Patent ID: 8578688
Filing Date: 2013-11-12
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. A harvester for harvesting stalks of stalk-like plants, said harvester comprising: a chassis; at least one ground contacting propulsion device connected to said chassis; and a basecutter assembly coupled to said chassis, said basecutter assembly including: a plurality of cutting knives; and a pair of counter rotating plates including a first plate and a second plate each of which have at least one of said plurality of cutting knives attached thereto, said first plate rotating about a first axis, said first plate having at least one portion that extends in a radial direction such that said portion would interfere with said knife of said second plate except that said first plate is offset in a direction parallel to said first axis; wherein said first plate has at least one face associated with said at least one portion, said face being substantially oriented parallel to said first axis as it extends radially from said first axis; wherein said at least one portion is a plurality of portions and said at least one face of said first plate is a plurality of faces each portion having a face, said first plate having a predetermined number of said plurality of cutting knives connected thereto, said plurality of faces corresponding to said predetermined number; wherein each of said faces have a base and a peak, said base being the closest portion of said face to said axis, said peak being the farthest portion of said face from said axis; and wherein said plurality of faces include a first face and a second face, said base of said first face extending to said peak of said second face in a smooth transition of said first plate.