US 10,897,846 B2Granted

Corn harvester

AssigneeDeere & Company

InventorsTroy M. Heims, Nathan E. Krehbiel, Steve A. Coon, Dennis P. Silver, Eric D. Windsor, Eric H. Stone

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Abstract

A harvester includes a main frame, first side frame, and a second side frame. The first and second side frames are rotatable about the main frame between a deployed position and a stowed position. A first crop divider is rotatable with respect to the first side frame to change an angle between the first crop divider and the ground. A first biasing member biases the first crop divider into the raised position. A second crop divider is rotatable with respect to the second side frame to change an angle between the second crop divider and the ground. A second biasing member biases the second crop divider into the raised position. During movement of the first and second side frames into the stowed position, the first and second crop dividers are moved into the lowered position against the biasing force of the respective biasing member.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A harvester configured to travel along a ground surface to harvest crops, the harvester comprising:

a main frame portion having a first main frame end and a second main frame end;
a first side frame portion including a first end rotatably coupled to the first main frame end, and a second end spaced from the first end, the first side frame portion rotatable about the main frame between a deployed position in which the first side frame portion is positioned adjacent the ground surface and the first main frame end, and a stowed position in which the first side frame portion is positioned vertically above the first main frame and is spaced from the ground surface;
a first crop divider coupled to the second end of the first side frame portion, the first crop divider rotatable between a raised position in which the first crop divider is oriented at a first angle with respect to the ground surface while the first side frame portion is in the deployed position, and a lowered position in which the first crop divider is oriented at a second angle with respect to the ground surface while the first side frame portion is in the deployed position, the first angle being greater than the second angle;
a first biasing member configured to bias the first crop divider into the raised position;
a second side frame portion including a first end rotatably coupled to the main frame portion at the second main frame end, and a second end spaced from the first end, the second side frame rotatable about the main frame end between a deployed position in which the second side frame is positioned adjacent the ground surface and the second main frame end, and a stowed position in which the first side frame is positioned vertically above the main frame and is spaced from the ground surface;
a second crop divider coupled to the second end of the second side frame portion, the second crop divider rotatable between a raised position in which the second crop divider is oriented at a third angle with respect to the ground surface while the second side frame portion is in the deployed position and a lowered position in which the second crop divider is oriented at a fourth angle with respect to the ground surface while the second side frame portion is in the deployed position, the third angle being greater than the fourth angle;
and
a second biasing member configured to bias the second crop divider into the raised position,
wherein during movement of the first side frame portion into the stowed position, the first crop divider is configured to be moved into the lowered position against the biasing force of the first biasing member, and
wherein during movement of the second side frame portion into the stowed position, the second crop divider is moved into the lowered position against the biasing force of the second biasing member.

7 more elements

A harvester comprising:

a frame configured to travel along a ground surface, the frame including a first end and a second end spaced from the first end;
at least one crop engaging implement coupled to the frame, the at least one crop engaging implement configured to harvest crops as the main frame travels along the ground surface;
a hopper coupled to the frame, the hopper configured to retain harvested crops;
a first crop divider coupled to the first end of the frame, the first crop divider moveable between a raised position in which the first crop divider is oriented at a first angle with respect to the ground surface, and a lowered position in which the first crop divider is oriented at a second angle with respect to the ground surface, the first angle being greater than the second angle;
a first biasing member configured to bias the first crop divider into the raised position;
a first rotary stalk lifter coupled to the frame adjacent the first end, the first rotary stalk lifter configured to rotate to move harvested crops toward the hopper;
a second crop divider coupled to the second end of the frame, the second crop divider moveable between a raised position in which the second crop divider is oriented at a third angle with respect to the ground surface, and a lowered position in which the second crop divider is oriented at a fourth angle with respect to the ground surface, the third angle being greater than the fourth angle;
a second biasing member configured to bias the second crop divider into the raised position;
and
a second rotary stalk lifter coupled to the frame adjacent the second end, the second rotary stalk lifter configured to rotate to move harvested crops toward the hopper.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.