Patent ID: 8615978
Filing Date: 2013-12-31
Classification: A01D,B02C

Abstract:
1. A sugar cane stalk chopper drum arrangement, comprising: a first chopper drum mounted for rotation about a first axis of rotation; a second chopper drum mounted for rotation about a second axis of rotation extending parallel to said first axis of rotation; said first and second chopper drums being respectively equipped with at least first and second identical chopping blades, said blades respectively having first and second beveled outer ends defining first and second cutting edges extending between parallel long and short sides of the associated one of said at least first and second chopping blades, with the first and second cutting edges respectively having first and second outer tips spaced from, and extending parallel to, an associated one of the first and second axes of rotation; said first outer tip tracing a first cylindrical cutting path having a first diameter when said first chopper drum rotates about said first axis; said second outer tip tracing a second cylindrical cutting path having a second diameter which is less than said first diameter, with said first and second cutting paths overlapping each other and defining an intermesh zone; said first and second beveled outer ends each including an initial bevel surface joined to a second bevel surface, with said initial bevel surface joined to, and making an initial angle with the long side of the associated one of said at least first and second chopper blades and cooperating with the long side to define either the first outer tip of the first blade or the second outer tip of the second blade; said second bevel surface being joined to the short side of the associated one of the first and second chopping blades; the initial angle that each of said initial bevel surfaces make with the long side of the associated one of the first and second chopping blades being greater than an angle formed between each of said second bevel surfaces and a plane extending parallel to said long side; and the at least first chopping blade of the first chopper drum and the at least second chopping blade of the second chopper drum are so mounted on the respective chopper drums that the cutting edges come into bevel-to-bevel contact on opposite sides of a timing position when passing through the intermesh zone.