Harvesters – Cutting – Reciprocating central cutter
Reexamination Certificate
2002-06-12
2004-08-31
Will, Thomas B. (Department: 3671)
Harvesters
Cutting
Reciprocating central cutter
Reexamination Certificate
active
06782683
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cutting mechanism for harvesters, in particular for self propelled combined harvesters, for harvesting both grain as well as crop with low locating positions.
Such cutting mechanisms are known with selectively rigid or flexible cutter bars and knives in different embodiments. German patent document DE 34 41 209 A1 discloses a universal cutting mechanism which can be used for the grain harvesting and beans harvesting and has two skids which are pivotably connected with the trough of the cutting mechanism through corresponding supporting arms extending in a traveling direction. Both the supporting arms which carry the skids and also the skids are provided with throughgoing openings. Arresting screws extend through these throughgoing openings for grain harvesting and screwed with a threaded sleeve on a carrier of the trough of the cutting mechanism. Thereby no vertical movement of the skids with respect to the trough of the cutting mechanism is possible.
For bean harvesting, the screw connection is released, so that the skids can freely move in correspondence with a respective ground profile upwardly or downwardly. While this cutting mechanism substantially satisfies the functional requirements during harvesting, it also possesses various disadvantages. In particular, a plurality of available problem-sensitive hinge connections cause high maintenance and repair expenses. Moreover, during the conversion of the cutting mechanism to different a great work expense is needed. Due to the two supporting arms which are required for one skid, an additional high weight load is provided for the cutting mechanism. As a result of the unfavorable surface properties the skids, in particular on clay-containing soils, possess bad sliding properties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cutting mechanism for harvesting machines, in which the skids are designed and arranged so that a problem-free operation is guaranteed in all harvesting conditions, and a selection of conversion variants can be performed in a simple manner with low labor expense.
In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in a cutting mechanism for harvesting machines, in which the skids at their rear end are mounted through rigid screw connections directly on the frame parts of the trough of the cutting mechanism, and the skids are liftable and arrestable via a rope device in an upper position and/or the skids are arrestable via at least one pivot hook and at least one cooperating mounting pin in the upper position.
When in the cutting mechanism for harvesting machines the skids are designed in accordance with the present invention and provided with an arresting device in their upper position, a universal application of the cutting mechanism for various crops can be provided with a low manufacturing expense.
With the use of synthetic plastic, with the skids are made self-springy, so that a problematic mechanical hinge connection with the trough of the cutting mechanism is no longer needed.
The non-adhesive surface provides a substantially improved sliding over the field ground, in particular in wet and adhesive ground conditions.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 25194 (1859-08-01), Hawkins
patent: 1451140 (1923-04-01), Brown
patent: 2513703 (1950-07-01), Annis
patent: 2915870 (1959-12-01), Hume
patent: 3324639 (1967-06-01), Halls et al.
patent: 3596454 (1971-08-01), Kluck
patent: 3699754 (1972-10-01), Koch et al.
patent: 3747311 (1973-07-01), DeCoene et al.
patent: 4270337 (1981-06-01), Pinto
patent: 4573308 (1986-03-01), Ehrecke et al.
patent: 4660360 (1987-04-01), Hardesty et al.
patent: 5924270 (1999-07-01), Bruns
patent: 34 41 209 (1986-05-01), None
CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
Striker Michael J.
Torres Alicia
Will Thomas B.
LandOfFree
Cutting mechanism for harvesters does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Cutting mechanism for harvesters, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cutting mechanism for harvesters will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3303833