Abstract:
This invention relates to harvesting machines and more in particular, to harvesting machines capable of harvesting more than one crop row. In this scenario, this invention has the objective of providing a system for harvesting machines that make it possible to cut more than one crop row simultaneously. To this end, a cutting system for harvesting machines is proposed, comprised by at least two row dividers ( 6 ) and by at least two cutting elements ( 16 ), each of the at least two cutting elements ( 16 ) are positioned in the structure of each of the at least two crop rows ( 6 ). This invention further provides for a harvesting machine comprises said system.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to harvesting machines. More particularly, this invention relates to harvesting machines capable of harvesting more than one crop row. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0002]    Sugarcane harvesting machines are known in the art which are capable of performing a base cut (close to the bottom) and only harvest one crop row, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Basically, these machines include: (i) wheels or tracks  100  for locomotion; (ii) two row dividers  110  located on the front thereof to function as a means to separate the row that will be harvested from the others; (iii) a knockdown roller  120  responsible for knocking down the sugar-canes and in this way, applying tension to its base to make it easy to cut; (iv) pre-cut lifter roller  130 ; and (v) two cutting discs  140  comprising a plurality of cutting knives for cutting the base of the sugarcanes. After passing through the devices mentioned above, the sugarcanes are collected, chopped and discharged in a storage vehicle (transshipment). However, the machines described above do not support harvesting of more than one crop row. 
         [0003]    In an attempt to solve this problem, chopping machines of the same configuration as shown in  FIG. 1  were developed, however they comprise cutting discs spaced further apart, enabling harvesting of up to two rows of relatively close plantings. Nevertheless, the distances between the cutting discs and consequently between the crop rows to be harvested are limited to the spacing between the wheels or tracks of the machine. Still, the existence of adaptive cutting devices are known which are adapted to the side of the harvesting machine as disclosed in document PI0901295-8. Such devices comprise a cutting disc and enable cutting of one row adjacent to the row harvested by the machine. Although you can cut more than one row of planting, to use this device the harvest can only be performed on one row at a time. 
       OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In view of the above, the objective of this invention is to provide a system for harvesting machines which makes it possible to cut more than one crop row simultaneously, and optionally to allow for a good adjustment of the cutting height. 
         [0005]    This invention also has for its objective the provision of a harvesting machine comprising such a system. 
       SUMMARIZED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In order to achieve the objectives described above, this invention provides a cutting system for harvesting machines, comprising at least two row dividers and at least two cutting elements, each of the at least two cutting elements being positioned in the structure of each of the at least two row dividers. 
         [0007]    This invention further provides for a harvesting machine comprising the system mentioned above. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0008]    The other advantages and characteristics of the invention will be better understood through the description of the preferred embodiments, given by way of example and which are not limiting, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic top view of a harvesting machine for only one crop row as known in the prior art; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic top view of a harvesting machine for more than one crop row in accordance with this invention; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show details of the cutting device according to this invention connected to a row divider; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows a view of the system according to this invention wherein plates are used on the inner side of a row divider; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic top view of the harvesting machine according to this invention harvesting three crop rows. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The following description describes a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to this particular embodiment. 
         [0015]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic top view of a harvesting machine according to this invention comprising, in addition to the basic components of a harvesting machine of the prior art, namely wheels or tracks  4 , knockdown roller  8 , lifter roller  10 , and two internal cutting discs  12 , a cutting system ( FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b ), also in accordance with this invention, it is provided with row dividers  6  and cutting elements  16 . The system is positioned in front of the harvesting machine so that the cutting elements  16  are able to be at a greater distance from each other and are not limited to the spacing between the wheels or tracks  4  thereof. The distance between the cutting elements  16  should preferably be equal to the distance between the crop rows. Preferably, the cutting elements  16  are located forward of the knockdown rollers  8  and the lifter  10 . In yet another preferential manner, each of the cutting elements  16  is located forward and outward of the two inner cutting discs  12 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0016]    The cutting elements  16  of this system, as well as the cutting discs from harvesters from the prior art may comprise knives  18 . By rotating the cutting elements  16 , these knives  18  will perform base cutting of the sugarcane (or any other type of plant you wish to harvest). 
         [0017]    Preferably, the cutting elements  16  of the system according to this invention are powered by hydraulic motors which can be powered by the main hydraulic circuit of the harvester. Alternatively, the cutting elements can be powered by electric motors. Thus, it is unnecessary to adjust the hydraulic circuit existing in the original harvester machine, since the engine may be operated, for example, by at least one battery. 
         [0018]    In this cutting system, the cutting elements  16  are attached to the structure of the row dividers  6 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b . The joint between each of the cutting elements  16  to a row divider  6  may be performed by at least one arm  20 . Each of the arms  20  corresponding to each of the of the cutting elements  16  may be attached to each of the row dividers by any known fasteners, such as screws, bolts, rivets, welds, among others. 
         [0019]    Optionally, the device according to this invention comprises a height system which may be adjusted depending upon level of the ground. This characteristic is very useful in fields where there is a gap between the crop rows or height variations along the rows. In a first embodiment, the height adjustment system can be independent on each of the arms  20 , where each would be articulated with respect to the row divider  6  at the contact point between them ( FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b ). In other words, such a system would allow pivotal movement of each of the structures  20  with respect to its point of attachment to the structure of the row dividers  6 . 
         [0020]    Alternatively, each arm  20  can be connected to the structure of each of the row dividers  6  so that the first one has a vertical translation movement with respect to the last one, making a variation possible in the height of the cutting element  16  with respect to the ground. 
         [0021]    So that the above variation may be performed, that is, so that it can perform a “read” of the level of the ground and make compensations throughout the harvesting process, a surface  22  ( FIG. 3   b ) at the bottom of each of the cutting elements  16  may be supported and in permanent contact with the ground, making the height adjustment systems mentioned above fit (independently of one another) at the level of the ground at a certain location in the crop rows. Alternatively, the cutting device in accordance with this invention may comprise at least one wheel (not shown) located under each of the cutting elements  16 , supported and in contact with the ground, replacing the aforementioned surface  22 . 
         [0022]    Alternatively or additionally, the structure of each of the divider rows  6  may comprise a suspension system, making it possible for each of them to move vertically to compensate for variations in the terrain. This movement would be carried out independently in each of the referenced assemblies. Such a feature would be possible using, for example, a joint ( FIG. 4 ) or a rail (not shown) at the junction of the structure of each of the row dividers  6  with the chassis of the harvesting machine. This joint or rail may be powered by a hydraulic piston, causing each of the row dividers  6  to move, and consequently adjusting the distance of the element(s) attached thereto with respect to the ground. Optionally, each of the row dividers  6  may comprise wheels located on their underside and supported on the ground to self-adjust to the same height depending on the ground level. Thus, efficient movement may be carried out independently on each row divider  6 , compensating for variations in the ground level of each crop row. 
         [0023]    Additionally, the cutting device may comprise at least one aligning element (not shown) positioned above each of the cutting elements  16 . The aligning elements may be rotary arms parallel to the existing rollers, able to align the cut cane immediately after cutting, facilitating its entry into the feeder of the harvesting machine (knockdown roller  8 ). This prevents, for example, cane pieces that have already been cut from being collected by the harvesting machine and laid across the row dividers  6 . Preferably, each element aligner is connected laterally to the structure of each row divider  6 . Optionally, each of the aligning elements is powered by a hydraulic motor, for example, the cutting elements  16 . 
         [0024]    Although optional, this invention may comprise plates  26  located on the inner side of the row dividers  6 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . These contribute to “sealing” the inner sides of the row dividers  6 , with the double function of aligning the cane better for cutting and preventing the pieces already cut from getting stuck in the structure of the row dividers or the chassis close to that point. 
         [0025]    Accordingly, and as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the cutting system according to the invention may be adapted to a conventional single crop row harvesting machine, allowing for more than one crop row to be cut and harvested by the original feeding system of the machine, without needing to make adaptations thereto. In this situation, significant modifications would not be necessary in the original harvesting machine. Once again, in reference to  FIG. 2 , in the situation of the illustrated harvest, i.e., two crop rows, the internal cutting discs  12  may be kept in operation and would function in aiding to feed the cut stems into the machine, no longer performing the base cutting as done previously. 
         [0026]    Alternatively, a harvesting machine comprising the device according to the invention could perform the cutting and harvesting of more than two crop rows, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In this configuration, two cutting elements  16  of this cutting system would perform the cutting of two side crop rows, while the internal cutting discs  12  may perform a center line cut, thereby cutting and harvesting three crop rows simultaneously. This could be done, for example, by installing an adaptation structure  24  between the row dividers  6  and the original machine chassis, causing the system to adapt to the spacing between the rows. 
         [0027]    In addition, a harvesting machine according to this invention may have the gauge of the wheels or tracks  4  adjusted to adapt to the spacing of the crop rows, to not trample the harvested and adjacent rows. To this end, this harvesting machine may comprise a system for adjusting the size of the axle which connects the wheels or tracks, so that the distance therebetween may be adjusted according to the spacing between the crop rows to be harvested avoiding the problems mentioned above. The adjustment system may comprise, for example, adapters  28  installed on each side of said axle, increasing its effective length. 
         [0028]    Numerous variations focusing on the scope of protection of this application are allowed. For example, nothing prevents more than one cutting element is positioned in a single row divider. Thus, it reinforces the fact that this invention is not limited to the particular configurations/embodiments described above.