Harvester spout control device

In a forage harvester having a frame adapted for movement across a field;

• a crop comminution means supported by said frame for reducing crop material into relatively small particles;
• a crop discharge means proximate to said crop comminution means for the discharge of said reduced crop material away from said crop comminution means;
• and upwardly inclined discharge deflection means cooperable with said crop discharge means for directing the flow of reduced crop material therefrom, said deflection means having a lower base member connected to said crop discharge means, a remote discharge end elevated above said lower base member and a centerline extending from said crop discharge means through said base member to said discharge end substantially corresponding to the path of travel of discharged crop material, said centerline having a substantially linear portion extending from said crop discharge means to said base member;
• a rotation means mounted on said discharge deflection means proximate to said base member for the selective rotation of said discharge deflection means about an axis corresponding to said substantially linear portion of said centerline;
• a support means pivotally interconnecting said discharge deflection means and said frame to maintain a preselected vertical position of said discharge end while allowing movement thereof in a horizontal plane;
• and drive means for powering said crop comminution means, said crop discharge means and said rotation means, the improvement comprising:
• a pivot means mounted on said discharge deflection means proximate to said base member to permit a vertical movement of said discharge end relative to said base member, said linear portion of said centerline being disposed at an acute angle to a vertical line projecting through said base portion, said support means including a pivotal connection with said frame being in substantially vertical alignment with said pivot means, whereby upon rotation of said discharge deflection means by said rotation means, said discharge end is automatically rotated in a substantially horizontal plane.

In a forage harvester having a frame adapted for movement across a field;

• a blower discharge tube inclined relative to the vertical;
• a spout having an input end pivotally affixed to said discharge tube and a remote discharge end directing cut crop material upwardly and rearwardly away from said forage harvester;
• and means for controlling the vertical and horizontal position of said discharge end of said spout relative to the ground, the improvement wherein said means for controlling comprises:
• means for connecting said spout to said discharge tube to permit simultaneous movement of said discharge end in at least two independent directions;
• and
• means interconnecting said frame and said spout for maintaining movement of said discharge end in a plane, whereby said discharge end rotates about an axis of rotation perpendicular to said plane.