Corn harvesting

Abstract

A corn harvesting system integrates automatic separation and removal of ears of corn from a plurality of rows of corn plants (the stalks thereof), the husking of the ears, the cutting or the kernels and the deposit thereof into a container from which the kernels can be removed for canning or other processing. A tracked vehicle has a structure on which mechanisms for corn ear from stalk separation (picking), husking, kernel cutting and conveying ears between the picking, husking, cutting and a cut kernel container are arranged on two levels or stories and is of height, length and width so as to be capable of being self-propelled through the fields and carried on a flat bed truck or trailer between fields on roads without special permits or routing to make bridge and tunnel clearances. The system has mechanisms for the ejection of stalks, husks and cobs directly on the field. The kernel cutting and husking mechanisms are so arranged that 'green' ears or ears blocked by jams in any cutting mechanism can be recycled via the husking machine and associated conveyors so as to avoid stopping harvesting operations. The ear separation husking and cutting mechanisms are arranged and allocated in groups each to a different row of stalks so that the load (the rate of corn ears presented for cutting to the kernel cutting machines) is distributed in accordance with the density of planting (which is generally uniform), the rate at which the corn is harvested and the rate at which kernels are delivered to the container being controllable by controlling the speed of travel of the harvester through the field. This system enables kernels of sweet corn to be harvested without stressing the environment, because cobs, husks, stalks, etc. remain on the field and do not become waste requiring disposal by sewage treatment, burning or landfilling.