Universal corn picking row unit
OwnerMarion Calmerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This corn harvesting row unit, which can be assembled into a corn header capable of efficiently harvesting individual rows of corn regardless of the row width. This improvement or novel structure is configured to reduce the number of moving parts required for the efficient harvesting of corn and in addition reduces the power requirements. This novel corn unit will assemble as a corn head with any number of rows and wherein each row unit is capable of harvesting, individually the planted row assigned to it. This novel corn row unit permits the efficient gathering of narrow row, larger spacing corn populations, as well as wider rows and closer spacing populations. Efficient harvesting of narrow row corn has not been possible prior to this invention which is universal in that it can handle any row width.
Claims34
A row unit for a row crop harvester attachment for mounting on a mobile unit:
- a) a main frame on said attachment;
- b) a frame for said row unit attached to one side of said main frame;
- c) a power source attached to said frame;
- d) a plurality of stripper rolls connected to said power source;
- e) first and second stripper plates cooperating with said stripper rolls to remove ears from stalks as the stalks pass through said stripper rolls;
- f) a gatherer chain having a plurality of fingers;
- g) said gatherer chain connected to said power source and attached to said first one of said stripper plates to move said chain relative to said stripper plate;
- and
- h) an ear guide attached to said second one of said stripper plates adjacent said fingers of said gatherer chain to contain the ears within said fingers, whereby the ears are moved to a collection device.
A multiple-row head for harvesting crops including a stalk and a harvestable portion connected to the stalk, the head comprising:
- a frame;
- a collector supported relative to the frame;
- and
- a plurality of row units mounted on the frame, each row unit having a channel with a front inlet adapted to receive an individual row of crop as the head advances over a field of crop planted in spaced apart rows, wherein each row unit further comprises:
- a stripper configured to strip the harvestable portion of the crop from the respective stalks;
- a gatherer associated with a first side of the channel and configured to convey the harvestable portion of the crop to the collector;
- and
- a guide associated with a second side of the channel and configured to contain the harvestable portion of the crop between the gatherer and the guide.
A multiple-row crop harvester attachment for mounting on an agricultural vehicle including a power source, the attachment comprising:
- a frame having a front end and a rear end;
- a collector coupled to the rear end of the frame;
- a transmission coupled to the power source;
- and
- a plurality of row units coupled to the front end of the frame, each row unit having a channel with first and second sides, with a front inlet adapted to receive an individual row of crop as the vehicle travels over a field of crop planted in spaced apart rows, wherein each row unit further comprises:
- a stripper mechanism including a snapper mechanism associated with said row unit to strip a harvested portion of the crop received through the inlet of the channel from a stalk portion of the crop;
- a gatherer coupled to the transmission for receiving power from the power source, the gatherer associated with the first side of the channel and having a plurality of fingers configured to convey the harvested portion of the crop to the collector;
- and
- a guide associated with the second side of the channel and configured to contain the harvested portion of the crop between the gatherer and the guide.
A row unit for a multiple-row head for harvesting crops including a stalk and a harvestable portion connected to the stalk, the head comprising a frame, a collector supported relative to the frame, and a plurality of row units mounted on the frame, each row unit having a channel with a front inlet adapted to receive an individual row of crop planted in spaced apart rows, the row unit comprising:
- a stripper configured to strip the harvestable portion of the crop rom the respective stalks;
- a gatherer associated with a first side of the channel and configured to convey the harvestable portion of the crop to the collector;
- and
- a guide associated with a second side of the channel and configured to contain the harvestable portion of the crop between the gatherer and the guide.
A multiple-row head for harvesting crops including a stalk and a harvestable portion connected to the stalk, the head comprising:
- a frame;
- a collector supported relative to the frame;
- and
- a plurality of row units mounted on the frame, each row unit having a channel with a front inlet adapted to receive an individual row of crop as the head advances over a field of crop planted in spaced apart rows, wherein each row unit further comprises:
- a stalk puller which pulls the respective stalks through the channel to strip the harvestable portion from the stalk;
- a gatherer associated with a first side of the channel and configured to convey the harvestable portion of the crop to the collector;
- and
- a guide associated with a second side of the channel and configured to contain the harvestable portion of the crop between the gatherer and the guide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.