threshing and Separating Unit (25)

Cleaning Sieve Assembly (25a)

Cleaning Blower (25b)

Straw Discharge Unit (26)

Side Wall (26a)

Top Cover (26b)

Bottom Face (26c)

Guide Wall (26d)

Hydraulic Transmission System (3) Crop Harvesting Apparatus (4)

Cutterbar (4a)

Rubber Track System (5)

Tracks (6)

Track Frame (7)

Open Box Structure (7a)

Drive Sprocket (7b) Idler Tumbler (7c)

Guide Rollers (7d)

Longitudinal Side Members (7e) Cross Members (7f)

Endless-Crawler Rubber Belt (8) Motor (9)

Gearbox (10)

Claims

A self propelled track type axial flow combine harvester comprises a crop harvesting apparatus (4) for harvesting crop in the field, a feeder house (23) for receiving and conveying harvested crop from the crop harvesting apparatus (4), a threshing and separating means (25) for threshing and separating grains and straw/chaff from the crops, a cleaning means (25a) for receiving grains from the threshing and separating means (25) and cleaning unwanted debris from threshed and separated grain, a grain tank (22) for collecting clean grain from the cleaning means (25a), a storage space(22b) for storing day to day needs of operator , a lower discharge augur (22c), a straw discharge unit (26) for receiving straw and chaff coming from the threshing and separating unit (25) and a rubber track system (5) having pair of tracks (6) for translation of machine along the field; wherein said straw discharge unit (26) having an opening equal to thresher outlet and comprises of two side walls (26a), a top cover (26b) and a bottom face (26c); wherein said bottom face (26c) having a guide wall (26d) with a smooth curvature shape whereon the straw/chaff easily slide and fall down between the tracks; wherein storage space (22b) is integrated with the grain tank (22); wherein said storage space (22b) is formed by combining inclined side wall (22a) of grain tank with additional side walls and bottom face; wherein said storage space (22b) is configured to be accessed from the side of the machine; wherein said track (6) comprises a track frame (7) and an endless- crawler rubber belt (8) mounted on said track frame (7); wherein said track frame (7) consist of at least two longitudinal side members (7e) being extended parallel with respect to each other and cross members (7f) for connecting said longitudinal member (7e) such that the top and bottom side of track frame (7) remains open.

The self propelled track type axial flow combine harvester as claimed in claim 1, wherein opening of said straw discharge unit (26) is at least equal to the outlet of threshing and separating unit

(25) .

The self propelled track type axial flow combine harvester as claimed in claim 1, wherein discharge of the straw discharging unit

(26) is opened between the tracks (6).

The self propelled track type axial flow combine harvester as claimed in claim 1, wherein said straw discharge unit (26) is removable from the machine for easy serviceability. The self propelled track type axial flow combine harvester as claimed in claim 1, wherein mountings of lower discharge augur (22c) are received in the storage space (11) so that they are protected from dust, mud and debris.