Abstract:
A harvesting implement for the harvesting of stalk-like plants comprising an intake arrangement for taking up plants located on a field and a stalk divider arranged ahead of the intake arrangement in the forward direction. The crop divider is supported in bearings so that it is free to move relative to the intake arrangement when it is in its harvesting position. The stalk divider is free to move in the sideways direction, that extends transverse to the forward direction.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention is directed to a harvesting implement for harvesting stalk-like plants, with at least one intake arrangement for the intake of stalk-like plants standing on a field and at least one stalk divider arranged in the forward operating direction ahead of the intake arrangement, that is supported in bearings so as to be able to move relative to the intake arrangement.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    EP 1 161 857 A describes a picker for the harvesting of stalk-like plants that includes a conveying element rotating about a vertical axis with drivers extending outward. The drivers grasp the plants standing on the fields and transport them in the sideways direction and to the rear, so that they reach a plucking slot. The plants are transported through the picking gap by means of two picking rolls arranged underneath the picking gap in interaction with the drivers of the conveying element. A further screw conveyor is arranged above the picking slot on the side of the picking gap opposite the conveying element, in order to simplify the introduction of the plants into the picking gap.  
           [0003]    In the implement described there is equipped with an operating width considerably greater than that of conventional pickers that operate with gathering chains. It was therefore even considered that this implement could be used for the harvest of corn that is planted in so-called equal spaced or close spaced sowing. In equal spaced sowing, plants are planted with row spacing of 30 cm. The plants of adjoining rows are offset uniformly from each other and the spacing of the plants in a row equals 33.3 cm. The result is a hexagonal pattern with 10 plants per square meter and with equal spacing between all plants, which enhances the growth of the plants. When such a stand is harvested the result is a rather small spacing of rows, in which the dimensioning of the stalk dividers that precede the picking units becomes critical. If the stalk dividers are selected too narrow, they cannot move the plants to the side in order to conduct them to the conveying element; if, on the other hand, they are selected too wide, they can bend over the plants and shake the cobs down off the plants. Such losses are undesirable.  
           [0004]    EP 0 780 050 A describes a harvesting implement of this class for plants planted in rows, in which a knife beam is preceded by a multitude of stalk dividers arranged to the side alongside each other. Each of the stalk dividers includes a point that is supported through a pivot bearing with a horizontal pivot axis extending transverse to the forward direction on the frame of the harvesting implement. Thereby a runner attached underneath the point can conform to varying terrain conditions in that it moves downward or upward. The aforementioned problem cannot be solved by these stalk dividers.  
           [0005]    DE 73 42 482 U describes a one-piece front attachment corn picker in which the outer divider points can be slid in the sideways direction between a transport position and an operating position. EP 1 179 292 A describes another front harvesting attachment in which the outermost divider points are pivoted to the outside in the transport position, in order to avoid collisions between these divider points above the main frame. These two publications describe divider points that are rigidly attached to the harvesting implement during the harvesting operation and are moved in the sideways direction only during the transition from the transport position to the operating position and the reverse, and hence cannot solve the aforementioned problem.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved harvesting implement, in which undesirable crop losses are reduced, particularly during the harvest of stalk-like harvested crop planted with relatively close spacing.  
           [0007]    It is a feature of the present invention that the harvesting implement is equipped with a stalk divider that can be moved transversely during the harvesting operation.  
           [0008]    In this way the stalk divider can evade the plants in the sideways direction during the harvesting operation, so that its width can be selected to be large enough in order to accomplish an adequate guidance of the plant stalks, without, however, bending the plants to such a degree that losses of cobs or entire plants occur. The stalk divider winds its way through the stand of the plants. The stalks of the plants are gently pushed to the side by the stalk divider and are not knocked over. Thereby the harvesting implement can be applied to stands of plants that are not planted with a spacing that corresponds to the spacing between adjacent intake arrangements, for example, in equal spaced sowing.  
           [0009]    There are various possibilities for the attachment of the stalk divider to the harvesting implement. In this way the stalk divider could be attached to the frame of the harvesting implement so as to pivot about an approximately horizontal axis. In another embodiment it is supported in an appropriate bearing arrangement so as to slide freely. The preferred solution, however, is to connect the stalk divider in joints by a self-aligning bearing, for example, a parallelogram guidance linkage to the frame of the harvesting implement. The latter includes two parallel arms that are connected to the frame and to the stalk divider (as a rule underneath it). In addition to the simple and stable configuration it is seen as an advantage that the stalk divider is pre-loaded into its rest position by the force of gravity. In the other aforementioned variations separate elements are required for this, such as springs or weights with rope pulls and deflecting elements, in case that the stalk divider is not to be supported in bearings, free to move, which would, however, basically also be conceivable.  
           [0010]    The stalk divider may be attached rigidly, so that it does not rotate along its longitudinal axis, relative to the harvesting implement. In order to be able to take up plants that are too close to the ground to be taken up by the intake arrangement of the harvesting implement, an obvious solution is to configure the stalk divider so that it can rotate in the form of a lodged corn screw conveyor about its longitudinal axis extending in the forward direction. It can be equipped without an active drive for positively rotating the stalk divider. This drive is appropriately derived from the drive of the intake arrangement, although a separate drive would also be conceivable, for example, by means of an electric or hydraulic motor.  
           [0011]    In order to lift plants, an obvious solution is the use of conveying elements, such as helically shaped drivers, that are arranged on the surface of the stalk divider with its round or circular cross section.  
           [0012]    The stalk divider ends preferably in known manner in a point toward the front, in order to be able to move between the plants. If it is configured with a circular cross section, it typically has a conical shape. If the stalk divider is not to rotate about its longitudinal axis, its underside may also be flattened, so that it can be attached closer to the ground.  
           [0013]    It is conceivable that plants become deposited upon a stalk divider during the harvesting process that were cut or bent over by an adjacent stalk divider. If the stalk divider ends in a point at the front, these plants can slide to the ground along the sloping surface of the stalk divider, from which they cannot be taken up by the harvesting implement or taken up only under difficulties. In order to solve this problem, a solution is to provide the stalk divider with several stepped sections, where the steps form edges or detents directed towards the rear. These prevent the stalks of the plants from sliding downward along the surface of the stalk divider. The steps may be relatively large and extend over the entire stalk divider. But it would also be conceivable that relatively small steps are used, like the scales on the skin of a fish that are distributed over the surface of the stalk divider.  
           [0014]    The stalk dividers according to the invention are preferably applied to pickers. These stalk dividers are attached as a rule to pickers at the side ends of the operating width of a picking arrangement. The application of the stalk dividers according to the invention is particularly advantageous with pickers of the type described initially, since they make possible a utilization or an enlargement of the entire operating width with a picking arrangement equipped with a rotating conveying element. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a harvesting implement according to the invention with stalk dividers in the harvesting operating position.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the stalk divider of the harvesting implement of FIG. 1 during the harvesting operation.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a perspective partial view of a harvesting implement with another embodiment of a stalk divider, located in the harvesting operating position.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a perspective partial view of a harvesting implement with another embodiment of a stalk divider, located in the harvesting operating position.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 shows a vertical lengthwise section through the retainer of the stalk divider of FIG. 4. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a section of a harvesting implement  10 . The harvesting implement  10  includes a number of evenly spaced intake arrangements  12  arranged alongside each other. Each intake arrangement is provided with a picking arrangement for separating the desirable portion of the plant from the plant stalk. The picking arrangements are connected to each other at their rear by a carrier frame, not shown in the drawing. During the harvesting operation the carrier frame is hooked onto the feeder house of a combine or the intake channel of a forage harvester. The harvesting implement  10  is moved in a forward direction V by the supporting harvesting vehicle through standing plants during a harvesting operation. The standing plants are taken up by the intake arrangement  12 , the cobs are separated and conducted to the harvesting vehicle, while the plant stalks are chopped by flails  14  and remain on the field. In the following the directions given, such as front, rear, below and above refer to the forward direction V of the harvesting implement  10 .  
         [0021]    Each intake arrangement  12  includes a gathering element  16  that can be rotated about the vertical axis. The gathering element  16  is provided with fingers  18  projecting approximately radially outward from the hub. The end regions of the fingers  18  are bent opposite to the direction of rotation in the trailing direction. The gathering element  16  directs the plants to the picking arrangement. Alongside the axis of rotation of the gathering element  16  is a picking gap  20 . Two interacting picking rolls  22  and  24  are located under the picking gap  20 . The front portion of the picking rolls  22  and/or  24  are equipped over at least part of their length with augers in order to direct the plant stalks into the picking gap  20  and to transport them to the rear through the picking gap  20 . However, it would also be conceivable to transport the plants independent of the gathering elements  16  through the plucking gap, for example, by gathering chains or only by the picking rolls  22  and  24 . Above the picking gap  20  and above the fingers  18  is an additional screw conveyor  26 . The additional screw conveyor  26  is located on the side opposite the picking gap  20  and conveys more rapidly than the picking roll  22  arranged beneath it in order to improve the introduction of the plant stalks into the picking gap  20 . The movable elements are brought into rotation by appropriate drives. The additional screw conveyor  26  is driven over the picking roll  22  by a gearbox  34  that is arranged on the forward side of the picking roll  22 . A frame  36  retains the individual elements of the intake arrangement  12 . It is fastened to the aforementioned carrier frame so that it can be slid to the side.  
         [0022]    During the harvesting operation the plants are drawn into the picking gap  20  by means of the picking rolls  22  and  24  and pulled along the picking gap in interaction with the fingers  18  where the stands of fruit (cobs or the like) are separated from the plants and come to lie on stripper plates  28  and  30  that define the picking gap  20 . From there they are conveyed to the rear by the fingers  18  and brought by means of a transverse screw conveyor, not shown, into the feeder house or the intake channel of the harvesting vehicle. A covering  32  above the axis of rotation of the gathering element  16  provides protection. The configuration and the operation of the intake arrangements  12  are disclosed in greater detail in published U.S. patent application Ser. No. 2003/0,079,458 published 1 May 2003, whose disclosure is incorporated into the present application by reference.  
         [0023]    Stalk dividers  38  are arranged in the forward operating direction V ahead of the intake arrangements  12  on both ends at the sides of the operating region of the individual intake arrangements  12 , they are used to deflect to the side plant stalks standing outside the capture region of the fingers  18 , so that they can be grasped by the fingers  18 . The stalk dividers  38  are conical in shape with points directed to the front. Hence their cross section is substantially circular.  
         [0024]    Each stalk divider  38  is attached by a parallelogram guidance linkage  40  to the gearbox housing  34  so that they can move in the sideways direction. On the other hand the stalk divider attached at the far right of the harvesting implement  10  of FIG. 1 (not shown in the drawing) is fastened to the frame  36  of the adjoining intake arrangement  12 . The parallelogram guidance linkage  40  includes two arms  42  extending parallel to each other that are fastened at their upper ends to a retainer  44  that is fastened to a suspension  45  at the gearbox housing  34 . The lower ends of the two arms  42  are fastened to an interior carrier structure (not shown in the drawing) of the stalk divider  38 , in each case about axes extending in the forward direction. Thereby the result is that the stalk dividers  38  are pre-loaded by the force of gravity into their rest position and can move in the sideways direction, as is indicated by the dashed outlines in FIG. 1. If the stalk divider  38  thereby knocks against the plant stalk  46 , as is shown in FIG. 2, it can deflect in the sideways direction. An excessive bending of the plant stalks  46 , that would lead to losses of cobs, is not to be feared, since the stalk divider  38  winds its way between the plant stalks  46 . It may be useful to limit the sideways movement of the stalk dividers  38  by appropriate stops on its rear side, so that the introduction of the plants into the picking gap  20  is guaranteed even with the stalk divider  38  deflected to the side.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a harvesting implement  10  according to the invention. The intake arrangements  12  are identical to those shown in FIG. 1, as is the parallelogram guidance linkage  40  on which the stalk dividers  48  are suspended so as to be able to move in the sideways direction. The stalk divider  48  differs from the stalk divider  38  of FIG. 1 only in the configuration of its surface. The stalk divider  48  is composed of individual truncated conical sections  50 - 56  that form steps in their transition regions with edges facing to the rear. Hence in the side view the surface of the stalk divider  48  is that of a saw-toothed cone. Thereby the result is that the plant stalk  46  that is forced downward by an adjacent stalk divider and rests upon the stalk divider  48  does not slide downward to the ground and is lost to the harvesting process, since it is in contact with a rear edge between the sections  50 - 56  and is prevented from sliding further. It is forced into the picking gap  20  by following plants. In this way losses during the harvest are reduced. As a rule all stalk dividers of the harvesting implement (in contrast to that shown in the drawing) are configured identically to the stalk divider  48  shown.  
         [0026]    Finally, FIG. 4 shows a partial view of a third embodiment of a harvesting implement  10  according to the invention. The intake arrangements  12  correspond to those shown in FIG. 1 and are therefore not shown here. In contrast to the first two embodiments, the stalk dividers  58  can be brought into rotation about their longitudinal axes. For this purpose, the rotational movement of the additional screw conveyor  26  is transmitted from the first gear  60  over a second gear  61  to a third gear  62 , as can be seen in the sectional view through the retainer  68  of the stalk divider  58 , which is shown in FIG. 5. The first gear  60  is rotatively supported in bearings in retainer  68  and is driven by a shaft extending from the front of the gearbox  34 . The first gear  60  in turn drives the second and third gears  61  and  62  also rotatively supported by bearings in the retainer  68 . The axes of rotation of the first, second and third gears  60 ,  61  and  62  are parallel to one another and extend in the forward direction V. The third gear  62  is arranged coaxially to the conical stalk divider  58  that is equipped with helically shaped drivers  64  and rotates the stalk divider  58  through drive shaft  66 . Since the retainer  68  is suspended pendulously about an axis extending in the forward direction V, the third gear  62  and the stalk divider  58  can also perform a pendulous movement in the sideways direction, as is indicated by the dashed lines. The stalk divider  58  is pre-loaded by the force of gravity into its rest position. In this embodiment it may also be useful to limit the range of motion of the stalk divider  58  by appropriate stops  70  and  72  on the retainer  68  and the gearbox housing  34 . Alternatively or in addition, the stalk divider  58  could be pre-loaded into its rest position by springs and/or additional weights also to prevent it from deflecting to the side under the load of a plant that it should have lifted. The stalk divider  58  that can be moved to the side and can be brought into rotation makes it possible to raise lying plant stalks (lodged corn) from the ground and to insert them into the intake arrangement  12 . For the stalk divider  58  arranged at the furthermost right a separate drive would be required, for example, a hydraulic motor, since it is not followed by a gearbox housing  34 .  
         [0027]    Embodiments are conceivable in which the stalk dividers  38 ,  48  and  58  remain in the positions shown. In other embodiments some or all of the stalk dividers  38 ,  48  and  58  can be brought into a transport position in which-they are, for example, taken off the harvesting implement and stowed separately or are pivoted or slid upward, or downward, or to the side.  
         [0028]    Having described the illustrated embodiments, it will become apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.