Implement for the harvesting of seed-producing plants by mechanical

Abstract

There is described an implement for the harvesting of seed-producing plants which is suitable for use with mechanical harvesters and is formed of a chassis which comprises basically a hollow front transverse beam and a structure defined by lateral, base and rear parts and a structure which includes a mesh-covered portion; at least two quill-defining trays arranged at an angle with respect to the horizontal, one alongside the other and with their quills pointing in the direction of advance, they being directly connected in front of the front beam; defining between said trays at least one access passage to a cutting station; a cutting station at the end of each passage and arranged slightly to the rear of the trays on the front beam; on which there is provided a high-speed cutting disk which partially overlaps the respective passage; there being provided, in the vicinity of each cutting station and also borne by the front beam a stalk-impelling mechanism adapted to bring, by impeller elements arranged to move over a path which at least partially follows the said passage and partially overlaps the cutting disk of the respective cutting section the plants which are to be cut in order to prevent their suffering undesirable jolts when entering into contact with the cutting disks; a conveyor mechanism adapted to bring the cut plants from the respective cutting station to the inside of the body of the harvester; and transmission means adapted to individually and separately drive the cutting disk of each cutting station at a high, constant and uniform speed for all the disks involved on the one hand and the stalk drive mechanism on the other hand at a speed which is a function of the speed of advance of the harvester so that the relative speed of the drive elements is as close as possible to the speed of advance; said transmission means being received at least partially within the hollow front transverse beam.