Haulm topper, cutting belt and agricultural working machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a haulm topper for an agricultural working machine, in particular for processing potato plants, having a frame and having at least one shaft which is drivable by a driving member of the haulm topper and is mounted on the frame and on which a plurality of cutting elements are arranged, wherein at least some of the cutting elements are in the form of flexible cutting belts. The invention furthermore relates to a cutting belt for use in a haulm topper, to an agricultural working machine with a haulm topper, and to a method for cutting haulm, in particular for cutting potato plants (Figure 2).

Description

[0001] Haulm topper, belt beater and agricultural working machine

[0002] The invention relates to a haulm topper for an agricultural machine, in particular for cultivating potato plants, comprising a frame and at least one shaft drivable by a drive element of the haulm topper, on which shaft a plurality of impact elements are arranged. The shaft is mounted on the frame. Furthermore, the invention relates to a beating belt that can be used in such a haulm topper and to an agricultural machine with a haulm topper.

[0003] To promote even ripening of root crops, particularly potatoes, the parts of the plant above the surface of the soil can be haulmed off some time before harvest to promote even ripening, depending on the desired development and size of the root crops in the soil. This can, for example, improve storage life. Instead of or in addition to chemical preparations, a mechanical haulm topper is used to mechanically chop up the haulm, i.e. the part of the root crop above the surface of the soil, and leave it on a ridge, if present, or deposit it between the ridges. DE 495 488 C, for example, describes the use of a tine wheel rotating around a shaft running lengthwise in the direction of travel, by which the haulm is torn off and deposited between the ridges.However, it has been shown that the haulm toppers used can cause the root crop to sprout again, which prevents the plant or the parts of the root crop in the soil from ripening, especially in the case of potato tubers.

[0004] In addition, for example, in potato plants, the potato nests are separated from the roots and thus also from the foliage. Root cutters are used for this purpose, but these are difficult to use due to the unknown altitude of the potatoes and can lead to losses due to unwanted damage to the root crops.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an article with which the ripening of root crops in the soil can be controlled in an improved manner.

[0006] The object is achieved by an object according to claim 1, a method according to claim 16, by an object according to claim 14 and by an object according to claim 15. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the subclaims referring back to these claims and in the following description.

[0007] A haulm topper according to the invention according to the preamble of claim 1 is characterized in that at least some of the striking elements are designed as flexible striking belts. Surprisingly, it has been shown that the forces transmitted to the haulm by the striking elements designed as flexible striking belts are distributed over a significantly larger area. The haulm is torn off less or not at all or separated from the rest of the root crop. Rather, the haulm is only torn, so that the surface of the stems, in particular the epidermis, splinters and shreds over a significantly larger area. The waxy outer layer is scraped off, and the water-bearing areas of the plant, the xylem, are increasingly damaged and exposed along the length of the stem, which leads to significantly greater evaporation of the water contained in the haulm.The foliage dies faster and more permanently, and the plant hardly or no longer sprouts again. Ripening of the root crops is improved. According to the invention, the foliage is not removed as completely as possible, but rather the stems are shredded over as large an area as possible, particularly along the stems' length, in order to quickly dry out the foliage still attached to the part of the potato plants below the soil surface.

[0008] According to the invention, at least some, i.e. at least two, of the striking elements are designed as flexible striking belts. Advantageously, the striking elements designed as flexible striking belts are those which, when striking potato haulms, work the plants arranged on the ridge. In particular, the striking belts are provided with a surface made of rubber, polyurethane, or another plastic that has a material-specific roughness. The striking belts rub intensively against the epidermis of the stems, so that damage to the epidermis occurs over larger areas. The epidermis or an outer wax layer is scraped off by the striking belts, in particular, even damaging the xylem. Overall, any kinks that may occur in the plant result in longitudinal damage to the outer surface of the haulm, particularly in the longitudinal direction of the stem.By removing or damaging the epidermis, the foliage dries out significantly faster, which, as described above, effectively prevents re-sprouting. The ripening of root crops, especially potato tubers, can be controlled much more precisely than is currently known.

[0009] Accordingly, the object is also achieved by a method for beating haulms, in particular for beating potato haulms, wherein the haulm is beaten using a haulm beater according to the invention, the shaft of which is preferably guided across a row of haulms transversely thereto, wherein a plurality of beating elements designed as flexible beating belts are arranged on the shaft driven by a drive element, which beaters move along the stalks of the haulms during beating such that they fray longitudinally. The beating belts rest on the stalks. In particular, the stalks are deflected from a side which, in a section transverse to a longitudinal direction of the respective beating element, is oblique to the direction of rotation.In this case, the stems can roll at least slightly around their own axis on the inclined side, which connects a front side in the direction of rotation with a rear side in the direction of rotation, so that a larger surface area of ​​the stem comes into contact with the surface of the striking element.

[0010] A belt is understood here to be striking elements that are inherently flexible in the conventional sense and are designed so that their extension along their flat surface is significantly greater than their thickness. In particular, the striking belts are not made of flat metal rods or strips.

[0011] Beater belts are particularly flexible when they are made at least predominantly of plastic or rubber materials, and / or when harder materials are used, these form correspondingly flexible composites, e.g., braided or woven structures. Furthermore, they are preferably elongated, meaning the extension of a beater belt from its beginning, fixed to a drive shaft, to its end is greater than the extension transverse to it. This extension defines the longitudinal direction of a beater belt.

[0012] Metal impact elements are not considered inherently flexible within the meaning of the invention. The impact elements can be attached to the shaft in a movable manner, for example, via joints, or they can be firmly clamped in such a way that their mobility derives solely from their flexibility. According to a further development of the invention, such impact elements can nevertheless be arranged on the shaft alongside the impact elements designed as flexible impact belts and complement the impact belts, particularly in areas intended to raise existing weeds between dams in the so-called dam valley.

[0013] In particular, a haulm topper according to the invention is provided on at least one shaft exclusively with impact elements designed as flexible impact belts.

[0014] Combinations of conventional steel flails and flexible impact elements can also be arranged on a shaft in a staggered manner in its circumferential direction.

[0015] The impact elements, designed as impact belts, are arranged on a drivable shaft. Such an arrangement also includes an arrangement in which, for example, a cylinder or similar shaft-receiving part on which the impact elements are arranged is attached to the shaft. The impact elements are preferably attached to or on the shaft, in particular, via at least one fastening device.

[0016] In particular, the shaft is aligned transversely to the intended direction of travel of the haulm topper, so that the haulm can be covered over a certain width. The longitudinal direction of the shaft is the direction in which the rotation axis of the

[0017] Shaft. Particularly good results with regard to drying out the haulm are achieved when at least some of the beating belts have a stem receiving profile at their respective end, which is opposite the respective beginning fixed on the shaft. As a result, the corresponding beating element can establish greater surface contact with the haulm, in particular with its stalk or stems, which leads to a further larger-area transmission of forces and improved defibration of the above-ground plant parts. In particular, this also allows lateral areas of the stalks with respect to the direction of travel to be worked. According to this exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more stalks of the haulm are defibrated during beating in the stem receiving profile of a respective beating belt.

[0018] If two impact elements, in particular impact belts, are arranged one after the other or next to the other along the longitudinal direction of the shaft, the spaces created thereby also serve as additional stem receptacles in which fraying takes place.

[0019] The stem receiving profile is designed, in particular, in the form of at least one notch and / or indentation at the end. Such a notch or indentation can be created by punching out part of the end face of the beating belt. Such punching can also serve to cut a belt element manufactured to a longer length. While a notch that tapers towards the beginning of the beating belt increases crushing of the plant stem and thus tends to cause fraying, an indentation improves both crushing and concealed scraping of the epidermis.

[0020] Preferably, the stem receiving profile comprises only one notch or has an indentation at the end of the respective impact element, at least if this is not wider than 10 cm, so that the other end areas of the impact element still have sufficient strength, which is lower due to the belt material than in metallic impact elements known from the prior art.

[0021] Particularly for use of the invention for potato plants, it is advantageous that some of the striking elements, in particular the striking belts, which are designed without a stem receiving profile and are arranged in particular off-center (viewed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the shaft), have a ridge profile at their respective ends. A ridge profile is defined as an edge profile through which the striking element(s) follow the contour of the earth ridge. In particular, it is a profile which, in a plan view of a striking belt lying flat on the ground, has a shape that is bevelled on one side or tapered on one side. This makes it easier to reach the areas of the haulm that are located on the sides of a ridge designed, for example, as a potato ridge. Nevertheless, a striking belt provided with a bevelled end can also have a profile at this end for receiving a stem.Alternatively or additionally, a dam profile is formed at least by the fact that impact belts are provided on a shaft which extend at different distances from a rotational axis of the shaft.

[0022] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the shaft can be provided with several groups of beater belts with a dam profile, so that the shaft has at least two groups of shorter beater belts in order to be able to travel along at least two dams at the same time or to process the weeds arranged on them.

[0023] In particular, all impact elements arranged next to one another on a shaft, in particular impact belts, are provided with a stem receiving profile at the end, wherein the lengths of the impact elements are adapted to the contour of the terrain to be cleared, in particular that of a potato ridge.

[0024] Viewed transversely to a longitudinal direction of the beating belt and in cross-section thereto, a beating belt is in particular rectangular, whereby this applies at least to those areas which do not have a stem receiving area. It goes without saying that the corners of such a rectangle may have rounded areas due to manufacturing reasons. Viewed in such a cross-section, the structure height or the height of the rectangle (as well as the choice of material) determines the desired flexibility or strength of the beating belt, so that it can be adapted to different plants. The beating belt is advantageously fixed on the shaft side, e.g. clamped, so that the mobility comes from the belt itself. This allows the torques acting on the belts to be determined more precisely than in the prior art, in which the beating elements can also be connected in an articulated manner.In addition, there is a preferred direction of the belts, so that when the shaft starts, part of the forces are not first directed into the alignment of the impact elements.

[0025] Instead of always being rectangular, according to a further embodiment of the invention the haulm topper is provided with at least one beating belt which, viewed in a section transverse to its longitudinal direction, has a front, first side in the direction of rotation which is connected via a side inclined to the direction of rotation to a rear side in the direction of rotation, i.e. with a surface normal pointing against the direction of rotation, and in particular which is wider than the front side. The transition between the front and lateral, inclined side forms a corner or edge which is advantageous for shredding the haulm. Furthermore, the inclined side exerts additional momentum on the affected stalk so that it rolls at least slightly on the (lateral) side of the beating belt and the surface of the stalk which comes into contact with the belt is increased.

[0026] This is especially true in combination with an edge striking the stem between the front and middle or inclined sides. By striking the edge and rolling the stem in the direction of the inclined side, each viewed in cross-section, the respective impact element exerts a beneficial effect on the captured stem, which promotes shredding.

[0027] In general, in cross-section, the length of the front side is preferably between 40% and 70% of the length of the rear side, so that at least one side is inclined to the direction of rotation, ie a surface normal of the inclined side is angled to the direction of rotation at an angle > 0° and < 90°, in particular at an angle > 10° and < 80°.

[0028] Advantageously, at least some of the impact elements are pre-bent, so that during operation each impact element stretches longitudinally against its bend due to centrifugal force. Starting from the shaft in the radial direction, each impact element is pre-bent and curved, particularly in the direction of rotation. When installed, the end of each impact element would be located in front of the shaft-side connection, regardless of any forces due to centrifugal and weight forces, with respect to the direction of rotation. During operation, the material of the impact belt, which is usually rubber or plastic and at least elastic, is compressed on the rear side during operation, which leads to a slight stiffening of the rear area of ​​the impact element.

[0029] Alternatively or in addition to the contour of the respective striking element, which is particularly curved in a side view, individual edges or sides of the striking belt can be reinforced for the purpose of a longer service life, for example using a different material mixture or a different material. In particular, the front side in the direction of rotation during operation has a width of 5 mm - 15 mm, while the rear side has a width of 12 mm - 24 mm. The thickness in the circumferential direction can be 7 mm - 16 mm. The width can be adapted in particular to the width of the haulm to be worked, so that younger haulms are worked with narrower and older haulms with wider striking elements.

[0030] Preferably, a respective impact element has a trapezoidal contour in a section transverse to its longitudinal extent, which is preferably between 200 mm and 400 mm.

[0031] In particular, at least one oblique side and in particular both oblique sides of a respective impact element form an angle of between 100° and 120° with the front side, which has proven to be advantageous in the course of a large number of tests and contrary to previous assumptions with larger angles.

[0032] In particular, each impact belt is formed by an EP rubber fabric belt and can thus be easily manufactured following known production processes.

[0033] According to a further development of the invention, some of the impact elements preferably have a trapezoidal cross-section, while others have a different cross-section. In particular, all cross-sections are trapezoidal.

[0034] Advantageously, an impact belt has a reference elongation at 10% of the breaking force of < 3.0%, preferably less than 2.5%, measured according to DIN 22109.

[0035] The impact belt(s) also have a Shore A hardness between 50 and 70, in particular between 55 and 60.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, one or more impact belts are provided with a surface that has an abrasion resistance, measured according to DIN ISO 4649 iA , of less than 150 mm 2 owns.

[0037] Preferably, at least one of the edges of individual or multiple beating belts which come into contact with the weeds to be beaten during operation and which form the contour of the beating belt is at least partially designed to be wear-resistant in such a way that the material forming the respective edge is more abrasion-resistant than other material forming the beating belt.

[0038] Easy handling for the machine operator when replacing one or more beater belts is advantageously achieved when one or more, in particular all, beater belts are preferably secured together by at least one fastening device, in particular comprising at least one clamping rail. By loosening a clamping rail, several beater elements are released simultaneously. Such a clamping rail can press the beater belts against a rail profile fastened to the shaft. In such a case, the fastening device is designed as a clamping device. Alternatively or additionally, each beater belt can be screwed, bolted or similarly secured to the shaft or in an associated fastening device through a recess arranged at its beginning.A striking belt can therefore be secured to the shaft without a corresponding clamping device via a screw and / or plug connection through a recess in the striking belt.

[0039] A plurality of impact elements can have a common base to simplify attachment of the impact elements to the shaft. Such a base is in particular formed integrally with a plurality of flexible impact elements. Preferably, a fabric insert which absorbs tensile forces of in particular at least three impact elements and particularly preferably of the five or six impact elements extends into the base formed integrally with these, so that a more secure attachment of the impact elements to the shaft is achieved. As an alternative to such a base, a single impact belt can be connected to the shaft via one or more, and in particular a maximum of four, chain links in order to support any rotational movement of the impact element, wherein the alignment of the chain links in the direction of rotation or transversely thereto promotes a return to the starting position with a first side that is shorter in the direction of rotation.In addition, the width of an impact element can vary repeatedly over its longitudinal extent; in particular, the front corners of the impact element can form a wave pattern, resulting in offset impact areas over the length of the stem to be processed, thus improving defibration.

[0040] Preferably, a plurality of impact elements in the form of impact belts are distributed, in particular evenly, around a shaft in the circumferential direction. In particular, these are fastened to the shaft by means of one or more fastening devices. Preferably, a plurality of impact elements designed as impact belts are fastened next to one another at the same circumferential position in the longitudinal direction of the shaft. In particular, a plurality of clamping devices are arranged for this purpose in the circumferential direction around the shaft, by means of which a plurality of impact belts are fastened in the circumferential direction around the shaft and in particular at the same circumferential position. Viewed in the longitudinal direction of the shafts, impact belts arranged one behind the other can thus be arranged, for example, at the 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions by means of respective fastening devices.

[0041] When using multiple rows of impact elements, particularly impact belts, the impact elements of successive rows are preferably arranged offset in the circumferential direction around the shaft in the longitudinal direction of the shaft. This ensures better impact on the stems growing at different angles from the soil. The successively offset impact belts are preferably provided at least partially with stem-receiving profiles. In particular, these are the impact belts intended to capture the haulms on the upper ridge contour, where they primarily grow in potato plants.

[0042] At least three and in particular four rows of impact elements arranged side by side are provided, evenly distributed over the circumference of the shaft, which ensures optimal capture of the haulm at the typical working speeds of the haulm topper.

[0043] Combined with the realization that the plant stems are intended to be shredded rather than cut, the speeds of the shaft or shafts of a haulm topper according to the invention can be reduced, so that they can now be operated in a more energy-efficient and wear-saving manner. Thus, the speeds of a haulm topper according to the invention are advantageously between 750 and 1100 rpm for impact belt lengths of preferably no more than 20 cm, and between 600 and 1300 rpm for lengths of no more than 40 cm. This results in peripheral speeds of the ends of the impact elements that, at approximately 14 m / s to 20 m / s, are approximately 50% lower than those known from the prior art.

[0044] In particular, the haulm topper according to the invention is controlled in such a way that maximum shredding is achieved for each specific weed. In addition to the shaft speed and the peripheral speed of the outer ends of the impact belts, which is associated with the length of the impact elements, the shaft height and / or the spacing of the impact belts are also relevant for weed-specific shredding. The length of the impact belts can also be selected depending on the plant being treated in order to achieve the longest possible shredding.

[0045] Preferably, at least one of the impact elements is provided on its surface with at least one, in particular elongated, impact protrusion. Such an impact protrusion is a material thickening that leads to a greater thickness of the material and results in an enlargement of the surface of the impact belt. The impact forces are thus transferred to the surface of the plant over an even greater part, which leads to an improved drying effect on the plant. Elongated impact protrusions can also be referred to as webs or ribs, which increase the surface area of ​​the impact belt. In particular, the impact protrusion of a impact belt, designed as a impact rib, extends transversely to the longitudinal extent of the impact element, so that the impact rib preferably extends parallel to the shaft axis across the entire width of an impact element.This ensures that the plant's stem is also impacted by the impact lift. This is not necessarily guaranteed with a dimpled surface. Furthermore, targeted elevations, particularly rib-like elevations and thickenings, on the impact belt can be used to specify a preferred bending direction, allowing the impact belt to adhere even better to the plant and thus protect it from damage.

[0046] The area of ​​induced kinks can be more easily torn and then shredded. To improve the strength of the impact belt, it is provided with a fabric insert. This extends across the entire length and width of the impact element, so that the areas of the impact element located in the shaft and fixed there are also provided with a fabric insert. Such a fabric insert is preferably a non-woven fabric.

[0047] For adaptation to the haulm or root crop plants to be processed, the haulm topper is preferably provided with two shafts movable relative to one another, wherein the shaft further than the first shaft also has a plurality of additional impact elements in the form of impact belts. These impact belts can, of course, be designed like the impact belts described above or below and can also be attached in the same way. The shafts are arranged, in particular, on the same frame and preferably driven by their own drive elements. These drive elements can be separate motors, e.g., separate hydraulic motors, or they can be drive elements branched from a common central drive.

[0048] According to an advantageous development of the invention, a haulm topper can be provided with two shafts arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel, each with a respective beating belt, the shafts being rotatable in opposite directions.

[0049] Furthermore, a haulm topper according to the invention can be provided with an additional unit for erecting haulms, e.g. in the form of a star roller, which is arranged upstream of the at least one shaft with impact elements in the direction of travel.

[0050] The problem initially solved is also achieved by a beating belt according to claim 14. This is characterized in that it is provided with a recess, for example in the form of a punch or hole, at its beginning, which is to be attached to a shaft of a haulm topper, through which this beating belt can be easily attached to a shaft. Preferably, it has a stem receiving profile at its end opposite the beginning, which improves the beating belt's grip and allows it to engage with a larger surface area against a stem of the haulm to be toppled.

[0051] Finally, the problem is solved by an agricultural machine equipped with a haulm topper as described above or below. This machine benefits from the advantages of a haulm topper according to the invention as described above and below.

[0052] Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the figures. Schematically shown,

[0053] Fig. 1 shows an object according to the invention,

[0054] Fig. 2 shows the article according to Fig. 1 in a partially broken form, Fig. 3 shows a part of the article according to Fig. 1,

[0055] Fig. 4 shows another object according to the invention,

[0056] Fig. 5 shows part of another object according to the invention,

[0057] Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of the implementation of the method according to the invention,

[0058] Fig. 7 shows a group of striking elements of another object according to the invention,

[0059] Fig. 8 shows a group of striking elements of another object according to the invention.

[0060] Where appropriate, elements with equivalent functions are provided with identical reference numerals. Individual features of the exemplary embodiments described below, in combination with the features of one of the independent claims and, if applicable, further claims, can also lead to subject matter according to the invention.

[0061] A haulm topper 2 according to the invention is designed here as a haulm topper for potato plants. It comprises a frame 4, which supports two multi-part housings 6 via arms 5, in which shafts 7 are mounted. The housings 6 encapsulate the working area so that the torn haulm is deposited in a defined manner. The shafts 7 are each driven by a separate drive element 8, in this case a hydraulic motor for each housing 6. The drive is provided by a drive means which runs in a cover 9 from the drive element 8 to the shaft 7 (Fig. 1).

[0062] Each shaft 7 has a plurality of impact elements in the form of flexible impact belts 10, some of which are arranged side by side. In the present embodiment, these are arranged in four evenly distributed rows circumferentially around the shaft 7 (Fig. 2). The shaft runs in the direction of its essential length transverse to the direction of travel F, so that potato ridges can be well covered. Viewed in the direction of the associated longitudinal axis 11 from the left side in Fig. 2 towards the right side, the shaft 7 preferably rotates counterclockwise in order to grasp the stems at their end closest to the ground and thus initially shred the stems or damage the epidermis, creating the longest possible cracks.

[0063] For this purpose, the middle beating belts 10, viewed transversely to the longitudinal direction F, have a stem receiving profile in the form of a recess 16 at their end 14, which is opposite a beginning 12 of the beating belts 10 (cf. Fig. 3). This recess extends between two end faces 18, preferably 1 cm - 4 cm into the material of the beating belt 10, so that a stem of a potato plant is laid along it over a comparatively long path during the movement of the beating belt 10. The beating belts 10 are flat in that they extend significantly longer in the direction of their length A and their width B (Fig. 3) than in the direction of their thickness C. The longitudinal direction of a beating belt 10 is the direction according to the extension length A.

[0064] At the beginning, the beating belts 10 have a recess 20, via which the respective beating belt 10 can be fastened to the shaft by means of a fastening means passed through the recess 20 and to any device for securing the beating belts 10 that may be present there.

[0065] For improved durability, the beating belt 10 is provided with a fabric insert 22 (indicated by dashed lines) that extends centrally through the beating belt 10 and is covered on the top and bottom by the rubber or plastic material of the beating belt 10. Preferably, the fabric insert is metal-free, which reduces the risk of injury when replacing and installing any worn beating belts 10.

[0066] The impact belts of the exemplary embodiment are secured via a clamping rail 24 (Fig. 2) in a clamping device attached to the shaft 7. For each impact belt 10, the clamping rail 24 is secured to a clamping profile 26 of the clamping device, which is screwed onto the shaft, by means of a screw element extending through the recess 20.

[0067] The beating belts 10 according to Fig. 3, with a stem-receiving profile of a series of beating elements, are limited on the respective shaft 7 by beating belts 10 that have a tapered ridge profile. Starting approximately at the height of the end faces 18 of the middle beating belts 10 located toward the center of a shaft, the adjacent beating belt 10 tapers towards a point 28, so that the lateral contour of a potato ridge can be reproduced accordingly. Depending on the size and shape of a potato ridge, the beating belts 10 can be easily replaced.

[0068] Haws growing in any tramlines or ridge valleys can be treated using even longer impact belts 10 (three of these are shown in Fig. 2, located next to each other at the left end of the shaft 7). According to a further embodiment, these impact elements can also be designed as conventional metal impact elements for processing the haws in the ridge valleys.

[0069] A beating belt 10 can have a beating rib 30, particularly one formed transversely to the longitudinal direction of the beating belt 10, which protrudes from the surrounding surface 31. The material at the end 14 of the beating belt can also be thickened to ensure greater stability for the part of the beating belt that first comes into contact with the haulm. Such a profile increases the surface area of ​​the beating belt, allowing the plant stems to be shredded more effectively.

[0070] The embodiment according to Fig. 1, like the embodiment according to Fig. 2, can be assigned a gear train 32, via which the distance of the shaft from the dam or ground can be adjusted within a range of preferably three to 25 cm. This can be done, for example, by means of manually operable adjusting means 34. Both the embodiment according to Fig. 1 and the embodiment according to Fig. 4 have three point mounts 36, via which the haulm toppers 2 according to the invention can be attached, in particular, to the front of an agricultural implement, for example a tractor.

[0071] Furthermore, by forming thickened impact webs or ribs running transversely to the longitudinal direction, a preferred bending direction of the impact belt 10 is created, which can be characterized by bending axes running essentially parallel to the shaft axis or its longitudinal direction 11, wherein the impact belts 10 are clamped onto the shaft with their flat beginning 12 in such a way that they are clamped over their entire width B and the corresponding surface.

[0072] According to a further embodiment of a haulm topper according to the invention, its shaft can be provided with a plurality of adjacently arranged beating belts 10, each provided at the end with stem receiving profiles 16, via which the contour of a ridge with potato plants is reproduced (Fig. 5). This reproduction is achieved by reducing the length of the beating belts 10 towards the center of the shaft compared to the beating belts 10 further out. Furthermore, the outer beating belts 10 have a plurality of parallel beating ribs 30, which further improve shredding. The stems shred particularly well at the kinks induced by the beating ribs 30. The beating belts 10 are secured to the shaft 7 by a clamping rail 24 against a clamping profile 26, which is fastened to the shaft 7 with screws.

[0073] The implementation of a method according to the invention is illustrated in Fig. 6, wherein only a part of a haulm topper is shown in the form of the shaft 7. This shaft with beating belts 10 is driven by a drive element not shown in detail. In section I of the figure, there is haulm 40 of the potato plants grown on a potato ridge 38. In section II of the figure, the haulm topper or the shaft 7 is moved in the direction of travel F and in the direction of the haulm 40. The stalks 41 of the haulm 40 that has not yet been toppled are grasped by the rotating beating elements, which, due to their flexibility, move more intensively along the stalks and do not beat them more harshly as in the prior art. The stalks are also picked up in stalk receiving profiles and the spaces between individual beating elements. The movement of the beating belts 10 along the surfaces of the stalks causes them to shred.Any leaves, unless removed, are also shredded. What remains on the potato bed in section III are essentially longitudinally shredded stems 41, which enable targeted ripening of the potato tubers. According to a further embodiment of the invention, a group of beating belts 10 of a haulm topper according to the invention is connected to one another via a common base 41 (Fig. 7). The beating elements 10 are easily secured to a shaft 7 via the base 39, for example, with a clamping rail 24.

[0074] The striking elements 10 of the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 7 have a trapezoidal contour in cross-section relative to the longitudinal extent of the respective striking elements 10. The width B1 of a front side 41 in the circumferential direction U, indicated by the edge 42, is less than the width B2 of a rear side 43, indicated by an edge 44. The front side 41 is connected to the rear side 43 via two lateral sides 45 which are inclined to the direction of rotation U and are therefore inclined and which have cutting edges 46. The sides 45 are inclined in such a way that a surface normal 49 is angled to the direction U. The stems 41 can roll slightly on the corresponding sides 45 or are guided by them, so that an enlarged surface comes into contact with the respective striking belt 10.The five spaces between the six impact elements, each of which is fastened to one another via a common base 39, have a smaller clear width than the length B2 of the rear side 43 of a striker element. An arrow indicating the direction of rotation U shows the direction of movement of the respective end of the striker elements 10 when they are in the elongated operating position and not in the pre-bent starting position shown in Figures 7 and 8. As an alternative to the straight edges in the corners between the sides of a striker element, according to the embodiment of Figure 8, edges 48 can also have a wave shape, so that a respective stem 41 is acted upon at different width positions over the length of the respective striker element 10.

Claims

Claims 1 . Haulm topper for an agricultural working machine, in particular for processing potato plants, with a frame (4) and with at least one shaft (7) which can be driven by a drive element (8) of the haulm topper (2), which shaft is mounted on the frame (4) and on which a plurality of impact elements are arranged, characterized in that at least some of the impact elements are designed as flexible impact belts (10).

2. Haulm topper according to claim 1, characterized in that at least some of the beating belts (10) have a stem receiving profile (16) at a respective end (14) which is opposite a respective beginning (12) fixed to the shaft (7).

3. Haulm topper according to claim 2, characterized in that the stem receiving profile (16) is designed in the form of at least one notch and / or indentation of the end (14).

4. Haulm topper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a part of the beating belts (10) which are designed without a stem receiving profile (16) and are arranged in particular off-center, has a dam profile at their respective end.

5. Haulm topper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beating belt (10) is flat and in particular rectangular when viewed transversely to its longitudinal direction and in cross-section.

6. Haulm topper according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the beating belt (10), viewed in a section transverse to its longitudinal direction, has a front side (41) in the direction of rotation (U), which is connected via a side (45) which is oblique to the direction of rotation (U) to a rear side (43) in the direction of rotation (U), in particular which is wider than the front side (41).

7. Haulm topper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beating belt (10) is fixed and in particular clamped on the shaft side, in particular wherein one or more beating belts (10) are preferably fixed together by at least one fastening device comprising in particular at least one clamping rail (24).

8. Haulm topper according to claim 7, characterized in that a plurality of fastening devices are arranged in the circumferential direction around the shaft (7), by means of which a plurality of striking elements (10) are fixed in the circumferential direction around the shaft (7) and in particular at the same circumferential position.

9. Haulm topper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least three and in particular four rows of impact elements (10) are mounted on the shaft (7) in a uniformly distributed manner in the circumferential direction.

10. Haulm topper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the impact elements is provided on its surface with at least one impact elevation, in particular an elongated one.

11. Weed cutters according to claim 10, characterized in that the impact elevation of a beating belt (10) designed as a beating rib (30) extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the beating element.

12. Haulm topper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beating belt (10) has a fabric insert (22).

13. Haulm topper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least two shafts (7) movable relative to one another, wherein the shaft further than the first shaft also has a plurality of further impact elements in the form of impact belts (10).

14. Beater belt for use in a haulm topper according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beater belt (10) has a recess (20) at its beginning (12) to be fixed to a shaft for fixing of the beater belt (10) on this shaft (7) of the haulm topper (2) and is provided in particular at its end (14) with a stem receiving profile.

15. Agricultural working machine, characterized by a haulm topper (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 13.

16. A method for beating haulms, in particular for beating potato plants, wherein the haulms (40) are beaten using a haulm beater (2) designed according to one of the preceding claims, the shaft (7) of which is preferably guided across a row of haulms transversely thereto, wherein a plurality of beating elements designed as flexible beating belts (10) are arranged on the shaft (7) driven by a drive element, which beaters move along the stems (41) of the haulms (40) during beating in such a way that they fray in the longitudinal direction and are deflected in particular by a side (45) which, in a section transverse to a longitudinal direction of the respective beating element (10), is inclined to the direction of rotation (U).

17. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that during the beating one or more stems (41) of the herb (40) are shredded in a stem receiving profile (16) of the beating belt according to claim 2.

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