Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HARVESTER AND DRYER DEVICE AND METHOD OF
USETHEREOF
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present irwention relates to a device for harvesting in agriculture
and more particularly relates to a device for harvesting product including
crops,
seeds, insects or particulate material as examples, when displaced across a
field and
optionally for subsequently drying the product. OnE: particular use of the
harvester
device involves the harvesting of insects, far example grasshoppers.
BACKGROUND
Certain crops in agriculture are difficult to harvest due to the closeness
of the crop to the ground and small size thereof. In other instances it is
desirable to
harvest seeds or harvest crops with seeds at peak dryness, however seeds are
commonly lost to the ground using conventional harvesting techniques when
harvesting dry crops.
In addition to harvesting crops, it may also be desirable to collect insects
from crop areas to reduce the harmful effects of thE~ inserts on the crops,
however
conventional harvesting techniques lack this ability as well. Collected
insects are
considered good feed for animals and the like.
SUMMARY
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a
harvester device supported for movement across a field in a forward working
direction, the device comprising:
a suction head having a mouth opening facing into the forward working
direction;
suction means for drawing air into the mouth opening of the suction
head; and
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a collection area for receiving material drawn into the mouth opening by
the suction means.
The suction means are preferably located downstream from the
collection area. Communication of the suction head with the collection area
and
communication of the suction means with the collection area are preferably
spaced
apart in this instance.
Communication of the suction head with the collection area may be
oriented to produce a cyclonic movement of air within the collection area.
For certain applications, there may be provided a cutter bar supported
within the suction head transversely to the forward working direction.
Preferably, the
cutter bar is selectively mounted on the suction head using threaded
fasteners.
The cutter bar may be supported on the suction head for height
adjustment thereof.
A plurality of rotary tines are supported within the suction head in
combination with the use of a cutter bar.
There may also be provided a forward projecting plate supported above
the mouth opening of the suction head above the cutter bar.
There may be provided a vibrator mecrianism supported on the suction
head for inducing a vibration in a crop through which the device is advanced
in the
forward working direction.
The vibrating mechanism preferably includes a plurality of downward
projecting tines spanning the mouth opening of the suction head.
There may be provided a pair of loader arm mounts adjustably mounted
at spaced apart positions on a rear end of the device for being supported on
the
loader arms of a loader. Adjustment of height and tilt at a rear end is
accomplished
by adjusting height and tilt of the loader arms in this instance, whereas a
front end of
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the device can also be supported on height adjustable wheels.
The suction head is preferably elongate, extending transversely to the
forward working direction.
When a plurality of tines are supported for rotation within the suction
head, a rear wall of the suction head may be curved downwardly and forwardly
below
the rotating tines to follow a contour of a sweep area of the pines.
The rear wall of the suction head may also be pivoted about a horizontal
axis lying transversely to the forward working direction along a top end of
the rear wall
to follow ground contours or crop density as it pivots.
Passage means are preferably located in communication with a bottom
of the collection area for introducing drying air into the bottom of the
collection area in
a drying mode of operation of the harvester device and for vacuuming out
contents of
the tank when unloading certain types of products likes insects.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided
a method of harvesting insects, the method comprising:
providing a harvester device including a suction head having a mouth
opening, suction means for drawing air into the mouth opening of the suction
head,
and a collection area for receiving material drawn into the mouth opening by
the
suction means;
advancing the device across a field in a forward working direction with
the mouth opening facing into the forward working direction; and
drawing air and insects into the mouth opening and subsequently into
the collection area.
The method may include providing tines on the suction head and
vibrating the tines as the device is advanced across the field.
In some applications, several individual units may be fastened side by
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side to harvest a greater width with each pass across the field.
This invention relates to new and usE;ful improvements to harvesters
and drying equipment, particularly for harvesting crops that are subject to
seedpod
shattering, as well as seed crops that the seedpod is at the top of the plant
as a
canopy such as caraway.
This invention also relates to herbs, including oregano or caraway seed
for example, that requires the cutting of the. herb and for seed, dependant on
the size
of the field, and would allow for the contained drying of the herb or seed
within the
harvester to maintain its freshness. Each herb would have its own
harvester/dryer so
as not to cross contaminate the aromatic influence of other herbs.
This invention also relates to the harvesting of grasshoppers and other
invasive similar insects. The grasshopper due to its high protein content
(approximately 44%), also has a potential as a feed crop.
This invention also relates to the harvesting of flying insects such as the
mayfly and locusts. As the harvester incorporates electricity, a light could
be used at
night to attract insects to the tank inlet where they would be sucked into the
tank by
action of the blower. A screen would be fastened across the inlet having a
mesh
spacing suitable to allow insects to pass through while restricting access to
birds and
the like.
This invention, due to its design would allow specific growers to enlarge
their crops and reduce labour costs due to the mechanisation of the harvest.
The invention, also by its design, would harvest all materials within its
scope, which would include weed seeds, which could be separated from the
intended
harvested materials at a later time.
Certain crops, such as birdsfoot trefoil or canola must be swathed when
the plants are slightly damp to curtail seed loss. The windrows are then
turned over
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as the top portion dries. When it is determined that the plants are dry
enough,
weather permitting, they are then put through the thrashing machine.
This invention overcomes these liabilities by allowing the crops to be
harvested dry, at the apex of their development, in dry weather and to be able
to
retain as much seed as is possible,
A variety of crops could be harvested by specific types of
interchangeable attachments.
The loader/tractor should have at least a 3 hydraulic system, for the
harvester to work
to its full capacity. It becomes part of the harvester.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
in the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments
of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the harvester device shown
mounted on a loader tractor with a light attachment shown mounted in dotted
line.
Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the harvester device.
Figure 3 is a front elevationai view of the frame of the harvester device
with the suction head and tank removed therefrom.
Figure 4 is a top plan view of the harvester device.
Figures 5A, 5B and 5C are respective top plan, front elevational and
side elevational views of the suction head with a cutter bar and bottom plate
shown
attached to the suction head.
Figures 6A, 6B and 6C are respective top plan, front elevational and
side elevational views of the suction head with rotating tines mounted
therein.
Figures 7A, 7B and 7C are respective top plan, front elevational and
side elevational views of the suction head with a vibrator mechanism shown
mounted
thereon.
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Figure 8 is an end elevational view of the suction head in a hammer mill
mode of operation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the accompanying drawings there is illustrated a harvester
device generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The device is particularly
useful
for harvesting seeds, low lying and higher crops, insects and like particulate
material
to be collected from a field.
The device includes a frame 12 which is supported for movement across
the ground in a forward working direction 14. The frame includes a square base
frame 16 comprised of spaced apart side rails connected by front and rear
crossbars.
A set of four corner posts 18 extend vertically ulaward from the base frame at
respective corners of the base frame. An intermediate frame 20 similar to the
base
frame is also square in configuration, comprised of side rails spaced apart
from one
another joined by cross bars at respective front and rear ends thereof. The
intermediate frame spans the corner posts 18 spaced above the base frame. An
annular tank frame 22 is mounted at a top end of the corner posts 18 for
supporting a
tank 24 thereon.
A pair of loader brackets 26 are mounted at spaced positions spanning
between the rear cross bars of the base frame 16 arid the intermediate frame
20 for
mounting the frame at the rear end thereof on a loader, or combine and the
like. The
loader brackets each include vertically spaced mounting holes therein and are
arrange to be either bolted or welded onto the frame 12 ire an adjustable
manner to
accommodate varying sizes of loader arm widths.
A set of support arms 28 are mounted on a front of the frame 12 to
project forwardly therefrom in pairs. A pair of the support arms 28 projects
horizontally forward from each of the base frame 16 and the intermediate frame
20 for
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supporting a suction head 30 of the device thereon. A support frame 32 spans
the
front ends of the support arms 28 for mounting the suction head thereon.
A front pair of the posts 18 include hydraulic actuators 34 mounted
alongside thereof which support castors 36 at a bottom end thereof such that
the front
end of the frame is supported for rolling movement along the ground. The
hydraulic
actuators 34 permit a height and tilt of the frame relative to the castors
supported on
the ground to be adjusted.
A pair of legs 38 are adjustably mounted along side a rearward pair of
the posts 18 for supporting the frame in a horizontal and level position on
the ground
when in storage. In use the legs 38 are removed or raised by using hydraulics
or by
removing threaded fasteners which secure the legs to the frame such that the
rear
end of the frame is supported on the loader brackets 26 in a manner in which
the
height and tilt of the frame at the rear end thereof is adjusted by raising
and lowering
the height and adjusting the tilt of the loader arms.
The suction head 30 comprises an elongate enclosure which extends in
a longitudinal direction perpendicularly to the forward working direction. The
enclosure includes a mouth opening 40 formed along a bottom and front side
thereof
to face downwardly and infio the direction of travel for collecting material
therethrough.
A top side of the enclosure is in open communication with a funnel portion 42
which
tapers upwardly towards a tube 44 which couples the suction head to the tank
24.
Each end of the suction head is enclosed by an end wall 46.
Mounted within the suction head are a plurality of tines 48 which project
radially from a bar 50 supported for rotation about a longitudinal axis
thereof. The
rotating bar 50 is supported horizontally and perpendicular to the forward
working
direction. The tines which project radially from the bar 50 are rigid and
rotated in a
direction to be displaced upwardly at a front side of the suction head.
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A rear wall 52 of the enclosure forming a suction head is hinged along a
top end thereof parallel to the rotating bar. The wall is curved downwardly
and
forwardly to follow a contour of the sweep area of the rotating tines 48. By
permitting
the rear wall to be hinged, the wall can be deflected) reann~ardly if required
to permit
the suction head to follow more closely to the ground or crops without risk of
damage.
A forward flange 54 is mounted above the mouth opening to project forwardly
from the
suction head to define a canopy hovering above the mouth opening in use. The
forward flange 54 comprises a plate which adjustably mounts on the suction
head
using threaded fasteners and the like to permit mounting in different
positions
depending on the different applications of the harvester device.
The funnel portion 42 includes an upright rear wall 56 and a front wall 58
which tapers upwardly and rearwardly towards the rear wall to narrow towards a
top
end while similarly including end walls which extend upwardly and inwardly at
an
incline to meet at the tube 44. A deflector 60 is supported within the suction
head at a
top end thereof before communication with the funnel 42 to act as a venturi
which
partially restricts the flow into the funnel by narrowing the passage and
accelerating
the flow therethrough. The deflector 60 generally comprises a forward
projection
which is tapered into the direction of flow while extending forwardly along
the full
length of the rear wall of the funnel so that the flow is directed forwardly
towards the
front wall of the funnel as it is drawn into the suction head and subsequently
the tube
44. The deflector 60 projects farther forward at central portion than at
respective ends
of the suction head to produce a narrower passage centrally than at opposed
ends of
the suction head. The deflector is sloped laterally outward and rearward from
an apex
at the centre to the ends such that the passage through the funnel gradually
increases
in cross-sectional area from the centre outwards to draw more air from the
ends of the
suction head than at the centre.
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The tube 44 extends upwardly from the funnel towards the tank to
communicate through a cylindrical side wall 62 of the tank 24. Direction of
the tube is
oriented to extend substantially in a circumferencial direction at the point
of
communication with the cylindrical side wall of the tank surf ~ that flow is
induced into a
vortex within the tank whereby cyclonic action of the flow causes product
material to
fall to bottom of the tank about the circumference thereof while a blower 64
downstream of the tank draws air upwardly through the centre of the tank to
the outlet
at the top end of the tank.
A screen 66 is provided spaced above tine communication of the tube 44
forming the inlet of the tank, towards a top end of the tank. The screen spans
a
circular outlet opening in the top of the tank through which the blower 64
communicates to exhaust air through the open top end of the tank. The blower
64 is
mounted within a retainer ring on the tank and sea~ied with respect to the
tank by
means of a suitable gasket 68. Positioning tabs 70~ align the blower with the
tank.
Centrally located within the screen is a cap with depending walls forming a
vortex
protector.
Product is removed from the tank through an opening 72 at a bottom of
the tank. A gate 74 spans 'the opening 72 and is hinged along one side thereof
for
movement between an open position and a closed position sealing the opening 72
of
the tank shut. A chute 76 is mounted below the opening 72 to be aligned
therewith.
The chute 76 extends down~vardly and outwardly at an incline from a top end
spaced
below the gate 74 to a bottom end extending laterally outwardly on an opposing
side
from the hinge of the gate 74.
A latching mechanism supported below the gate includes a generally U-
shaped latching bar 78 including a pair side members positioned forwardly and
rearwardly of the gate and pivoted at a bottom end and mounting a roller 79 at
a top
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end spanning between the sides thereof. The roller T9 is oriented for rotation
about a
longitudinal axis lying parallel to the forward working direction and the
hinge of the
gate 74. When the sides of the bar 78 are oriented vertically upward the
roller is
positioned to lie directly beneath the gate in the closed position thereof,
extending
centrally thereacross.
By pivoting the bar 78 about respective pivots at the bottom of the side
members thereof the roller is pivoted towards the hinge whereby arcing
movement of
the roller reduces the height thereof to permit the gate to be opened with the
free end
of the gate being aligned to contact the chute 76 so that ~>roduct dispensed
through
the opening by the gate lands on the chute to be dispensed from the device.
Movement of the bar 78 to open and close the gate is controlled manually or by
a
rotary electric motor 80 which rotates an actuator rod 82 coupled to the bar
78 at both
ends thereof by a cable and suitable pulleys supported on each of the posts 18
of the
frame. Rotation of the motor 80 in one direction resuVts in the cables pulling
the bar in
a open direction while reverse rotation of the motor results in the gate being
pulled in
the closed direction. Stops 84 are mounted on the frame for engagement with
the bar
78 in the fully open position such that the bar rests thereon and bears the
weight of
the gate instead of bearing weight on the pulleys and cables.
Turning now to Figures 5A through 5C one particular application of the
harvester is shown in greater detail in which a cutter bar 90 is mounted on
the suction
head for use in cutting low lying crops, for example spinach or various types
of herbs.
The cutter bar is a sickle type cutter which extends longitudinally between
opposing
ends of the suction head near a bottom side thereof. A botaom plate 92
encloses the
bottom side of the suction head so that all air is drawn in through the open
front side
thereof. The cutter bar 90 is mounted onto the suction head using threaded
fasteners
or other selective and height adjustable mounting means to permit the height
of the
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cutter bar relative to the suction head to be adjusted.
Preferably the cutter bar is located near a bottom side of the suction
head with the height of the suction head being adjusted using the hydraulics
of the
castor wheels on the frame or tilt of the loader arms so that the cutter bar
just slightly
skims over the ground. The forward flange 54 is selected in this instance to
be
mounted directly adjacent the front wall of the funnel in a sealing engagement
therewith to act as a canopy above the height of the crops.
An additional front face plate 94 is adjustably mounted using threaded
fasteners and the like to project downwardly from the forn~ard flange 54 to
partially
obstruct the top end of the i~ront mouth opening of the suction head. The
downward
free end of the face plate 94 is positioned to be approximately aligned with
the tops of
the crop being harvested. l~/hen harvesting leafy crops such as spinach for
example,
the rotary tines 48 are not rotated and remain fixed in position or are
removed. For
crops such as herbs and the like it may be preferable to rotate the tines by
means of
an electric motor 98 coupled at one end of the rotating bar 50 by a chain
drive 96 so
that the bar is rotated by the electric motor while the sickle cutter is
operating.
Turning now to figures 6A through 6C a basic operation of the suction
head is illustrated in which the cutter bar is removed. In this instance the
bottom and
front sides of the suction head remain open while the tines are rotated for
harvesting
crop materials while preventing seed loss. Only the seeds may be collected by
rotating the tines without having cut the crop as the tires act to shake the
seeds loose
from the planted crops while the deflector 60 produces an accelerated airflow
within
the suction head to draw the seeds up into the funnel once shaken loose. A
forward
flange 54 may be provided which is particularly suited to the type of crop or
seeds
being harvested. The height of the suction head in i:his instance is
preferably set at
the seed height of a planted crop.
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Turning now to figures 7A through 7n a vibrator mechanism 100 is
shown for attachment to the suction head for collection of insects. The
vibrator
mechanism includes a plurality of vertically oriented tines 102 depending from
a top
plate 104 supported on the suction head by springs 100. Tines 102 are spaced
horizontally from one another and are positioned to project downwardly across
the
mouth opening of the suction head at a rearward incline. ~-he springs 106
permit the
tines to be movable relative to the suction head by action of a vibrating
motor 108
centrally mounted on the top plate 104. The forward flange 54 may be mounted
forwardly from the tines or may project from the top plate 104 of the tines to
act as a
canopy for trapping jumping and flying insects. An additional feature may
include the
use of an electrical discharge device for killing the insects. In operation
the vibrating
motor causes the tines to vibrate while rotation of thE: tines 48 is stopped
or the tines
are removed. ~y advancing the vibrating tines 10~'. through a crop, insects
and in
particular grasshoppers, are induced to jump upwardly in front of the suction
head to
be collected and draw in by movement of air through the mouth opening and into
the
tank.
Removal of insects from the tank can be accomplished through an outlet
pipe 109 adjustably mounted in the gate 74 at the bottom of the tank. The
outlet pipe
can be opened or closed as desired and does not: affect norms! operation of
the
device 10 as described above when closed. When the outlet pipe 109 is opened,
a
vacuum device coupled to the pipe 109 can be used to dravrv the collected
insects out
of the tank without the expected losses that might occur if the gate 74 where
opened
to remove the insects.
The device may also be used as a stand alone device to collect insects
by disconnecting the suction head 30 along with the funnel and tube 44 from
the tank
24. The inlet into the tank has a screen and a light source installed therein
in this
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instance for attracting insects and subsequently collecting the insects in the
tank by
operating the blower to produce suction at the inlet of the tank formerly
occupied by
tube 44 as illustrated in dotted line in Figure 1.
When the harvester device is used with a loader 110 a generator 112 is
supported on a three point hitch 114 of the loader or is pulled on wheels and
provides
power to the motor for rotating the tines, the vibrator mechanism and the
motor for
operating the gate latch which are all electrically operated, as well as
providing power
to any heaters used.
In a drying mode of operation the harvester device may be fixed
mounted on the ground by supporting the rear end of the frame on the legs
secured to
the rear posts in a level position. Air from outside of the tank may be
communicated
through the outlet pipe 109 to a bottom of the tank such that operation of the
blower
causes air to be drawn in through the pipe to the bottom of the tank and
subsequently
through the product stored within the tank to be exhausted at the screen
spanning the
outlet at the top of the tank below the blower. The harvester device thus
permits
product to be dried in the same container that it is harvested in for improved
quality of
herbs and the like. An electrical heater in this instance is preferably
mounted near the
gate at the bottom end of the tank which is also electrically operated for
receiving
power from the generator 112 or a regular electric outlet.
Turning now a Figure 8, a hammer mill rnode of operation is illustrated in
which a basket 120 connects to the suction head 30 'for enclosing the mouth
opening
40 thereof. The basket 120 includes a face plate 12 °I which spans a
forward facing
portion of the mouth opening and a bottom plate 122, spanning transversely to
the
face plate, which is slidably received between the end plates 46 of the
suction head
below the rotating tines 48 to enclose a downward facing portion of the mouth
opening. A hinge plate 124 is pivoted along a horizontal axis parallel to the
rotating
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bar 50 supporting the rotating tines 48. The hinge plate 124 is movable into a
horizontal position projecting forwardly and enclosing a top side of the
suction head
over a portion of the end plates 46 which projects forvvardly from the funnel
portion 42.
With the suction head enclosed, rotates of the tines 48 acts as a hammer mill
as seed
can be contained therein to assist in cracking the seed open.
In operation, a set of chains may be mounted in front of the suction head
to dangle well ahead of the rotating tines and oti-ier working components of
the
suction head. The chains would alert small birds o~r animals and the like to
move
away from the path of the harvester device.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been
described in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other embodiments are
possible
within the scope of the invention. The invention is tc~ be considered limited
solely by
the scope of the appended claims.
