Patent ID: 9113593
Filing Date: 2015-08-25
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. A sickle cutting apparatus comprising: a frame structure arranged for forward travel over ground having a standing crop thereon; a cutter bar secured to the frame structure and extending transversely across a front end of said frame structure; a plurality of stationary knife guards mounted along the cutter bar and projecting forwardly therefrom; each of said guards having at least one guard finger so that the fingers are arranged in a row along the cutter bar with a space between each finger and the next allowing crop to enter the space up to a position of engagement with a rear element along the cutter bar; each guard finger having an upwardly facing ledger surface with opposed side edges thereof arranged to provide first and second shearing edges; a sickle bar mounted in transversely extending position and being driven for reciprocating movement relative to said guard fingers; the sickle bar having a plurality of knife blades mounted thereon for movement therewith; each of the knife blades having a cutting surface for passing across the ledger surface of the knife guard fingers and an opposed surface; each of the knife blades having on first and second sides first and second side cutting edges which are beveled from the opposed surface to the cutting surface to cooperate with said shearing edges of said guard fingers; the guard fingers and knife blades being arranged so as to provide a cutting action on the crop in which each knife blade reciprocates back and forth between the guard fingers; wherein the guard fingers, knife blades and the rear element are shaped and arranged to provide a percentage cutting inefficiency calculated as follows: EITHER wherein the percentage cutting inefficiency, calculated at 6 mph and at a sickle stroke rate set at a value which provides inertia values equal to those obtained by a three inch stroke at 600 rpm, is less than 30%; OR wherein the percentage cutting inefficiency, calculated at 10 mph and at a sickle stroke rate set at a value which provides inertia values equal to those obtained by a three inch stroke at 750 rpm, is less than 35%; OR wherein the percentage cutting inefficiency, calculated at 14 mph and at a sickle stroke rate set at a value which provides inertia values equal to those obtained by a three inch stroke at 900 rpm, is less than 40%.