Crop residue spreader

Details Crop residue spreader Crop residue spreader

1999-08-06

2001-05-29

Will, Thomas B. (Department: 3671)

Crop threshing or separating

Straw chaff spreader or handling

C460S112000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06238286

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a crop residue spreader for a combine and in particular to a spreader that is pivotally mounted to the combine for movement between a spreading position and a windrowing position.
2. Description of the Related Art
Management of crop residue, i.e. straw and chaff, at the time of harvesting is becoming of greater importance with the increased use of reduced tillage or no-tillage farming practices. By widely dispersing the crop residue, as opposed to dropping the residue in a narrow width row immediately behind the combine, the residue is more evenly distributed across the ground. This produces benefits during the spring planting season including greater uniformity in soil temperature and greater uniformity in ground conditions for operation of seeding equipment. It is known to spread the residue at the rear of the combine with one or two rotating disks. The rotating disks disperse the residue over a wide area behind the combine. Such spreaders work well as long as the operator desires to spread the residue. If the operator wishes to windrow the residue for later collection, it is often necessary to remove the spreader to provide a clear path for the crop residue to fall to the ground. This is a time consuming process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a spreader that is movably mounted to the combine for movement between a spreading position in which the crop residue is dispersed and an inoperative windrowing position in which the crop residue is dropped from the combine in a narrow width windrow.
The spreader of the present invention has one, or preferably two, rotating disks mounted to a frame at the rear of the combine. The disks have raised radial ribs to engage and disperse the crop residue as they rotate. The rotating disks also act as a fan, creating airflow to further propel the residue. The frame is rotatably mounted to the combine for rotation about a transverse pivot axis. The frame and disks are pivoted to a raised position in which the crop residue is able to drop from the combine in front of the spreader. A top shroud is carried by the frame and spaced above the disks to prevent upward dispersal of the residue. In addition, side shrouds extend laterally outward from the top shroud, beyond the combine side sheets to control the distribution of the residue. Front shrouds are mounted to the combine forward of the side shrouds and outboard of the side sheets.
Gas assist cylinders are provided to urge the spreader to the raised, windrowing position. A hold down latch acts in opposition to the gas assist cylinders to retain the spreader in the spreading position.


REFERENCES:
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patent: 5976011 (1999-11-01), Hartman
patent: 0212337 (1987-03-01), None

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