Patent ID: 7832189

Claim:
A drive train for distributing motive power in a modular disc cutterbar, the cutterbar having a plurality of transversely spaced-apart cutter modules, each module having a rotating head powered by the drive train and a generally hollow housing enclosing a geared connection between the rotating head and the drive train, the housing further containing a volume of lubricant for the geared connection and the drive train, the drive train comprising: a plurality of elongate drive transfer shafts aligned on a transverse rotational axis, one of said plurality of drive shafts disposed between each adjacent pair of the cutter modules, each shaft having an axially-displaceable, torque-transferring connector at each end; a pinion assembly having first and second hubs connected by a pinion shaft for rotation in unison on the rotational axis, one said pinion assembly disposed in and rotatably supported by each of the plurality of module housings, each said hub having a receptacle configured to axially receive one said connector at one end of one of said plurality of drive shafts; at least one lubricating element extending radially from each said hub and positioned within the housing for dispersing the lubricant about the interior of the housing when said pinion assembly is rotating; and a plurality of apertures in each said hub extending from an outer surface of said hub inwardly to said receptacle, said plurality of apertures positioned adjacent to said at least one lubricating element so that a portion of the lubricant flowing by gravity on the surface of said at least one lube element is directed to one of said plurality of apertures and inwardly to said receptacle when said pinion assembly is not rotating.