US007658058B2
`
`United States Patent
`(12)
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 7,658,058 B2
`
`Pierson
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Feb. 9, 2010
`
`(54) METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GUIDING
`HARVEST RESIDUE
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Douglas C. Pierson, 7 Valhalla Dr.,
`Slayton, MN (US) 56172
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(1)) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl.No.: 11/747,529
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`May 11, 2007
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2008/0276587 A1
`
`NOV. 13, 2008
`
`Int. Cl.
`
`(2006.01)
`A01D 45/02
`U.S. Cl.
`........................................................ 56/119
`
`Field of Classification Search .................. 56/ 14.3,
`56/17.3, 17.4, 27.5, 119, 2337237, 327.1,
`56/327.2
`
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
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`(65)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`(58)
`
`(56)
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`5,910,092 A *
`6,374,587 B1
`6,871,709 B2
`
`....................... 56/119
`6/1999 Bennett
`4/2002 Wubbels et a1.
`3/2005 Knobloch et a1.
`
`7,156,186 132
`2003/0226670 A1
`2005/0120695 Al
`
`1/2007 Knobloch et al.
`12/2003 Knobloch et a1.
`6/2005 Calmer
`
`2007/0026915 A1
`2007/0037620 Al
`2007/0042822 A1
`2007/0049366 Al
`
`2/2007 Anderson et 3L
`2/2007 Anderson et a1.
`2/2007 Bischoffet a1.
`3/2007 Pope
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`“The Strip-Till Tipsheet,” Land & Water, Conserving Natural
`Resources in Illinois, University of Illinois Extension, Jan. 2003,
`http://www.wq.uiuc.edu/Pubs/Strip-till-Tipsheet-1-15 -03 .pdf.
`“Pinpoint Accuracy,” The Digest, Feb. 1, 2005, by Larry Stalcup,
`http ://www.novariant.com/news/pdfs/autoFarmifeatureistories/
`20105%20CornAndSOybeanDigestpdf.
`“Strip-till teamwork,” Apply magazine, Sep. 1, 2002, Ron Ross,
`http://app1y-mag.com/mag/farmingistriptilliteamworld.
`“Northwest Strip Tiller” (product brochure for Northwest Tillers, Inc.
`ofYakima, WA), http://www.nwti11er.com/pdf/ai7istriptillerpdf.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`(Continued)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Primary ExamineriThomas B Will
`Assistant Examineriloan D Misa
`
`6/1928 Neighbour
`1,894,412 A
`9/1932 Lindgren ..................... 56/119
`1,878,941 A
`2,527,190 A * 10/1950 Kuhlman ..................... 460/28
`2,661,586 A
`12/1953 Krause et a1.
`2,989,834 A *
`6/1961 Poolet a1.
`..................... 56/119
`.
`3,436,901 A *
`4/1969 Gehman etal.
`56/13.6
`
`8/1969 Schreiner et a1.
`..... 56/104
`3,462,928 A *
`3,628,316 A * 12/1971 Rea, Sr.
`......
`56/13.3
`
`3,719,034 A *
`3/1973 Lange ........
`56/119
`7/1973 DeCoene et a1.
`.............. 56/208
`3,747,311 A *
`5/1974 Sutherland et a1.
`............ 56/106
`3,808,783 A *
`4,182,098 A *
`1/1980 Kass .......................... 56/14.5
`4,251,980 A
`2/1981 Miller
`4,429,516 A *
`2/1984 Erickson ........................ 56/95
`. 56/119
`4,704,850 A * 11/1987 Obermeier .....
`
`5,724,797 A *
`3/1998 Wagstaffet a1.
`56/53
`
`9/1998 Luecke ........................ 56/119
`5,806,292 A *
`5,826,415 A * 10/1998 Becker .......................... 56/66
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiFredrickson & Byron, PA.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Methods and devices for guiding harvest residue at the time of
`harvest to prepare crops for strip-tilling operations. Embodi-
`ments ofthe invention include an attachment for a harvesting
`machine, and a method of harvesting a row crop in a way that
`directs harvest residue into relatively narrow strips, leaving
`strips of soil between the strips of harvest residue in better
`condition for strip -tilling. The management and placement of
`harvest residue during harvesting operations according to
`embodiments of the invention may improve the overall effi-
`ciency and effectiveness of strip-tilling operations.
`
`25 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
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`Fig. 13
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`PROVIDING A ROW
`
`CROP HEADER
`
`
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`1310
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`1320
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`1325
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`1330
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`1340
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`COUPLING ONE OR MORE RESIDUE
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`GUIDES TO THE ROW CROP HEADER
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`COUPLING ONE OR MORE STALK
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`STOMPER SHOES TO THE
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`ROW CROP HEADER
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`COUPLING THE ROW CROP HEADER
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`TO A HARVESTING MACHINE
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`OPERATING THE HARVESTING
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`HARVESTED
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`MACHINE TO HARVEST ONE OR
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`MORE ROWS OF A CROP TO BE
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`

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`US 7,658,058 B2
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`1
`METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR GUIDING
`HARVEST RESIDUE
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to agricultural har-
`vesting equipment, and more particularly to an apparatus,
`system and methods for improving the efficiency and/or
`effectiveness of strip-till farming operations.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`In “conventional” farming operations, harvesting of crops
`typically results in crop harvest residue (e.g., corn stalks,
`leaves, tassels, etc.) being distributed somewhat randomly
`about the surface of a field. After the harvest, a farmer might
`use equipment such as a stalk chopper to shred the remaining
`standing stalks and residue. This would then typically be
`followed by a type of total coverage, deep-tillage pass with
`plowing equipment such as a moldboard plow, chisel plow, or
`a v-ripper plow, in order to tear up the soil profile and to
`incorporate the harvest residue into the soil. In the springtime,
`prior to planting the next crop, the farmer would again typi-
`cally need to make one or two passes across the field with
`tillage tools, such as a field cultivator or disk, to prepare the
`soil surface to make a seed bed for planting. This harvest,
`post-harvest, and springtime pattern is essentially the state of
`the art for most conventional tillage cropping farms in opera-
`tion today.
`“No-till” farming is a term used to describe farming opera-
`tions which are generally performed without any fall or spring
`tillage prior to planting. No-till planting equipment is gener-
`ally equipped with a row cleaner to move the previous year’ s
`harvest residue out of the path of the row unit that places the
`seeds in the soil. No-till planters typically use a wavy coulter
`that operates at the approximate depth at which the seeds are
`planted. The waves on the coulter may provide some minimal
`tillage to allow the planter to operate in loosened soil. In many
`soil conditions, the coulter does not adequately loosen the
`dense soil that has not been previously tilled. Sidewall com-
`paction may also result from pressing the soil sideways to
`form a slot to drop the seeds into. This may make it difficult to
`achieve good seed-to-soil contact. Poor seed germination and
`emergence, along with poor root development, are com-
`monly-cited drawbacks of no-till operations, often caused by
`compacted soil with limited or poorly distributed pore spac-
`ing (to hold air and water). Improper pore size and distribu-
`tion hinders air and water exchange, which may reduce water
`infiltration and utilization, and may thereby hamper healthy
`plant development.
`“Strip-till” farming is a term that describes an emerging
`farming practice that has evolved from no-till farming, and
`can generally be described as tilling relatively narrow strips of
`soil between rows of the previous year’s crop, and subse-
`quently planting rows directly into the tilled strips with a
`planter row unit. Residue from the harvest (e.g., stalks, leaves,
`tassels, corn husks, etc.) is left as ground cover (as in no-till),
`and is distributed somewhat randomly following the harvest.
`In some operations, strip-tilling may be performed in the fall
`shortly following the harvest, with planting into the tilled
`strips occurring the following spring. This process is some-
`times also referred to as “no-till with fall strip-tilling.” Strip-
`tilling can also be performed in the spring, prior to or in
`conjunction with planting, for example, by positioning strip-
`till equipment ahead of the planter units. In some operations,
`strip-tilling may be enhanced by the application of fertilizer,
`preferably (but not necessarily) at the same time as strip-
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`tilling. Anhydrous ammonia, liquid and/or dry fertilizer can
`be placed into the tilled strips at the same time that the strip-
`tillage is being performed, for example.
`Strip-tilling has been performed using conventional anhy-
`drous ammonia applicators, which may use a coulter, a knife
`mounted to a shank, or a double disc sealer, for example, and
`may also use markers or Global Positioning Satellite machine
`guidance to till and/or layout the strips to be planted in the
`spring. The shanks, or knives, are typically placed on a tool-
`bar with the same row width as on the planter. For example, if
`a farmer has an 8-row, 30 inch planter (e.g., for planting 8
`rows spaced apart at 30 inch intervals), he might use an 8-row
`strip-tillage unit to till the strips 30 inches from center-to-
`center, for example.
`One of the difficulties encountered during strip-tilling is
`that harvest residue can become tangled in strip-till equip-
`ment, which can increase the amount of time and resources
`expended in strip -tilling operations. Another difficulty is that
`strip-tilling, particularly in the presence of higher crop resi-
`dues, may result in slower spring warm-up of the soil in the
`strip till zone (which could delay planting), and may also
`reduce the effective seed-to-soil contact (which is desired to
`obtain good germination and crop emergence). An apparatus
`and/or method is therefore desired which can improve the
`efficiency and/or effectiveness of strip-tilling operations.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`In some embodiments ofthe invention, a device for guiding
`harvest residue is provided as an attachment to an existing
`row crop header (such as a corn head, for example), which is,
`in turn, adapted to be mounted to a harvesting machine (e. g.,
`a combine). The device is a residue guide that may be coupled
`to a row crop header, the residue guide adapted to extend
`downwardly from the underside of a row crop header to guide
`harvest residue over a row being harvested.
`In some embodiments of the invention, a method of pre-
`paring a crop row for strip-tilling and subsequent planting
`includes harvesting a row crop in a way that directs harvest
`residue into relatively narrow strips, leaving a pattem of
`exposed strips of soil between adjacent strips of harvest resi-
`due. Some embodiments of the method include tilling the
`exposed strips of soil to prepare crop rows for subsequent
`planting.
`In some embodiments of the invention, a harvesting
`machine for preparing a crop row for strip-tilling and subse-
`quent planting is provided. For example, a combine having a
`corn row header and one or more residue guide devices
`coupled to the corn row header may facilitate guiding harvest
`residue to prepare for strip-tilling and/or subsequent planting,
`according to some embodiments.
`In some embodiments of the invention, a row crop header
`for preparing a crop row for strip -tilling and sub sequent plant-
`ing is provided. A row crop header having one or more residue
`guides attached to a rear/bottom portion of the header may be
`adapted for use with a combine to guide harvest residue
`during harvesting operations, for example.
`In some embodiments of the invention, a method of man-
`aging soil for farming operations may include harvesting a
`row crop in a way that directs harvest residue into relatively
`narrow strips, leaving exposed strips of soil between each
`strip of harvest residue. The exposed strips of soil may be
`strip-tilled and subsequently planted in a given season,
`
`

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`US 7,658,058 B2
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`3
`thereby effectively “rotating” the crop row locations by alter-
`nating the tilled and untilled strips from year to year.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present invention will hereinafter be described in con-
`junction with the following drawing figures, wherein like
`numerals denote like elements:
`
`FIG. 1 is a plan view of a row crop header for use with a
`harvesting machine according to an embodiment ofthe inven-
`tion;
`FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of a row unit of a row
`crop header, according to certain embodiments of the inven-
`tion;
`FIG. 3 is a side view of a row crop header according to an
`embodiment of the invention;
`FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of a row
`crop header according to an embodiment of the invention;
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a residue guide for a row
`crop header according to certain embodiments of the inven-
`tion;
`FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a residue guide according to an
`embodiment of the invention;
`FIG. 7 is a side view of a residue guide according to an
`embodiment of the invention;
`FIG. 8 is a rear view of a residue guide according to an
`embodiment of the invention;
`FIG. 9 is a side view of a residue guide according to an
`embodiment of the invention;
`FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) are front views of pairs of residue
`guides arranged according to embodiments of the invention;
`FIG. 11 is a side view of a row crop header in accordance
`with certain embodiments of the invention;
`FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial side view of a row crop
`header with an integrated residue guide system according to
`an embodiment of the invention; and
`FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating a method of guiding
`harvest residue according to various embodiments of the
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`The following discussion is presented to enable a person of
`ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. Various
`modifications to the illustrated embodiments will be readily
`apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles
`herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications
`without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as
`defined by the appended claims. Thus, the present invention is
`not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to
`be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles
`and features disclosed herein. The following detailed descrip-
`tion is to be read with reference to the figures, in which like
`elements in different figures have like reference numerals.
`The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected
`embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the
`invention. Skilled artisans will recognize the examples pro-
`vided herein have many useful alternatives which fall within
`the scope of the invention as claimed.
`Although the examples in this description describe har-
`vesting operations involving com, the various embodiments
`of the invention are not so limited, and could apply to other
`crops such as sunflowers, for example. It should be noted that
`“com” as used herein could apply to any of the many variants
`of corn or maize, such as yellow com, white corn, sweet corn,
`indian com, etc. As used herein, a harvesting machine may be
`a combine, or any other type of harvesting equipment. Simi-
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`larly, a row crop header, as used herein, may include a corn
`header, for example, but may include other types of row crop
`headers. Geringhoff of Germany, for example, manufactures
`row crop headers used in North America. As one example, a
`Geringhoff corn header referred to as “Rota Disc” (see, for
`example, www.geringhoff.com) is adapted to slice harvest
`residue into approximately 6 inch segments, then spreads the
`residue in an even layer across the soil profile.
`The number of no-till and strip-till farming operations has
`increased in recent years. The benefits of such farming tech-
`niques include soil preservation, for example, by reducing
`soil erosion. Difliculties are sometimes experienced during
`strip-tilling operations due to clogging or plugging of strip-
`tilling equipment with harvest residue. Some commercially
`available strip-tilling machinery attempts to address this type
`of difliculty by employing fluted or straight disc coulters
`and/or trash whipping rotating finger wheels to reduce the
`harvest residue into a more manageable form and/or move the
`harvest residue at the time of strip-tilling.
`A novel approach to the problem ofplugging and clogging
`strip-till equipment is employed by various embodiments of
`the invention, and involves managing the placement of har-
`vest residue at the time of harvest. For example, at the time of
`harvesting a crop, certain embodiments ofthe invention cause
`the harvest residue of a row crop (such as the corn stalk
`residue of corn grown in rows) to remain on the field in
`relatively narrow strips over the rows of the crop being har-
`vested. By managing the placement of harvest residue in this
`manner prior to strip-tilling, the harvest residue is much less
`likely to interfere with or cause plugging or clogging of
`strip-tillage equipment, which operates to till the soil in the
`area between the rows previously harvested.
`FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a row crop 10, having a
`plurality of rows 12 spaced apart from one another by row
`spacing 14. Also shown in FIG. 1 are the areas between the
`rows 12 of crop 10, such areas being designated area 18. Row
`crop 10 may comprise rows of any crop such as corn, sun-
`flowers, etc. Row spacing 14 may be measured from the
`center 1 6 ofa given row to the center 1 6 ofan adjacent row, for
`example. Row spacing 14 may be any suitable distance for the
`crop. For example, row spacings used in some embodiments
`of the invention might include 20, 22, 30, 36, 38, and 40 inch
`row spacings in order to be compatible with certain existing
`commercially available tilling and/or harvesting equipment,
`although the exact spacing and/or units of measurement can
`be varied from these examples without departing from the
`scope of the invention as claimed.
`During harvest operations, a harvesting machine, such as a
`combine, is navigated through a crop to extract the desired
`product (e.g., ears of corn), while leaving behind a harvest
`residue 20 comprising stalks, leaves, and other plant waste.
`Typically, an attachment at
`the front of the harvesting
`machine is used to guide the crop rows into the harvesting
`machine. For example, FIG. 1 shows row crop header 30,
`adapted to be coupled to the front end ofa harvesting machine
`(not shown in FIG. 1). Row crop header 30 may have a
`plurality of row divider snoots 34 to facilitate guiding the
`rows ofplants into the harvesting machine. As shown, the row
`divider snoots 34 may be somewhat conical in shape. The row
`divider snoots 34 may be shaped such that, as they travel
`substantially in the areas 18 between planted rows, they cause
`the crops to be guided toward the centers 16 of the respective
`rows 12 to facilitate harvesting by the harvesting machine.
`Row crop header 30 also comprises a frame 32 to which the
`row divider snoots 34 may be mounted. In the particular
`example illustrated in FIG. 1, a row crop header 30 has nine
`row divider snoots 34 coupled to a forward portion of a frame
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`US 7,658,058 B2
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`5
`32, the row crop header 30 thereby being adapted to receive
`and guide 8 rows of the crop to be harvested into the harvest-
`ing machine. Of course, the number of rows of crop that can
`be handled by a row crop header is a matter of design choice
`and thus, can vary greatly; available corn headers,
`for
`example, usually come in 4, 6, 8, l2, l6 and 24 row models,
`but there may be other row number configurations offered in
`the machinery market.
`As also shown in FIG. 1, harvest residue 20 may be dis-
`tributed behind the harvesting machine as it travels in direc-
`tion D through the rows of the crop. In accordance with
`various embodiments of the invention, the harvest residue 20
`may be distributed such that the harvest residue is contained
`to a certain extent in relatively narrow strips 22 over the crop
`rows being harvested. Guiding of the harvest residue 20 in
`this manner may be facilitated by a residue guide 50 opera-
`tively coupled to the frame of the row crop header 30. For
`example, residue guide 50 may be disposed on frame 32 ofthe
`row crop header 30 in a manner that directs the harvest residue
`over the crop row, while limiting the ability of the harvest
`residue 20 to travel away from the center of the row as it exits
`the row crop header 30.A desired result ofthis arrangement is
`that areas or strips of substantially exposed soil 24 will be
`created between the relatively narrow strips 22 of harvest
`residue 20. The creation of exposed soil strips 24 may facili-
`tate subsequent strip-tilling operations, since this arrange-
`ment reduces the likelihood of clogging or plugging of the
`strip-tilling equipment, and may improve spring soil warm-
`up and seed-to-soil contact in the subsequently planted crop,
`and may thereby increase the efficiency and/or effectiveness
`of strip-tilling operations.
`FIG. 2 shows an enlarged top plan view of a row unit 38 of
`a row crop header, according to certain embodiments of the
`invention. As shown, a frame 32 of a row crop header may
`have a plurality of row divider snoots 34 extending forwardly
`of a forward portion of frame 32. The row unit 38 may be
`associated with a particular crop row 12 to be received by two
`adjacent row divider snoots 34, the crop row being substan-
`tially centered on row center 16. In the embodiment illus-
`trated in FIG. 2, the row crop header may have a pair of stalk
`rolls 36 aligned substantially parallel to row center 16 and
`spaced evenly on either side of row center 16 (e.g., assuming
`that the row crop header has been appropriately positioned
`with respect to the crop row). The residue guide 50 is shown
`disposed near the stalk rolls 36 to guide the harvest residue
`into a relatively narrow strip 22. In the embodiment illustrated
`in FIG. 2, a pair of residue guides 50 are shown disposed on
`either side of the stalk rolls 36. However, a single residue
`guide may be employed in certain embodiments, and the
`exact placement of residue guide 50 with respect to the stalk
`rolls 36 and/or the frame 32 may vary from that which is
`illustrated in FIG. 2, according to certain embodiments of the
`invention. For example, in embodiments of the invention in
`which a pair ofresidue guides 50 are employed, the spacing of
`the guides 50 with respect to the row center 16 may be made
`wider or narrower, as desired, thereby affecting the width of
`the relatively narrow strips 22 of harvest residue 20, and
`thereby affecting the width of the exposed soil strips 24. As
`shown in FIG. 2, residue guides 50 may be aligned substan-
`tially parallel to row center 16, or they may be oriented at an
`angle with respect to the row center 16. Residue guides 50
`may also be disposed nearer a forward portion of frame 32, or
`nearer a rearward portion of frame 32, according to various
`embodiments of the invention.
`In one embodiment of the invention, an attachment for a
`row crop header (e.g., a com header) comprises a residue
`guide that projects downwardly from a row crop header to
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`guide the harvest residue so that, during harvesting opera-
`tions, the residue remains in a relatively narrow strip over the
`row being harvested. The residue guide may be coupled to the
`underside of each row unit using available attachment
`devices, such as existing bolts on the row unit normally used
`to hold stationary grass knives, for example. Alternatively, the
`residue guide may be coupled using other attachment mecha-
`nisms, such as by clamps or welding, or by using bolt attach-
`ments specifically designed for the residue guides, as might
`be employed in a Manufacturer’s Original Equipment design
`offering to the corn header (or other row crop header) market.
`In preferred embodiments of the invention, a pair of residue
`guides may be employed to direct the harvest residue over the
`row, the residue guides being disposed on each side of the
`stalk rolls of the row crop header. For example, a pair of
`residue guides may be employed for a given row unit, the
`residue guides being positioned a certain distance on either
`side of the center of the row. This distance may be about 5
`inches on either side ofthe center ofthe row, or may vary from
`about 2 inches to about 10 inches or more on either side ofthe
`
`center of the row. The residue guides may be made of sheet
`metal, for example, or of any other suitable material such as
`certain plastics,
`fiberglass and composite materials,
`for
`example.
`FIG. 3 shows a side view of a row crop header 30 according
`to an embodiment of the invention. Row crop header 30 may
`comprise one or more row divider snoots 34, operatively
`coupled to a frame 32. The frame 32 is adapted to be coupled
`to a harvesting machine, typically at the front end of a har-
`vesting machine such as a combine. The row crop header 30
`may have at least two row divider snoots, but may more
`typically employ a number of row divider snoots to facilitate
`harvesting as many as 4, 6, 8, l2, 16, 24, etc., crop rows in a
`single pass. Of course, these numbers are exemplary only;
`other configurations are contemplated, and some manufac-
`turers offer corn headers that harvest in odd numbers ofrows,
`for example. A row crop header 30 according to an embodi-
`ment of the invention may have a residue guide 50 extending
`downwardly from frame 32 substantially as shown in FIG. 3.
`In operation, the row crop header 30 is adapted to operate a
`distance above the soil 11, although it may also be desirable to
`have portions of residue guide 50 remain relatively close to a
`surface of the soil 11 to facilitate guiding of harvest residue.
`FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of a row
`crop header 3 0, showing one possible arrangement ofa pair of
`stalk rolls 36 and residue guides 50 disposed relative to a
`frame 32 of the row crop header 30. Frame 32 may have a
`forward portion 33 and a rearward portion 35. As shown in
`FIG. 4, the residue guides 50 have portions that extend down-
`wardly from frame 32 disposed proximate the stalk rolls 36 to
`substantially contain and guide the harvest residue as it moves
`through the row crop header 30 and is retumed to the field.
`The residue guides may be disposed along the outer sides of
`a pair of stalk rolls 36, as is generally shown in FIG. 4, or may
`be disposed closer together to vary the width of the strips of
`harvest residue formed thereby, or to adjust the flow of har-
`vest residue through the guides.
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a residue guide 50, showing
`certain features that may be associated with this particular
`embodiment. For example, the residue guide 50 shown in
`FIG. 5 has a guide portion 52, comprising a relatively flat
`surface. Residue guide 50 may also have a mounting portion
`54 to facilitate coupling the residue guide 50 to the underside
`of the frame 32 of a row crop header 30. In some embodi-
`ments, the mounting portion 54 of residue guide 50 may be
`formed by bending a single sheet of material such as sheet
`metal, for example, to form two relatively flat portions of the
`
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`

`US 7,658,058 B2
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`7
`residue guide (e.g., the guide portion 52 and mounting portion
`54). The formation of a mounting portion and a guide portion
`could also be accomplished by a molding process (e.g., for a
`plastic or composite material). The particular embodiment
`illustrated in FIG. 5 also shows a leading edge 55, a bottom
`edge 56, a trailing edge 57, and one or more fasteners 58
`associated with residue guide 50. In some embodiments, resi-
`due guide 50 may have one or more apertures (not shown in
`FIG. 5) spaced along mounting portion 54 to facilitate the use
`of one or more fasteners 58. For example, a fastener, such as
`a bolt or screw, may be readily available on certain row crop
`header frames, for example, and may be utilized along with
`the apertures of residue guide 50 to couple the residue guide
`50 to the row crop header 30. The particular shape of residue
`guide 50 shown in FIG. 5 is merely exemplary, and other
`shapes, including the use of curved and/or angled portions,
`could readily be used. In some embodiments, for example, the
`bottom edge 56 may extend downwardly from mounting por-
`tion 54 more as you move closer to the trailing edge 57 of
`residue guide 50, as shown in FIG. 5.
`FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the invention in which
`
`apertures 60 in mounting portion 54 are elongate in shape and
`oriented to allow lateral adjustment of the residue guide 50
`with respect to desired row center 16. Such adjustment may
`be performed on one or both residue guides 50, for example,
`to adjust the width of the relatively narrow strips of harvest
`residue, or to prevent a pair of residue guides 50 from becom-
`ing clogged or plugged with harvest residue.
`FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the invention in which
`
`residue guide 50 further includes a pivotable extension plate
`62 coupled to residue guide 50 and adapted to pivot about a
`point 64. Such an embodiment might be useful for example
`by allowing pivotable extension plate 62 to make contact with
`a top surface of the soil 11 during harvesting operations.
`Extension plate 62 would be allowed to rotate about pivot
`point 64, for example, when the extension plate 62 comes in
`contact with irregularities in the surface ofthe soil 11, such as
`rocks, debris, roots, etc. Pivot point 64 may comprise a pin
`coupling or a swivel mount coupling disposed between exten-
`sion plate 62 and guide portion 52. Any suitable pivotable
`coupling known in the art may be employed. In a preferred
`embodiment, extension plate 62 may have a curved or beveled
`rear surface 63 that may allow extension plate 62 to pivot such
`that the rear surface 63 is moved upwards. This feature might
`be useful, for example,
`in the event that the harvesting
`machine is operated inadvertently in a reverse direction,
`thereby providing some level ofprotection against damage to
`the equipment.
`FIG. 8 shows a residue guide 50 that is hinged at the
`interface between the mounting portion 54 and the guide
`portion 52. A hinge 66 may extend the length ofresidue guide
`50, or a number of hinges 66 may be employed to allow the
`guide portion 52 to be pivoted up and into a stowage position
`53. This may be desired, for example, during transportation of
`the harvesting equipment to and from the field, when the
`header may be placed on a header transport trailer, or when
`traveling over irregular terrain. A fastener 69 may be used to
`stow the guide portion 52 in some embodiments. A locking
`mechanism 68 may also be employed to lock the guide por-
`tion 52 into a downward extending position for harvesting
`use, according to some embodiments.
`FIG. 9 shows a row crop header 30 according to an embodi-
`ment of the invention that employs an integrated residue
`guide 50. For example, rather than attaching a residue guide
`50 to a frame 32 of corn row header 30, corn row header 30
`may include residue guide 50 formed as an integral part of
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`frame 32, or of row divider snoot 34, or of both, according to
`various embodiments of the invention.
`
`As used in this context, the term “integrated” includes both
`(1) embodiments of the invention that are formed of a single,
`unitary construction (e.g., a frame 32 molded to include
`downward extending guide portions of a residue guide 50), as
`well as (2) embodiments of the invention that form an inte-
`grated system of components that function to guide harvest
`residue. An example of a portion of an integrated system is
`shown in FIG. 12. An integrated system 302 might include,
`for example, a residue guide 50 pivotably coupled to a frame
`32 of a row crop header 30. System 302 might include, for
`example, motive force 304 (e.g., an electric motor) opera-
`tively coupled to residue guide 50 to move residue guide 50
`from a harvest guiding position 151 to a stowage position 153.
`In an alternate embodiment, motive force 304 may be opera-
`tively coupled to move residue guide 50 in a translational
`manner (e.g., up and down) from a harvest guiding position
`151 to a retractedposition 155. In some embodiments, motive
`force 304 may be remotely actuated (e.g., from an operator’s
`position on a harvesting machine, for example).
`FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) show the guide portion 52 ofresidue
`guide 50 extending downwardly at angles other than vertical.
`For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 10(a), guide portion
`52 extends downwardly from mounting portion 54 at an angle
`70 from vertical, substantially as shown. In embodiments
`having one or more pairs of residue guides 50, the guide
`portions 52 may extend downwardly at an angle 70 towards
`each other such that the distance between the guide portions
`becomes smaller as you move downwardly. In the embodi-
`ment of FIG. 10(b), guide portion 52 e