Flexing Row Crop Header With Float System for Steep Terrace Slopes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing row crop headers struggle to navigate the steep back-slopes of farmable terraces near large river basins, such as the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, due to their inability to contour effectively, leading to reduced harvesting efficiency and the need for specialized or compromised equipment.
Innovation Solution
A row crop header with a center section and independently pivotal side wing sections, equipped with hydraulic or spring float systems, allows for independent pivotal movement to contour to the field surface, ensuring consistent harvesting height and reducing weight on skid shoe plates to prevent digging, while maintaining efficient crop collection and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a typical header with limited pivotal movement is used, then the header structure is simple and stable, but it cannot contour to steep back-slopes of farmable terraces
Solution Approach 1:
The header is divided into multiple independent sections: a center section and two side wing sections, each capable of independent pivotal movement. This segmentation allows each section to adapt to different terrain contours while maintaining overall header functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The header employs dynamic link mechanisms with upper and lower links that enable the side wing sections to pivot independently relative to the center section. This dynamic configuration allows the header to adapt to varying field contours and steep back-slopes during operation.
2Productivity
If the header is made larger for increased harvesting efficiency, then productivity increases, but it becomes unable to fit into existing back-slopes of farmable terraces
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the header into a center section and side wing sections with independent pivotal capability, the header achieves both large overall size for high productivity and the flexibility to navigate steep back-slopes of farmable terraces.
Solution Approach 2:
The header's effective working parameters change dynamically as the side wing sections pivot to different angles, allowing the same large header to adapt its contouring capability to fit into various back-slope configurations while maintaining harvesting efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the side wing sections are made rigidly coupled to the center section, then the header structure is simpler and more stable, but it cannot independently pivot to follow field contours
Solution Approach 1:
The link mechanism employs dynamic upper and lower links with pivotal connections that enable independent movement of side wing sections while maintaining structural integrity and stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper and lower links serve as intermediary elements between the center section and side wing sections, mediating the independent pivotal movement while maintaining the structural connection and stability of the overall header assembly.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient harvesting on farmable terraces with steep slopes by allowing the header to follow the contour of the field, preventing damage and ensuring consistent crop collection and transport, even on uneven terrain.
Implementation Method 1
equipped with hydraulic or spring float systems
Implementation Method 2
equipped with hydraulic or spring float systems
Implementation Method 3
An upper link is pivotally coupled between the center section and each one of the side wing sections adjacent the top portion and upper support beam. A lower link is pivotally coupled between the center section and each one of the side wing sections adjacent the bottom portion and lower support beam.
Data Source
AI summary
A row crop header for harvesting crop in a field comprises a header frame having a center section and a pair of side wing sections operatively coupled to the center section. An upper link is pivotally coupled between the center section and each one of the side wing sections adjacent the top portion thereof. A lower link is pivotally coupled between the center section and each one of the side wing sections adjacent the bottom portion thereof. The upper links and lower links provide independent pivotal movement of the side wing sections relative to the center section to contour to the surface of the field of crops to be harvested. An automatic float system is operatively coupled between the center section and each one of the side wing sections to adjust the weight of the side wing sections on the surface of the field and allow the side wing sections to float relative to the center section.