Multipurpose leaf crop harvesting apparatus and processing method
US11026369B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 26, 2018 |
| Grant date | Jun 8, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 1, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01D43/077
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The Multipurpose Leaf Crop Harvesting Apparatus and Processing Method will accomplish seven steps in one pass of the combine harvester. This apparatus and processing method harvests leaf crops and is configured to perform multiple processing operations, including fractionation of the leaf crop, leaf maceration, leaf sizing, elevating the leaf fraction to a transport vehicle, and stem conditioning, cutting and windrowing, in a single pass through the crop field. These steps are accomplished using a header unit, an adapter feeder macerator and a forage harvester vehicle, expeditiously removing the leaf fraction from the field. Following leaf fraction harvesting, the leaf fraction is processed by densification into forage feed products. The processed leaf fraction can be combined with other feeds to make up customized feed rations. The stem fraction is also processed. The present invention can also be used to harvest grass crops.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.