Abstract: A stripper plate having for use with a corn head row unit includes a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion is substantially flat such that the lateral surface of the front portion is parallel to the ground surface. The rear portion is integrally formed with the first portion and is beveled downward toward the ground surface. The interface between the front portion and the rear portion may be a gradually beveled area wherein the downward slope of the stripper plate increases along its length from the front thereof to the rear thereof.

Abstract: This row unit utilizes an improved multi-zone, multi-functional stalk roll, which contains a novel revolving entry window to improve entry and increase engagement of the fluted portion of the stalk roll flutes with the corn stalk. The stalk rolls described are multi-sectional and contain multi-length variable flutes. The number of flutes described for each zone may vary as well as whether the flutes are meshing or non-meshing and angled or non-angled. The stalk rolls described allow a constant speed drive shaft to create lower and/or higher effective circumferential contact speeds within each zone of the stalk roll. The invention provides that the rotating transport vanes located on the helical nose cone at the entry area to the stalk roll flutes lock the corn stalk into a revolving entry window. This novel row unit contains a multi-zone, multi-functional stripper plate that ensures minimal ear wedging and maximum discharge of material other than ears.

Abstract: A stalk roll to be mounted upon a stalk roll drive shaft of a corn harvesting header is disclosed. In one embodiment, the stalk roll comprises a cylindrical shell, at least four flutes affixed to and extending radially from said cylindrical shell, wherein said flutes are arranged in a first group and a second group, wherein said first group and said second group contain an equal number of said flutes, and wherein a peripheral distance between said first group and said second group is greater than a peripheral distance between said flutes within either said first group or said second group.

Abstract: The invention provides four (4) methods to reduce stalk shear in a corn head row unit that utilizes a non-variable or dependent drive system. The four methods described include altering the gearbox ratio, increasing the lengths of the fluted portion of the stalk roll, increasing stalk roll diameter or reducing the size of the gathering chain drive sprocket. The invention allows for a more balanced application of multi directional energy to be applied to the corn plant. The resultant effect is to reduce stalk shear which reduces trash intake to the harvester. This novel idea provides the first means and method to which genetically improved taller and healthier corn plants can be harvested with minimal amounts of material other than ears ultimately being transferred to the threshing unit.

Abstract: The corn harvesting unit and the attachment modifications for connection to the threshing unit provide an improved flow of material from the row to the threshed grain in the combine. These modifications of structure and the resultant spatial changes to the variety of the conveying systems used from the row to the grain tank of the combine result in a novel and more efficient harvesting machine. The spatial relationship between the powered and the un-powered conveying systems moving in different directions permits improved flow and flow rates reducing plugging and power consumption. Material is lifted through a lesser angle of the inclined plane from the ground to thresher unit. In operation a smooth uninterrupted flow of material from the row unit to the cross auger through the dead space (energy wise) to the retrieving area of the feeder house is provided for.

Abstract: The invention provides four (4) methods to reduce stalk shear in a corn head row unit that utilizes a non-variable or dependent drive system. The four methods described include altering the gearbox ratio, increasing the lengths of the fluted portion of the stalk roll, increasing stalk roll diameter or reducing the size of the gathering chain drive sprocket. The invention allows for a more balanced application of multi directional energy to be applied to the corn plant. The resultant effect is to reduce stalk shear which reduces trash intake to the harvester. This novel idea provides the first means and method to which genetically improved taller and healthier corn plants can be harvested with minimal amounts of material other than ears ultimately being transferred to the threshing unit.

Abstract: The corn head apparatus and method of manufacture claimed and disclosed herein allows the user to disconnect the choice of corn head manufacturer from the choice of combine. As disclosed herein, manufacturing productivity is increased by substantially standardizing the methodology and apparatus necessary to attach combine heads to different combine makers. Furthermore, the corn harvesting unit and the attachment modifications for connection to the threshing unit provide an improved flow of material from the row to the threshed grain in the combine. These modifications of structure and the resultant spatial changes to the variety of the conveying systems used from the row unit through the combine increase harvest efficiency. The disclosed spatial relationship between the conveying systems permits improved flow and flow rates.

Abstract: This patent describes stalk rolls for use in corn head row units. The environmentally friendly stalk rolls improve entry and increase engagement of the fluted portion of the stalk roll with the corn stalk. The stalk rolls described are multi-sectional and contain multi-length variable flutes. The various embodiments of the penetrating stalk rolls may be mounted with or without nose bearings. The number of flutes described for each zone may vary as well as whether the flutes are meshing or non-meshing and angled or non-angled. The stalk rolls described allow a constant speed drive shaft to create lower and/or higher effective circumferential contact speeds within each zone of the stalk roll. The stalk rolls described work to allow smooth uninterrupted improved flow of corn stalk material through the ear separation chamber and are designed to be environmentally friendly by ensuring that the corn plant remains connected to its original root system which prevents it from blowing or washing away.

Abstract: This row unit utilizes an improved multi-zone, multi-functional stalk roll, which contains a novel revolving entry window to improve entry and increase engagement of the fluted portion of the stalk roll flutes with the corn stalk. The stalk rolls described are multi-sectional and contain multi-length variable flutes. The number of flutes described for each zone may vary as well as whether the flutes are meshing or non-meshing and angled or non-angled. The stalk rolls described allow a constant speed drive shaft to create lower and/or higher effective circumferential contact speeds within each zone of the stalk roll. The invention provides that the rotating transport vanes located on the helical nose cone at the entry area to the stalk roll flutes lock the corn stalk into a revolving entry window. This novel row unit contains a multi-zone, multi-functional stripper plate that ensures minimal ear wedging and maximum discharge of material other than ears.

Abstract: The novel invention provides a smooth, continuous, positive uninterrupted flow of more material with less congestion and even feeding of the harvested crop from the row unit to the cross auger to the retrieving area of the feeder house. More efficient harvesting at higher speeds is now possible in both ideal and adverse conditions. This novel corn harvesting unit strategically shapes the floor of the lateral conveying chamber as a convex, non-radius or nonconcaved surface. The new floor surfaces more nearly conform to the natural glide path of the material exiting the row units while retaining maximum allowable elevation imparted by the row units or a first conveyor system. The novel arrangement of floor, planes and added novel directional vanes combined with a changed spatial relationship between the powered and umpowered conveying chambers or systems will also encourage the harvested material to better disengage from the transverse cross auger flighting and change direction.

Abstract: The corn harvesting unit and the attachment modifications for connection to the threshing unit provide an improved flow of material from the row to the threshed grain in the combine. These modifications of structure and the resultant spatial changes to the variety of the conveying systems used from the row to the grain tank of the combine result in a novel and more efficient harvesting machine. The novel spatial relationship between the powered and the unpowered conveying systems moving in different directions will permit improved flow and flow rate with less plugging while using less power. This invention also provides a smooth uninterrupted flow of material from the row unit to the cross auger, thence through the dead space (energy wise) to the retrieving area of the feeder house. More efficient harvesting at higher speed is possible as the amount of material is lifted through a lesser angle of the inclined plane from ground to thresher unit.

Abstract: This corn harvesting row unit, which can be assembled into a corn header capable of efficiently harvesting individual rows of corn regardless of the row width. This improvement or novel structure is configured to reduce the number of moving parts required for the efficient harvesting of corn and in addition reduces the power requirements. This novel corn unit will assemble as a corn head with any number of rows and wherein each row unit is capable of harvesting, individually the planted row assigned to it. This novel corn row unit permits the efficient gathering of narrow row, larger spacing corn populations, as well as wider rows and closer spacing populations. Efficient harvesting of narrow row corn has not been possible prior to this invention which is universal in that it can handle any row width.