Harvesting conveyor and corn harvester

Abstract

To provide a harvesting and transporting device and a corn harvesting machine which can prevent a corn bunch-like body from being blown forward by an auger.SOLUTION: A transporting part frame 111 comprises: a bottom plate part 113; and a rear wall part 114 which extends upward continuously to a rear end of the bottom plate part 113. The rear wall part 114 is formed with a discharge port 115. An auger 25 is provided on an upper side of the bottom plate part 113 and on a front side of the rear wall part 114. The auger 25 includes an auger shaft 116 which is rotatably supported to the transporting part frame 111. A left auger blade 118 and a right auger blade 119 are formed in such a spiral shape that they are reversely wound with respect to each other in a periphery of the auger shaft 116. The left auger blade 118 is formed to a left opposing position of being opposed from a front side to a center part in a left-right direction of the discharge port 115, and the right auger blade 119 is formed to a right opposing position of being opposed from the front side to the center part of the discharge port 115.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a harvesting and transporting device for harvesting and transporting corn bunches, and a corn harvester equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] The corn harvester is provided with a harvesting and conveying device at its front end that harvests corn bunches (corn kernels arranged in bunches and wrapped in bracts) and conveys them rearward. The corn bunches are conveyed from the harvesting and conveying device to a threshing device, where they are threshed (the bracts are peeled off and the kernels are removed).

[0003] The harvesting and conveying device has multiple dividers arranged side by side in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction). The harvesting and conveying device also has a pair of left and right deck plates, a pair of left and right stalk rollers, and a pair of left and right conveying chains between each divider. A gap is provided between the left and right deck plates. The left and right stalk rollers are respectively provided below the left and right deck plates and rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the front-to-back direction. The left stalk roller rotates clockwise when viewed from the front, and the right stalk roller rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the front. The left and right conveying chains are respectively provided above the left and right deck plates. The conveying chains are wound around a drive sprocket and a driven sprocket arranged at a distance in the front-to-back direction. The drive sprocket and the driven sprocket are respectively provided rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the up-to-down direction. The left conveyor chain rotates clockwise when viewed from above, and the right conveyor chain rotates counterclockwise when viewed from above.

[0004] Corn is planted in rows in a field. When harvesting corn, one row of corn planted in the field is introduced between adjacent dividers, and the corn stalks are introduced between the left and right deck plates, the left and right stalk rollers, and the left and right conveyor chains. As the stalk rollers rotate, they engage with the corn stalks, and the blades pull the stalks down. At this time, the corn tassels attached to the stalks are received by the deck plate, and the corn tassels are separated from the stalks. The corn tassels separated from the stalks are transported rearward on the deck plate by the conveyor chains.

[0005] The harvesting and conveying device is also provided with a frame. The frame integrally comprises a bottom plate extending in the left-right direction and a rear wall extending upward and rearward from the entire width of the bottom plate. An auger is provided above the bottom plate. The auger is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction. A discharge port is formed through the rear wall, and the auger is provided with a raking blade at a position facing the discharge port in the front-rear direction.

[0006] The corn bunches transported by the conveying chains fall to the rear of the deck plate and are received by the bottom plate. As the auger rotates, the corn bunches are sent rearward by the raking blades and fed through a discharge port to a feeder that transports the corn bunches toward the threshing device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 262610 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, in conventional configurations, the corn bunches are not sent backward by the raking blades, but are instead caught by the raking blades and thrown forward by the raking blades.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a harvesting and conveying device and a corn harvester that can prevent corn bunches from being thrown forward by an auger. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, a harvesting and conveying device according to one aspect of the present invention is a harvesting and conveying device that is provided at the front end of a corn harvester and that harvests and conveys corn bunches, and that includes a conveying body that conveys the corn bunches rearward in the front-rear direction of the corn harvester, a frame that has a bottom plate and a rear wall that extends upward continuously from the rear end of the bottom plate in the front-rear direction and that receives the corn bunches conveyed by the conveying body at the bottom plate, and a frame that is arranged above the bottom plate and in front of the rear wall in the front-rear direction and that rotates around a rotation axis that extends in the left-right direction of the corn harvester to convey the corn bunches received at the bottom plate to the rear wall. The auger includes an auger that discharges corn from a discharge outlet formed through the portion of the frame, and the auger includes an auger shaft that extends in the left-right direction and is rotatably supported on the frame, a left auger blade that is spirally arranged around the auger shaft from a left opposing position facing the center of the discharge outlet in the front-to-back direction to the left end of the auger shaft in the left-to-right direction, and transports the corn clusters to the right in the left-to-right direction, and a right auger blade that is spirally arranged around the auger shaft in the opposite direction to the left auger blade from a right opposing position facing the center of the discharge outlet in the front-to-back direction to the right end of the auger shaft in the left-to-right direction, and transports the corn clusters to the left in the left-to-right direction.

[0011] According to this configuration, the frame includes a bottom plate and a rear wall extending upward from the rear end of the bottom plate. A discharge port is formed through the rear wall. An auger is provided above the bottom plate and in front of the rear wall, and is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction. Corn clusters transported rearward by the transport body are received by the bottom plate of the frame. Then, as the auger rotates, the corn clusters received by the bottom plate are transported on the bottom plate toward the discharge port and discharged through the discharge port.

[0012] The auger includes an auger shaft rotatably supported by a frame, and left and right auger blades are spirally formed around the auger shaft, with the blades winding in opposite directions. When the auger shaft rotates, the left and right auger blades rotate integrally with the auger shaft. Corn clusters received by the bottom plate at a position left of the discharge opening are transported to the right by the left auger blade, while corn clusters received by the bottom plate at a position right of the discharge opening are transported to the left by the right auger blade. The left auger blade extends to a left-facing position facing the center of the discharge opening in the front-rear direction, and the right auger blade extends to a right-facing position facing the center of the discharge opening in the front-rear direction. Therefore, corn clusters transported to a position between the left-facing position and the right-facing position are sandwiched between the left and right auger blades and discharged through the discharge opening by the rotation of the left and right auger blades.

[0013] Therefore, this configuration does not require the raking blades that were required in conventional configurations to discharge the corn clusters from the discharge port. The absence of the raking blades prevents the corn clusters from being thrown forward by the auger. As a result, head loss caused by the corn clusters being thrown forward and falling into the field can be reduced.

[0014] The left facing position and the right facing position may be the same position in the left-right direction.

[0015] The discharge port may be formed at a position shifted to the left of the center in the left-right direction on the rear wall portion.

[0016] The auger may further include a plate-shaped locking projection provided across the circumferential surface of the auger shaft and the right auger blade.

[0017] In a configuration in which the discharge opening is formed to the left of the center in the left-right direction of the rear wall, the distance the right auger blade can transport the corn bunches is longer than in a configuration in which the discharge opening is formed in the center in the left-right direction of the rear wall. The plate-shaped locking protrusion is formed across the circumferential surface of the auger shaft and the right auger blade, so that the locking protrusion locks onto the corn bunches, and as the right auger blade rotates, the corn bunches are transported smoothly without slipping relative to the right auger blade. As a result, the auger's ability to transport the corn bunches is improved.

[0018] A corn harvester according to another aspect of the present invention includes a body, a pair of left and right traveling devices that support the body and are driven by power from a power source provided on the body, and a harvesting and transporting device that is provided in front of the body and the traveling devices and that harvests and transports corn bunches, the harvesting and transporting device including a transport body that transports the corn bunches rearward in the fore-and-aft direction of the corn harvester, a frame that has a bottom plate and a rear wall that extends upwardly continuous with the rear end of the bottom plate in the fore-and-aft direction and that receives the corn bunches transported by the transport body at the bottom plate, and a frame that is arranged above the bottom plate and in front of the rear wall in the fore-and-aft direction and that rotates about a rotation axis that extends in the left-and-right direction of the corn harvester to harvest and transport the corn bunches. The auger includes an auger that discharges the corn bunches received in the plate portion from a discharge outlet formed through the rear wall portion, and the auger comprises an auger shaft that extends in the left-right direction and is rotatably supported on the frame, a left auger blade that is spirally arranged around the auger shaft from a left opposing position facing the front-to-back center of the discharge outlet to the left end of the auger shaft in the left-to-right direction, and transports the corn bunches to the right in the left-to-right direction, and a right auger blade that is spirally arranged around the auger shaft in the opposite direction to the left auger blade from a right opposing position facing the front-to-back center of the discharge outlet to the right end of the auger shaft in the left-to-right direction, and transports the corn bunches to the left in the left-to-right direction.

[0019] This corn harvester can achieve the same effects as those described with respect to the harvesting and conveying device according to one aspect of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a right side view of a corn harvester according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a corn harvester. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a top view of the harvesting and transporting device. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a front view (view from the front) of a portion of the harvesting and conveying device. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a pair of left and right stalk rollers. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the stalk roller with one blade component removed. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a front view of a pair of left and right stalk rollers. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the configuration of a transport mechanism. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view of the front end of the harvesting and conveying device taken along a cutting plane along the front-to-back direction, viewed from the right. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the rear end portion of the stalk roller as viewed from the lower left front. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the rear end portion of the stalk roller as viewed from the lower left rear. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the plate component as viewed from above and rear on the left side. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the plate component as viewed from above and rear on the right side. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a rear view (view from behind) of the harvesting and conveying device. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the auger and the bottom plate and rear wall of the transport unit frame as viewed from above, front right. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] <Overall configuration of the corn harvester> Fig. 1 is a right side view of a corn harvester 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the corn harvester 1.

[0024] The corn harvester 1 is an agricultural machine that travels through a field and harvests corn bunches (corn kernels arranged in bunches and wrapped in bracts) and threshes the corn bunches (peeling the bracts and removing the kernels).

[0025] In the following description, the forward direction of the corn harvester 1 is referred to as the front, and the backward direction of the corn harvester 1 is referred to as the rear. When viewing the corn harvester 1 from the rear, the left side in the width direction is referred to as the left, and the right side in the width direction is referred to as the right.

[0026] The corn harvester 1 employs a pair of left and right crawler traveling devices 2 as traveling devices capable of traveling over uneven ground such as farm fields. A machine body frame 3 is supported by the left and right crawler traveling devices 2, and power from an engine 4 provided on the machine body frame 3 is transmitted to the crawler traveling devices 2 via a transmission 5.

[0027] Also provided on the machine frame 3 are a cabin 6, a threshing device 7, and a grain tank 8. A harvesting and conveying device 9 that harvests corn clusters and conveys them rearward is provided in front of the crawler traveling device 2 and the machine frame 3. A feeder 10 that conveys corn clusters from the harvesting and conveying device 9 toward the threshing device 7 is provided between the threshing device 7 and the harvesting and conveying device 9.

[0028] The cabin 6 is disposed on the front end of the vehicle frame 3. The cabin 6 provides a space for the driver inside, and within this space, for example, a driver's seat 11 where the driver sits, an operating lever 12 operated by the driver, etc. An openable door 13 is provided on the right side of the cabin 6, and the driver can enter the cabin 6 by opening the door 13.

[0029] The threshing device 7 is located to the left rear of the cabin 6. The grain tank 8 is located behind the cabin 6 and to the right of the threshing device 7. In the threshing device 7, braches are stripped from the corn bunches transported by the feeder 10, and corn kernels (seed kernels) are removed from the corn bunches from which the braches have been stripped. The corn kernels are transported from the threshing device 7 to the grain tank 8 and stored in the grain tank 8. An unloader 14 is connected to the grain tank 8, and the corn kernels stored in the grain tank 8 can be discharged from the grain tank 8 to the outside of the machine by the unloader 14.

[0030] <Harvesting and transporting equipment> Fig. 3 is a top view of the harvesting and conveying device 9. Fig. 4 is a front view (view from the front) of the harvesting and conveying device 9. Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the harvesting and conveying device 9.

[0031] The harvesting and conveying device 9 is equipped with four dividers 21. The four dividers 21 are arranged side by side with a gap between them in the left-right direction. The harvesting and conveying device 9 is also equipped with a pair of left and right receiving plates 22, a pair of left and right stalk rollers 23, a pair of left and right conveying mechanisms 24, and an auger 25 for each space between adjacent dividers 21 in the left-right direction (hereinafter simply referred to as "space between dividers 21").

[0032] <divider> In a plan view, the leftmost divider 21 has a left edge 31 extending in the front-to-rear direction, and a right edge 32 extending at an angle relative to the front-to-rear direction so that the forward movement approaches the left edge 31. In a plan view, the rightmost divider 21 has a right edge 33 extending in the front-to-rear direction, and a left edge 34 extending at an angle relative to the front-to-rear direction so that the forward movement approaches the right edge 33. In a plan view, the leftmost divider 21 and the rightmost divider 21 are symmetrical with respect to a line that passes through the center of the harvesting and conveying device 9 in the left-to-right direction and extends in the front-to-rear direction.

[0033] The two inner dividers 21 arranged between the dividers 21 at both the left and right ends have the same configuration, and when viewed in a plane, are formed in the shape of an approximately isosceles triangle, with the left edge 35 and the right edge 36 extending at an angle relative to the front-to-rear direction so that they approach each other as they move forward.

[0034] The tips of the four dividers 21 are arranged on a straight line extending in the left-right direction, spaced equally apart in the left-right direction. Except for the tips of the four dividers 21, the left edges 35 of the two inner dividers 21 are parallel to the left edge 34 of the rightmost divider 21, and the right edges 36 of the two inner dividers 21 are parallel to the right edge 32 of the leftmost divider 21. This creates guide spaces 37 between the dividers 21 that become narrower in width in the left-right direction toward the rear.

[0035] <Deck plate> The pair of left and right receiving plates 22 are each shaped like a plate extending in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions, and are arranged side by side in the left-to-right direction behind the guide space 37 and supported by the harvesting section frame 41 of the harvesting and conveying device 9. A gap is provided between the left and right receiving plates 22 to provide a stalk entry path 42 that extends linearly in the front-to-rear direction.

[0036] <Stork Roller> FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the pair of left and right stalk rollers 23. FIG.

[0037] The pair of left and right stalk rollers 23 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction below the pair of left and right receiving plates 22. That is, the left stalk roller 23 is arranged below the left receiving plate 22, and the right stalk roller 23 that forms a pair with the left stalk roller 23 is arranged below the right receiving plate 22 that forms a pair with the left receiving plate 22, at a position at the same height as the left stalk roller 23.

[0038] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the stalk roller 23.

[0039] The stalk roller 23 includes a front shaft portion 43 that is rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the front-to-rear direction, a rear shaft portion 44 that is spaced apart from the front shaft portion 43 in the front-to-rear direction and is rotatable around the rotation axis extending in the front-to-rear direction, a guide portion 45 that protrudes forward from the front shaft portion 43, and eight blade components 46 that are spanned between the front shaft portion 43 and the rear shaft portion 44 and arranged in a row in the rotation direction (circumferential direction) of the front shaft portion 43 and the rear shaft portion 44.

[0040] FIG. 7 shows a state in which one blade component 46 has been removed.

[0041] The front shaft portion 43 integrally has a cylindrical portion 51, a flange portion 52, a large cylindrical portion 53, and a columnar portion 54. The cylindrical portion 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the rotation axis of the front shaft portion 43 as its center line. The flange portion 52 is formed in a disc shape with the rotation axis of the front shaft portion 43 as its center line, is connected to the front end of the cylindrical portion 51, and its outer periphery protrudes outward from the circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 51. The large cylindrical portion 53 is formed in a cylindrical shape that extends forward from the outer periphery of the flange portion 52. The columnar portion 54 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the rotation axis of the front shaft portion 43 as its center line, and extends forward from the flange portion 52.

[0042] The rear shaft portion 44 integrally has a cylindrical portion 55 and a flange portion 56. The cylindrical portion 55 is formed in a cylindrical shape with its center line coincident with the rotational axis of the front shaft portion 43. The flange portion 56 is formed in an annular plate shape that protrudes from the center in the front-to-rear direction of the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 55.

[0043] The guide portion 45 is provided in front of the flange portion 52 of the front shaft portion 43. The guide portion 45 has a conical circumferential surface 57 whose center line is the rotation axis of the front shaft portion 43. A spiral ridge 58 is formed on the circumferential surface 57. The cylindrical portion 54 of the front shaft portion 43 is joined to the guide portion 45 so that the guide portion 45 rotates integrally with the front shaft portion 43.

[0044] The blade component 46 is provided across the cylindrical portion 51 of the front shaft portion 43 and a portion of the cylindrical portion 55 of the rear shaft portion 44 that is forward of the flange portion 56. The blade component 46 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate extending long in the front-to-rear direction, and integrally includes an abutment portion 61 that abuts against the outer circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical portions 51, 55, and a plate-like overlapping portion 62 that extends radially from both ends of the abutment portion 61 in the short direction (both ends in the rotational direction of the front shaft portion 43 and the rear shaft portion 44) in the radial direction of the cylindrical portions 51, 55. The overlapping portion 62 is formed over the entire length of the abutment portion 61 in the front-to-rear direction, and its front end portion is formed in the shape of a triangular plate that tapers forward.

[0045] FIG. 8 is a front view of a pair of left and right stalk rollers 23. FIG.

[0046] Blade components 46 adjacent in the rotational direction of the front shaft portion 43 and the rear shaft portion 44 have their overlapping portions 62 overlapping. The overlapping overlapping portions 62 are welded at multiple locations spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction, thereby connecting adjacent blade components 46 in a fixed state. The abutment portions 61 of each blade component 46 are fixed to the cylindrical portion 51 of the front shaft portion 43 and the cylindrical portion 55 of the rear shaft portion 44 by welding. As a result, the abutment portions 61 of the eight blade components 46 form a substantially octagonal prism with the rotation axes of the front shaft portion 43 and the rear shaft portion 44 as the center line. The overlapping overlapping portions 62 also form blade portions 63 extending radially from the cylindrical portions 51, 55 at equal angular intervals, and the eight blade portions 63 extend radially in the radial direction of the cylindrical portions 51, 55 from the cylindrical portions 51, 55 to form eight-fold symmetry.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 7, an inner ring of a bearing 64 is fitted onto the cylindrical portion 54 of the front shaft portion 43 so as to be non-rotatable relative to the cylindrical portion 54. As shown in Fig. 6, the outer ring of the bearing 64 is non-rotatably held by a holder 65 supported by the harvesting unit frame 41. Meanwhile, as shown in Fig. 7, a collar 59 is fitted onto the cylindrical portion 55 of the rear shaft portion 44 at a portion rearward of the flange portion 56 so as to be rotatable relative to the cylindrical portion 54. As shown in Fig. 6, the collar 59 is non-rotatably held by a gear case 66 fixed to the harvesting unit frame 41. As a result, the stalk roller 23 is supported by the harvesting unit frame 41 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the front-rear direction, in other words, so as to be rotatable around the center line of the front shaft portion 43 and the rear shaft portion 44 as the rotation axis.

[0048] Although not shown, a drive transmission member is coupled to the cylindrical portion 55 of the rear axle 44 in the gear case 66 so as not to rotate relative to the cylindrical portion 55, and a driving force is transmitted from the drive transmission member. Of the pair of left and right stalk rollers 23, the left stalk roller 23 rotates clockwise and the right stalk roller 23 rotates counterclockwise due to the driving force transmitted to the cylindrical portion 55.

[0049] <Transport mechanism> FIG. 9 is a top view showing the configuration of the transport mechanism 24. As shown in FIG.

[0050] The pair of left and right conveying mechanisms 24 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction above the pair of left and right receiving plates 22. That is, the left conveying mechanism 24 is provided above the left receiving plate 22, and the right stalk roller 23 that forms a pair with the left stalk roller 23 is provided above the right receiving plate 22 that forms a pair with the left receiving plate 22.

[0051] The conveying mechanism 24 includes a driving sprocket 71 , a driven sprocket 72 , and a conveying chain 73 .

[0052] A drive shaft 74, to which driving force is transmitted from a drive transmission member (not shown), is rotatably held in the gear case 66. The drive shaft 74 protrudes upward from the gear case 66, and the drive sprocket 71 is connected to the portion of the drive shaft 74 protruding from the gear case 66 so as not to rotate relative to the drive shaft 74.

[0053] A bracket 75 is fixed to the front end of the receiving plate 22, and a driven shaft 76 is rotatably held by the bracket 75 via a bearing (not shown). The driven shaft 76 is located at the same position as the drive shaft 74 in the left-right direction and at a distance from the drive shaft 74 in the front-rear direction. The driven shaft 76 protrudes above the receiving plate 22, and the driven sprocket 72 is connected to the portion of the driven shaft 76 that protrudes above the receiving plate 22 so as not to rotate relative to it.

[0054] The conveyor chain 73 is wound around a drive sprocket 71 and a driven sprocket 72. A plurality of locking portions 77 are provided at equal intervals on the conveyor chain 73. Each locking portion 77 has a generally triangular plate shape that protrudes from the outer periphery of the conveyor chain 73, specifically, the end face facing rearward between the pair of left and right conveyor mechanisms 24 is inclined relatively greatly with respect to the front-to-rear direction, and the end face facing forward between the pair of left and right conveyor mechanisms 24 is inclined relatively slightly with respect to the front-to-rear direction.

[0055] Due to the driving force transmitted from the drive shaft 74 to the drive sprocket 71, in the pair of left and right conveying mechanisms 24, the conveying chain 73 of the left conveying mechanism 24 rotates clockwise when viewed from above, and the conveying chain 73 of the right conveying mechanism 24 rotates counterclockwise when viewed from above.

[0056] <Cover> 3, the transport mechanism 24 is covered from above by covers 81 provided behind each divider 21. The covers 81 provided behind the two inner dividers 21 in the left-right direction are configured to be openable and closable around a swing shaft 82 extending left-right at the rear thereof between a closed position that covers the transport mechanism 24 and an open position that exposes the transport mechanism 24.

[0057] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the front end of the harvesting and conveying device 9 taken along a cross section along the front-rear direction, viewed from the right.

[0058] An open-holding mechanism 83 is provided inside the cover 81, which is configured to be openable and closable. The open-holding mechanism 83 includes a guide member 84 and a holding rod 85. The guide member 84 has a portion that is fixed to the harvesting unit frame 41 and extends in the front-rear and up-down directions, and a guide hole 86 extending in the front-rear direction is formed in that portion. One end of the holding rod 85 is connected to the cover 81 so as to be rotatable (swingable) around a rotation axis that extends in the left-right direction. The other end of the holding rod 85 is inserted into the guide hole 86 and is held by the guide hole 86 so as to be movable along the guide hole 86.

[0059] When the cover 81 is in the closed position, the other end of the retaining rod 85 is located at the rear end of the guide hole 86. When the cover 81 is rotated from the closed position to the open position, the other end of the retaining rod 85 moves forward through the guide hole 86 in accordance with the rotation. A lower locking portion 87, which is recessed in a semicircular shape downward from the guide hole 86, and an upper locking portion 88, which is recessed in a semicircular shape upward from the guide hole 86, are formed at the front end of the guide hole 86. When the cover 81 is in the open position, the other end (lower end) of the retaining rod 85 fits into the lower locking portion 87, preventing the retaining rod 85 from moving. This holds the cover 81 in the open position.

[0060] When the cover 81 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the front end of the cover 81 is lifted slightly, and the other end of the retaining rod 85 is released from the lower locking portion 87. Then, the other end of the retaining rod 85 is guided into the guide hole 86, and as the cover 81 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the other end of the retaining rod 85 moves rearward through the guide hole 86. When the cover 81 reaches the closed position, the other end of the retaining rod 85 returns to being positioned at the rear end of the guide hole 86.

[0061] When the cover 81 is held in the closed position, the front end of the cover 81 may be struck by the operator's arm or shoulder from below, causing the front end of the cover 81 to lift unintentionally, and the other end of the retaining rod 85 to disengage from the lower locking portion 87. In this case, if the other end of the retaining rod 85 disengages from the lower locking portion 87 and enters the guide hole 86, the cover 81 may be displaced from the open position to the closed position due to its own weight. For this reason, the upper locking portion 88 is formed. As a result, even if the front end of the cover 81 is unintentionally lifted and the other end of the retaining rod 85 disengages from the lower locking portion 87, the other end of the retaining rod 85 engages with the upper locking portion 88. Then, when the front end of the cover 81 moves down due to its own weight, the other end of the retaining rod 85 re-engages with the lower locking portion 87. As a result, the cover 81 is prevented from being rotated from the open position to the closed position unintentionally.

[0062] <Harvesting operation> Corn is planted in rows in a field. When harvesting corn, the corn harvester 1 is adjusted in the left-right direction so that one row of corn stalks (culms) planted in the field enters the guide space 37 between the dividers 21, and the corn harvester 1 moves forward. As the corn harvester 1 moves forward, the corn stalks are guided by the dividers 21 and enter the stalk entry path 42 between the pair of left and right receiving plates 22 from the guide space 37, between the pair of left and right stalk rollers 23, and between the pair of left and right conveying mechanisms 24. When the corn stalks then reach the space between the guide portions 45 of the left and right stalk rollers 23, they are guided by the guide portions 45 and introduced between the blade portions 63 of the left and right stalk rollers 23.

[0063] 8, the pair of left and right stalk rollers 23 are designed such that the distance between their rotation axes, the outer diameter of the cylindrical portions 51, 55, and the length of the blade portions 63 overlap a portion of the circular locus TL drawn by the blade portion 63 of the left stalk roller 23 and a portion of the circular locus TR drawn by the blade portion 63 of the right stalk roller 23 when they rotate. Furthermore, by further adjusting the amount of overlap between the portion of the circular locus TL and the portion of the circular locus TR, the pair of left and right stalk rollers 23 are designed such that up to two blade portions 63 from each side engage with the cornstalk that has entered between the left and right blade portions 63. Therefore, a total of up to four blade portions 63 engage with the cornstalk, and the cornstalk is pulled downward by the blade portions 63 as the stalk rollers 23 rotate.

[0064] The width of the stalk entry path 42 between the pair of left and right receiving plates 22 is set to a width that prevents the corn bunch from passing through. Therefore, when the corn stalk is pulled down, the corn bunch attached to the corn stalk is received by the receiving plates 22 and separated from the corn stalk. The conveying chain 73 travels in a circular motion, and the engaging portion 77 of the conveying chain 73 engages with the corn bunch separated from the corn stalk, thereby conveying the corn bunch rearward on the receiving plates 22.

[0065] <Plate parts> Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the rear end portion of the stalk roller 23 as seen from the lower left front. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the rear end portion of the stalk roller 23 as seen from the lower left rear.

[0066] After the corn tassels are removed from the cornstalks, the cornstalks remain planted in the field. Therefore, if the rear stalk portions 44 of the stalk rollers 23 are exposed, there is a risk that the cornstalk will wrap around the rear stalk portions 44 after passing through between the blade portions 63 of the left and right stalk rollers 23.

[0067] For this reason, a plate part 91 is provided behind the blade part 63 of the stalk roller 23 .

[0068] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the plate part 91 as seen from above and rear left. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the plate part 91 as seen from above and rear right.

[0069] The plate part 91 is formed, for example, by bending a metal plate, into a plate shape extending in the left-right and up-down directions, and has an opposing portion 92 that faces the blade portions 63 of the pair of left and right stalk rollers 23 from the rear, a left mounting portion 93 that is plate-shaped and extends forward from the left end of the opposing portion 92, a right mounting portion 94 that is plate-shaped and extends forward from the right end of the opposing portion 92, and a first reinforcing portion 95 that extends rearward in the left-right direction by a predetermined width from the lower end of the opposing portion 92.

[0070] Two left mounting holes 96 are formed through the left mounting portion 93. Two right mounting holes 97 are formed through the right mounting portion 94. The left mounting holes 96 and the right mounting holes 97 are both elongated holes that are longer in the front-to-rear direction than in the up-down direction.

[0071] The plate component 91 also has two second reinforcing portions 98. One second reinforcing portion 98 is formed in a generally triangular plate shape extending in the front-to-rear direction, straddling the facing portion 92 and the left end portion of the first reinforcing portion 95, and the other second reinforcing portion 98 is formed in a generally triangular plate shape extending in the front-to-rear direction, straddling the facing portion 92 and the right end portion of the first reinforcing portion 95. The second reinforcing portion 98 is fixed to the facing portion 92 and the first reinforcing portion 95 by welding. A mounting hole 99, which is an elongated hole that is longer in the front-to-rear direction than in the up-and-down direction, is formed through the second reinforcing portion 98.

[0072] Furthermore, the plate component 91 has a third reinforcing portion 101 in the center between the two second reinforcing portions 98. The third reinforcing portion 101 is formed in a generally triangular plate shape that extends in the front-to-rear direction across the opposing portion 92 and the first reinforcing portion 95, and is fixed to the opposing portion 92 and the first reinforcing portion 95 by welding.

[0073] Additionally, the opposing portion 92 has receiving portions 102 formed as recesses recessed downward from the upper end to receive the flange portions 56 of the rear shaft portions 44 of the left and right stalk rollers 23. The mounting position of the plate part 91 is adjusted so that the left and right flange portions 56 are received in the receiving portions 102. By adjusting the mounting position, the opposing portion 92 of the plate part 91 faces the blade portions 63 of the stalk rollers 23 without leaving a gap that allows cornstalks to enter, as shown in FIG. 11 . Then, with the plate part 91 positioned and adjusted, it is fixed to the harvesting unit frame 41 with bolts 103 inserted through the two left mounting holes 96, the two right mounting holes 97, and the two mounting holes 99, respectively.

[0074] <Transport unit frame> FIG. 15 is a rear view (view from behind) of the harvesting and conveying device 9.

[0075] The harvesting and conveying device 9 includes a conveying unit frame 111. As shown in FIG. 5, the conveying unit frame 111 is provided behind the harvesting unit frame 41. As shown in FIG. 15, the conveying unit frame 111 includes a left wall portion 112, a bottom plate portion 113, and a rear wall portion 114. Although not shown, the conveying unit frame 111 also includes a right wall portion that is disposed opposite the left wall portion 112 to the right and spaced apart. The bottom plate portion 113 is provided between the left wall portion 112 and the right wall portion. The rear wall portion 114 extends upward, continuous with the rear end of the bottom plate portion 113.

[0076] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the auger 25 and the bottom plate 113 and rear wall 114 of the conveyor frame 111 as viewed from above and to the front right.

[0077] The bottom plate portion 113 has a cross section cut along the front-rear direction that has an arc shape that bulges downward.

[0078] A rectangular opening 115 is formed penetrating the left end of the rear wall 114. A lower portion of the opening 115 is blocked by the bottom plate 113, and the portion of the opening 115 that is not blocked by the bottom plate 113 functions as a discharge port for discharging the corn clusters. Note that, hereinafter, the portion of the opening 115 that functions as a discharge port will be referred to as the "discharge port 115."

[0079] The auger 25 is disposed above the bottom plate portion 113 and in front of the rear wall portion 114. The auger 25 includes an auger shaft 116 extending in the left-right direction, and auger blades 117 provided around the auger shaft 116.

[0080] The auger shaft 116 is installed across the left wall portion 112 and the right wall portion of the conveying unit frame 111 and is rotatably supported by the left wall portion 112 and the right wall portion.

[0081] The auger blade 117 is divided into a left auger blade 118 and a right auger blade 119. The left auger blade 118 is formed in a left-handed spiral around the auger shaft 116, spanning from a left-facing position facing the center of the discharge port 115 from the front in the left-right direction to the left end of the auger shaft 116. The right auger blade 119 is formed in a right-handed spiral around the auger shaft 116, spanning from a right-facing position facing the center of the discharge port 115 from the front in the left-right direction to the right end of the auger shaft 116.

[0082] 15 and 16, the left facing position where the right end of the left auger blade 118 is located and the right facing position where the left end of the right auger blade 119 is located are the same position in the left-right direction and are the same as the center of the discharge port 115 in the left-right direction. The right end of the left auger blade 118 and the left end of the right auger blade 119 are in the same position in the left-right direction but are located at different positions in the rotational direction of the auger shaft 116.

[0083] Additionally, the auger 25 is provided with locking projections 121 that straddle the circumferential surface of the auger shaft 116 and the auger blade 117. The multiple locking projections 121 are formed in the shape of triangular plates that straddle the circumferential surface of the auger shaft 116 and the right auger blade 119, and each locking projection 121 extends in the direction of the rotation axis of the auger shaft 116, that is, in the left-right direction. Additionally, one locking projection 121 is formed in the shape of a triangular plate that straddles the circumferential surface of the auger shaft 116 and the left auger blade 118, and this locking projection 121 extends in the left-right direction. The provision of the locking projections 121 increases the strength of the auger blades 117 (the left auger blade 118 and the right auger blade 119).

[0084] A driving force is transmitted from a drive transmission mechanism (not shown) to the auger shaft 116. The driving force causes the auger shaft 116 to rotate clockwise when viewed from the right.

[0085] <Transportation operation> The corn clusters conveyed rearward by the pair of left and right conveying mechanisms 24 drop rearward from the receiving plate 22 and are received by the bottom plate 113 of the conveying unit frame 111. The corn clusters received by the bottom plate 113 at a position left of the discharge opening 115 are conveyed rightward by the left auger blade 118, and the corn clusters received by the bottom plate 113 at a position right of the discharge opening 115 are conveyed leftward by the right auger blade 119. The corn clusters conveyed from the front to a position facing the discharge opening 115 are sandwiched between the left and right auger blades 118 and 119, and are discharged through the discharge opening 115 by the rotation of the left and right auger blades 118 and 119. The corn clusters discharged from the discharge opening 115 are conveyed by the feeder 10 toward the threshing device 7.

[0086] <Effect 1> As described above, a plate component 91 having a facing portion 92 that faces the blade portion 63 from behind is provided behind the blade portion 63 of the stalk roller 23. This makes it possible to prevent cornstalks from wrapping around the rear shaft portion 44 of the stalk roller 23 in a portion rearward of the facing portion 92. Furthermore, because the mounting position of the plate component 91 relative to the harvesting unit frame 41 is adjustable, the distance between the facing portion 92 of the plate component 91 and the blade portion 63 can be appropriately adjusted, making it possible to prevent cornstalks from wrapping around the rear shaft portion 44 between the facing portion 92 and the blade portion 63.

[0087] Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the cornstalk from wrapping around the stalk roller 23 (the entire rear shaft portion 44). As a result, it is possible to prevent the stalk roller 23 from malfunctioning due to the cornstalk wrapping around the stalk roller 23. In addition, the blade portion 63 is no longer pushed forward by the cornstalk wrapped around the stalk roller 23, which prevents thrust loads (axial loads) from being applied to the bearings 64 that support the stalk roller 23, improving the durability of the bearings 64 and other components.

[0088] The facing portion 92 is a plate-like member extending in the left-right direction of the corn harvester 1, and the plate component 91 has a left mounting portion 93 that is a plate-like member extending forward from the left end of the facing portion 92 and has a left mounting hole 96 that is longer in the front-to-back direction than in the up-to-down direction formed therethrough, and a right mounting portion 94 that is a plate-like member extending forward from the right end of the facing portion 92 and has a right mounting hole 97 that is longer in the front-to-back direction than in the up-to-down direction formed therethrough, and is attached to the harvesting unit frame 41 by bolts 103 that are inserted into the left mounting hole 96 and the right mounting hole 97, respectively. With this configuration, the attachment position of the plate component 91 relative to the harvesting unit frame 41 can be adjusted.

[0089] Furthermore, the plate part 91 has a first reinforcing part 95 that extends rearward by a predetermined width in the left-right direction from the lower end of the facing part 92. This configuration increases the strength of the plate part 91. As a result, deformation of the plate part 91 caused by the facing part 92 of the plate part 91 being struck by a cornstalk can be suppressed.

[0090] The plate component 91 has a plate-shaped second reinforcing portion 98 that is provided across the opposing portion 92 and the first reinforcing portion 95. With this configuration, the strength of the plate component 91 can be further increased.

[0091] Further, an attachment hole 99 that is longer in the front-to-rear direction than in the up-and-down direction is formed through the second reinforcing part 98, and the plate part 91 is attached to the harvesting unit frame 41 by bolts 103 inserted into the attachment hole 99 in addition to the left attachment hole 96 and the right attachment hole 97. With this configuration, the attachment strength of the plate part 91 to the harvesting unit frame 41 can be increased.

[0092] The plate component 91 further includes a plate-shaped third reinforcing portion 101 provided in the center between the two second reinforcing portions 98, straddling the opposing portion 92 and the first reinforcing portion 95. This configuration can further increase the strength of the plate component 91.

[0093] The stalk roller 23 has a guide portion 45 on the tip side of the blade portion 63, which has a spiral protrusion 58 formed on a conical peripheral surface 57 that tapers toward the tip side, guiding the cornstalk to the blade portion 63. The provision of the guide portion 45 prevents the cornstalk from wrapping around the front shaft portion 43 of the stalk roller 23.

[0094] <Effect 2> The blade portions 63 of the stalk rollers 23 are eight-fold symmetric. The distance between the rotation axes of the pair of left and right stalk rollers 23, the outer diameter of the cylindrical portions 51 and 55, and the length of the blade portions 63 are designed so that a part of the circular locus TL drawn by the blade portion 63 of the left stalk roller 23 overlaps a part of the circular locus TR drawn by the blade portion 63 of the right stalk roller 23 when they rotate. This prevents the blade portions 63 from cutting the cornstalk.

[0095] Furthermore, in a configuration in which the blade portions 63 are arranged in eight-fold symmetry, a clearance can be easily ensured to avoid collision between the blade portion 63 of the left stalk roller 23 and the blade portion 63 of the right stalk roller 23 .

[0096] By preventing the blade section 63 from cutting the corn stalks, it is possible to prevent the corn bunches from being transported with the cut stalks attached, and it is possible to prevent the stalks that have detached from the corn bunches from remaining inside the harvesting and transporting device 9 or the body of the corn harvester 1.

[0097] The pair of left and right stalk rollers 23 are provided below the pair of left and right receiving plates 22, respectively, and are designed so that two blade portions 63 engage with the cornstalk from each of the left and right sides when the cornstalk enters between the receiving plates 22. With this configuration, a total of four blade portions 63 engage with the cornstalk, so the force applied to the cornstalk by the blade portions 63 can be effectively distributed while the blade portions 63 can effectively pull down the cornstalk. As a result, the corn clusters can be effectively separated from the cornstalk, and retention of cornstalks detached from the corn clusters can be further prevented within the harvesting and conveying device 9 or the body of the corn harvester 1.

[0098] The blade portions 63 may extend radially from the rear shaft portion 44 at equal angular intervals in the radial direction of the rear shaft portion 44 .

[0099] The stalk roller 23 also includes eight blade components 46 arranged around the rear shaft 44 in the rotational direction of the rear shaft 44. Each blade component 46 integrally includes a contact portion 61 that contacts the rear shaft 44 and a plate-shaped overlapping portion 62 that extends radially of the rear shaft 44 from both ends of the contact portion 61 in the rotational direction. The blade portion 63 is formed by overlapping the overlapping portions 62 of blade components 46 that are adjacent in the rotational direction. This configuration can increase the strength of the blade portion 63.

[0100] <Effect 3> The conveying unit frame 111 includes a bottom plate 113 and a rear wall 114 that extends upward from the rear end of the bottom plate 113. A discharge opening 115 is formed through the rear wall 114. An auger 25 is provided above the bottom plate 113 and in front of the rear wall 114 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis that extends in the left-right direction. Corn clusters conveyed rearward by the conveying mechanism 24 are received by the bottom plate 113 of the conveying unit frame 111. Then, as the auger 25 rotates, the corn clusters received by the bottom plate 113 are conveyed on the bottom plate 113 toward the discharge opening 115 and discharged through the discharge opening 115.

[0101] The auger 25 includes an auger shaft 116 rotatably supported by the conveying unit frame 111, and a left auger blade 118 and a right auger blade 119 are formed around the auger shaft 116 in spiral shapes that wind in opposite directions. When the auger shaft 116 rotates, the left auger blade 118 and the right auger blade 119 rotate integrally with the auger shaft 116. Corn clusters received by the bottom plate 113 at a position to the left of the discharge opening 115 are transported to the right by the left auger blade 118, and corn clusters received by the bottom plate 113 at a position to the right of the discharge opening 115 are transported to the left by the right auger blade 119. The left auger blade 118 is formed in the center of the discharge outlet 115 in the left-right direction from the front to the opposite left position, and the right auger blade 119 is formed in the center of the discharge outlet 115 from the front to the opposite right position, so that the corn bunches transported to a position between the left and right opposite positions are sandwiched between the left auger blade 118 and the right auger blade 119, and are discharged through the discharge outlet 115 by the rotation of the left auger blade 118 and the right auger blade 119.

[0102] Therefore, this configuration does not require the raking blades that were required in conventional configurations to discharge the corn clusters from the discharge port. The absence of the raking blades can prevent the corn clusters from being thrown forward by the auger 25. As a result, head loss caused by the corn clusters being thrown forward and falling into the field can be reduced.

[0103] The auger 25 further includes a plate-shaped locking projection 121 that is provided across the circumferential surface of the auger shaft 116 and the right auger blade 119 .

[0104] In a configuration in which the discharge opening 115 is formed to the left of the center in the left-right direction on the rear wall 114, the distance the right auger blade 119 can transport the corn bunches is longer than in a configuration in which the discharge opening 115 is formed in the center in the left-right direction on the rear wall 114. Because the plate-shaped locking protrusion 121 is formed straddling the circumferential surface of the auger shaft 116 and the right auger blade 119, the locking protrusion 121 can lock onto the corn bunches, and as the right auger blade 119 rotates, the corn bunches can be transported smoothly without slipping relative to the right auger blade 119. As a result, the corn bunch transport performance by the auger 25 can be improved.

[0105] <Modification> Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be embodied in other forms.

[0106] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the left facing position where the right end of the left auger blade 118 is located and the right facing position where the left end of the right auger blade 119 is located are the same position in the left-right direction and are also the same as the center of the discharge outlet 115 in the left-right direction. However, the left facing position and the right facing position may be the same position in the left-right direction, but this position may be different from the center of the discharge outlet 115. Furthermore, the left facing position may be located to the left of the center of the discharge outlet 115 in the left-right direction, and the right facing position may be located to the right of the center of the discharge outlet 115 in the left-right direction.

[0107] Furthermore, although the configuration in which the blade portion 63 of the stalk roller 23 extends in the radial direction of the rotation of the stalk roller 23 has been described, the blade portion 63 may extend in a direction inclined relative to the radial direction of the rotation of the stalk roller 23 .

[0108] The blade portion 63 of the stalk roller 23 preferably has eight-fold symmetry, but may also have four-fold, six-fold, or ten-fold or more rotational symmetry.

[0109] Also, the plate component 91 may be omitted.

[0110] In addition, various design modifications can be made to the above-described configuration within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 1: Corn harvester 2: Crawler running device (running device) 4: Engine (power source) 9: Harvesting and transporting device 24: Transport mechanism (transport body) 25: Ogre 73: Conveyor chain (conveyor) 111: Transport unit frame (frame) 113: Bottom plate part 114: Rear wall part 115: Outlet 116: Ogre Axis 118: Left Ogre Feather 119: Right Ogre Feather 121: Locking protrusion

Claims

1. A harvesting and conveying device that is provided at the front end of a corn harvester and that harvests and conveys corn clusters, a carrier that transports corn bunches rearward in the front-to-rear direction of the corn harvester; a frame including a bottom plate portion and a rear wall portion extending upwardly from a rear end of the bottom plate portion in the front-rear direction, the frame receiving the corn bunches transported by the transport body with the bottom plate portion; an auger disposed above the bottom plate portion and in front of the rear wall portion in the front-rear direction, the auger rotating about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction of the corn harvester to discharge the corn bunches received on the bottom plate portion through a discharge opening formed through the rear wall portion, The outlet is formed at a position offset to the left of the center of the rear wall portion in the left-right direction, The auger is an auger shaft extending in the left-right direction and rotatably supported by the frame; a left auger blade spirally disposed around the auger shaft from a left opposing position facing the center of the discharge outlet in the front-rear direction to a left end of the auger shaft in the left-right direction, the left auger blade transporting the corn bunches to the right in the left-right direction; a right auger blade that is spirally wound in the opposite direction to the left auger blade and extends from a right opposite position in the front-rear direction relative to the center of the discharge outlet to a right end of the auger shaft in the left-right direction, the right auger blade winding in the opposite direction to the left auger blade around the auger shaft, and transports the corn bunches to the left in the left-right direction; a plate-shaped engaging protrusion provided across the circumferential surface of the auger shaft and each of the left and right auger blades, the plate-shaped engaging protrusion being engaged with the corn bunch; A harvesting and conveying device in which the number of locking protrusions provided across the circumferential surface of the auger shaft and the right auger blade is greater than the number of locking protrusions provided across the circumferential surface of the auger shaft and the left auger blade.

2. The harvesting and transporting device of claim 1 , wherein the left facing position and the right facing position are the same position in the left-right direction.

3. A rectangular opening is formed in the rear wall portion, a portion of the opening is closed by the bottom plate portion, The harvesting and conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the discharge outlet is a portion of the opening that is not blocked by the bottom plate portion.

4. The aircraft and a pair of left and right traveling devices that support the machine body and are driven by power from a power source provided on the machine body; a harvesting and transporting device provided in front of the machine body and the traveling device, for harvesting and transporting corn bunches, The harvesting and conveying device is a carrier that transports corn bunches rearward in the front-to-rear direction of the corn harvester; a frame including a bottom plate portion and a rear wall portion extending upwardly from a rear end of the bottom plate portion in the front-rear direction, the frame receiving the corn bunches transported by the transport body with the bottom plate portion; an auger disposed above the bottom plate portion and in front of the rear wall portion in the front-rear direction, the auger rotating about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction of the corn harvester to discharge the corn bunches received on the bottom plate portion through a discharge opening formed through the rear wall portion, The outlet is formed at a position offset to the left of the center of the rear wall portion in the left-right direction, The auger is an auger shaft extending in the left-right direction and rotatably supported by the frame; a left auger blade spirally disposed around the auger shaft from a left opposing position facing the center of the discharge outlet in the front-rear direction to a left end of the auger shaft in the left-right direction, the left auger blade transporting the corn bunches to the right in the left-right direction; a right auger blade that is spirally wound in the opposite direction to the left auger blade and extends from a right opposite position in the front-rear direction relative to the center of the discharge outlet to a right end of the auger shaft in the left-right direction, the right auger blade winding in the opposite direction to the left auger blade around the auger shaft, and transports the corn bunches to the left in the left-right direction; a plate-shaped engaging protrusion provided across the circumferential surface of the auger shaft and each of the left and right auger blades, the plate-shaped engaging protrusion being engaged with the corn bunch; A corn harvester, wherein the number of the locking protrusions provided across the circumferential surface of the auger shaft and the right auger blade is greater than the number of the locking protrusions provided across the circumferential surface of the auger shaft and the left auger blade.

5. A rectangular opening is formed in the rear wall portion, a portion of the opening is closed by the bottom plate portion, The corn harvester according to claim 4 , wherein the discharge port is a portion of the opening that is not closed by the bottom plate portion.

Images