Abstract: A sugar cane harvester in which the base cutting assembly is configured and mounted to the harvester so as to allow convenient removal and/or servicing of the base cutting assembly. The base cutting assembly has a gearbox which extends across the space between the side walls, above a path along which the sugar cane is caused to move, and which projects beyond at least one of the side walls; a pair of drive shafts which extend downwardly from the gearbox in the space between the side walls, with each of the drive shafts carrying base cutting blades; and a motor for driving the base cutting assembly which is mounted to the outwardly projecting part of the gearbox. The base cutting assembly may be mounted to one or both of the side walls, preferably with fasteners and onto a mounting provided on the side walls. One or both of the side walls may have a cut-away portion which allows the base cutting assembly to be withdrawn laterally from between the side walls for servicing.

Abstract: A base cutter assembly (16) of a sugarcane harvester (10) in which the accumulation of trash around the drive shaft (32) of the base cutter assembly (16) is prevented. The base cutter assembly (16) is provided with a shaped drive shaft (32) which causes the trash which in use is wrapped around the shaft, to migrate towards an intermediate portion (40) of the drive shaft (32); and a cleaning means (34) positioned adjacent the intermediate portion (40) and adapted to remove the trash which builds up at the intermediate portion (40). The cleaning means may be in the form of a rotatable wheel (42) which is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft (32).

Abstract: There is provided an improved elevator control and slewing mechanism for a cane harvester including a bracket pivotally mounted to the harvester frame for rotation about a first vertical axis to which the elevator is mounted, a pair of slew control arms each of which includes two links which are pivotally joined to one another to form an elbow joint rotatable about a second vertical axis and means to pivotally couple one of the links of each pair to the harvester frame and the other one of each pair to the bracket and means for slewing the elevator about the first vertical axis.

Abstract: A crop transporter comprising a main frame, a bin support frame attached to the main frame and a bin connected to the bin support frame. An elevator has an entrance area located in the forward portion of the bin with the elevator extending forwardly and upwardly from the entrance area to a discharge area. A cross conveyor is located substantially normal to the elevator and below and adjacent to the discharge area of the elevator. The cross conveyor is connected to the bin support frame and is movable therewith.

Abstract: A trencher comprising a digger located adjacent the rearward wheels, which pair of wheels are driven hydraulically and which have an open area between them into which the digger may be partially positioned. The forward wheels of the trencher are steerable by use of a self-locking angular adjustment mechanism. A hydraulic circuit which includes a pressure relief valve provides substantially constant pressure on the chain of the digger. A locking mechanism is provided for the forward wheels when initiating the cutting action of the digger.

Abstract: A trencher comprising a main frame. The main frame includes a pair of longitudinal, relatively narrow frame members spaced a distance apart and have a forward and rearward end. A first liquid carrying tank is mounted adjacent the rearward end of the trencher and extends between the frame members. The tank is operable to bear a significant structural load and to act as a cross member for the frame.

Abstract: A sugar cane harvester is disclosed in which chopped crop is conveyed from a chopping mechanism to a cleaning mechanism. The cleaning mechanism includes an extractor fan positioned in an upper portion of a cleaning cylinder and a substantially unobstructed air intake surrounding the periphery of the cleaning cylinder. The air intake draws air in a generally downward direction through the air intake and into the cleaning cylinder, and upwardly through a substantial portion of the crop after the crop exits from the chopping mechanism. Debris is expelled upwardly through the extractor fan, while cleaned crop drops into an elevator for transportation away from the cleaning mechanism. A energy absorbing plate is mounted in the cleaning area to contact crop billets as the billets leave the chopping mechanism. The plate is adjustably mounted to contact greater or lesser amounts of the crop after the crop passes through the chopping means.