FLOW ENHANCEMENT FOR ROOT CROP HARVESTERS
First Claim
1. A root crop harvester flow system comprising:
- a frame assembly transportable over the ground;
a header assembly affixed to a front portion of said frame assembly;
a lifting assembly for penetrating the ground and lifting root crops out of the ground, wherein said lifting assembly is affixed to said header assembly;
a transfer assembly affixed to said frame assembly for receiving root crops downstream of said lifting assembly;
a transfer surface associated with said transfer assembly for moving root crops downstream of said transfer assembly; and
a movable stagnation reduction member associated with said transfer assembly and mounted for rotation such that same engages root crops at a location generally above said transfer surface.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A harvester for root crops such as beets is provided which preferably provides improved flow of root crops from a lifting assembly, along a plurality of transfer assemblies, and to a holding tank or a separate loading vehicle. Each transfer assembly includes a transfer surface, typically a conveyor or roller, for the downstream movement of harvested root crops. At least one of the transfer assemblies includes a movable stagnation reduction member mounted for rotation above the associated transfer surface. The movable member is typically positioned at a transition region of the flowpath in order to provide a “moving wall” that contacts harvested root crops to urge them downstream and prevent stagnation at the transition region. The movable member may be driven by any of a number of possible mechanisms or undriven and rotated by contact with the flow of crops.
52 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A root crop harvester flow system comprising:
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a frame assembly transportable over the ground; a header assembly affixed to a front portion of said frame assembly; a lifting assembly for penetrating the ground and lifting root crops out of the ground, wherein said lifting assembly is affixed to said header assembly; a transfer assembly affixed to said frame assembly for receiving root crops downstream of said lifting assembly; a transfer surface associated with said transfer assembly for moving root crops downstream of said transfer assembly; and a movable stagnation reduction member associated with said transfer assembly and mounted for rotation such that same engages root crops at a location generally above said transfer surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A root crop harvester flow system comprising:
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a frame assembly transportable over the ground; a header assembly affixed to a front portion of said frame assembly; a lifting assembly for penetrating the ground and lifting root crops out of the ground, wherein said lifting assembly is affixed to said header assembly; a roller assembly affixed to said frame assembly for receiving root crops downstream of said lifting assembly; an elevator assembly affixed to said frame assembly for receiving root crops downstream of said lifting assembly; a conveyor assembly affixed to said frame assembly for receiving root crops downstream of said lifting assembly; a transition area associated with one of said roller assembly, said elevator assembly, and said conveyor assembly; and a movable stagnation reduction member mounted at said transition area for rotation such that same engages root crops at a location generally above at least one of said roller assembly, said elevator assembly, and said conveyor assembly. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A root crop harvester having a frame assembly transportable over the ground, a header assembly affixed to a front portion of said frame assembly, a lifting assembly affixed to said header assembly, a roller assembly affixed to said frame assembly for receiving root crops downstream of said lifting assembly, an elevator assembly affixed to said frame assembly for receiving root crops downstream of said lifting assembly, and a conveyor assembly affixed to said frame assembly for receiving root crops downstream of said lifting assembly, the improvement comprising:
a movable stagnation reduction member associated with at least one of said roller assembly, said elevator assembly, and said conveyor assembly and mounted for rotation such that said movable stagnation reduction member engages root crops at a location generally above same. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
Specification