Harvesters – Cornstalk type – Cutters
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-14
2001-10-02
Pezzuto, Robert E. (Department: 3671)
Harvesters
Cornstalk type
Cutters
C056S001000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295796
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method of removing selected rows of corn out of a corn field which is particularly important for removing male rows of corn in a field of seed corn. The female seed corn rows are left undamaged, as a harvester passes over the top of the seed corn. Seed corn is grown with one or two rows of a male corn which pollinate three to five rows of the female seed corn. Once the pollination occurs, the male corn is unwanted and can cause contamination of the species of corn.
To prevent contamination of new hybrids of seed corn, the male corn rows are often removed or mowed down. Mowing the corn leaves the possibility of future contamination of the breed, due to debris left in the field. Complete removal of the male rows is currently done only by hand cutting. The present invention allows for the quick, complete method of removal of the male rows at a lower cost. The corn can be stored in a bin on the harvester, after being cut and chopped. The cut corn is also an excellent source of silage for livestock.
The male rows of seed corn make up approximately one-fifth of the corn in the field, which can now be saved with this invention. A readily available source of feed would make livestock production more cost effective in corn producing areas.
Recent advances in the science of corn breeding make it more critical to have a purer breed. Male corn from the previous year could produce unwanted hybrids in the seed corn, ruining the benefits of the seed corn operation. As farming becomes more precise and efficient, the need for better and newer harvesting methods arises. This invention is the next increase in the developing precision of the science of seed corn farming.
There are no known inventions that utilize this method of selectively cutting rows of corn. Currently, male seed corn rows are removed by hand cutting. No other method is known.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method of removing corn with a harvester that removes selective rows out of the field. A harvester would be used which has a frame high enough to ride above the tops of the corn. Cutting, chopping, and blowing units are mounted on the sides of the harvester to remove single or double rows of corn.
The harvester is driven with the wheels between the rows of corn, to prevent damage to the corn. The harvester is driven through the seed corn field where the cutting units line up with the male rows of corn, where the male corn is taken into the cutting units, chopped, and the cut corn is transported up and into the bin at the back of the harvester. The harvester frame will drive above the three to five rows of seed corn that will remain in the field until the harvest. This requires approximately five (5) feet of ground clearance in the central portion of the frame.
The invention allows the farmer and the seed corn company to remove the male rows without damaging the seed corn rows. Rather than discharging the cut corn onto the ground where it could cause future contamination, the process can remove the plants and store them in a bin. The cut corn can be used as forage to feed cattle and other livestock. Currently, seed corn companies are paying farmers to mow down the male rows, or remove the male rows by hand cutting. The present invention completely removes the male rows, providing the cleanest field for the seed corn companies and the breeding stock. It also provides a large quantity of corn forage for livestock. This harvester creates a new product that has never been utilized.
An object of the invention is to provide a method to selectively remove the male rows from a seed corn field with a harvester. The harvester includes cutters on both sides of the invention to cut and chop, one or two rows of male corn. The chopped corn is then blown up, into a bin at the rear of the invention. In the preferred embodiment, the bin can be emptied by raising, and dumping the bin.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3673775 (1972-07-01), Jones
patent: 4223846 (1980-09-01), Priepke et al.
patent: 4236369 (1980-12-01), Decoene
patent: 5105609 (1992-04-01), Covington et al.
Berns Michael
Berns Law Office
Pezzuto Robert E.
LandOfFree
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