초록 ▼

A row unit is provided which utilizes a relatively large front drum, such as a 16-bar drum and a smaller rear drum, such as a 12-bar drum. The front drum is first to contact the cotton plant and as a result picks more cotton than the rear drum. The large 16-bar drum operates with relatively low cam

A row unit is provided which utilizes a relatively large front drum, such as a 16-bar drum and a smaller rear drum, such as a 12-bar drum. The front drum is first to contact the cotton plant and as a result picks more cotton than the rear drum. The large 16-bar drum operates with relatively low cam roller and bar loads and therefore is capable of higher speeds. A new rear drum cam orients the picker bars in such a manner as to reduce cam roller and bar loads without noticeably sacrificing picking efficiency and permits the rear drum to also operate at higher speeds. Faster ground speeds are achieved without significant increases in critical component loads. In another aspect of the invention, the axis of one of the drum cams is angled from the normal straight ahead configuration to facilitate drum placement and minimize additional row unit width. The drums are operated in an inline configuration to pick cotton from one side only of the row so that narrow row harvesting is facilitated.

대표청구항 ▼

In a cotton harvester for harvesting cotton planted in rows, a row unit comprising: a row unit housing defining a fore-and-aft extending row receiving area; a forward harvesting drum and a rearward harvesting drum supported by the housing for rotation about upright axes for picking cotton from a row

In a cotton harvester for harvesting cotton planted in rows, a row unit comprising: a row unit housing defining a fore-and-aft extending row receiving area; a forward harvesting drum and a rearward harvesting drum supported by the housing for rotation about upright axes for picking cotton from a row of cotton plants; wherein the harvesting drums include upright spindle bars rotatable about axes parallel to the forward drum axis; forward and rearward cams supported from the housing above the forward and rearward drums, respectively, for orienting the spindle bars about their axes, the cams having generally fore-and-aft extending cam axes with the forward cam axis offset at an angle relative to the rearward cam axis; and wherein the rear harvesting drum has fewer spindle bars than the forward drum, the spindle bars are arranged in circular configuration around the respective drum axes, and the diameter of the forward drum is greater than the diameter of the rearward drum.