Adjustable crop thinner
US6182770A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 6, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01B41/04
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An adjustable crop thinning device configured for mounting on an attachment frame for pulling behind an agricultural vehicle such as a tractor in a field of row crops. The attachment frame is oriented generally transverse to the direction of motion of the tractor, and comprises a plurality of generally upright rotating hubs disposed upon its rearward portion. Each hub has a plurality of elongate sweeps extending radially therefrom, each sweep having an elongate axis and a substantially planar end blade, and being configured to contact the ground with the end blade, such that the hub will rotate as the frame is pulled across the ground. The end blades are selectively rotatable about their elongate axes, whereby the aspect of their sweep through a row of crops may be adjusted. The rotating hubs are also angularly adjustable, being connected to the frame by a pivot mechanism allowing vertical and/or horizontal rotation of the orientation of the plane of the hub relative to the direction of motion of the machine. As the frame is pulled across the ground, the blades connected to the angled rotating hubs pass transversely through the row of crops, thereby periodically removing plants so …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.