A system for infield collection of substantially whole cane and delivering that cane to a mill via a trash separator and a washer. A harvester collects whole cane and throws billeted cane along with trash into an infield transporter which then transports this to a centralised trash separator. The trash separator may service any number of infield transporters and may be located at a mill or a centralised location so that output from the trash separator may pass on to a conveyor. Billets are then fed to a washer. The washing liquid from downstream process may be used in the washer. Mud and dirt is removed from the billets in return liquid which then passes to a mud removal unit. This juice is returned to the downstream process. Wash liquid may also be collected via an outlet conveyor. A modular harvester, a trash separator and a washer are also described.

A system for infield collection of substantially whole cane and delivering that cane to a mill via a trash separator and a washer. A harvester collects whole cane and throws billeted cane along with trash into an infield transporter which then transports this to a centralised trash separator. The trash separator may service any number of infield transporters and may be located at a mill or a centralised location so that output from the trash separator may pass on to a conveyor. Billets are then fed to a washer. The washing liquid from downstream process may be used in the washer. Mud and dirt is removed from the billets in return liquid which then passes to a mud removal unit. This juice is returned to the downstream process. Wash liquid may also be collected via an outlet conveyor. A modular harvester, a trash separator and a washer are also described.

A bearing coupler assembly that has a bearing housing sized to at least partially receive a bearing assembly, the bearing housing defining a bearing axis therethrough, a shaft positioned at least partially through the bearing housing along the bearing axis, the shaft defining a shaft lip and a fastener end, the bearing assembly coupling the shaft to the bearing housing so the shaft can rotate about the bearing axis relative to the bearing housing, a fastener configured to be coupled to the fastener end of the shaft, a tone wheel positioned axially along the bearing axis between the fastener and the bearing assembly, the tone wheel having at least one indicator, a sensor coupled to the bearing housing and configured to identify when the indicator passes thereby.

A bearing coupler assembly that has a bearing housing sized to at least partially receive a bearing assembly, the bearing housing defining a bearing axis therethrough, a shaft positioned at least partially through the bearing housing along the bearing axis, the shaft defining a shaft lip and a fastener end, the bearing assembly coupling the shaft to the bearing housing so the shaft can rotate about the bearing axis relative to the bearing housing, a fastener configured to be coupled to the fastener end of the shaft, a tone wheel positioned axially along the bearing axis between the fastener and the bearing assembly, the tone wheel having at least one indicator, a sensor coupled to the bearing housing and configured to identify when the indicator passes thereby.

An apparatus comprising a pair of associated chopper drums, including a top chopper drum and a lower chopper drum. The chopper drum defines an axial cylindrical bore having a rotational axis into which is mounted a drive shaft (not shown) that is keyed radially to drive the chopper drum. Radially spaced from the rotational axis are a plurality of outwardly facing recesses defined by walls of a body of the chopper drum. Each recess extends longitudinally along the periphery of the chopper drum end-end to provide a recess for mounting a corresponding plurality of cutting blades. Each recess is defined by a longitudinally extending lower wall and an opposed and circumferentially spaced. The cross sectional profile of the chopper drum is generally consistent throughout its length and includes a plurality of ridges and troughs with the ridges built up to define therein the recesses, the ridges being interposed by the troughs. A higher side wall provides support for the cutting blade and is inclined relative to a plane extending radially outwardly from the rotational axis. The opposed smaller side wall supports a wedge clamp.

An apparatus comprising a pair of associated chopper drums, including a top chopper drum and a lower chopper drum. The chopper drum defines an axial cylindrical bore having a rotational axis into which is mounted a drive shaft (not shown) that is keyed radially to drive the chopper drum. Radially spaced from the rotational axis are a plurality of outwardly facing recesses defined by walls of a body of the chopper drum. Each recess extends longitudinally along the periphery of the chopper drum end-end to provide a recess for mounting a corresponding plurality of cutting blades. Each recess is defined by a longitudinally extending lower wall and an opposed and circumferentially spaced. The cross sectional profile of the chopper drum is generally consistent throughout its length and includes a plurality of ridges and troughs with the ridges built up to define therein the recesses, the ridges being interposed by the troughs. A higher side wall provides support for the cutting blade and is inclined relative to a plane extending radially outwardly from the rotational axis. The opposed smaller side wall supports a wedge clamp.

An elevator set for a harvesting machine, such as cane harvesters, capable of providing a damping effect in response to impacts caused to the elevator set during activities in a field. The elevator set includes an elevator housing and an elevator which extends inside the elevator housing between a lower proximal end and an upper distal end. The lower proximal end is fixed to a chassis of the machine, and the upper distal end has an opening for discharging harvested material. The elevator set has a damper system that includes a first element and a second element. The first element is disposed on the elevator housing, and the second element is encased into said first element in a sliding relationship. A connection element is fixed, at one end, to the second element and, on another end, to a portion of the chassis of the machine.

An elevator set for a harvesting machine, such as cane harvesters, capable of providing a damping effect in response to impacts caused to the elevator set during activities in a field. The elevator set includes an elevator housing and an elevator which extends inside the elevator housing between a lower proximal end and an upper distal end. The lower proximal end is fixed to a chassis of the machine, and the upper distal end has an opening for discharging harvested material. The elevator set has a damper system that includes a first element and a second element. The first element is disposed on the elevator housing, and the second element is encased into said first element in a sliding relationship. A connection element is fixed, at one end, to the second element and, on another end, to a portion of the chassis of the machine.

A system for operating a harvester may include an elevator extending between a proximal end and a distal end, with the elevator being configured to carry harvested crops between its proximal and distal ends. The system may also include a storage hopper positioned adjacent to the distal end of the elevator, with the storage hopper defining a volume configured to receive the harvested crops discharged from the distal end of the elevator. In addition, the system may include a rotary spreader positioned within the storage hopper. The rotary spreader may be configured to be rotated within the storage hopper to disperse the harvested crops received from the elevator across at least a portion of the volume.

A system for operating a harvester may include an elevator extending between a proximal end and a distal end, with the elevator being configured to carry harvested crops between its proximal and distal ends. The system may also include a storage hopper positioned adjacent to the distal end of the elevator, with the storage hopper defining a volume configured to receive the harvested crops discharged from the distal end of the elevator. In addition, the system may include a rotary spreader positioned within the storage hopper. The rotary spreader may be configured to be rotated within the storage hopper to disperse the harvested crops received from the elevator across at least a portion of the volume.