Chopper mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016235010-A1
Application number	US-201615019316-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 9, 2016
Priority date	Feb 18, 2015
Publication date	Aug 18, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A chopper mechanism for chopping stalk-like plant wherein the chopper mechanism includes a plurality of chopping elements that are removably mounted on the pair of chopper drums via associated holders. The chopping elements are mounted on the chopper drums circumferentially spaced apart and define a predetermined radial angle (α) therebetween. Each of the chopping elements having a pair of substantially parallel cutting edges spaced apart by substantially parallel mounting surfaces. One of the cutting edges is selectively engaged in the chopping while the other cutting edge is enclosed within the holder. The parallel cutting edge of the chopping elements facilitates in reversing each chopping element depending on the degree of abrasion of the cutting edge.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A chopper mechanism for chopping stalk-like plants, the chopper mechanism comprising:
a plurality of chopping elements having a pair of spaced apart substantially parallel cutting edges and mounting surfaces substantially perpendicular to the cutting edge, each of the cutting edges being along the plane of at least one of the mounting surfaces, each of the cutting edges being selectively engaged in chopping; a plurality of chopper drums defined by a plurality of positioning provisions circumferentially spaced apart; and at least one holder cooperating with each of the positioning provisions, the holder defining a profiled recess to removably mount the chopping element there within via the mounting surfaces along a mounting plane (A), at least one of the cutting edges adapted to be enclosed within the holder, wherein each of the adjacent chopping elements adapted to define a predetermined radial angle (α) therebetween.

2 . The chopper mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the chopping elements are defined with a support complementing a seat defined within the holder, the support adapted to be at least one of an integrally formed structure and a discretely formed structure.

3 . The chopper mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the holder and the positioning provisions are at least one of integrally formed or discreetly formed.

4 . The chopper mechanism of claim 1 , wherein each of the cutting edges of the chopping elements define at least one of an obtuse angle and an acute angle to the mounting surfaces.

5 . The chopper mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined radial angle (α) is in the range of 0 degrees to 120 degrees.

6 . The chopper mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the selective engagement of each of the cutting edges correspond to the degree of abrasion of the cutting edges, the at least one chopping element are adapted to chop the stalk plant into predetermined sized billets.

7 . The chopper mechanism of claim 1 , wherein a set of the chopping elements are arranged in at least one of an inline configuration and a staggered configuration, a plurality of the set of chopping elements being adapted to be circumferentially arranged on the chopper drums, defining the predetermined radial angle (α) therebetween.

8 . The chopper mechanism of claim 1 , wherein each of the chopper drums are arranged along respective substantially parallel rotational axis (X-X, Y-Y), the chopping elements associated with at least one of the chopper drums being adapted to pinchingly chop the stalk plant in the chopping operation.

9 . The chopper mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the chopping elements are arranged on each of the chopper drums in at least one of the inline configuration and the staggered configuration, the cutting edge being adapted to define a cutting plane substantially perpendicular to the mounting plane (A).

10 . The chopper mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the chopping elements of each of the chopper drums are engaged with a complementary chopping element mounted on a surface complementary to the chopping drums for chopping the stalk-like plant, the chopping elements are mounted within the holder with at least one of a fastener, a dowel, a wedge arrangement, and a spring-loaded arrangement.

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Fattepur Surfraj
• Burch Guy

Classifications

• A01D45/10 Primary

  of sugar cane {(for digging sugar cane A01D31/00)} · CPC title

• A01F29/06 Primary

  having rotating knives with their cutting edges on a cylinder surface, e.g. of the helical-type · CPC title

• A01F29/095

  Mounting or adjusting of knives · CPC title

• A01D43/08

  with means for cutting up the mown crop {, e.g. forage harvesters} · CPC title