Crop harvesting header with cam controlled movement of the reel fingers

• US 6,591,598 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2002
• Issued: 07/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Macdon Industries Ltd (Linamar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Macdon Industries Ltd (Linamar Corporation)
• Inventors: Snider, Geoffrey U., Remillard, Rheal G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pezzuto, Robert E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAMMEN, NATHAN SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US10/068,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20030061794A1
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 562/19, 562/20, 562/21, 562/22, 562/23, 562/24, 562/25, 562/26, 562/27, 563/64, 561/20, 561/30
• US Class Current: 56/226
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 57/03 with supplementary controlled movement of the crop-engaging members, e.g. of the tines A01D57/025 takes precedence

Abstract

A crop harvesting header includes a cutter bar arranged across a forward edge of a header frame structure, a draper or auger transport arrangement for transporting the cut crop for further processing, and a reel mounted on reel arms for controlling movement of the crop in the area over the cutter bar with the reel having a plurality of reel bats at spaced positions around the reel axis each reel bat having reel fingers projecting generally radially outwardly from the reel axis, the reel bats all lying on a common bat circle around the reel axis so that rotation of the reel causes the reel bats to follow a path of movement lying on the bat circle. A non-circular stationary cam track surrounds the reel axis within the bat circle so that the end most fingers of the bats are located in line with the cam and immediately adjacent-the end sheet. Each bat is pivoted by a crank attached to the bat and a control link having one end freely pivotally connected to the outer end of the bat lever and having a cam follower the other end. A pulling link communicates rotation of the reel to the control link such that the cam follower thereof is caused to move along the cam track at a predetermined position therein. The crank is adjustable relative to the control link to change bat finger angle to provide a change in crop lift before the cutter bar while maintaining finger pattern. The cam location is adjustable around the reel axis to change the finger pattern.

Claims

1. A crop harvesting header comprising:

a header frame structure arranged for movement in a direction of working movement across ground carrying a crop to be harvested;

a cutter bar arranged across a forward edge of the header frame structure for cutting the crop;

a cut crop transport arrangement mounted on the header frame structure for receiving and transporting the cut crop for further processing;

and a reel for controlling movement of the crop in the area over the cutter bar;

the reel being mounted on the header frame structure for movement therewith in the direction of movement and for rotation about a reel axis generally parallel to the cutter bar;

the reel having a plurality of reel bats at spaced positions around the reel axis each reel bat having reel fingers projecting generally radially outwardly from the reel axis, the reel bats all lying on a common bat circle around the reel axis so that rotation of the reel causes the reel bats to follow a path of movement lying on the bat circle;

each of the reel bats being pivotal about its respective bat axis parallel to the reel axis so as to vary the angle of the fingers about the bat axis as the reel rotates;

a cam member mounted on the header frame structure at one end of the reel defining a non-circular cam track surrounding the reel axis and lying in a radial plane of the reel axis, the cam track being held during rotation of the reel in stationary angular location relative to the reel axis and;

each bat having associated therewith a respective control link with a cam follower on the control link which follows the cam track, such that, as the reel rotates through a series of angularly spaced positions of the bats, the movement of the follower on the cam track causes the respective control link to move relative to the respective bat axis to cause pivotal movement of the respective bat about the bat axis and thus, for each of the positions, to move the fingers of the bat around the bat axis to a required orientation relative to an axial plane of the reel axis passing through the bat axis;

the cam track and the control links being arranged such that the cam track is located wholly radially inwardly of the bat circle;

the bats at said one end of the reel extending longitudinally of the reel from an axial position spaced away from said one end toward said one end to a position such that an endmost finger of each of the bats lies in a radial plane of the reel axis which is at least in line with the cam track at said one end.

2. The header according to claim 1 wherein the radial plane of the endmost fingers is aligned with the cam.

3. The header according to claim 1 wherein the header frame structure includes an end sheet lying in a vertical plane at right angles to the cutter bar so as to lie along the direction of working movement and wherein the endmost fingers are arranged immediately adjacent the end sheet.

4. The header according to claim 1 wherein the reel is carried on at least two mounting arms of the header frame structure mounted on the header frame structure for upward and downward movement relative to the cutter bar, wherein the cam track is mounted with the reel for upward and downward movement with the mounting arms and wherein the cam track is mounted with the reel on the mounting arms so as to maintain the cam track accurately in a radial plane of the reel axis as the reel axis moves with the mounting arms.

5. The header according to claim 1 wherein each bat has associated therewith a crank attached to the bat and having an outer end spaced outwardly of the bat axis for effecting pivotal movement of the bat about the bat axis, wherein the respective control link of each bat has one end freely pivotally connected to the outer end of the crank and wherein each control link has associated therewith a respective link member for communicating rotation of the reel to the control link such that the cam follower thereof is caused to move along the cam track at a predetermined position therein.

6. The header according to claim 5 wherein the link member comprises a pivotal link which has one end pivotally connected to the reel at a fixed position thereon and a second end pivotally connected to the control link.

7. The header according to claim 6 wherein said one end is angularly advanced of the second end so that the link pulls the control link and the follower along the track.

8. The header according to claim 5 wherein the crank of each bat is adjustable relative to its associated control link to change the angle of the fingers of the bat around the bat axis, so as to adjust, for each of the positions, the respective orientation of said fingers relative to said axial plane.

9. The header according to claim 1 wherein each bat is adjustable relative to its associated control link to change the angle of the fingers of the bat around the bat axis, so as to adjust, for each of the positions, the respective orientation of said fingers relative to said axial plane.

10. The header according to claim 1 wherein the cam member is mounted for rotational adjustment movement of the stationary angular location thereof around the reel axis.

11. The header according to claim 10 wherein the reel is carried on at least two mounting arms of the header frame structure mounted on the header frame structure for upward and downward movement relative to the cutter bar, wherein the cam track is mounted with the reel for upward and downward movement with the mounting arms, wherein the cam track is mounted on a member fixed relative to the reel axis so as to maintain the cam track accurately in a radial plane of the reel axis as the reel axis moves with the mounting arms and wherein the cam track is mounted for rotational adjustment movement relative to the fixed member about the reel axis.

12. A crop harvesting header comprising:

a header frame structure arranged for movement in a direction of working movement across ground carrying a crop to be harvested;

a cutter bar arranged across a forward edge of the header frame structure for cutting the crop;

a cut crop transport arrangement mounted on the header frame structure for receiving and transporting the cut crop for further processing;

a reel for controlling movement of the crop in the area over the cutter bar;

the reel being mounted on at least two mounting arms of the header frame structure for movement therewith in the direction of movement and for rotation about a reel axis generally parallel to the cutter bar, the mounting arms being mounted on the header frame structure for upward and downward movement relative to the cutter bar;

the reel having a plurality of reel bats at spaced positions around the reel axis each reel bat having reel fingers projecting generally radially outwardly from the reel axis, the reel bats all lying on a common bat circle around the reel axis so that rotation of the reel causes the reel bats to follow a path of movement lying on the bat circle;

each of the reel bats being pivotal about its respective bat axis parallel to the reel axis so as to vary the angle of the fingers about the bat axis as the reel rotates;

a cam member defining a non-circular cam track surrounding the reel axis and lying in a radial plane of the reel axis;

the cam member being held during rotation of the reel in stationary angular location relative to the reel axis;

the cam member being mounted with the reel for upward and downward movement with the mounting arms;

the cam member being mounted with the reel on the mounting arms so as to maintain the cam track accurately in a radial plane of the reel axis as the reel axis moves with the mounting arms;

each bat having associated therewith a respective control link with a cam follower on the control link which follows the cam track, such that, as the reel rotates through a series of angularly spaced positions of the bats, the movement of the follower on the cam track causes the respective control link to move relative to the respective bat axis to cause pivotal movement of the respective bat about the bat axis and thus, for each of the positions, to move the fingers of the bat around the bat axis to a required orientation relative to an axial plane of the reel axis passing through the bat axis;

the cam member being mounted for rotational adjustment movement of the stationary angular location thereof around the reel axis.

13. The header according to claim 12 wherein the reel includes at each end a reel support shaft portion lying on the reel axis for supporting the reel for rotation about the reel axis;

wherein the cam member includes a reel support member defining a longitudinal support axis with bearings supporting one reel support shaft portion at one end of the reel such that the bearings hold and maintain the shaft portion and the reel axis accurately coaxially with the support axis; and

wherein the cam member is arranged to hold and maintain the cam track accurately in a radial plane of the support axis so as to hold the cam track in a radial plane of the reel axis.

14. The header according to claim 13 wherein the reel support member comprises a tubular member surrounding the shaft portion.

15. The header according to claim 13 wherein the reel support member includes two axially spaced bearings for supporting the shaft portion at axially spaced positions thereon to hold the shaft portion accurately coaxial with the longitudinal axis.

16. The header according to claim 13 wherein the reel support member is mounted on a respective one of the arms in a manner so as to allow misalignment movements between the reel support member and the respective arm while maintaining the reel axis accurately coaxial with the longitudinal axis.

17. A crop harvesting header comprising:

a header frame structure arranged for movement in a direction of working movement across ground carrying a crop to be harvested;

a cutter bar arranged across a forward edge of the header frame structure for cutting the crop;

a cut crop transport arrangement mounted on the header frame structure for receiving and transporting the cut crop for further processing;

a reel for controlling movement of the crop in the area over the cutter bar;

the reel having a plurality of reel bats at spaced positions around the reel axis each reel bat having reel fingers projecting generally radially outwardly from the reel axis, the reel bats all lying on a common bat circle around the reel axis so that rotation of the reel causes the reel bats to follow a path of movement lying on the bat circle;

each of the reel bats being pivotal about its respective bat axis parallel to the reel axis so as to vary the angle of the fingers about the bat axis as the reel rotates;

and a cam member defining a non-circular cam track surrounding the reel axis and lying in a radial plane of the reel axis;

each bat having associated therewith a respective control link with a cam follower on the control link which follows the cam track, such that, as the reel rotates through a series of angularly spaced positions of the bats, the movement of the follower on the cam track causes the respective control link to move relative to the respective bat axis to cause pivotal movement of the respective bat about the bat axis and thus, for each of the positions, to move the fingers of the bat around the bat axis to a required orientation relative to an axial plane of the reel axis passing through the bat axis;

the reel including at each end a reel support shaft portion lying on the reel axis for supporting the reel for rotation about the reel axis;

the cam member including a reel support member defining a longitudinal support axis with bearings supporting one reel support shaft portion at one end of the reel such that the bearings hold and maintain the shaft portion and the reel axis accurately coaxially with the support axis;

the cam member being arranged to hold and maintain the cam track accurately in a radial plane of the support axis so as to hold the cam track in a radial plane of the reel axis;

the cam member being mounted relative to the header frame structure so as to hold the cam track, during rotation of the reel, in stationary angular location relative to the reel axis;

and the cam member being mounted relative to the header frame structure for rotational adjustment movement of the stationary angular location thereof around the longitudinal axis and therefore the reel axis.

18. The header according to claim 17 wherein the reel support member comprises a tubular member surrounding the shaft portion.

19. The header according to claim 17 wherein the reel support member includes two axially spaced bearings for supporting the shaft portion at axially spaced positions thereon to hold the shaft portion accurately coaxial with the longitudinal axis.

20. The header according to claim 17 wherein the reel support member is mounted on the header frame structure in a manner so as to allow misalignment movements between the reel support member and the header frame structure while maintaining the reel axis accurately coaxial with the longitudinal axis.

21. A crop harvesting header comprising:

a header frame structure arranged for movement in a direction of working movement across ground carrying a crop to be harvested;

a cutter bar arranged across a forward edge of the header frame structure for cutting the crop;

a cut crop transport arrangement mounted on the header frame structure for receiving and transporting the cut crop for further processing;

a reel for controlling movement of the crop in the area over the cutter bar;

the reel having a plurality of reel bats at spaced positions around the reel axis each reel bat having reel fingers projecting generally radially outwardly from the reel axis, the reel bats all lying on a common bat circle around the reel axis so that rotation of the reel causes the reel bats to follow a path of movement lying on the bat circle;

each of the reel bats being pivotal about its respective bat axis parallel to the reel axis so as to vary the angle of the fingers about the bat axis as the reel rotates;

a cam member defining a non-circular cam track surrounding the reel axis and lying in a radial plane of the reel axis;

the cam track being held during rotation of the reel in stationary angular location relative to the reel axis;

each bat having associated therewith a respective control link with a cam follower on the control link which follows the cam track, such that, as the reel rotates through a series of angularly spaced positions of the bats, the movement of the follower on the cam track causes the respective control link to move relative to the respective bat axis to cause pivotal movement of the respective bat about the bat axis and thus, for each of the positions, to move the fingers of the bat around the bat axis to a required orientation relative to an axial plane of the reel axis passing through the bat axis;

each bat being adjustable relative to its associated control link to change the angle of the fingers of the bat around the bat axis, so as to adjust, for each of the positions, the respective orientation of said fingers relative to said axial plane.

22. The header according to claim 21 wherein the reel is carried on at least two mounting arms of the header frame structure mounted on the header frame structure for upward and downward movement relative to the cutter bar, wherein the cam track is mounted with the reel for upward and downward movement with the mounting arms and wherein the cam track is mounted with the reel on the mounting arms so as to maintain the cam track accurately in a radial plane of the reel axis as the reel axis moves with the mounting arms.

23. The header according to claim 21 wherein each bat has associated therewith a crank attached to the bat and having an outer end spaced outwardly of the bat axis for effecting pivotal movement of the bat about the bat axis, wherein the respective control link of each bat has one end freely pivotally connected to the outer end of the crank and wherein each control link has associated therewith a respective link member for communicating rotation of the reel to the control link such that the cam follower thereof is caused to move along the cam track at a predetermined position therein.

24. The header according to claim 23 wherein the link member comprises a pivotal link which has one end pivotally connected to the reel at a fixed position thereon and a second end pivotally connected to the control link.

25. The header according to claim 24 wherein said one end is angularly advanced of the second end so that the link pulls the control link and the follower along the track.

26. The header according to claim 23 wherein the crank of each bat is adjustable relative to its associated control link to change the angle of the fingers of the bat around the bat axis.

27. A crop harvesting header comprising:

a header frame structure arranged for movement in a direction of working movement across ground carrying a crop to be harvested;

a cutter bar arranged across a forward edge of the header frame structure for cutting the crop;

a cut crop transport arrangement mounted on the header frame structure for receiving and transporting the cut crop for further processing;

a reel for controlling movement of the crop in the area over the cutter bar;

the reel having a plurality of reel bats at spaced positions around the reel axis each reel bat having reel fingers projecting generally radially outwardly from the reel axis, the reel bats all lying on a common bat circle around the reel axis so that rotation of the reel causes the reel bats to follow a path of movement lying on the bat circle;

each of the reel bats being freely pivotal about its respective bat axis parallel to the reel axis so as to vary the angle of the fingers about the bat axis as the reel rotates;

a cam member defining a non-circular cam track surrounding the reel axis and lying in a radial plane of the reel axis;

the cam track being held, during rotation of the reel, in stationary angular location relative to the reel axis;

each bat having associated therewith a crank attached to the bat and having an outer end spaced outwardly of the bat axis for effecting pivotal movement of the bat about the bat axis;

each bat having associated therewith a respective control link having one end freely pivotally connected to the outer end of the crank and having a cam follower at a second end of the control link for following the cam track;

each control link having associated therewith a respective link member for communicating rotation of the reel to the control link such that the cam follower thereof is caused to move along the cam track at a predetermined position therein;

such that, as the reel rotates through a series of angularly spaced positions of the bats, the movement of the respective follower on the cam track causes the respective control link to move relative to the respective bat axis to cause pivotal movement of the respective crank and thus the respective bat about the bat axis and thus, for each of the positions, to move the fingers of the bat around the bat axis to a required orientation relative to an axial plane of the reel axis passing through the bat axis.

28. The header according to claim 27 wherein the link member comprises a pivotal link which has one end pivotally connected to the reel at a fixed position thereon and a second end pivotally connected to the control link.

29. The header according to claim 28 wherein said one end is angularly advanced of the second end so that the link pulls the control link and the follower along the track.

30. The header according to claim 27 wherein the cam track and the control links are arranged such that the cam track is located wholly radially inwardly of the bat circle.