Abstract
A sugar beet defoliator and top saver having a frame, removable cover, conveyor extending laterally across the frame, steel flails disposed about a first rotating shaft situated between a front end of the frame and the conveyor, rubber flails disposed about a second rotating shaft situated within the frame rearward of the conveyor, ground wheels situated rearward of the frame, and scalper blades arranged transversely relative to the frame and situated rearwardly of the ground wheels. An interior shroud is situated between the steel flails and a front end of the frame, and a crank arm is configured to move a deflector plate from a first position to a second position. When the deflector plate is in the first position, it extends horizontally parallel with a top end of the shroud. When the deflector plate is in the second position, it is situated between the steel flails and the conveyor.
Claims
1. A sugar beet defoliator and top saver comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a removable cover situated on top of the frame; (c) a conveyor extending laterally from a first side of the frame to a second side of the frame; (d) a plurality of steel flails disposed about a first rotating shaft, the first shaft being situated within the frame between a front end of the frame and the conveyor; (e) a plurality of rubber flails disposed about a second rotating shaft, the second rotating shaft being situated within the frame rearward of the conveyor; (f) two pairs of ground wheels situated outside of and rearward of the frame; (g) a plurality of scalper blades arranged transversely relative to the frame and situated rearwardly of the two pairs of ground wheels; (h) an interior shroud that is situated inside of the frame between the steel flails and a front end of the frame; and (i) a crank arm that is configured to move a deflector plate from a first position to a second position; wherein the interior shroud is curved in shape and creates a space between an interior surface of the interior shroud and the plurality of steel flails, and wherein the space between the interior surface of the interior shroud and the plurality of steel flails increases from a bottom of the interior shroud to a top of the interior shroud; and wherein the deflector plate has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the deflector plate is hingedly attached to the frame, wherein when the deflector plate is in the first position, it extends horizontally parallel with a top end of the interior shroud, and when the deflector plate is in the second position, it is situated between the plurality of steel flails and the conveyor.
2. The sugar beet defoliator and top saver of claim 1, further comprising a first mud flap situated between the conveyor and the plurality of rubber flails.
3. The sugar beet defoliator and top saver of claim 2, further comprising a second mud flap extending downwardly from a top part of the frame between the plurality of rubber flails and the two pairs of ground wheels.
4. The sugar beet defoliator and top saver of claim 1, wherein the first rotating shaft is configured to be driven by a power takeoff situated on a rear end of a tractor, the invention further comprising a draw bar situated at a front end of the frame and configured for attachment to the rear end of the tractor.
5. The sugar beet defoliator and top saver of claim 1, further comprising a turnbuckle that is configured to adjust a height of the frame relative to a ground.
6. The sugar beet defoliator and top saver of claim 1, further comprising a first hydraulic motor that is configured to adjust a height of the plurality of scalper blades.
7. The sugar beet defoliator and top saver of claim 6, further comprising a second hydraulic motor that is configured to operate a steering system that is mechanically coupled to the two pairs of ground wheels.
8. The sugar beet defoliator and top saver of claim 7, further comprising a third hydraulic motor that is configured to drive the second rotating shaft.
9. The sugar beet defoliator and top saver of claim 8, further comprising a fourth hydraulic motor that is configured to operate the conveyor.
10. The sugar beet defoliator and top saver of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises two opposing side walls, wherein the frame has a width that is defined by the distance between the two opposing side walls, wherein the conveyor has a width that is defined by the length of the conveyor, and wherein the width of the conveyor is greater than the width of the frame so that the conveyor extends beyond the side walls of the frame on either side of the frame.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention shown attached to a tractor.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the present invention shown attached to a tractor.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention shown attached to a tractor.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a detail perspective view of the attachment points between the present invention and the tractor.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention shown with the cover closed.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a side view of the present invention shown with the cover closed.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a first front perspective view of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 8 is a second front perspective view of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 9 is a detail perspective view of the chain and sprocket of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 10 is a detail perspective view of the steering apparatus of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 11 is a detail perspective view of the rear scalper blades of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 12 is a detail perspective view of the steel flails shown from underneath the conveyor mechanism.
[0038] FIG. 13 is detail perspective view of the interior shroud of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 14 is a side view of the steel flails relative to the shroud.
[0040] FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of the present invention shown with the cover open.
[0041] FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of the shroud shown with the cover open.
[0042] FIG. 17 is a detail perspective view of the rubber flails.
[0043] FIG. 18 is a side perspective view of the present invention shown with the crank arm attached.
[0044] FIG. 19 is a detail perspective view of the crank arm.
[0045] FIG. 20 is a detail perspective view of the conveyor shown with the crank arm in an up position.
[0046] FIG. 21 is a top perspective view of the deflector plate shown with the crank arm in an up position.
[0047] FIG. 22 is a rear perspective view of the present invention shown with the scalper blades in a down position.
[0048] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the invention illustrating an alterative method of driving the second rotating shaft.
REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0049] 1 Frame [0050] 1a Front end (of frame) [0051] 1b Rear end (of frame) [0052] 2 Cover [0053] 3 Conveyor [0054] 4 First rotating shaft [0055] 5 Steel flails [0056] 6 Rubber flails [0057] 7 Second rotating shaft [0058] 8 Ground wheels [0059] 9 Scalper blades [0060] 10 First drive wheel [0061] 11 Second drive wheel [0062] 12 Belt [0063] 13 Third drive wheel [0064] 14 Turnbuckle [0065] 15 Draw bar [0066] 16 Hammer strap [0067] 17 Hitch pin [0068] 18 Power takeoff [0069] 19 Drive shaft [0070] 20 Gear box [0071] 21 Drive shaft [0072] 22 Hydraulic hose connection box [0073] 22a First stack (of hydraulic hoses) [0074] 22b Second stack (of hydraulic hoses) [0075] 22c Third stack (of hydraulic hoses) [0076] 22d Fourth stack (of hydraulic hoses) [0077] 23 Hydraulic motor (scalper blades) [0078] 24 Hydraulic motor (rubber flails) [0079] 25 Hydraulic motor (conveyor) [0080] 26 First mud flap [0081] 27 Second mud flap [0082] 28 Front bracket [0083] 29 Pivot point [0084] 30 Chain [0085] 31 Large sprocket [0086] 32 Conveyor frame [0087] 33 Small sprocket [0088] 34 Rod [0089] 35 Upright bracket [0090] 36 Pivot point [0091] 37 Connecting member [0092] 38 Tie rod [0093] 39 Hydraulic cylinder [0094] 40 Arm [0095] 41 Tube [0096] 42 Plate [0097] 43 Brace [0098] 44 Collar [0099] 45 Support Bracket [0100] 46 Shroud [0101] 47 First drum [0102] 48 Longitudinal support bar [0103] 49 Deflector plate [0104] 50 Crank arm [0105] 51 Hinge [0106] 52 Second drum [0107] 53 Deflector plate shaft [0108] 54 Pin [0109] 55 Bracket [0110] 56 Side wall (of frame) [0111] 57 Deflector plate frame [0112] 58 Collar [0113] 59 Spring [0114] 60 Rod [0115] 61 Bushing [0116] 62 Chain
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0117] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention shown attached to a tractor. As shown in this figure, the invention comprises a frame 1, a cover 2, and a conveyor 3 that extends laterally from one side of the frame to the other. Situated inside of the frame between the front end of the frame 1a and the conveyor 3 is a plurality of steel flails 4 disposed about a first drum (not shown) on a first rotating shaft 5 (see FIG. 2). Situated inside of the frame between the conveyor 3 and the mud flap 1b is a plurality of rubber flails 6 disposed about a second drum (not shown) on a second rotating shaft 7 (see FIG. 2). The invention further comprises two pairs of ground wheels 8 situated outside of and to the rear of the frame 1 and a plurality of scalper blades 9 arranged transversely relative to the frame 1 and disposed rearwardly of the ground wheels 8.
[0118] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the present invention shown attached to a tractor. During operation, the cover 2 would be in a closed position, as shown. This figure shows the first and second drive wheels 10, 11 and the belt 12 that surrounds them. These drive wheels 10, 11 and belt 12 operate the first rotating shaft 4. The second rotating shaft 7 is preferably operated by a separate hydraulic motor (see FIG. 6), but it may also be operated via an optional third wheel 13. To use this drive wheel, a belt would be placed around the third drive wheel 13 and also around the first drive wheel 10 so that the first and second rotating shafts would both be driven by the power takeoff 18 (see FIG. 23). When this method is used, one side of the conveyor 3 is impeded.
[0119] FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention shown attached to a tractor. As shown in this figure, the steels flails 5 and rubber flails 6 both extend beneath the bottom edge of the frame 1. The height of the steel flails 5 and of the rubber flails 6 relative to the ground can be adjusted via a turnbuckle 14 that raises and lowers the entire machine. The steel flails 5 are preferably situated so that they extend just above the crown of the beets. The rubber flails 6 are preferably longer than the steel flails 5 and so that they contact the crown of the beet in the dirt. The height of the scalper blades 9 relative to the ground is adjusted via a separate hydraulic motor 23. (Once positioned, the tension of the scalper blades 9 relative to the ground is maintained by a spring 59 situated around a rod 60 that fits telescopically inside of a bushing 61. The chain 62 acts as a limiting strap so that the rod does not fall out of the bushing 61.) This figure also clearly illustrates that there are three points at which the invention is attached to the tractor. These three attachment points are discussed in detail in connection with FIG. 4.
[0120] FIG. 4 is a detail perspective view of the attachment points between the present invention and the tractor. The first attachment point is between the draw bar 15 extending from the front of the frame 1 and the hammer strap 16 on the rear of the tractor; these two parts are joined together by a hitch pin 17. The second attachment point is at the power takeoff 18 at the rear of the tractor. A longitudinally oriented drive shaft 19 extends rearwardly from the power takeoff 18 and transfers power to a gear box 20 situated at the front end 1a of the frame. The gears inside of the gear box 20 are configured to drive a transversely oriented drive shaft 21, which is also situated just outside of the front end 1a of the frame. Note that in FIG. 4, the draw bar 15 has not been inserted into the hammer strap 16, but in a preferred embodiment, the hammer strap 16 would be flipped (so that the “C” part of the hammer strap is on the top rather than on the bottom), and the front part of the draw bar 15 would be inserted into the hammer strap 16 and secured with the hitch pin 17.
[0121] The third attachment point between the invention and the tractor is at the hydraulic hose connection box 22. As shown in this figure, the invention comprises four sets (or stacks) of hydraulic hoses. Each stack is operated via a separate control in the cab of the tractor. The upper-most pair (first stack) of hydraulic hoses 22a control the hydraulic cylinder 23 that raises and lowers the scalper blades 9. The second stack of hydraulic hoses 22b controls the hydraulic cylinder 39 that operates the steering system (see FIG. 11). The third stack of hydraulic hoses 22c control the hydraulic motor 24 that drives the second rotating shaft 7/rubber flails 6 (see FIG. 6). The hydraulic motor 24 can be run forward or backward, thereby changing the direction of rotation of the rubber flails 6 without having to change the direction of travel of the tractor. The fourth (or lowest) stack of hydraulic hoses 22d control the hydraulic motor 25 that runs the conveyor 3 (see FIG. 9).
[0122] FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention shown with the cover closed. This figure clearly shows the two pairs of ground wheels 8 situated between the rear end of the frame 1 the scalper blades 9. It also shows the various hydraulic hose connections discussed above. Note that the conveyor 3 extends beyond the width of the frame 1 by a certain distance on either side of the frame. This is to permit the saved sugar beet tops to be disposed on either side of the invention, the conveyor being able to run in either direction per the hydraulic motor control.
[0123] FIG. 6 is a side view of the present invention shown with the cover closed. This figure shows the invention without the tractor from the opposite side as shown in FIG. 3. In this figure, the scalper blades 9 are in a raised position, which means that they do not come into contact with the ground.
[0124] FIG. 7 is a first front perspective view of the present invention. This figure shows the first mud flap 26 extending from the top part of the frame down to the conveyor 3. The purpose of this mud flap 26 is to prevent dirt and debris from hitting the rubber flails 6 and the second drum 52 on the second rotating shaft 7 (see also FIGS. 14 and 15). Instead, dirt and debris is kicked back onto the conveyor 3 and deposited with the beet tops into windrows on either side of the machine. The invention further comprises a second mud flap 27 extending downwardly from the top part of the frame between the rubber flails 6 and the ground wheels 8 (see FIG. 11).
[0125] FIG. 8 is a second front perspective view of the present invention. The hydraulic hoses have been omitted from this figure for clarity. This figure clearly shows the turnbuckle 14, which is connected to a front bracket 27. The lower ends of the front bracket 27 are connected to the draw bar 15 at pivot points 29. The turnbuckle can be used to raise or lower the height of the front end of the machine, thereby adjusting the level of the steel flails 5 relative to the ground.
[0126] FIG. 9 is a detail perspective view of the chain and sprocket of the present invention. Chain 30 is engaged with a large sprocket 31 situated on the front side of the conveyor frame 32, a small sprocket 33 situated on the end of a rod 34 that is pivotally attached to an upright bracket 35 on the front side of the frame 32 at pivot point 36, and a third sprocket (not shown) that is driven by the hydraulic motor 25. Tension on the chain 30 can be adjusted by adjusting the angle of the small sprocket 33 via pivot point 36.
[0127] FIG. 10 is a detail perspective view of the steering apparatus of the present invention. As shown in this figure, each pair of ground wheels 8 is connected to a connecting member 37, which is pivotally attached to a tie rod 38 that extends laterally across the rear of the machine. One of the connecting members 37 is also pivotally attached to a hydraulic cylinder 39. In this manner, the direction of the ground wheels 8 changes as the hydraulic cylinder 39 is extended and retracted.
[0128] FIG. 11 is a detail perspective view of the rear scalper blades of the present invention. As noted above, the height of the scalper blades 9 relative to the ground can be adjusted via the hydraulic cylinder 23. In this figure, the hydraulic cylinder 23 is retracted, and the scalper blades 9 are in a raised position. The hydraulic cylinder 23 is pivotally attached to an arm 40, which is also attached to a tube 41 extending laterally across the width of the machine. Each scalper blade 9 is coupled to the tube 41 via a plate 42 and brace 43. The tube 41 is configured to rotate within collars 44 that are connected to support brackets 45 extending diagonally from the frame 1.
[0129] FIG. 12 is a detail perspective view of the steel flails shown from underneath the conveyor mechanism. This figure shows the conveyor 3, which is horizontal relative to the ground. It also shows the steel flails 5 situated underneath the shroud 46, which is discussed more fully below. The steel flails 5 are arranged radially about a first drum 47 that encircles the first rotating shaft 4 and is configured to rotate with the first rotating shaft 4. The steel flails 5 are preferably arranged in groups, with spaces between the groups, on the first drum 47 so as to create gaps between the groups of steel flails 5.
[0130] FIG. 13 is detail perspective view of the interior shroud of the present invention. In this figure, the side wall 56 of the frame 1 has been removed for clarity. In a preferred embodiment, each group of steel flails 5 comprises four flails. This figure clearly shows the gap between each group of flails. A longitudinal support bar 48 extends laterally along the length of the conveyor 3 between the steel flails 5 and the conveyor 3.
[0131] FIG. 14 is a side view of the steel flails relative to the shroud. As shown in this figure, the shroud 46 is configured (sized and shaped) so that the distance between the tips of the steel flails 5 and the inside surface of the shroud increases from the bottom of the shroud to the top of the shroud. In other words, the angle at which the shroud is curved increases (opens up) from the bottom of the shroud to the top (or ceiling) of the shroud. At the bottom of the shroud, the tips of the steel flails are relatively close to the inside surface of the shroud, but at the top (ceiling) of the shroud, the gap between the tips of the flails and the inside surface of the shroud has increased, thereby creating a cavity into which the beet tops are thrown by the flails and through which they are transported onto the conveyor 3.
[0132] FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of the present invention shown with the cover open. This figure shows the top of the shroud 46, as well as the deflector plate 49, which will be discussed more fully below. It also shows the crank arm 50, which is in a down (or stowed) position in this figure. With the crank arm in this position, the deflector plate is in an up position, as shown. In this position, the beet tops that are dislodged by the steel flails are transported onto the conveyor 3.
[0133] FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of the shroud shown with the cover open. This figure shows the shroud 46 underneath the frame 1 and the deflector plate 49. The deflector plate is hingedly attached to the frame at hinges 51. Note that the top end of the shroud 46 tucks up underneath the deflector plate 49 (see FIG. 13).
[0134] FIG. 17 is a detail perspective view of the rubber flails. As shown in this figure, the rubber flails 6 are arranged radially around a second drum 52 that is fixedly attached to the second rotating shaft 7. In a preferred embodiment, the rubber flails are grouped together, with spaces between the separate groups of flails, to create gaps between them. In a preferred embodiment, each group comprises six rubber flails 6.
[0135] FIG. 18 is a side perspective view of the present invention shown with the crank arm attached. In this figure, the crank arm 50 has been rotated from its stowed position (shown in FIG. 15) to the up position shown here. The crank arm 50 is fixedly attached to a deflector plate shaft 53 so that when the crank arm 50 is rotated upward, the deflector plate 49 is rotated downward.
[0136] FIG. 19 is a detail perspective view of the crank arm. As shown in this figure, the crank arm 50 is supported in its upward position by a pin 54 that extends through a bracket 55 attached to the frame 1. One end of the crank arm 50 is attached to the deflector plate shaft 53, which passes through the side wall 56 of the frame. On the inside of the side wall 56, the deflector plate shaft 53 is attached (welded) to the deflector plate frame 57. In this manner, as the deflector plate shaft 53 is rotated by the crank arm 50, the deflector plate rotates upwardly or downwardly. The pin 54 is situated so that when the crank arm 50 rests on the pin 54, the deflector plate 49 is in a completely down position, thereby preventing the beet tops from being disposed onto the conveyor 3 (see FIG. 20). Instead, the beet tops are thrown back onto the ground in between the groups of steel flails 5.
[0137] FIG. 21 is a top perspective view of the deflector plate shown with the crank arm in an up position. This figure clearly shows the deflector plate shaft 53, which rotates within collars 58 that are welded to the frame 1. Note that the bottom edge of the deflector plate 49 rests against the longitudinal support bar 48.
[0138] FIG. 22 is a rear perspective view of the present invention shown with the scalper blades in a down position. In this figure, the hydraulic cylinder 23 has been extended, thereby causing the scalper blades 9 to move into a lowered position.
[0139] Now that the structure of the invention has been described in detail, we will turn to the operation of the machine. As the tractor moves forward, with all hydraulic motors activated and the deflector plate in an up position, the steel flails 5 remove the tops from the sugar beets, throwing them onto the conveyor 3, which deposits the beet tops to the right or left of the machine. The steel flails 5 remove approximately ninety percent (90%) of the beet tops, and the rubber flails 58 remove the remaining ten percent (10%). It is a significant advantage of the present invention that the beet tops are not removed, dropped onto the ground, and then picked up again (as with a conventional top saver machine). Instead, the beet tops are removed and deposited on either side of the machine without ever touching the ground in between (i.e., they are cut and deposited—not cut, deposited, picked up again, and deposited again). This results in less dirt and debris being included with the beet tops, which are typically used as livestock feed.
[0140] With the deflector in a lowered position, the beet tops are cut by the steel flails and deposited into rows corresponding to the gaps between the groups of steel flails. Note that the conveyor would be turned off if the deflector plate is down. The scalper blades remove the crowns of the beets. Thus, the present invention performs three functions—the removal of beet tops by the steel flails, defoliation by the rubber flails, and de-crowning of the beets by the scalper blades. No other machine in existence today performs all three of these functions at the same time. Furthermore, the present invention allows the operator to deposit the beet tops in windrows to either side of the machine or to leave them on the ground underneath the machine, where they are pulverized further by the rubber flails.
[0141] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
