초록 ▼

In one embodiment of the invention, a speed changing device located between the drum and spindle drives of a cotton picker row unit provides a variable ratio spindle-to-drum speed so that ground and spindle speed can be optimized to match field conditions. An automatic transmission with one or more

In one embodiment of the invention, a speed changing device located between the drum and spindle drives of a cotton picker row unit provides a variable ratio spindle-to-drum speed so that ground and spindle speed can be optimized to match field conditions. An automatic transmission with one or more shift points provides a plurality of gear ratio combinations to optimize spindle speed while ideal harvester ground speed for the prevailing crop conditions is maintained. Shift point selection provides downshifting when the spindle speed begins to exceed the desired maximum RPM and upshifting when the speed drops below a minimum RPM. Alternatively, a compact idler gear arrangement located between the drum and spindle drives on the row unit is shiftable to change the ratio of spindle speed to drum speed without affecting drum speed to ground speed synchronization. In another embodiment of the invention, variable ratio between the drum and spindle drives is provided by introducing an independent spindle drive train. The drum speed is synchronized to the forward speed of the harvester in the conventional manner, and the spindle drive maintains optimum spindle rotational speed independently of the drum speed changes. A further embodiment utilizes a constant speed unit drive to maintain spindle speed within the optimum range, and a gear change in the drum drive gears provides drum synchronization.

대표청구항 ▼

In a cotton harvester having a engine-driven ground drive for moving the harvester forwardly through a field of cotton plants, a picker row unit having an upright housing, an upright picker drum supported in the housing and including upright columns of spindles rotatable about spindle axes, a variab

In a cotton harvester having a engine-driven ground drive for moving the harvester forwardly through a field of cotton plants, a picker row unit having an upright housing, an upright picker drum supported in the housing and including upright columns of spindles rotatable about spindle axes, a variable ratio drum-to-spindle drive comprising: a drum drive drivingly connected to the ground drive for rotating the picker drum at a speed proportional to the forward speed of the harvester; a spindle drive for rotating the spindles about the spindle axes; and transmission structure operably connecting the drum and spindle drives and changeable to increase the ratio of the spindle speed to drum speed for row unit forward speeds below a preselected speed and to decrease the ratio of spindle speed to drum speed for row unit forward speeds above a preselected speed.