Method & Apparatus to reduce stalk shear

Abstract

The invention provides four (4) methods to reduce stalk shear in a corn head row unit that utilizes a non-variable or dependent drive system. The four methods described include altering the gearbox ratio, increasing the lengths of the fluted portion of the stalk roll, increasing stalk roll diameter or reducing the size of the gathering chain drive sprocket. The invention allows for a more balanced application of multi directional energy to be applied to the corn plant. The resultant effect is to reduce stalk shear which reduces trash intake to the harvester. This novel idea provides the first means and method to which genetically improved taller and healthier corn plants can be harvested with minimal amounts of material other than ears ultimately being transferred to the threshing unit.

1 . A combination of cooperating elements offered as a kit for cooperative installation with a corn head row unit comprising: 
 a. at least one kit gathering chain drive sprocket having a reduced size to reduce stalk shear; and,    b. at least one kit gathering chain sized for cooperative engagement with said at least one kit gathering chain drive sprocket wherein said corn head row unit comprises: 
 i. a source of power for rotation;  
 ii. at least one stalk roll for engagement with a corn plant stalk;  
 iii. said at least one stalk roll having at least one flute;  
 iv. at least one stripper plate;  
 v. at least one gathering chain having a plurality of paddles affixed thereto;  
 vi. at least one gathering chain drive sprocket;  
 vii. at least one gathering chain coast sprocket, wherein said at least one gathering chain cooperates with said at least one gathering chain drive sprocket and said at least one gathering chain coast sprocket;  
 viii. a gearbox in communication with said source of power and cooperatively engaged with at least one said stalk roll and said at least one gathering chain drive sprocket to fix the speed of said at least one gathering chain and said at least one stalk roll during operation;  
   c. wherein said at least one kit gathering chain drive sprocket and said at least one kit gathering chain replace said at least one gathering chain drive sprocket and said at least one gathering chain of said corn head row unit to reduce stalk shear during operation of said corn head row unit.    
   
   
       2 . The corn head row unit according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one gathering chain drive sprocket has eight (8) teeth and said at least one kit gathering chain drive sprocket has five (5) teeth.  
   
   
       3 . The corn head row unit according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one gathering chain drive sprocket has eight (8) teeth and said at least one kit gathering chain drive sprocket has six (6) teeth.  
   
   
       4 . The corn head row unit according to  claim 2  wherein said at least one gathering chain drive sprocket has eight (8) teeth and said at least one gathering chain coast sprocket has eight (8) teeth.  
   
   
       5 . The corn head row unit according to  claim 3  wherein said at least one gathering chain drive sprocket has eight (8) teeth and said at least one gathering chain coast sprocket has eight (8) teeth.  
   
   
       6 . The corn head row unit according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one gathering chain drive sprocket has ten (10) teeth and said at least one kit gathering chain drive sprocket has eight (8) teeth.  
   
   
       7 . The corn head row unit according to  claim 6  wherein said at least one gathering chain drive sprocket has ten (10) teeth and said at least one kit gathering chain drive sprocket has nine (9) teeth.  
   
   
       8 . The corn head row unit according to  claim 6  wherein said at least one gathering chain coast sprocket has eight (8) teeth.  
   
   
       9 . The combination of cooperating elements offered as a kit according to  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7  or  8  further comprising a second gathering chain sized for cooperative engagement with said at least one kit gathering chain drive sprocket and said at least one gathering chain coast sprocket.  
   
   
       10 . The combination of cooperating elements offered as a kit according to  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of stripper plates.  
   
   
       11 . The combination of cooperating elements offered as a kit according to  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of stalk rolls.  
   
   
       12 . The combination of cooperating elements offered as a kit according to  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of enlarged gathering chain paddles for attachment to said at least one gathering chain.  
   
   
       13 . A combination of cooperating elements offered as a kit for an improved arrangement of a corn head row unit comprising: 
 a. a source of power for rotation;    b. a pair of stalk rolls for opposed engagement with a corn plant stalk;    c. said pair of stalk rolls each having at least at least one flute;    d. a pair of stripper plates;    e. a pair of gathering chains wherein each of said gathering chains has a plurality of paddles affixed thereto;    f. a gearbox fixing the speed of said plurality of gathering chain paddles and said pair of stalk roll flutes during operation; and,    g. wherein said kit to be installed on said corn head row unit comprises a pair of gathering chain drive sprockets each having a reduced size to reduce stalk shear.    
   
   
       14 . The combination of cooperating elements offered as a kit according to  claim 13  wherein said kit further comprises a pair of gathering chains sized for cooperative engagement with said pair of gathering chain drive sprockets.  
   
   
       15 . The combination of cooperating elements offered as a kit according to  claim 13  wherein said kit further comprises a plurality of enlarged gathering chain paddles for attachment to said pair of gathering chains.  
   
   
       16 . The combination of cooperating elements offered as a kit according to  claim 13  wherein said kit further comprises a plurality of stripper plates.  
   
   
       17 . The combination of cooperating elements offered as a kit according to  claim 13  wherein said kit further comprises a plurality of stalk rolls.  
   
   
       18 . The combination of cooperating elements offered as a kit according to  claim 13  wherein said pair of gathering chain drive sprockets each has five (5) teeth.  
   
   
       19 . The combination of cooperating elements offered as a kit according to  claim 13  wherein said pair of gathering chain drive sprockets each has six (6) teeth.  
   
   
       20 . The combination of cooperating elements offered as a kit according to  claim 13  wherein said pair of gathering chain drive sprockets each has eight (8) teeth and said pair of gathering chain coast sprockets each has eight (8) or more teeth.