Method & Apparatus to reduce stalk shear

Abstract

The invention provides four (4) methods to reduce stalk shear in a corn head row unit that utilizes a non-variable or dependent drive system. The four methods described include altering the gearbox ratio, increasing the lengths of the fluted portion of the stalk roll, increasing stalk roll diameter or reducing the size of the gathering chain drive sprocket. The invention allows for a more balanced application of multi directional energy to be applied to the corn plant. The resultant effect is to reduce stalk shear which reduces trash intake to the harvester. This novel idea provides the first means and method to which genetically improved taller and healthier corn plants can be harvested with minimal amounts of material other than ears ultimately being transferred to the threshing unit.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This non-provisional patent application entitled “Method for Stalk Shear Reduction” and assigned attorney docket number USPA-0035 DIV claims priority from and incorporates by reference non-provisional patent application entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS TO REDUCE STALK SHEAR” filed on Dec. 3, 2003 and assigned Ser. No. 10,726,348. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The apparatus described herein is generally applicable to the field of agricultural equipment. The embodiments shown and described herein are more particularly for improved harvesting of corn plants. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0003] No federal funds were used to develop or create the disclosed invention. REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX [0004] Not Applicable AUTHORIZATION PURSUANT TO 37 C.F.R. §1.171 (d)(c) [0005] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes a method and apparatus to reduce stalk shear in corn heads. The invention aims to improve the efficiency of the harvesting process by reducing the amount of trash or material other than ears (MOTE) that reaches the threshing unit of the combine. The method involves using a smaller gathering chain drive sprocket in a row unit with a dependent drive system, which slows down the gathering chain while allowing the rest of the corn head to operate at its normal speed. Additionally, the method includes reducing the number of teeth used on the internal gears of the gear box that drives the stalk engaging components or increasing the diameter of the stalk roll used to engage the stalk of the plant. The invention has been tested and shown to reduce stalk shear, improve ear separation speed, and increase the bushels and acres a farmer can harvest per day. It also lowers fuel consumption and reduces the loss of grain in the separation and threshing areas of the combine."

Problems solved by technology

Through research, operations, and testing, applicant has found that a major evolving problem in harvesting today's corn hybrids is a large build up of plant material (MOTE plus ears) in front of the cross auger during operation of the corn head.

The accumulation of MOTE reduces the efficiency of the corn head.

The appearance of this fluff or trash may be severe enough to require harvesting equipment to shut down.

When harvesting down corn it was also noticed that root balls were unnecessarily being pulled out of the ground and dragged into the corn head due to excessive gathering chain speed.

There are numerous disadvantages and weaknesses in the teachings found in Chamberlain.

This increase in equipment increases the weight of the corn head and the power required to drive the head, increasing both the cost of manufacture and operation.

Additionally, Chamberlain does not teach a method to convert an existing corn head having a dependent drive system.

The problem at its most basic is that the stalk roll flutes and the gathering chain paddles are applying energy to the stalk in different directions producing a shearing effect.

When the corn stalk reaches the end of the stalk rolls and stops moving horizontally, the movement of the corn stalk becomes restricted.

This would indicate there is significant pressure and wear at this point due to stalks separating against the stripper plate.

The weakness in this node accentuates the tendency of the prior art to separate the stalk from itself when the stalk is subjected to shear.

Images