Abstract: The cylinder supports a series of knives at its outer periphery which extend generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the cylinder, spanning a plurality of supporting bulkheads that are provided with special mounting assemblies which adjustably attach the knives thereto. The knives are positioned in such a way that in order to adjust the radial position of a cutting edge, the knives are adjustably shifted either inwardly or outwardly in a direction that is normal to the plane of the knives being adjusted. As a result of a degree of inherent flexibility of the knives, certain of the attaching points may be adjustably positioned more inwardly or outwardly than others by causing the knives to flex appropriately at the needed locations. Each attaching or mounting assembly includes a pair of threadably interengaged components, one of which shifts inwardly and outwardly upon rotation of the other so as to correspondingly position the proximal knife portion after a clamping bolt has been sufficiently released.

Abstract: The chopping cylinder has knives that extend longitudinally of the axis of rotation of the cylinder and which are twisted in such a way that their longitudinal cutting edges wind generally helically around the periphery of the cylinder so that a scissor-like shearing cut is obtained as the knives move past a cooperating shearbar. Special crop flow directors are bolted to the inner faces of the knives between supporting spiders for the knives so as to intercept the crop flow headed toward the interior of the cylinder following severance and to maintain the same adjacent the outer periphery of the cylinder during the movement of the crop material around and with the cylinder to a point of discharge. Special mounting hardware permits the individual directors to be attached directly to the knives in a manner to increase the efficiency and performance of the cylinder.