Patent ID: 8464505
Filing Date: 2013-06-18
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. A method of harvesting corn, said method comprising: a. mounting a first stalk roll to a first drive shaft for rotation in a first direction, wherein said first stalk roll includes a plurality of radially extending flutes; b. mounting a second stalk roll to a second drive shaft for rotation in a second direction, wherein said second direction is opposite said first direction, and wherein said first stalk roll includes a plurality of radially extending flutes; c. defining an area between said first and second stalk rolls as a cornstalk slot, wherein said cornstalk slot has an infinite height and a width defined by the distance between two parallel vertical lines, wherein a first vertical line is tangent the outer periphery of said first stalk roll on the surface of said first stalk roll that faces said second stalk roll, wherein a second vertical line is tangent the outer periphery of said second stalk roll on the surface of said second stalk roll that faces said first stalk roll; d. configuring said plurality of flutes on said first stalk roll and said plurality of flutes on said second stalk roll so that a stalk engagement gap is formed in said cornstalk slot during rotation of said first and second stalk rolls, wherein said stalk engagement gap is defined as a moment in time during which none of said flutes on said first stalk roll and none of said flutes on said second stalk roll are positioned within said cornstalk slot; e. positioning at least one stripper plate above said first and second stalk rolls; and, f. allowing said first and second stalk rolls to engage a corn stalk so as to pull said corn stalk downward.