Sunflower header attachment
US4445314A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 22, 1982 |
| Grant date | May 1, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01D41/147
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for increasing the efficiency of sunflower harvesting by combine consists of a sunflower header attachment secured over a reciprocating sickle bar assembly at the front end of the combine. A plurality of spaced apart pans are secured over the sickle bar assembly to extend forwardly from the combine. Pivotally mounted at the forward end of each pan is an elongated snout tapered to a rounded tip at its front end. The snouts have smooth sides and rounded edges to allow the combine to gently engage sunflower stalks during the harvesting operation. A reel is rotatably mounted transversely over the pans and is driven to rotate on a generally horizontal axis for urging sunflowers into the combine. Preferably, the reel has only two wings, the axes of which are substantially coplanar, so that in operation the reel does not prevent a combine operator from observing a significant degree of the sunflower gathering and cutting operations. Each wing has a rounded outer edge and is completely covered having smooth rounded sides to gently guide sunflowers into the combine and minimize seed loss.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.