Chopper/Blower Arrangement for a Header Used on an Agricultural Harvester

• US 20160081272A1
• Filed: 05/05/2014
• Published: 03/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blue Leaf IP Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Vande Ryse, Yannic, Verhaeghe, Didier O.M., Missotten, Bart M.A., Nortier, Laurens
• Granted Patent: US 10,039,230 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 2101/00 Lawn-mowers
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 41/14 Mowing tables
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 43/081 specially adapted for ensilage of maize
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 45/02 of maize , i.e. kernel harvesting for ensilage maize A01D43/081
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 45/021 Cornheaders
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 61/00 Elevators or conveyors for binders or combines

Abstract

A header assembly for an agricultural combine harvester includes a plurality of row units, and a plurality of chopper/blower units. Each chopper/blower unit is positioned below a respective row unit and has a discharge outlet. At least two of the chopper/blower units have a discharge chute connected with the discharge outlet, and a deflector positioned at a discharge end of the discharge chute. Each deflector is independently adjustable to direct crop material toward a windrow formed under the combine harvester.

Claims

1. A header for an agricultural harvester, comprising:

a plurality of row units; and

a plurality of chopper/blower units, each said chopper/blower unit positioned below a respective said row unit and having a discharge outlet, at least two of said chopper/blower units having a discharge chute connected with said discharge outlet;

a plurality of deflectors, each said deflector positioned at a discharge end of a respective said discharge chute, each said deflector being independently adjustable to direct crop material toward a windrow formed under said combine harvester.

2. The header of claim 1, wherein each said deflector is rotatable relative to a longitudinal axis of a corresponding said discharge chute.

3. The header of claim 1, wherein said header includes a rear wall, and wherein said discharge end of each said discharge chute is generally aligned with said rear wall.

4. The header of claim 1, wherein each said deflector is a curved elbow.

5. The header of claim 1, wherein said header has a longitudinal centerline, and said deflectors are successively staggered in a fore-to-aft manner from one said row unit to a next said row unit.

6. The header of claim 1, wherein said header has a longitudinal centerline, and wherein at least two of said chopper/blower units closest to said longitudinal centerline do not include said discharge chute and said deflector, and a remainder of said chopper/blower units do include said discharge chute and said deflector.

7. The header of claim 6, wherein each said deflector is configured to discharge crop material toward the longitudinal centerline.

8. The header of claim 6, wherein two of said chopper/blower units closest to said longitudinal centerline do not include said discharge chute and said deflector, said two chopper/blower units having knife blades for chopping crop material, but not having a blower arrangement for blowing the crop material.

9. The header of claim 1, wherein each said discharge chute is a closed discharge duct.

10. The header of claim 1, wherein said at least two chopper/blower units are each remotely adjustable during a field mode operation of the harvester.

11. The header of claim 10, wherein said discharge chute and said deflector each include a circular flange which mate with each other so as to allow rotation of said deflector relative to said discharge chute.

12. The header of claim 11, wherein said at least two chopper/blower units each include an actuator coupled with a corresponding said deflector.

13. The header of claim 12, wherein each said actuator is a linear actuator which is connected with a corresponding said deflector.