Title of Invention

SUGAR CANE HARVESTER

Abstract

A sugar cane harvester(1) has a cutting mechanism which utilizes pairs of cutting disks and does not require synchronization of the cutting disks(6). Each of the cutting disks (6) has a revolving cutter (6<SUP>1) mounted on its circumference. The cutters (6<SUP>1) are formed from saw-toothed, concatenated arcuate segments (6<SUP>11) which are removably mounted on the cutting disks (6). The arcuate segments (6<SUP>1) of each pair of cooperating cutting disks (6) overlap slightly where the two disks (6) meet and are slightly eccentrically arranged one the cutting disks (6) such that the external boundary line of the circumference of the segments tapers off from a maximum to a minimum.

Full Text

The prasvnt invention relates generally to agricultural machinary and, more particularly, to an improved sugar cane harvester. It it known from US. Pat No. 4,098,060 that pairs of cutting djsks required to cut sugar cane should be fitted with radially projecting blade5 arranged at intervatervals otain a dean cut, the rotation of each pair of cutting disks must be exactly synchnanized. This synchronization raquires a structurally complex and fina SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It Is an object of the present invention to faclitable a less expensive and more functionally secure cutting mechanism to harvest sugar cane. Another object is to simplify the construction of the cutting disks In a sugar cane harvester. According the invention provides sugar came harvester with at least one Trent side pair of co-operating cutting disks with connecting feed rake and comminution device, cleaning fan and discharge conveyor, characterized In that the cutting disks rotating without synchronous co-ordination are each limited In their circumferences by a revolving cutter. The present lnvention provides a sugar cane harvester comprised of a system of cooperating cutting disks, a comminution device which crushes cut stalks of sugar cane, a connecting feed rake which transfers the cut stalks of sugar cane from the cutting disks to the comminution device, at least one cleaning fen which separates chaff that is produced by the comminution of the cut stalks, a discharge conveyer which removes the chaff from the harvester, at least one pair of cooperating cutting disks which rotate without synchronous coordination to cut stalks of sugar cane and a cutter mounted to the circumference of each of the cutting disks. These and other objects, aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taking in conjunction the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPITION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS Reference is now made more particularly to the drawings which illustrade the beat presently known mode of carrying out the Invention and wherein similar reference characters lndlcate the same parts throughout the views. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the front section of a self-propelled sugar cane harvester. FIG. 2 is a top view of two co-operating cutting disks. FIG. 3 is a front view, in partial section, of the FIG. 2 cutting disks. DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 depicts a self-propelled sugar cane harvester 1, having an operator"s cab 2, a rotor divider 3 rotating at the front, and a top cutting tool 4. A plurality of bearing brackets 5 are mounted at the front of the harvester and each accommodate a rotatable cutting disk 6, which cooperate in pairs for each row of sugar cane. FIG. 2 shows the construction of the cutting disks 6. The outer circumference of each cutting disk is defined by a revolving cutter 6". The cutters 6" are comprised of a plurality of saw-toothed, concatenated arcuate segments 6". These arcuate segments are removably attached to the cutting disks 6 by bolts, or similar removable connectors 13. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer peripheries of the arcuate segments of each pan- of cooperating cutting disks 6 overlap slightly at a tangent point of the two cutting disks. For this purpose, the cooperating cutting disks 6 are offset slightly in a vertical direction as shown in FIG. 3. In addition, the arrangement of the arcuate segments 6" may be slightly eccentric, in that the external boundary tine of their circumference tapers off from a maximum to a minimum. This arrangement results in a more effective conveyance of the cut stalks. Cut stalks of sugar cane are fed by a feed rake 7 formed by pairs of rollers 7 to a comminution device 8 where the stalks are crushed. In one embodiment, the comminution device 8 is in the form of a pair of chopper drums fitted with blades. The comminution device 8 produces chaff which is discarded from the harvester I. An elevator 9 carries the cut stalks through a cleaning chamber 11 where the chaff is separated from the cut stalks by air flow from two fans 12. From there, the elevator 9 carries the chaff into a discharge conveyor 10 which is convenlently turned to the side of the harvester. Finally, the dischaFIGe conveyor 10 removes the chaff from the harvester. Other objects, features and advantages will be apparent to those skilled In the art. While a preferred embodimeit of the present invention has been illustrated and described, this has been by way of illustratton and the invention should not be limited except as required by the scope of the appended claims. We Claim; 1. Suger cane harvester with at least one front-side pair of co-operating cutting disks with connecting feed rake and comminution device, dearing fans and discharge conveyor, characterized in that the cutting disks (6) rotating without synchronous co-ordination are each limted in their circumference by a revolving cutter (6). 2. Harvester as claimed In claim 1, wherein each cutter 6" is of saw-toothed construction. 3. Harvester as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein the cutters (6") of the cutting disks (6) are formed by concatenated arcuate segments (6), which for their part are replaceably attached to the disk cutters (6). 4. Harvester as claimed in Claims 1 to 3 wherein the arcuate aegments (6) of the cutters (6) are slightly eccentrically arranged on the cutting disks (6) In such a way that the external boundary line of their circumference tapers off from a maximum to a minimum. 5. Sugar cane harvester, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Documents:

1024-mas-1999 abstract.pdf

1024-mas-1999 claims duplicate.pdf

1024-mas-1999 claims.pdf

1024-mas-1999 correspondence others.pdf

1024-mas-1999 correspondence po.pdf

1024-mas-1999 description (complete) duplicate.pdf

1024-mas-1999 description (complete).pdf

1024-mas-1999 drawings duplicate.pdf

1024-mas-1999 drawings.pdf

1024-mas-1999 form-1.pdf

1024-mas-1999 form-19.pdf

1024-mas-1999 form-26.pdf

1024-mas-1999 form-3.pdf

1024-mas-1999 others.pdf

1024-mas-1999 petition.pdf