Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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s ADJUSTABLE WIDTH FLQATiNG SW,~A,T~ ROX.~.ER
This invention is in the field of agricultural implements and in parbiculat
such implemarts for
pushing a swath into standing stubble to reduce movement of the swath due to
wind.
~a $ACKGROUND
lxn the more nortl~e~cly regions of the world the gcowins season is relatively
short. In these
areas it is necessary to cut and windrow, or swath, crops before harvesting in
order to
promote earlier and more uniform maturing and to achieve the necessary drying
of the crop.
is
These is risk of loss or damage to a cxop while it is in the swath. Xa the
case of light and
fragile crops such as canola, peas, flax or beans this risk includes loss of
crop that is shelled
o ut onto the ground due to wind action on the swath and the possibility of
the wind actual 1y
dislocating and seatteriag the swath, making efficient harvesting impossible.
his these crops dry in the swath they become lighter, more brittle and
incr~singlysusoepti'ble
to movement & damage by the wind. To minimize losses and damage to the crop in
the
swath it has become common pracvtice to use a swath collar to oomnpact the
swath and anchor
it in the supporting standing stubble.
zs
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Swath rollers are typically mounted onto or towed behind a swather. To date,
the state ofthe
art is swath rollers that consist of a one piece drum of substantially
cylindrical shape that is
mountai either in a wheoled frame that straddles the swath, or in a frame
attached. to a
svvathcr such that the drum is positioned over the swath. The drums rolls
along the top of the
swath that has just exitod the swathor.
The primary drawback of simple cylindrical swath rollers is that they do
nothing to compact
or anchor the edges of the swath. Plants at the edges of the swath aro left
Iooso and exposed
to the wind. In time, wind action shakes and loosens first oz~e tuft of crop;
that tuft then
works others loose, arid in tune with continued wind action the entire swath
is easily
is dislocated by the wind.
Swath roller drums have thus evolved from the original cylindrical drum into
drums having
ends which are shaped as the frustum of a cone so that the roper coatacts both
the top and
edges of the Swath. The outer ends of the drum thus push the edges of tho
swath down
zo farther into the standing stubble than the middle. The swath is then more
resistant to
movement by wind. Some research has been done where bumps arc provided on the
ends of
the drum in an. attempt to knit the swath into the standing stubble, and other
configurations
are contemplated as well. These various drum end sections can be g~erally
referred to as
edge compacting ends, and are referred to as such in this disclosure.
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bue to variations in weather, terrain, fertility, and so forth, crop height
and volume can vary
substantially from year to year, from field to field, and from one location to
another within a
field. Tn a heavy crop location the operator may raise the swather, increasing
the height of
the staading stubble, and still a vcr5r larse, wide swath will exit the
swather, while in another
light crop location, the operator may lower the swather, decreasing the height
ofthe standing
so stubble, and still a much smaller, narrow swath will exit the swathcr.
To be effective, the edge c~ompading ends of a swath roller drum should be
located such that
they contact the edges of the swath. Where swath width varies, it is not
preseatlypossible to
adjust the width so that the edge compacting cads are properly located on the
swath edges.
.3 The presort one pioce drums are available in different widths, usually
eight or ten feet, and
the operator chooses the size that he feels will be most suitably for his
average cxop.
In eonveational swath rollers as well, the vertical positioa of the drum with
respect to the
dame is adj ustable, but once adj usted is fixed such that in large swaths
and/or high stubbley a
yo wheeled frame may be lifted off the ground, or excxssive upward pressure
may be excrtod on
the franc mounted on a swathcr. In small swaths and/or low stubble, the drum
rnay not
contact the swath at all, or at least not sufficiently to anchor same in the
available stubble.
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s SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a swath mller including a
drum with edge
compacting ends where the length of the drum may be adjusted to ensure that
the edge
compacting ends act upon the edges of swaths of various sizes in order to
achieve optimum
io resistance to dislodging by the wind.
Xt is a fuzther object o~the present invention to provide such a swath rolloc
wherein the centre
of the drum, being that point on the drum equidistant from each end, is fixed
with respect to
the frame of the swath roller as the width of the drum is adjusted. In this
mam~cr the edge
is compacting end portions of the drum are properly located to compact the
edges of the swath
as the drum length is adjusted.
1t is a further object of the present invention to provide such a swath mller
wherein the length
of the drum may be adjusted remotely by the operator or automatically by a
sensor which
so senses the width of the swath.
It is a further object ofthe present invention to provide a swath roller
wherein the drum may
move vertically with respect to the fi~ame such that the drum can float and
follow swaths o~
varying height.
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s In one aspect, the present invention provides a swath roller comprising a
frame adapted for
movement along a swath laying on the ground; a dram includes edge compacting
end
portions and is rotatably mounted in the frame about a substantially
horizontal axis,
substantially perpendicular to the swath such that a center of the drum,
equidistant from each
en,d thereof, moves approximately along a center of the swath. The dnim is
zz~ounted at a
io _ vertical position in the frame such that the drum contacts the swath aad
exerts a downward
force on same. The drum length is adjustable.
Ira a second aspect, the invention provides a swath roller comprising a frame
adapts for
zxxovcment along a swath laying on the ground; a drum rotatably mounted in the
frame about
is a substantially horizontal axis substantially perpendicular to the swath
such that a center of
the drum equidistant from each end thereof moves approximately along a center
of the swath.
The drum is pi~rotally mounted in the frame such that the drum rests on the
swath and moves
vertically in response to changes in the relative vertical positions of the
swath and the frame.
2o DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred
embodiments are
provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood
in
conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the
several diagrams
2s are labeled with like numbers, and where:
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s Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a swath roller of the invention;
Fig. 2 is an alternate embodiment of the invention;
Figs. 3 and 4 are schematic rear views of a swath roller of the invention;
~o
Figs. 5 and SA illustrate an alternate edge compacting end drum portion;
Figs. 6 and 6A illustrate a second alternate edge compacting end drum portion;
is Fig, 7 is a cut-away ,view showing the attachnnent of the drum to the axle;
Fig. 8 is an explodod view showing the attachment of the drum to the frame;
Fig. 9 is a schematic rear view of an embodiment including actuators for
adjusting
Zo the length of the divm;
Fig.10 is a sch~c top view of the embodiment of Fig. 9 further including a
swath
width sensor for controlling the actuators.
ss
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s DETA~ED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS:
Fig. 1 illustrates a swath miler 1 of the invention comprising a frame 2
adapted for
movement along a swath 3 laying on the ground 4. The swath roller of Fig. 1
includes
wheels 5 and a hitch 6 allowing same to be towed by a swather. Fig. 2
illustrates an
1o e~bodinaent adapted for movement along the ground by direct attachment to a
swather via
mounting brackets 7.
A. drum 8 having a drum length 8L and including edge compacting end portions 9
is rotatably
mounted in the frame 2 about a substantially horizontal axis substantially
perpendicular to
is the swath 3 such that the center of the d~um~ CD, equidistant from each end
of the drum 8a,
moves approximately along the center of the swath CS. Tlae drum 8 is mounted
at a vertical
position in the frame 2 such that the drum 8 contacts the swath 3 and exerts a
downward
force on the swath 3, pushing same into the standing stubble 10 as illustrated
in Figs. 3 aad 4.
zo As most commonly found in practice, the edge compacting end portions 9 are
shaped as the
frustum of a cone. Othcx such edge compacting ends, such as the tapered bumps
illustrated in
Figs. S and SA, or the star shaped ends illustrated in Figs. 6 and 6A are
contemplated as well.
All such edge compacting ends should be properly located on the edge of the
swath 3 for
optimum operations and all are contemplated to fall within the scope of the
present
2s invention.
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As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the drum length 8L is adjustable so that the
edge compacting
end portions 9 may be properly located in proper relation to the edges 3a of
the swath 3 as
crop conditions and swath width WS vary. In some crops it may be desired to
have the ends
8a of the drum 8 extend slightly past the swath as illustrated in Fig 4. In
practice the drum
length 8L and resulting location of the edge compacting end portions 9
relative to the edges
io 3a of the swath 3 will be an approximation for a given crop condition in a
field, although as
explained later, more precision znay be obtained where the operator can
remotely control the
drum length 8L, or where sensors automatically control the drum length 8L.
In order to ensure the proper location of the end compacting portions 9, the
dnmi length 8L is
is adjustable such that the ends 8a of the dnim 8 are equidistant from the
cente~rofthe drum CD
when the drum length 8L is adjusted fram a first length to a second length.
The drum is
mounted in the frame 2 such that the center CD of the drum 8 coincides with
the center CF of
the fi~ame 2. The frame 2 is oriented with respect to the swather such that
the center CF of
the frame 2 is substantially aligned in the center of the opening in the
swather through which
2o the swath 3 passes, with the result that the center CF moves along the
center CS of the swath.
Alternatively, the frame 2 could be adjustable such that when the drum length
8L is adjusted,
the frame 2 is adjusted as well to maintain the center CD of the dnazzi 8 at
any drum length 8L
aligned with the center CS of the swath.
zs
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s The drum comprises a cylindrical central drum portion 11 mtatioually mounted
to the frame
2 in a fixed lateral position relative to the Frame 2, and two edge compacting
end drum
portions 9 slidable axially along the ccnh~al drum portion 11. As illustrated
ins the cut away
drawing of Fig. 7, the central drum section 11 is mounted in a fixed position,
held by set
screws 17, on an axlo 12 rotatably attached to a link 13 by a bearing 14.
Figure 8 illustrates
io the assembly of the End of the din 8 to the frame 2. Link 13 is pivotally
attached to the
frame 2 by link pin 15 in frame hole 16. The iIlustratod axle 12 extends
through the central
drum section 1 l, however the axle 12 could alternatively comprise stub axles
extarding fibm
each end of the central drum section 11.
is ' The drum 8 further carnprises two edge compacting end drum sections 18
which provide the
edge compacting end portions 9 of the drum 8. An outboard end 18a of each alge
compacting end drum section 18 slidably engages the axle 12 and further
comprises a
releasable axle lock operable to secure the outboard end 18a to the axle 12.
xn the illustrated
embodiment the axle lock comprises two setscrews 29 for tightening onto the
axle 12,
Zo however many aonveational locks are known and could be used as well.
An inboard end 18b of each edge compacting end drum section 18 comprises an
open
cylinder 19 having a diameter sli~tly larger than a diameter of the central
drum section 11
such that each inboaxd end 18b cats receive and be supported by the central
drum section 11.
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s Gauge marks 20 on the central drum section 11 are alignable with the inboard
end 18b of the
edge compacting end drum sections 18. These allow the operator to align the
two edge
compacting end drum sections 18 so that the ends Sa of the drum 8 are
equidistant from the
center CD of the drum, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Each end 8a is a distance
8h/2 from the center
CD.
Alternatively, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the dn~m 8 could comgrise iz~u~er
drum section 30 and
outer drum section 31, each comprising an edge compacting end drum portion 9
at an
outboard end 30a, 31 a thereof, and each movable laterally relative to the
frame 2, and
slidable axially along each otber. 'the inner and outer drum sections 30, 31
are mounted on
a.s an axle 12 rotatably attached to the frame, and are slidable aloes the
axle 12. Each outboard
end 30a, 31a slidably engages the axle 12 and further comprises a releasable
axle lock
operable to secure the outboard ands 30a, 31 a to the axle 12 in the same
mar~caer as illustrated
above for the edge compacting drum end sections 18.
ao The inboard end 34b of the inner drmn section 30 slidably engages the axle
12 so that when
the lock 29 is released, same may slide along the axle. The inboard end of the
outer drum
secti on 3 I comprises an open cylinder 32 having a diameter slightly larger
than a diameter of
the inner drum section 30 such that the inboard end 31b can receive and be
supported by the
inner drum section 30. Gauge marks 33 on the frame 2, as illustrated in Fig.
2, or on the
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s axle 12, as illustrated in Fig. 7, may be used to properly align the center
CD of the drum 8
with the center CS of the swath 3.
The verhical position of the drums 8 is adjustable. kink 13 is pivotally
attached to the ~6ra~me 2
by link pin 15 in frame pivot hole 16, and can be locked in a vertical
position by insisting
xo lock pin 21 through Lock bracket 24 attached to link 13 and into one of a
plurality of frame
lock holes 22. Link 13 extends rearward to form a handle 23 to aid in Ehe
vertical
adjustment.
Alternatively, lock pin 21 can be removed so that the drum 8 is unsupportod
vertically and
~,s moves to rest on the swath 3. The drum then moves vertically in response
to ch~ges in the
relative positions of the swath 3 and the fi~ame 4 from a minimum vertical
positioa to a
maximum vertical position, as dictated by the orientation of the drum 8 and
frame 2.
Alternatively again, lock pin 21 may be inserted in one of the frame lock
holes 22 below the
link 13 such that the drum 8 may move freely up and down, but the downward
movexx~ent is
zv limited by the link 13 contacting the lock pin 21. The swath roller 1 may
then be transported
without the drum 8 rolling along the ground 4.
Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment where the frame 2 is pivotally attached at
frame pivot pins
42 to a swather via brackets 7. A winch 40 is attached to a bracket 7 and a
cable 41 is
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s attached to the frame 2 and controlled by the winch 40 to adjust a minimum
vertical position
of the drum 8. The drum 8 moves freely up and down to follow the swath 3.
Fig. 9 schematically illustrates the rear view of a swath roller comprising a
pair of electric or
hydraulic or similar actuators 50 operative to adjust the length 8L of the
drum 8. The cads 8a
io of the drum 8 are attached to the actuators 50 via bear~i~s or bushings 51
so that the drum 8
may rotate freely. The actuators 50 may be controlled conventionally by a
swather operator,
or the swath roller might, as illustrated in the top view of Fig.10, further
comprise a swath
width sensor 52 operative to sense the width WS of the swath 3. The swath
width sensor 52
is mechanical sensor comprising an arm 53 which pivots against the edge 3a of
the swath 3 to
is detect the distance behween the edge 3a of the swath 3 and the center CS of
tlae swath 3. The
sensor 52 sends a control signal to tho actuators 50 via wnduits 54 to move
the actuators 50
and increase oz' decrease the drum length 8L as required. Alternatively an
ultzasonic or athar
conventional sensor could be employed.
2o The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the
invention. k~uther,
since numerous claaz~ges and modifications will readily occur to those skilled
in the art, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation
shown arzd
described, atxi accordingly, all such suitable changes or modi~cataons in
structure ar
operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of
the claimed
25 711VeZ1tiOn.
