Foldable corn head with unobstructed auger

Abstract

A foldable corn head having separable, matable auger sections which are cantilever suspended from the ends thereof to provide an obstruction-free path for harvested ears of corn being transported by the auger. Outer sections of the corn head are foldable vertically about horizontal hinges to reduce the width of the head for over-the-road travel. Stub auger sections are cantilever mounted from end plates in the pivotable outer corn head sections, at least one of the stub sections being driven by an actuator, such as a hydraulic motor means. The stub sections are provided with coupling elements at their inner ends which are matable with coupling elements in the ends of the main auger section. The elements have non-symmetrically disposed mating pins and bores to form the couplings and to align the ends of the helical auger flanges. In a preferred embodiment, the main auger section is supported and driven solely by coupling to the stub sections in harvesting position, and lies free in the trough when uncoupled in non-harvesting position. In a second embodiment, the main auger section is supported at its center by a strut and bearings and is cantilevered outward therefrom to mate with the cantilevered auger stub sections. In all embodiments, the auger flow path for the corn ears is free of auger support elements which can cause plugging of the auger and damage to corn ears, particularly ears of fresh corn for direct retail sale or processing.