Abstract: A stalk roll may be configured to be mounted upon a stalk roll drive shaft of a corn harvesting header, wherein the stalk roll drive shaft has a generally square cross-sectional shape. The stalk roll may comprise a main cylinder with a plurality of flutes extending radially from the main cylinder along the length of the main cylinder. A taper may be positioned toward the front end of the main cylinder. The flutes may be configured such this with differing edges to facilitate stalk movement into and through the ear separation zone to the plant separation zone. The flutes may be configured such that a bladeless area proximate to the nose cone on each of two stalk rolls of an opposing pair cooperate to form at stalk engagement gap in at least one moment in time per revolution of the stalk rolls.

Abstract: An attachment for connection to a harvester comprises a plurality of picking devices (2) arranged next to each other and in a distributed manner along the working width. Each picking device (2) has a picking gap (6), below which are disposed at least two picking rotors (10) which can be driven to rotate in opposite directions, the picking rotors (10) being provided with flutes (12), which project in a radial direction beyond the rotor casing (16) and the enveloping circles (20) of which mesh with each other. To propose a way of easily adapting the picking rotors to different harvesting conditions without having to replace them all, the invention proposes for one or more shear bars (18) which are releasably connected to the picking rotor (10) and/or to the flutes (12) to be inserted in the intermediate space (22) between adjacent flutes (12) of a picking rotor (10), the shear bars filling portions of said intermediate space during a rotating movement of the picking rotors (10).

Abstract: A stalk roll may be configured to be mounted upon a stalk roll drive shaft of a corn harvesting header, wherein the stalk roll drive shaft has a generally square cross-sectional shape. The stalk roll may comprise a main cylinder with a plurality of flutes extending radially from the main cylinder along the length of the main cylinder. A taper may be positioned toward the front end of the main cylinder. The flutes may be configured such this with differing edges to facilitate stalk movement into and through the ear separation zone to the plant separation zone. The flutes may be configured such that a bladeless area proximate to the nose cone on each of two stalk rolls of an opposing pair cooperate to form at stalk engagement gap in at least one moment in time per revolution of the stalk rolls.

Abstract: A deck plate extension for a row unit of an agricultural harvester. The deck plate extension configured to attach to the return side of the row unit side thereby preventing a kernel crop from dropping to the ground during harvesting. The deck plate extension is further provided with a kernel channel configured to direct the kernel crop along the return side of the row unit side to the harvest side of the row unit side. The deck plate extension may be provided as part of a deck plate of a row unit side or may be provided as a second plate added to the row unit side. The deck plate extension is configured to be added as original equipment and as a retrofit to existing row units.

Abstract: Differential speed stalk rolls mountable to a row unit of a row crop head. A first stalk roll body has an outer peripheral speed less than the outer peripheral speed of a second stalk roll body in lateral spaced relation. At least one of the first and second bodies includes a knife defining a knife plane normal to the axis of rotation of the first or second stalk roll. The stalk roll bodies may have modular and interchangeable body segments of different configurations.

Abstract: Modifications to row unit that result in a greatly reduced loss of kernels due to chatter include substituting stripper plates that have rails upwardly projecting guard rails at the edges of the stripper plates that define their working gap to thereby inhibit escape of loose kernels. Further, the ear transport paddles are modified so as to reduce shelling due to chatter and to move loose kernels collected on the stripper plates to the machine's auger so that these loose kernels become part of the yield. Specifically, a cushioning device is attached to each of the paddles and the paddles further support brushes or scrapers that sweep loose kernels into the auger.

Abstract: A corn head assembly for a combine harvester capable of reducing grain loss. The corn head assembly includes a frame, a plurality of row units and a hood. The frame is mounted to a forward end of the combine harvester. The plurality of row units extends forward from the frame. The hood extends between an adjacent pair of row units. The hood includes a first end proximal to the frame, a second end distal to the frame and opposite the first end, and an outer surface extending between the first and second ends. The outer surface has a plurality of structures configured to inhibit a flow of grain in a forward direction along the outer surface.

Abstract: One embodiment of a stalk roll to be mounted upon a stalk roll drive shaft of a corn harvesting header comprises a hybrid flute, a full flute positioned adjacent the hybrid flute, a reduced flute positioned adjacent the full flute, a second reduced flute positioned adjacent the reduced flute, and a short flute positioned adjacent the second reduced flute.

Abstract: One embodiment of a stalk roll to be mounted upon a stalk roll drive shaft of a corn harvesting header comprises a cylindrical shell with a recess in the main cylinder, wherein reduced flutes are not present in the recess, but full flutes are present therein. This embodiment includes a stalk slot having a length equal to the length of the recess. Additionally, the flutes may be configured such that a stalk engagement gap is present at least once during a full revolution of two opposing stalk rolls.

Abstract: A row unit for a corn header has a gearbox with a cast body and first and second rotatable shafts and first and second openings. The first and second shafts extend out respectively from the first and second openings. The row unit also has first and second rotatable stalk rolls arranged fore and aft, the stalk rolls being coupled to the first and second shafts at the aft end and coupled on the fore end to first and second cast supports. The first and second cast supports are secured to a frame of the row unit. Formed from casting the first and second cast supports are respective first and second protrusions, wherein the first and second protrusions include respective first and second knife edges, the first and second knife edges located adjacent the respective first and second stalk rolls.

Abstract: Snapping unit for heads of harvesting machines, including a pair of counter-rotating snapping rolls and a support and motion transmitting unit with which the snapping rolls are associated so as to cooperate with each other when placed into rotation around their longitudinal axis, each snapping roll including a body where a cylindrical rear portion and a frustoconical front portion are defined, the side wall of the body being provided on its outer surface with longitudinal helical grooves defining helical protrusions ending in corresponding helical ridges capable of penetrating the groove defined between the helical ridges of the adjacent roll during rotation of the two snapping rolls, wherein the helical grooves and, correspondingly, the helical protrusions and the respective helical ridges have a pitch at least equal to the total length of the corresponding roll and extend on at least part of the frustoconical portion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a stalk roll comprising a helical flute portion; and a multiple-knife portion adjacent and aft of the helical flute portion, each side of the multiple-knife portion comprising a first group of multiple knives and a second group of multiple knives mounted to a base, the first group separated from the second group by an area of the base comprising hardware and an extension, the hardware coupling the base to the stalk roll, the extension having an open edge that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stalk roll and orthogonal to the base, wherein at least one of the multiple knives of the first and second groups is non-orthogonally angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the stalk roll.

Abstract: One embodiment of a stalk roll to be mounted upon a stalk roll drive shaft of a corn harvesting header comprises a cylindrical shell with a recess in the main cylinder, wherein reduced flutes are not present in the recess, but full flutes are present therein. This embodiment includes a stalk slot having a length equal to the length of the recess. Additionally, the flutes may be configured such that a stalk engagement gap is present at least once during a full revolution of two opposing stalk rolls.

Abstract: A helical-acting snap roll for a harvesting header having straight flutes which are free of a formed twist. The snap roll includes elongated straight flutes that extend substantially the entire length of the snap roll but that are parallel misaligned with a central axis of rotation of the snap roll. A pair of opposing and counter-rotating snap rolls of the present invention chops and pulls crop stalks passing therebetween downward toward the ground while also creating a helical action such that the crop stalks are conveyed rearward.

Abstract: Folding heads for corn-shelling machines and/or combine harvesters which include a central portion extending along a main transversal direction and two lateral portions aligned with the central portion in a working condition of the head are provided. Folding heads may include drive elements for moving the lateral portions so as to pass from the working configuration to a folded configuration wherein the lateral portions are at least partially folded and overlapping the central portion. Each lateral portion may be operatively connected to the central portion by connection elements which may include a relative arm which connects each lateral portion to the central portion, wherein the connection elements include a first hinge defining a first rotation axis parallel to a longitudinal direction of advancement of the head and a second hinge defining a second rotation axis, perpendicular to the first rotation axis. Methods of making and using folding heads are also provided.

Abstract: Snapping unit for heads of harvesting machines, including a pair of counter-rotating snapping rolls and a support and motion transmitting unit with which the snapping rolls are associated so as to cooperate with each other when placed into rotation around their longitudinal axis, each snapping roll including a body where a cylindrical rear portion and a frustoconical front portion are defined, the side wall of the body being provided on its outer surface with longitudinal helical grooves defining helical protrusions ending in corresponding helical ridges capable of penetrating the groove defined between the helical ridges of the adjacent roll during rotation of the two snapping rolls, wherein the helical grooves and, correspondingly, the helical protrusions and the respective helical ridges have a pitch at least equal to the total length of the corresponding roll and extend on at least part of the frustoconical portion.

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

Abstract: The system and method automatically controls the position of at least one deck plate of a harvesting unit of a corn header so as to increase the width of a stalk receiving channel or reduce pinching forces between the plates when entering a stand of corn to facilitate alignment with the corn rows, and to change the position after a suitable time period or other condition or event, to narrow the channel width and/or increase pinching force, to reduce kernel loss while also monitoring forces exerted against the plates by the stalks and responsively adjusting the plate position for maintaining a desired force on the stalks or width.

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 the flutes are arranged in a first group and a second group, wherein the first group and the second group contain an equal number of said flutes, and wherein a peripheral distance between the first group and the second group is greater than a peripheral distance between the flutes within either the first group or the second group.

Abstract: A stalk roll for a corn head row unit has a conical seat and a spherical seat for mounting the stalk roll on a stalk roll driveshaft of a row unit. Each row unit has a drive shaft with a corresponding conical portion and a threaded fastener with a corresponding spherical portion for capturing the stalk roll on the drive shaft between mating conical shaft and stalk roll portions toward one end and mating spherical shaft and fastener portions at the other stalk roll end.

Abstract: A stalk roll for an agricultural harvester row unit comprising a plurality of longitudinal extending knife edges about its circumference, in which one of the leading and trailing sides of the knife edges is coated with a first wear resistant coating over substantially its entire length, and in which the other of the leading and trailing sides is coated with a second wear resistant coating over at least one of a front portion thereof and a rear portion thereof.

Abstract: A corn head includes plural pairs of first and second laterally spaced rotating stalk rolls each having outer fluting and plural outer arrays of spaced knife members extending along the length of each stalk roll. Corn stalks are directed by rotating pick-up cones each disposed forward of a respective stalk roll into the space between adjacent stalk rolls, where the stalks are directed downwardly through the inter-roll space and are reduced by the cutting action of the rotating knives. Each pick-up cone and its associated stalk roll rotate in opposite directions as do the two stalk rolls. Disposed above and extending along the length of the stalk rolls are a closely spaced upper auger and stripper plate which remove an ear of corn from the stalk and direct the ear to the combine for further processing. A skid plate is disposed adjacent a lower, forward portion of each pick-up cone.

Abstract: Stalk rolls are used for a corn harvester having a body, an engine, a cab mounted to the body and a head mounted to a front of the body. The head includes an auger, row separators, corn stalk gathering assemblies between the row separators and ear removal devices. Each ear removal device includes a pair of stalk rolls. Each stalk roll has a core and longitudinally extending flutes spaced about a periphery of the core and extending along the core. Each stalk roll has a straight first section, a second section proximate a first end of the first section and having a first tapering profile, and a third section proximate the second section opposite the first section and having a second tapering profile.

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

Abstract: A corn stalk roll, a corn stalk head, and a corn stalk machine suitable for harvesting cobs and separating the stalk or stem of the cob plant is described. The machine requires low cutting power and is not susceptible to jamming.

Abstract: A row unit comprises a row unit gearbox with two shearing edges and two stalk rolls with corresponding shearing edges, wherein the stalk roll shearing edges shear against the gearbox shearing edges when the stalk rolls rotate during normal operation of the row unit, thereby chopping material that might otherwise be wrapped around the row unit gearbox and be jammed between the stalk rolls and the gearbox.

Abstract: A stalk roll for an agricultural harvester row unit comprising a plurality of longitudinal extending knife edges about its circumference, in which one of the leading and trailing sides of the knife edges is coated with a first wear resistant coating over substantially its entire length, and in which the other of the leading and trailing sides is coated with a second wear resistant coating over at least one of a front portion thereof and a rear portion thereof.

Abstract: A corn stalk roll, a corn stalk head and a corn stalk machine suitable for harvesting cobs and separating the stalk or stem of the cob plant. The machine of the present invention requires low cutting power and is not susceptible to jamming.

Abstract: A stalk roll for a harvester includes a cast elongate body formed integral with a plurality of elongate cast cutting edges.

Abstract: A stalk roll for a harvester includes a cast elongate body formed integral with a plurality of elongate cast cutting edges.

Abstract: A stalk roll for a harvesting device for harvesting crop heads of stalk-like plants. The stalk roll is provided with a roll body having projecting drivers distributed around its periphery. The pull-in speed of the stalk rolls in a picking region where the crop heads are removed is less than in a region of the stalk rolls situated farther downstream after the crop head has been removed. The diameter of the roll body in the picking region is greater than in the region situated farther downstream. In addition, it is proposed that upstream of a picking region the stalk roll have an inlet region which cooperates with the parts of the plants beneath the crop heads, where the pull-in speed of the stalk roll is greater than in the picking region.

Abstract: A gathering and picking device having a gathering element having radially extending fingers is rotated about an approximately vertical axis. The fingers are arranged to grasp plant stalks and transport the plant stalks along a picking gap of a picking device. The picking gap is curved such that it maintains an at least approximately constant distance from the vertical rotational axis of the gathering element over its operative length.

Abstract: A stalk roll for a harvesting device for harvesting crop heads of stalk-like plants. The stalk roll is provided with a roll body having projecting drivers distributed around its periphery. The pull-in speed of the stalk rolls in a picking region where the crop heads are removed is less than in a region of the stalk rolls situated farther downstream after the crop head has been removed. The diameter of the roll body in the picking region is greater than in the region situated farther downstream. In addition, it is proposed that upstream of a picking region the stalk roll have an inlet region which cooperates with the parts of the plants beneath the crop heads, where the pull-in speed of the stalk roll is greater than in the picking region.

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: A picking roll for engaging a standing agricultural plant, has a picking section for tangentially pulling in the standing plant. The picking section is divided into a first picking portion and a second picking portion. The first picking portion is driven at a first rotational speed and the second picking portion is driven at a second rotational speed that is different from the first rotational speed.

Abstract: A machine for removing roots and tops from crops including a pair of counter-rotating rollers spaced apart so as to define a nip therebetween, and means for rotating the rollers characterized in that at least one roller is in the form of a polygonal twisted prism.

Abstract: A gathering and picking unit for a harvesting assembly having a plurality of picking units. Each picking unit is provided with at least one picking roll. The picking rolls are rotatably mounted to the outer portion of a moving element that is rotated about a second vertical axis. Each picking roll is rotated about a first horizontal axis. The picking units can be arranged radially or tangentially on the moving element.

Abstract: A stalk roll set for a corn-harvesting combine includes first and second rolls adjacent one another, each having an axis of rotation and defining a shear zone therebetween. At least one pair of flutes projecting radially from each roll. The pair of flutes being bilaterally symmetrical and each including a knife edge with a leading surface and a trailing surface forming an acute angle therebetween, whereby the flutes of the adjoining stalk rolls are offset to and overlapping one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular stalkroll for a corn head on a corn harvester. The apparatus consists of a drive shaft, fabricated stalkroll and a front auger. The drive shaft has several milled regions and a tapered region. The fabricated stalkroll has an upper and lower hub. The lower hub is inserted onto the drive shaft and is in contact with the tapered region. The upper hub has a drive shaft receptacle which receives the milled region of the drive shaft. The upper hub also has a female receptacle for receiving the front auger. A retaining bolt is inserted through the front auger and through the upper hub so as to clamp the front auger and fabricated stalkroll to the drive shaft. The fabricated stalkroll can be replaced by removing the single retaining bolt for either maintenance or replacement of a flute.

Abstract: A combine lateral tilt assembly which attaches a crop harvesting header to a combine includes a stationary extension of a combine feeder housing with a pair of rollers positioned on an upper surface thereof. A movable member is removably attachable to a header and includes a pair of roller tracks positioned to receive respective ones of the rollers on the stationary extension such that the movable member is substantially supported by the rollers. The movable member is mounted to tilt while riding on the rollers about an axis which is formed by a pivot pin positioned in a bottom portion of both the movable member and the stationary extension. A single hydraulic piston and cylinder unit connects between the movable member and the stationary extension to thereby selectively tilt the movable member, and the attached header, laterally relative to the combine.

Abstract: A combine and corn harvesting head of the type for removing ears of corn from their associated stalks are disclosed herein. The harvesting head includes a row unit for each row to be harvested by the combine while following a path through a field of corn to be harvested. The row units each include a stationary vertical surface and a continuous belt rotatably supported to provide a moving surface parallel to the vertical surface. The row unit removes ears of corn from their respective stalks when the ears are engaged by both the moveable and the stationary surfaces. More specifically, the movement of the moveable surface relative to the stationary surface rotates the ears relative to the stalks (i.e. rolls the ears along the stationary surface) to remove the ears and to convey them to the conveying auger of the harvesting head. The ears are then conveyed into the combine where they are threshed to remove the kernels of corn from the cobs of the ears.

Abstract: A picking attachment having one or more pull-in rotors (2) and stationary comminuting tools (10), wherein the comminuting tools are in the form of rotating cutting disks (11) which are arranged on a carrier shaft (12) directed parallel to the axis of each pull-in rotor and form a cutting roller situated lower than the pull-in rotors.

Abstract: The present invention provides variable force traction enhance systems for vehicles. The systems include one or more hydraulic cylinders connected to an implement and fluidly connected to one or more hydrostatic transmissions. The hydraulic cylinders actuate the implement in response to changes in the hydraulic fluid pressures in the hydrostatic transmissions. The actuated implement automatically shifts weight to vehicle drive wheels to improve traction and automatically prevents a rear end of the vehicle from bucking.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for coupling a cutting tool (12) to a vehicle (14) such as a tractor that permits the cutting tool (12) to pivot to a released position when it contacts an obstruction (38) and that returns the cutting tool (12) to its cutting position at a controlled speed after the cutting tool has cleared the obstruction is disclosed. The coupling apparatus (10) includes a frame (18) pivotally coupled to the vehicle (14) and fixedly coupled with the cutting tool(12) and a rotary actuator (18) for pivoting the frame (16) and the cutting tool (12) between their cutting and released positions at a controlled speed.

Abstract: A trimming apparatus comprising a platform, a plurality of wheels and a plurality of cutters. The platform has a kickback capability and is biased into an operable position, but capable of kicking back when the apparatus contacts rigid obstacles during the trimming operation. The cutting elements include a plurality of flexible blades having a cutting radius larger than the guide disks which are provided to contact obstacle and help the invention be steered around such obstacles. Optional bumpers are provided to further enable the device to "ride over" obstacles and uneven ground terrain. An independent power source such as an electrical or combustible engine having a drive shaft connected to a drive pulley which in turn is interconnected with the cutting elements by a cutter pulley and idler pulley arrangement so as to maintain a desired tension on the drive belt during operation of the device.

Abstract: A stalk roll comprises a cylindrical shell having six integral flutes. Each flute is provided with a knife edge having a leading surface and a trailing surface. The leading surface has a forward slope of approximately 10.degree. from the plane formed by the central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical shell and the vertex of the respective knife edge. The trailing surface has a reverse slope of approximately 30.degree. from the plane formed by the central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical shell and the vertex of the respective knife edge. The cylindrical shell comprises two semi-cylindrical pieces that are clamped about a drive shaft of a corn harvesting head by associated bolts.

Abstract: An hydraulic elevating mechanism for lifting and lowering an engineering structure which is sluingly supported around a rotational axis on a base unit, has two or more hydraulic lift cylinders pivoted to the base unit at one end and to the engineering structure to be slued at the other. The lift cylinders are controlled by hydraulic control circuits separated from each other and such that at least one of the lift cylinders is connected to a pressure reservoir.

Abstract: Apparatus for mowing a wide swath which is preferably hydraulically powered to provide reliability, efficiency, and ease of operation. The apparatus includes side-by-side wings. to which a plurality of mowers are mounted, the most distal mower being mounted on a horizontally pivoting swing-arm, which is mounted to a horizontally pivoting strut. The strut is pivoted under control of a hydraulic cylinder to facilitate mowing operations, and in particular, to allow mowing close to obstacles.

Abstract: A power lawn mower is provided with a trimmer attachment pivotally attached to the mower deck and positioned adjacent a side edge of the deck to trim those areas not accessible to the mower blade. When a fixed obstacle such as a fencepost or tree is encountered, the attachment is rotated on a pivotal support arm against the force of a spring to a position adjacent the rear edge of the mower deck. When the obstacle has been passed, the force of the spring returns the trimmer to the side edge of the mower deck. The trimmer attachment is operated by a drive belt driven from the lawn mower engine and the trimmer attachment support arm includes a pair of overlapping telescoping members and a spring contained in one of the telescoping members to apply an outward force on the other telescoping member resulting in a positive tension being applied to the drive belt. The trimmer attachment may be retracted to the rear edge of the mower deck by operation of a lever mechanism and a link attached to the support arm.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mowing a wide swath which is preferably hydraulically powered to provide reliability, efficiency, and ease of operation. The apparatus includes a rear section, or chassis, to which side-by-side wings are mounted which are pivotable by hydraulic cylinders from a folded position for trailering from location to location to an open position for mowing operations, the extent of pivoting being used to vary the width of the swath to be mowed. The wings are each provided with a second hydraulic cylinder for controlling the amount of weight on the casters mounted in the individual mowers mounted to the wings and a pressure regulator which compensates for changes in the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder to support a selected portion of the weight of the wing as the portion of the weight supported by the casters changes as the casters follow the contour of the swath being mowed.