US 10,993,373 B2 · Corn header row unit

Abstract

A row crop header for an agricultural machine harvesting a crop having stalks, such as corn. The row crop header includes a frame, a first crop row divider mounted to the frame, and a second crop row divider mounted to the frame and spaced from the first crop row divider to define a space therebetween. A row unit is disposed at the space, wherein the row unit includes a deck assembly defining a gap, the deck assembly including a compliant deck configured to adjust the gap based on contact with the stalks of the crop. The compliant deck includes a plurality of overlapping plates having edges defining the gap where the edges are configured to move responsively to varying diameters of stalks. Crops are separated from the stalks upon contact with the overlapping plates. A gathering chain moves the separated crops toward a collector.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A row crop header for an agricultural machine harvesting a crop having stalks comprising:

a frame;
a first crop row divider mounted to the frame;
a second crop row divider mounted to the frame and spaced from the first crop row divider to define a space therebetween;
a row unit disposed at the space, wherein the row unit includes a deck assembly defining a gap, the deck assembly including a first compliant deck and a second compliant deck configured to adjust a width of the gap based on contact with the stalks of the crop, wherein the compliant deck includes a first plurality of overlapping plates having edges defining a first side of the gap and a second plurality of overlapping plates having edges defining a second side of the gap, wherein the first plurality and the second plurality of overlapping plates are each operatively connected to a respective first and second drive belts;
at least one conforming device directly pressing on the first or second drive belt to apply a pressure thereto, wherein the width of the gap is adjusted by the at least one conforming device in response to contact with the stalks of the crop.

2 more elements

A crop divider for an agricultural machine harvesting a crop having stalks comprising:

a deck assembly defining an adjustable gap having a first gap end and a second gap end, the deck assembly including a compliant deck configured to adjust the adjustable gap between the first and the second gap ends based on contact with the stalks of the crop, wherein the compliant deck includes a first plurality of overlapping plates connected to a first drive belt, the first plurality of overlapping plates having edges defining a first side of the adjustable gap, a second plurality of overlapping plates connected to a second drive belt, the second plurality of overlapping plates having edges defining a second side of the adjustable gap, and at least one conforming device to resiliently adjust a pressure along the adjustable gap by adjusting a width of the adjustable gap in response to a size of the stalks, wherein the adjustable gap is defined by a distance between the edges defining the first side of the adjustable gap and the edges defining the second side of the adjustable gap, the at least one conforming device directly pressing on at least the first drive belt or the second drive belt;
and
a gathering chain assembly disposed adjacently to the compliant deck configured to move crop separated from the stalks from the first gap end toward the second gap end.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Corn header row unit

Life of this patent

Corn header row unit

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17