US 4,072,002 A · Rotary severing mechanism for a row crop header

Abstract

A forage harvester row crop header having a mobile frame, at least one fore-and-aft extending row crop unit mounted on the frame and including an elongated passageway for receiving a row of crop as the header advances forwardly over a field of crop planted in spaced apart rows is provided with an improved severing mechanism for severing the crop within the passageway and which further insures the severance of grass-like materials within the crop row. The improved severing mechanism includes upper and lower rotary severing discs and a lower rotary guide disc. The upper and lower rotary severing discs are disposed on opposite sides of the elongated passageway and overlap within the passageway in defining a severing zone for severance of crop material. The lower rotary guide disc is mounted to and below the upper severing disc. Upon operation, the guide disc engages grass-like materials within the row crop and orients the same into the severing zone resulting in severance thereof. The improved severing mechanism further includes stripper bars so positioned so as to maintain the severing mechanism free from any build-up of crop material within the severing mechanism which would adversely affect its operation.

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Drawings

Claims4

Dependent claims

An improved rotary severing mechanism for a harvesting machine row crop header including at least one row crop unit having at least one elongated crop passageway for receiving a row of crop, said improved severing mechanism comprising:

(a) first and second rotatably driven shafts disposed on opposite sides of said elongated passageway,
(b) first and second severing elements respectively supported on said first and second shafts, said first and second severing elements extending outwardly from said respective shafts into said passageway to define a severing zone and being operable to sever crop within said severing zone upon predetermined counter-rotation of said shafts,
(c) said first and second severing elements comprising discs having confronting shearing surfaces defined by beveled edge portions disposed for cooperative engagement in said severing zone to sever said crop under conditions where said first and second shafts are counter-rotated, and
(d) a flat guide element supported on said first shaft below said first and second element, coaxial with said first element and overlapping with said second severing element for promoting orientation of said crop within said severing zone.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description3,161 words

Summary3,161 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to a row crop header for a forage harvester and, more particularly, is directed to an improved rotary crop severing mechanism for severing the crop as the header advances forwardly over a field of crop planted in spaced apart rows.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

Facts

Application

05/713,469Filed 11 Aug 1976

Granted

7 Feb 1978

Term ended

7 Feb 1995

Estimated · how

Pre-1995 term; greater of 17 years from grant or 20 years from filing when eligible. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification2 codes

A01D 43/082
Specially adapted for ensilage of maize: gathering units
A01D
Harvesting

Rotary severing mechanism for a row crop header

Life of this patent

Rotary severing mechanism for a row crop header

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims4

Description3,161 words

Drawings

Classification2 codes

Life of this patent

Description3,161 words