Claims
- 1. Apparatus for harvesting required crop parts from standing crop comprising
- a mobile frame for movement over the ground,
- moveable support means mounted for driven movement relative to the frame,
- a plurality of outwardly projecting crop engaging elements mounted on said movable support means and having distal ends projecting outwardly from the moveable support means,
- guide means co-operating with said crop engaging elements to form a crop flow passage, and
- drive means for driving said moveable support means so as to detach from standing crop predetermined required parts of the crop and to move the detached crop parts along said crop flow passage, said moveable support means being arranged to carry said elements upwardly and rearwardly at a front region of the apparatus, and said crop engaging elements being arranged to engage standing crop while projecting forwardly relative to the direction of forward travel of the apparatus,
- wherein at least some of said crop engaging elements provide edges facing away from the distal ends of the elements for detaching crop parts from regions of the standing crop which face forwardly relative to the intended direction of forward travel of the apparatus, and said crop engaging elements provide in operation a plurality of crop gathering regions, each said crop gathering region having an intake region with inwardly converging boundaries leading to at least one of said edges which face away from said distal ends of said elements.
- 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said intake region leads to a substantially parallel sided slot which provides one of said edges which face away from the distal tips of the elements.
- 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said elements are arranged on said moveable support means in rows transverse to the direction of movement of said moveable support means, said crop gathering regions being defined by adjacent crop engaging elements in the same transverse row.
- 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said crop engaging elements are mounted on said support means in rows transverse to the direction of movement of the moveable support means, and during operation said crop gathering regions are defined by cooperation between elements in succeeding rows along said moveable support means.
- 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which at least some of the crop engaging elements provide transverse surfaces which extend principally transverse to the direction of movement of the elements, for impelling detached crop parts along the crop flow passage.
- 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which the drive means is arranged to drive the crop engaging elements at a speed such that detached crop parts are impelled along the crop flow passage by the crop engaging elements without residing to any substantial extent on the moving elements.
- 7. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which at least some of the crop engaging elements have distal tips for entering into and dividing crop and have side edges which diverge from each other in a direction away from the distal tip of the element.
- 8. Apparatus for harvesting required crop parts from standing crop comprising
- a mobile frame for movement over the ground, moveable support means mounted for driven movement relative to the frame,
- a plurality of outwardly projecting crop engaging elements mounted don said moveable support means,
- guide means cooperating with said crop engaging elements to form a crop flow passage, and
- drive means for driving said moveable support means so as to detach from standing crop predetermined required parts of the crop and to move the detached crop parts along said crop flow passage, said moveable support means being arranged to carry said elements upwardly and rearwardly at a front region of the apparatus, and said crop engaging elements being arranged to engage standing crop while projecting forwardly relative to the direction of forward travel of the apparatus,
- wherein said crop engaging elements provide in operation a plurality of crop gathering regions, each said crop gathering region comprising an intake region with inwardly converging boundaries and a relief region with boundaries which diverge from each other, said intake region leading to said relief region.
- 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which said outwardly projecting elements have distal ends projecting outwardly from said movable support means, and said boundaries of the relief regions include edges of crop engaging elements facing away from the distal ends of the elements for detaching crop parts from regions of the standing crop which face forwardly relative to the intended direction of movement of the apparatus.
- 10. Apparatus according to claim 9 in which the guide means comprises a cover extending around at least part of the region at which the crop engaging elements move upwardly and rearwardly at the front region of the apparatus.
- 11. Apparatus according to claim 9 in which the said moveable support means comprises a rotor.
- 12. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which said relief regions are defined by re-entrant edges extending sideways into the crop engaging elements.
- 13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which each said relief region has a curved boundary extending from the inner end of one boundary of the intake region to the inner end of the other boundary of the intake region.
- 14. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which at least some of the crop engaging elements are made of flexible resilient material.
- 15. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which said elements are arranged on said moveable support means in rows transverse to the direction of movement of the moveable support means, said crop gathering regions being defined by adjacent crop engaging elements in the same transverse row.
- 16. Apparatus according to claim 15 in which each of said inwardly converging boundaries of said intake region extends inwardly from said distal end of said element toward said moveable support means to an inner end of said boundary, and said relief regions are defined by re-entrant edges extending sideways into the crop engaging elements, each said relief region being formed by re-entrant edges leading away from said inner ends of the boundaries of the intake region.
- 17. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which said crop engaging elements are mounted on said support means in rows transverse to the direction of movement of the moveable support means, and during operation said crop gathering regions are defined by cooperation between elements in succeeding rows along the moveable support means.
- 18. Apparatus according to claim 17 in which the crop engaging elements vary in shape and carry out different functions on the crop.
- 19. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the said elements which define the crop gathering regions also have distal tips for entering into and dividing crop and have side edges which diverge from each other in a direction away from the distal tip of the element, said boundaries of said intake regions being defined by said edges of said elements.
- 20. Apparatus according to claim 19 in which there is provided, extending between the said diverging edges of an element, a transverse surface which extends principally transverse to the direction of movement of the element, for impelling the detached crop parts along the crop flow passage.
- 21. A method of harvesting crop comprising
- moving through a standing crop a harvesting apparatus,
- moving upwardly and rearwardly at front region of the apparatus a plurality of outwardly projecting crop engaging elements,
- engaging the standing crop by said moving elements while projecting forwardly relative to the direction of movement of the apparatus,
- detaching from said standing crop predetermined required parts of the crop,
- conveying the detached crop parts along a crop flow passage, and
- collecting the detached crop parts,
- the method including the step of gathering crop in a plurality of crop gathering regions each having an intake region with inwardly converging boundaries leading to a relief region having boundaries which diverge from each other.
- 22. A method according to claim 21 including detaching crop parts from regions of the standing crop which face forwardly relative to the direction of movement of the apparatus, by means of edges of crop engaging elements included in said boundaries of said relief regions.
- 23. A method according to claim 22 including the step of moving said detached crop parts along said crop flow passage by means of transverse surfaces which are provided on at least some of said elements and which extend principally transverse to the direction of movement of the elements.
- 24. A method according to claim 23 including the step of entering into and dividng crop by distal tips of crop engaging elements having side edges which diverge from each other in a direction away from the distal tip of the element.
- 25. A method according to claim 23 including the step of impelling the detached crop parts along the crop flow passage by moving the crop engaging elements at a speed such that the detached crop parts do not reside to any substantial extent on the moving elements.
- 26. A method according to claim 21 including the step of engaging the crop by elements mounted in rows transverse to the direction of movement of the moveable support means, and gathering crop in crop gathering regions defined by adjacent crop engaging elements in the same transverse row.
- 27. A method according to claim 21 including the steps of engaging the crop by elements mounted in rows transverse to the direction of movement of the moveable support means, and gathering crop in crop gathering regions defined by cooperation between elements in succeeding rows along the moveable support means.
- 28. A method of harvesting crop comprising:
- moving through a standing crop a harvesting apparatus;
- moving upwardly and rearwardly at a front region of the apparatus a plurality of outwardly projecting crop engaging elements;
- engaging the standing crop by said moving elements while projecting forwardly relative to the direction of movement of the apparatus;
- gathering crop in a plurality of crop gathering regions each having an intake region with inwardly converging boundaries leading to at least one edge of a crop engaging element which faces away from the distal end of the element;
- detaching from said standing crop predetermined required parts of the crop, including detaching crop parts from regions of the standing crop which face forwardly relative to the direction of movement of the apparatus, by means of said edges of crop engaging elements which face away from the distal ends of the elements;
- conveying the detached crop parts along a crop flow passage; and
- collecting the detached crop parts.
Parent Case Info
This is a division of application Ser. No. 879,109 filed May 27, 1986, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,128.
The present invention relates to apparatus for, and methods of, harvesting crop. The invention is concerned with detaching from the stems or other plant parts of standing crop, seeds, seed-bearing parts, leaves, twigs, flowers, or other predetermined required portion of the crop, collecting the required portion, and leaving the remaining stripped parts of the crop standing in the field. The invention has particular but not exclusive application in the harvesting of grain crops, such as wheat, oats, barley, and rice. The invention also has application in the stripping of leaves, young shoots, and sometimes blossom from crops. Examples include lucerne (alfalfa) leaves for protein production, and the leaves and flowers of herbs and other crops used for the extraction of essential oils and other constituents
It is an object of the present invention to provide improved apparatus for and methods of stripping required parts from a standing crop, usually the most valuable parts of the crop, namely the seed, leaves, and/or flowers. It is an object of the invention to overcome many of the disadvantages of known harvesting methods and devices, and to simplify, hasten and make less expensive the harvesting process. It is a further object to make less weather dependent the disposal or harvesting of the remaining crop which is left standing in the field.
According to the present invention in a broad aspect, there is provided apparatus for harvesting crop comprising: a mobile frame for movement over the ground; moveable support means mounted for driven movement relative to the frame; a plurality of outwardly projecting crop engaging elements mounted on the moveable support means; guide means co-operating with the crop engaging elements to form a crop flow passage; and drive means for driving the moveable support means to carry the elements upwardly and rearwardly at a front region of the apparatus so as to detach from standing crop predetermined required parts of the crop and to move the detached crop parts along the crop flow passage
The invention encompasses apparatus for detaching from the stems or other plant parts of standing crop, seeds, seed-bearing parts, leaves, twigs, flowers and/or other predetermined required parts of the crop, by rubbing and/or breaking and/or tearing the parts from the stems.
By the term standing crop is meant crop in the field before any harvesting operation has been carried out on it, for example before any cutting operation, and the term standing crop includes crop which may be laid, leaninq, or twisted, as well as upright crop.
A first main aspect of the invention is concerned with crop stripping elements which may be provided.
In accordance with one preferred feature at least some of the crop engaging elements comprise crop stripping elements each of which has at least one inclined edge for detaching required crop parts from standing crop, and a transverse surface for impelling the detached crop parts along the crop flow passage.
Preferably the said inclined edge is inclined to a normal to the moveable support means at an angle greater than 71/2.degree., more preferably at an angle greater than 10.degree. and most preferably at an angle in the range 121/2.degree. to 221/2.degree.. Conveniently the angle is about 15.degree..
In accordance with another preferred feature at least some of the crop engaging elements comprise crop stripping elements each of which has a narrow tip for entering into and dividing crop, and has side edges for detaching the required crop parts, the said side edges diverging from each other in a direction away from the distal tip of the element.
Preferably the said side edges diverge from each other over at least a quarter of the crop engaging length of the element, more preferably over at least a third of the crop engaging length of the element, and most preferably over a major proportion of the crop engaging length of the element.
Preferably the said side edges diverge from each other away from the distal tip of the element at a total included angle greater than 15.degree.. Conveniently the angle lies in the range 20.degree. to 70.degree., more preferably in the range 25.degree. to 60.degree., and most preferably in the range 25.degree. to 45.degree.. Conveniently the angle is about 30.degree..
Preferably the diverging side edges diverge substantially on either side of a normal to the moveable support means.
It is preferred that each crop stripping element has a transverse, substantially planar surface between the said diverging side edges, for impelling the detached crop parts along the crop flow passage.
The elements may be of varying shapes which will be set out hereinafter, but it is preferred particularly that the distal tip region of each crop stripping element is pointed with the distal side edges diverging from the apex of the element, preferably the distal tip region having a transverse, substantially planar leading surface.
In accordance with one preferred feature of the invention in the aspects set out above there are provided on side edges of the crop stripping elements, and/or at the junction of adjacent crop stripping elements, relief spaces for detaching crop parts by the effect of edges of the spaces and for allowing stripped remaining crop parts to be released from the elements.
For example the crop stripping elements may be formed by the teeth of a series of transverse combs mounted on the support means transverse to the direction of movement of the support means, there being provided at the junction of adjacent side edges of adjacent teeth on a comb an aperture allowing stripped stems to be released from the comb, the said aperture having side edges adapted to strip the required parts from the crop stems.
As a general feature, in some forms the crop engaging elements may be arranged on the moveable support means in rows transverse to the general direction of crop movement of the apparatus, and the spacing between distal tips of adjacent elements along a row may be made substantially greater than the narrowest distance between the two adjacent elements. For example the spacing between distal tips of adjacent elements along a row may be greater than three times the minimum distance between the two adjacent elements.
It is preferred that each element is a transverse element having an overall width transverse to the direction of movement of the element which is greater than its depth along the direction of movement. Preferably each element is a substantially planar element having a principal plane transverse to the direction of movement of the element by the support means. In many preferred forms, each element has a portion at or in the region of its base which is narrower than the widest part of the crop engaging portion of the element.
A number of preferred and optional features have been set out, in accordance with a first aspect of the invention. In accordance with one particularly preferred combination of such features, there may be provided apparatus for harvesting crop comprising: a mobile frame for movement over the ground; moveable support means mounted for driven movement relative to the frame; a plurality of outwardly projecting crop engaging elements mounted on the moveable support means; guide means co-operating with the crop engaging elements to form a crop flow passage; and drive means for driving the moveable support means to carry the elements upwardly and rearwardly at a front region of the apparatus so as to detach from standing crop predetermined required parts of the crop and to move the detached crop parts along the crop flow passage; in which at least some of the crop engaging elements comprise crop stripping elements each of which has a narrow tip for entering into and dividing crop and has side edges which diverge from each other in a direction away from the distal tip of the element over at least a substantial portion of the crop engaging length of the element for detaching crop parts from standing crop, the leading crop engaging surface of each crop stripping element between its diverging edges being a transverse, substantially planar, surface for impelling detached crop parts along the crop flow passage; the crop stripping elements being mounted in a position such as to engage crop unsupported by other components of the apparatus, and being driven in movement in such a manner that detached crop parts do not reside to any substantial extent on the moving crop stripping elements; the crop flow passage having at its intake region a horizontal clearance from the distal tips of the crop stripping elements of at least the effective pitch of the crop stripping elements The features set out in this combination may be present separately in some forms of the invention.
A preferred range for the horizontal clearance at the intake region of the crop flow passage is that the clearance is at least equal to the effective pitch of the crop stripping elements and is no greater than half the diameter of the peripheral path of the element tips where the elements are moved on a rotor or around a pulley set or like guide of a conveyor, the clearance being sufficient to allow detached crop parts to enter the crop flow passage but not so great as to allow loss of detached crop parts.
By a transverse, substantially planar surface is meant a surface which lies substantially in a plane which extends principally transverse to the direction of movement of the element The plane of the surface may conveniently be substantially flat, but in some arrangements may be curved, preferably slightly concave.
By the effective pitch of the crop stripping elements is meant the pitch of elements which are transversely adjacent to each other as the elements are presented to the crop by movement of the moveable support means, whether the adjacent elements are presented in single rows transverse to the movement, or whether effectively adjacent elements are positioned as offset elements in succeeding rows presented to the crop.
In accordance with a second main aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for harvesting crop comprising: a mobile frame for movement over the ground; moveable support means mounted for driven movement relative to the frame; a plurality of outwardly projecting crop engaging elements mounted on the moveable support means; guide means co-operating with the crop engaging elements to form a crop flow passage; and drive means for driving the moveable support means to carry the elements upwardly and rearwardly at a front region of the apparatus so as to detach from standing crop predetermined required parts of the crop, and to move the detached crop parts along the crop flow passage; in which at least some of the crop engaging elements comprise crop stripping elements having relief spaces on side edges of the elements, and/or at the junction of adjacent elements
In one preferred form of such an arrangement, the relief spaces are arranged for allowing stripped stems or other remaining crop parts to be released from the elements, and/or for providing edges of the elements adapted to strip required parts of the crop.
In accordance with a preferred feature it may be provided that at least some of the relief spaces are defined by re-entrant edges of the elements adapted to strip crop parts from regions of the standing crop which face forwardly relative to the intended direction of movement of the apparatus.
In accordance with another preferred feature it may be provided that the crop stripping elements are mounted in rows transverse to the direction of movement of the moveable support means, succeeding rows of crop stripping elements being slanted in opposite directions so that co-operation between succeeding rows of oppositely slanted elements forms funnel-shaped intake regions, followed inwardly by relief spaces.
In some arrangements it may be provided generally in accordance with the invention that crop stripping elements are mounted in rows transverse to the direction of movement of the moveable support means, elements in succeeding rows being substantially aligned with each other along the direction of movement of the moveable support means, crop being gathered between elements which are adjacent to each other along a row.
In other arrangements it may be provided generally in accordance with the invention that the crop stripping elements are mounted in rows transverse to the direction of movement of the moveable support means, elements in succeeding rows being offset from each other transverse to the direction of movement of the moveable support means, the elements in each row being spaced apart in such a manner that crop is gathered between elements which are effectively adjacent to one another in presentation to the crop, but are positioned in succeeding rows.
In accordance with a third main aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for harvesting crop comprising: a mobile frame for movement over the ground; moveable support means mounted for driven movement relative to the frame: a plurality of outwardly projecting crop engaging elements mounted on the moveable support means; guide means co-operating with the crop engaging elements to form a crop flow passage; and drive means for driving the moveable support means to carry the elements upwardly and rearwardly at a front region of the apparatus so as to detach from standing crop predetermined required parts of the crop and to move the detached crop parts along the crop flow passage; in which the outwardly projecting crop engaging elements vary in shape and/or size and/or inclination.
In one example, the crop engaging elements comprise crop stripping elements arranged on the mobile support means in rows transverse to the direction of movement of the moveable support means the profile of each row being shaped to provide portions projecting outwardly to greater and lesser extents.
In some examples, the lengths of the elements may be varied to provide serrations in the overall profile of the elements transverse to the direction of movement of the moveable support means for the purpose of stripping crop by the effect of the sides of the serrations. In such an arrangement the crop engaging elements may be filaments, e.g. bristles, of a brush. Thus a brush rotor may be used for crop stripping, such a brush having transverse rows of brush filaments, profiled by varying the length of the filaments to form in effect serrated combs.
In other examples, some of the outwardly extending crop engaging elements extend outwardly from the moveable support means to a greater extent than others, the longer elements being arranged for disentangling, lifting and/or orientating crop and shorter elements for effecting crop stripping.
In yet another example, the crop engaging elements may include crop stripping elements mounted on the support means in rows transverse to the direction of movement of the support means, there being provided along the moveable support means between succeeding rows, or groups of rows, of crop stripping elements, outstanding transverse substantially plain ribs acting to limit the depth of intrusion of the crop between stripping elements, and/or acting to collect and convey crop parts stripped by the outwardly projecting crop engaging elements. This arrangement is particularly applicable where the crop stripping elements comprise filaments forming brushes, or comprise outwardly directed rods.
In a yet further example, the elements may comprise stripping elements mounted in rows transverse to the direction of movement of the moveable support means, the elements consisting of elongate fingers slanted to one side, succeeding rows of elements being slanted optionally in opposite directions so that co-operation between succeeding rows of oppositely slanted elements effects crop stripping, preferably the co-operation between succeeding rows forming funnel-shaped intake regions, followed inwardly by relief spaces.
In accordance with another feature of this aspect of the present invention, it may be provided that the elements comprise crop stripping elements mounted in rows transverse to the direction of movement of the moveable support means, the elements being moveable relative to each other transversely and being secureable in selected positions so as to vary the profile of the elements presented to crop for stripping different forms of crop.
Those features and aspects of the present invention which have been set out above are concerned mainly with the shape and operation of crop stripping elements, and there will now be set out a number of advantages and features in this connection.
Although it is preferred that the crop engaging elements for stripping the crop are generally planar elements having a principal plane transverse to the direction of movement of the elements, such planar elements may be variously shaped along the crop engaging edges for example by being scalloped, notched or otherwise recessed, to increase the rubbing effect. Crop stripping elements may consist of arrays of generally triangular teeth, each tooth being bent longitudinally or rolled transversely or having its edges rolled or bent forwards on the crop engaging surface, in order to scoop detached seed or crop particles, to minimise losses.
It is particularly preferred that the crop stripping elements are formed by teeth of a comb comprising a planar transverse rib of solid material shaped to provide the teeth. Conveniently the crop stripping elements are formed of synthetic plastics material, but they may be made of metal or other materials of adequate strength and wear resistance.
The elements may comprise arrays of pointed, generally triangular teeth at the root of which are formed elongate straight or slanted recesses, to increase the duration and extent of the work done by the elements on the crop. There may also be provided circular, square, trapezoidal or other shapes of relief apertures wider than the narrowest part of each recess between pairs of teeth, to enable seed heads, stems, tillers or branches to received all-round treatment, and after being stripped, to withdraw from the stripping space without interfering with incoming crop. In general it is preferred that transverse arrays of crop stripping elements are arranged along the crop conveying means so that tips of successive rows follow the same path, but this is not essential and elements may be variously staggered from row to row in some arrangements, for example being displaced laterally by half the tooth pitch.
As has been mentioned the crop engaging elements may comprise a succession of transverse rows of outwardly projecting crop stripping elements and a succession of transverse, substantially plain ribs, the ribs and rows of elements being alternated, with the ribs following relatively closely behind the rows of stripping elements The ribs collect and impel the required parts of the crop detached by the immediately preceding row of crop stripping elements, and limit the ingress of crop being treated into the stripping space.
The use of a plain rib behind a row of crop stripping elements has application for a number of different kinds of crop engaging elements, but has particular application where the crop engaging elements consist of outwardly directed brush tufts, brush filaments, or rods, whether circular or of rectangular or curved cross section. In such cases, the rows of crop engaging elements act to dislodge the required portions of the crop, and these are caught and conveyed by the following plain rib. Conveniently the spacing of the rows of elements and the ribs may be such that there is a lesser space between each row of crop engaging elements and the following plain rib, than there is between that plain rib and the next following transverse row of crop engaging elements.
Considering the invention in general, it is to be appreciated that the actual process of stripping will involve contact of different parts of the stripping elements with the crop at different times as the apparatus moves forwardly into the crop during the upward movement of the elements. Preferably the elements are shaped so that a progressive stripping action takes place as the machine moves forwardly and elements intrude to a greater extent into the crop.
The provision of a relief space or aperture at the junction of each pair of adjacent stripping elements may be made for detaching the required parts of the crop by engagement of the crop with the edges of an aperture at the junction of each pair of adjacent elements, and for the different, or additional, purpose of assisting release of crop from the elements after stripping. It is one particular preferred feature of the invention that such a relief space or aperture can be defined by a re-entrant edge and can assist in stripping required parts of the crop from the forward facing part of the stems which may not normally be engaged by the side edges of the elements.
Conveniently the said moveable support means comprises either a rotor or a conveyor belt or similar endless elongate conveying means for moving the crop engaging elements along a path including the required portion moving upwardly and rearwardly at the front region of the apparatus.
Where the crop engaging elements are arranged in transverse arrays, each transverse array of elements will normally be arranged at right angles to the direction of forward travel of the apparatus, for example the arrays of outwardly projecting elements may lie in radial planes of a rotor passing through the axis of rotation of the rotor. However in other arrangements the transverse arrays of crop engaging elements may lie across the direction of forward travel of the apparatus, but at an angle thereto, and the arrays may of course be rectilinear or curved. For example transverse arrays of elements may be formed as helical formations formed around and along the axis of a rotor. Such helical arrays may provide a more aggressive crop stripping action.
Although the various features set out may be combined in different arrangements, there are two main convenient forms In one main form there are provided brushes, filaments, rods or the like which dislodge the required portions of crop such as seeds, and are followed by plain ribs or paddles which collect and transport the dislodged material In the other form, the material is dislodged by a succession of transverse combs each bearing tapered teeth which both remove the required portions of the crop, and also effect at least part of the catching and conveying of the dislodged material.
Where brushes are provided, they may be in the form of transverse rows of spaced apart brush tufts, or may be in the form of continuous transverse banks of brush elements.
Conveniently crop stripping elements may be arranged in groups joined integrally together, and may be provided with means for easily detaching the groups for example by snapping the elements onto fasteners left in situ on the moveable crop support means.
As has been mentioned, arrays of crop stripping elements may be provided in which there are at intervals longer, protruding elements, to disentangle, loosen, lift and/or orientate crop which would otherwise be unfavourably presented. In some arrangements, such longer elements may be mounted between adjacent rows of stripping elements at intervals along the moveable crop support means, so that they protrude and engage unfavourably presented crop in advance of closely spaced arrays of stripping elements, the longer elements optionally being held in their normal operating position by resilient biasing means, to protect them against ground contact or atypical loads. Optionally, the longer elements between adjacent rows of stripping elements may be mounted on a common transverse member so secured that the elements may be pivoted and locked in alternative angular positions, or may be fully reclined.
When the stripping elements in successive arrays are aligned along the direction of movement of the support means, this is particularly suitable for detaching, for example, seeds from the ends of stems, and for defoliating plants. Relief recesses (where provided) between laterally adjacent elements should, in such cases, preferably be symmetrical. If alternate arrays of elements are laterally offset by half the element pitch, then a lateral shaking action is imparted to the crop, and this will result in more plant material becoming detached. If relief recesses are slanted to one side at the bases thereof, this results in an even more severe action, and may be used to break off the ends of plants or branches of shrubs and the like.
According to the invention in a fourth main aspect there is provided apparatus for harvesting crop comprising: a mobile frame for movement over the ground; moveable support means mounted for driven movement relative to the frame; a plurality of outwardly projecting crop engaging elements mounted on the moveable support means; guide means co-operating with the crop engaging elements to form a crop flow passage; and drive means for driving the moveable support means to carry the elements upwardly and rearwardly at a front region of the apparatus so as to detach from standing crop predetermined required parts of the crop and to move the detached crop parts along the crop flow passage; in which the said moveable support means comprises an endless conveyor having an upper run reclined relative to the vertical, the crop engaging elements projecting outwardly from the conveyor.
Preferably the conveyor has a support surface between the crop engaging elements for catching crop parts detached by the crop engaging elements.
Preferably the said upper run of the conveyor includes at least one change of inclination relative to the vertical.
Conveniently the said endless conveyor is entrained about more than two sets of pulleys or like guides, at least one pulley set being included in the said upper run between the beginning and end of the upper run, so as to provide the said change of inclination to the vertical.
In preferred forms of this aspect of the invention, it is an advantage that the portion of the conveyor belt in contact with the crop is reclined relative to the direction of travel, so that free crop parts which tend to fall down are recovered by the support surface. As an important feature the tip speed of the stripping elements varies during movement of the conveyor around three sets of pulleys or like guides, to give high-speed intrusion into standing crop or stripping of low seeds and foliage; followed by a reduced-speed combing action; followed by higher-speed stripping of upper seed or foliage; followed by a reduced-speed conveying action; followed by a high-speed impelling of stripped material at the end of the conveyor upper run. The use of the conveyor system allows small diameter tip paths around the pulleys to be used without running the risk of wrapping, as may occur if a stripping rotor has too small a diameter in relation to the length and condition of the crop.
There will now be set out a fifth main aspect of the invention, which may be regarded as an alternative to the immediately preceding aspect of the invention. In accordance with this further main aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for harvesting crop comprising a mobile frame for movement over the ground; moveable support means mounted for driven movement relative to the frame; a plurality of outwardly projecting crop engaging elements mounted on the moveable support means; guide means co-operating with the crop engaging elements to form a crop flow passage; and drive means for driving the moveable support means to carry the elements upwardly and rearwardly at a front region of the apparatus so as to detach from standing crop predetermined required parts of the crop, and to move the detached crop parts along the crop flow passage; in which the moveable support means comprises a first rotor and there is provided a second rotor positioned with its axis of rotation at a higher level than the axis of rotation of the first rotor, the drive means being arranged to drive the rotors in rotation about substantially horizontal axes and in the same sense of rotation, the upper rotor being positioned so as to collect crop from the lower rotor and to carry the detached crop parts upwardly and rearwardly over the upper rotor.
Preferably it is arranged that the upper rotor is positioned so that no part of the upper rotor protrudes forward of a vertical plane passing through the front-dead-centre of the lower rotor. It is also preferred that the outer peripheries of the two rotors overlap, crop engaging elements on one rotor intermeshing with crop engaging elements on the other rotor without contact between the two. This aspect of the invention has particular application where the lower rotor is of smaller diameter than the upper rotor, the lower rotor having crop engaging elements adapted to mainly for detaching crop parts, and the upper rotor being provided with crop engaging elements adapted at least mainly for conveying crop.
In this aspect of the invention it is possible to obtain the advantage of a relatively small diameter, lower, stripping rotor, which presents the elements well to the crop, and to prevent wrapping by the effect of the second, higher rotor. The lower rotor may be of small diameter to impel stripped crop particles into favourable, upwardly directed trajectories for positive recovery.
In accordance with a sixth main aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for harvesting crop comprising: a mobile frame for movement over the ground; moveable support means mounted for driven movement relative to the frame; a plurality of outwardly projecting crop engaging elements mounted on the moveable support means; guide means co-operating with the crop engaging elements to form a crop flow passage; and drive means for driving the moveable support means to carry the elements upwardly and rearwardly at a front region of the apparatus so as to detach from the stems of standing crop predetermined required parts of the crop; in which there are provided crop control means for holding down and/or urging rearwardly the lower parts of the crop being stripped, so as to reduce the risk of uprooting of crop during stripping, e g. in soft ground conditions.
The said crop control means may comprise a horizontal roller positioned under the moveable crop support means, and rotated in such a direction that the lower part of the roller moves in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of the crop engaging elements.
Alternatively or in addition the said crop control means may comprise a member at the rear of the elements extending under the elements sufficiently to contact the lower parts of standing crop being stripped by the said crop engaging elements.
In some arrangements, there may be provided a close-fitting adjustable plate at the lower rear of the moveable crop support means, when this comprises a rotor, to minimise the risk of ground contact, to counteract the tensile forces applied to plant stems by the stripping elements, and to re introduce plant parts (which have not left the rotor envelope in time to be collected) into the crop in front of the rotor for subsequent recovery.
Conveniently there may be provided in the lower quarter of a crop stripping rotor according to the invention (i.e. behind, to slightly in front of, bottom-dead-centre), a freely rotating rotor, or counter driven plain, fluted, ribbed, corrugated or otherwise suitable profile roller, to counteract the tensile forces applied to the crop by the stripping elements.
In another arrangement there may be provided under the lower rear quarter of a crop stripping rotor embodying the invention, forwardly projecting rollers on height-adjustable and optionally spring-loaded arms, to prevent ground contact by the rotor, to help counteract the tensile forces applied to the crop by the stripping elements, and/or to press down the crop residue.
The means for reducing uprooting of crop may comprise a downturned lip at the front of a concave plate under the support means on which the elements are mounted, or may comprise a further rotor or roller which conveniently is driven in counter-rotation to the direction of movement upwardly and rearwardly of the crop engaging elements, or which is an idling roller. Such a roller may also act as a height limiting roller to prevent damage to the crop engaging elements by striking the ground.
In accordance with a seventh main aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for harvesting crop comprising: a mobile frame for movement over the ground; moveable support means mounted for driven movement relative to the frame; a plurality of outwardly projecting crop engaging elements mounted on the moveable support means; guide means co-operating with the crop engaging elements to form a crop flow passage; and drive means for driving the moveable support means to carry the elements upwardly and rearwardly at a front region of the apparatus so as to detach from standing crop predetermined required parts of the crop and to move the detached crop parts along the crop flow passage; in which there is provided a crop flow modifying device for forcing detached crop parts into contact with the said crop engaging elements, the crop flow modifying means being stationary relative to the frame in normal operation and having projections which project into the crop towards the crop engaging elements of the moveable crop support means in a region through which detached crop parts are conveyed by the crop engaging elements, the projections of the crop flow modifying device extending sufficiently to overlap the outer periphery of the moving elements and to intermesh with the moving elements without contact with the moving elements.
In one preferred form the crop flow modifying means comprises a transverse planar member having a principal plane transverse to the crop flow and having serrations which provide the said projections.
In another preferred form, the said projections on the crop flow modifying device are planar fins having the principal planes thereof lying substantially along the direction of crop flow.
In accordance with an eighth main aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for harvesting crop comprising: a mobile frame for movement over the ground; moveable support means mounted for driven movement relative to the frame; a plurality of outwardly projecting crop engaging elements mounted on the moveable support means; guide means co-operating with the crop engaging elements to form a crop flow passage; and drive means for driving the moveable support means to carry the elements upwardly and rearwardly at a front region of the apparatus so as to detach from standing crop predetermined required parts of the crop, and to move the detached crop parts along the crop flow passage in which the guide means comprises a cover extending around at least part of the region at which the crop engaging elements move upwardly and rearwardly, and one or more driven or freely rotating rollers at the intake region of the crop flow passage.
In a preferred form, there may be included an adjustable housing extending around at least part of the roller or rollers for adjusting the amount of interaction of the roller or rollers with standing crop.
Thus there may be provided under the edge of a hood or cover over a crop stripping rotor embodying the invention, a freely rotating rotor, or undershot driven roller, optionally ribbed, fluted, dimpled, or otherwise profiled or provided with small curved or straight tines or teeth, to counteract in undriven form the tensile forces applied by the stripping rotor to crop lying or leaning towards the rotor. When driven, such a roller acts to loosen or lift unfavourably presented crop before it makes contact with the rotor in addition to directing into the crop flow passage particles which are thrown towards it by the stripping combs. Instead of the single roller or rotor at this position, there may be provided below the leading edge of the front rotor cover a primary and a secondary crop control rotor to serve the purposes given above, the secondary rotor providing a stripping function for the primary rotor.
In accordance with a ninth main aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for harvesting crop comprising: a mobile frame for movement over the ground; moveable support means mounted for driven movement relative to the frame; a plurality of outwardly projecting crop engaging elements mounted on the moveable support means; guide means co-operating with the crop engaging elements to form a crop flow passage; and drive means for driving the moveable support means to carry the elements upwardly and rearwardly at a front region of the apparatus so as to detach from standing crop predetermined required parts of the crop and to move the detached crop parts along the crop flow passage; in which there are provided means for producing a forced air flow for positioning crop before stripping and/or for directing the stream of detached crop parts and/or separating the detached crop parts into selected different fractions.
The forced air flow means may comprise a plenum or manifold supplied with pressurised air and being formed on the front of a hood or cover extending around at least part of the region in which the elements are moved upwardly and rearwardly by the moveable support means; and/or a plenum or manifold supplied with pressurised air and beinq formed with an adjustable outlet allowing the forced air flow to be directed in a variable selected direction; and/or a plenum or manifold supplied with pressurised air and being formed inside a rotary or otherwise moving component of the apparatus with means for directing a forced air flow in a selected direction outwardly from the inside of the moving component.
The forced air stream may be used to assist in feeding the crop into a crop stripping rotor and/or to convey the stripped material through a crop flow passage. The air stream may be directed selectively to perform different purposes, for example to enable crop leaning or laid away from the machine to be lifted, or crop particles detached by the apparatus to be assisted along a crop passage.
In accordance with a tenth main aspect of the present invention, there may be provided apparatus for harvesting crop comprising: a mobile frame for movement over the ground; moveable support means mounted for driven movement relative to the frame; a plurality of outwardly projecting crop engaging elements mounted on the moveable support means; guide means co-operating with the crop engaging elements to form a crop flow passage; and drive means for driving the moveable support means to carry the elements upwardly and rearwardly at a front region of the apparatus so as to detach from standing crop predetermined required parts of the crop and to move the detached crop parts along the crop flow passage; in which there are provided means for separating the detached parts of the crop into selected, different fractions.
The separating means may comprise a separating screen against which the crop is propelled, the screen having spaces through which smaller parts of the crop pass, larger parts of the detached crop being deflected by the screen, and/or by means of a rotary device against which the detached crop is propelled in such a manner that different fractions of the detached crop are directed differently by the rotary device.
The separating means may be arranged so that the detached parts of the crop are propelled against the screen or rotary device by the moving crop engaging elements on the moveable support means.
It may be arranged that the said screen directs the larger fraction of the detached crop parts to means for rubbing, rethreshing or comminuting the crop parts.
It may also be arranged that the rotary device comprises a forwardly rotating transverse auger, the detached crop being directed towards the top-dead-centre position of the auger so that different fractions of the detached crop are directed differently by the auger. In this way the short heavy fraction of stripped material may be directed rearwardly behind the auger and the bulky fraction forwardly and downwardly under the auger.
In accordance with an eleventh main aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for harvesting crop comprising: a mobile frame for movement over the ground; moveable support means mounted for driven movement relative to the frame; a plurality of outwardly projecting crop engaging elements mounted on the moveable support means; guide means co-operating with the crop engaging elements to form a crop flow passage; and drive means for driving the moveable support means to carry the elements upwardly and rearwardly at a front region of the apparatus so as to detach from standing crop predetermined required parts of the crop and to move the detached crop parts along the crop flow passage; in which there are provided means for preventing or inhibiting escape of the detached parts of the crop from the apparatus.
In preferred arrangements, the means for preventing or inhibiting escape of detached parts of the crop may comprise a hanging check curtain of flexible material against which detached crop parts are thrown at the front or rear of the apparatus by the moving crop engaging elements on the moveable support means; and/or one or more baffles or deflectors to prevent or reduce loss of detached crop parts due to ricocheting off a cover extending around the moving elements and/or due to bouncing out of a crop conveying means at the rear of the moveable support means; and/or at least one pronounced reverse step at the lower front region of a cover extending around at least part of the region in which the elements are moved upwardly and rearwardly by the moveable support means; and/or resilient lining of surfaces against which detached crop parts are thrown.
In a preferred arrangement there are provided a series of reverse steps in a lower, front section of a cover or hood over a rotor, to re-direct descending crop particles back towards the stripping mechanism.
In another preferred arrangement there may be provided an angularly and/or height adjustable hollow front section attached to the lower end of a rotor cover, of minimal weight or counter-balanced to rest and float on the crop canopy, to prevent forward splash or crop particles and re-direct particles towards the stripping rotor. Such a protruding front section gives useful guidance on header height setting to the operator of self-propelled harvesters.
In accordance with a twelfth main aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for harvesting crop comprising: a mobile frame for movement over the ground; moveable support means mounted for driven movement relative to the frame; a plurality of outwardly projecting crop engaging elements mounted on the moveable support means; guide means co-operating with the crop engaging elements to form a crop flow passage; and drive means for driving the moveable support means to carry the elements upwardly and rearwardly at a front region of the apparatus so as to detach from standing crop predetermined required parts of the crop, and to move the detached crop parts along the crop flow passage; in which at least some of the crop engaging elements comprise planar crop stripping elements having principal planes transverse to the direction of movement of the elements, the elements being resiliently mounted, and/or made of flexible resilient material, to prevent or inhibit damage by impact with the ground or foreign objects.
In some arrangements it may be provided that the said elements are formed by the teeth of succession of transverse combs mounted on the support means and each having an array of outwardly projecting teeth mounted in a row transverse to the direction of movement of the frame through the crop, each comb being formed of stiff material, and being resiliently mounted to allow yielding of the comb by tipping or rocking movement rearwardly, there being provided resilient biasing means urging the comb towards its normal operating position. Alternatively, each comb may be formed of material which is sufficiently stiff to perform effectively the stripping function but has adequate resilience to bend and restore in response to resilient atypical loads. Such resilience is preferable where the planar comb is forwardly inclined relative to the movement of the elements, since deflection by a resilient comb need not increase the outward extension of the elements, e.g. need not increase the diameter of a rotor. Forwardly inclined crop stripping elements are in general often a preferred feature since these give a scooping action to detached crop parts.
There will now be set out a series of preferred and optional features of the invention which may be used in combination with the preceding features, or which may form independent features.
It is a particularly preferred general feature that the crop engaging elements may be mounted in a position such as to engage crop unsupported by other components of the apparatus. In preferred embodiments, it may be arranged that the only components of the apparatus to enter into the crop and to divide and gather the crop in the region at which the said crop parts are stripped from the crop, are driven moving elements which are mounted on the said moveable support means.
It may also be arranged as a preferred general feature that at least some of the crop engaging elements comprise crop stripping elements each of which has at least one inclined edge for detaching required crop parts from standing crop, and a transverse surface for impelling the detached crop parts along the crop flow passage.
It may also be arranged as a preferred general feature that at least some of the crop engaging elements comprise crop stripping elements each of which has a narrow tip for entering into and dividing crop, and has side edges for detaching the required crop parts, the said side edges diverging from each other in a direction away from the distal tip of the element.
It may also be arranged as a preferred general feature that the distal ends of the crop engaging elements are pointed at the tips so as to minimise disturbance of the crop.
It may also be arranged as a preferred general feature that there are provided on side edges of the crop stripping elements, and/or at the junction of adjacent crop stripping elements, relief spaces for detaching crop parts by the effect of edges of the spaces and for allowing stripped remaining crop parts to be released from the elements
It may also be arranged as a preferred general feature that the crop engaging elements are driven in movement in such a manner that detached crop parts do not reside to any substantial extent on the moving crop stripping elements In particular it is preferred that the drive means is arranged to drive the elements at a speed sufficiently high to impel the detached crop parts along the crop flow passage and to release crop parts at the rear at least predominantly by centrifugal effect.
It may also be arranged as a preferred general feature that the crop flow passage has at its intake region a horizontal clearance from the distal tips of the crop stripping elements of at least the effective pitch of the crop stripping elements.
It is a generally preferred feature in all arrangements of the invention that each element may be an element having an overall width transverse to the direction of movement of the element which is greater than its thickness.
It may also be arranged as a preferred general feature that the leading crop engaging surface of each crop engaging element is a transverse, substantially planar, surface for impelling detached crop parts along the crop flow passage. It is also preferred that each element is a substantially planar element having a principal plane transverse to the direction of movement of the element by the support means.
In general, those aspects of the invention which have been described with reference to apparatus according to the invention, may also be provided with reference to methods of harvesting in accordance with the invention, and vice-versa.
In particular there may be provided in accordance with the present invention a method of harvesting crop comprising moving through a standing crop a harvesting apparatus, moving upwardly and rearwardly at a front region of the apparatus a plurality of outwardly projecting crop engaging elements, engaging the standing crop by the moving elements, detaching from standing crop predetermined required parts of the crop, conveying the detached crop parts along a crop flow passage and collecting the detached crop parts.
In one preferred form of the method of the invention, the method includes the steps of entering into the crop narrow tips of the crop engaging elements to divide the crop, gathering crop between pairs of elements, detaching the said crop parts at least to a significant extent by the action of side edges of each element which diverge from each other in a direction away from the distal tip of the element, and impelling crop along the crop flow passage by transverse substantially planar surfaces of the elements
In another preferred form of the method of the invention, the method includes entering the elements into the standing crop, and detaching the said crop parts at least to a significant extent by the effect of edges of relief spaces which are provided on side edges of the elements and/or at the junction of adjacent elements, and allowing stripped remaining crop parts to be released from the elements through such relief spaces.
In another preferred form of the method of the invention, the method includes entering into the standing crop outwardly projecting crop engaging elements which vary in shape and/or size and/or inclination, and which carry out different functions on the crop.
In accordance with one preferred feature of the method of the invention, the method includes the step of reducing the risk of uprooting of crop during stripping by holding down and/or urging rearwardly the lower parts of the crop being stripped.
It is a feature of the present invention in one aspect that the crop engaging elements are moved at a relatively high speed A number of criteria can be used to establish the required high speed, for example the speed of movement of the crop engaging elements relative to the frame may be set to be greater than the forward speed of movement of the frame; and/or may be set to be such as to release crop from the elements towards a collection region of the apparatus at least predominantly by centrifugal effect; and/or may be set at a speed such as to propel the stripped material in a fast moving stream upwardly and rearwardly along the crop flow passage defined between the guide means and the upwardly and rearwardly moving crop engaging elements. In preferred arrangements, the speed of movement of the outer tips of the elements relative to the frame will be substantially greater than the forward speed of movement of the harvesting apparatus, for example greater than twice the forward speed of movement of the harvesting apparatus. Preferably the tip speed of the crop engaging elements is greater than 5 m/s, most preferably greater than 10 m/s. The forward speed of the frame may be in a range up to 10 km/hour, preferably in the range 3 to 9 km/hour.
In examples of preferred methods embodying the invention, a method of harvesting cereals may include moving the crop engaging elements relative to the frame at a speed such that the tip speed of the element is in the range 10 to 25 m/s. In accordance with another preferred example, a method of harvesting lucerne (alfalfa) includes moving the crop engaging elements relative to the frame at a speed such that the tip speed of the elements is in the range 15 to 30 m/s.
It is a general preferred feature of the present invention that the crop engaging elements may enter the crop with minimum disturbance, and move upwardly through the crop to strip the required parts of the crop without the need for the crop to be supported in an upright position by any stationary guide members projecting forwardly of the said moving crop engaging elements. It is to be appreciated that there may be provided in some arrangements additional stationary lifting elements for raising the crop to the moving crop engaging elements in suitable manner where the crop is laid, but there is, at least in preferred embodiments of the invention, no requirement for stationary guide elements to hold the crop in the upright position during stripping in the vertical crop region swept by the crop stripping elements.
As has been mentioned, the guide means will normally consist of or include a hood or cover over the upwardly and rearwardly moving elements. It is preferred that the said hood may be moveable either closer to or further from the crop engaging elements, and/or around a curved path around the front of the path of movement of the elements. Where the elements are provided on a rotor, there may be provided a concave plate under the rotor, and this may also be adjustable, for example about a circular path centred on the axis of the rotor.
Particular advantage is obtained if there are provided means for adjusting the overhead hood, and an adjustable concave beneath a stripping rotor, since together these adjustments limit the intrusion of crop into the rotor space, and give control of the degree of stripping and the manner of stripping the crop.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, there may be provided means for adjusting the height of support means for the crop engaging elements, either together with the height of the overhead hood, or independently of the height of the overhead hood, to allow adjustment of the height at which the crop engaging elements enter the crop and move upwardly through the crop.
The present invention has a number of applications, particularly in the harvesting of grain. The stripped material can be collected into trailers or bulk containers for transportation to a central plant for processing. In the case of cereals and other seeds this may include completion of the threshing process and separation of the seed from material other than grain. Alternatively, particularly with cereals and other seeds, the stripped material may be fed directly into a processing machine, such as a combine harvester, for immediate threshing and cleaning. At a central plant or in the field the material other than grain may be collected loose or pressed for utilisation.
Generally, the invention finds application in the harvesting of mature seeds and grains, in the vining of peas and in the defoliation of annual and perennial crops as well as shrubs, including the non-destructive harvesting of leaves and shoots in one or repeated passes over the crop.
The present invention provides a number of advantages as a result of only the seed-bearing parts of cereal, pulse, herbage and other crops being collected for passage through a harvester, such as a combine harvester. Because less unwanted material is taken in, the work rate and output of the harvester can be greatly increased, sometimes by a factor of two or more. The straw left standing will dry quickly after rain and can be burnt easily and completely (if it is to be disposed of in this way), with the ash becoming uniformly distributed. If the straw is to be chopped for incorporation into the soil, comminution mechanisms can be more effective with standing straw than in windrowed straw because the stems are still attached to the ground. Even distribution of the chopped material is more easily achieved. If the straw is to be harvested, it can be readily cut by a windrower, for example attached to a tractor which pulls and powers the harvesting machine. If desired the straw may be cut immediately by a mowing mechanism of known design mounted behind the stripping header.
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Divisions (1)
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879109 |
May 1986 |
|
Patent Grant
4951453
