WO2001015512A1

WO2001015512A1 - Modular combine harvester and a straw conveying apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2001015512A1
Application number: PCT/AU2000/001005
Authority: WO
Inventors: Desmond Frank Counsel
Original assignee: Capeview Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1999-08-26
Filing date: 2000-08-25
Publication date: 2001-03-08

Abstract

A modular combine harvester (300) comprises a plurality of interconnectable harvesting assembly modules (310). Each harvesting assembly module (310) is provided with a cutting means for cutting a crop, a threshing means (140) for threshing the cut crop, a separating means for separating grain from chaff and straw resulting from the threshed crop, and a conveying apparatus (120) for conveying straw to a rearward location of the harvesting assembly module (310). Each module (310) is also provided with a ground-following wheel assembly (330). The straw conveying apparatus (120) comprises a plurality of parallel transversely disposed rotatable shafts (30) for conveying straw to a rearward location of a combine harvester (200), each shaft (30) having a plurality of elongate members (40) outwardly extending from a surface (32) of the shaft (30), the relative spacing of the elongate members (40) of adjacent rotatable shafts (30) being such that respective outer portions of the elongate members (40) of each rotatable shaft (30) are receivable in spaces between outer portions of elongate members (40) of an adjacent rotatable shaft (30), such that, in use, the elongate members (40) of adjacent rotatable shafts (40) tease the straw to prevent the straw from becoming matted.

Description

TITLE

"MODULAR COMBINE HARVESTER AND A STRAW CONVEYING

APPARATUS^"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a modular combine harvester and a straw conveying

apparatus

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional combine harvester typically includes a pair of front drive wheels and a

pair of steerable rear wheels supporting a main frame Any one of several types of

headers, which are arranged to cut a standing crop or a swathed crop, is connected

forwardly of the main frame The header is generally much broader than the main

frame, with a substantial proportion of the header extending outwardly from the main

frame The cut crop is moved inwardly from the transversely outward extending ends

of the header to a central location by a first conveying means, such as an auger or a

header elevator, whereupon the cut crop is engaged by a threshing cylinder which is

mounted on the main frame The threshing cylinder is generally provided with a

concave disposed below the threshing cylinder Threshed material or chaff is passed

downwardly through the concave and is guided and induced to move to a discharge

chute located at the rear of the main frame by a second conveying means, such as a

pair of distribution augers, a "walker" system, or axially rotating helical ribs

A large proportion (approximately 90%) of grain separated from the chaff is collected

by a grain collection assembly, typically comprising at least one elevator system

leading to clean grain collection bins Approximately 10% of grain either still remains on the grain head, or, although separated from the grain head, remains embedded in the chaff and straw bulk A sieve and grain catchment tray is frequently located directly beneath the second conveying means to catch grain which breaks free of the chaff and straw bulk while the straw is conveyed to the rear of the main frame However, a significant proportion of the poorly separated grain is still discharged with the straw bulk, resulting in lost revenue

Ideally, the crop to be harvested must be substantially dry before it can be harvested with a combine harvester In circumstances where a crop is harvested under heavy dew conditions, or where the crop is not sufficiently "ripe", or where there is an incidence of weed growth throughout the crop, it is common to experience delays in the work in progress because of mechanical failure in the combine harvester A leading cause of this mechanical failure is an increased load placed on the second conveying means, due to a build-up of damp chaff which becomes matted and entangled with the second conveying means during its progress to the discharge chute In order to proceed, the combine harvester operator is forced to interrupt harvesting to clear and disentangle the second conveying means from the damp chaff Similar delays can also be experienced under ideal harvesting conditions that

nevertheless occur because of the substantial loading placed on the threshing cylinder and first and second conveying systems when the header cuts large swathes of standing crop This problem is particularly exacerbated when the standing crop has been previously flattened or bent by adverse weather conditions, for example, and the combine harvester is forced to process an increased volume of material The present invention attempts to overcome at least in part some of the aforementioned disadvantages SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a straw conveying apparatus for a combine harvester, characterised by comprising a plurality of parallel transversely disposed rotatable shafts for conveying straw to a rearward location of the combine harvester, each shaft having a plurality of elongate members outwardly extending from a surface of the shaft, the relative spacing of the elongate members of adjacent rotatable shafts being such that respective outer portions of the elongate members of each rotatable shaft are receivable in spaces between outer portions of elongate members of an adjacent rotatable shaft, such that, in use, the elongate members of adjacent rotatable shafts tease the straw to prevent the straw from becoming matted

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a modular combine harvester, characterised by comprising a plurality of harvesting assembly modules, each harvesting assembly module including a cutting means for cutting a crop, a threshing means for threshing the cut crop, a separating means for separating grain from chaff and straw resulting from the threshed crop, and a conveying apparatus for conveying straw to a rearward location of the harvesting assembly module

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an improved conveying apparatus in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 is a top plan view of the improved conveying apparatus shown in Figure 1 , Figure 3 is a side elevation view of improved conveying apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a plurality of harvesting assembly modules comprising a modular combine harvester, in accordance with the present invention, and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a harvesting assembly module including the improved straw conveying apparatus shown in Figures 1-3

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figures 1 - 3, wherein like numerals and symbols refer to like parts throughout, there is shown a straw conveying apparatus 10 for use with a combine harvester 200 The straw conveying apparatus 10 includes a frame assembly 20, a straw conveying means 120, a threshing means 140, a grain conveying means 160 and a grain sizing means (not shown)

The frame assembly 20 includes a front elongate member 22 endwise connected to a rear elongate member 24 by a pair of opposing side elongate members 26 The front elongate member 22 and the rear elongate member 24 are transversely disposed relative to the direction of travel of a main frame assembly 100 of the combine harvester 200 Typically, the front elongate member 22 is arranged, in use, to be adjacent and rearwardly disposed of a threshing cylinder 50, and the rear elongate

member 24 is arranged, in use, to be adjacent and forwardly disposed of a discharge chute located at the rear of the main frame assembly 100 of the combine harvester 200 The straw conveying means 120 includes a plurality of rotatable shafts 30, each shaft 30 being provided with a plurality of elongate members 40 The shafts 30 are rotatably mounted between the side members 26 of the frame assembly 20 such that each shaft 30 is transversely disposed in parallel alignment with one another The shafts 30 are rotatable in a rearward direction so that, in use, chaff is conveyed towards the rear member 24 of the frame assembly 20, and thence the discharge chute of the combine harvester 200 It will be understood that conventional means can be used to drive and control the speed of rotation of the shafts 30 Each shaft 30 is provided with a plurality of elongate members 40 outwardly extending from a circumferential surface 32 of the shaft 30. Preferably, the elongate members 40 are equidistantly spaced in a plurality of parallel rows 42 extending transversely along the length of the circumferential surface 32 of the shaft 30 Preferably, the rows 42 of elongate members 40 are equiangularly spaced around the circumferential surface 32 of the shaft 30 as shown in Figures 1 and 3

Although the elongate members 40 of adjacent shafts 30 are parallel and longitudinally aligned with the side members 26 of the frame assembly 20, the elongate members 40 of adjacent shafts 30 are not longitudinally aligned with one another Referring to Figure 2, it can be clearly seen that the elongate members 40 are arranged to be laterally offset from one another such that an outer portion 44 of the elongate members 40 of each shaft 30 is receivable in a space between the outer portions 44 of two adjacent elongate members 40 in the same row 42 on an adjacent shaft 30

Thus, in use, the outer portion 44 of a rearwardly disposed elongate member 40, as it moves through its downward cycle of rotation, will pass through a space between the outer portions 44 of two forwardly disposed elongate members 40 in the same row 42 on the adjacent shaft 30, as they move through their corresponding upward cycle of rotation In this way, the manner of engagement of the elongate members 40 of adjacent shafts 30 facilitates separation of bulk straw into individual lengths such that the bulk straw is prevented from becoming matted whilst the straw is conveyed by the rearwardly rotatable shafts 30 towards the rear member 24 of the frame assembly 20, and thence the discharge chute of the combine harvester 200

A further advantage of operation of the straw conveying means 120 of the present invention is that clean grain which is frequently embedded in bulk straw after threshing in conventional apparatus is dislodged from the bulk straw by the engaging action of the elongate members 40 of the straw conveying means 120 The clean grain can then be readily sized, separated and stored, forming a significant proportion of the total harvest which would otherwise be lost if a conventional conveying means, such as an auger or "walker" system, were used Thus, it is envisaged that the straw conveying means 120 is a preferable replacement for an auger or "walker" system

The threshing means 140 includes the threshing cylinder 50 located adjacent and

forwardly of the frame assembly 20 of the conveying apparatus 10 It is envisaged that the threshing cylinder 50 will be a conventional threshing cylinder However, it is also within the scope of the present invention to provide the threshing cylinder 50 with a plurality of cylinders (not shown) disposed around a circumferential surface 52 of the threshing cylinder 50 The cylinders are provided with a substantially smaller diameter than the threshing cylinder 50 and are arranged to rotate at a different speed to the threshing cylinder 50 to enhance the threshing capability of the threshing cylinder 50 The threshing means is also provided with concave 54 to stop large straw being forced through while at the same time allows threshing and separating to take place in the conventional manner

Typically, under damp working conditions or tough crop conditions, an operator will increase the rotational speed of the thresher and narrow a clearance between the concave and the threshing cylinder 50 in order to separate the grain from the grain head Unfortunately, such adjustments may frequently damage the grain and/or result in an increased amount of grain still remaining on the grainhead and which is conveyed with the straw bulk

In order to ameliorate these operating conditions, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide a second threshing cylinder to allow the primary threshing cylinder to be operated at a slower rotational speed with a wider concave clearance Preferably, the second threshing cylinder replaces the ratable shaft 30 located immediately adjacent and to the rear of the threshing cylinder 50 It is envisaged that the second threshing cylinder will further process grainheads and separate grain remaining on the grainheads from the grainheads

The grain conveying means 160 is disposed underneath the straw conveying means 120 The grain conveying means 160 includes a plurality of rotatable rollers 162, transversely disposed in parallel alignment with one another The rollers 162 are rotatable in a forward direction It will be understood that conventional means can be used to drive and control the speed of rotation of the rollers 162 A plurality of chain members 164 are arranged to be wrapped around outermost circumferential surfaces

of each of the rollers 162 located at the forward end and the rearward end of the grain conveying means 160, thus encircling the plurality of rollers 162 The grain conveying means 160 is driven at the forward end or the rearward end by a drive sprocket to engage the chain members 169 The chain members 164 are longitudinally disposed in parallel alignment with one another The chain members 164 are provided with a plurality of rigid web members 166 The web members 166 are arranged to span and stand proud of adjacent chain members 164 An outermost portion 168 of the web member 166 is formed from a resilient material, such as rubber, for example The grain conveying means 160 is also provided with a substantially horizontal mesh sheet disposed directly beneath the rollers 162 Furthermore, several of the web members 166 may optionally be provided with a brush member disposed on the outermost portion 168 of web member 166 to clear grain or chaff trapped in the mesh sheet and thereby prevent a build-up thereof.

In use, the outermost portion 168 of each web member 166 is arranged to scrape the underlying mesh sheet In this way, grain heads which happen to be disposed on an upper surface of the mesh sheet may be engaged by the outermost portion 168 of the web member 166 and thus grain is drawn from the grain head by a dragging action of the web member 166 as it passes the mesh sheet on its rotational pathway around the rollers 162 It is envisaged that a rear end of the mesh sheet may be provided with an upright depending sheet member The separated grain may then be conveyed to a storage tray The grain sizing means (not shown) includes a pair of adjacent overlying sheets of mesh It is envisaged that the sheets will be of a similar mesh grade A first sheet is arranged to be laterally slidable so as to vary an effective pass-through-hole size of the grain sizing means A smaller grade mesh sheet may also be provided underneath the pair of adjacent overlying sheets of mesh to remove undersized material The grain sizing means is arranged, in use, to be located underneath the conveying straw means 120 and the grain conveying means 160 so as to size clean grain which has been dislodged from bulk straw after threshing by the straw conveying means 120, or clean grain which has been separated from a grain head by the grain conveying means 160 It is envisaged that the improved straw conveying apparatus 10 of the present invention will be manufactured as a unit that can be readily installed into, or

conversely, removed from, the combine harvester for ease of adjustment and/or maintenance It is also envisaged that the threshing means 140 and the grain conveying means 160 can be re-arranged and relocated to alternative locations in the combine harvester to suit the user's requirements

As described previously, conventional combine harvesters are provided with headers located forwardly of the main frame wherein a substantial proportion of the header extends outwardly from the main frame The subsequent processing of the cut crop, such as threshing and cleaning, is conducted in a substantially central location on the main frame of the combine harvester, wherein conveying means are provided to convey cut crop to the central location A substantial load is placed on the threshing and cleaning systems centrally located on the combine harvester which, under adverse conditions, can produce mechanical failures, delays and disruptions to the harvesting process In contrast, the present invention seeks to utilise a space located immediately to the rear of the header for the purposes of threshing and cleaning the harvested crop, and thus to reduce the loading on the threshing and cleaning systems of the combine harvester The present invention achieves this end by providing a plurality of interconnected modular harvesting assemblies which are each arranged to perform most, if not all, of the functions of a conventional combine harvester, and which are located in substantially the same general locality as a header in a conventional combine harvester

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, there is shown a modular combine harvester 300 The modular combine harvester 300 comprises a plurality of harvesting assembly modules

310 Each harvesting assembly module 310 includes a cutting means for cutting a crop, a threshing means for threshing the cut crop, a separating means for separating grain from chaff resulting from the threshed crop, and a conveying apparatus for conveying straw to a rearward location of the harvesting assembly module 310 The modular combine harvester 300 is also provided with a clean grain conveying means to convey the grain which is harvested by each harvesting assembly module 310 to a storage facility, such as a hopper, or to a main combine harvester for further cleaning

Each harvesting assembly module 310 is provided with a support frame 320 The support frame 320 is of generally planar configuration and adapted so as to extend and be maintained generally parallel to the terrain across which it moves during use of the modular combine harvester 300

The modular combine harvester 300 is typically configured such that a plurality of harvesting assembly modules 310 is disposed transversely in lateral alignment with one another However, it is also envisaged that the harvesting assembly modules may also be disposed in longitudinal alignment with one another Each support frame 320 is provided with a plurality of connection means, each connection means being disposed on respective sides of the support frame 320, to facilitate lateral and/or longitudinal interconnection of each support frame 320 to an adjacent support frame 320 The connection means is arranged such that each support frame 320 can be readily detached from or connected to the adjacent support frame 320 without disrupting the function of the adjacent support frame 320 In this way, an operator can conveniently add or remove harvester assembly modules 310 to suit his harvesting requirements Each harvesting assembly module 310 is provided with a wheel assembly 330 mounted on the support frame 320 to assist in supporting the support frame 320 and move the modular combine harvester 300 across the desired terrain The wheel assembly 330 is preferably adjustable to raise and lower the support frame 320 relative to the terrain and thereby follow the terrain independently of adjacent harvesting assembly modules 310

Preferably, the wheel assembly 330 includes ground engaging members in the form of ground engaging wheels rotatably mounted on the support frame 320 Preferably, the wheels are so mounted on the support frame 320 through a suspension linkage

operable to pivot the wheels about the support frame 320 and thereby adjust the height of the support frame 320 from the earth The suspension linkage is, preferably, controllably pivotable to effect wheel pivoting and that may be achieved by any suitable electrical, mechanical or hydraulic operable control motor Each harvesting assembly module 310 is provided with a cutting means for cutting a crop It is within the scope of the present invention for any conventional cutting

means that is suitable for the proposed purpose to be used It is envisaged that the cutting means will be mounted adjacent and forwardly of the support frame 320 of the harvesting assembly module 310 in a configuration which is substantially similar to the configuration of a conventional header relative to a conventional combine harvester Each harvesting assembly module 310 is also provided with a threshing means for threshing the cut crop It is envisaged that the threshing means will be configured adjacent and rearwardly of the cutting means, the harvesting assembly module 300 also being provided with a header elevator or an auger to convey the cut crop from the cutting means to the threshing means It will be understood that any conventional threshing means suitable for the outlined purpose may be installed in the harvesting assembly module 310

It is envisaged that in some embodiments of the invention an open threshing cylinder will also be provided to fan threshed chaff and straw to the rear of the harvesting assembly module 310 by means of a roller fan A conventional cleaning and shaking system may also be provided, wherein the system is arranged to fold outwardly from the rear of the harvesting assembly module 310

Each harvesting assembly module 310 is also provided with a separating means for separating grain from chaff resulting from the threshed crop It is envisaged that the separating means will be configured adjacent and rearwardly of the threshing means

It will be understood that any conventional separating means suitable for the outlined

purpose may be installed in the harvesting assembly module 310 Each harvesting assembly module 310 is also provided with a conveying apparatus for conveying straw to a rearward location of the harvesting assembly module 300 It is envisaged that the conveying apparatus will be configured adjacent and rearwardly of the threshing means It will be understood that any conventional conveying

apparatus suitable for the outlined purpose may be installed in the harvesting assembly module 310 It is also within the scope of the present invention for the improved conveying apparatus described earlier in the specification may be installed in the harvesting assembly module 310

It will be understood that each harvesting assembly module 310, including the respective cutting means, threshing means, separating means, and conveying apparatus can be operated independently of the adjacent harvesting assembly modules

310 Each harvesting assembly module 310, including the respective cutting means, threshing means, separating means, and conveying apparatus are preferably controlled by any suitable electrical, mechanical or hydraulic operable control motor The control motor may be operable simultaneously with or separately to the control motors of adjacent harvesting assembly modules 310

The modular combine harvester 300 of the present invention may be self-propelled across terrain, in which case the interconnected support frames 320 of the harvesting assembly modules 310 may generally be attached forwardly of a main frame of a conventional combine harvester which is provided with suitable propulsion means and controls for moving the harvesting assembly modules 310 across terrain

Alternatively, the modular combine harvester 300 may be connectable to a prime mover, such as a tractor, for movement across terrain and, in that case, the interconnected support frames 320 may be either adapted for suspension mounting to that prime mover for movement therewith or adapted for an all power configuration It is envisaged that the modular combine harvester 300 will be conveniently arranged for road transport by providing means for the outermost end harvesting assembly

modules 310 to be pivoted at least 90° in a vertical direction to reduce an effective

width of the modular combine harvester 300 It is also envisaged that the wheel assemblies of each harvesting assembly module 310 will be provided with means to facilitate pivoting and securing the wheel assemblies about 90° from the normal direction of travel of the modular combine harvester 300 to allow the interconnected support frames 320 to be towed by a prime mover from a side end It will be understood that if the harvesting assembly module 310 is arranged to be lm in width, then as the harvesting assembly module 310 traverses a crop field, a lm wide strip of the crop field will be harvested by the cutting means, threshing means, separating means and the conveying means included in the harvesting assembly module 310 A 20m wide strip of crop field could thus be harvested by 20 x lm laterally interconnected assembly modules 310 However, it is within the scope of the present invention for the harvesting assembly module 310 to be manufactured in any desirable width which is suitable for this purpose Furthermore, it is an important advantage of the present invention that the threshing and cleaning systems be the same width as the cutting means Typically, a centrally located bank of straw is discharged from a conventional harvester as it traverses a crop field It is generally preferable for the bank of straw to be spread over the terrain at a later time when crop harvesting is complete In contrast, operation of the modular combine harvester 300 of the present invention advantageously eliminates the requirement to spread the straw in a later and further operation - the straw is discharged evenly over the terrain by each harvesting assembly module 310 as the modular combine harvester 300 traverses the crop field

Furthermore, referring to Figure 5, it will be understood that the grain conveying means 160 may also act as a threshing system

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention

Claims

1 A modular combine harvester characterised by comprising a plurality of harvesting assembly modules, each harvesting assembly module including a cutting means for cutting a crop, a threshing means for threshing the cut crop, a separating means for separating grain from straw resulting from the threshed crop, and a conveying apparatus for conveying straw to a rearward location of the harvesting assembly module

2 The modular combine harvester according to claim 1, characterised in that each harvesting assembly module is provided with a plurality of connection means, each connection means being disposed on respective sides of the harvesting assembly module, to facilitate lateral and/or longitudinal interconnection of the harvesting assembly module to an adjacent harvesting assembly module

3 The modular combine harvester according to claim 2, characterised in that the connection means is arranged such that each harvesting assembly module is detachably connected to the adjacent harvesting assembly module

4 The modular combine harvester according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that each harvesting assembly module is provided with a wheel assembly mounted on the harvesting assembly module to assist in supporting and moving the harvesting assembly module

5 The modular combine harvester according to claim 4, characterised in that the wheel assembly is adjustable to raise and lower the harvesting assembly module relative to underlying terrain and thereby follow the terrain independently of adjacent

harvesting assembly modules 6 The modular combine harvester according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterised in that the wheel assembly includes rotatably mounted ground engaging wheels

7 The modular combine harvester according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterised in that the connection means is arranged such that outermost harvesting assembly modules are pivotable at least 90°

8 A straw conveying apparatus for a combine harvester characterised by comprising a plurality of parallel transversely disposed rotatable shafts for conveying straw to a rearward location of the combine harvester, each shaft having a plurality of

elongate members outwardly extending from a surface of the shaft, the relative spacing of the elongate members of adjacent rotatable shafts being such that respective outer portions of the elongate members of each rotatable shaft are receivable in spaces between outer portions of elongate members of an adjacent rotatable shaft, such that, in use, the elongate members tease the straw to prevent the straw from becoming matted 9 The straw conveying apparatus for a combine harvester according to claim 8, characterised in that the elongate members are equidistantly spaced in a plurality of parallel rows extending along the length of the surface of the shaft

10 The straw conveying apparatus for a combine harvester according to claim 9,

characterised in that the rows of elongate members are equiangularly spaced around the surface of the shaft

11 The straw conveying apparatus for a combine harvester according to any one

of claims 8 to 11, characterised in that the elongate members of adjacent shafts are arranged to be laterally offset from one another 12 The straw conveying apparatus for a combine harvester according to any one of claims 9 to 1 1, characterised in that the outer portion of a rearwardly disposed elongate member, as it moves through its downward circle of rotation, will pass through a space between the outer portions of two forwardly disposed elongate members in the same row on the adjacent shaft as they move through their corresponding upward cycle of rotation

13 The straw conveying apparatus for a combine harvester according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterised in that the conveying apparatus is disposed to the rear of a threshing cylinder of a combine harvester 14 The straw conveying apparatus for a combine harvester according to claim 13, characterised in that the threshing cylinder is provided with a plurality of cylinders disposed around a circumferential surface of the threshing cylinder

15 The straw conveying apparatus for a combine harvester according to claim 14, characterised in that the cylinders have a substantially smaller respective diameter than the threshing cylinder

16 The straw conveying apparatus for a combine harvester according to claim 14 of claim 15, characterised in that the cylinders are arranged to rotate at a different speed to a rotational speed of the threshing cylinder

17 The straw conveying apparatus for a combine harvester according to any one of claims 8 to 16, characterised in that the conveying apparatus is further provided with a grain conveying means