GB902041A - Improvements in sugar cane harvesters - Google Patents

Abstract

902,041. Reaping machines SHELSLEY (PROPRIETARY) Ltd. March 30, 1960 [April 24, 1959], No. 11191/60. Class 6(3). A sugar cane harvester comprises a rotary blade 45 supported at the rear of a tractor by a hollow tube 1 which is so connected to the tractor as to be pivotable in both horizontal and vertical planes. The tube 1 comprises two parts adjustably bolted together, and its rear end is off-set relatively to its forward end, so that the blade 45 lies to one side of the longitudinal axis of the tractor. The blade 45 is driven from the power take-off of the tractor via a gearbox 35 and a series of shafts and universal joints housed within the tube 1, and its inclination relative to the tube is adjustable, the inclination normally being adjusted such that the blade severs the cane just below the surface of the ground. The under surfaces of the teeth of the blade are bevelled so as to be selfsharpened during operation of the harvester. A deflector bar 48 and a removable guard plate 50 are provided to prevent falling cane from fouling the knife. The crop is guided towards the blade 45 by an articulated member 53 (provided with a shoe 54 to prevent it from digging into the ground) rails 52 mounted along the side of the tractor, and an endless chain 57 provided with fingers 58 which guide the crop into the space between the rails 52 and a plate 55, and into the path of the revolving cutter 45. The endless chain is driven from a prime mover 59 which also drives a topping blade 60, the latter being mounted for vertical adjustment on the frame 65a, the adjustment being effected by an hydraulic cylinder 65 and piston 67.