Sugarcane harvester chopper system with timing adjustment tool

Abstract

A chopper system for a sugar cane harvester includes a chopper and a timing adjustment tool. The chopper includes: a first chopper drum mounted to rotate about a first rotation axis and including a plurality of blades; a second chopper drum mounted to rotate about a second rotation axis and including a plurality of blades, the plurality of blades of the second chopper drum cooperating with the plurality of blades of the first chopper drum to cut the sugar cane stalks into short segments when the first chopper drum and the second chopper drum rotate about the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis respectively; and a gearbox coordinating the rotation of the first chopper drum and the second chopper drum relative to each other to establish an operational timing between the plurality of blades of the first chopper drum and the plurality of blades of the second chopper drum. The timing adjustment tool is detachably mounted on the chopper to adjust the operational timing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a chopper for a sugar cane harvester. Background Art

[0002] Sugarcane harvesters usually have a chopper for cutting a pile of sugarcane stalks into parts called "short segments". The chopper has a first chopper drum and a second chopper drum, each of which has a set of blades and is rotatable about a respective axis of rotation. The blades of the chopper drum cooperate to cut the stalks into short segments. Blade wear affects the timing of operation between the plurality of blades of the first chopper drum and the plurality of blades of the second chopper drum, thereby affecting the cut quality of the stalks. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a chopper system for a sugarcane harvester is disclosed. The chopper system includes a chopper and a timing adjustment tool. The chopper includes: a first chopper drum, which is mounted to rotate around a first rotation axis and includes a plurality of blades; a second chopper drum, which is mounted to rotate around a second rotation axis and includes a plurality of blades, and when the first chopper drum and the second chopper drum rotate around the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis respectively, the plurality of blades of the second chopper drum cooperate with the plurality of blades of the first chopper drum to cut the sugarcane stalks into short segments; and a gearbox, which coordinates the rotation of the first chopper drum and the second chopper drum relative to each other to establish the operation timing between the plurality of blades of the first chopper drum and the plurality of blades of the second chopper drum. The gearbox includes: a rotor connected to the first shredder drum for rotation therewith; a first gear; a fastener fastening the rotor to the first gear so that the first gear rotates with the first shredder drum; and a second gear connected to the second shredder drum for rotation therewith. The first gear and the second gear are rotatably connected to each other. When the fastener is loosened, the rotor can rotate relative to the first gear. A timing adjustment tool is detachably mounted on the first fastener and the rotor in the fastener to rotate the rotor relative to the first gear when the fastener is loosened, thereby adjusting the operation timing between the plurality of blades of the first shredder drum and the plurality of blades of the second shredder drum. The timing adjustment tool can fine-tune the timing.

[0004] The above-described features and other features will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The following detailed description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0006] Figure 1 is a side view showing a sugarcane harvester.

[0007] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a chopper of a sugarcane harvester, the chopper including a first chopper drum and a second chopper drum.

[0008] Figure 3 is along Figure 2 a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 , with portions broken away, showing a gearbox coordinating rotation of the first chopper drum and the second chopper drum relative to each other to establish operational timing between the plurality of blades of the first chopper drum and the plurality of blades of the second chopper drum;

[0009] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a timing adjustment tool for adjusting the operational timing between a plurality of blades of a first chopper drum and a plurality of blades of a second chopper drum.

[0010] Figure 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a rotor of a gearbox.

[0011] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a timing adjustment tool with portions broken away showing an adjustment bolt supported by a threaded boss and showing the boss rotatably mounted to a bracket of the tool.

[0012] Figure 7 is along Figure 6 A front view partially cut away along line 7-7, wherein the portion is cut away, showing a mounting pin rotatably positioned in a hole in the bracket (in section) for rotatably mounting the boss, and an adjusting bolt threadedly connected to the boss, wherein a retaining ring (in section) is used to retain the mounting pin in the hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] refer to Figure 1 , the sugarcane harvester 10 illustratively includes a tip cutter 12, left and right crop divider reels 14 (left crop divider reel 14 not shown), upper and lower push-down rollers (push-down rollers not shown), a root cutter assembly 16, a feeder 18, a chopper 20, a primary extractor 22, an elevator 24, and a secondary extractor 26. The tip cutter 12 cuts the leafy tip of the sugarcane plant. The left and right crop divider reels 14 lift the sugarcane plant beads to feed into the throat of the harvester 10.

[0014] The root cutter assembly 16 is used to cut the sugar cane stalks pushed forward by the push rollers and feed the cut sugar cane stalks into the feeder 18. The feeder system 18 receives a pile of cut sugar cane from the root cutter assembly 16 and feeds the pile of cut sugar cane backward. The chopper 20 receives the pile of cut sugar cane from the feeder 18 and cuts the sugar cane stalks into short segments. The main extractor 22 is located downstream of the chopper 20, and the main extractor 22 separates debris (including, for example, crop residues, such as leafy materials) from the short segments and removes the debris from the harvester 10.

[0015] An elevator 24 is located at the rear of the harvester 10 to receive the stream of cleaned short sections and convey the short sections to an elevated location where they are discharged into a truck to be hauled away. A secondary extractor 26 (some harvester embodiments may not have a secondary extractor) is located near the top of the elevator 24 and further separates the debris from the short sections to remove the debris from the harvester 10.

[0016] The harvester 10 includes an operator station 27 and traction elements 28. A human operator can operate the harvester 10 from the operator station 27. The traction elements 28 are located on the left and right sides of the harvester 10 to propel the harvester 10 along the ground. Each traction element 28 can be, for example, a track unit or a ground engaging wheel (e.g., about Figure 1 As shown on the right side of the drawing, there is a crawler unit on each side of the harvester 10).

[0017] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the chopper 20 is included in a chopper system 29. The chopper system 29 includes a timing adjustment tool 30 for adjusting the operation timing of the chopper 20.

[0018] The chopper 20 includes a first chopper drum 32 and a second chopper drum 34. The first chopper drum 32 is mounted on a frame 36 of the harvester 10 to rotate about a first rotation axis 38. The first chopper drum 32 includes a plurality of blades 40 extending radially relative to the axis 38 and spaced apart about the axis 38. The second chopper drum 34 is mounted on the frame 36 to rotate about a second rotation axis 42. The second chopper drum 34 includes a plurality of blades 44 extending radially relative to the axis 42 and spaced apart about the axis 42. As the first chopper drum 32 and the second chopper drum 34 rotate about the first rotation axis 38 and the second rotation axis 42, respectively, the plurality of blades 40 of the first chopper drum 32 and the plurality of blades 44 of the second chopper drum 34 cooperate to cut the sugar cane stalks into short segments.

[0019] The chopper 20 includes a gearbox 46. The gearbox 46 coordinates the rotation of the first chopper drum 32 and the second chopper drum 34 relative to each other to establish operational timing between the plurality of blades 40 and the plurality of blades 44 of the first chopper drum 32 to effectively chop the stalks into short segments.

[0020] The gearbox 46 includes a rotor 48. The rotor 48 is connected to the first shredder drum 32 for rotation with the first shredder drum 32 about the first rotation axis 38. A series of fasteners 50 of the gearbox 46 fasten the rotor 48 to the first shredder drum 32 in a fixed relationship with the first shredder drum 32. The fasteners 50 extend through corresponding holes 51 (e.g., unthreaded circular holes) of the rotor 48 into corresponding threaded holes of the first shredder drum 32.

[0021] The gearbox 46 includes a first gear 52 and a second gear 54. A series of fasteners 56 fasten the rotor 48 to the first gear 52 so that the first gear 52 rotates with the first shredder drum 32 about the first rotation axis 38. The second gear 54 is connected to the second shredder drum 34 so as to rotate with the second shredder drum 34 about the second rotation axis 42. A series of fasteners 58 of the gearbox 46 fasten the second gear 54 to the second shredder drum 34 in fixed relation thereto.

[0022] The first gear 52 and the second gear 54 are rotatably connected to each other. Illustratively, the first gear 52 and the second gear 54 mesh with each other. In other embodiments, one or more other gears or other moving gearbox elements can interconnect the gears 52, 54.

[0023] The gearbox 46 includes a housing 60. The first gear 52 and the second gear 54 are located in the housing 60. The rotor 48 is exposed outside the housing 60 to facilitate adjustment of the operation timing between the first shredder drum 32 and the second shredder drum 34.

[0024] The gearbox 64 may include an input gear 62 and an output shaft 63. The input gear 62 may receive a rotating input device that drives the shredder 20. The internally splined input gear 62 may drive a set of gears that in turn drive a second gear. The set of gears may include gears that are located on the same shaft as the input gear 62 and mesh with a large diameter gear on another shaft. The small diameter gear may be on the same shaft as the large diameter gear and may mesh with the second gear 54. The second gear 54 in turn drives the first gear 52 during operation of the shredder 20. The output shaft 63 may drive an inertia wheel for storing energy that can be used in high torque events. The second gear 54 may mesh with a small diameter gear on the output shaft 63 or otherwise be fixed to a small diameter gear on the output shaft 60. It should be understood that the gear transmission of the gearbox 46 can be configured in a variety of ways.

[0025] The blades 40, 44 may wear over time during use. The operational timing between the plurality of blades 40 of the first shredder drum 32 and the plurality of blades 44 of the second shredder drum 34 may be affected by such wear, thereby affecting the cutting quality of the shredder 20. The shredder 20 is configured to allow adjustment of the operational timing between the plurality of blades 40 of the first shredder drum 32 and the plurality of blades 44 of the second shredder drum 34.

[0026] The rotor 48 is typically fixed to the first gear 52, but can be loosened for timing adjustment. The rotor 48 is typically fastened to the first gear 52 in a fixed relationship thereto by a fastener 56. For example, the rotor 48 is so fastened during use of the chopper 20 to cut stalks into short segments. To adjust the timing, the rotor 48 can be rotated relative to the first gear 52 when the fastener 56 is loosened. This rotation of the rotor 48 causes the first chopper drum 32 and its blades 40 to rotate relative to the second chopper drum 34 and its blades 44 about the first axis 38.

[0027] To enable the rotor 48 to rotate relative to the first gear 52, the fastener 56 can be partially withdrawn from the first gear 52, for example, so that the rotor 48 is no longer fixed to the first gear 52 but can rotate relative to the first gear 52. The rotor 48 includes a series of slots 64 formed in a disk 66 of the rotor 48. The pattern of the slots 64 matches the pattern of the fasteners 56 so that the fasteners 56 extend through the slots 64, respectively. When the fasteners 56 are loosened, the rotor and its slots 64 can rotate about the axis 48 relative to the fasteners 56 extending through the slots 56, respectively. The slots 64 are arcuate to facilitate such rotation of the rotor 48 and the slots 64.

[0028] Each fastener 56 includes a bolt 68 and a washer 70. The bolt 68 extends through the washer 70 and the corresponding slot 64 to threadedly engage the first gear 52. The shank of the bolt 68 is tightly threaded into the corresponding threaded hole of the first gear 52 so that the washer 70 is captured between the head of the bolt 68 and the disk 66 of the rotor 48 and abuts against the head of the bolt 68 and the disk 66 of the rotor 48 in a frictional engagement therewith, thereby securing the rotor 48 to the first gear 52. Loosening the bolt 68 releases the washer 70 so that the rotor 48 can be rotated to make timing adjustments.

[0029] Reference Figures 2 to 4 , one can use the timing adjustment tool to adjust the timing of operation between the plurality of blades 40 of the first shredder drum 32 and the plurality of blades 44 of the second shredder drum 34. The tool 31 can be stored in a storage position in an accessible location, such as on the housing 60. The tool 31 includes an attachment point 74 adapted to be connected to the housing 60. The attachment point 74 includes a hole 76 through which a fastener 78 (e.g., a bolt) extends into the housing 60 to mount the tool 31 to the housing 60.

[0030] refer to Figure 4 The tool 31 is removably mounted on a first fastener 56a of the fasteners 56, a second fastener 56b of the fasteners 56, and the rotor 48 to rotate the rotor 48 relative to the first gear 52 when the fasteners 56 are loosened, thereby adjusting the timing of operation between the plurality of blades 40 of the first chopper drum 32 and the plurality of blades 44 of the second chopper drum 34. The first fastener 56a extends through a first slot 64a of the slots 64, and the second fastener 56b extends through a second slot 64b of the slots 64. The tool 31 may be installed by a person in this manner to adjust the timing.

[0031] The rotor 48 includes an anchor 80. The anchor 80 is located between the first fastener 56a and the second fastener 56b and is fixed to the disk 66.

[0032] refer to Figure 5 , the anchor 80 includes a tower 82, a snap ring 83, and a base 84. The base 84 is located in the hole 57 (e.g., a circular hole) of the disk 66 and has a wider diameter than the tower 82 so as to include a necked portion in the form of an annular shoulder that contacts the snap ring 83. The base 84 is captured between the snap ring 83, the position in the groove 85 of the hole 57, and the first gear 52. The tower 82 extends axially from the base 84 away from the disk 66 relative to the axis 38. The tower 82 and the base 84 are configured as a single-piece structure. In other embodiments, the tower 82 and the base 84 can be configured as separate components.

[0033] Refer to Figure 4, the tool 31 is supported on the first fastener 56a and the second fastener 56b and is operably connected to the anchor 80. The tool 31 includes an adjuster 86 connected to the anchor 80 and an adjuster support 88, the adjuster 86 is mounted on the first fastener 56a and the second fastener 56b and supports the adjuster 86. The adjuster support 88 includes a pocket 90, and the anchor 80 is positioned in the pocket when the adjuster support 88 is mounted on the first fastener 56a and the second fastener 56b.

[0034] The adjuster support 88 includes a bracket 92. The bracket 92 engages the first fastener 56a and the second fastener 56b and defines a pocket 90 in which the anchor 80 is positioned. The bracket 92 includes a first engagement portion 94 (e.g., configured like an open hand) adapted to hold the first fastener 56a, a second engagement portion 96 (e.g., configured like an open hand) adapted to hold the second fastener 56b, and a body 98 interconnecting the first engagement portion 94 and the second engagement portion 96. Illustratively, when the tool 31 is mounted to the first fastener 56a and the second fastener 56b in its use position, the first engagement portion 94 holds the first fastener 56a, and the second engagement portion 96 holds the second fastener 56b. Bracket 92 engages with pads 70 of first and second fasteners 56a, 56b, with first engagement portion 94 holding pad 70 of first fastener 56a and second engagement portion 96 holding pad 70 of second fastener 56b. Engagement portions 94, 96 may extend more or less around respective pads 70.

[0035] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 6 to Figure 7 , the adjuster support 88 includes an internally threaded boss 110. The boss 110 is connected to the bracket 92 so that the boss 110 protrudes axially from the bracket relative to the axis 38. The boss 110 protrudes away from the body 98 of the bracket 92 from a position near the first engagement portion 94.

[0036] The threaded boss 110 is rotatably connected to the bracket 92, for example, by a mounting pin 111 and a snap ring 142. The mounting pin 111 has a smaller diameter than the boss 110 and is located in a hole 144 of the bracket 92. The snap ring 142 prevents the pin 111 from being removed from the hole 144.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, a hole 144 extends through the bracket 92, and a pin 111 extends from the boss 110 through the hole 144. The pin 111 has an annular groove 146 in which a snap ring 142 is positioned and mounted to the pin 111 to prevent the pin 111 from being removed from the hole 144. The boss 110 prevents the pin 111 from being removed from the hole 114 at the other end. The boss 110 is rotatable about an axis 148 of the boss 110 and the pin 111. The threaded boss 110 and the mounting pin 111 are integral with each other to provide a one-piece structure. In other cases, the boss 110 and the pin 111 can be different components connected to each other.

[0038] refer to Figure 4 , the adjuster 86 includes an adjusting bolt 112 that is operably connected to the anchor 80. When the tool 31 is in its use position mounted on the fasteners 56a, 56b, the adjusting bolt 112 is operably connected to the anchor 80 to rotate the rotor 48 in response to rotation of the adjusting bolt 112.

[0039] The adjusting bolt 112 is mounted on the boss 110. The stem 114 is threadedly connected to the boss 110 and extends through the boss 110.

[0040] The adjuster 86 includes a first nut 116 and a second nut 118. The first nut 116 and the second nut 118 are threadedly connected to the shank 114 of the adjusting bolt 112 and are spaced apart from each other. The first nut 116 has a first orientation on the bolt 112, and the second nut 118 has an opposite second orientation on the bolt 112. Each nut 116, 118 can be configured as a mounting nut having an annular flange 120, for example.

[0041] The first nut 116 and the second nut 118 inferface the anchor 80 to rotate the first slot 64a and the second slot 64b relative to the first fastener 56a and the second fastener 56b respectively in response to the rotation of the adjusting bolt 112 about its own axis 121 to rotate the rotor 48 relative to the first gear 52. The nuts 116, 118 inferface the tower 82 to rotate the first slot 64a and the second slot 64b. The tower 82 is located between the first nut 116 and the second nut 118. The tower 82 includes a first lug 122 and a second lug 124. The first lug 122 and the second lug 124 cooperate to define a gap 126 therebetween and an opening 128 into the gap 126, the gap 126 being used to receive the shank 114 of the adjustment bolt 112, the opening 128 being used as a passage for the shank 114 to enter and exit the gap 126 through the opening 128 during the assembly and disassembly of the tool 31 to and from the first fastener 56a and the second fastener 56b. During the assembly process, the boss 110 can be rotated about the axis 148 of the boss 110 and the mounting pin 111 as needed to align the adjustment bolt 112 with the opening 128 and the gap 126 of the tower 82.

[0042] The nuts 116, 118 apply pressure to the tower 82 in response to rotation of the adjustment bolt 112 to rotate the rotor 48. The first nut 116 is adapted to press against a first side 130 of the first and second lugs 122, 124 to rotate the rotor 48 in a first direction 132 about the first rotational axis 38. The flange 120 of the first nut 116 presses against the first side 130 of the lugs 122, 124 to rotate the rotor 48 in response to rotation of the adjustment bolt 112 about the bolt axis 121 in a first direction 134. The second nut 118 is adapted to press against a second side 136 of the first and second lugs 122, 124 opposite the first side 130 to rotate the rotor 48 about the axis 38 in a second direction 138 opposite the first direction 132. The flange 120 of the second nut 118 presses against the second sides 136 of the lugs 122 , 124 to rotate the rotor 48 in response to rotation of the adjusting bolt 112 about the bolt axis 121 in the second direction 140 .

[0043] During use of the shredder 20, the tool 31 can be stored in a storage position on the housing 60. The adjuster support 88 includes an attachment point 74. The attachment point 74 protrudes from the body 98 and is connected to the housing 60 using a fastener 78. The attachment point 74 can be configured as a lug that is integral with the body 98 and includes a hole 76 for the fastener 78.

[0044] When it is desired to adjust the shredder timing, the tool 31 can be released from its storage position. One can remove the fastener 78 from the housing 60 to release the tool 31 from the housing 60.

[0045] The tool 31 can then be installed in its use position. Before installing the tool 31 in its use position, one orients the tool 31 to align with the first fastener 56a, the second fastener 56b, and the tower 82. The engagement portions 94, 96 are oriented relative to the first fastener 56a and the second fastener 56b, respectively, and the adjustment bolt 112 and the nut 116, 118 are oriented relative to the tower 82. The boss 110 can be rotated about the axis 148 to facilitate the alignment of the adjustment bolt 112 and the nut 116, 118 relative to the tower 82. The tool 31 is then positioned in its use position, wherein the first fastener 56a and the second fastener 56b are received by the engagement portions 94, 96, respectively, and the shank 114 of the adjustment bolt 112 is received in the gap 126 through the opening 128 so that the nuts 116, 118 are positioned on the two opposite sides 130, 136 of the lugs 122, 124. Then, the adjusting bolt 112 can be rotated in the first direction 134 or the second direction 140 about the bolt axis 121 as desired to rotate the rotor 48 and the first shredder drum 32 fixed thereto about the rotation axis 38 in the corresponding first direction 132 or the second direction 138, thereby adjusting the operation timing between the plurality of blades 40 of the first shredder drum 32 and the plurality of blades 44 of the second shredder drum 34. The boss 110 is rotatably mounted to the bracket 92 by the pin 111 to enable the adjusting bolt 112 to rotate about the axis 148 of the boss 110 and the pin 111 in response to the rotation of the rotor 48 about the axis 38 of the first shredder drum 32. The tool 31 enables fine adjustment of the timing. Because the tool 31 is outside the shredder 20, damage to the tool 31 under high load conditions is avoided.

[0046] In a second embodiment of the timing adjustment tool, the tool has a single engagement portion, rather than two engagement portions. Thus, the adjuster support is modified from adjuster support 88, and the adjuster is similar to adjuster 86. The boss of the adjuster support is connected to the engagement portion for threading the adjustment bolt onto the boss.

[0047] A single engagement portion engages the fastener 56a, such as the washer 70 of the fastener 56a. The engagement portion may extend more or less around the washer 70. For example, the engagement portion is configured like an open hand grasping the washer 70 without encircling the fastener 56a. In another embodiment, the engagement portion encircles the fastener 56a so as to encircle the fastener 56a and its washer 70. In this case, rotation of the adjusting bolt 112 about the bolt axis 121 in directions 134, 140 causes the nuts 116, 118 to move the tower 82 and, therefore, the rotor 48, about the first rotational axis 38 in directions 132, 138, respectively.

[0048] It should be understood that although threads are not shown in the drawings for ease of illustration (except Figure 6 and 7 The adjusting bolt 112 in the embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown with threads), but the chopper system 29 will include threads connected to various components, such as fasteners 50, 56, 58, 78, adjusting bolt 112 and nuts 116, 118 and corresponding parts connected to the above threads. It should be understood that the hatching in the drawings is of a general nature and not a specific material.

[0049] Although examples of the present disclosure are described above, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. On the contrary, other variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A chopper system for a sugarcane harvester, the chopper system comprising: A chopper, the chopper comprising: a first chopper drum, the first chopper drum being mounted for rotation about a first axis of rotation and comprising a plurality of blades, a second chopper drum mounted to rotate about a second rotation axis and comprising a plurality of blades, the plurality of blades of the second chopper drum cooperating with the plurality of blades of the first chopper drum to cut the sugar cane stalks into short segments when the first chopper drum and the second chopper drum rotate about the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis respectively, and a gearbox that coordinates the rotation of the first and second chopper drums relative to each other to establish operational timing between the plurality of blades of the first and second chopper drums, the gearbox comprising a rotor connected to the first chopper drum to rotate with the first chopper drum, a first gear, a fastener, and a second gear, the rotor being connected to the first chopper drum to rotate with the first chopper drum, the fastener securing the rotor to the first gear to rotate with the first chopper drum, the second gear being connected to the second chopper drum to rotate with the second chopper drum, the first and second gears being rotatably connected to each other, the rotor being able to rotate relative to the first gear when the fastener is loosened, and a timing adjustment tool removably mounted on a first fastener of the fastener and the rotor to rotate the rotor relative to the first gear when the fastener is loosened to adjust the operational timing between the plurality of blades of the first chopper drum and the plurality of blades of the second chopper drum, wherein the rotor includes an anchor and the timing adjustment tool includes an adjustment bolt operably connected to the anchor and a support supporting the adjustment bolt.

2. The chopper system of claim 1, comprising a first nut and a second nut, wherein: The adjusting bolt includes a shank, the anchor includes a tower, the first nut and the second nut are threadedly connected to the shank and are spaced apart from each other, and the tower is positioned between the first nut and the second nut.

3. The chopper system of claim 2, wherein: The tower portion includes a first lug and a second lug cooperating to define a gap therebetween and an opening into the gap, the gap being used to receive the rod, the opening being used for passage of the rod into and out of the gap through the opening.

4. The chopper system of claim 3, wherein: The first nut is adapted to be pressed against a first side of the first and second lugs to rotate the rotor in a first direction, and the second nut is adapted to be pressed against an opposite second side of the first and second lugs to rotate the rotor in an opposite second direction.

5. A chopper system for a sugarcane harvester, the chopper system comprising: A chopper, the chopper comprising: a first chopper drum, the first chopper drum being mounted for rotation about a first axis of rotation and comprising a plurality of blades, a second chopper drum mounted to rotate about a second rotation axis and comprising a plurality of blades, the plurality of blades of the second chopper drum cooperating with the plurality of blades of the first chopper drum to cut the sugar cane stalks into short segments when the first chopper drum and the second chopper drum rotate about the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis respectively, and a gearbox that coordinates the rotation of the first and second chopper drums relative to each other to establish operational timing between the plurality of blades of the first and second chopper drums, the gearbox comprising a rotor, a first gear, a fastener, and a second gear, the rotor being connected to the first chopper drum to rotate with the first chopper drum, the fastener comprising a first fastener and a second fastener, the first fastener and the second fastener securing the rotor to the first gear so that the first gear rotates with the first chopper drum, the second gear being connected to the second chopper drum to rotate with the second chopper drum, the first gear and the second gear being rotatably connected to each other, the rotor being able to rotate relative to the first gear when the first fastener and the second fastener are loosened, and a timing adjustment tool detachably mounted on the first fastener, the second fastener and the rotor of the fasteners to rotate the rotor relative to the first gear when the first fastener and the second fastener are loosened, thereby adjusting the operation timing between the plurality of blades of the first chopper drum and the plurality of blades of the second chopper drum, Wherein, the rotor includes an anchor, and the timing adjustment tool includes an adjuster and an adjuster support, the adjuster is connected to the anchor, and the adjuster support is installed on the first fastener and the second fastener and supports the adjuster.

6. The chopper system of claim 5, wherein: The anchor is positioned between the first fastener and the second fastener, and the adjuster support includes a pocket in which the anchor is located when the adjuster support is mounted to the first fastener and the second fastener.

7. The chopper system of claim 5, wherein: The regulator support includes a bracket that engages the first fastener and the second fastener.

8. The chopper system of claim 5, wherein: The rotor includes a first slot and a second slot, the first fastener extends through the first slot, the second fastener extends through the second slot, the adjuster includes an adjusting bolt and a nut, the adjusting bolt is threadedly connected to the adjuster support, the nut is threadedly connected to the adjusting bolt and connected to the anchor, so that in response to the rotation of the adjusting bolt, the first slot and the second slot are respectively rotated relative to the first fastener and the second fastener, thereby rotating the rotor relative to the first gear.

9. The chopper system of claim 7, wherein: The gearbox includes a housing in which the first gear and the second gear are located, and the adjuster support includes an attachment point protruding from a body of the bracket and adapted to be connected to the housing.

10. A chopper system for a sugarcane harvester, the chopper system comprising: A chopper, the chopper comprising: a first chopper drum, the first chopper drum being mounted for rotation about a first axis of rotation and comprising a plurality of blades, a second chopper drum mounted to rotate about a second rotation axis and comprising a plurality of blades, the plurality of blades of the second chopper drum cooperating with the plurality of blades of the first chopper drum to cut the sugar cane stalks into short segments when the first chopper drum and the second chopper drum rotate about the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis respectively, and a gearbox that coordinates the rotation of the first and second chopper drums relative to each other to establish operational timing between the plurality of blades of the first and second chopper drums, the gearbox comprising a rotor, a first gear, a fastener, and a second gear, the rotor being connected to the first chopper drum to rotate with the first chopper drum, the fastener comprising a first fastener and a second fastener, the first fastener and the second fastener securing the rotor to the first gear so that the first gear rotates with the first chopper drum, the second gear being connected to the second chopper drum to rotate with the second chopper drum, the first gear and the second gear being rotatably connected to each other, the rotor being able to rotate relative to the first gear when the first fastener and the second fastener are loosened, and a timing adjustment tool detachably mounted on the first fastener, the second fastener and the rotor of the fasteners to rotate the rotor relative to the first gear when the first fastener and the second fastener are loosened, thereby adjusting the operation timing between the plurality of blades of the first chopper drum and the plurality of blades of the second chopper drum, The rotor includes an anchor, and the timing adjustment tool includes an adjustment bolt operably connected to the anchor to rotate the rotor in response to rotation of the adjustment bolt, and a support mounted on the first fastener and the second fastener and supporting the adjustment bolt.

11. The chopper system of claim 10, wherein: The timing adjustment tool is supported on the first fastener and the second fastener and is operably connected to the anchor of the rotor, the first fastener extending through the first slot of the rotor, and the second fastener extending through the second slot of the rotor.

12. The chopper system of claim 11, wherein: The timing adjustment tool includes a first hand member holding a washer of the first fastener, a second hand member holding a washer of the second fastener, and a body interconnecting the first hand member and the second hand member.

13. The chopper system of claim 12, wherein: The timing adjustment tool includes a boss, an adjustment bolt and a nut, wherein the boss is rotatably connected to the body and protrudes from the body, the adjustment bolt is threadedly connected to the boss, and the nut is threadedly connected to the adjustment bolt and connected to the tower-shaped portion of the rotor to rotate the first slot and the second slot relative to the first fastener and the second fastener respectively in response to the rotation of the adjustment bolt.

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