Patent Application
20170265390
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to agricultural equipment, such as harvesters, and more specifically, to windrowing arrangements on such harvesters, and still more specifically to clean out of crop material from a windrower chute.
2. Description of the Related Art
An agricultural harvester known as a “combine” is historically termed such because it combines multiple harvesting functions with a single harvesting unit, such as picking, threshing, separating and cleaning. A combine includes a header which removes the crop from a field, and a feeder housing which transports the crop matter into a threshing rotor. The threshing rotor rotates within a perforated housing, which may be in the form of adjustable concaves, and performs a threshing operation on the crop to remove the grain. After the grain is threshed, it falls through perforations in the concaves onto a grain pan. From the grain pan, the grain is cleaned in a cleaning system, and is then transported to a grain tank onboard the combine. A cleaning fan blows air through the sieves to discharge straw, chaff and other debris toward the rear of the combine.
During the process of harvesting, crop material other than grain (MOG) is intended to be expelled from the combine. This material is usually derived from one of two areas in the combine, the threshing rotor or the cleaning system. The material expelled from the threshing rotor is generally referred to as straw, and the material expelled from the cleaning system is generally referred to as chaff. This material, or crop residue, typically is discharged from the combine by processes of either spreading or windrowing.
Spreading is accomplished using a mechanical device referred to as a spreader, which distributes the straw and/or chaff substantially evenly from the rear of the combine. Commonly, the spread material is chopped to as short a length as possible so that when the chopped material is spread onto the field it will break down quickly and not interfere with subsequent tilling or seeding operations.
Windrowing refers to the process of dropping straw directly behind the combine in a continuous stream, often substantially narrower than the combine cutting width. The purpose for windrowing is usually to facilitate post-harvest processing of the straw for uses other than incorporating the straw back into the field. For example, straw can be further processed by shaping it into bales that are removed from the field so that the straw can be used for other purposes such as, for example, animal feed or bedding, ground cover or mulch, or other purposes. When the straw is windrowed, it is known to allow the straw to pass through the combine with little interference and with little or no chopping, so that the straw remains as close as possible to its original length and condition.
United States Patent Application Publication Nos. 2015/0011275A1 and 2015/0011276A1 (which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention) disclose a spreader arrangement and actuation linkage mechanism therefor that simply and effectively allows both spreading and windrowing from the rear of the harvester. A selectively movable swath door at the upper rear of the straw hood is movable between a first position directing crop material to the spreader discs, and a second position directing crop material to a windrow chute. The windrow chute folds up and out of the way to the rear of the straw hood when the spreader arrangement is in the spreading mode, and is lowered to receive and direct the straw when windrowing is the desired handling process.
Although the windrow chute is substantially smooth and downwardly angled when in use, so that the straw and other material will slide easily along the chute, in some harvesting conditions the crop material can accumulate along the upper edge of the windrow chute. The long strands of straw can overhang the top edge of the chute, and can be pinned in a space between the edge of the windrow chute and adjacent structures of the harvester. When harvesting in moist conditions, either from atmospheric moisture or moisture in the crop itself, sticking of the crop material in the windrow chute can occur. If crop material is allowed to accumulate on the chute or at the upper edge of the chute, the continued buildup can cause malfunction of the windrower or perhaps even complete plugging.
To prevent problems associated with crop material buildup in the windrow chute, a person operating the combine can stop periodically to remove any accumulated crop material. However, this prolongs the harvesting operation, and may do so needlessly if little accumulation has occurred. Alternatively, the operator can wait until the accumulation is significant; however, this can make the cleaning process more difficult and time-consuming.
What is needed in the art is a procedure to clean a windrow chute of accumulated material, without interrupting or slowing the harvesting process.
The present invention provides a process for clearing a windrower of an agricultural combine whereby the windrow chute of the combine is raised periodically to discharge any accumulated material without interrupting the harvesting process or interfering with the windrowing procedure.
In one embodiment, a process for cleanout while operating an agricultural harvester spreader arrangement includes steps of operating the agricultural harvester with the windrow chute in a lowered position; determining an appropriate time for cleanout; continuing to operate the agricultural harvester; rotating the windrow chute to an inverted position while continuing to operate the agricultural harvester; and rotating the windrow chute back to the lowered position while continuing to operate the agricultural harvester.
In another embodiment, a process for cleanout of a windrow chute in an agricultural harvester while operating the agricultural harvester, the process comprising steps of: completing a harvesting swath; continuing to operate the agricultural harvester without receiving additional crop material in the agricultural harvester; rotating a windrow chute from a windrowing position to a cleanout position while continuing to operate the agricultural harvester; and thereafter rotating the windrow chute from the cleanout position back to the windrowing position.
In still another embodiment, a process for operating an agricultural harvester, includes steps of harvesting crop material in a series of harvesting swaths; moving the agricultural harvester between harvesting swaths without harvesting crop material while completing the step of moving; and performing a windrow chute cleanout while performing the step of moving the agricultural harvester between harvesting swaths.
An advantage of the present invention is that crop material accumulated on a windrow chute can be dislodged and removed without stopping the combine or the harvesting process and without interfering with proper formation of a windrow.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates an embodiment of the invention, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
Referring now to the drawings more specifically,
More specifically, an appropriate harvesting head 21 removes the desired portion of the crop, an axially oriented crop processing system 22 receives the harvested crop and a crop residue treatment and distribution system 24 with a crop residue spreader arrangement 26 is positioned at the aft end of combine 20. The crop processing system 22 includes a cylindrical threshing rotor 28 that conveys a flow of crop material in a helical flow path. As the crop material is moved through the processing system 22, the desired crop portion, such as grain or other material, is loosened and separated from crop residue such as husks and pods in a cleaning system located beneath the threshing rotor 28. The crop processing system 22 includes a blower 34, (schematically depicted) to aid in the separation of the desired crop from the crop residue. The blower 34 has a duct 35 extending aft in the combine 20 towards the cleaning system and the crop residue treatment and distribution system 24.
Specifically referring now to
Referring now to
In the position illustrated in
A windrow chute generally indicated at 52 is provided. Windrow chute 52 acts as a chute or trough to direct the crop material toward a windrow formed behind harvester 20. Windrow chute 52 includes a bottom portion 54 and adjacent sidewalls 56. Bottom portion 54 is tapered in a rearward direction as particularly shown in
As shown in
Under some operating conditions, such as when high moisture is present, a clump 70 of crop residue material can cling to the windrow chute 52, particularly along proximal edge 64 of windrow chute 52, as depicted in
To dislodge a building clump of crop residue material, windrow chute 52 is rotated to an elevated position in which the chute is substantially inverted, as illustrated in
Moving the windrow chute 52 for clean out can be independent of its adjustment for changing between windrowing and spreading functions. Accordingly, windrow chute 52 can operate independently of swath door 32. Combine 20 can continue to be adjusted for and operating in the windrowing process, except for the rotation of windrow chute 52. Alternatively, total adjustment to the spreading process configuration also can be used.
Actuation of the adjustment of windrow chute 52 for clean out purposes can be by an operator determining that it is an appropriate time for cleanout and manually manipulating of controls to rotate windrow chute 52 to the inverted position and then back again to the lower position. Alternatively, actuation can be automated through an existing processor/controller 70, which receives a variety of data and inputs concerning operating conditions of various systems in combine 20, as those skilled in the art will understand readily. As such, processor/controller 70 can be connected by wired or wireless connection to a variety of sensors, systems, actuators and controllers in the combine, including actuators 38 and 60 for sending operating signals to the actuators simultaneously when adjusting from one process of spreading or windrowing to the other process. For clean out purposes only actuator 60 need be operated; however, a brief total adjustment to the aforedescribed spreading process configuration can be used as well, immediately followed by a total readjustment back to the windrowing process configuration.
While operation of actuator 60 can occur at timed intervals or when a sensed condition indicates that a clump is building in windrow chute 52, this can be disruptive of the windrowing process if performed while combine 20 is actively harvesting. In a typical harvesting process, opposite ends of a field are first harvested and thereafter the combine is operated in a back-and-forth manner across the field between the harvested ends. When the combine exits from a completed harvesting swath, it is turned in the areas of the previously harvested ends to operate in a second harvesting swath in the opposite direction. While the turn is being made, the combine harvesting head 21 is raised and the combine begins to empty of crop material as no additional crop material enters the combine. Accordingly, adjusting windrow chute 52 to its clean out position at this time is not disruptive of windrow formation and does not delay the harvesting operation. The windrow chute 52 is returned to its proper windrowing position for the next harvesting swath. An operator can determine that a harvesting swath has been completed and initiate cleanout while the combine is being turned in the previously harvested area.
Processor/controller 70 receives a variety of data and information about the combine status, performance and operation for monitoring and adjustment purposes. This same data and information can be used by processor/controller 70 to determine when to adjust windrow chute 52 for clean out. In a GPS controlled system, the GPS location can be used to determine that the end of the harvesting swath has been cleared and/or that the combine is turning. Alternatively, or additionally one or more other condition can be used. By way of example and not limitation, processor/controller 70 will commonly receive data and information about chopper speed, header height adjustment, header engagement or actuation and/or ground speed. This same data and information can be used for determining when to activate cleanout. Determination that the chopper is in low-speed indicates that windrowing is occurring in that high-speed chopper operation is indicative of a spreading process, not windrowing. Header height being in a lifted position indicates that the machine is not currently harvesting, such as when the header is lifted as the combine is being turned to position for another harvesting swath. Header engagement and ground speed greater than zero indicate that the combine is still running. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these conditions are merely exemplary of conditions that will indicate when the combine is operating, adjusted for windrowing, and not currently harvesting crop material. These can be used for determining a preferred time period for adjusting windrow chute 52 to the cleanout position, when it will not be disruptive of harvesting or the windrowing process.
For a crop residue spreading operation, as shown in
The actuators 38 and 60 are coordinated to place the swath door 32 and windrow chute 52 in their respective positions in coordinated interdependent fashion when the combine is being adjusted from either windrowing or spreading to the other thereof. The actuators may be implemented in a way that it is done by control from an operator of the harvester. However, this adjustment is separate and independent from the aforedescribed adjustment of the windrow chute 52 separately and independently for cleanout during a windrowing process. Alternatively, as described previously, a single actuator can be used to operate both swath door 32 and windrow chute 52.
While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
