Patent Description:
Forages, such as grasses, legumes, maize, and other crop residues, are commonly cut by a cutter implement, such as but not limited to, a mower or mower-conditioner. The types of crops harvested vary widely from short crops that are compliant and flexible to tall crops that are relatively ridged and inflexible. As a general rule however, taller crops are typically more stiff/rigid than short crops so as to stand steadily on the ground. For some crops, it may be preferred for the cutter implement to cut the crop when the crop has a slight lean forward relative to the direction of operation of the cutter implement.

Cutter implements are e.g. known from <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a cutter implement for cutting crop material is provided. The cutter implement includes a housing, a cutter, and a push-bar. The housing has a forward end for engaging the crop material when moving in a direction of operation. The housing at least partially defines a cutting region disposed at the forward end thereof. The cutter is coupled to the housing and is operable to cut the crop material in the cutting region. The push-bar is positioned forward of the cutter relative to the direction of operation. The push-bar is operable to lean the crop material in a forward direction relative to the direction of operation. The push-bar is adjustable in a vertical direction relative to a ground surface. The cutter implement further includes an actuator coupled to the push-bar and operable to move the push-bar in the vertical direction. The cutter implement further includes a connector interconnecting the actuator and the push-bar. The cutter implement further includes a pully coupled to the housing and configured to re-direct the connector between the actuator and the push-bar.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the cutter implement further includes a curtain coupled to the forward end of the housing. The curtain is positioned forward of the push-bar relative to the direction of operation. The curtain at least partially defines the cutting region.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the curtain is moveable in a rearward direction relative to the direction of operation.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the push-bar is positioned rearward of the curtain a pre-determined distance to engage the curtain in response to the curtain moving rearward relative to the direction of operation the pre-determined distance, such that the push-bar increases a resistance of the curtain against rearward movement after the curtain contacts the push-bar.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the actuator includes, but is not limited to, one of a hydraulic cylinder, an electric motor, a hydraulic motor, or a pneumatic motor.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the housing includes an upper frame portion, a first lateral frame portion, and a second lateral frame portion, with the first lateral frame portion and the second lateral frame portion spaced apart from each other and disposed on opposing lateral sides of the housing relative to a central longitudinal axis of the housing.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the connector includes, but is not limited to, one of a cable, a chain, a rod, or a bar.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the cutter implement further includes a linear support element interconnecting the housing and the push-bar and operable to restrict movement of the push-bar in a rearward direction relative to the direction of operation.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the linear support element includes a first end coupled to the housing adjacent the forward end of the housing and forward of the push bar relative to the direction of operation, and a second end coupled to the push-bar rearward of the first end relative to the direction of operation.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the linear support element includes, but is not limited to, one of a chain, a cable, a rod, a strap, or a bar.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the cutter implement further includes a crop processor positioned rearward of the cutter relative to the direction of travel and operable to condition cut crop material.

A crop pushing system for a cutter implement is provided. The cutter implement includes a housing and a cutter coupled to the housing and operable to cut the crop material. The system includes a push-bar and an actuator. The push-bar is positioned forward of the cutter relative to a direction of operation. The push-bar is operable to lean the crop material in a forward direction relative to the direction of operation. The actuator is coupled to the push-bar and is operable to move the push-bar in a vertical direction relative to the ground surface.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the crop pushing system further includes a curtain positioned forward of the push-bar relative to the direction of operation, with the curtain at least partially defining a cutting region.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the curtain is moveable in a rearward direction relative to the direction of operation, the push-bar is positioned rearward of the curtain a pre-determined distance to engage the curtain in response to the curtain moving rearward relative to the direction of operation the pre-determined distance, such that the push-bar increases a resistance of the curtain against rearward movement after the curtain contacts the push-bar.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the crop pushing system further includes a linear support element attached to the push-bar and operable to restrict movement of the push-bar in a rearward direction relative to the direction of operation.

Other features and aspects will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

The detailed description of the drawings refers to the accompanying figures in which.

Referring to <FIG>, a cutter implement <NUM> include a cutter <NUM> extending in a forward direction relative to the direction of the operation V, which is the travel direction. For clarity, a housing <NUM> of the cutter implement <NUM> is omitted in <FIG> but is shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. A cutting region <NUM> is defined in front of the cutter <NUM>. Optionally, a crop processor <NUM> is positioned rearward of the cutter relative to the direction of operation (travel) and operable to condition cut crop material <NUM>. The crop processor <NUM> in one implementation includes a first conditioning roll <NUM> and a second conditioning roll <NUM> engaging with each other to condition the crop material <NUM>. However, it should be appreciated that the crop processor <NUM> may be implemented in another configuration not shown or described herein that is capable of processing cut crop as understood by those skilled in the art. The cutter implement <NUM> may include, but is not limited to, a mower and a mower-conditioner. The mower and/or mower conditioner may be drawn by a vehicle, such as but not limited to a tractor or other similar vehicle, or may be a self-propelled implement having motive power, steering systems, control systems, etc..

Leaning the crop <NUM> forward may provide several benefits for crop cutting and crop conditioning process. For example, it may allow the base end of the stems to be fed into the first conditioning roll <NUM> and the second conditioning roll <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Feeding the crop (material) <NUM> into the crop processor <NUM> in this manner has shown to improve cutting performance by minimizing re-cutting at the cutter <NUM> and it improves cut height uniformity. However, the degree to which the crops <NUM> are flexed forward greatly affects how much the performance can be improved. In fact, if the crop <NUM> is over-flexed it may hinder cutting performance.

Therefore, to achieve the improvement in cutting and conditioning performance, the crop <NUM> may be flexed forward "slightly" so that the stem remains intact and erect but not "over-bent" such that the stem is kinked/yielded, causing the crop to permanently tip or lay on the ground prior to being severed. In general, taller crops are typically more stiff/rigid than short crops. Therefore, a bending force required to bend rigid taller crops forward may need to be stronger than the bending force required to bend shorter more compliant crops forward. The present disclosure includes a cutter implement and a crop pushing system thereof, which have elements operable to adjust the height of the force applied to the crop and/or an amount of force applied to the crop.

In the first embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the cutter implement <NUM> may include a housing <NUM>, the cutter <NUM>, a push-bar <NUM>, and a curtain <NUM>. It is noted that in one implementation, the push bar <NUM> engages with the curtain <NUM> and applies a force on the crop <NUM>. In another implementation, which is not shown, the push-bar may directly apply a force on the crop <NUM> without the curtain <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> includes an upper frame portion <NUM>, a first lateral frame portion <NUM>, and a second lateral frame portion <NUM>. The first lateral frame portion <NUM> and the second lateral frame portion <NUM> are spaced apart from each other and disposed on opposing lateral sides of the housing <NUM> relative to a central longitudinal axis <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> also has a forward end <NUM>, included by the upper frame portion <NUM> in this implementation, for engaging the crop material <NUM> when moving in a direction of operation V. The housing <NUM> at least partially defines the cutting region <NUM> disposed at or near the forward end <NUM>.

The cutter <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, is coupled to the housing <NUM> and is operable to cut the crop material <NUM> in the cutting region <NUM>. In the first implementation, the cutter <NUM> is configured as a cutter-bar extending laterally transverse relative to the central longitudinal axis <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, across a width of the cutter implement <NUM>.

The push-bar <NUM> is positioned forward of the cutter <NUM> relative to the direction of operation V. The push-bar <NUM> is operable to lean the crop material <NUM> in a forward direction relative to the direction of operation V. The push-bar <NUM> is adjustable in a vertical direction relative to a ground surface by actuator(s) <NUM>, which will be described in greater detail below.

The curtain <NUM> is coupled to the forward end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and is positioned forward of the push-bar <NUM> relative to the direction of operation V, as shown in <FIG>. The curtain <NUM> at least partially defines the cutting region <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the curtain <NUM> may include three sections. The middle section has an offset to two adjacent sections. The curtain <NUM> is moveable in a rearward direction relative to the direction of operation V. When the cutter implement <NUM> moves in the direction of operation V, the curtain <NUM> contacts the crop <NUM> and may be moved in the rearward direction due to the stiffness of the crop <NUM>. The crop <NUM> may be simultaneously flexed forward due to the force applied from the curtain <NUM>. The weight of the curtain <NUM> may drag the curtain <NUM> toward its original position, which provides a resistance of curtain <NUM> against rearward movement after the curtain <NUM> contacts the crop <NUM>.

The push-bar <NUM> is positioned rearward of the curtain <NUM> a pre-determined distance <NUM> to engage the curtain <NUM> in response to the curtain <NUM> moving rearward relative to the direction of operation V the pre-determined distance <NUM>. As such, the push-bar <NUM> increases the resistance of the curtain <NUM> against rearward movement after the curtain <NUM> contacts the push-bar <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, when the curtain <NUM> moves rearward to contact the push-bar <NUM> at an engaging portion <NUM> of the curtain <NUM>, the engaging portion <NUM> defines a first portion <NUM> above the engaging portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> below the engaging portion <NUM>. The engaging portion <NUM> may be movable on the curtain <NUM>, depending on the position of the push-bar <NUM>, which is moved by an actuator(s) <NUM>. The push-bar <NUM> in the first implementation is a cylinder shape but could be other shapes, including but not limited to, a triangular prism, a rectangular prism, etc..

In another implementation of the first implementation (not shown), the push-bar <NUM> is positioned rearward of the forward end <NUM> a pre-determined distance (not shown) to engage the crop <NUM> directly when the cutter implement <NUM> travels in the direction of operation V. As such, the push-bar <NUM> provides a resistance against the crop <NUM> to lean the crop <NUM> forward.

The cutter implement <NUM>, in the first implementation shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, also includes two actuators <NUM>, each of which is coupled to an end of the push-bar <NUM> and operable to move the push-bar <NUM> in the vertical direction relative to the ground surface. Each actuator <NUM> may include, but is not limited to, a hydraulic cylinder, an electric motor, a hydraulic motor, and/or a pneumatic motor. In the first implementation, the actuators <NUM> are hydraulic cylinders, and the two actuators <NUM> are coupled to the upper frame portion <NUM>. One actuator <NUM> is disposed near the first lateral frame portion <NUM> and the other actuator <NUM> is disposed near the second lateral frame portion <NUM>. Each actuator <NUM> includes a rod end <NUM> configured to extend or retract parallel to the upper frame portion <NUM> and parallel to the direction of operation V.

The cutter implement <NUM> also includes two connectors <NUM>, each of which interconnects one rod end <NUM> of the actuators <NUM> and one end of the push-bar <NUM>. Each connector <NUM> may include, but is not limited to, one of a cable, a chain, a rod, a bar, or some other similar structure. In this embodiment, the connectors <NUM> are cables. Two pullies <NUM>, each of which is coupled to the upper frame portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and is configured to re-direct the connector <NUM> between the rod end <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> and one end of the push-bar <NUM>. When rod ends <NUM> of the actuators <NUM> extend or retract parallel to the upper frame portion <NUM>, the connectors <NUM> (cables) are re-directed to move the push-bar <NUM> vertically relative to the ground surface via the pullies <NUM>. The engaging portion <NUM> of the curtain <NUM> is therefore moveable with the movement of the actuators <NUM> while the curtain <NUM> engages with the push-bar <NUM>.

In response to the curtain <NUM> moving rearward relative to the direction of operation V when the cutter implement <NUM> moves forward, the push-bar <NUM> may be moved rearward relative to the direction of operation V, because it is hung from the free ends of the connectors <NUM>. In another implementation without the curtain (not shown) in response to the reaction directly from the crop <NUM>) when the cutter implement <NUM> moves forward relative to the direction of operation V, the push-bar <NUM> may be moved rearward relative to the direction of operation V. However, because of the gravity, the weight of the push-bar <NUM> urges or biases the push-bar <NUM> back to the original position, i.e., hanging vertically straight for example. As such, the weight of the push-bar <NUM> acted upon by gravity generates the force that is applied to the crop and which may lean the crop <NUM> forward. The weight of the push-bar <NUM> may be one of the factors to determine the direction and strength of the force. The first implementation also demonstrates two linear support elements <NUM>, which can be another factor that affects or determine the direction and strength of the force (resistance) from the push-bar <NUM> against the curtain <NUM> or crop <NUM>.

The cutter implement <NUM> may include the linear support elements <NUM>, each of which is interconnecting the housing <NUM> and the push-bar <NUM> and operable to restrict movement of the push-bar <NUM> in a rearward direction relative to the direction of operation V. Each linear support element <NUM> includes a first end <NUM> coupled to the housing <NUM> adjacent the forward end <NUM> thereof and forward of the push-bar <NUM> relative to the direction of operation V. Each linear support element <NUM> also includes a second end <NUM> coupled to the push-bar <NUM> rearward of the first end <NUM> relative to the direction of operation V. In such configuration, each linear support element <NUM> may provide a force on the push-bar <NUM> directed at least partially forward relative to the direction of operation V, such that the push-bar <NUM> may increase resistance of the curtain <NUM> more than without the linear support elements <NUM>, after the curtain <NUM> contacts the push-bar <NUM>. In another implementation (not shown), each linear support element <NUM> may provide the force on the push-bar <NUM> at least partially upward relative to the ground to undertake some weight of the push-bar <NUM> and affect the force (resistance) from the push-bar <NUM> against the curtain <NUM> or the crop <NUM>. The location of the first end <NUM> of the linear support element <NUM> between the curtain <NUM> (or the forward end <NUM>) and the push-bar <NUM> may partially determine the direction and the strength of force applied on the push-bar <NUM>. The linear support element <NUM> may include, but is not limited to, one of a chain, a cable, a rod, a strap, a bar, or some other similar structure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, in the second implementation not according to the invention, actuators <NUM>' are hydraulic cylinders coupled to the upper frame portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Each actuator <NUM>' has a rod end <NUM>' directly connected to one end of the push-bar <NUM> and is configured to extend and retract to move the push-bar <NUM> at least in the vertical direction relative to the ground surface. Because each of the push-bar <NUM> is directly connected to one of the rod ends <NUM>', the connectors <NUM> and pullies <NUM> illustrated in the first embodiment may not be required in the second embodiment. The push-bar <NUM> in the second implementation is similar to that in the first implementation, which is adjustable at least in the vertical direction relative to the ground surface and operable to lean the crop material <NUM> in a forward direction relative to the direction of operation V. The push-bar <NUM> is positioned rearward of the curtain <NUM> a pre-determined distance <NUM> to engage the curtain <NUM> in response to the curtain <NUM> moving rearward relative to the direction of operation V the pre-determined distance <NUM>. In another implementation without the curtain (not shown), the push-bar <NUM> is positioned rearward of the forward end <NUM> a pre-determined distance (not shown) to engage the crop <NUM> directly when the cutter implement <NUM> travels in the direction of operation V. As such, the push-bar <NUM> provides a resistance against the crop <NUM> so as to lean the crop <NUM> forward.

It is noted that, in another implementation, the rod ends <NUM>' of the actuators <NUM>' do not have to extend or retract to move the push-bar <NUM> in an exact vertical direction relative to the ground surface. The direction of extension and extraction may have an offset angle relative to the exact vertical direction. As such, the push-bar <NUM> is not only adjustable in the vertical direction, but also adjustable forward or rearward relative to the direction of operation V. Those adjustments will affect the resistance from the curtain <NUM> or directly from the push-bar (not shown) against the crop <NUM>.

The present disclosure further includes a crop pushing system <NUM>. The crop pushing system <NUM> can be included in the cutter implement <NUM> in the first implementation. The crop pushing system <NUM> may include the push-bar <NUM>, the actuators <NUM> having the rod ends <NUM>, the connectors <NUM>, the pullies <NUM>, the linear support element <NUM> having the first end <NUM> and second end <NUM>, and optionally the curtain <NUM> as discussed in the first embodiment.

The present disclosure further includes a crop pushing system <NUM>'. The crop pushing system <NUM>' can be included in the cutter implement <NUM> in the second implementation. The crop pushing system <NUM> may include the push-bar <NUM>, the actuators <NUM>' having the rod ends <NUM>', and optionally the curtain <NUM> as discussed in the second embodiment.

Claim 1:
A cutter implement (<NUM>) for cutting crop material (<NUM>), the cutter implement (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) having a forward end (<NUM>) for engaging the crop material (<NUM>) when moving in a direction of operation (V), wherein the housing (<NUM>) at least partially defines a cutting region (<NUM>) disposed at the forward end (<NUM>) thereof;
a cutter (<NUM>) coupled to the housing (<NUM>) and operable to cut the crop material ( <NUM>) in the cutting region (<NUM>);a push-bar (<NUM>) positioned forward of the cutter (<NUM>) relative to the direction of operation (V), wherein the push-bar (<NUM>) is operable to lean the crop material (<NUM>) in a forward direction relative to the direction of operation (V); and
wherein the push-bar (<NUM>) is adjustable in a vertical direction relative to a ground surface,
characterized in that the cutter implement (<NUM>) further comprising an actuator (<NUM>, <NUM>') coupled to the push-bar (<NUM>) and operable to move the push-bar (<NUM>) in the vertical direction, and the cutter implement (<NUM>) further comprising a connector (<NUM>) interconnecting the actuator (<NUM>) and the push-bar (<NUM>) and a pully (<NUM>) coupled to the housing (<NUM>) and configured to re-direct the connector (<NUM>) between the actuator (<NUM>) and the push-bar (<NUM>).