Abstract: A bat tube for use with a harvester pick-up reel. The bat tube is configured to resist torsional loads, without having to use fasteners that engage holes in the bat tube. Preferably, the external surface of the bat tube provides at least one key or keyway that engages a corresponding keyway or key in the band or strap portion of the tines. As such, once a tine is engaged with the bat tube, the tine is generally prevented from rotating about the bat tube. Additionally, by not using fasteners to engage holes in the bat tube, spacing between the tines can be varied. The bat tube allows for tine fastening and torsional resistance without drilling or punching holes, which allows for easily variable tine spacings. It also allows for improved crop gathering and crop entry characteristics over a typical round profile.

Abstract: A tine for use with a harvester. The tine is preferably an injection molded polymer pickup reel tine, which uses a front-to-rear mold parting line direction. The tine preferably has a snap ring or strap portion which is configured to engage a bat tube, as well as a finger portion which is configured to engage the crop during harvesting. Preferably, the front-to-rear parting line is along both portions. The front-to-rear parting line allows for the ability to provide a deep front-to-rear cross section for rigidity at the high stress area of the tine. Two front-to-rear material saving features can be utilized to minimize material usage and allow for relative consistent wall thickness, which results in a rigid cross section that maintains deflection stability in the normal direction of deflection.

Abstract: A cam follower design wherein a cam track is provided proximate one or both ends of a harvester pick-up reel. Cam followers travel along the cam track as the pick-up reel rotates to move crop into the harvester. At least one roller of each cam follower engages and rolls along an interior edge surface of the cam track, and at least one other roller of each cam follower engages and rolls along an exterior edge surface of the cam track. The rollers are preferably engaged with a carrier member which is linked to a corresponding bat tube. Each cam follower preferably also includes at least one over center stop which is configured to maintain the intended radial position of the bat tube.

Abstract: A bat tube support arm design for use with a pick-up reel of a harvester. The design connects tangentially, rather than radially, to a center support tube of the pick-up reel. The design comprises a plurality of structures, each of which supports a plurality of bat tubes. The structures collectively share the drive load of the pick-up reel, thereby allowing lighter materials to be used and providing an overall design which is stronger than conventional designs. The number of fasteners is reduced or minimized, thereby also reducing the labor required to assemble. The structures may comprise two triangular or square structures, wherein a first structure connects tangentially to the center support tube, and a second structure connects to the first structure.

Abstract: A cam track adjustment mechanism for use with the pick-up reel of a harvester. A cam track is provided which is rotatably adjustable about an axis which is spaced away from the fixed axis of rotation of the pick-up reel. The two axes may be generally horizontally aligned relative to each other. Preferably, the cam track is rotatable around a point away from the fixed reel axis and generally on the horizontal plane of the rotational path, and is positioned so an arc from it to the entry and exit cam path is generally concentric. As such, tine angularity is less effected in these areas as a result of adjusting the cam track. With this type of timing or pitch adjustment, tine angularity can be changed in the crop gathering portion of the rotational path with minimized effect in the crop entry and exit portions of the rotational path.

Abstract: A non-split bearing design for use with a harvester pick-up reel. In one specific embodiment, the outer member directly engages the inner member. In another embodiment, the bearing is provided as being an interchangeable roller bearing, and in that case there is preferably an intermediate member which is disposed between the outer member and the inner member. Regardless, providing that the bearing is non-split provides that the design is simplified, as well as provides that the inner bore, i.e., the bore which engages the bat tube, can be more easily controlled, thereby reducing or even eliminating service requirements.

Abstract: A bat tube for use with a harvester pick-up reel. The bat tube is configured to resist torsional loads, without having to use fasteners that engage holes in the bat tube. Preferably, the external surface of the bat tube provides at least one key or keyway that engages a corresponding keyway or key in the band or strap portion of the tines. As such, once a tine is engaged with the bat tube, the tine is generally prevented from rotating about the bat tube. Additionally, by not using fasteners to engage holes in the bat tube, spacing between the tines can be varied. The bat tube allows for tine fastening and torsional resistance without drilling or punching holes, which allows for easily variable tine spacings. It also allows for improved crop gathering and crop entry characteristics over a typical round profile.

Abstract: A tine for use with a harvester. The tine is preferably an injection molded polymer pickup reel tine, which uses a front-to-rear mold parting line direction. The tine preferably has a snap ring or strap portion which is configured to engage a bat tube, as well as a finger portion which is configured to engage the crop during harvesting. Preferably, the front-to-rear parting line is along both portions. The front-to-rear parting line allows for the ability to provide a deep front-to-rear cross section for rigidity at the high stress area of the tine. Two front-to-rear material saving features can be utilized to minimize material usage and allow for relative consistent wall thickness, which results in a rigid cross section that maintains deflection stability in the normal direction of deflection.