HEADER WITH HIGH SPEED SICKLE DRIVES FOR A PLANT CUTTING MACHINE
A header for a plant cutting machine uses a plurality of compact sickle drive mechanisms incorporated into or beneath a floor or pan of the header at a location between and spaced from the sides or ends of the header, each of which mechanisms can be configured for reciprocatingly driving two knife assemblies disposed in end to end relation, in opposite directions, such that potentially vibratory forces, including those generated by the moving masses of the knife assemblies, at least substantially cancel one another and thus are not transferred to structure of the header. As a result, the knife assemblies can each be relatively short, to lessen the mass thereof so as to be capable of being operated at higher speeds, to enable operation of the header at faster ground speeds.
This invention relates generally to a header for a plant cutting machine such as a combine or a windrower, and more particularly, to a header including a plurality of compact epicyclic drive mechanisms disposed at locations along the width thereof and connected in driving relation to knife assemblies of a sickle of the header, the drive mechanisms being adapted for high speed operation, for enabling operation of the header at high ground speed.
BACKGROUND ARTAgricultural combines have increased in capacity to harvest large quantities of crop material to such a degree that it is becoming desirable to have the capability to increase the ground speed of the combine to match header productivity with the increased combine capacity. Generally, the maximum ground speed of a header is considered to be the greatest speed at which the cutting sickle of the header will not strip and leave crop on the field. This, in turn, is a function of the speed of reciprocating movement of the knife assembly or assemblies of the sickle, which is typically expressed in terms of strokes per minute of the knife assemblies. Generally in this regard, the more strokes per minute of the knife assembly of a sickle, the greater its crop cutting capacity, and thus the greater ground speed achievable using that sickle. However, the maximum achievable strokes per minute of a sickle has been found to be a function of the mass of the knife assembly being moved in the reciprocating manner. Presently, for grain headers having a width of about 40 feet, the sickle will include two knife assemblies having a width of about 20 feet each. For a header of 30 feet, two knife assemblies of about 15 feet each will typically be used. These knife assemblies are typically operated at maximum speeds of up to about 1300 strokes per minute. This translates to a maximum ground speed of about 7 miles per hour without stripping.
In contrast to the above-discussed sickles of grain headers, sickles of some known windrowers can be operated at maximum speeds of up to about 2000 strokes per minute. This provides a correspondingly higher ground speed capability, of approximately 11 miles per hour. However, the knife assemblies of these sickles are relatively short, having maximum widths of only about 9 feet. A windrow sickle utilizing dual knife assembly drives will be twice this length. As a result, these knife assemblies have a mass that is only a fraction of that of a knife assembly of a 30 foot wide grain header, and even less than that of a 40 foot wide header, hence the greater maximum speed achievable.
Presently, the knife assemblies of the known large headers of plant cutting machines are driven from the side or end of the header by an oscillating drive, which can include, but is not limited to, an eccentric shaft on a rotating hub, a wobble drive, or a similar well known commercially available device. This location is advantageous, as it does not obstruct or interfere with flow of cut crop material into the header. However, it also a disadvantage for wider headers, as it requires the knife assemblies to have a length of at least one half the width of the header, and thus a greater mass, which in turn, requires a lower operating speed.
Thus, what is sought is a header of an agricultural cutting machine, such as a combine or windrower, and particularly a wide header 30 feet or more wide, which has a sickle operable at a higher cutting speed of at least about 1600 strokes per minute, to allow harvesting at higher ground speeds, and which overcomes one or more of the shortcomings and disadvantages referenced above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONWhat is disclosed is a header of an agricultural cutting machine, such as a combine or windrower, and particularly a wide header 30 feet or more wide, which has a sickle operable at a higher cutting speed of at least about 1600 strokes per minute, to allow harvesting at higher ground speeds, and which overcomes one or more of the shortcomings and disadvantages referenced above.
According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the header includes an elongate structure having a first end portion, a second end portion opposite the first end portion, an elongate forward edge portion extending between the first and second end portions, and an at least generally upwardly facing floor extending along the elongate forward edge portion between the first and second end portions. The header includes an elongate first knife assembly supported by the structure adjacent to a first portion of the forward edge portion thereof for longitudinal movement therealong, and an elongate second knife assembly supported by the structure adjacent to a second portion of the forward edge portion thereof for longitudinal movement therealong in generally end to end relation to the first knife assembly. A first sickle drive mechanism is also supported on the structure and includes a first epicyclic drive connected in driving relation to the first knife assembly and operable for reciprocatingly moving the first knife assembly relative to and along the first forward edge portion of the structure, and a second epicyclic drive connected in driving relation to the second knife assembly and operable for reciprocatingly moving the second knife assembly relative to and along the second forward edge portion of the structure. The first sickle drive mechanism is preferably disposed at least partially beneath a portion of the floor spaced from the first and second and portions of the structure, such that cut crop material will flow easily, and uninterrupted thereover.
The header additionally preferably includes an elongate third knife assembly supported by the structure adjacent to a third portion of the forward edge portion thereof for longitudinal movement therealong, and an elongate fourth knife assembly supported by the structure adjacent to a fourth portion of the forward edge portion thereof for longitudinal movement therealong in generally end to end relation to the third knife assembly. A second sickle drive mechanism supported on the structure includes a third epicyclic drive connected in driving relation to the third knife assembly and is operable for reciprocatingly moving the third knife assembly relative to and along the third forward edge portion of the structure, and a fourth epicyclic drive is connected in driving relation to the fourth knife assembly and is operable for reciprocatingly moving the fourth knife assembly relative to and along the fourth forward edge portion of the structure, the second sickle drive mechanism also preferably being disposed at least partially beneath a portion of the floor spaced from the first and second and portions of the structure.
According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the knife assemblies are each from about 7 feet to about 12 feet in width. And, according to another preferred aspect, each of the epicyclic drives is operable for reciprocatingly moving the knife assembly connected thereto at a speed of at least about 1600 strokes per minute, and more preferably within a range of from about 1600 to about 2000 strokes per minute. As a result, greater ground speeds can be achieved.
According to still another preferred aspect of the invention, the two epicyclic drives of each sickle drive mechanism are mounted in side by side relation, and are connected in timed reciprocatingly driving relation to the two knife assemblies, respectively, for simultaneously moving the knife assemblies reciprocatingly in opposite sideward directions. The timing causes the elements of the respective drives to eccentrically rotate in timed relation, such that radial forces generated by imbalances of the respective elements are at least substantially cancelled, resulting in the net overall forces and vibrations emanating from the two drives and knife assemblies being greatly reduced or even substantially eliminated.
According to a still further preferred aspect of the invention, each sickle drive mechanism is configured such that the two epicyclic drives are jointly driven by a common drive, preferably in timed relation one to the other using a timing belt drive, chain drive and/or gear drive. The common drive can be a motor, such as a fluid or electric motor, a PTO shaft, or the like.
As examples according to the invention, for wider headers, for instance, having a width of from about 36 to about 40 feet, it is contemplated that the two knife assemblies driven by each sickle drive mechanism will extend about one half the width of the header. And, still further, it is contemplated according to the invention, that a header could include additional knife assemblies and sickle drive mechanisms, either to accommodate a greater header width, or to allow use of shorter knife assemblies for achieving greater cutting speeds.
Turning now to the drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention are shown, in
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A first compact sickle drive mechanism 66A constructed and operable according to the teachings of the present invention, is connected in driving relation to first and second cutter bar assemblies 44A and 44B, and a second compact sickle drive mechanism 66B is connected in driving relation to third and fourth cutter bar assemblies 44C and 44D. Sickle drive mechanisms 66A and 66B are also identical in construction. Sickle drive mechanism 66A is illustrated in
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Drive mechanism 66A includes a first epicyclic drive 76 connected in driving relation to first knife head driver element 68, and a second epicyclic drive 78 connected in driving relation to second knife head driver element 70, epicyclic drives 76 and 78 being contained in a compact common housing 80 of drive mechanism 66A mounted, for instance, on frame 58 of header 22. It is contemplated and preferred that compact sickle drive mechanism 66A, and mechanism 66B also, be incorporated in or beneath floor 28 of header 22, sufficiently such that cut plant material, particularly crops, cut by those portions of cutter bar assemblies 44A and 44B forwardly of drive mechanism 66A will be able to relatively smoothly and uninterruptedly flow over and around drive mechanism 66A so as to enter a plant or crop flow area 82 above floor 28, and so as to subsequently be conveyed, for instance, by reel 34 and auger 36, to the inlet of feeder 26 of combine 20. To facilitate this, drive mechanism 66A is vertically compact, preferably having a vertical extent of no more than about six inches, and is preferably disposed beneath and covered by a smooth, low profile, streamlined upper cover 84 which preferably is of sheet metal or similar construction and forms a part of floor 28 and top surface 38 thereof at the center of header 22. Cover 84 preferably has a forwardly facing slot or slots through which driver elements 68 and 70 extend, but which slots are sufficiently narrow to as to at least substantially prevent passage of cut plant material through the slot or slots and into the interior of cover 84. Here, it should be noted that epicyclic drives 76 and 78 each preferably includes an upper bearing assembly 86 (deleted in
In
Knife assemblies 60 are preferably reciprocatingly driven in timed relation by the respective epicyclic drives 76 and 78 so as to move in opposite sideward directions, such that forces generated by the moving masses of the knife assemblies are at least substantially contained within the structure of the invention, thereby substantially reducing or eliminating transfer of vibrations to the structure of header 22, and, from there to combine 20. Preferably, a common power source is used, which can be, but is not limited to, a fluid motor 88. Fluid motor 88 is illustrated as being mounted to a rear end 90 of housing 80. Fluid motor 88 is connected in rotatably driving relation to a horizontal rotatable input shaft 92 supported by a bearing 94 mounted within housing 80, and in connection with a bevel gear 96 enmeshed at a right angle with a second bevel gear 98. Second bevel gear 98, in turn, is mounted in connection with a vertical input shaft 100 mounted within housing 80. Fluid motor 88 is connected to a source of pressurized fluid and a fluid reservoir (not shown) on combine 20 in the conventional, well-known manner, via fluid lines 102 and 104 (
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Input element 116 of each drive 76 and 78 is mounted for rotation about a central rotational axis 120 of the drive, on a fixed frame 122 of cast metal or other sturdy construction which is part of housing 80. This is achieved using a downwardly extending annular bearing flange 124 on frame 122, which defines a downwardly facing round cavity, and includes an inner circumferential bearing seat 126 into which a bearing 128 is suitably mounted and retained, for instance, using a snap ring 132. Input element 116 includes an inner hub 130 sized to be received in the downwardly open cavity and having an outer circumferential surface around which bearing 128 is retained, for instance, by a press fit, snap ring, or other suitable manner of mounting. Installation of ring 132 can be accomplished, for instance, using one or more holes that can be provided through input element 116, or in any other suitable manner. Hub 130 includes a hole 134 therein at a location offset from central rotational axis 120, and through which an eccentric axis 136, parallel to, but offset from rotational axis 120, extends. A bearing seat 138 extends around a portion of hole 134 and receives a bearing 140 which is suitably retained in position by a retainer ring 142, a press fit, or like.
The lower end of a pinion shaft 146 is received in pinion bearing 140 and secured thereto by a bolt 144 and a washer for rotation relative to input element 116, and extends upwardly through a central passage 148 extending through frame 122 and concentric about central rotational axis 120.
A ring gear 150 is fixedly mounted on or incorporated into frame 122 so as to extend around central passage 148. Pinion shaft 146 includes a pinion gear 152 enmeshed with ring gear 150, such that when input element 116 is rotated about central rotational axis 120, pinion gear 152 will cause pinion shaft 146 to rotate therewith about eccentric axis 136, while circling or orbiting about central rotational axis 120. Here, the internal pitch diameter of ring gear 150 is preferably selected to be equal to twice the pitch diameter of pinion gear 152, such that for each revolution of input element 116, pinion shaft 146 and pinion gear 152 about central rotational axis 120, pinion shaft 146 and gear 152 will be rotated two revolutions about eccentric axis 136.
Pinion shaft 146 extends upwardly above frame 122 so as to be located above housing 80, and an eccentric element 154 is mounted to the upwardly extending pinion shaft 146, also above housing 80. These elements can be viewed from above when upper bearing assembly 86 is removed, as shown in
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Here, as an advantage of the invention, it should be apparent that knife head assemblies 176 and driver elements 68 and 70 are moved by drives 76 and 78 in opposite sideward directions, such that sideward forces exerted respectively thereby are at least substantially canceled. Additionally, forces generated by eccentric movements of respective eccentric plates 158 will at least substantially cancel one another, as the eccentric movements are in opposite directions. Additionally, the structure of the drives is strong and robust, so as to be capable of containing forces resulting from the moments generated by the accelerations and decelerations of the knife assemblies, which can be substantial. As a result, vibrations and forces exerted by drive mechanisms 66A and 66B against supporting framework, such as frame 58 of header 22, will be minimal.
As an additional advantage, header 22 is intended to be representative of a variety of headers for plant cutting machines with which sickle drive mechanisms of the invention, represented by drives 66A and 66B, can be used. By using two sickle drive mechanisms, 66A and 66B at spaced locations across the width of the header, each mechanism driving two knife assemblies 60, each knife assembly need only have a length corresponding to one-fourth the width of the header. This reduces the mass of the knife assembly, compared to a knife assembly which extends along one-half the width of the header. For instance, for a header having a width of 30 feet, four knife assemblies each having width of 7.5 feet can be used. For a header having a width of 40 feet, four knife assemblies each having width of 10 feet can be used. As a result, the operating speeds of drive mechanisms 66A and 66B can be faster, for instance on an order of 1600 strokes per minute or more, and preferably within a range of about 1600 to about 2000 strokes per minute. This is advantageous, as it allows the combine to be operated at a faster ground speed than would be possible using a slower cutter speed.
Further, it should be noted that directional references herein, including forward, rearward, sideward, upward and downward, are for reference purposes only, and are not intended to limit the present invention to any particular orientation or in any way.
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It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps, and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within the principles and scope of the invention. The foregoing description illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention; however, concepts, as based upon the description, may be employed in other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to protect the invention broadly as well as in the specific form shown.
Claims
1. A header for an agricultural plant cutting machine, comprising:
- a floor having spaced apart first and second opposite side edge portions, an elongate forward edge portion extending between the side edge portions, and an upwardly facing surface extending between the side and forward edge portions defining a cut plant material flow area thereabove;
- an elongate first knife assembly including a linear array of knives, the first knife assembly being supported so as to extend longitudinally adjacent to a first portion of the forward edge portion of the floor and so as to be movable longitudinally sidewardly relative thereto for severing plants from a field as the header is moved forwardly thereover;
- a first epicyclic drive supported and disposed below the upwardly facing surface of the floor at a first location between the first and second side edge portions thereof, the first epicyclic drive being connected in driving relation to the first knife assembly and operable for reciprocatingly moving the first knife assembly longitudinally sidewardly relative to the forward edge portion of the floor;
- a second knife assembly supported along a second portion of the elongate forward edge portion of the floor in generally end to end relation to the first knife assembly, so as to be longitudinally movable sidewardly relative to the forward edge portion for severing plants from a field as the header is moved forwardly thereover;
- a second epicyclic drive supported and disposed below the upwardly facing surface of the floor at the first location between the first and second edge portions and connected in driving relation to the second knife assembly and operable for reciprocatingly moving the second knife assembly longitudinally sidewardly relative to the forward edge portion of the floor;
- third and fourth knife assemblies supported in generally end to end relation along third and fourth portions of the elongate forward edge portion of the floor, respectively, for longitudinal movement sidewardly relative thereto for severing plants from a field as the header is moved forwardly thereover; and
- third and fourth epicyclic drives supported and disposed below the upwardly facing surface of the floor at a second location between the first and second side edge portions thereof and connected in driving relation to the third and fourth knife assemblies, respectively, and operable for reciprocatingly drivingly moving the third and fourth knife assemblies longitudinally sidewardly relative to the forward edge portion of the floor, wherein the epicyclic drives are configured to at least substantially cancel sideward forces generated by the reciprocating movements of the knife assemblies.
2. The header of claim 1, wherein the first epicyclic drive and the second epicyclic drive are contained in a single housing beneath the upwardly facing surface of the floor, and wherein the third epicyclic drive and the fourth epicyclic drive are contained in another housing beneath the upwardly facing surface of the floor.
3. The header of claim 1, wherein the first edge portion, the second edge portion, the third edge portion, and the fourth edge portion have about equal lengths and extend in end to end relation between the side edge portions of the floor, the first location is disposed between the first and the second edge portions, and the second location is disposed between the third and the fourth edge portions.
4. The header of claim 1, wherein the first epicyclic drive and the second epicyclic drive are connected in driven relation to a common power source, and the third epicyclic drive and the fourth epicyclic drive are connected in driven relation to a second common power source.
5. The header of claim 4, wherein the first epicyclic drive and the second epicyclic drive are connected in driven relation to the common power source by a drive belt, and the third epicyclic drive and the fourth epicyclic drive are connected in driven relation to the second common power source by a second drive belt.
6. The header of claim 1, wherein each of the epicyclic drives comprises:
- an input element supported beneath the floor for rotation about a central rotational axis through the input element;
- a pinion gear supported in connection with the input element for rotation relative thereto about an eccentric axis offset from and parallel to the central rotational axis;
- a fixed ring gear concentric with the input element and enmeshed with the pinion gear such that rotation of the input element about the central rotational axis will cause the pinion gear to rotate around the ring gear about the central rotational axis and simultaneously rotate about the eccentric axis;
- an eccentric element fixedly connected to the pinion gear so as to be rotated thereby about the ring gear and the central rotational axis when the input element is rotated; and
- a knife head driver element supported for sideward movement along the forward edge portion of the floor, the knife head driver element being rotatably connected to the eccentric element and configured so as to transfer sidewardly directed components of rotations of the eccentric element into sideward reciprocating movements.
7. The header of claim 1, wherein the first epicyclic drive and the second epicyclic drive are driven in timed relation one to the other such that the sideward forces generated by the reciprocating movements of the first knife-assembly and the second knife assembly will at least substantially cancel, and wherein the third epicyclic drive and the fourth epicyclic drive are driven in timed relation one to the other such that the sideward forces generated by the reciprocating movements of the third knife assembly and the fourth knife assembly will at least substantially cancel.
8. The header of claim 1, wherein the upwardly facing surface of the floor comprises at least one belt movable for conveying cut plant material through the plant flow area, and the drives are located forwardly of and below the belt.
9. The header of claim 1, wherein each of the epicyclic drives is operable for reciprocatingly moving the knife assembly connected thereto at a speed of between about 1600 and 2000 strokes per minute.
10. The header of claim 1, wherein each of the knife assemblies has a length of from about 7 feet to about 12 feet.
11. A header for an agricultural harvesting machine, comprising:
- an elongate structure having a first end portion, a second end portion opposite the first end portion, an elongate forward edge portion extending between the first and second end portions, and an at least generally upwardly facing floor extending along the elongate forward edge portion between the first and second end portions;
- an elongate first knife assembly supported by the structure adjacent to a first portion of the forward edge portion thereof for longitudinal movement therealong;
- an elongate second knife assembly supported by the structure adjacent to a second portion of the forward edge portion thereof for longitudinal movement therealong in generally end to end relation to the first knife assembly;
- a first sickle drive mechanism supported on the structure and including a first epicyclic drive connected in driving relation to the first knife assembly and operable for reciprocatingly moving the first knife assembly relative to and along the first forward edge portion of the structure, and a second epicyclic drive connected in driving relation to the second knife assembly and operable for reciprocatingly moving the second knife assembly relative to and along the second forward edge portion of the structure, the sickle drive mechanism being disposed at least partially beneath a portion of the floor spaced from the first and second end portions of the structure;
- an elongate third knife assembly supported by the structure adjacent to a third portion of the forward edge portion thereof for longitudinal movement therealong;
- an elongate fourth knife assembly supported by the structure adjacent to a fourth portion of the forward edge portion thereof for longitudinal movement therealong in generally end to end relation to the third knife assembly; and
- a second sickle drive mechanism supported on the structure and including a third epicyclic drive connected in driving relation to the third knife assembly and operable for reciprocatingly moving the third knife assembly relative to and along the third forward edge portion of the structure, and fourth epicyclic drive connected in driving relation to the fourth knife assembly and operable for reciprocatingly moving the fourth knife assembly relative to and along the fourth forward edge portion of the structure, the second sickle drive mechanism being disposed at least partially beneath a portion of the floor spaced from the first and second and portions of the structure, wherein the epicyclic drives are configured to at least substantially cancel sideward forces generated by the reciprocating movements of the knife assemblies.
12. The header of claim 11, wherein the first and the second epicyclic drives are jointly driven, and the third and the fourth epicyclic drives are jointly driven.
13. The header of claim 11, wherein the first and the second epicyclic drives are supported in side by side relation on a portion of the structure disposed beneath the floor, and the third and the fourth epicyclic drives are supported in side by side relation on another portion of the structure disposed beneath the floor.
14. The header of claim 13, wherein the knife assemblies and the sickle drive mechanisms are supported on the portion of the structure disposed beneath the floor, for vertical movement relative to the floor.
15. The header of claim 11, wherein the floor of the header includes at least one belt movable for conveying cut plant material thereover and the sickle drive mechanisms are supported on the structure generally forwardly of the belt.
16. The header of claim 11, wherein the first and the second epicyclic drives are timed so as to reciprocatingly move the first and second knife assemblies, respectively, in opposite directions toward the end portions of the structure, such that at least a substantial portion of any forces directed toward the end portions generated by the reciprocating movements of the first and the second knife assemblies cancel one another, and wherein the third and the fourth epicyclic drives are timed so as to reciprocatingly move the third and the fourth knife assemblies, respectively, in opposite directions toward the end portions of the structure, such that at least a substantial portion of any forces directed toward the end portions generated by the reciprocating movements of the third and the fourth knife assemblies cancel one another.
17. The header of claim 16, wherein the first and the second epicyclic drives are jointly supported on a single housing such that the forces generated thereby will cancel one another at least substantially within the housing, and wherein the third and the fourth epicyclic drives are jointly supported on a second housing such that the forces generated thereby will cancel one another at least substantially within the second housing.
18. The header of claim 11, wherein each of the epicyclic drives is operable for reciprocatingly moving the knife assembly connected thereto at a speed of at least 1600 strokes per minute.
19. The header of claim 11, wherein each of the knife assemblies has a length of from about 7 feet to about 12 feet.
20. A header for an agricultural harvesting machine, comprising:
- an elongate structure having a first end portion, a second end portion opposite the first end portion, an elongate forward edge portion extending between the first and second end portions, and an at least generally upwardly facing floor extending along the elongate forward edge portion between the first and second end portions;
- an elongate first knife assembly having a length of from about 7 feet to about 12 feet, supported by the structure adjacent to a first portion of the forward edge portion thereof for longitudinal movement therealong;
- an elongate second knife assembly having a length of from about 7 feet to about 12 feet, supported by the structure adjacent to a second portion of the forward edge portion thereof for longitudinal movement therealong in generally end to end relation to the first knife assembly;
- a first sickle drive mechanism supported on the structure and including a first epicyclic drive connected in driving relation to the first knife assembly and operable for reciprocatingly moving the first knife assembly relative to and along the first forward edge portion of the structure, and a second epicyclic drive connected in driving relation to the second knife assembly and operable for reciprocatingly moving the second knife assembly relative to and along the second forward edge portion of the structure, the first sickle drive mechanism being disposed at least partially beneath a portion of the floor spaced from the first and second end portions of the structure;
- an elongate third knife assembly having a length of from about 7 feet to about 12 feet, supported by the structure adjacent to a third portion of the forward edge portion thereof for longitudinal movement therealong;
- an elongate fourth knife assembly having a length of from about 7 feet to about 12 feet, supported by the structure adjacent to a fourth portion of the forward edge portion thereof for longitudinal movement therealong in generally end to end relation to the third knife assembly; and
- a second sickle drive mechanism supported on the structure and including a third epicyclic drive connected in driving relation to the third knife assembly and operable for reciprocatingly moving the third knife assembly relative to and along the third forward edge portion of the structure, and fourth epicyclic drive connected in driving relation to the fourth knife assembly and operable for reciprocatingly moving the fourth knife assembly relative to and along the fourth forward edge portion of the structure, the second sickle drive mechanism being disposed at least partially beneath a portion of the floor spaced from the first and second and portions of the structure, wherein the epicyclic drives are configured to at least substantially cancel sideward forces generated by the reciprocating movements of the knife assemblies.
21. The header of claim 20, wherein each of the epicyclic drives is operable for reciprocatingly moving the knife assembly connected thereto at a speed of at least 1600 strokes per minute.
22. The header of claim 20, wherein the first and the second epicyclic drives are jointly supported on a single housing such that the forces generated thereby will cancel one another at least substantially within the housing, and wherein the third and the fourth epicyclic drives are jointly supported on a second housing such that the forces generated thereby will cancel one another at least substantially within the second housing.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 24, 2007
Publication Date: Apr 30, 2009
Inventor: Edward H. Priepke (Lancaster, PA)
Application Number: 11/977,207
International Classification: A01D 34/04 (20060101);