Self-propelled forage harvester corn head adapter
AssigneeKooima Ag, Inc.
InventorIvan Dorhout
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-propelled forage harvester corn head adapter allows a self-propelled forage harvester to utilize a corn head of the type used to harvest corn with a combine. The adapter includes a frame configured for coupling to a self-propelled forage harvester. A central panel is coupled to the frame and has an opening extending through the central panel. A lower roller assembly has a lower roller positioned to extend along a lower edge of the opening. An upper roller assembly extends across the opening having an upper roller being parallel to the lower roller assembly. The upper roller assembly is movably coupled relative to the central panel such that spacing between the upper roller and the lower roller is adjustable.
Claims18
A self-propelled forage harvester corn head adapter device comprising:
- a frame coupled between a self-propelled forage harvester and a corn head;
- a central panel coupled to said frame, said central panel having an opening extending through said central panel, said opening configured to receive ears of corn from the corn head, a lower boundary of said opening being defined by a lower edge and a floor extending rearwardly from said lower edge, a slot extending through said floor;
- and
- a lower roller assembly coupled to said central panel, said lower roller assembly having a lower roller being positioned below said floor of said lower boundary with a portion of said lower roller protruding upwardly through said slot in said floor along said lower edge of said opening.
A self-propelled forage harvester corn head adapter device comprising:
- a frame configured for coupling to a self-propelled forage harvester;
- a central panel coupled to said frame, said central panel having an opening extending through said central panel;
- a lower roller assembly coupled to said central panel, said lower roller assembly having a lower roller being positioned to extend along a lower edge of said opening, said lower roller being in a fixed position relative to said opening;
- an upper roller assembly coupled to said central panel, said upper roller assembly extending across said opening, said upper roller assembly having an upper roller being parallel to said lower roller assembly, said upper roller assembly being movably coupled relative to said central panel wherein spacing between said upper roller and said lower roller is adjustable, said upper roller assembly having a pair of end hubs;
- a pair of mounts, each of said mounts being coupled to said central panel, said mounts being positioned on respective lateral sides of said opening, each of said mounts being planar, said lower roller assembly being coupled to and extending between said mounts;
- a pair of guides, each guide being coupled to an associated one of said mounts, each of said guides being positioned on an outwardly facing surface of said associated one of said mounts relative to said opening, each of said end hubs being coupled to an associated one of said guides, each of said end hubs comprising a bearing, a bearing plate, and a mounting plate, said bearing plate being coupled to said mounting plate, said mounting plate having opposite lateral edges positioned within opposed grooves of said associated guide wherein said mounting plate is slidable relative to said guide;
- a pair of slots, each of said slots extending through an associated one of said mounts, said upper roller assembly having a pair of outer axles, each of said outer axles extending through an associated one of said slots, each of said outer axles extending through said mounting plate and being seated in an associated one of said bearings;
- a pair of guide arms, each of said guide arms having a first end being coupled to an associated one of said mounts, each of said guide arms having a second end coupled to an associated one of said end hubs, each of said guide arms having a first section pivotally coupled to a second section, said first section being straight, said second section being arcuate;
- and
- a biasing member coupled to said upper roller assembly such that said biasing member urges said upper roller towards said lower roller, said biasing member having a first end coupled to one of said mounts, said biasing member having a second end coupled to one of said guide arms, said second end of said biasing member being coupled to said second section of said one of said guide arms.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.