STALK ROLL SHAFT RETENTION ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A combine head and stalk roll retention shaft apparatus. The combine head may include a plurality of combine head row units. A drive system is provided to drive the row units and a stalk roll feeder; the feeder having a drive system to drive the feeder and feed corn stalks into at least one of the plurality of combine head row units. The stalk roll retention apparatus may be slidably attached proximate to the tip of the stalk roller shaft to reduce wear of the stalk rollers and guide the corn stalks into the row unit(s). The stalk roll retention shaft apparatus may include one more bearings. The stalk roll retention shaft apparatus may also include a cap or plug on the front of the apparatus.

Claims

1. A row unit for an agricultural corn head, said row unit comprising: a row unit frame comprising a pair of frame members; a gearbox coupled to the row unit frame, said gearbox comprises a gearing assembly with at least one rotatable shaft member; a stalk shaft extending from the at least one rotatable shaft member of the gear box; a stalk roller slidably attached to the stalk shaft, said stalk roller configured to encompass the stalk shaft; wherein the stalk roller comprising a first end and a second end; a stalk roller coupler removably attached to the stalk shaft proximate to the first end of the stalk roller; and a stalk roller retention bracket slidably attached to the stalk roller coupler and removably secured to the row unit frame.

2. The row unit of claim 1, wherein the pair of frame members are oriented in parallel.

3. The row unit of claim 1, wherein the stalk roller retention bracket further comprises a cavity configured to slidably receive the stalk roller coupler.

4. The row unit of claim 3, further comprising one or more bearings positioned within the cavity of the stalk roller retention bracket, said one or more bearings are operatively attached to the stalk roller coupler.

5. The row unit of claim 3, wherein the stalk roller retention bracket further comprises an aperture proximate to the cavity.

6. The row unit of claim 5, further comprising a plug configured to removably fit within the aperture proximate the cavity.

7. The row unit of claim 1, wherein the stalk roller coupler comprises a nose portion and a rear portion.

8. The row unit of claim 7, wherein the rear portion of the stalk roller coupler further comprises a threaded portion configured to secure the rear portion of the stalk roller coupler to the first end of the stalk roller.

9. The row unit of claim 7, wherein the nose portion of the stalk roller coupler further comprises an aperture, said aperture configured in a polygonal shape.

10. The row unit of claim 9, wherein the aperture in the nose portion of the stalk roller coupler is configured to receive a half-inch ratchet drive to for attaching the stalk roller coupler to the first end of the stalk roller.

11. The row unit of claim 1, wherein the row unit comprises a pair of stalk rollers oriented in parallel.

12. The row unit of claim 1, wherein the stalk shaft further comprises a threaded portion proximate to a tip of the stalk shaft.

13. The row unit of claim 13, wherein the tip portion of the stalk shaft is opposite the gear box.

14. A stalk roller assembly comprising: a stalk roller comprising a first end and a second end, said stalk roller configured to encompass a stalk shaft; a stalk roller coupler removably attached to the stalk shaft proximate to the first end of the stalk roller; and a stalk roller retention bracket slidably attached to the stalk roller coupler.

15. The stalk roller assembly of claim 14, wherein the stalk roller retention bracket further comprises a cavity configured to slidably receive the stalk roller coupler.

16. The stalk roller assembly of claim 15, further comprising one or more bearings positioned within the cavity of the stalk roller retention bracket, said one or more bearings are operatively attached to the stalk roller coupler.

17. A stalk roller retention assembly comprising: a stalk roller retention bracket including a cavity; a stalk roller coupler configured to be inserted within the cavity of the stalk roller retention bracket; said cavity comprising an aperture; and a plug removably inserted within the aperture.

18. The stalk roller retention assembly of claim 17, wherein the aperture further comprises internal threads.

19. The stalk roller retention assembly of claim 18, wherein plug further comprises external threads configured to matingly contact the internal threads of the aperture.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a row unit of a corn head including a stalk roll retention shaft.

[0017] FIG. 1B is an alternate perspective view of the row unit of FIG. 1A.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the row unit of FIG. 1A.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a front view of the row unit of FIG. 1A.

[0020] FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of a stalk roll retention shaft.

[0021] FIG. 4B is an alternate exploded perspective view of the stalk roll retention shaft of FIG. 4A.

[0022] FIG. 4C is an alternate exploded perspective view of the stalk roll retention shaft of FIG. 4A.

[0023] FIG. 4D is an alternate exploded perspective view of the stalk roll retention shaft of FIG. 4A.

[0024] FIG. 5 is an exploded top view of the stalk roll retention shaft of FIG. 4A.

[0025] FIG. 6 is an assembled top view of the stalk roll retention shaft of FIG. 4A.

[0026] FIG. 7 is an assembled perspective view of the stalk roll retention shaft of FIG. 4A.

[0027] FIG. 8 is an alternate assembled perspective view of the stalk roll retention shaft of FIG. 4A.

[0028] Appendix A is a presentation on the advantages of the present stalk roll retention shaft and additional 3-Dimensional drawings of the present design.

[0029] Various embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention. Figures represented herein are not limitations to the various embodiments according to the invention and are presented for exemplary illustration of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The invention is directed towards a shaft retention apparatus 20 for the stalk roller(s) 12 of a row unit 10 of an agricultural corn head. The row unit 10 of an agricultural combine head generally includes a frame comprised of two parallel oriented frame members. The row unit 10 may also include a gear box 14 and gearing assembly configured to rotate and operate the other components of the row unit 10. For example, the row unit 10 may include one or more gather chains operatively attached to the frame and configured to feed the stalk between the parallel frame members of the row unit 10 from the front of the row unit 10 toward the rear of the row unit 10. The row unit 10 also generally includes one or more stalk roll shafts 16 extending from the gear box 14. The gear box 14 may be configured to translate rotational movement provided by the combine or tractor and convert it to rotational movement of the stalk roll shaft 16.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a general row unit 10 for an agricultural grain head is shown. The row unit 10 includes a stalk roller 12. A stalk roller 12 may be slidably attached to the stalk shaft 16, wherein the stalk shaft 16 is inserted into the stalk roller 12. A flange nut, pin, or similar fastening member may be used to secure the stalk roller 12 to the stalk roller shaft 16. The stalk roller may include a rounded or cone-shaped nose portion proximate the front of the row unit 10. The rear portion of the stalk roller 12 may include tines, splines, spikes, or the like configured to grip and pull the stalk. Generally there will be a pair of stalk rollers 12, one positioned on each side of the row unit 10. The tines, splines, spikes, etc. of the pair of stalk rollers 12 may be configured to operate in unison as the stalk rollers 12 are rotated. The stalk rollers 12 may be configured to pull the stalk in a generally downward direction as the stalk moves from the front tip of the row unit 10 toward the rear portion of the row unit 10, as part of the process of removing the ear of corn or other types of grain from the stalk. Current stalk rollers 12 may include a flattened portion proximate the nose or tip of the stalk roller 12. The nose or tip of the stalk roller 12 is also generally un-attached. As stalks are fed into the row unit 10, it is possible for debris and other particulate materials to become lodged in the nose of the stalk roller. Furthermore, the un-attached nose of the stalk roller 12 may become misaligned as a result of the forces and/or loading that is applied to the nose of the stalk roller. Various guide plates and trash knives have been developed to try and eliminate the build-up of debris at the nose of the stalk roller 12. However, present trash knife designs fail to protect the nose and/or balance and align the front tip of the stalk roller 12 as it is rotated.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 4A-4D, a stalk roller retention assembly 20 is shown. The stalk roller retention assembly 20 may include a stalk roller retention bracket 22 and a stalk roller coupler 24. The stalk roller retention bracket 22 may be configured to be removably affixed to the underside of the row unit frame. Holes or apertures in the bracket 22 may be positioned to correspond with the existing holes in the row unit frame for installation of prior trash knife models. The bracket 22 may be constructed of a metal alloy or another material having similar mechanical properties. The bracket may be machined or cast. The bracket 22 may also include a pocket or cavity 28 configured to slidably receive the stalk roller coupler 24.

[0033] The stalk roller coupler 24 may have a generally round profile and be configured fit within the cavity 28 of the bracket 22. The stalk roller coupler 24 should fit snugly, but the tolerances should allow for the coupler 24 to rotate within the cavity 28. The stalk roller coupler may also include a nose portion. The nose portion of the coupler 24 may have a smaller diameter than the primary outer diameter of the coupler 24. The nose portion may be configured to fit within the inner diameter of one or more roller bearings 34. The roller bearings 34 may have an outer diameter configured to be press fitted within the cavity 28 of the bracket 22. For example, one or more bearings 34 may be press fit within the cavity 28, then the nose of the coupler 24 may be slidably inserted into the aperture defined by the inner diameter of the bearing(s) 34. The bearing(s) 34 may transfer any load or forces experienced by the coupler 24 to the bracket 22, while still allowing the coupler 24 to freely rotate.

[0034] As discussed above, the stalk roller 12 may be secured to the stalk roller shaft 16 by a flange nut or a similar type fastener proximate to the nose or tip of the stalk roller 12. The rear portion of the coupler 24 may include an aperture with female threading 32 to match the male threading on the tip of the stalk roller shaft 16. The threaded portion 32 of the coupler 24 may allow the coupler 24 to secure the stalk roller 12 to the stalk roller shaft 16. For example, the stalk roller 12 may be slid over the stalk roller shaft 16 and the coupler 24 may be threaded onto the tip of the shaft 16 to secure the stalk roller 12 to the shaft 16. Furthermore, the nose of the coupler 24 may include an aperture 30 with a square or hex pattern to allow for the use of a ratchet wrench, hex key, Allen key or Allen wrench to tighten the coupler 24 onto the shaft 16. For example, the aperture 30 in the nose of the coupler 24 may be sized to fit a half-inch () ratchet wrench. Alternatively, the nose portion may be solid and have a hexagonal shape or hex shaft design to allow the use of a socket or end-wrench to tighten the coupler 24 to the shaft 16. In the hex shaft embodiment, a bearing may not be required, but instead the hex shaft portion of the coupler 24 may be inserted into a casting/bearing assembly of the bracket 22 with a close slip fit and a hex shaft. Furthermore, a needle bearing may also be utilized in lieu of one or more roller bearings for a more compact design. Needle bearings have a large surface area that is in contact with the bearing outer surfaces compared to ball bearings. Additionally there is less added clearance (difference between the diameter of the shaft and the diameter of the bearing) so they are much more compact. The typical structure consists of a needle cage which orients and contains the needle rollers, the needle rollers themselves, and an outer race (sometimes the housing itself). Radial needle bearings are cylindrical and use rollers parallel to the axis of the shaft. Thrust needle bearings are flat and use a radial pattern of needles.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4A, the nose of the cavity 28 portion of the bracket 22 may include an aperture 26. The aperture 26 may allow the user to access the nose portion of the coupler 24 to tighten the coupler 24 to the shaft 16 without removing the bracket 22 from the row unit 10. The aperture 26 may include internal or female threading to allow for a plug or cap to be removably inserted in the aperture 26. The cap or plug will prevent dirt, dust, or other debris from entering the cavity when the row unit 10 is operated.

[0036] The stalk roller shaft retention assembly 20 may be configured to be fully retro-fitted to all John Deere 600 series agricultural combine heads. When the stalk roller shaft retention assembly 20 is installed on the row unit 10, the free end of the stalk roller 12 and shaft 16 is supported by the bracket 22. This will reduce and generally eliminate any displacement or misalignment of the shaft 16 and/or roller 12. As a result, the loading on the row unit 10 gearbox and/or gear assembly is reduced, improving the lifetime of the gear box bearings and gear assembly. The roller/ball bearings 34 or needle bearings will maintain the alignment of the stalk roller 12 while allowing the roller 12 to spin freely and uninhibited. The assembly 20 will also transfer any loading or mechanical forces experienced proximate to the tip of the stalk roller 12 to the bracket 22. The combination of the coupler 24 that is secured to the stalk roller 12 and the cavity 28 of the bracket 22 will protect the nose of the stalk roller 12. Furthermore, the assembly 20 will prevent nesting and/or build-up of debris at the nose of the stalk roller 12 during operation. The assembly 20 may also be designed to allow for the installation of additional trash knives in combination with the assembly 20.

[0037] A stalk roller shaft retention assembly system including a coupler secured to a stalk roller and a bracket slidably attached to the coupler has thus been described. The present invention contemplates numerous variations, options and alternatives, and is not to be limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Other changes are considered to be part of the present invention.