초록 ▼

A narrow row head unit may include a back plate secured to a left gearbox and a right gearbox, which gearboxes may be positioned adjacent one another. Each gearbox may provide rotational power to a pair of stalk rolls and a drive sprocket for a gathering chain. A right mounting tab may be secured to

A narrow row head unit may include a back plate secured to a left gearbox and a right gearbox, which gearboxes may be positioned adjacent one another. Each gearbox may provide rotational power to a pair of stalk rolls and a drive sprocket for a gathering chain. A right mounting tab may be secured to the back plate and the right gearbox, and a left mounting tab may be secured to the back plate and left gearbox. A right plate and leg may extend outward from the back plate adjacent the right mounting tab and a left plate and leg may extend outward from the back plate adjacent the left mounting tab. A narrow row head unit positioned left-of-center on a header may have the gathering chain positioned substantially over the right plate, and right-of-center substantially over the left plate.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A narrow row head unit comprising: a. a gearbox associated with a first side of said first narrow row head unit, wherein said gearbox is configured to receive kinetic energy from a harvester;b. a pair of stalk rolls engaged with said gearbox, wherein said gearbox is configured to transfer a first

1. A narrow row head unit comprising: a. a gearbox associated with a first side of said first narrow row head unit, wherein said gearbox is configured to receive kinetic energy from a harvester;b. a pair of stalk rolls engaged with said gearbox, wherein said gearbox is configured to transfer a first portion of said kinetic energy to said pair of stalk rolls;c. a frame secured to said first gearbox and extending outward therefrom;d. a drive sprocket positioned above said gearbox, wherein said gearbox is configured to transfer a second portion of said kinetic energy to said drive sprocket;e. an idler sprocket positioned above said frame, wherein said idler sprocket is engaged with said frame:f. a gathering chain intermeshed with said drive sprocket and said idler sprocket;g. a paddle engaged with said gathering chain;h. an ear guide engaged with a top surface of said frame, wherein said ear guide is formed with an ear guide channel on an interior portion thereof facing said gathering chain, and wherein said ear guide channel is sized and shaped to allow said paddle to travel along a length of said ear guide channel. 2. The narrow row head unit according to claim 1 further comprising a stripper plate engaged with said frame. 3. The narrow row head unit according to claim 2 further comprising an actuated stripper plate engaged with said frame, wherein said actuated stripper plate is moveable with respect to said frame. 4. The narrow row head unit according to claim 1 wherein said frame is further defined as a left and right leg and a left and right plate. 5. The narrow row head unit according to claim 4 wherein said frame further comprises a support arm, wherein said support arm comprises a leg connector for engagement with said frame and a lower beam connector. 6. The narrow row head unit according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of paddles engaged with said gathering chain. 7. The narrow row head unit according to claim 1 further comprising a chain guide, wherein said chain guide is generally positioned on a side of said frame that is associated with said idler sprocket and said drive sprocket. 8. A header comprising: a. a first narrow row head unit comprising: i. a gearbox associated with a first side of said first narrow row head unit, wherein said gearbox is configured to receive kinetic energy from a harvester;ii. a pair of stalk rolls engaged with said gearbox, wherein said gearbox is configured to transfer a first portion of said kinetic energy to said pair of stalk rolls;iii. a frame secured to said first gearbox and extending outward therefrom;iv. a drive sprocket positioned above said gearbox, wherein said gearbox is configured to transfer a second portion of said kinetic energy to said drive sprocket;v. an idler sprocket positioned above said frame, wherein said idler sprocket is engaged with said frame;vi. a gathering chain intermeshed with said drive sprocket and said idler sprocket;vii. a paddle engaged with said gathering chain;viii. an ear guide engaged with a top surface of said frame, wherein said ear guide is formed with an ear guide channel on an interior portion thereof facing said gathering chain, and wherein said ear guide channel is sized and shaped to allow said paddle to travel along a length of said ear guide channel;b. a second narrow row head unit comprising: i. a gearbox associated with a first side of said second narrow row head unit, wherein said gearbox is configured to receive kinetic energy from a harvester;ii. a pair of stalk rolls engaged with said gearbox, wherein said gearbox is configured to transfer a first portion of said kinetic energy to said pair of stalk rolls;iii. a frame secured to said first gearbox and extending outward therefrom;iv. a drive sprocket positioned above said gearbox, wherein said gearbox is configured to transfer a second portion of said kinetic energy to said drive sprocket;v. an idler sprocket positioned above said frame, wherein said idler sprocket is engaged with said frame;vi. a gathering chain intermeshed with said drive sprocket and said idler sprocket;vii. a paddle engaged with said gathering chain;viii. an ear guide engaged with a top surface of said frame, wherein said ear guide is formed with an ear guide channel on an interior portion thereof facing said gathering chain, and wherein said ear guide channel is sized and shaped to allow said paddle to travel along a length of said ear guide channel. 9. The header according to claim 8 further comprising: a. a stripper plate engaged with said frame of said first narrow row head unit; andb. an actuated stripper plate engaged with said frame of said first narrow row head unit, wherein said actuated stripper plate is moveable with respect to said frame. 10. The header according to claim 8 wherein said frame is further defined as a left and right leg and a left and right plate. 11. The header according to claim 10 wherein said frame further comprises a support arm, wherein said support arm comprises a leg connector for engagement with said frame and a lower beam connector. 12. The header according to claim 8 further comprising a plurality of paddles engaged with said gathering chain. 13. The header according to claim 8 further comprising a chain guide, wherein said chain guide is generally positioned on a side of said frame that is associated with said idler sprocket and said drive sprocket. 14. A method comprising: a. positioning a first narrow row head unit adjacent a second narrow row head unit, said first narrow row head unit comprising: i. a gearbox associated with a first side of said first narrow row head unit, wherein said gearbox is configured to receive kinetic energy from a harvester;ii. a pair of stalk rolls engaged with said gearbox, wherein said gearbox is configured to transfer a first portion of said kinetic energy to said pair of stalk rolls;iii. a frame secured to said first gearbox and extending outward therefrom;iv. a drive sprocket positioned above said gearbox, wherein said gearbox is configured to transfer a second portion of said kinetic energy to said drive sprocket;v. an idler sprocket positioned above said frame, wherein said idler sprocket is engaged with said frame;vi. a gathering chain intermeshed with said drive sprocket and said idler sprocket;vii. a paddle engaged with said gathering chain;viii. an ear guide engaged with a top surface of said frame, wherein said ear guide is formed with an ear guide channel on an interior portion thereof facing said gathering chain, and wherein said ear guide channel is sized and shaped to allow said paddle to travel along a length of said ear guide channel;b. spacing said second narrow row head unit horizontally from said first narrow row head unit by a distance of less than thirteen inches, wherein said second narrow row head unit comprises: i. a gearbox associated with a first side of said second narrow row head unit, wherein said gearbox is configured to receive kinetic energy from said harvester;ii. a pair of stalk rolls engaged with said gearbox, wherein said gearbox is configured to transfer a first portion of said kinetic energy to said pair of stalk rolls;iii. a frame secured to said first gearbox and extending outward therefrom;iv. a drive sprocket positioned above said gearbox, wherein said gearbox is configured to transfer a second portion of said kinetic energy to said drive sprocket;v. an idler sprocket positioned above said frame, wherein said idler sprocket is engaged with said frame;vi. a gathering chain intermeshed with said drive sprocket and said idler sprocket;vii. a paddle engaged with said gathering chain;viii. an ear guide engaged with a top surface of said frame, wherein said ear guide is formed with an ear guide channel on an interior portion thereof facing said gathering chain, and wherein said ear guide channel is sized and shaped to allow said paddle to travel along a length of said ear guide channel.