AN IMPLEMENT FOR PROCESSING MOWN CROP

Abstract: The implement comprises a plurality of mower members (6) and a crop processing member (15). The crop processing member (15) comprises a carrier (18) to which are fitted tine-shaped elements (25, 26) via connecting members which comprise supports (27) in the form of supporting walls (28 to 30) located at least at the side of the tine-shaped elements facing away from the side from which they are loaded during normal operation. The supporting wall (28) encloses, at least near the end remote from the carrier, an angle (37) with the tine-shaped element (25, 26) made at least partly of a synthetic resin material.

Description: The invention relates to an implement for processing mown crop, comprising a frame, a processing member, attached to said frame and a hood, which is attached to the frame above the processing member wherein said processing member further comprises a carrier to which tine-shaped elements are connected by means of connecting members, each of which connecting members comprising a holder with supporting walls located at least at the side of said tine-shaped elements facing away from the side from which they are loaded during normal operation, a portion of the supporting walls enclosing, at least near the end remote from said carrier, an angle with the said tine-shaped elements made at least partly of a synthetic resin material, whereby the tine-shaped elements extend along facing walls of said holder, which implement further comprises a locking member being arranged between the tine-shaped elements which lock same against movement in their longitudinal direction relative to the holder. An implement as described above is known from GB-A-2132462. Yet in this implement the tine-shaped elements are formed by an elongate strip of stiff resilient synthetic plastic material, which is folded in a V-shape, to form two outwardly extending arms. It is an object of the present invention to provide an implement of the above type with tine-shaped elements which are easy to manufacture and to connect to the implement. According to the invention, this can be achieved in that the locking member is positioned at least partly in recesses in facing sides of two separate tines. In this situation, the tine-shaped elements can be connected in an advantageous manner, which simplifies the manufacture of the implement. The supporting walls are a proper support for the plastic tines. The tines can advantageously unwind their load-induced bend along the supporting wall portions that enclose an angle with the tines when in the unloaded state. The plastic tines can deflect advantageously from their connection to the carrier. This provides an advantageous processing of the crop. If there are solid objects among the crop, the tines can deflect in order to avoid them, thus obviating a fracturing thereof. This renders the implement more reliable during operation and the processing action can be effected in an optimum manner. An advantageous embodiment occurs when the locking member has the form of a bushing provided around a clamping bolt, which clamping bolt extends through apertures in the holder and in the clamping member. The locking member so preventing a movement of the tines in a direction parallel to their longitudinal direction from the holder. A further advantage occurs when the tine has a round or a multi-sided, at least approximately equilateral cross-section between approximately 12 mms and 28 mms and, preferably, approximately 20 mms. For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment according to the invention; Figure 2 is, to an enlarged scale, a cross-sectional view of part of the implement according to the invention taken on the line II-II in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a view of part of the implement, taken in the direction of the arrow III in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line IV-IV in Figure 2; Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of an implement according to the invention. The implement according to this embodiment is a mower-crusher implement, of which is shown in Figure 1 at least that portion which comprises the mowing implement 1 and the crop processing implement 2. A carrier device 3, by means of which the combination of the mowing implement 1 and the crop processing implement 2 can be connected to a tractor or a suchlike vehicle, is shown only in part. The mowing implement 1 comprises a carrier beam 5 to which mower members 6 are arranged rotatably. The mower members 6 are located above the carrier beam 5 and are rotatable about upwardly extending rotary axes by means of transmission members mounted in the carrier beam 5. The mower members 6 comprise disc-shaped members to which are fitted two diametrically opposite knives 7. Above the row of mower members 6 there is arranged a frame beam 8 which is rigidly connected to the carrier beam 5 and together therewith is coupled pivotably to the carrier device 3. In this situation, the mower implement 1 can pivot relative to the carrier device 3 about a pivot axis (not shown in further detail) which extends in the normal direction of operative travel 12 of the implement. On the carrier beam 8 there are arranged two carrier arms 10 and 11, to which the crop processing implement 2 is coupled. The crop processing implement 2 comprises a rotor-shaped member 15 and a hood 16 co-operating therewith. The rotor-shaped member 15 is coupled to the carrier arms 10 and 11 capable of rotation about a rotary axis 17 (Figure 2). The rotor-shaped member 15 includes a centrally located rotor shaft 18 which, in this embodiment, consists of a tubular member centrically surrounding the rotary axis 17. Alternatively, the rotor shaft 18 may be of a different design. The rotor-shaped member 15 comprises three sets of processing tines 21, 22 and 23. As is apparent in particular from Figure 2, these sets 21 to 23 are fitted to the rotor shaft 18 with a uniform distribution around the rotary axis 17. The sets are arranged such around the rotary axis 17 that they are shifted through 120° relative to the adjacent set. Each set consists of a plurality of tine groups 24 which are spaced apart, taken in a direction parallel to the rotary axis 17. Each set is wound in a spiral around the rotary axis 17 along the length of the rotor shaft 18. In this embodiment, adjacent tine groups 24 of a set are staggered through approximately 50° around the rotary axis 17. Each of the tine groups comprises two tines 25 and 26 which project with respect to the rotary axis 17 and are arranged in a V relative to each other and diverge in a direction away from the rotary axis 17. The tines 25 and 26 constitute tine-shaped processing elements. Each of the tine groups 24 includes a tine support 27 which is rigidly attached to the rotor shaft 18. The tine support 27 is of a U-shaped cross-section and has a bottom portion 28 and two upright sides 29 and 30. The tine support 27 constitutes a holder for the tines. The side walls 29 and 30 extend in the shape of a V corresponding to the V-shaped position of the tines 25 and 26, so that, taken in a direction away from the rotary axis 17, these walls 29 and 30 diverge at an angle equal to that at which the tines 25 and 26 are arranged relative to each other. Each tine group has two tines 25 and 26. In this embodiment, the two tines are formed separately and are fully identical. Together, the two tines of a tine group are connected rigidly to the holder 27. In this situation, the two tines 25 and 26 are clamped tightly against the bottom 28 of the tine holder 27 by means of only one single bolt 31 and a pressure plate 32. The bolt 31 is inserted between the tines 25 and 26, as is apparent in particular from Figure 4. The bolt 31 is surrounded by a bushing 40 which is located with a tight fit in recesses 45 provided in the facing sides of the tines 25 and 26. The tines bear against the walls 29 and 30 of the tine holder 27 and at one end against the rotor shaft 18. The spacing 33 between the ends of the walls 29 and 30 that are contiguous to the rotor shaft 18 is such that the ends of the tines contact each other. The pressure plate 32 is disposed between the walls 29 and 30 and, preferably, has its sides bearing against these side walls 29 and 30. Taken from the bottom 28 of the tine holder 27, the side walls 29 and 30 extend near the rotor shaft 18 to above the pressure plate 32 (Figure 2). The tine holders 27 extend through a distance 34 from the rotor shaft 18. The bottom 28 extends through a distance 35 from the rotor shaft 18 parallel to a plane 36 which includes the rotary axis 17 and the centre lines of the tines 25 and 26 of a group. The distance 35 is equal to approximately half the distance 34. Within the distance 35, the bolt 31 extends through an aperture in the bottom portion 28. The bottom portion 28 extends through the portion 51, which, considered from the rotor shaft 18, is located outside the distance 35, at an angle 37 to the tines 25 and 26 (Figure 2). Preferably, the angle 37 is more than approximately 4° and less than 15°. As in this embodiment, the angle 37 is preferably approximately 10°. The end of the tine holder 27 facing away from the rotor shaft 18 has outwardly folded edges 38 which extend from both the bottom portion 28 and the side walls 29 and 30. The upper edges of the side walls 29 and 30 extend, with respect to the bottom portion 28, slightly downwardly from the rotor shaft 18. The ends of the walls 29 and 30 facing away from the rotor shaft 18 are preferably positioned such that, taken from the bottom portion 28, they extend at least to near the plane 36. The outwardly folded edges 38 are folded in accordance with a smooth curve 39. At the side facing the tines, this curve 39 extends in accordance with a radius which is approximately 10 mms. The tines 25 and 26 are preferably straight, the centre lines 41 and 42 thereof being located in the plane 36. The tines preferably have a cross-section of such a shape that the outer circumference thereof is located approximately centrically around the centre lines 41 and 42. In this embodiment, the tines are of a circular cross-section, but they may alternatively be, for example, an equilateral polygon, for example a square. The cross-sectional width of the tines is preferably more than 15 mms and less than 25 mms. In this embodiment, the tines 25 and 26 have a cross-sectional width of approximately 20 mms. The tines of each group of tines have their centre lines 41 and 42 located in the plane 36. Adjacent tine groups of a set are shifted relative to each other around the rotary axis 17 for the purpose of distributing the tines optimally over the entire periphery of the rotor shaft 18. Depending on the length of the rotor shaft 18 and the number of groups of tines in a set, the adjacent tine groups are provided in shifted relationship through a wider or a smaller angle relative to each other around the rotary axis 17. In this embodiment wherein six mowing members 6 having a total working width of 240 cms are used, the rotor shaft has a length of approximately 190 cms and each set of tine groups comprises fourteen tine groups which are distributed through 360° around the rotary axis 17. Adjacent tine groups of a set are shifted through approximately 51° relative to each other around the rotary axis 17. The tine groups 24 of the sets 21 to 23 are staggered relative to each other through a distance equal to that between the adjacent groups of one set divided by the number of sets (Figure 3). The tines 25 and 26 of each group enclose an angle 44 of approximately 20° with each other. Alternatively, this angle may be chosen slightly differently, but preferably will not be more than approximately 30° and not be less than approximately 15°. The tines extend through a distance 46 from the rotor shaft 18, which distance is approximately 21 cms in this embodiment. The tines extend through approximately 25 cms from the rotary axis 17. The length 46 of the tines is approximately three times the distance 34 through which the tine holders 27 extend from the rotor shaft 18. The tines 25 and 26 are made of a synthetic resin material, preferably polyamide 6, e.g. Nylon 6, so that the tines, partly because of their cross-section, have a certain degree of flexibility. This material, or a similar material, of which the tines are made has the advantange that its modulus of elasticity doubles over a temperature difference of approximately 25° (i.e. between approximately 30°C and approximately 5°C). The tines 25 and 26 of a set of tines extend symmetrically relative to a centre plane 50 which extends perpendicularly to the rotary axis 17 and contains the centre line of the connecting bolt 31. In this situation, the centre plane 50 contacts the periphery of the tine ends located near the rotor shaft 18 in the region of the periphery thereof where they contact each other. During its use, the implement according to the invention is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow 12 with the aid of a tractor or a suchlike vehicle to which it is connected by e.g. the carrier device 3. During operation of the implement, the mower members 6 are caused to rotate in such a manner that the mowing knives 7 can cut the crop in the field. Then the beam 5 will be located approximately parallel to the surface to be mown and, preferably, bear on the soil with part of the implement's weight. The mower members are induced to rotate in a desired direction. In this embodiment, adjacent mower members are induced to rotate in the opposite direction relative to each other, as is indicated by arrows in Figure 1. If so desired, this direction of rotation can be chosen differently. The crop mown by the mower members 6 moves over the mower members towards the rear, taken in the direction of operative travel 12. The crop processing implement 2 is arranged such that the rotor-shaped member 15, which during operation is caused to rotate, picks up the crop mown by the mower members and processes same further in co-operation with the hood 16. During operation, the rotor-shaped member 15 is caused to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow 52. When this direction of rotation is used, the tines near the bottom side of the rotor move in a direction indentical to the direction of operative travel 12. The tines 25 and 26 of the rotor-shaped member 15 will pick up the crop near the rear sides of the mower members and lift same. The crop is then conveyed to the rear between the rotor-shaped member 15 and the hood covering same and, for example, be deposited again on the soil behind the implement. The rotor-shaped member 15 is caused to rotate at such a speed around the rotary axis 17 that it can process the crop in a predetermined manner in co-operation with the hood 16. The processing operation is effected substantially by the tines 25 and 26, while the hood 16 ensures that the crop remains in contact with the tines. The tines 25 and 26 will contact the crop at a given speed and, depending on the type of crop and the rotational speed of the rotor, will, for example, crush and/or crimp the crop with a greater or lesser intensity. So as to perform this processing operation in the appropriate manner, particularly in dependence on the quantity of crop to be processed per unit of time, the tines according to the invention are made of a comparatively flexible material. Because of their flexibility the tines can bend to some extent, so that the free ends thereof can move resiliently relative to the ends retained in the holder 27. The bending of the synthetic resin material tines can be effected advantageously in that the holder extends rearwardly through the distance 51 at the angle 37 (taken relative to the direction of rotation 52) and in that near its end the holder is provided with the edges 38 which are folded outwardly in accordance with the curve 39. The tine can bend rearwardly relative to the direction 52 under the pressure of the material to be processed or of a solid object present among the said material. The tine can come to bear on a larger or smaller portion of the portion 51 of the tine support 27. This supporting action which increases on further bending through the distance 51 is advantageous to prevent damage to the synthetic resin material of the tine. For that purpose, the portion 35 is caused to merge smoothly into the portion 51. Also, the curve 39 is advantageous to prevent, on excessive bending of the synthetic resin material tine, damage to the tine by incision of the synthetic resin material. An advantageous embodiment is obtained when the curve 39 is bent in accordance with a radius of approximately 10 mms. Preferably, this radius is not less than 5 mms and not more than 15 mms. The flexibility of the tines is substantially the same in all directions because they are located approximately centrically around the centre lines 41 and 42, respectively. Taken in the direction of rotation 52, the curves 39 are positioned such around the tines 25 and 26 that, when bent, these tines can be supported adequately in both a direction opposite to the direction of rotation 52 and in directions perpendicular thereto. Since the tines 25 and 26 are identical, each tine can be mounted along both the wall 29 and the wall 30. Preferably, the tines are provided with small recessed portions 45 to accommodate the bushing 40, thereby preventing a movement of the tines in a direction parallel to their longitudinal direction from the holder 27. The centre plane 50 located halfway between the two tines 25 and 26 and containing the centre line of the bolt 31 and extending perpendicularly to the axis of rotation 17 constitutes a symmetry plane for the portions of the connecting members located on both sides and by means of which the two tines of a group are fitted to the rotary shaft 18. These connecting members comprise the holder 27, which is connected rigidly to the rotary shaft 18, the pressure plate 32 and the bolt 31 cum bushing 40. As was shown in particular in Figure 3, the tine groups of the three sets 21, 22 and 23 are arranged in a staggered relationship relative to each other. This achieves an adequate distribution of the tine-shaped elements constituting tines around the periphery of the rotor shaft 18. Acting thus, the crop conveyed by the rotor in the direction indicated by the arrow 52 is processed uniformly between the said rotor and the hood 16. In dependence on the spacing between the tines, the angle 44 between the tines of a group may be chosen in the direction parallel to the rotary axis 17 to be more or less wide so as to obtain a most favourable distribution of the ends of the tines along the circumference of the rotor-shaped body 15. The use of the tines 25 and 26 of a synthetic resin material, e.g. polyamide 6, has the advantage that consequently the rotor-shaped body 15 can remain of a comparatively low weight, for the synthetic resin material tines 25 and 26 are considerably lighter than e.g. metal tines. The mower having a width of 2.40 m, the rotor-shaped body 15 will be provided with e.g. three sets of tines, each comprising fourteen groups of tines. Because of the use of synthetic resin material tines and the lighter connecting members adapted thereto, the rotor-shaped body is lighter than when there are used corresponding metal tines and connecting members adapted thereto. Therefore, in its totality, the mowing implement having a working width of 2.40 m and the rotor-shaped body 15 having a corresponding width of aproximately 190 cms, the rotor-shaped body can be approximately 40 kgs lighter than a similar rotor-shaped body having metal tines. The groups of one set of tine groups are spaced apart by a distance 60 of approximately 13 cms. However, the distance 60 may alternatively be chosen differently, if one wants to provide the rotor with a higher or a lower number of tines. Preferably, the holders 27 are connected rigidly to the rotor shaft e.g. by welding. Thus, a simple construction is obtained whereby the rotor can be manufactured easily. The part of the connecting member constituted by the holder 27 and forming, along the distance 34, a supporting wall for the tine when the tine is bent, is preferably connected rigidly to the rotor shaft 18. The pressure plate or the clamping member 32 is a loose component part with respect to the rotor shaft. The mounting of the tines between the plate 32 and the holder 27 can be influenced advantageously by manufacturing the bushing 31 of a slightly compressable synthetic resin material, e.g. polyamide 6. When compressing the pressure plate 32 by the bolt, the bushing which may e.g. be 1 mm larger than the thickness 32 of the tines, is compressed. This increases its diameter somewhat and the bushing 31 will press tightly the tines against the walls 29 and 30. As a result thereof, the tines will continue to be adequately secured during the use of the implement. Then, the tines 25 and 26 of a group will not become detached by the impact loads to which they may be subjected during operation of the implement. Although, preferably, the holder 27 constituting the supporting wall is connected rigidly to the rotor shaft 18 e.g. by welding, the said shaft acting as a carrier, it is in principle also possible to rigidly connect the clamping member 32, acting as a pressure plate, to the rotor shaft and to manufacture the supporting wall 27 as a loose component part with respect to the rotor shaft 18. Because of the comparatively low weight of the rotor-shaped body, less energy will be required to cause it to rotate. The connection of two individually formed tines which extend substantially radially with respect to the rotary shaft 17, such as the tines 25 and 26, has the advantage that the tines can all be identical to each other. The connection of the tines to the rotor shaft 18 can then be effected easily, it being possible for the holder 27 to be comparatively small. The invention is not limited to the features described in the foregoing but also relates to all the details shown in the drawings, whether they have been described or not.

Claims: 1. An implement for processing mown crop, comprising a frame (8), a processing member (15), attached to said frame (8) and a hood (16), which is attached to the frame (8) above the processing member (15), wherein the processing member (15) further comprises a carrier (18) to which tine-shaped elements (25, 26) are connected in pairs by means of connecting members, each of which connecting members comprising a holder (27) with supporting walls (28 to 30) located at least at the side of said tine-shaped elements (25, 26) facing away from the side from which they are loaded during normal operation, a portion of the supporting walls (28 to 30) enclosing, at least near the end remote from said carrier (18), an angle with the said tine-shaped elements (25, 26) made at least partly of a synthetic resin material, whereby the tine-shaped elements (25, 26) extend along facing supporting walls (29, 30) of said holder (27), which implement further comprises a locking member (31, 40) being arranged in between the tine-shaped elements (25, 26) which locks same against movement in their longitudinal direction relative to the holder (27), characterized in that the locking member (40) is positioned at least partly in recesses (45) in the facing sides of two separate tine-shaped elements. 2. An implement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the locking member (40) has the form of a bushing provided around a clamping bolt (31), which clamping bolt (31) extends through apertures in the holder (27) and a clamping member (32). 3. An implement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in the the tine-shaped element (25, 26) has a round or a multi-sided, at least approximately equilateral cross-section between approximately 12 mms and 28 mms and, preferably, approximately 20 mms.

Inventors: KOORN, MAARTEN, SIKKEMA, SAPE
Applicants: C. VAN DER LELY N.V.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A01D43
IPC codes: A01D43