This invention relates to harvesting machines. More particularly, this invention relates to harvesting machines capable of harvesting more than one crop row.
Sugarcane harvesting machines are known in the art which are capable of performing a base cut (close to the bottom) and only harvest one crop row, as illustrated in
In an attempt to solve this problem, chopping machines of the same configuration as shown in
Still, the existence of adaptive cutting devices are known which are adapted to the side of the harvesting machine as disclosed in document PI0901295-8. Such devices comprise a cutting disc and enable cutting of one row adjacent to the row harvested by the machine. Although you can cut more than one row of planting, to use this device the harvest can only be performed on one row at a time.
In view of the above, the objective of this invention is to provide a system for harvesting machines which makes it possible to cut more than one crop row simultaneously, and optionally to allow for a good adjustment of the cutting height.
This invention also has for its objective the provision of a harvesting machine comprising such a system.
In order to achieve the objectives described above, this invention provides a cutting system for harvesting machines, comprising at least two row dividers and at least two cutting elements, each of the at least two cutting elements being positioned in the structure of each of the at least two row dividers.
This invention further provides for a harvesting machine comprising the system mentioned above.
The other advantages and characteristics of the invention will be better understood through the description of the preferred embodiments, given by way of example and which are not limiting, in which:
The following description describes a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to this particular embodiment.
The cutting elements 16 of this system, as well as the cutting discs from harvesters from the prior art may comprise knives 18. By rotating the cutting elements 16, these knives 18 will perform base cutting of the sugarcane (or any other type of plant you wish to harvest).
Preferably, the cutting elements 16 of the system according to this invention are powered by hydraulic motors which can be powered by the main hydraulic circuit of the harvester. Alternatively, the cutting elements can be powered by electric motors. Thus, it is unnecessary to adjust the hydraulic circuit existing in the original harvester machine, since the engine may be operated, for example, by at least one battery.
In this cutting system, the cutting elements 16 are attached to the structure of the row dividers 6, as illustrated in
Optionally, the device according to this invention comprises a height system which may be adjusted depending upon level of the ground. This characteristic is very useful in fields where there is a gap between the crop rows or height variations along the rows. In a first embodiment, the height adjustment system can be independent on each of the arms 20, where each would be articulated with respect to the row divider 6 at the contact point between them (
Alternatively, each arm 20 can be connected to the structure of each of the row dividers 6 so that the first one has a vertical translation movement with respect to the last one, making a variation possible in the height of the cutting element 16 with respect to the ground.
So that the above variation may be performed, that is, so that it can perform a “read” of the level of the ground and make compensations throughout the harvesting process, a surface 22 (
Alternatively or additionally, the structure of each of the divider rows 6 may comprise a suspension system, making it possible for each of them to move vertically to compensate for variations in the terrain. This movement would be carried out independently in each of the referenced assemblies. Such a feature would be possible using, for example, a joint (
Additionally, the cutting device may comprise at least one aligning element (not shown) positioned above each of the cutting elements 16. The aligning elements may be rotary arms parallel to the existing rollers, able to align the cut cane immediately after cutting, facilitating its entry into the feeder of the harvesting machine (knockdown roller 8). This prevents, for example, cane pieces that have already been cut from being collected by the harvesting machine and laid across the row dividers 6. Preferably, each element aligner is connected laterally to the structure of each row divider 6. Optionally, each of the aligning elements is powered by a hydraulic motor, for example, the cutting elements 16.
Although optional, this invention may comprise plates 26 located on the inner side of the row dividers 6, as shown in
Accordingly, and as illustrated in
Alternatively, a harvesting machine comprising the device according to the invention could perform the cutting and harvesting of more than two crop rows, as illustrated in
In addition, a harvesting machine according to this invention may have the gauge of the wheels or tracks 4 adjusted to adapt to the spacing of the crop rows, to not trample the harvested and adjacent rows. To this end, this harvesting machine may comprise a system for adjusting the size of the axle which connects the wheels or tracks, so that the distance therebetween may be adjusted according to the spacing between the crop rows to be harvested avoiding the problems mentioned above. The adjustment system may comprise, for example, adapters 28 installed on each side of said axle, increasing its effective length.
Numerous variations focusing on the scope of protection of this application are allowed. For example, nothing prevents more than one cutting element is positioned in a single row divider. Thus, it reinforces the fact that this invention is not limited to the particular configurations/embodiments described above.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/BR2012/000097 | 4/9/2012 | WO | 00 | 3/16/2015 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2013/152405 | 10/17/2013 | WO | A |
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