Patent · US Expired

Crop harvesting machine with flexible cutter bar

US4091602A · kind A · utility

46Cited by
4References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 10, 1977
Grant dateMay 30, 1978
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 10, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA01D34/30
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Disclosed is a crop harvesting machine for collecting stalk crops having seed pods near ground level. The harvester includes a horizontally disposed reel structure. As the reel rotates, bat-assemblies thereon successively urge the stalks of the crop against a cutter bar which severs them close to the ground. The cutter bar and its associated sickle drive assembly accommodate the irregular variations in ground contour, by reason of the interposition of leaf springs between the cutter bar assembly and the cutter carrying platform. When not required the flexible cutter bar feature can be disabled. Sensing fingers mounted on the underside of the machine relay information to an automatic elevational control unit assuring that the cutter carrying platform closely follows the contour of the ground.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.