Patent Description:
Stubble stompers for crushing and bending the remaining base of harvested crop stalks are known in the art. After a crop is harvested, such as corn or sunflowers, the base of the stalks remains below where the crop was cut during harvesting. These short remaining stalks can be disruptive and problematic for farm equipment, particularly the tires. In some cases, the stalks are rigid and can be sharp. Therefore, stubble stompers are attached to an agricultural machine, such as a corn harvester, and pulled along with the agricultural machine to engage with the remaining stalks as the agricultural machine moves across the field resulting in bent and/or crushed stalks. Bent and crushed stalk bases are also desirable to help promote decomposition of the stalk bases. <CIT>, for example, discloses a stalk breaker for a corn head. This stalk breaker includes two springs and a paddle that is generally planar and coupled to a lower end of the springs.

There are different known designs for stubble stompers, which are also referred to as stalk crushers. However, there are several problems with current designs of stubble stompers due to their inability to flex or pivot. The following paragraphs list several known problems with current known designs of stubble stompers but is not intended to be an exhaustive or all-inclusive list.

One problem arises when the stubble stomper is being loaded onto or off a trailer. Since the shoes on the stompers are rigidly attached to their frame and ultimately an agricultural machine, they can loosen, bend, jam, and/or partially or completely break off during the loading and/or unloading process, for example if it catches on something.

A second problem is when farming equipment encounters larger objects or obstructions, such as rocks. They can either break or loosen from the agricultural machine.

A third problem with known stubble stompers is when they are attached to an agricultural machine and the agricultural machine needs to travel in a reverse direction, the stubble stompers can jam or become lodged in the ground. Current designs often require that the stubble stompers be manually removed or be fully raised off the ground from the agricultural machine prior to driving in a reverse direction. Further, current designs require the stompers to be reinstalled again prior to each operation.

Therefore, there is a need for a stubble stomper that: <NUM>) can be loaded and unloaded without bending, loosening, jamming, or breaking; <NUM>) will easily adapt and adjust when it encounters large objects, such as rocks; <NUM>) allows the farming equipment to move in a reverse direction; <NUM>) will not break if not fully raised off the ground; and <NUM>) is self-resetting.

The current invention satisfies these needs by configuring the stubble stomper with a self-resetting breakaway feature. The stubble stomper includes a stomper mounting bracket adapted for mounting the stubble stomper to a crop harvesting header on an agricultural machine, a hinge assembly rotatably attached to the stomper mounting bracket and rotatable between a default position and a breakaway position, a stomper shoe pivotally attached to the hinge assembly by a bushing for engaging crop stubble as the agricultural machine travels across a field, and a torsion spring surrounding the bushing that is coupled between the hinge assembly and the stomper shoe biasing the stomper shoe in a first rotational direction relative to the hinge assembly to position the stomper shoe for engaging the crop stubble; wherein according to the present invention, the stubble stomper further comprises a spring pin attached to the stomper mounting bracket for selective engagement with the hinge assembly, wherein when the spring pin is engaged with the hinge assembly, the hinge assembly is in the default position preventing rotation in the first and second rotational directions and when the spring pin is disengaged from the hinge assembly, the hinge assembly is in the breakaway position allowing rotation in the first and second rotational directions.

According to another aspect of the invention, a crop harvesting header comprises a header frame, a cutterbar attached to the header fame, and the stubble stomper according to the present disclosure. In particular, the stubble stomper comprises a stomper mounting bracket mounted to the header frame, a hinge assembly rotatably attached to the stomper mounting bracket and rotatable between a default position and a breakaway position, a stomper shoe pivotally attached to the hinge assembly by a bushing for engaging crop stubble as the crop harvesting header travels across a field, and a torsion spring and a spring pin according to the present disclosure, respectively.

Advantages of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a stubble stomper with self-resetting breakaway feature is shown generally at <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the stubble stomper <NUM> includes a stomper mounting bracket <NUM>, a hinge assembly <NUM> rotatably attached to the stomper mounting bracket <NUM> and rotatable between a default position and a breakaway position, and a stomper shoe <NUM> pivotally attached to the hinge assembly <NUM>.

The stomper mounting bracket <NUM> attaches to the main frame <NUM> of a crop harvesting header <NUM> on an agricultural machine, for example a corn header, in a conventional manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting bracket <NUM> is bolted onto a header frame <NUM> of the crop harvesting header <NUM>. The mounting bracket <NUM> includes two protruding parallel walls 30a, 30b that are spaced apart by a first distance D1. A mounting bracket third wall 30c extends between the two parallel walls 30a, 30b and mounts abutted adjacent to the header frame <NUM> of the crop harvesting header <NUM>.

The hinge assembly <NUM> includes two sets of protruding parallel walls, an outer set 32a, 32b and an inner set 34a, 34b. The outer set of parallel walls 32a, 32b are spaced apart by a second distance D2. The second distance D2 is less than the first distance D1 between the two parallel walls 30a, 30b of the mounting bracket <NUM>. As a result, the outer parallel walls 32a, 32b of the hinge assembly <NUM> fit within the parallel walls 30a, 30b of the mounting bracket <NUM>.

The hinge assembly <NUM> is rotatably attached to the stomper mounting bracket <NUM> by a pair of pins 36a, 36b. The first parallel wall 30a of the mounting bracket <NUM> and the first outer parallel wall 32a of the hinge assembly <NUM> each have a first pivot pin aperture 38a, 40a for receiving the first pivot pin 36a. Similarly, the second parallel wall 30b of the mounting bracket <NUM> and the second outer parallel wall 32b of the hinge assembly <NUM> each have a second pivot pin aperture 38b, 40b for receiving the second pivot pin 36b, as shown in <FIG>. The alignment of the pivot pins 36a, 36b through all four apertures 38a, 38b, 40a, 40b define a hinge assembly rotational axis <NUM> about which the hinge assembly <NUM> rotates relative to the mounting bracket <NUM> when moving from a default, or non-breakaway position to a breakaway position.

The inner set of parallel walls 34a, 34b of the hinge assembly <NUM> are spaced apart by a third distance D3. The third distance D3 is less than the second distance D2 between the outer parallel walls 32a, 32b of the hinge assembly <NUM>.

The stomper shoe <NUM> also includes a pair of protruding parallel walls 44a, 44b. The parallel walls 44a, 44b are spaced apart by a fourth distance, D4, that is less than the hinge assembly inner parallel walls third distance, D3. As a result, the parallel walls 44a, 44b of the stomper shoe <NUM> fit within the inner parallel walls 34a, 34b of the hinge assembly <NUM>.

The stomper shoe <NUM> is pivotally attached to the hinge assembly <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the stomper shoe <NUM> is pivotally attached to the hinge assembly <NUM> by a bushing <NUM> and torsion spring <NUM>. Alternatively, a pin or a bolt could be used. Each wall 44a, 44b of the stomper shoe <NUM> and each inner wall 34a, 34b of the hinge assembly <NUM> has an aperture to allow for attachment to each end 46a, 46b of the bushing <NUM>. The torsion spring <NUM> surrounds the bushing <NUM>. A stomper shoe pivot axis <NUM> is defined by the imaginary line that runs along the center of the length of the bushing <NUM> and extends out through each end 46a, 46b. The torsion spring <NUM> engages with the hinge assembly <NUM> and the stomper shoe <NUM> biasing the stomper shoe <NUM> about the stomper shoe pivot axis <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, in a first rotational direction R1. More specifically, a first end 48a of the torsion spring <NUM> engages with the stomper shoe <NUM> and an opposite second end 48b of the torsion spring <NUM> engages with the hinge assembly <NUM> to bias the stomper shoe <NUM> in the first rotational direction. For explanatory purposes, referring to <FIG>, the first rotational direction R1 is in a downward, or clockwise, direction toward the ground when the stubble stomper <NUM> is mounted to the header frame <NUM> of the crop harvesting header <NUM>. However, the stubble stomper <NUM> does not need to be mounted on the header <NUM> for the torsion spring <NUM> to exert the biasing force against the stomper shoe <NUM>.

A spring pin <NUM> is attached to the stomper mounting bracket <NUM> and removably engages with a slot or aperture <NUM> in the first outer parallel wall 32a of the hinge assembly <NUM>. The spring pin <NUM> has a first end with a head 52a and an opposite second chamfered end 52b. The chamfered end 52b can be either pointed or rounded. The spring pin first end 52a is mounted to a support structure <NUM> formed in the mounting bracket <NUM> such that it slidingly moves inwardly and outwardly through recesses in the mounting bracket support structure <NUM>. When the stubble stomper <NUM> is in a default, or non-breakaway position, the pointed end 52b of the spring pin <NUM> fits within the slot <NUM> in the first outer parallel wall 32a of the hinge assembly <NUM>. A spring <NUM> is attached to the spring pin <NUM> and compressed between the support structure <NUM> and a nut <NUM> for biasing the spring pin <NUM> into engagement with the slot <NUM>. That is, the force of the spring <NUM> biases the chamfered end 52b of the spring pin into the slot <NUM> in the first outer parallel wall 32a of the hinge assembly <NUM>. It should be appreciated that a second spring pin having a similar configuration may engage the second outer parallel wall 32b of the mounting bracket <NUM> and second outer parallel wall 32b of the hinge assembly <NUM>.

The stubble stomper <NUM> has a default operating position, which is referred to as a non-breakaway position, shown in <FIG>. When in the non-breakaway position, the spring pin <NUM> is engaged in the slot <NUM> in the outer wall 32a of the hinge assembly <NUM>, specifically when the chamfered end 52b of the spring pin <NUM> is received within the slot <NUM> in the hinge assembly <NUM>. When the chamfered end 52b of the spring pin <NUM> is positioned within the slot <NUM>, the hinge assembly <NUM> and mounting bracket <NUM> are locked together from the bias force of the spring <NUM> that is attached to the spring pin <NUM>. When in the default or non-breakaway position, the stomper shoe <NUM> pivots about axis <NUM> with respect to the hinge assembly <NUM> due to the torsion spring's <NUM> rotation about bushing <NUM> resulting in engagement with the stomper shoe <NUM> and the hinge assembly <NUM>. The torsion spring <NUM> exerts a force on the stomper shoe <NUM> biasing it in the first rotational direction R1, also referred to as having an opposing resistance.

Referring to <FIG>, during normal operation when the agricultural machine is traveling in a forward direction, the stomper shoe <NUM> is simply spring biased by the torsion spring <NUM> to push down the cut crop stubble, for example corn stalks, against the ground. However, when the stomper shoe <NUM> encounters a force, for example a small obstruction such as a rock when the agricultural machine is moving across the field in a forward direction, the encountered force causes the stomper shoe <NUM> to pivot about pivot axis <NUM>, defined by the length of the bushing <NUM>, due to the impact force of the obstruction being greater than the bias force of the torsion spring <NUM>. The encountered obstruction forces the stomper shoe <NUM> to pivot up by rotating about axis <NUM>, in a second rotational direction R2, away from the ground, as shown in <FIG>. Once the stubble stomper <NUM> has moved beyond the obstruction, the torsion spring <NUM> forces the stomper shoe <NUM> to pivot back down to its stomper shoe neutral position.

During normal operation when the agricultural machine is traveling in a reverse direction, the stomper shoe <NUM> is also spring biased by the torsion spring <NUM> in a downward direction toward the ground. However, referring to <FIG>, if the stubble stomper <NUM> encounters a force greater than a predetermined force, the spring pin <NUM> will disengage from the slot <NUM> in the outer wall 32a of the hinge assembly <NUM> and the hinge assembly <NUM> along with the attached stomper shoe <NUM> will rotate about axis <NUM>, defined by aligned pivot pins 36a, 36b, in the first rotational direction R1 from its default position, into a breakaway position. The predetermined force is defined by the amount of force required to disengage the spring pin <NUM> from the slot <NUM> by compression of the spring <NUM> in the spring pin <NUM>. When the spring <NUM> in the spring pin <NUM> encounters the predetermined force, the spring <NUM> compresses causing the spring pin <NUM> to move such that the chamfered end 52b of the spring pin <NUM> disengages from the slot <NUM>. Once the chamfered end 52b of the spring pin <NUM> disengages from the slot <NUM>, the hinge assembly <NUM> can pivot about rotational axis <NUM> defined by pivot pins 36a, 36b. Once the spring pin chamfered end 52b disengages from slot <NUM>, the stubble stomper <NUM> transitions into the breakaway position. The first rotational direction is also referred to as a breakaway direction and, for reference purposes, is the same rotational direction as the torsion spring bias about axis <NUM>, shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. This may occur, for example, when the stomper shoe <NUM> encounters an obstruction like a rock on the ground while the agricultural machine is moving in a reverse direction, as shown in <FIG>, or if the shoe engages with the trailer when loading or unloading.

<FIG> illustrates the stubble stomper <NUM> shifted to the breakaway position. The self-resetting feature takes place when the stubble stomper <NUM> resets to its default or non-breakaway position from the breakaway position. That is, when the agricultural machine resumes travel in the forward direction, the hinge assembly <NUM> and stomper shoe <NUM> will be forced, by engagement with the ground, to rotate in the second rotational direction R2 back into the default or non-breakaway position. During rotation in the second rotational direction, when the chamfered end 52b of the spring pin <NUM> realigns with slot <NUM>, the bias force of spring <NUM> attached to spring pin <NUM> automatically forces the chamfered end 52b of spring pin <NUM> into the slot <NUM> to retain and reset the stubble stomper <NUM> to its default or non-breakaway position.

In the situation where the header <NUM> is raised from the ground with the hinge assembly <NUM> and stomper shoe <NUM> in the breakaway position, gravity alone is not enough to reset the stubble stomper <NUM> from the breakaway position back to the default position. However, when in the breakaway position and prior to engaging with the ground, gravity does cause the hinge assembly <NUM> to pivot vertically, due to the center of gravity directly below the pivot pin. Once the header <NUM> is lowered causing the stubble stomper <NUM> to contact the ground and when forward motion begins, the hinge assembly <NUM> and stomper shoe <NUM> will rotate about axis <NUM>. When the chamfered end 52b of the spring pin <NUM> comes into alignment with slot <NUM> it will be automatically forced back into position within slot <NUM> by the spring <NUM> in the spring pin <NUM> transitioning and self-resetting the hinge assembly <NUM> and stomper shoe <NUM> from the breakaway position back to the default or non-breakaway position.

Stomper shoe axis <NUM>, about which the stomper shoe <NUM> pivots with respect to the hinge assembly <NUM>, and rotational axis <NUM>, about which the hinge assembly <NUM> rotates between the default position and breakaway position with respect to the mounting bracket <NUM>, extend parallel to each other as illustrated in <FIG>. Further, referring to <FIG>, the first rotational direction R1 for both axes <NUM>, <NUM> is in a clockwise direction and the second rotational direction R2 is in a counter-clockwise direction.

In operation, the stubble stomper <NUM> can be positioned at multiple heights relative to the ground, as shown in <FIG>. The mounting bracket <NUM> includes three pairs of operating position apertures, a set of low height setting apertures <NUM>, a set of middle height setting apertures <NUM>, and a set of upper height setting apertures <NUM>. The pivot pins 36a, 36b will engage with one set of operating position apertures depending upon the desired height setting. <FIG> illustrates a stubble stomper <NUM> mounted on the crop harvesting header <NUM> at a low height setting, which is close to the ground. In this low height setting, the pivot pins 36a, 36b are received within the low height setting apertures <NUM> in the mounting bracket <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a stubble stomper <NUM> mounted on the crop harvesting header <NUM> at a middle height setting, which is higher from the ground than the low height setting. In this middle height setting, the pivot pins 36a, 36b are received within the middle height setting apertures <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a stubble stomper <NUM> mounted on the crop harvesting header <NUM> at an upper height setting, which is still higher from the ground than the middle height setting. In the upper height setting, the pivot pins 36a, 36b are received within the upper height setting apertures <NUM>. The lower the stubble stomper <NUM> is mounted, meaning the closer to the ground that it is positioned, the more spring force that is applied resulting in more aggressive stomping force applied to the stalk bases. Alternatively, the higher the stubble stomper <NUM> is mounted, meaning the higher above the ground that it is positioned, the less spring force is applied resulting in less aggressive stomping force applied to the stalk bases.

A stop <NUM> can be incorporated into the mounting bracket <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, that limits the pivotal motion of the hinge assembly <NUM> angle range when in the breakaway position to avoid contact with the cutterbar <NUM>. Further, referring to <FIG>, preferably the clearance between the outer parallel wall 32c of the hinge assembly <NUM> and the third wall 30c of the mounting bracket <NUM> is minimized to prevent sediment from building up to allow for free motion of the hinge assembly <NUM> into the breakaway position.

Referring to <FIG>, a second embodiment of the stubble stomper with self-resetting breakaway feature is shown generally at <NUM>. The stubble stomper <NUM> includes a stomper mounting bracket <NUM>, a hinge assembly <NUM> rotatably attached to the stomper mounting bracket <NUM> and rotatable between a default position and a breakaway position, and a stomper shoe <NUM> pivotally attached to the hinge assembly <NUM>. The main differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment are the addition of a clamp plate <NUM> that preloads the torsion spring <NUM> and a storage or transport position of the stomper shoe <NUM>.

The stomper mounting bracket <NUM> attaches to the main frame of a crop harvesting header <NUM> on an agricultural machine, for example a corn header, in a conventional manner. The mounting bracket <NUM> includes two protruding parallel walls 130a, 130b that are spaced apart by a first distance AD1. A mounting bracket third wall 130c extends between the two parallel walls 130a, 130b and mounts abutted adjacent to the main frame of the header <NUM>.

The hinge assembly <NUM> includes two sets of protruding parallel walls, an outer set 132a, 132b and an inner set 134a, 134b. The outer set of parallel walls 132a, 132b are spaced apart by a second distance AD2. The second distance AD2 is less than the first distance AD1 between the two parallel walls 130a, 130b of the mounting bracket <NUM>. As a result, the outer parallel walls 132a, 132b of the hinge assembly <NUM> fit within the parallel walls 130a, 130b of the mounting bracket <NUM>.

The hinge assembly <NUM> is rotatably attached to the stomper mounting bracket <NUM> by a pair of pins 136a, 136b. The first parallel wall 130a of the mounting bracket <NUM> has a first pivot pin aperture 138a. There is a first enclosed receptacle 135a that spans between the first outer parallel wall 132a and first inner parallel wall 134a of the hinge assembly <NUM> that receives the first pivot pin 136a. A first locking pin 137a is received within a locking pin aperture 139a in the first receptacle 135a and through the first pin 136a. The second parallel wall 130b of the mounting bracket <NUM> has a second pivot pin aperture 138b. There is a second enclosed receptacle 135b that spans between the second outer parallel wall 132b and the second inner parallel wall 134b of the hinge assembly <NUM> that receives the second pivot pin 136b. A second locking pin 137b is received within a locking pin aperture 139b in the second receptacle 135b and through the second pin 136b. The alignment of the pivot pins 136a, 136b through the pivot pin apertures 138a, 138b and the enclosed receptacles 135a, 135b define a hinge assembly rotational axis <NUM> about which the hinge assembly <NUM> rotates relative to the mounting bracket <NUM> when moving from a default, or non-breakaway position to a breakaway position.

The inner set of parallel walls 134a, 134b of the hinge assembly <NUM> are spaced apart by a third distance AD3. The third distance AD3 is less than the second distance AD2 between the outer parallel walls 132a, 132b of the hinge assembly <NUM>.

The stomper shoe <NUM> also includes a pair of protruding parallel walls 144a, 144b. The parallel walls 144a, 144b are spaced apart by a fourth distance, AD4, that is less than the hinge assembly inner parallel walls third distance, AD3. As a result, the parallel walls 144a, 144b of the stomper shoe <NUM> fit within the inner parallel walls 134a, 134b of the hinge assembly <NUM>.

The stomper shoe <NUM> is pivotally attached to the hinge assembly <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the stomper shoe <NUM> is pivotally attached to the hinge assembly <NUM> by a bushing <NUM> and torsion spring <NUM>. Alternatively, a pin or a bolt could be used. Each wall 144a, 144b of the stomper shoe <NUM> and each inner wall 134a, 134b of the hinge assembly <NUM> has an aperture to allow for attachment to each end 146a, 146b of the bushing <NUM>. The torsion spring <NUM> surrounds the bushing <NUM>. A stomper shoe pivot axis <NUM> is defined by the imaginary line that runs along the center of the length of the bushing <NUM> and extends out through each end 146a, 146b. The torsion spring <NUM> engages with the hinge assembly <NUM> and the stomper shoe <NUM> biasing the stomper shoe <NUM> in a first rotational direction R1, shown in <FIG>, about the stomper shoe pivot axis <NUM>. More specifically, a first end 148a of the torsion spring <NUM> engages with the stomper shoe <NUM> and a second end 148b of the torsion spring <NUM> engages with the hinge assembly <NUM> to bias the stomper shoe <NUM> in the first rotational direction R1. For explanatory purposes, the first rotational direction R1 is in a downward direction when the stubble stomper <NUM> is mounted to the main frame of the crop harvesting header <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a clamp plate <NUM> is attached to the hinge assembly <NUM> to preload the torsion spring <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp plate <NUM> is bolted to the hinge assembly <NUM> by bolts <NUM>. The clamp plate <NUM> is positioned to force the stomper shoe <NUM> in an upward motion, or in the second rotational direction R2, relative to the hinge assembly <NUM> during assembly of the clamp plate <NUM> to the hinge assembly <NUM> to coil and preload the torsion spring <NUM>. The preload provides instant down pressure when the ground or stubble is contacted by the stomper shoe <NUM>. Preloading the torsion spring <NUM> results in the torsion spring <NUM>, and the stomper shoe <NUM>, having a higher initial downward force, in the first rotational direction R1 to more effectively interact with the crop stubble by forcing it down with a more consistent and higher torque than if the torsion spring <NUM> were not preloaded. In the scenario where the torsion spring <NUM> is not pre-loaded, the torsion spring <NUM> begins rotating with zero torque and builds torque as it rotates. When the torsion spring <NUM> is preloaded, it provides more consistent torque to force down the crop stubble. Further, a softer spring can be used rather than a stiffer spring because a softer spring will have less variation throughout movement, where a stiffer spring would have more variation during movement. Therefore, a softer spring provides more consistent torque during operation than a stiffer spring.

To assemble the clamp plate <NUM> onto the hinge assembly <NUM> and put the torsion spring <NUM> into a preloaded position, two tabs 151a, 151b, (illustrated in <FIG>) that are integral with a first edge 151c of the clamp plate <NUM> are received within two slots <NUM> in the hinge assembly <NUM>. The tabs 151a, 151b within the slots <NUM> act as a hinge as the bolts <NUM> received through apertures in the clamp plate <NUM> are being bolted to the hinge assembly <NUM>. As the bolts <NUM> are being tightened, a lower portion 151d of the clamp plate <NUM> interacts with a lower surface <NUM> of the stomper shoe <NUM> while an opposing, upper surface 126U of the stomper shoe <NUM> interacts with the first end 148a of the torsion spring <NUM> causing preloading of the torsion spring <NUM> by forcing the stomper shoe <NUM> and the first end 148a of torsion spring <NUM> to rotate in the second rotational direction R2 until the bolts <NUM> are tightened while the second end 148b of torsion spring <NUM> remains in a fixed position abutted against the hinge assembly <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a spring pin <NUM> is attached to the stomper mounting bracket <NUM> and removably engages with a slot or aperture <NUM> in the second outer parallel wall 132b of the hinge assembly <NUM>. The spring pin <NUM> has a first end with a head 152a and an opposite second chamfered end 152b. The chamfered end 152b can be either pointed or rounded. The spring pin first end 152a is mounted to a support structure <NUM> formed in the mounting bracket <NUM> such that it slidingly moves inwardly and outwardly through a recess <NUM> in the mounting bracket support structure <NUM> due to a spring <NUM> attached to the spring pin <NUM>. On the outside of the support structure <NUM>, a nut <NUM> and a washer 159a are attached to the spring pin <NUM>. Positioned between the inside of the support structure <NUM> and the outside of second protruding stomper wall 130b, a nut/washer 159b is attached to the spring pin <NUM> adjacent to the spring <NUM>. When the stubble stomper <NUM> is in a default, or non-breakaway position, the chamfered end 152b of the spring pin <NUM> fits within the slot <NUM> in the first outer parallel wall 132a of the hinge assembly <NUM>. The spring <NUM> is compressed between the support structure <NUM> and the nut/washer 159b for biasing the spring pin <NUM> into engagement with the slot <NUM>. That is, the force of the spring <NUM> biases the chamfered end 152b of the spring pin <NUM> into the slot <NUM> in the second outer parallel wall 132b of the hinge assembly <NUM>. It should be appreciated that a second spring pin having a similar configuration may engage the first outer parallel wall 132a of the mounting bracket <NUM> and first outer parallel wall 132a of the hinge assembly <NUM>.

The stubble stomper <NUM> has a default operating position, which is referred to as a non-breakaway position. When in the non-breakaway position, the spring pin <NUM> is engaged in the slot <NUM> in the outer wall 132b of the hinge assembly <NUM>. This engagement occurs when the chamfered end 152b of the spring pin <NUM> is received within the slot <NUM> in the hinge assembly <NUM>. When the chamfered end 152b of the spring pin <NUM> is positioned within the slot <NUM>, the hinge assembly <NUM> and mounting bracket <NUM> are locked together from the bias force of the spring <NUM> attached to the spring pin <NUM>. When in the default or non-breakaway position, the stomper shoe <NUM> is able to pivot about axis <NUM> with respect to the hinge assembly <NUM> due to the torsion spring's <NUM> rotation about bushing <NUM> resulting in engagement with the stomper shoe <NUM> and the hinge assembly <NUM>. The torsion spring <NUM> exerts a force on the stomper shoe <NUM> biasing it in the first rotational direction R1 and is preloaded by the attachment of the clamp plate <NUM>. For explanatory purposes, the first rotational direction R1 is a downward direction toward the ground when the stubble stomper <NUM> is mounted on the main frame <NUM> of the crop harvesting header <NUM>. However, the stubble stomper <NUM> does not need to be mounted on a crop harvesting header <NUM> for the preloaded torsion spring <NUM> to exert the biasing force.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, during normal operation when the agricultural machine is traveling in a forward direction, the stomper shoe <NUM> is spring biased by the combination of the torsion spring <NUM> and clamp plate <NUM> to push down the cut crop stubble, for example corn stalks, against the ground. However, when the stomper shoe <NUM> encounters a force, for example a small obstruction such as a rock when the agricultural machine is moving across the field in a forward direction, the encountered force causes the stomper shoe <NUM> to pivot about pivot axis <NUM> (illustrated in <FIG>) due to the impact force of the obstruction being greater than the bias force of the torsion spring <NUM>. The encountered obstruction forces the stomper shoe <NUM> to pivot up by rotating in the second rotational direction R2, away from the ground, about axis <NUM>. Once the stubble stomper <NUM> has moved beyond the obstruction, the torsion spring <NUM> forces the stomper shoe <NUM> to pivot back down, in the first rotational direction R1, to its neutral or default position.

During normal operation when the agricultural machine is traveling in a reverse direction, the stomper shoe <NUM> is also spring biased by the preloaded torsion spring <NUM> in a downward direction toward the ground. However, in the reverse direction, engagement with the ground causes the stomper shoe <NUM> to continue pivoting in the first rotational direction R1 upwardly toward the cutterbar <NUM>.

When the stubble stomper <NUM> encounters a force greater than a predetermined force, the spring pin <NUM> will disengage from the slot <NUM> in the outer wall 132b of the hinge assembly <NUM> and the hinge assembly <NUM> along with the attached stomper shoe <NUM> will rotate about axis <NUM>, defined by aligned pivot pins 136a, 136b, in the first rotational direction from its default position, into a breakaway position. This may occur, for example, when the stomper shoe <NUM> encounters an obstruction like a rock on the ground while the agricultural machine is in a reverse direction or if the shoe engages with the trailer when loading or unloading. The predetermined force is defined by the amount of force required to disengage the spring pin <NUM> from the slot <NUM> by compression of the spring <NUM> in the spring pin <NUM>. When the spring <NUM> in the spring pin <NUM> encounters the predetermined force, the spring <NUM> compresses causing the spring pin <NUM> to move such that the chamfered end 152b of the spring pin <NUM> disengages from the slot <NUM>. Once the chamfered end 152b of the spring pin <NUM> disengages from the slot <NUM>, the hinge assembly <NUM> can pivot about rotational axis <NUM> defined by pivot pins 136a, 136b. Further, once the spring pin chamfered end 152b disengages from slot <NUM>, the stubble stomper <NUM> transitions into the breakaway position. <FIG> illustrates a side view of the position of the stomper shoe <NUM> while the agricultural machine is traveling in reverse. <FIG> illustrates the front view of the position of the stubble stomper <NUM> while the agricultural machine is traveling in reverse. In both of these figures, the spring pin <NUM> is disengaged and the stubble stomper <NUM> and is considered to be in a breakaway position. <FIG> illustrates the stubble stomper <NUM> broken away and in a free swing.

The self-resetting feature takes place when the stubble stomper <NUM> resets to its default or non-breakaway position from the breakaway position. When the agricultural machine resumes travel in the forward direction, the hinge assembly <NUM> and stomper shoe <NUM> will be forced by engagement with the ground, to rotate in the second rotational direction R2 back into the default or non-breakaway position. Similarly, if the header <NUM> has been raised with the hinge assembly <NUM> and stomper shoe <NUM> in the breakaway position, once the header <NUM> is lowered and the agricultural machine begins movement in the forward direction, the hinge assembly <NUM> and stomper shoe <NUM> will be forced from the breakaway position back to the default or neutral position. Once forward motion of the agricultural machine begins, the hinge assembly will be forced to rotate about axis <NUM> in the second rotational direction R2, opposite from the first rotational direction R1, and once the chamfered end 152b in the spring pin <NUM> and slot <NUM> in the outer wall 132b of hinge assembly <NUM> are in alignment, the force of spring <NUM> attached to spring pin <NUM> automatically forces the chamfered end 152b of spring pin <NUM> to re-engage with the slot <NUM> self-resetting the hinge assembly <NUM> and attached stomper shoe <NUM> back into the default or non-breakaway position.

In the situation where the header <NUM> is raised from the ground with the hinge assembly <NUM> and the stomper shoe <NUM> in the breakaway position, gravity alone is not enough to reset the stomper <NUM> from the breakaway position back to the default position. However, when in the breakaway position and prior to engaging with the ground, gravity does cause the hinge assembly <NUM> to pivot vertically, due to the center of gravity directly below the pivot pins. Once the header <NUM> is lowered causing the stubble stomper <NUM> to contact the ground and when forward motion begins, the hinge assembly <NUM> and stomper shoe <NUM> will rotate about axis <NUM>. When the chamfered end 152b of the spring pin <NUM> comes into alignment with slot <NUM> it will be automatically forced back into position within slot <NUM> by the spring <NUM> in the spring pin <NUM>, transitioning and self-resetting the hinge assembly <NUM> and stomper shoe <NUM> from the breakaway position back to the default or non-breakaway position.

In operation, the stubble stomper <NUM> can be positioned at multiple heights relative to the ground. The mounting bracket <NUM> includes three pairs of operating position apertures, a set of low height setting apertures <NUM>, a set of middle height setting apertures <NUM>, and a set of upper height setting apertures <NUM>. The pivot pins 136a, 136b will engage with one set of operating position apertures depending upon the desired height setting.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a stubble stomper <NUM> mounted on the crop harvesting header <NUM> at a low height setting, which is close to the ground. In this low height setting, the pivot pins 136a, 136b are received within the low height setting apertures <NUM> in the mounting bracket <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate a stubble stomper <NUM> mounted on the crop harvesting header <NUM> at a middle height setting, which is higher from the ground than the low height setting. In this middle height setting, the pivot pins 136a, 136b are received within the middle height setting apertures <NUM>. The lower the stubble stomper <NUM> is mounted, meaning the closer to the ground that it is positioned, the more spring force that is applied resulting in more aggressive stomping force applied to the stalk bases. Alternatively, the higher the stubble stomper <NUM> is mounted, meaning the higher above the ground that it is positioned, the less spring force is applied resulting in less aggressive stomping force applied to the stalk bases.

<FIG> illustrate a stubble stomper <NUM> mounted on the crop harvesting header <NUM> at an upper height setting, which is still higher from the ground than the middle height setting and, in this embodiment, is a storage or transport position. Referring to <FIG>, in the upper storage height setting, the pivot pins 136a, 136b are received within the upper height setting apertures <NUM>. There are also projections 170a, 170b that extend out from the hinge assembly <NUM> and are received within recesses 172a, 172b in the mounting bracket <NUM> to secure the stubble stomper in the transport position.

Referring to <FIG>, a stop <NUM> can be incorporated into the mounting bracket <NUM> that limits the motion of the hinge assembly <NUM> angle range when in the breakaway position to avoid contact with the cutterbar <NUM>. Further, preferably the clearance between the outer parallel wall 32c of the hinge assembly <NUM> and the third wall 30c of the mounting bracket <NUM> is minimized to prevent sediment from building up to allow for free motion of the hinge assembly <NUM> into the breakaway position.

Both embodiments of the stubble stomper <NUM>, <NUM> with self-resetting breakaway feature can be used with various row unit lengths and can also be mounted more directly beneath the crop harvesting header <NUM> rather than pulled behind.

Claim 1:
A stubble stomper (<NUM>) comprising:
a stomper mounting bracket (<NUM>) adapted for mounting the stubble stomper (<NUM>) to a crop harvesting header (<NUM>) on an agricultural machine;
a hinge assembly (<NUM>) rotatably attached to the stomper mounting bracket (<NUM>) and rotatable between a default position and a breakaway position;
a stomper shoe (<NUM>) pivotally attached to the hinge assembly (<NUM>) by a bushing (<NUM>) for engaging crop stubble as the agricultural machine travels across a field;
a torsion spring (<NUM>) surrounding the bushing (<NUM>) that is coupled between the hinge assembly (<NUM>) and the stomper shoe (<NUM>) biasing the stomper shoe (<NUM>) in a first rotational direction relative to the hinge assembly (<NUM>) to position the stomper shoe (<NUM>) for engaging the crop stubble;
characterized in that the stubble stomper (<NUM>) further comprises:
a spring pin (<NUM>) attached to the stomper mounting bracket (<NUM>) for selective engagement with the hinge assembly (<NUM>), wherein when the spring pin (<NUM>) is engaged with the hinge assembly (<NUM>), the hinge assembly (<NUM>) is in the default position preventing rotation in the first and second rotational directions and when the spring pin (<NUM>) is disengaged from the hinge assembly (<NUM>), the hinge assembly (<NUM>) is in the breakaway position allowing rotation in the first and second rotational directions.