Abstract:
A harvesting and topping system includes a substantially horizontal cutting table for receiving a cultivated vegetable, the cutting table being pervious to air, a cutting assembly configured to cut vegetable tops of the cultivated vegetable when on the cutting table, at least one fan configured to blow air under positive pressure upwardly through the cutting table, and a ductwork configured to provide an airway from the fan to beneath the cutting table. According to one embodiment, the ductwork includes at least one airflow divider disposed in an interior portion of the ductwork to maximize uniformity of an air pressure within the ductwork and to distribute airflow within the ductwork.
Abstract:
An improved beet topping and windrowing apparatus of the trailmounted type having a substantially reduced turning radius. The reduced turning radius is achieved through the use of a plurality of follower wheels for supporting said apparatus, and resisting movement in a lateral direction when operated along an inclined surface, said wheels being disposed beneath the conveyor and inwardly of the ends thereof. The apparatus includes a pickup means having a plurality of rows of fingers, each finger being generally L-shaped in configuration and having a base portion extending in the direction of rotation of the pickup means, said base portion providing resistance against radially outwardly movement of items being picked up by the pickup means, a stripper means disposed vertically above and rearwardly of the pickup means for transferring items picked up by the pickup means to a conveyor, said stripper means including a rotatably mounted member having a plurality of longitudinally extending flaps disposed about the periphery thereof, said rotatably mounted member being disposed such that a plane passing through the longitudinal axes of said member and said pickup means forms an included angle of approximately 27 degrees or more with a horizontally disposed plane, and means for adjusting the vertical distance separating the pickup assembly relative to the follower wheels. The apparatus also includes means for maintaining the topping knife of each topping unit in a predetermined attitude relative to a predetermined plane upon pivotal movement of the means supporting said topping knife.
Abstract:
When using a cross auger assembly on a crop harvesting header with a flexible frame having end frame sections pivotal relative to a centre frame section, mounting devices are coupled between the bearing housings at opposing ends of the cross auger assembly and the outer ends of the end frame sections. Each mounting device includes a first mounting structure fixed relative to the outer end of the end frame section, a second mounting structure fixed to a portion of the respective bearing housing, and a flexible mounting arrangement between the mounting structures to accommodate variation in lateral positioning of the bearing housings relative to the ends of the flexible frame as the flexible frame flexes over varying ground contours without requiring a telescoping shaft arrangement on the cross auger assembly.