Cast Stalk Roll

Abstract

A stalk roll for a harvester includes a cast elongate body formed integral with a plurality of elongate cast cutting edges.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an agricultural combine having a corn head with row units comprising stalk rolls in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the stalk rolls of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the stalk roll of FIG. 2 showing the elongate axial aperture and the spaced apart reduced diameter sections of the aperture.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the row unit and row unit drive shaft on which the stalk roll is mounted.

Claims

1. A stalk roll for a harvester that is configured to be mounted on a rotatable row unit drive shaft of a row unit is provided, comprising a cast elongate body formed integral with a plurality of elongate cast cutting edges, wherein the elongate cast cutting edges are oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stalk roll and are disposed about its periphery.

2. The stalk roll of claim 1, wherein the cast elongate body has a central axial aperture that extends substantially the entire length of the cast elongate body.

3. The stalk roll of claim 2, wherein the central axial aperture includes at least two reduced diameter sections that are axially spaced apart.

4. The stalk roll of claim 3, wherein a mounting surface of a first one of the at least two reduced diameter sections has longitudinal splines on an inner surface thereof that are configured to engage the row unit drive shaft.

5. The stalk roll of claim 4, wherein a mounting surface of a second one of the at least two reduced diameter sections is configured to be supported on a portion of the row unit drive shaft.

6. The stalk roll of claim 3, wherein the cast elongate body includes a hole perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cast elongate body and passing through at least one side wall of the cast elongate body at one of the at least two reduced diameter sections.

7. A method of manufacturing a stalk roll for a harvester that is configured to be mounted on a rotatable row unit drive shaft of a row unit is provided, comprising the step of simultaneously (1) casting a cast elongate body having a longitudinal axis and (2) a plurality of cast elongate cutting edges extending from the cast elongate body, wherein the cast elongate cutting edges are oriented generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and are disposed about its periphery.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of simultaneously casting a cast elongate body further comprises the step of using a lost foam process to cast an elongate central axial aperture that extends substantially the entire length of the cast elongate body.

9. The method of claim 8, including the steps of forming at least two reduced diameter sections within the elongate central axial aperture in said step of using a lost foam process.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of machining a mounting surface having splines at one of the at least two reduced diameter sections.