Patent Publication Number: US-2022232774-A1

Title: Modular Chassis Assembly and System for a Sugar Cane Harvester

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter relates generally to agricultural harvesters, such as sugarcane harvesters, and, more particularly, to a modular frame assembly for a sugarcane harvester and related modular frame systems. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In an ever-changing agricultural landscape, adaptability is important to allow both manufacturers of agricultural harvesters and the end-users of such harvesters to be able to accommodate varying market demands, as well as varying trends in planting arrangements and/or the like. The need for such adaptability is particularly relevant in the cultivation and harvesting of sugarcane and other tall, stalky patents, where the industry is undergoing a rapid evolution in terms of both the development of new varieties of plants and the use varying planting configurations, all with an eye towards increased productivity. In this regard, manufacturers of sugarcane harvesters have made substantial efforts to provide machines that accommodate the varying market demands, such as by designing harvesters capable of harvesting two or more crop rows as opposed to a single row (i.e., multi-row harvesting) and/or by designing harvesters configured to allow a separate harvesting attachment to be coupled thereto. However, to date, conventional harvesters have been specifically adapted for the specific type of harvesting operations being performed, such as by having a specific frame or chassis configuration for single row harvesting, a different frame or chassis configuration for multi-row harvesting, and yet another frame or chassis configuration for header-based harvesting. Accordingly, to provide commercial versions of each of such machines, current manufacturers are required to spend substantial time and capital in the development and deployment of such machine variations. 
     Accordingly, what is needed in the industry is a modular frame assembly for a sugarcane harvester and related modular frame systems that allow for various different harvesting configurations to be accommodated by using shared or common frame components or sections within each machine variation. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a modular frame system for a sugarcane harvester. The system includes a base frame section having a forward end and an aft end, with the base frame section defining a forward interface portion at the forward end. The base frame section is configured to support one or more processing components to facilitate processing of harvested crop materials. The system also includes a plurality of interchangeable front frame sections configured to be removably coupled to the base frame section, with each front frame section having a unique frame arrangement as compared to the remainder of the interchangeable front frame sections such that each front frame section is adapted to provide a differing harvesting configuration for the sugarcane harvester when selected for installation on the base frame section. Moreover, each front frame section includes a front end and a rear interface end, with the rear interface ends of the interchangeable front frame sections defining a common interface portion configured to be coupled to the forward interface portion of the base frame section. 
     In another aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a modular frame assembly for a sugarcane harvester. The modular frame assembly includes base frame section having a forward end and an aft end, with the base frame section defining a forward interface portion at the forward end and an aft interface portion at the aft end. The base frame section is configured to support one or more processing components to facilitate processing of harvested crop material. The modular frame assembly also includes a front frame section configured to be removably coupled to the forward end of the base frame section, with the front frame section including a front end and a rear interface end. The rear interface end of the front frame section defines an interface portion configured to be removably coupled to the forward interface portion of the base frame section. In addition, the front frame section is configured to support one or more harvesting components to facilitate harvesting of crop materials from a field. Moreover, the modular frame assembly includes a rear frame section configured to be removably coupled to the aft end of the base frame section, with the rear frame section including a front interface end and a rear end. The front interface end of the rear frame section defines an interface portion configured to be removably coupled to the aft interface portion of the base frame section. Furthermore, the rear frame section is configured to support one or more extractor components to facilitate separation of debris from harvested crop materials. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a simplified, side view of one embodiment of an agricultural harvester in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective, assembled view of one embodiment of a modular frame assembly configured for use within a sugarcane harvester in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter, particularly illustrating the modular frame assembly including a base frame section and separate front and rear frame sections configured to be removably coupled to the base frame section; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective, exploded view of the modular frame assembly shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a front frame section configured for use within the disclosed modular frame assembly in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a further embodiment of a front frame section configured for use within the disclosed modular frame assembly in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a front frame section configured for use within the disclosed modular frame assembly in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter; and 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary view of one embodiment of a modular frame system for use with a sugarcane harvester in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter, particularly illustrating the system including a plurality of interchangeable front frame modules, with each front frame module being configured to adapt the associated modular frame assembly to provide a different harvesting configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     In general, the present subject matter is directed to a modular frame assembly for a sugarcane harvester and related modular frame systems. Specifically, in several embodiments, the disclosed system includes a base frame section and a plurality of frame section modules configured to be removably coupled to the base frame section. For example, in several embodiments, the base frame section may extend lengthwise between a forward end and an aft end, with the system including a plurality of interchangeable front frame sections configured to be removably coupled to the forward end of the base frame section. In such embodiments, the various modular front frame sections may be configured to have differing frame arrangements, with each frame arrangement being adapted to provide a different harvesting configuration. For instance, the differing front frame sections may be provided to allow for the resulting modular frame assembly to be used for any combination of single row harvesting, multi-row harvesting, double row alternating harvesting, and/or header-based harvesting. Thus, in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter, various harvesting configurations may be provided using a common base frame section and by simply selecting the appropriate front frame section that is adapted to provide the desired harvesting configuration. Such modularity, in turn, allows manufacturers to provide various machine configurations in an efficient and cost-effective manner. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of one embodiment of an agricultural harvester  10  in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. As shown, the harvester  10  is configured as a sugarcane harvester. However, in other embodiments, the harvester  10  may correspond to any other suitable agricultural harvester known in the art. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the harvester  10  includes a frame  12 , a pair of front wheels  14 , a pair of rear wheels  16 , and an operator&#39;s cab  18 . The harvester  10  may also include a primary source of power (e.g., an engine mounted on the frame  12 ) which powers one or both pairs of the wheels  14 ,  16  via a transmission (not shown). Alternatively, the harvester  10  may be a track-driven harvester and, thus, may include tracks driven by the engine as opposed to the illustrated wheels  14 ,  16 . The engine may also drive a hydraulic fluid pump (not shown) configured to generate pressurized hydraulic fluid for powering various hydraulic components of the harvester  10 . 
     Additionally, the harvester  10  may include various components for cutting/harvesting, processing, cleaning, and discharging sugarcane as the cane is harvested from an agricultural field  20 . For instance, the harvester  10  may include a topper assembly  22  positioned at its front end to intercept sugarcane as the harvester  10  is moved in the forward direction. As shown, the topper assembly  22  may include both a gathering disk  24  and a cutting disk  26 . The gathering disk  24  may be configured to gather the sugarcane stalks so that the cutting disk  26  may be used to cut off the top of each stalk. As is generally understood, the height of the topper assembly  22  may be adjustable via a pair of arms  28  hydraulically raised and lowered, as desired, by the operator. 
     Additionally, the harvester  10  may include a crop divider  30  that extends upwardly and rearwardly from the field  20 . In general, the crop divider  30  may include two spiral feed rollers  32 . Each feed roller  32  may include a ground shoe  34  at its lower end to assist the crop divider  30  in gathering the sugarcane stalks for harvesting. Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the harvester  10  may include a knock-down roller  36  positioned near the front wheels  14  and a fin roller  38  positioned behind the knock-down roller  36 . As the knock-down roller  36  is rotated, the sugarcane stalks being harvested are knocked down while the crop divider  30  gathers the stalks from agricultural field  20 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the fin roller  38  may include a plurality of intermittently mounted fins  40  that assist in forcing the sugarcane stalks downwardly. As the fin roller  38  is rotated during the harvest, the sugarcane stalks that have been knocked down by the knock-down roller  36  are separated and further knocked down by the fin roller  38  as the harvester  10  continues to be moved in the forward direction relative to the field  20 . 
     Referring still to  FIG. 1 , the harvester  10  may also include a base cutter assembly  42  positioned behind the fin roller  38 . As is generally understood, the base cutter assembly  42  may include blades (not shown) for severing the sugarcane stalks as the cane is being harvested. The blades, located on the periphery of the assembly  42 , may be rotated by a hydraulic motor (not shown) powered by the vehicle&#39;s hydraulic system. Additionally, in several embodiments, the blades may be angled downwardly to sever the base of the sugarcane as the cane is knocked down by the fin roller  38 . 
     Moreover, the harvester  10  may include a feed roller assembly  44  located downstream of the base cutter assembly  42  for moving the severed stalks of sugarcane from base cutter assembly  42  along the processing path. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the feed roller assembly  44  may include a plurality of bottom rollers  46  and a plurality of opposed, top pinch rollers  48 . The various bottom and top rollers  46 ,  48  may be used to pinch the harvested sugarcane during transport. As the sugarcane is transported through the feed roller assembly  44 , debris (e.g., rocks, dirt, and/or the like) may be allowed to fall through bottom rollers  46  onto the field  20 . 
     In addition, the harvester  10  may include a chopper assembly  50  located at the downstream end of the feed roller assembly  44  (e.g., adjacent to the rearward-most bottom and top feed rollers  46 ,  48 ). In general, the chopper assembly  50  may be used to cut or chop the severed sugarcane stalks into pieces or “billets”  51 , which may be, for example, six ( 6 ) inches long. The billets  51  may then be propelled towards an elevator assembly  52  of the harvester  10  for delivery to an external receiver or storage device (not shown). 
     As is generally understood, pieces of debris  53  (e.g., dust, dirt, leaves, etc.) separated from the sugarcane billets  51  may be expelled from the harvester  10  through a primary extractor  54 , which is located immediately behind the chopper assembly  50  and is oriented to direct the debris  53  outwardly from the harvester  10 . The primary extractor  54  may include, for example, an extractor hood  55  and an extractor fan  56  mounted within the hood  55  for generating a suction force or vacuum sufficient to pick up the debris  53  and force the debris  53  through the hood  55 . The separated or cleaned billets  51 , heavier than the debris  53  being expelled through the extractor  54 , may then fall downward to the elevator assembly  52 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the elevator assembly  52  may generally include an elevator housing  58  and an elevator  60  extending within the elevator housing  58  between a lower, proximal end  62  and an upper, distal end  64 . In general, the elevator  60  may include a looped chain  66  and a plurality of flights or paddles  68  attached to and evenly spaced on the chain  66 . The paddles  68  may be configured to hold the sugarcane billets  51  on the elevator  60  as the billets are elevated along a top span  70  of the elevator  70  defines between its proximal and distal ends  62 ,  64 . Additionally, the elevator  60  may include lower and upper sprockets  72 ,  74  positioned at its proximal and distal ends  62 ,  64 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 1 , an elevator motor  76  may be coupled to one of the sprockets (e.g., the upper sprocket  74 ) for driving the chain  66 , thereby allowing the chain  66  and the paddles  68  to travel in an endless loop between the proximal and distal ends  62 ,  64  of the elevator  60 . 
     Moreover, in some embodiments, pieces of debris  53  (e.g., dust, dirt, leaves, etc.) separated from the elevated sugarcane billets  51  may be expelled from the harvester  10  through a secondary extractor  78  coupled to the rear end of the elevator housing  58 . For example, the debris  53  expelled by the secondary extractor  78  may be debris remaining after the billets  51  are cleaned and debris  53  expelled by the primary extractor  54 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the secondary extractor  78  may be located adjacent to the distal end  64  of the elevator  60  and may be oriented to direct the debris  53  outwardly from the harvester  10 . Additionally, an extractor fan  80  may be mounted at the base of the secondary extractor  78  for generating a suction force or vacuum sufficient to pick up the debris  53  and force the debris  53  through the secondary extractor  78 . The separated, cleaned billets  51 , heavier than the debris  53  expelled through the extractor  78 , may then fall from the distal end  64  of the elevator  60 . Typically, the billets  51  may fall downwardly through an elevator discharge opening  82  of the elevator assembly  52  into an external storage device (not shown), such as a sugarcane billet cart. 
     During operation, the harvester  10  is traversed across the agricultural field  20  for harvesting sugarcane. After the height of the topper assembly  22  is adjusted via the arms  28 , the gathering disk  24  on the topper assembly  22  may function to gather the sugarcane stalks as the harvester  10  proceeds across the field  20 , while the cutter disk  26  severs the leafy tops of the sugarcane stalks for disposal along either side of harvester  10 . As the stalks enter the crop divider  30 , the ground shoes  34  may set the operating width to determine the quantity of sugarcane entering the throat of the harvester  10 . The spiral feed rollers  32  then gather the stalks into the throat to allow the knock-down roller  36  to bend the stalks downwardly in conjunction with the action of the fin roller  38 . Once the stalks are angled downwardly as shown in  FIG. 1 , the base cutter assembly  42  may then sever the base of the stalks from field  20 . The severed stalks are then, by movement of the harvester  10 , directed to the feed roller assembly  44 . 
     The severed sugarcane stalks are conveyed rearwardly by the bottom and top feed rollers  46 ,  48 , which compress the stalks, make them more uniform, and shake loose debris to pass through the bottom rollers  46  to the field  20 . At the downstream end of the feed roller assembly  44 , the chopper assembly  50  cuts or chops the compressed sugarcane stalks into pieces or billets  51  (e.g.,  6 -inch cane sections). The processed crop material discharged from the chopper assembly  50  is then directed as a stream of billets  51  and debris  53  into the primary extractor  54 . The airborne debris  53  (e.g., dust, dirt, leaves, etc.) separated from the sugarcane billets is then extracted through the primary extractor  54  using suction created by the extractor fan  56 . The separated/cleaned billets  51  then fall downwardly through an elevator hopper  86  into the elevator assembly  52  and travel upwardly via the elevator  60  from its proximal end  62  to its distal end  64 . During normal operation, once the billets  51  reach the distal end  64  of the elevator  60 , the billets  51  fall through the elevator discharge opening  82  to an external storage device. If provided, the secondary extractor  78  (with the aid of the extractor fan  80 ) blows out trash/debris  53  from harvester  10 , similar to the primary extractor  54 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , perspective views of one embodiment of a modular frame assembly  100  configured for use within a sugarcane harvester are illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. Specifically,  FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective, assembled view of the modular frame assembly  100  and  FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective, exploded view of the modular frame assembly  100  shown in  FIG. 2 . In one embodiment, the modular frame assembly  100  may, for example, be used as the frame  12  for the exemplary harvester  10  shown in  FIG. 1  to facilitate supporting the various relevant harvester components described above. 
     As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the modular frame assembly  100  includes a central or base frame section  110 , along with front and rear frame sections  130 ,  180  configured to be removably coupled to the base frame section  110  at opposed ends of the base frame section  110 . As will be described below, the frame sections  110 ,  130 ,  180  of the modular frame assembly  100  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  may, in several embodiments, form part of a modular frame system  500  ( FIG. 7 ) for a sugarcane harvester. For example, the front frame section  130  may correspond to one of a plurality of different interchangeable front frame sections configured to be removably coupled to the base frame section  110 , with each front frame section having a unique frame arrangement for providing a different harvesting configuration. As a result, depending on the desired harvesting configuration for the harvester (e.g., a single row harvesting configuration, a multi-row harvesting configuration, a double row alternating harvesting configuration, and/or a header-based harvesting configuration), a particular front frame section may be selected for attachment onto the base frame section to provide the desired functionality. 
     As particularly shown in  FIG. 3 , the base frame section  110  extends lengthwise between a forward end  112  and an aft end  114  and is generally provided with a given base frame arrangement between its forward and aft ends  112 ,  114  for supporting one or more processing components of a sugarcane harvester. In one embodiment, the specific frame arrangement of the base frame section  110  may be characterized by various frame features, such as openings, bolt hole patterns, flanges, brackets, and/or the like, adapted or configured to allow various processing components of the harvester to be mounted to or otherwise supported by the base frame section  110 . For instance, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a forward portion  116  of the base frame section  110  may be provided with suitable frame features for supporting the various rollers of a feed roller assembly, such as the bottom rollers  46  and the opposed, top pinch rollers  48  of the feed roller assembly  44  described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 3 , an aft portion  118  of the base frame section  110  may be provided with suitable frame features for supporting the various components of a chopper assembly, such as the chopper assembly  50  described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
     Additionally, the base frame section  110  includes opposed interface portions  120 ,  122  defined at its forward and aft ends  112 ,  114  for coupling the front and rear frame sections  130 ,  180 , respectively, to the base frame section  110 . Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the base frame section  110  includes a forward interface portion  120  defined at its forward end  112  configured to interface with a corresponding interface portion  132  of the front frame section  130 , thereby allowing a first joint interface  124  ( FIG. 2 ) to be formed between such components when the front frame section  130  is mounted to the base frame section  110 . Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the base frame section  110  includes an aft interface portion  122  defined at its aft end  114  configured to interface with a corresponding interface portion  182  of the rear frame section  180 , thereby allowing a second joint interface  126  ( FIG. 2 ) to be formed between such components when the rear frame section  180  is mounted to the base frame section  110 . 
     Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the front frame section  130  extends lengthwise between a front end  134  and a rear interface end  136  and is generally provided with a given front frame arrangement between its front and rear ends  134 ,  136  for supporting one or more harvesting components of a sugarcane harvester. In one embodiment, the specific frame arrangement of the front frame section  130  may be characterized by various frame features, such as openings, bolt hole patterns, flanges, brackets, and/or the like, adapted or configured to allow various harvesting components of the harvester to be mounted to or otherwise supported by the front frame section  130 . Specifically, the front frame section  130  may be provided with suitable frame features for supporting the various components of a sugarcane harvester configured to sever crop materials from the field and deliver such crop materials to the components of the feed roller assembly supported by the base frame section  110 . For instance, in one embodiment, the front frame section  130  may configured to support any combination of one or more topper assemblies, crop dividers, knock-down rollers, fin rollers, and/or base cutter assemblies, such as the topper assembly  22 , the crop divider  30 , the knock-down roller  36 , the fin roller  38 , and the base cutter assembly  42  described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
     In several embodiments, the front frame section  130  illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  is adapted to provide a particular harvesting configuration for the modular frame assembly  100  when installed onto the base frame section  110 . Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the frame arrangement and dimensional configuration of the front frame section  130  is adapted to provide a single row harvesting configuration for the modular frame assembly  100 . As such, the front frame section  130  may be configured to support suitable components for harvesting a single row of crops. For instance, the front frame section  130  may be configured to support a pair of crop dividers located along opposed sides of the front end  134  of the front frame section  130  for separating the crop row to be harvested from adjacent rows, a knockdown roller and a fin roller disposed downstream of the crop dividers, and a cutter assembly (e.g., including a single cutting disc or a pair of cutting discs) downstream of the rollers for cutting the base of the crop material to be harvested. 
     In accordance with aspects of the present subject matter, the rear interface end  136  of the front frame section  130  is configured to be removably coupled to forward end  112  of the base frame section  110 . For example, as indicated above, the front frame section  130  may define an interface portion  132  at its rear interface end  136  that is complementary to or that is otherwise configured to mate with the corresponding forward interface portion  120  defined by the base frame section  110  at its forward end  112 . Specifically, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the mating interface portions  120 ,  132  define complementary angled profiles such that the interface portion  132  of the front frame section  130  can be mounted flush against the corresponding interface portion  120  of the base frame section  110 . 
     It should be appreciated that, as used herein, adjacent frame sections are configured to be “removably coupled” to each other using a non-permanent or removable attachment technique. For instance, in several embodiments, the front frame section  130  is configured to be removably coupled to the base frame section  110  using a plurality of mechanical fasteners, such as by using a plurality of bolts to form a bolted connection between the adjacent frame sections. In such embodiments, the corresponding interface portions  120 ,  132  of the front and base frame sections  130 ,  110  may define matching bolt hole patterns. As a result, when the interface portion  132  of the front frame section  130  is properly aligned relative to the forward interface portion  120  of the base frame section  110 , a plurality of mechanical fasteners can be inserted through the aligned fastener openings provided by the matching bolt hole patterns to couple the front frame section  130  to the base frame section  110 . 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , as indicated above, the modular frame assembly  110  may also include a rear frame section  180  configured to be removably coupled to the aft end  114  of the base frame section  110 . As particularly shown in  FIG. 3 , the rear frame section  180  extends lengthwise between a front interface end  184  and a rear end  186  and is generally provided with a given rear frame arrangement between its front and rear ends  184 ,  186  for supporting one or more extractor components of a sugarcane harvester. In one embodiment, the specific frame arrangement of the rear frame section  180  may be characterized by various frame features, such as openings, bolt hole patterns, flanges, brackets, and/or the like, adapted or configured to allow one or more extractor components of the harvester to be mounted to or otherwise supported by the rear frame section  180 . Specifically, the rear frame section  180  may be provided with suitable frame features for supporting one or more components of a sugarcane harvester configured to separate debris from the crop materials flowing from the upstream components supported by base frame section  110 . For instance, in one embodiment, the rear frame section  180  may configured to support one or more components of a primary extractor, such as the extractor hood  55  and the extractor fan  56  of the primary extractor  54  described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
     In several embodiments, the front interface end  184  of the rear frame section  180  is configured to be removably coupled to aft end  114  of the base frame section  110 . For example, similar to the front frame section  130 , the rear frame section  180  may define an interface portion  182  at its front interface end  184  that is complementary to or that is otherwise configured to mate with the corresponding aft interface portion  122  defined by the base frame section  110  at its aft end  114 . Specifically, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the mating interface portions  182 ,  122  define complementary vertically orientated profiles such that the interface portion  182  of the rear frame section  180  can be mounted flush against the corresponding interface portion  122  of the base frame section  110 . 
     Additionally, similar to the front frame section  130 , the rear frame section  180  may, in several embodiments, be configured to be removably coupled to the base frame section  110  using a plurality of mechanical fasteners, such as by using a plurality of bolts to form a bolted connection between the adjacent frame sections. In such embodiments, the corresponding interface portions  122 ,  182  of the base and rear frame sections  110 ,  180  may define matching bolt hole patterns. As a result, when the interface portion  182  of the rear frame section  180  is properly aligned relative to the aft interface portion  122  of the base frame section  110 , a plurality of mechanical fasteners can be inserted through the aligned fastener openings provided by the matching bolt hole patterns to couple the rear frame section  180  to the base frame section  110 . 
     It should be appreciated that, by including a removable rear frame section, the disclosed modular frame assembly  100  may allow the associated harvester to be operated in different modes. For example, by attaching the rear frame section  180  to the base frame section  110 , the harvester may be operated in the operating mode described above with reference to  FIG. 1  in which debris is extracted from the crop materials prior to the crop materials falling down into the elevator assembly  52 . However, by removing the rear frame section  180  from the base frame section  110  or by simply choosing to not install the rear frame section  180  to the base frame section  110 , the harvester may be operated in an energy harvesting mode in which both the crop material and the debris are delivered to the elevator assembly  52 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-6 , perspective views of different embodiments of front frame sections  230 ,  330 ,  430  configured for use within the modular frame assembly  100  described above with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3  are illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. Specifically, the front frame sections  230 ,  330 ,  430  shown in  FIGS. 4-6  may be configured to be removably coupled to the base frame section  110  in place of the front frame section  130  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . As such, it should be appreciated that the various front frame sections  130 ,  230 ,  330 ,  440  shown in  FIGS. 2-6  may serve as interchangeable frame section modules for use with the base frame section  110 . 
     As particularly shown in  FIG. 4 , a front frame section  230  is illustrated that is adapted to provide for a multi-row harvesting configuration (e.g., as opposed to the single row harvesting configuration described above with reference to the embodiment of the front frame section  130  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). As shown, the front frame section  230  extends lengthwise between a front end  234  and a rear interface end  236  and is generally provided with a given front frame arrangement between its front and rear ends  234 ,  236  for supporting one or more harvesting components of a sugarcane harvester. Similar to the front frame section  130  described above, the specific frame arrangement of the front frame section  230  may be characterized by various frame features, such as openings, bolt hole patterns, flanges, brackets, and/or the like, adapted or configured to allow various harvesting components of the harvester to be mounted to or otherwise supported by the front frame section  230 , such as one or more topper assemblies, crop dividers, knock-down rollers, fin rollers, base cutter assemblies and/or the like. 
     As indicated above, the front frame section  230  illustrated in  FIG. 4  is adapted to provide for a multi-row harvesting configuration when installed onto the base frame section  110 . Thus, in such an embodiment, the frame arrangement and dimensional configuration of the front frame section  230  may be adapted to support suitable components for harvesting, one, two, and/or three or more rows of crops. For instance, the front frame section  230  may be configured to support a pair of crop dividers located along opposed sides of the front end  234  of the front frame section  230  for separating the crop rows to be harvested from adjacent rows. The crop dividers may have a configuration and/or may be assembled in the frame in such a way to enable an adjustment of the distance between them, thereby varying the size of the opening defined by the crop dividers and, thus, allowing for one row, two rows or more to be harvested depending on the size of the opening. The front frame section  230  may also be configured to support a knockdown roller and a fin roller disposed downstream of the crop dividers, and one or more cutter assemblies positioned upstream and/or downstream of the rollers for cutting the base of the crop material to be harvested. An exemplary cutting arrangement that allows for a multi-row harvesting arrangement is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 9,668,409, filed Apr. 9, 2012 and entitled “Cutting System for a Harvester and a Sugar Cane Harvester Cutting System,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. With such a multi-row harvesting arrangement, the harvester includes a pair of upstream cutting elements (e.g., one cutting element positioned adjacent to each crop divider) positioned upstream of the knockdown and fin rollers and internal, centralized cutting assembly position downstream of the rollers. In such an embodiment, the front frame section  230  shown in  FIG. 4  may, for example, be configured to support by the upstream cutting elements and the downstream cutting assembly. Another exemplary configuration that allows for a multi-row harvesting arrangement is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 9,826,685, filed Oct. 28, 2015 and entitled “Vertical Roller Device to Aid in Feeding Sugar Cane Stalk to Harvester,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. In such an embodiment, the front frame section  230  shown in  FIG. 4  may, for example, be configured to support the vertical rollers disclosed in such exemplary harvesting configuration to assist in guiding sugarcane stalks towards the center of the frame section  230 . 
     Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the rear interface end  236  of the front frame section  230  is configured to be removably coupled to forward end  112  of the base frame section  110 . For example, similar to the front frame section  130  described above with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the front frame section  230  may define an interface portion  232  at its rear interface end  236  that is complementary to or that is otherwise configured to mate with the corresponding forward interface portion  120  defined by the base frame section  110  at its forward end  112 . Specifically, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the interface portion  232  of the front frame section  230  defines an angled profile that is complementary to the angled profile of the forward interface portion  120  defined by the base frame section  110  such that the front frame section  230  can be mounted flush against the base frame section  110 . In such an embodiment, the angled profile of the interface portion  232  of the front frame section  230  may be configured the same as the angled profile of the interface portion  132  of the front frame section  130  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  to allow such frame sections  130 ,  230  be interchangeable relative to the base frame section  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a front frame section  330  is illustrated that is adapted to provide for a double row alternating harvesting configuration (e.g., as opposed to the single row harvesting configuration and the double row harvesting configuration described above with reference to the embodiments of the front frame sections  130 ,  230  shown in  FIGS. 2-4 ). As shown, the front frame section  330  extends lengthwise between a front end  334  and a rear interface end  336  and is generally provided with a given front frame arrangement between its front and rear ends  334 ,  336  for supporting one or more harvesting components of a sugarcane harvester. Similar to the front frame sections  130 ,  230  described above, the specific frame arrangement of the front frame section  330  may be characterized by various frame features, such as openings, bolt hole patterns, flanges, brackets, and/or the like, adapted or configured to allow various harvesting components of the harvester to be mounted to or otherwise supported by the front frame section  330 , such as one or more topper assemblies, crop dividers, knock-down rollers, fin rollers, base cutter assemblies and/or the like. 
     As indicated above, the front frame section  330  illustrated in  FIG. 5  is adapted to provide for a double row alternating harvesting configuration when installed onto the base frame section  110 . Thus, in such an embodiment, the frame arrangement and dimensional configuration of the front frame section  330  may be adapted to support suitable components for harvesting crop materials planted in a double-alternating configuration (e.g., crops planted at alternating spacing distances, such as by spacing the crops at one distance (e.g., 90 cm) and at another distance (e.g., 150 cm) in an alternating form or arrangement. For instance, similar to the front frame sections  130 ,  230  described above, the front frame section  330  may be configured to support a pair of crop dividers located along opposed sides of the forward end of the front frame section  330  for separating the crop row(s) to be harvested from adjacent rows, a knockdown roller and a fin roller disposed downstream of the upstream cutting elements, and one or more cutter assemblies positioned upstream and/or downstream of the rollers for cutting the base of the crop material to be harvested. Additionally, in one embodiment, to facilitate harvesting crops planted in a double-alternating configuration, the lateral width or spacing of the opening defined at the forward end of the front frame section  330  may be increased in size (e.g., as compared to the front frame section  130  described above). 
     Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the rear interface end  336  of the front frame section  330  is configured to be removably coupled to forward end  112  of the base frame section  110 . For example, similar to the front frame sections  130 ,  230  described above with reference to  FIGS. 2-4 , the front frame section  330  may define an interface portion  332  at its rear interface end  336  that is complementary to or that is otherwise configured to mate with the corresponding forward interface portion  120  defined by the base frame section  110  at its forward end  112 . Specifically, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the interface portion  332  of the front frame section  330  defines an angled profile that is complementary to the angled profile of the forward interface portion  120  defined by the base frame section  110  such that the front frame section  330  can be mounted flush against the base frame section  110 . In such an embodiment, the angled profile of the interface portion  332  of the front frame section  330  may be configured the same as the angled profile of the interface portions  132 ,  232  of the front frame sections  130 ,  230  shown in  FIGS. 2-4  to allow such frame sections  130 ,  230 ,  330  be interchangeable relative to the base frame section  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a front frame section  430  is illustrated that is adapted to provide for a header-based harvesting configuration (e.g., as opposed to the single row harvesting configuration, the multi-row harvesting configuration, and the double row alternating harvesting configuration described above with reference to the embodiments of the front frame sections  130 ,  230 ,  330  shown in  FIGS. 2-5 ). As shown, the front frame section  430  extends lengthwise between a front end  434  and a rear interface end  436  and is generally provided with a given front frame arrangement between its front and rear ends  434 ,  436  for supporting one or more harvesting components of a sugarcane harvester. Similar to the front frame sections  130 ,  230 ,  330  described above, the specific frame arrangement of the front frame section  430  may be characterized by various frame features, such as openings, bolt hole patterns, flanges, brackets, and/or the like, adapted or configured to allow various harvesting components of the harvester to be mounted to or otherwise supported by the front frame section  430 , such as one or more topper assemblies, crop dividers, knock-down rollers, fin rollers, base cutter assemblies and/or the like. In addition to being configured to support such harvesting components (or as an alternative thereto), the front frame section  430  may be characterized by various frame features that allow for a separate harvesting attachment or header to be coupled to the frame section  430  (e.g., at its front end  434 ) to allow for added or differing functionality to the associated harvester. 
     As indicated above, in one embodiment, the front frame section  430  illustrated in  FIG. 6  may be adapted to accommodate a separate harvesting attachment or header to provide for a header-based harvesting configuration when installed onto the base frame section  110 . Specifically, in one embodiment, the front end  434  of the front frame section  430  may include suitable frame features for coupling a separate header to the frame section  430 , thereby allowing the corresponding harvester to be reconfigured to accommodate differing crop types and/or row configurations. For instance, an exemplary header arrangement that allows for a header-based harvesting arrangement is described, for example, in Brazilian Patent App. No. 10/2015/0159226, filed Jun. 30, 2015 and entitled “Header for a Harvesting machine” and its US counterpart (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/199,032, filed Jun. 30, 2016) both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes. In such an embodiment, the front frame section  430  shown in  FIG. 6  may, for example, be configured to support the header disclosed in such reference to provide for a header-based harvesting configuration that can accommodate both crops planted at regular spaced intervals and crops planted without any regularity. 
     Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the rear interface end  436  of the front frame section  430  is configured to be removably coupled to forward end  112  of the base frame section  110 . For example, similar to the front frame sections  130 ,  230 ,  330  described above with reference to  FIGS. 2-5 , the front frame section  420  may define an interface portion  432  at its rear interface end  436  that is complementary to or that is otherwise configured to mate with the corresponding forward interface portion  120  defined by the base frame section  110  at its forward end  112 . Specifically, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the interface portion  432  of the front frame section  430  defines an angled profile that is complementary to the angled profile of the forward interface portion  120  defined by the base frame section  110  such that the front frame section  430  can be mounted flush against the base frame section  110 . In such an embodiment, the angled profile of the interface portion  432  of the front frame section  430  may be configured the same as the angled profile of the interface portions  132 ,  232 ,  332  of the front frame sections  130 ,  230 ,  330  shown in  FIGS. 2-5  to allow such frame sections  130 ,  230 ,  330 ,  430  be interchangeable relative to the base frame section  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an exemplary view of one embodiment of a modular frame system  500  for use with an agricultural harvester, such as a sugarcane harvester, is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. As shown, the system  500  includes the base frame section  110  described above with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , as well as various modular frame sections configured to be removably coupled to the base frame section  110 . Specifically, the system  500  may include a plurality of interchangeable front frame modules, such as the various front frame sections  130 ,  230 ,  330 ,  430  described above with reference to  FIGS. 2-6 , configured to be removably coupled to the forward end  112  of the base frame section  100 . In addition, the system  500  may include a rear frame module, such as the rear frame section  180  described above with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , configured to be removably coupled to the aft end  114  of the base frame section  110 . 
     It should be appreciated that, although only a single rear frame module is shown in  FIG. 7  and described herein, the system  500  may, instead, include a plurality of interchangeable rear frame modules configured to be removably coupled to the aft end  114  of the base frame section  110 . It should also be appreciated that, although only a single base frame section  110  is shown in  FIG. 7  and described herein, the system  500  may, instead, include a plurality of interchangeable base frame sections. For instance, in one embodiment, the base frame section  110  may be configured differently depending on whether the associated harvester  10  includes tires or tracks. In such instance, it may be desirable for the system  500  to include a tire-specific base frame configuration and a track-specific base frame configuration. 
     As indicated above, the various front frame sections  130 ,  230 ,  330 ,  430  may be configured to be removably coupled to the forward interface portion  120  of the base frame section  110  (e.g., via suitable fasteners  594 . In this regard, to allow for interchangeability of the front frame sections  130 ,  230 ,  330 ,  430 , the interface portions  132 ,  232 ,  332 ,  432  of such front frame sections  130 ,  230 ,  330 ,  430  may generally correspond to a common interface portion  532  having a common mounting configuration (e.g., a common bolt-hole pattern) and common interface profile between the front frame sections  130 ,  230 ,  330 ,  430  to allow each frame section to be quickly and easily mounted to the base frame section  110 . For instance, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the interface portion  132 ,  232 ,  332 ,  432  of each front frame section  130 ,  230 ,  330 ,  430  may define an angled interface profile that is oriented at an interface angle  590  that is complementary to a corresponding interface angle  592  defined by the forward interface portion  120  of the base frame section  110 . As a result, depending on the desired harvesting configuration for the associated harvester, a specific front frame section  130 ,  230 ,  330 ,  430  may be selected for mounting to the base frame section  110 . 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.