APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATING AND MOVING CROP

Abstract: The apparatus for treating and moving crop, particularly forage crops, comprises a rotor (15) mounted for rotation on a mobile support structure, a front cover (16) and a top cover (18) forming with rotor (15) front crop passage (25) and upper passage (26). Secured to the tubular rotor core member (10) of rotor (15) are helically arranged support means (11) to which crop engaging elements (12) are attached. In operation of the apparatus leading edge regions (13) and (14) of elements (12) define wedge forms which are driven through the crop by rotation of the rotor. Combined with the apparatus may be a mower (32) which is provided with adjustement relative to rotor (15) so that the crop may be treated before or after it is cut off.

Description: APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR T-REATING AND MOVING CROP The present invention relates to apparatus for, and a method of, treating and moving crop. It is concerned in one respect with treating crop before it is cut, in a second respect with collecting crop from the ground for harvesting it or for treating and retrurning it to the ground, in a third respect with treating crop cut by a mower before the crop falls to the ground and forming the treated crop into a swath for subsequent harvesting, and in a fourth respect with moving crop laterally and spreading crop evenly over the ground. Crop collecting and treatment devices employing high-speed rotors having outwardly extending planar crop engaging elements or brush tufts have been disclosed previously, in several forms by the present inventor. Particular examples of such previous disclosures are to.be found in US Patent 4,581,880 and in UK Patents GB 2041713B, GB 2075816B, GB 2099272B, GB 2112714B, GB , 2130864B and GB 2151893B. It is an object of such devices to modify the surface of forage plants, particularly the cuticle, by mechanical actions which may include beating, bending, bruising, lacerating, scratching, scuffing, splitting and tearing. In consequence of these forms of treatment, the cell moisture of the plants moves more easily to the surface and evaporates more rapidly to atmosphere. In the prior disclosures crop engaging elements are arranged in transverse arrays so that at least in the mounting region the crop- facing surfaces of the elements, but also the upstanding mounting ribs, lie parallel to the transverse rotor axis. Depending on the shape, surface area and number of crop engaging elements on each rotor, this form of construction can cause a substantial fan effect at the rotor speeds normally required for effective operation. As a consequence of the fan effect energy may be wasted, at the interface between elements and crop the presence of an air cushion may reduce the effectiveness of the physical crop treatment, which is aimed to be achieved by impact contact and abrasive slip, and at the rear of the device crop flow onto the ground or into a harvesting machine may be adversely affected. The present invention is concerned with improved and additional aspects of treating and moving crops, particularly forage crops. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for treating and/or moving crop, comprising: a mobile support structure for movement over the ground; a rotor, mounted with its trans¬ verse axis parallel to the ground, for rotation relative to the support structure; helically arranged support means secured to the surface of the core member of the rotor; a plurality of elements, secured to a side of the support means and extending outwards from the surface of the rotor core member, for engaging the crop; drive means for driving the rotor in rotation to engage the crop; and a cover surrounding at least the tipper front quadrant of the rotor to direct crop rearwards; characterised in that the crop engaging elements are oriented relative to the transverse rotor axis and shaped so as to treat the crop and to move it by a wedge effect applied to the crop in the direction of rotation of the rotor. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of treating and moving crop comprising the steps of: moving through the crop apparatus for treating crop; driving a rotor for rotation relative to the support structure; moving a -a front region of the apparatus a plurality of crop engaging elements outwardly cantilevered in helical formation from the core member of the rotor; engaging the crop with the elements by a wedge effect in the direction of movement of the elements; and treating the crop by beating, bending, bruising, scratching, scuffing, splitting or tearing. The present invention finds application in tractor-mounted or tractor-drawn machines which are used in the conservation of grass and other crops for winter feeding and in the management of grass areas for amenity and other purposes. In one application the invention may be used to comb through the crop before it is severed from its roots, to treat the crop severely by making use of the natural resistance of plants to uprooting. The apparatus may be moved through the crop prior to cutting or when mounted forward of the cutting front of a mower. The effects of such treatment are severe and include lacerating, splitting and tearing parts off the crop, to achieve very rapid drying, particularly in climatic regions and weather conditions which are favourable and stable. In a second application the present invention may be used as a crop pick-up for lifting cut crop off the ground and conveying it into a harvesting device such as a forage harvester, baler or combine- harvester, all of known construction. In a third appliction the invention may be combined wi h a mower to form a mower-conditioner of conventional configuration. In such a device the crop is first cut by established means, usually horizontally rotating high-speed knives, and is then subjected downstream to physical treatment aimed to accelerate the rate of moisture loss during subsequent exposure of the crop in the field. In the past the safest forms of treatment have been regarded to be gentle treatments, such as bending, bruising, scratching, and scuffing. Providing them for specific purposes is one object of the present invention, to confine the effects mainly to the cuticle, so that the rate of moisture loss is accelerated without risk of excessive nutrient losses through leaching in unfavourable weather conditions. In a fourth application the invention may be used to provide specific means for lifting cut crop from the ground, teasing it out, optionally applying physical conditioning, and replacing the crop on the ground in swaths, windrows or in spread form. Such restructuring of the crop as it lies in the field to dry accelerates the drying process, and forming crop into swaths or windrows prepares the crop for subsequent harvesting by separate means. The severity of any physical conditioning treatment depends, apart from the shape of the crop engaging elements, to a large extent on the tip speed at which the elements meet the crop. Conditioning of cut crop takes place mainly during impact and whilst the crop is being accelerated and impelled upwards against the frictional resistance of the rotor cover which surrounds at least the upper front quadrant of the rotor. Thus, where severe conditioning of cut crop is required, the rotor is driven at high speed and the resistance offered by the crop guide means is to be high. Conversely, gentle crop treatment requires low rotor speeds and low resistance values. In accordance with one preferred feature the present invention is concerned with the support means for the outwardly extending crop engaging elements. The orientation of simple, generally planar crop engaging elements can be affected most readily by the orientation of the support means for the elements. Effective lifting and conditioning of crop can be achieved if, relative to the crop at the feed region, the elements are acutely angled so that one of the side edges of each generally planar element forms the leading edge. Preferably the angular orientation of each element extends throughout its outwardly directed length. Preferably also each element has a circumferentially extending outer edge region, generally parallel with the surface of the rotor core, for engaging the crop. It is preferred that the rotor core is a tubular member so that there may be secured to its surface outwardly extending continuous or intermittent support means in the general form of a helix. The helical arrangement of the support means may proceed unidirectionally from one end of the rotor core to the other, and there may be provided a double- or multi-start helix, so that at a fixed angular orientation of the outer edge regions of the elements the density of elements on the rotor surface may be made suitable for different crops and treatment effects. Preferably the support means may be so arranged that from the cen¬ tre or spaced regions across the width of the rotor the helix proceeds towards or away from the ends of the rotor in the opposite sense. Preferably the support means comprise outwardly extending fins or ribs of such cross-sectional shape that outwardly extending crop engaging elements secured to the support means abut the support means intermittently, most preferably that the crop engaging elements make two-line contact with the support means. Thus, the support means may comprise strips of angle-, C-, I- or U-section, or suitable mouldings. Conveniently they may be secured to the surface of the rotor core by welding or screwing directly or with the aid of brackets in such a way that two webs or lugs extend towards the crop engaging element to be fastened to the support means. The preferred method of fastening outwardly directed flexible elements to the support means is by a single bolt passing through a hole in the base region of the element, through the recess formed between the laterally extending lugs or webs of the support means, and finally through a hole in the support means. Thus, each element is unsupported at least on one side between the two lugs or webs of the support means. Conveniently by tightening the attachment bolt so that in the attachment region the element is forced to bend into the recess between the lugs or webs of the support means, each crop engaging element may be inclined so that the circumferentially extending edge region is laterally displaced relative to the mounting region. "When in this way the leading edge regions of the crop engaging elements are bent in one direction relative to the helically arranged support means, they become reclined more in the direction of rotation of the rotor. The crop treatment effect is then decreased but detachment of crop from the elements is facilitated. The opposite effects may be achieved if the elements are bent in the other direction, so that their leading edge regions are reclined less in the direction of rotation. Flexible crop engaging elements which are fitted so that they bridge the lateral recesses in the upstanding support means substantially undeflected have the advantage that, should they be caused to bend in a direction away from the support means by a heavy load being applied to their outwardly extended regions, they may bend not only along their free length but also into the recess. The support means for the crop engaging elements may be so secured to the surface of the rotor core member that the elements may be attached at the leading or the trailing side of the support means. Rotation of the elements about the attachment bolt is prevented by so positioning the attachment hole that the base of each element becomes firmly seated on the surface of the rotor core member abutting the base of the element. Resilient crop engaging elements may be attached to upstanding support means without the use of bolts. Conveniently for this purpose an outwardly extending fin secured to the rotor core has pressed out to one or other side parallel-sided stirrup-like spaced-apart brackets approximately midway between the upper and lower edges of the fin. The lateral clearance between the side of the fin and the inside of the stirrup is so dimensioned that it at least equals the thickness of the crop engaging elements. The elements themselves are shaped in their base region so that they may be forced into the space between the fin and the bracket and be held captive there by a projection which comes to be positioned under each laterally extending part of the bracket. A spring effect to prevent the projections retracting and releasing an element may be obtained by providing in the base region a key-hole shaped recess and dimensioning the bracket and/or the base portion of the element so that the two legs of the element press outwardly in the captive position. In accordance with another preferred feature, in embodiments of the present invention, the size and shape of the crop engaging elements, together with their operating angles relative to the direction of forward movement of the apparatus, determine the effectiveness of the elements in terms of their ability to treat uncut crop and to collect cut crop at the feed region, accelerate and treat the cut crop and move it rearwardly and laterally. Preferably the crop engaging elements extending outwardly and into the crop flow passage between the rotor and the rotor cover are generally planar elements. Preferably in side elevation normal to their outwardly directed side faces the elements are generally parallelogram- shaped or trapezoidal, presenting to the crop a reclined leading edge. Conveniently the crop engaging elements may be individual elements or comprise parallelogram-shaped or trapezoidal castellations in the outer region of lengths of helical strip of resilient material for fastening at intervals to the support means previously described. Although the shape in normal side elevation of a crop engaging element has been described as resembling a parallelogram or trapezium, any or all of the sides of an element may be curved. Conveniently the elements may be generally flat on their crop engaging surfaces. However, any of the crop engaging edge regions may be provided with notches or grooves, to increase the crop treatment effect of the edges when crop slides along and over them. .ftien attached to helically arranged crop supports, generally planar elements of substantial thickness move around the transverse rotor axis with one edge leading in the direction of rotation. This edge engages the crop, and at sufficiently high speed this causes the desired degree of cuticular damage. The damage is prevented from being excessive by the thickness of each element and the buffer effect of the wide crop facing side of the element. Conveniently for specific purposes there may be provided a substantially planar element which is fabricated or moulded in such a way that at least in the outer region there is provided a laterally directed trailing extension, or wing, reclined from the leading edge on the other side of the basic element. In transverse cross-section the wing and the basic element form the general shape of a chevron. In operation the winged element performs the function of a double-bevel wedge which, when driven through the crop, deflects crop to both sides. Attachment of the winged element to the support means is provided in identical manner to that of simple planar elements. Preferably the enclosed angle between the wings is twice the angle the support means make with the direction of forward movement of the apparatus. In alternative embodiments of the invention there may be provided, for severe treatment of the crop, elements which are chevron-shaped in transverse cross-section, this shape extending into the mounting region. Conveniently they may be made of flexible plastics material or steel, and their outer circumferentially extending edge regions may be profiled, for example by grooves or serrations. Conveniently such elements may be attached to the trailing surfaces of upstanding chevron- shaped brackets by pinning the elements directly to the brackets or by interposing resilient Massing means to allow momentary rearward deflection if an obstruction or a foreign object is met. In operation an acutely angled generally planar sheet-like crop engaging element provides the action of a single-bevel wedge, the wedge being defined relative to the crop by the outwardly and circumferentially extending edge regions. Crop is caused to be deflected laterally away from the principal crop engaging surface of the element. The extent of the deflection depends inter alia on the angle the element makes with the transverse rotor axis and on the length of the circumferentially extending outer edge region of the element. Conveniently a trapezoidal sheet-like element with a pronounced trailing wing may have the wing portion twisted, curved or bent laterally in the direction of rotation, to accentuate lateral crop deflection.. Conveniently helical support means, which provide two-line contact in the mounting region for generally planar sheet-like crop engaging elements, allow bending of the elements due to fluctuating or atypically high tip loads to extend downwards into the fastening region when the element is attached to the trailing profiled side of the support means. To force some or all of the elements into a reclined or forwardly inclined operating position, the attachment bolts may be tightened, to bend individual elements into the recess on the trailing or leading side respectively of the outwardly extending mounting means. Preferably, for the purpose of facilitating bending of the elements into permanently forwardly or rearwardly inclined positions, there may be provided in the fastening region and normal to the direction of bending on each element a groove in one or both of its flat surfaces. Preferably also there may be provided a packing piece of semi-circular or other suitable cross-section which is drilled to pass over the fastening bolt, to force the element evenly into the recess. Conveniently the curvature of the groove may be more gradual than the curvature of the packing piece. Conveniently crop engaging elements to be secured to outwardly ρ-_-t-.pπr..τιg support means with stirrup-like brackets may be appropriately shaped in their base region and may be provided with a key-hole shaped cut-out to enable some movement of the legs on either side of the cut¬ out. Crop engaging elements made of flexible material, as hereinbefore described, when mounted on helical support means, respond to excessive loads by bending in a rearward and lateral directional relative to a radial plane containing the transverse rotor axis. Bending may be combined with a degree of twisting, depending on the resilience of the material from which the elements are made. Embodiments of the present invention preferably incorporate improved arrangements for guiding the crop. The rotor cover serves to guide the crop upwardly and rearwardly. Conveniently the cover may be provided adjacent to the intake and exit regions with deflectors of fixed or variable orientation. The effect created by acutely angled, substantially planar crop engaging elements of moving the crop laterally may be reduced or accentuated by the setting of the crop deflectors. By way of example, if the crop .engaging elements in the two laterally adjacent halves of the rotor are so oriented that the material is moved towards the centre and would fall onto the ground to form a swath -which is heap-shaped in cross-section, more uniform transverse distribution may be achieved by angling a first arrangement of deflectors adjacent the intake region and/or a second arrangement of deflectors preceding, and extending into, the exit region in such a way relative to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus that herringbone patterns are formed by the first and second arrangement of deflectors, to direct the crop away from the centre region. If satisfactory distribution of crop may be achieved by means of the second arrangement of deflectors alone, the first arrangement may be left set parallel to the longitudinal centre line of the rotor cover. Conveniently the deflectors in the exit region may be set to place the treated material on the ground off-centre. Conveniently crop deflectors as hereinbefore described may be pivoted at their upstream or downstream ends and adjusted at their free ends. Preferably the deflectors may be pivoted centrally or nearer their adjustable ends, so that the distance of travel of a common, remotely actuated control cable, rod or likage may be kept minimal, -fliilst actuation may be manual, it may conveniently be assisted electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically. An advantage of remotely controlled deflectors is that the crop may be directed conveniently onto the ground in opposite directions during successive bouts, so that pairs of swaths may be brought close together or be formed into one windrow prior to harvesting. Preferably the side plates of the rotor housing may be flared laterally to extend each side of the crop flow passage above and to the rear of the rotor towards the exit region, so that the distance the crop may be moved to either or both sides is increased. Conveniently this allows spreading of the crop evenly over the ground, when the setting of the deflectors appropriately complements the orientation of the crop engaging elements. When a first arrangement of crop deflectors adjacent to the intake region is set in the opposite direction to that in which the crop engaging elements are tending to move the crop as a result of their angular orientation, the effect of the deflectors is to increase the severity of treatment because they then constitute formidable obstacles to the smooth flow of crop. In the absence of ajustable crop deflectors adjacent to the intake region, there may be provided one or more transverse ribs, bars or ledges, to increase the resistance to crop flow and force the material into intimate contact with the crop engaging elements. Generally the present invention finds application in the cutting, treating and harvesting of grass and other forage crops, including legumes such as lucerne and clover, and of cereal straw and other plant residues. The present invention provides the advantages of effective crop treatment of variable severity, of protection against impact damage by foreign objects entrained in the crop, of high work rates and of low maintenance and running cost. __τ__octiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side elevation of an apparatus for treating uncut crop or for lifting cut crop off the ground and for conveying and optionally treating it; Figure 2 is a rear elevation of sections of the rotor of the apparatus in the direction of arrow A in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a rear elevation in the direction of arrow B in Figure 1 of part of a rear baffle and an arrangement of crop deflectors; Figure 4 is a plan view in the direction of arrow C in Figure 1 of the rotor top cover, showing means of adjusting an arrangement of hinged crop deflectors; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side elevation of an apparatus einbodying the invention when combined with a disc-type rotary mower; Figure 6 is a rear elevation in the direction of arrow D in Figure 5 of the crop engaging rotor; Figure 7 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a mounting arrangement for a generally planar, sheet-like crop engaging element; Figure 8 shows an alternative mounting arrangement, partly in section, for a generally planar, sheet-like crop engaging element employing additional resilient Massing means; Figure 9 shows a mounting arrangement, partly in section, for a generally planar, laterally inclined, sheet-like crop engaging element; Figure 10 shows in side elevation normal to a transverse rotor section a planar crop engaging element which has "a trailing wing and is attached to helical support means; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a generally planar crop engaging element of parallelogram shape; Figure 12 is a perspective view of an asymmetrical crop engaging element for deflecting crop to both sides; Figure 13 shows in side elevation a chevron-shaped crop engaging element, attached to a chevron-shaped bracket, for deflecting crop to both sides; Figures 13a and 13b are respectively a plan view and a front elevation of the element in Figure 13; Figure 13c represents part of a development of a rotor for treating crop in accordance with the invention, illustrating a preferred mounting pattern for elements as shown in Figure 13; Figure 14 is a view, partly in section, normal to the wide side of a planar crop engaging element held captive in a stirrup-type bracket; Figure 14a is a longitudinal section through the element in Figure 14 in the direction of arrows EE; Figure 14b is a transverse section through the stirrup-like retaining bracket in Figure 14 in the direction of arrows FF; Figure 15 is a perspective front elevation of an apparatus embodying the invention for treating and moving crop. Throughout this specification corresponding components o the various arrangements have been given identical reference numerals. For brevity and simplicity the functions and inter-relationships between the various components are described and explained only when they are first mentioned and not fully in connection with each subsequent figure. Thus it is to be appreciated that each time corresponding components with identical reference numerals are referred to, the appropriate description applies. Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown in cross-sectional side elevation apparatus embodying the invention for treating uncut crop or for lifting cut crop off the ground and for conveying and optionally treating it. A cylindrical rotor core 10 has attached to its outer surface helically arranged upstanding means 11 for supporting outwardly extending crop engaging elements 12. In combination the rotor core, upstanding support " means and crop engaging elements form the crop treating/moving rotor generally indicated at 15. The rotor may be mounted in a mobile support structure (not shown), conveniently attached to an agricultural tractor or other prime mover. The drive to the rotor (not shown) may be provided from the tractor power take-off in conventional manner through a telescopic shaft incorporating at least two universal joints, and then through gears and/or chains and sprockets or through belts and pulleys. Surrounding the greater part of the front region of rotor 15 are crop guide means comprising a front cover 16 with shaped, height adjustable lower portion 17. Above the rotor is provided a top cover 18 with angularly adjustable rear baffle 19. Optionally there may be provided on the inside of the front cover 16 an arrangement of hinged or pivoted deflector fins 20. Optionally also there may be provided on the underside of the top cover 18 a further arrangement of hinged or pivoted deflector fins 21. Angular adjustment of the array of deflector fins may be provided by a rod or bar 22, to wMch the deflector fins in any one arrangement of deflector fins may be pivotally connected and which may be be moved laterally in support guides 23 attached to the underside of top cover 18. Preferably the deflector arrangements provided in the front region and under the top cover comprise separate arrangements on each side of the longitudinal centre line of the apparatus, each separate arrangement having its own linkage or other means for varying the angular setting. In this way it becomes possible, in addition to setting all the deflector fins to be angled in the same direction to move the crop either to the left or to the right when the apparatus is viewed from behind, to set the fins in opposite directions in each half of the apparatus, so that the material may be guided to converge towards the centre or diverge towards the sides. In operation as a pick-up crop conditioner the apparatus shown in Figure 1 is moved over the ground from which it lifts cut crop lying thereon, to move the crop upwardly and rearwardly and to return the crop to the ground more loosely arranged than before and in a more favourable physical condition for rapid drying. During acceleration of the crop by the crop engaging elements 12 slip occurs between the edges and surfaces of the crop engaging elements and the crop; it is this slip wMch causes the beneficial surface damage to the crop and wMch reduces the cuticular resistance of the crop to the loss of cell moisture to the atmosphere. Increased slip results if the resistance to crop flow in the front passage 25 formed by rotor 15 and hood 16 is increased. Conveniently this may be acMeved by adjusting the orientation of the deflector fins 20 so that they make increasingly large angles with the helical support means 11 and, consequently, with the outer peripheral edges 13 of the crop engaging elements 12. Resistance to crop flow in the front passage 25 is low when the deflector fins 20 are set normal to the transverse rotor axis. The upper crop flow passage 26 is formed by rotor 15 and top cover 18. Optional upper deflectors 21 may be spaced further apart from rotor 15 than front deflectors 20, so that the effect on treatment severity of upper deflectors 21 is less. Rear baffle 19 may be set as shown so that crop thrown against it loses much of its velocity and falls to the ground gently. Alternatively baffle 19 may be adjusted so that it intrudes less acutely, or not at all, into the crop stream in the exit region, allowing crop to be thrown further to the rear. Conveniently, rear baffle 19 may be fabricated from rods, to form a rake-like structure for allowing small crop fragments to pass between the teeth and directing the coarse material into a steeper downward path. Thus the small fragments may be deposited on top of the coarse material, to be saved from loss. At one or both sides of the rotor housing upper crop flow passage 26 may be flared laterally, as indicated by broken lines 27, to increase its width towards the exit region. In this way the freedom may be increased for crop to move sideways in response to the angular orientation of crop engaging elements 12 and optional crop deflectors 20 and 21. After passage through the apparatus the crop may be spread evenly over the field surface or be deposited in swaths, depending on the orientation of elements 12 and the angular settings of crop deflectors 20 and 21. Whilst the shape of the crop engaging elements 12 shown in Figure 1 is generally trapezoidal, other shapes may be provided. Preferably the leading edge region is reclined in the direction of movement of the elements 12. For some applications the leading edges 14 of elements 12 may be curved. Due to the angular orientation of crop engaging elements 12, which aligns the peripheral edges 13 into an intermittent spiral spaced around the rotor core, leading edge regions 14 of elements 12 make first contact with the crop and impart to the crop much of the desired treatment effect. With cut forage materials in particular, high levels of crop damage are avoided by the outwardly directed surfaces of the elements on both sides of edge 14, that is to say by the thickness and the width of each element. The apparatus shown in Figure 1 finds application also as a separate conditioning device for uncut crop. Conveniently the apparatus may be mounted offset to one side of a tractor for treating the uncut crop on that side. The treated crop may be cut during the following bout by a mower, preferably a drum-type rotary mower, wMch may be attached at the front of the same tractor. Any plant parts torn off by the action of the crop engaging elements are directed by the rotor covers to be deposited at the rear on to the treated standing crop. The crop acts as- a buffer to support detached plant parts and prevent them from falling to the ground. The apparatus shown in Figure 1 finds further application in simplified form as a pick-up device attached at the front of forage harvesters, balers and other harvesting machines. Conveniently for this purpose only a plain and smoothly curved cover extending over the upper half of the rotor may be required. Preferably the crop engaging elements may be made from flexible material, to afford protection against inadvertent contact with the ground and with foreign objects lying on the ground. By the combined effects of the resilient elements and their mounting arrangements the elements may deflect laterally and rearwardly and may twist to some extent. Conveniently the helical mounting pattern of the crop engaging elements provides a lateral sweeping effect over the crop stubble, and this results in a clean pick-up of loose plant material. Preferably the crop engaging elements are also inclined laterally towards the crop to be collected, to provide a scooping effect. Conveniently, to Tninimise the risk of ground contact, there may be provided, preferably at the sides or immediately behind the rotor, ground support means (not shown), such as skids, wheels or rollers. It is to be understood that crop lifted at the front region of the apparatus by contact with the crop engaging elements 12 of the rotor 15 detaches itself from the crop engaging elements 12 by centrifugal ef ect. Figure 2 is a view in the direction of arrow A in Figure 1 of sections of rotor 15. The support means 11 for winged trapezoidal crop engaging elements 12 attached to the cylindrical surface of rotor core 10 are arranged in a single-start helix with a pitch slightly greater than the radius of rotor core 10. As viewed in Figure 2 the crop engaging elements 12 are angled and provided with twisted trailing wings in such a way that crop is displaced uni-directionally to the right, especially on release from the elements by centrifugal effect. In other embodiments of the invention the helical support means 11 may be secured to the rotor core 10 so that the helices are arranged to proceed from the rotor centre towards the right-hand and left-hand ends of rotor 15 in the opposite sense, to displace the crop either towards the centre or towards the ends. Figure 3 is a rear elevation in the direction of arrow B in Figure 1 of part of a rear baffle 19 and an optional arrangement of crop deflectors 21 provided on the underside of top cover 18. The deflectors 21 are set so that their deeper trailing edges are placed to the lef of the shallower leading edges; this causes crop to be guided after release from the rotor towards the left, as seen. Individual deflectors 21 are pivotally or hingeably connected to common adjusting bar 22 which is intermittently supported across the width of top cover 18 by brackets 23. Preferably the arrays of crop deflectors 21 in the left-hand and right-hand halves of rotor top cover 18 may be adjusted separately so that crop is directed optionally towards or away from the centre region. If all deflectors 21 are adjusted to be parallel with the direction of forward movement of the apparatus, lateral crop deflection is minimal, the deflectors counteracting at least some of the lateral displacement effect of the angled crop engaging elements 12. Broken line 27 in Figure 3 denotes the optionally flared side sheet of the rotor housing, to enable lateral displacement of the crop in the exit region to be increased. Figure 4 is a plan view in the direction of έrrow C in Figure 1, principally of rotor cover 18 and of the means for adjusting hinged crop deflectors 21. The adjusting bar 22, wMch passes through spaced support brackets 23 and to which the crop deflectors 21 are pivotally attached, has adjusting holes near its free end, there also being locating holes or a slot in the first adjacent support bracket 23. As the adjusting bar 22 is pushed towards the centre of the rotor top cover 18 from being fully extended to the left, the trailing ends of the deflector vanes 21 swing through an arc, changing the orientation of the deflectors 21 from being inclined to the left, via a position parallel to the direction of forward movement of the apparatus, to being inclined to the right, as viewed in Figure 4. One of the spaced-apart holes in the free end of bar 22 may be made to register with one of the series of holes in the first support bracket 23, and both components may be locked together by means of a threaded or lockable pin 29, to maintain the desired angular setting of deflector fins 21. It should be noted that other means may be provided for locking the adjusting mechanism and for changing the angular setting of deflectors 21, including linkages and cables, wMch may be remotely controlled manually or conveniently by hydraulic, electric or pneumatic means. Conveniently the array of deflectors 20 inside front crop flow passage 25 may be adjusted also manually o remotely by means similar to those described in respect of deflectors 21 in upper crop flow passage 26. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus embodying the invention when combined with a disc-type rotary mower, indicated diagrammatically at 32. Mowers of this kind are well known. The crop engaging elements 12 of rotor.15 comprise continuous or sectioned strips of resilient material provided in their outer crop engaging region with parallelogram-shaped castellations. Preferably the circumferential spacing of the castellations is such that in successive windings of the helical support means 11 adjacent castellations are circumferentially displaced so as not to lie in the same transverse plane. Most preferably the castellations in adjacent windings also form a helical pattern, to minimise torque peaks in the driveline to the crop engaging rotor 15 and to divide the crop layer fed to the rotor into small increments of width. Conveniently the castellated crop engaging elements may each be of generally triangular shape in side elevation, with reclined leading edges, or they may be trapezoidal with long or short circumferentially extending edge regions. Conveniently other, known means for securing elements to rotor core members may be employed. In strip form crop engaging elements may be moulded so that the outer crop engaging regions are inclined to one side, so as to engage particularly straight stemmy crops more effectively, especially before they are cut. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5 there may be provided in the front crop flow passage 25, attached to the front hood 16, at least one transverse angular rail 28 so positioned and shaped that crop ascending in the crop flow passage 25 may be directed towards the crop engaging rotor 15. In this way the resistance to crop flow through passage 25 may be increased and, as a consequence, the physical treatment effect may be enhanced. Preferably the position of rail 28 may be adjustable downwards, to decrease the physical treatment effect by increasing the clearance with rotor 15, when required. In place of transverse guide rail 28 there may be provided an array of fixed or angularly adjustable crop deflector fins, as shown at 20 in Figure 1. Conveniently the disc mower 32 and rotor 15 with rotor covers 16 and 18 may be fitted to the mobile support structure so that the fore and aft position and vertical clearance of mower 32 relative to rotor 15 may be varied, preferably by changing the position of the mower. The further to the rear the mower is positioned relative to the rotor, the more crop will be treated before it is cut, and, conversely, the further forward the mower is positioned relative to the rotor, the higher will be the proportion of cut crop wMch is treated. At the extreme relative positions only uncut and only cut crop will be treated. In the intermediate position shown in Figure 5 some of the crop treated by rotor 15 will be cut and some will be uncut. Conveniently the lower section 17 of front rotor cover 16 may be independently height adjustable, to control the inclination of the crop when it is engaged by rotor 15. In one embodiment of the invention there may be provided drive means to drive the rotor 15 so that the crop engaging elements 12 move downwards at the front region. This mode of operation enhances the effectiveness of the mower, when the rotor is positioned over or forward of the cutting front, by inclining the crop rearwardly so that it lies towards the cutting knives. Preferably a swath forming cowling, indicated in broken outline at 18a, may be provided. Figure 6 is a diagrammatic rear elevation in the direction of arrow D in Figure 5 of the crop engaging rotor 15. In another embodiment of the invention the arrangement of the crop engaging elements may be provided by helical windings wMch are so oriented relative to the direction of rotation of the cutting discs of the rotary mower that the crop is supported laterally by the elements against the direction of movement of the cutting knives of the rotary mower beneath. By the co-operation of a conditioning rotor of the present invention the cutting performance may be improved of disc type and other forms of mower, including drum, band, belt, spiral and reciprocating mowers. Figure 7 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a mounting arrangement for a substantially planar, sheet-like crop engaging element 12. The element 12 may be secured by a mounting bolt 35 to outwardly directed support means 11, wMch may take the form of an upstanding channel section. The support means 11 may be secured to the rotor core 10 by, for example,-ccnatinuous or intermittent seam welding. The shape of the support means 11 ensures two-line contact with the crop engaging element 12 in the mounting region. This, in turn, permits any bending of the element during clockwise rotation of the rotor to continue into the space between the trailing lugs of support means 11. Such yielding in the mounting region may be facilitated by the provision on one or both sides of flexible element 12 of grooves 37, wMch preferably may be half-moon shaped in cross-section. Bending of element 12 in the opposite direction, as would occur if a heavy load were applied to the free end of the element during anti¬ clockwise rotation, can not result in yielding in the mounting region, unless additional yielding/Massing means are provided. Conveniently such additional yielding/Massing means may be provided by a collar made of resilient material, as shown at 48 in Figure 8. It is a further advantage of yielding/Massing means 48 that, by tightening bolt 35, crop engaging element 12 may be forced to bend in the mounting region into the space between the lugs of support means 11, causing the outwardly extending portion of element 12 to become laterally inclined. In Figure 9 is shown in side elevation a mounting arrangement, partly in section, for a generally planar, sheet-like, laterally inclined crop engaging element 12. Support means 11 comprise a C- section metal strip welded to rotor core tube 10 and provided at intervals along its length with support legs 11a formed by making spaced-apart cuts from the inner edge of the support means towards the centre and by bending the freed sections sideways. Element 12 is secured to the support means 11 by mounting bolt 35 in such a way that a packing piece 36 registers with a half-moon shaped groove in the mounting region of element 12 and, on tightening of bolt 35, forcing the element in the mounting region to bend into the recess between the upper and lower edges of support means 11. The extent to wMch mounting bolt 35 is tightened determines the degree of lateral inclination of crop engaging element 12, within the limits provided by the dimensions of the recess between the laterally extending edges on support means 11. Depending on the direction of rotation, the outer circumferentially extending edge region of element 12 may meet the crop at different angles, and this may affect the severity of crop treatment. Figure 10 shows in side elevation normal to a transverse rotor section a generally planar crop engaging element 12 attached to helical support means 11 secured to the rotor core 10. Conveniently the trailing wing of crop engaging element 12 may be bent or -twisted to intrude more acutely angled into the crop stream and to acMeve more pronounced treatment and lateral deflection of the crop. Figure 11 shows in perspective view a generally planar crop engaging element 12, generally of parallelogramme shape but curved at the base to fit snugly on to the surface of the cylindrical rotor core 10. Conveniently on its leading edge 14 and its parallel trailing edge the element 12 may be provided with one or more notches 38. On its outer peripheral edge 13 it may be provided with one or more notches or transversely extending grooves 39, to increase the abrasion effect imparted to the crop in operation. In Figure 12 is shown a perspective view of an asymmetric crop engaging element 12 for deflecting crop to both sides. In the mounting region the element is sheet-like, and in the principal crop engaging tip region an additional wing 41 makes the element chevron-shaped when viewed from above. The additional wing 41 may vary in its outwardly directed shape, as indicated by the broken lines 42. At both trailing edges the element 12 may be provided with serrations 40 wMch also serve to increase the abrasive effect of the element in operation. Conveniently there may be provided in the leading outwardly extending region of edge 14 notches 38 and in the peripheral edge region 13 notches or grooves 39. Figure 13 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a further chevron-shaped crop engaging element 12 wMch may be made of steel or of flexible plastics material. The outer, circumferentially trailing edge regions may be shaped, for example by grooves or serrations, and each element may be fastened to the trailing surfaces of a complementarily chevron-shaped support bracket 11. In the ' region of the mounting bolt 35 there may be provided Massing means in the form of collar 48. Conveniently, with elements made of flexible material the collar 48 may be moulded on to the element, and with elements made of metal the collar 48 may be a separate part. In the base region the wings of element 12 may be tapered away from the rotor core member against the direction of rotation, so that clearance is provided under the wings for the element to rock rearwards against the Massing means 48 in response to excessive tip loads. More severe tapering in the trailing base region of the wings of element 12 than shown will be required if, as is preferred, the element and mounting bracket 11 are to be reclined in the direction of rotation. Preferably the element 12 in Figure 13 may be made of flexible material and may be divided into two separate wings along the leading edge 14 from the outer tip to a recess 45, wMch may be a circular hole near the tip region of bracket 11. In operation of the apparatus the outer regions of the separate wings may bend or twist independently of each other in overload conditions. Conveniently such bending may be facilitated and given direction by a groove 37, provided in the trailing surface of each wing, preferably extending from the inner trailing corner outwards to the relief aperture 45 in leading edge 14. Figure 13a is a plan view of the .element 12 and mounting bracket 11 as shown in Figure 13. Conveniently, away from the leading edge the separate wings may be chamfered sideways in the outer centre region, so that independent flexing, and return of the wings to their normal disposition, may not be impaired. Conveniently the wings of the support bracket 11 may extend rearwards for a shorter distance than the wings of element 12. Figure 13b is a front elevation of the element and bracket shown in Figure 13. There are indicated in broken lines the shallow grooves 37 wMch may be incorporated in the trailing surfaces of element 12 to facilitate and control wing deflection. The grooves may extend in different directions to those shown. Figure 13c represents a section in plan view of the development of a rotor according to the invention, showing a preferred mounting pattern for chevron-shaped crop engaging elements. Figure 14 is a view, partly in section, normal to one side of a planar crop engaging element 12 wMch is held captive in a stirrup-type support bracket 44. Conveniently a key-hole shaped recess 45 in the central mounting region of element 12 allows the two feet of the element to be forced towards each other when the element is being fitted by first locating one of the projections 46 on one of the side faces of element 12 under one side of bracket 44 arid then using this side of the bracket as the fulcrum to lever the element into position until the second projection 46 becomes located under the other side of bracket 44. In the installed position the feet of element 12 remain biassed towards opposing sides of bracket 44. In operation the element 12 is held parallel to the fin-like support means 11, as shown in Figure 14a, wMch is a longitudinal section through the element in Figure 14 in the direction of arrows EE. Element 12 is supported at its base and in an outward direction beyond bracket 44 by the fin-like support means 11, so that a load applied to the outwardly extending portion of element 12 in the direction of the arrow permits the element 12 to bend from the tip to the outermost edge of bracket 44. Figure 14b is a transverse section through the stirrup-like retaining bracket 44 in the direction of arrows FF in Figure 14. Preferably the bracket 44 is provided on the trailing face of support means 11. Figure 15 is a perspective diagrammatic front view of an embodiment of the invention. The helical arrangement of crop engaging elements 12 is such that loose plant material is moved in opposite directions away from the end regions of the rotor. The cover 16 has a height adjustable lower section 17. A transverse member 49 of the mobile support structure serves to connect the apparatus with, for example, the rear mounting linkage of a tractor, and shaft 50 may provide the drive to the rotor from the tractor power take-off. There will now be considered the important dimensions and general arrangements wMch are appropriate for the effective operation of embodiments of the invention. The requirements for treating or collecting different forage crops may vary appreciably, depending on crop maturity, length, yield, moisture content and other crop-related factors. Conveniently the rotor core may be cylindrical, but it may also be polygonal in cross-section. The rotor core diameter may vary preferably between 200 and 500 mm, most preferably between 320 and 400 mm. The outwardly extending length of support means for crop engaging elements may vary preferably between 20 and 100 mm, more preferably between 35 and 60 mm. Conveniently the overall outwardly extending length of crop engaging elements from the surface of the rotor core member may be 80 to 250 mm, preferably 100 to 150 mm. Depending on the severity and extent of use for wMch the apparatus is intended, the crop engaging elements may be made of st-eel or of polypropylene, nylon, polyurethane, rubber or other proprietary synthetic or natural resilient material. Conveniently the wall tMckness of resilient crop engaging elements may be 3 to 20 mm, preferably 5 to 10 mm. Preferably the Shore hardness of resilient material from wMch crop engaging elements may be made may vary on the D-scale between 45 and 70°. Conveniently, for lifting crop off the ground, to deliver it into a harvesting macMne, or to return it to the ground without need for substantial physical treatment, the tip speed of a crop engaging rotor may vary preferably between 8 and 21 m/s. For conditioning forage crops., to increase the rate of drying in the field markedly, rotor tip speeds may vary preferably between 15 and 31 m/s. Conveniently the crop engaging rotors of the present invention may be arranged with their transverse axes generally parallel to the ground and substantially normal to the direction of forward movement of the apparatus. Conveniently the angle the outer circumferentially extending edge regions of crop engaging elements make in a development of the rotor with the general direction of forward movement of the apparatus may vary, preferably between 15 and 50°, more preferably between 25 and 40°. Conveniently there may be provided between 2 and 12 crop engaging elements in each winding of the helical mounting arrangement for the elements, preferably between 4 and 9. Conveniently the orientation of the helical support means for the crop engaging elements may be reversed at least once across the width of the rotor core member, preferably in the centre region, or in relation to the direction of movement of the cutting knives of associated mowers.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for treating and/or moving crop, comprising: a mobile support structure for movement over the ground; a rotor, mounted with its transverse axis parallel to the ground, for rotation relative to the support structure; helically arranged support means secured to the surface of the core member of the rotor; a plurality of elements, secured to a- side of the support means and extending outwards from the stirface of the rotor core member, for engaging the crop; drive means for driving the rotor in rotation to engage the crop; and a cover surrounding at least the upper front quadrant of the rotor to direct crop rearwards; characterised in that the crop engaging elements are oriented relative to the transverse rotor axis and shaped so as to treat the crop and to move it by a wedge effect applied to the crop in the direction of rotation of the rotor. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in wMch each crop engaging element comprises generally planar surfaces with edge regions wMch extend outwardly and circumferentially. 3. Apparatus according to claims 1 and 2 in wMch each crop engaging element is mounted on the helical support means so that its principal outwardly extending piane makes an acute angle with the transverse rotor axis. 4. Apparatus according to claims 1 to 3 in wMch each crop engaging element has an outer circumferentially extending edge region generally parallel with the surface of the rotor core. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4 in wMch the outer circumferenti¬ ally extending edge regions of at least some of the crop engaging ele¬ ments are angled or curved laterally in trailing wing regions, to make a greater angle with the crop flowing past than in the mounting region. 6 Apparatus according to claim 4 in wMch the outer edge region of each crop engaging element is laterally displaced relative to the mounting region. 7. Apparatus according to claims 1 to 6 in wMch the crop engaging edge regions of crop engaging elements are profiled by notching, grooving or serrating. 8. Apparatus according to claim 2 in wMch crop engaging elements are shaped and biassed in their mounting region so that they may be sprung into, and retained in the operative position by, stirrup-like brackets provided on a side of outwardly extending mounting fins. 9. Apparatus according to claim 2 in wMch the crop engaging elements have the general shape of a parallelogram or a trapezium. 10. Apparatus according to claim 9 in wMch the outwardly extending edge regions are curved. 11. Apparatus according to claim 2 in wMch each crop engaging element has 2 crop-facing sides and is chevron-shaped in plan view. 12. Apparatus according to claim 1 in wMch the core member of the rotor is a tubular member. 13. Apparatus according to claim 1 in wMch the rotor core member is provided on its surface with continuous or intermittent outwardly extending support means arranged generally in the form or pattern of a helix. 14. Apparatus' according to claim 13 in wMch the helical arrangement of the support means is oriented in the opposite sense at least in each transverse half of the rotor core member. 15. Apparatus according to claim 13 in which the support means com¬ prise fins or ribs profiled on at least one side so that outwardly extending crop engaging elements secured to that side abut the support means intermittently in the outward direction. 16. Apparatus according to claim 13 in wMch the support means comprise an upstanding fin or rib provided on either side with stirrup¬ like brackets. 17. Apparatus according to claim 13 in wMch the support means are chevron-shaped in plan view. 18. Apparatus according to claim 1 in wMch there are provided over the rotor a front cover and a top cover extending conjointly at least over the whole of the rotor. 19. Apparatus according to claim 18 in wMch there are provided between the rotor and the front cover, or the top cover, or both, angularly adjustable crop deflector vanes spaced apart laterally. 20. Apparatus according to claim 19 in wMch each set of crop deflector vanes is ajustable independently in each transverse half of one or both rotor covers. 21. Apparatus according to claims 19 and 20 in which the angular adjustment of the deflector vanes is remotely controlled manually or assisted by electric, hydraulic or pneumatic means. 22. Apparatus according to claim 19 in wMch the setting of the crop deflector vanes provides adjustment of the severity of crop treatment. 23. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the rotor is driven to move the crop engaging elements upwardly at a front region. 24. Apparatus according to claim 1 in wMch the rotor is driven to move the crop engaging elements downwardly at a front region. 25. Apparatus according to any preceding claim in wMch the apparatus is combined with a crop mower. 26. Apparatus according to claim 25 in wMch the crop mower is moveable so as to change its fore-and-aft and/or vertical position relative to the apparatus. 27. Apparatus according to claim 25 in wMch the rotor is positioned over or in front of the cutting front of the mower. 28. A method of treating and moving crop comprising the steps of: moving through the crop apparatus for treating crop; driving a rotor for rotation relative to the support structure; moving at a front region of the apparatus a plurality of crop engaging elements outwardly cantilevered in helical formation from the core member of the rotor; engaging the crop with the elements by a wedge effect in the direction of movement of the elements; and treating the crop by beating, bending, bruising, scratching, scuffing, splitting or tearing. 29. A method according to claim 28 including the steps of impelling and conveying the crop through a passage by driven movement of the crop engaging elements relative to the rotor cover. 30. _ A method according to claims 28 and 29 including the steps of directing and moving the crop laterally by the wedge effect of the elements. 31. A method according to claims 28 to 30 including the steps of controlling the flow of crop through the apparatus and on to the ground at the rear by the effects of crop guide vanes of variable orientation. 32. A method according to claims 28 to 31 including the step of moving the apparatus through the crop and at the same time mowing the crop before or after it is treated by the apparatus. 33. Apparatus for treating and moving crop substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one or any combination of the accompanying drawings. 34. A method for treating and moving crop substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one or any combination of the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: KLINNER WILFRID ERWIN, KLINNER, WILFRID, ERWIN
Applicants: KRONE BERNHARD GMBH MASCHF, MASCHINENFABRIKEN BERNARD KRONE GMBH
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A01D43
IPC codes: A01D41, A01D43, A01D82