Abstract:
A scrapping plate for improving cotton picker efficiency incorporate an angle in the bottom profile which forces cotton into the spindle before being released from the picking zone. The scrapping plate ribs which are spaced vertically from each other and located between adjacent rows of spindles are tapered so that rib surfaces are generally parallel to the spindle tapered surfaces in the picking zone. The parallel arrangement places cotton equidistant from the spindle along the length of the picking zone. In one embodiment, the ribs are tapered in the fore-and-aft direction to better hold cotton bolls in the picking zone. The forward portion of alternating ribs can also be terminated rearwardly of the leading portion of the plate to allow the cotton bolls to gather more easily.
Abstract:
A tandem spindle drum row unit arrangement includes a rotary knife offset ahead of the forward drum to sever plants. A feeder rotor with fingers projecting through grid bar structure gently directs plants laterally into a standing row prior to substantial engagement by the spindles on the forward drum. Feeder column rotational speed is synchronized with ground speed. The knife, having a common axis with the rotor, operates at a higher speed for an efficient cut. The feeder column includes curved fingers which project through vertically spaced bars on a guard assembly to positively separate the plant from the fingers. The feeder column and rotary knife are driven through separate slip clutches. A kicker wheel between the drums moves plant material rearwardly.
Abstract:
A picker bar includes spindles which are nonaligned in the vertical direction to define two or more offset sets of spindles on the bar and increase the number of spindles per unit length of the spindle bar. A spindle assembly includes a support carrying two spindles driven from a picker bar drive shaft by a single drive gear. Driven spindle gears are spaced on opposite sides of the shaft axis to facilitate close spacing of the spindles. A doffer column includes doffer pads of differing diameters to optimize doffing of the offset sets of spindles.
Abstract:
To reduce destructive effects of cotton picker high speed drum rotation, rearward spindle tip motion is adjusted in part by angularly positioning the spindles in the picking zone with an improved cam track arrangement. The cam rotates the picker bar about the upright axis of the bar to vary the speed of the spindle tip in the picking zone and allow a higher drum speed. In a first portion of the picking zone the spindle tips are closer together than the spindle bases at the picker bar. The spindle tip spacing in a second portion of the picking zone is approximately equal to spindle base spacing in the extremities. The resulting spindle tip movement facilitates higher cotton picker vehicle ground speed without picking efficiency loss or additional damage to the cotton plants.
Abstract:
One or two conventional picking units are mounted on a two-wheel, high clearance running gear or frame. A two-point hitch is coupled to the draft links of a tractor or an equal-angle hitch is coupled to the tractor drawbar. Hitch and tongue interface on the harvester facilitates sharp turn angles between the implement and the tractor through use of a pivoting member containing the driveline powering the units from the tractor. A center pivot tongue allows offset for appropriate row alignment and provides improved maneuverability and implement steering on headlands and turn rows. A hydraulic cylinder connected to the tongue or a crossed four-bar linkage structure controls tongue angle. A basket is supported at the rear of the frame and the row units are located forwardly of the frame to provide counterbalancing forces about the wheel axis.
Abstract:
Cotton harvester frame structure includes main structural members elevated to approximately cab floor level and extending horizontally rearwardly in a planar fashion over the engine compartment and the rear axle. The structural members attach to the central portion of the rear axle to provide added clearance for larger wheels and tires. The single elevated plane of the main frame structure provides simplified attachment of a power module including a transversely mounted engine. Access areas under the main structural members are of sufficient minimum width and height to allow an operator or an assembler to stand fairly erect while accessing most areas of the power module and a harvester fan.
Abstract:
A picker bar includes spindles which are nonaligned in the vertical direction to define two or more offset sets of spindles on the bar and increase the number of spindles per unit length of the spindle bar. A spindle assembly includes support carrying two spindles driven from a picker bar drive shaft by single drive gear. Driven spindle gears are spaced on opposite sides of the shaft axis to facilitate close spacing of the spindles.
Abstract:
Cotton harvester frame structure includes main structural members elevated to approximately cab floor level and extending horizontally rearwardly in a planar fashion over the engine compartment and the rear axle. The structural members attach to the central portion of the rear axle to provide added clearance for larger wheels and tires. The single elevated plane of the main frame structure provides simplified attachment of a power module including a transversely mounted engine. Access areas under the main structural members are of sufficient minimum width and height to allow an operator or an assembler to stand fairly erect while accessing most areas of the power module and a harvester fan.
Abstract:
To reduce destructive effects of cotton picker high speed drum rotation, rearward spindle tip motion is adjusted in part by angularly positioning the spindles in the picking zone with an improved cam track arrangement. The cam rotates the picker bar about the upright axis of the bar to vary the speed of the spindle tip in the picking zone and allow a higher drum speed. In a first portion of the picking zone the spindle tips are closer together than the spindle bases at the picker bar. The spindle tip spacing in a second portion of the picking zone is approximately equal to spindle base spacing in the extremities. The resulting spindle tip movement facilitates higher cotton picker vehicle ground speed without picking efficiency loss or additional damage to the cotton plants.
Abstract:
One or two conventional picking units are mounted on a two-wheel, high clearance running gear or frame. A two-point hitch is coupled to the draft links of a tractor or an equal-angle hitch is coupled to the tractor drawbar. Hitch and tongue interface on the harvester facilitates sharp turn angles between the implement and the tractor through use of a pivoting member containing the driveline powering the units from the tractor. A center pivot tongue allows offset for appropriate row alignment and provides improved maneuverability and implement steering on headlands and turn rows. A hydraulic cylinder connected to the tongue or a crossed four-bar linkage structure controls tongue angle. A basket is supported at the rear of the frame and the row units are located forwardly of the frame to provide counterbalancing forces about the wheel axis.