US3635271A — Cutterhead and shear bar for forage harvesters

Claim 1

Independent Claim 325 words

In combination with a forage harvester having a frame, a cutterhead housing mounted on the frame and including a crop inlet opening, and conveyor means mounted adjacent to the inlet opening for advancing crop material into the housing through the opening, crop reducing means comprising: an axially horizontal, cylinder-type cutterhead rotatably mounted within the housing and including at least one knife having a relatively sharp cutting edge defining an imaginary cylindrical surface as the cutterhead rotates; and a stationary knife cooperating with the cutterhead knife to reduce the crop material, the stationary knife being mounted adjacent to the crop inlet opening in the housing and having a relatively sharp cutting edge substantially parallel with the axis of the cutterhead and in close proximity to the imaginary cylindrical surface defined by the cutterhead knife, each of the knives having an end surface terminating at its respective cutting edge, the end surface of the cutterhead knife lying substantially on the imaginary cylindrical surface defined by the cutting edge thereof and the end surface of the stationary knife being substantially equidistant from the surface defined by the cutting edge of the cutterhead knife as it passes in close proximity to the stationary knife, and a face surface adjoining the respective end surface along the respective cutting edge, the face surface of the cutterhead knife extending inwardly of the cutterhead and the face surface of the stationary knife extending outwardly of the cutterhead, the end surface of one of said knives including a portion bounded by the respective cutting edge which has a greater wear resistance than the adjoining face surface, the wear resistance differential of the end and face surfaces of said one knife being of such magnitude as to cause the face surface of said one knife to wear away from the cutting edge thereof during operation of the crop reducing means, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the cutting edge of said one knife during such operation.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 325 words

In combination with a forage harvester having a frame, a cutterhead housing mounted on the frame and including a crop inlet opening, and conveyor means mounted adjacent to the inlet opening for advancing crop material into the housing through the opening, crop reducing means comprising: an axially horizontal, cylinder-type cutterhead rotatably mounted within the housing and including at least one knife having a relatively sharp cutting edge defining an imaginary cylindrical surface as the cutterhead rotates; and a stationary knife cooperating with the cutterhead knife to reduce the crop material, the stationary knife being mounted adjacent to the crop inlet opening in the housing and having a relatively sharp cutting edge substantially parallel with the axis of the cutterhead and in close proximity to the imaginary cylindrical surface defined by the cutterhead knife, each of the knives having an end surface terminating at its respective cutting edge, the end surface of the cutterhead knife lying substantially on the imaginary cylindrical surface defined by the cutting edge thereof and the end surface of the stationary knife being substantially equidistant from the surface defined by the cutting edge of the cutterhead knife as it passes in close proximity to the stationary knife, and a face surface adjoining the respective end surface along the respective cutting edge, the face surface of the cutterhead knife extending inwardly of the cutterhead and the face surface of the stationary knife extending outwardly of the cutterhead, the end surface of one of said knives including a portion bounded by the respective cutting edge which has a greater wear resistance than the adjoining face surface, the wear resistance differential of the end and face surfaces of said one knife being of such magnitude as to cause the face surface of said one knife to wear away from the cutting edge thereof during operation of the crop reducing means, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the cutting edge of said one knife during such operation.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 94 words

The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the end surface of the other of said knives includes a portion bounded by the respective cutting edge which has a greater wear resistance than the adjoining face surface, the wear resistance differential of the end and face surfaces of said other knife being of such magnitude as to cause the face surface of said other knife to wear away from the cutting edge thereof during operation of the crop reducing means, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the cutting edge of said other knife during such operation.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 261 words

In combination with a forage harvester having a frame, a cutterhead housing mounted on the frame and including a crop inlet opening, and conveyor means mounted adjacent to the inlet opening for advancing crop material into the housing through the opening, crop reducing means comprising: a stationary shear bar mounted adjacent to the cutterhead housing inlet and including a relatively sharp horizontal shear edge; and an axially horizontal, cylinder-type cutterhead rotatably mounted within the housing in cooperative cutting relation with the shear bar for reducing the crop material, the cutterhead being rotatable about an axis generally parallel with the shear edge of the shear bar and including at least one knife having a relatively sharp cutting edge defining an imaginary cylindrical surface as the cutterhead rotates, the knife having a leading surface, relative to the direction of cutterhead rotation, extending outwardly from the cutterhead axis and terminating at the cutting edge on the imaginary cylindrical surface, and an arcuate end surface adjoining the leading surface along the cutting edge and lying substantially on the imaginary cylindrical surface, the arcuate end surface of the knife including a portion bounded by the cutting edge which has a greater wear resistance than the leading surface of the knife, the wear resistance differential of the surfaces being of such magnitude as to cause the leading surface to wear away from the cutting edge during operation of the crop reducing means, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the cutting edge during such operation and substantially maintaining the cutting edge on the imaginary cylindrical surface initially defined thereby.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 261 words

In combination with a forage harvester having a frame, a cutterhead housing mounted on the frame and including a crop inlet opening, and conveyor means mounted adjacent to the inlet opening for advancing crop material into the housing through the opening, crop reducing means comprising: a stationary shear bar mounted adjacent to the cutterhead housing inlet and including a relatively sharp horizontal shear edge; and an axially horizontal, cylinder-type cutterhead rotatably mounted within the housing in cooperative cutting relation with the shear bar for reducing the crop material, the cutterhead being rotatable about an axis generally parallel with the shear edge of the shear bar and including at least one knife having a relatively sharp cutting edge defining an imaginary cylindrical surface as the cutterhead rotates, the knife having a leading surface, relative to the direction of cutterhead rotation, extending outwardly from the cutterhead axis and terminating at the cutting edge on the imaginary cylindrical surface, and an arcuate end surface adjoining the leading surface along the cutting edge and lying substantially on the imaginary cylindrical surface, the arcuate end surface of the knife including a portion bounded by the cutting edge which has a greater wear resistance than the leading surface of the knife, the wear resistance differential of the surfaces being of such magnitude as to cause the leading surface to wear away from the cutting edge during operation of the crop reducing means, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the cutting edge during such operation and substantially maintaining the cutting edge on the imaginary cylindrical surface initially defined thereby.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 26 words

The invention defined in claim 3 wherein the portion of the arcuate end surface of the knife bounded by the cutting edge is hardfaced by welding.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 138 words

The invention defined in claim 3 wherein the shear bar includes an end surface bounded by the shear edge and disposed substantially tangentially relative to the cutterhead, and a face surface adjoining the end surface along the shear edge and disposed substantially radially relative to the cutterhead, the end surface of the bar including a portion bounded by the shear edge which has a greater wear resistance than the face surface of the bar, the wear resistance differential of the end and face surfaces being of such magnitude as to cause the face surface to wear away from the shear edge during operation of the crop reducing means, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the shear edge during such operation and substantially maintaining the initial clearance between the shear edge and the surface initially defined by the cutterhead knife.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 264 words

In combination with the forage harvester having a frame, a cutterhead housing mounted on the frame and including a crop inlet opening, and conveyor means mounted adjacent to the inlet opening for advancing crop material into the housing through the opening, crop reducing means comprising: an axially horizontal, cylinder-type cutterhead rotatably mounted within the housing and including at least one knife having a relatively sharp cutting edge defining an imaginary cylindrical surface as the cutterhead rotates; and a stationary shear bar cooperating with the cutterhead knife to reduce the crop material, the shear bar being mounted adjacent to the crop inlet opening in the housing and having a relatively sharp shear edge substantially parallel with the axis of the cutterhead and in close proximity to the imaginary cylindrical surface defined by the knife, the shear bar including an end surface bounded by the shear edge and disposed substantially tangentially relative to the cutterhead, and a face surface adjoining the end surface along the shear edge and disposed substantially radially relative to the cutterhead, the end surface of the bar including a portion bounded by the shear edge which has a greater wear resistance than the face surface of the bar, the wear resistance differential of the end and face surfaces being of such magnitude as to cause the face surface to wear away from the shear edge during operation of the crop reducing means, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the shear edge during such operation and substantially maintaining the initial clearance between the shear edge and the surface initially defined by the cutterhead knife.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 264 words

In combination with the forage harvester having a frame, a cutterhead housing mounted on the frame and including a crop inlet opening, and conveyor means mounted adjacent to the inlet opening for advancing crop material into the housing through the opening, crop reducing means comprising: an axially horizontal, cylinder-type cutterhead rotatably mounted within the housing and including at least one knife having a relatively sharp cutting edge defining an imaginary cylindrical surface as the cutterhead rotates; and a stationary shear bar cooperating with the cutterhead knife to reduce the crop material, the shear bar being mounted adjacent to the crop inlet opening in the housing and having a relatively sharp shear edge substantially parallel with the axis of the cutterhead and in close proximity to the imaginary cylindrical surface defined by the knife, the shear bar including an end surface bounded by the shear edge and disposed substantially tangentially relative to the cutterhead, and a face surface adjoining the end surface along the shear edge and disposed substantially radially relative to the cutterhead, the end surface of the bar including a portion bounded by the shear edge which has a greater wear resistance than the face surface of the bar, the wear resistance differential of the end and face surfaces being of such magnitude as to cause the face surface to wear away from the shear edge during operation of the crop reducing means, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the shear edge during such operation and substantially maintaining the initial clearance between the shear edge and the surface initially defined by the cutterhead knife.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 25 words

The invention defined in claim 6 wherein the portion of the end surface of the bar bounded by the shear edge is hardfaced by welding.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 143 words

The invention defined in claim 6 wherein the cutterhead knife includes a leading surface, relative to the direction of cutterhead rotation, extending outwardly from the cutterhead axis and terminating at the cutting edge on the imaginary cylindrical surface, and an arcuate end surface adjoining the leading surface along the cutting edge and lying substantially on the imaginary cylindrical surface, the arcuate end surface of the knife including a portion bounded by the cutting edge which has a greater wear resistance than the leading surface of the knife, the wear resistance differential of the surfaces being of such magnitude as to cause the leading surface to wear away from the cutting edge during operation of the crop reducing means, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the cutting edge during such operation and substantially maintaining the cutting edge on the imaginary Cylindrical surface initially defined thereby.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 281 words

In combination with a forage harvester having a frame, a cutterhead housing mounted on the frame and including a crop inlet opening, and conveyor means mounted adjacent to the inlet opening for advancing crop material into the housing through the opening, crop reducing means comprising: a stationary shear bar mounted adjacent to the cutterhead housing inlet and including a relatively sharp horizontal shear edge; and an axially horizontal, cylinder-type cutterhead rotatably mounted within the housing in cooperative cutting relation with the shear bar for reducing the crop material, the cutterhead being rotatable about an axis generally parallel with the shear edge of the shear bar and including at least one knife having a relatively sharp cutting edge defining an imaginary cylindrical surface as the cutterhead rotates, the knife having a leading surface, relative to the direction of cutterhead rotation, extending outwardly from the cutterhead axis and terminating at the cutting edge on the imaginary cylindrical surface, and an arcuate end surface adjoining the leading surface along the cutting edge and lying substantially on the imaginary cylindrical surface, the arcuate end surface of the knife including a portion bounded by the cutting edge which is covered with a relatively thin layer of material having a greater wear resistance than that of the material composing the remainder of the knife, the wear resistance differential of the materials being of such magnitude as to cause the leading surface to wear away from the thin layer of material on the arcuate end surface during operation of the crop reducing means, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the cutting edge during such operation and substantially maintaining the cutting edge on the imaginary cylindrical surface initially defined thereby.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 281 words

In combination with a forage harvester having a frame, a cutterhead housing mounted on the frame and including a crop inlet opening, and conveyor means mounted adjacent to the inlet opening for advancing crop material into the housing through the opening, crop reducing means comprising: a stationary shear bar mounted adjacent to the cutterhead housing inlet and including a relatively sharp horizontal shear edge; and an axially horizontal, cylinder-type cutterhead rotatably mounted within the housing in cooperative cutting relation with the shear bar for reducing the crop material, the cutterhead being rotatable about an axis generally parallel with the shear edge of the shear bar and including at least one knife having a relatively sharp cutting edge defining an imaginary cylindrical surface as the cutterhead rotates, the knife having a leading surface, relative to the direction of cutterhead rotation, extending outwardly from the cutterhead axis and terminating at the cutting edge on the imaginary cylindrical surface, and an arcuate end surface adjoining the leading surface along the cutting edge and lying substantially on the imaginary cylindrical surface, the arcuate end surface of the knife including a portion bounded by the cutting edge which is covered with a relatively thin layer of material having a greater wear resistance than that of the material composing the remainder of the knife, the wear resistance differential of the materials being of such magnitude as to cause the leading surface to wear away from the thin layer of material on the arcuate end surface during operation of the crop reducing means, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the cutting edge during such operation and substantially maintaining the cutting edge on the imaginary cylindrical surface initially defined thereby.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 287 words

In combination with the forage harvester having a frame, a cutterhead housing mounted on the frame and including a crop inlet opening, and conveyor means mounted adjacent to the inlet opening for advancing crop material into the housing through the opening, crop reducing means comprising: an axially horizontal, cylinder-type cutterhead rotatably mounted within the housing and including at least one knife having a relatively sharp cutting edge defining an imaginary cylindrical surface as the cutterhead rotates; and a stationary shear bar cooperating with the cutterhead knife to reduce the crop material, the shear bar being mounted adjacent to the crop inlet opening in the housing so that the crop passes over it and having a relatively sharp shear edge substantially parallel with the axis of the cutterhead and in close proximity to the imaginary cylindrical surface defined by the knife, the shear bar including an end surface bounded by the shear edge and disposed substantially tangentially relative to the cutterhead, and a face surface adjoining the end surface along the shear edge and disposed substantially radially relative to the cutterhead, the end surface of the bar including a portion bounded by the shear edge which is covered with a relatively thin layer of material having a greater wear resistance than that of the material composing the remainder of the bar, the wear resistance differential of the materials being of such magnitude as to cause the face surface to wear away from the thin layer of material on the end surface during operation of the crop reducing means, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the shear edge during such operation and substantially maintaining the initial clearance between the shear edge and the surface initially defined by the cutterhead knife.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 287 words

In combination with the forage harvester having a frame, a cutterhead housing mounted on the frame and including a crop inlet opening, and conveyor means mounted adjacent to the inlet opening for advancing crop material into the housing through the opening, crop reducing means comprising: an axially horizontal, cylinder-type cutterhead rotatably mounted within the housing and including at least one knife having a relatively sharp cutting edge defining an imaginary cylindrical surface as the cutterhead rotates; and a stationary shear bar cooperating with the cutterhead knife to reduce the crop material, the shear bar being mounted adjacent to the crop inlet opening in the housing so that the crop passes over it and having a relatively sharp shear edge substantially parallel with the axis of the cutterhead and in close proximity to the imaginary cylindrical surface defined by the knife, the shear bar including an end surface bounded by the shear edge and disposed substantially tangentially relative to the cutterhead, and a face surface adjoining the end surface along the shear edge and disposed substantially radially relative to the cutterhead, the end surface of the bar including a portion bounded by the shear edge which is covered with a relatively thin layer of material having a greater wear resistance than that of the material composing the remainder of the bar, the wear resistance differential of the materials being of such magnitude as to cause the face surface to wear away from the thin layer of material on the end surface during operation of the crop reducing means, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the shear edge during such operation and substantially maintaining the initial clearance between the shear edge and the surface initially defined by the cutterhead knife.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 245 words

In combination with a forage harvester having a frame, a cutterhead housing mounted on the frame and including a crop inlet opening, and conveyor means mounted adjacent to the inlet opening for advancing crop material into the housing through the opening, crop reducing means comprising: a stationary shear bar mounted adjacent to the cutterhead housing inlet and including a relatively sharp horizontal shear edge; and an axially horizontal, cylinder-type cutterhead rotatably mounted within the housing in cooperative cutting relation with the shear bar for reducing the crop material, the cutterhead being rotatable about an axis generally parallel with the shear edge of the shear bar and including at least one knife having a relatively sharp cutting edge defining an imaginary cylindrical surface as the cutterhead rotates, the knife having a leading surface, relative to the direction of cutterhead rotation, extending outwardly from the cutterhead axis and terminating at the cutting edge on the imaginary cylindrical surface, and an outer end surface adjoining the leading surface along the cutting edge and forming an acute angle therewith, the outer end surface of the knife including a portion bounded by the cutting edge which has a greater wear resistance than the leading surface of the knife, the wear resistance differential of the surfaces being of such magnitude as to cause the leading surface to wear away from the cutting edge during operation of the crop reducing means, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the cutting edge during such operation.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 245 words

In combination with a forage harvester having a frame, a cutterhead housing mounted on the frame and including a crop inlet opening, and conveyor means mounted adjacent to the inlet opening for advancing crop material into the housing through the opening, crop reducing means comprising: a stationary shear bar mounted adjacent to the cutterhead housing inlet and including a relatively sharp horizontal shear edge; and an axially horizontal, cylinder-type cutterhead rotatably mounted within the housing in cooperative cutting relation with the shear bar for reducing the crop material, the cutterhead being rotatable about an axis generally parallel with the shear edge of the shear bar and including at least one knife having a relatively sharp cutting edge defining an imaginary cylindrical surface as the cutterhead rotates, the knife having a leading surface, relative to the direction of cutterhead rotation, extending outwardly from the cutterhead axis and terminating at the cutting edge on the imaginary cylindrical surface, and an outer end surface adjoining the leading surface along the cutting edge and forming an acute angle therewith, the outer end surface of the knife including a portion bounded by the cutting edge which has a greater wear resistance than the leading surface of the knife, the wear resistance differential of the surfaces being of such magnitude as to cause the leading surface to wear away from the cutting edge during operation of the crop reducing means, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the cutting edge during such operation.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 52 words

The invention defined in claim 11 wherein the outer end surface of the knife lies substantially on the imaginary cylindrical surface defined by the knife, whereby a constant clearance is maintained between the cutting edge of the knife and the shear edge of the shear bar notwithstanding wear of the cutting edge.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 205 words

Cutting apparatus comprising: a rotary cutterhead having at least one knife rotatable about an axis and having a relatively sharp cutting edge; and a shear bar disposed in cooperative cutting relation with the cutterhead knife and having a relatively sharp shear edge substantially parallel and in close proximity to the surface defined by the cutting edge of the cutterhead knife, said shear edge being formed by the intersection of end and face surfaces of the shear bar, said end surface extending substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the cutterhead knife as it passes in close proximity to the shear edge of the shear bar and including a portion bounded by the shear edge which has a greater wear resistance than the face surface of the shear bar, the wear resistance differential of the end and face surfaces being of such magnitude as to cause the face surface to wear away from the cutting edge due to the abrasive action of the material being cut engaging the face surface during operation of the apparatus, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the shear edge during such operation and substantially maintaining the initial clearance between the shear edge and the surface initially defined by the cutterhead knife.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 205 words

Cutting apparatus comprising: a rotary cutterhead having at least one knife rotatable about an axis and having a relatively sharp cutting edge; and a shear bar disposed in cooperative cutting relation with the cutterhead knife and having a relatively sharp shear edge substantially parallel and in close proximity to the surface defined by the cutting edge of the cutterhead knife, said shear edge being formed by the intersection of end and face surfaces of the shear bar, said end surface extending substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the cutterhead knife as it passes in close proximity to the shear edge of the shear bar and including a portion bounded by the shear edge which has a greater wear resistance than the face surface of the shear bar, the wear resistance differential of the end and face surfaces being of such magnitude as to cause the face surface to wear away from the cutting edge due to the abrasive action of the material being cut engaging the face surface during operation of the apparatus, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the shear edge during such operation and substantially maintaining the initial clearance between the shear edge and the surface initially defined by the cutterhead knife.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 58 words

The invention defined in claim 13 wherein the clearance between the surface defined by the cutting edge of the cutterhead knife and the end surface of the shear bar is a minimum at the shear edge of the latter and increases in the direction of travel of the cutterhead to provide relief between the knife and shear bar.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 55 words

The invention defined in claim 13 wherein the portion of the end surface of the shear bar which has a greater wear resistance than the face surface of the shear bar comprises a relatively thin layer of hardfacing material, the upper transverse edge of the hardfacing material forming the shear edge of the shear bar.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 167 words

In a forage harvester having a mobile housing structure movable forwardly over the ground, a transverse cutterhead having circumferentially spaced knives supported in the housing structure and rotatably driven to have its forward side moving downwardly; a complementary shear bar supported in the housing forwardly of and in close proximity to the cutterhead and having an upper rear transverse corner with an upper face extending forwardly from the corner and a depending face extending downwardly from the corner and alongside the cutterhead as it passes in close proximity to the shear bar, said lattEr face having a thin hardened and abrasion-resistant layer of material with an upper horizontal edge at said corner defining the shear edge of the shear bar; said upper surface being subject to abrasive wear by crop material moving against the surface toward the cutterhead to effect relief in the upper surface beginning at said cutting edge and extending forwardly therefrom; and means for conveying crop material over said shear bar to the cutterhead.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 167 words

In a forage harvester having a mobile housing structure movable forwardly over the ground, a transverse cutterhead having circumferentially spaced knives supported in the housing structure and rotatably driven to have its forward side moving downwardly; a complementary shear bar supported in the housing forwardly of and in close proximity to the cutterhead and having an upper rear transverse corner with an upper face extending forwardly from the corner and a depending face extending downwardly from the corner and alongside the cutterhead as it passes in close proximity to the shear bar, said lattEr face having a thin hardened and abrasion-resistant layer of material with an upper horizontal edge at said corner defining the shear edge of the shear bar; said upper surface being subject to abrasive wear by crop material moving against the surface toward the cutterhead to effect relief in the upper surface beginning at said cutting edge and extending forwardly therefrom; and means for conveying crop material over said shear bar to the cutterhead.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 58 words

The invention defined in claim 16 wherein the clearance between the surface defined by the cutting edge of the cutterhead knife and the end surface of the shear bar is a minimum at the shear edge of the latter and increases in the direction of travel of the cutterhead to provide relief between the knife and shear bar.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 202 words

The invention defined in claim 16 wherein said cutterhead knives include a leading face surface relative to the direction of travel of the knives and extending outwardly from the axis of rotation of the cutterhead to a terminal edge; and an end surface joining the face surface along said terminal edge and extending rearwardly therefrom relative to the direction of travel of the knife, the end surface having a thin, hardened and abrasion-resistant layer of material with a generally transverse edge at the terminal edge of the face surface and defining the cutting edge of the knife, said leading face surface being subject to abrasive wear edge; and an end surface joining the face surface along said terminal edge and extending rearwardly therefrom relative to the direction of travel of the knife, the end surface having a thin, hardened and abrasion-resistant layer of material with a generally transverse edge at the terminal edge of the face surface and defining the cutting edge of the knife, said leading face surface being subject to abrasive wear by crop material engaging said leading surface during operation of the cutterhead to effect relief in the leading surface beginning at said cutting edge and extending inwardly therefrom.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 31 words

The invention defined in claim 18 wherein the end surface of the knife lies substantially on the surface traced by the cutting edge of the knife when the cutterhead is rotated.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 169 words

In a forage harvester, a housing structure, a rotatable cutterhead having knives thereon extending transversely across the housing and driven to have the forward side thereof move downwardly; a shear bar forward of the cutterhead fixed to the housing structure and having an upper surface over which crop material moves to the cutterhead and a rear surface depending from the upper surface and defining a transverse shear edge at its juncture with the upper surface and being cooperable with the knives on the cutterhead to chop crop material moving over the upper surface, said upper surface being subject to wear by the abrasive action of the crop material moving over the surface, and said rear surface being substantially equidistant from the adjacent surface defined by the cutterhead knives as the cutterhead is rotated and having a thin hardened facing extending downwardly from the shear edge that is abrasion resistant in comparison with the upper surface; and conveyor means for moving crop material over the upper surface to the cutterhead.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 169 words

In a forage harvester, a housing structure, a rotatable cutterhead having knives thereon extending transversely across the housing and driven to have the forward side thereof move downwardly; a shear bar forward of the cutterhead fixed to the housing structure and having an upper surface over which crop material moves to the cutterhead and a rear surface depending from the upper surface and defining a transverse shear edge at its juncture with the upper surface and being cooperable with the knives on the cutterhead to chop crop material moving over the upper surface, said upper surface being subject to wear by the abrasive action of the crop material moving over the surface, and said rear surface being substantially equidistant from the adjacent surface defined by the cutterhead knives as the cutterhead is rotated and having a thin hardened facing extending downwardly from the shear edge that is abrasion resistant in comparison with the upper surface; and conveyor means for moving crop material over the upper surface to the cutterhead.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 58 words

The invention defined in claim 20 wherein the clearance between the surface defined by the cutting edge of the cutterhead knife and the end surface of the shear bar is a minimum at the shear edge of the latter and increases in the direction of travel of the cutterhead to provide relief between the knife and shear bar.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 98 words

The invention defined in claim 20 wherein said cutterhead knives include a leading surface relative to the direction of travel of the knives and extending outwardly from the axis of rotation of the cutterhead, said leading surface engaging the crop material during operation of the cutterhead; and an end surface depending from the leading surface and defining a cutting edge at its juncture with the leading surface extending transversely acRoss the housing, said end surface having a thin, hardened facing bounded by the cutting edge of the knife that is abrasion resistant in comparison with the leading surface.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 32 words

The invention defined in claim 22 wherein the end surface of the cutterhead knife lies substantially on the surface traced by the cutting edge of the knife when the cutterhead is rotated.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 217 words

Cutting apparatus comprising: housing means; a stationary shear bar mounted on said housing means and including a relatively sharp, elongated shear edge; and a rotary cutterhead mounted on said housing means and having at least one knife rotatable about an axis, said knife having a relatively sharp cutting edge cooperable with the shear edge of the shear bar to shear material passing across said bar toward said cutterhead, the cutting edge of said knife defining an imaginary surface lying in close proximity to the shear edge of the shear bar as the cutterhead rotates, said knife having a leading face surface relative to its direction of rotation and an end surface lying substantially on the surface defined by the cutting edge, said face and end surfaces intersecting to form said cutting edge, the end surface of the knife including a portion bounded by the cutting edge which has a greater wear resistance than the leading face surface of the knife, the wear resistance differential of the surfaces being of such magnitude as to cause the leading face surface to wear away from the cutting edge during operation of the apparatus, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the cutting edge during such operation and substantially maintaining the cutting edge on the imaginary surface initially defined by the cutting edge.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 217 words

Cutting apparatus comprising: housing means; a stationary shear bar mounted on said housing means and including a relatively sharp, elongated shear edge; and a rotary cutterhead mounted on said housing means and having at least one knife rotatable about an axis, said knife having a relatively sharp cutting edge cooperable with the shear edge of the shear bar to shear material passing across said bar toward said cutterhead, the cutting edge of said knife defining an imaginary surface lying in close proximity to the shear edge of the shear bar as the cutterhead rotates, said knife having a leading face surface relative to its direction of rotation and an end surface lying substantially on the surface defined by the cutting edge, said face and end surfaces intersecting to form said cutting edge, the end surface of the knife including a portion bounded by the cutting edge which has a greater wear resistance than the leading face surface of the knife, the wear resistance differential of the surfaces being of such magnitude as to cause the leading face surface to wear away from the cutting edge during operation of the apparatus, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the cutting edge during such operation and substantially maintaining the cutting edge on the imaginary surface initially defined by the cutting edge.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 295 words

In a forage harvester, a housing structure; a shear bar mounted on the housing structure and having intersecting end and face surfaces, the end surface having a thin layer of hardfacing material fixed thereto with an edge lying at the intersection of said surfaces and forming a relatively sharp shear edge; a cutterhead rotatably mounted in the housing structure and having at least one knife cooperable with the shear bar to chop crop material, said knife having a relatively sharp cutting edge defining an imaginary surface lying in close proximity to the end surface of the shear bar as the cutterhead rotates, the clearance between the imaginary surface and the end surface being a minimum at the cutting edge of the shear bar and increasing in the direction of rotation of the cutterhead knife to provide relief between said knife and said shear bar; means for advancing a mat of crop material across the face surface of the shear bar toward the cutterhead, the cutterhead knives being operable to engage and compress the mat against the face surface of the shear bar as the knife approaches the shear edge, the pressure thus exerted on the shear bar by the crop material being sufficient, over an extended period of operation, to cause the upper edge of the hardfacing material to wear and advance along the end surface of the shear bar in the direction of travel of the cutterhead knife, and to cause the softer material adjoining the hardfacing material along the face surface of the shear bar to wear away from the shear edge, whereby the action of the cutterhead on the crop material maintains the sharpness of and substantially maintains the initial clearance between the respective cutting edges of the knife and shear bar.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 295 words

In a forage harvester, a housing structure; a shear bar mounted on the housing structure and having intersecting end and face surfaces, the end surface having a thin layer of hardfacing material fixed thereto with an edge lying at the intersection of said surfaces and forming a relatively sharp shear edge; a cutterhead rotatably mounted in the housing structure and having at least one knife cooperable with the shear bar to chop crop material, said knife having a relatively sharp cutting edge defining an imaginary surface lying in close proximity to the end surface of the shear bar as the cutterhead rotates, the clearance between the imaginary surface and the end surface being a minimum at the cutting edge of the shear bar and increasing in the direction of rotation of the cutterhead knife to provide relief between said knife and said shear bar; means for advancing a mat of crop material across the face surface of the shear bar toward the cutterhead, the cutterhead knives being operable to engage and compress the mat against the face surface of the shear bar as the knife approaches the shear edge, the pressure thus exerted on the shear bar by the crop material being sufficient, over an extended period of operation, to cause the upper edge of the hardfacing material to wear and advance along the end surface of the shear bar in the direction of travel of the cutterhead knife, and to cause the softer material adjoining the hardfacing material along the face surface of the shear bar to wear away from the shear edge, whereby the action of the cutterhead on the crop material maintains the sharpness of and substantially maintains the initial clearance between the respective cutting edges of the knife and shear bar.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 214 words

For use in a forage harvester having a frame, a rotary cutterhead supported on the frame and having at least one knife thereon defining an imaginary surface as the cutterhead is rotated, and feed means for feeding crop material to the cutterhead, the improvement residing in a shear bar adapted to be supported on the frame between the feed means and cutterhead so that material will move across the shear bar as it is fed to the cutterhead, the shear bar being cooperable with said rotary cutterhead to shear crop material and comprising: intersecting end and face surfaces, the end surface includinG a portion covered by a thin layer of highly wear-resistant material facing the cutterhead and terminating at an edge along the intersection of the end and face surfaces to define the shear edge of the bar, whereby in operation as crop material moves across the shear bar the abrasive action of the material will cause the face surface of the bar to wear away from the thin layer of wear-resistant material forming the shear edge of the bar, and said shear edge will thus be maintained in a sharp condition and at substantially the same distance from the imaginary surface initially defined by the cutterhead despite such wear of the face surface.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 214 words

For use in a forage harvester having a frame, a rotary cutterhead supported on the frame and having at least one knife thereon defining an imaginary surface as the cutterhead is rotated, and feed means for feeding crop material to the cutterhead, the improvement residing in a shear bar adapted to be supported on the frame between the feed means and cutterhead so that material will move across the shear bar as it is fed to the cutterhead, the shear bar being cooperable with said rotary cutterhead to shear crop material and comprising: intersecting end and face surfaces, the end surface includinG a portion covered by a thin layer of highly wear-resistant material facing the cutterhead and terminating at an edge along the intersection of the end and face surfaces to define the shear edge of the bar, whereby in operation as crop material moves across the shear bar the abrasive action of the material will cause the face surface of the bar to wear away from the thin layer of wear-resistant material forming the shear edge of the bar, and said shear edge will thus be maintained in a sharp condition and at substantially the same distance from the imaginary surface initially defined by the cutterhead despite such wear of the face surface.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 264 words

For use in a forage harvester having a mobile housing structure, an axially transverse, cylindrical cutterhead rotatably supported in the housing and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced knives thereon, said knives having relatively sharp cutting edges defining an imaginary cylindrical surface as the cutterhead rotates, and feed means supported in the housing forwardly of the cutterhead and operative to feed crop material rearwardly to the cutterhead, the improvement residing in a shear bar cooperable with the cutterhead to shear said crop material, said shear bar comprising: an elongated bar having substantially planar end and face surfaces intersecting to form a relatively sharp edge, said end surface having a thin layer of material affixed thereto with a thin edge lying along the edge defined by the intersection of the surfaces and comprising the cutting edge of the bar, said material composing the layer having a greater resistance to abrasion than the material composing the remainder of the bar, said bar being adapted for mounting on the housing structure between the feed means and cutterhead so that the shear edge is in close proximity to the imaginary cylindrical surface defined by the cutterhead knives and the end surface of the bar extends substantially tangentially relative to the cylindrical surface, whereby in operation the abrasive action of crop material moving over the face surface of the bar will cause the face surface to wear away from the layer of abrasion-resistant material on the end surface, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the shear edge and substantially maintaining the shear edge on the end surface of the bar.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 264 words

For use in a forage harvester having a mobile housing structure, an axially transverse, cylindrical cutterhead rotatably supported in the housing and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced knives thereon, said knives having relatively sharp cutting edges defining an imaginary cylindrical surface as the cutterhead rotates, and feed means supported in the housing forwardly of the cutterhead and operative to feed crop material rearwardly to the cutterhead, the improvement residing in a shear bar cooperable with the cutterhead to shear said crop material, said shear bar comprising: an elongated bar having substantially planar end and face surfaces intersecting to form a relatively sharp edge, said end surface having a thin layer of material affixed thereto with a thin edge lying along the edge defined by the intersection of the surfaces and comprising the cutting edge of the bar, said material composing the layer having a greater resistance to abrasion than the material composing the remainder of the bar, said bar being adapted for mounting on the housing structure between the feed means and cutterhead so that the shear edge is in close proximity to the imaginary cylindrical surface defined by the cutterhead knives and the end surface of the bar extends substantially tangentially relative to the cylindrical surface, whereby in operation the abrasive action of crop material moving over the face surface of the bar will cause the face surface to wear away from the layer of abrasion-resistant material on the end surface, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the shear edge and substantially maintaining the shear edge on the end surface of the bar.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 246 words

In combination with a forage harvester having a frame, a cutterhead housing mounted on the frame and including a crop inlet opening, and conveyor means mounted adjacent to the inlet opening for advancing crop material into the housing through the opening, crop reducing means comprising: a stationary shear bar mounted adjacent to the cutterhead housing inlet and including a relatively sharp horizontal shear edge; and an axially horizontal, cylinder-type cutterhead rotatably mounted within the housing in cooperative cutting relation with the shear bar for reducing the crop material, the cutterhead being rotatable about an axis generally parallel with the shear edge of the shear bar and including at least one knife having a relatively sharp cutting edge defining an imaginary cylindrical surface as the cutterhead rotates, the knife having a leading surface, relative to the direction of cutterhead rotation, extending outwardly from the cutterhead axis and terminating at the cutting edge on the imaginary cylindrical surface, and an arcuate end surface adjoining the leading surface along the cutting edge and lying on the imaginary cylindrical surface, the arcuate end surface of the knife including a portion bounded by the cutting edge which has a greater wear resistance than the leading surface of the knife, the wear resistance differential of the surfaces being of such magnitude as to cause the leading surface to wear away from the cutting edge during operation of the crop reducing means, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the cutting edge during such operation.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 246 words

In combination with a forage harvester having a frame, a cutterhead housing mounted on the frame and including a crop inlet opening, and conveyor means mounted adjacent to the inlet opening for advancing crop material into the housing through the opening, crop reducing means comprising: a stationary shear bar mounted adjacent to the cutterhead housing inlet and including a relatively sharp horizontal shear edge; and an axially horizontal, cylinder-type cutterhead rotatably mounted within the housing in cooperative cutting relation with the shear bar for reducing the crop material, the cutterhead being rotatable about an axis generally parallel with the shear edge of the shear bar and including at least one knife having a relatively sharp cutting edge defining an imaginary cylindrical surface as the cutterhead rotates, the knife having a leading surface, relative to the direction of cutterhead rotation, extending outwardly from the cutterhead axis and terminating at the cutting edge on the imaginary cylindrical surface, and an arcuate end surface adjoining the leading surface along the cutting edge and lying on the imaginary cylindrical surface, the arcuate end surface of the knife including a portion bounded by the cutting edge which has a greater wear resistance than the leading surface of the knife, the wear resistance differential of the surfaces being of such magnitude as to cause the leading surface to wear away from the cutting edge during operation of the crop reducing means, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the cutting edge during such operation.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 26 words

The invention defined in claim 28 wherein the portion of the arcuate end surface of the knife bounded by the cutting edge is hardfaced by welding.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 119 words

The invention defined in claim 28 wherein the shear bar includes an end surface bounded by the shear edge and disposed substantially tangentially relative to the cutterhead, and a face surface adjoining the end surface along the shear edge and disposed substantially radially relative to the cutterhead, the end surface of the bar including a portion bounded by the shear edge which has a greater wear resistance than the face surface of the bar, the wear resistance differential of the end and face surfaces being of such magnitude as to cause the face surface to wear away from the cutting edge during operation of the crop reducing means, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the cutting edge during such operation.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 265 words

In combination with a forage harvester having a frame, a cutterhead housing mounted on the frame and including a crop inlet opening, and conveyor means mounted adjacent to the inlet opening for advancing crop material into the housing through the opening, crop reducing means comprising: a stationary shear bar mounted adjacent to the cutterhead housing inlet and including a relatively sharp horizontal shear edge; and an axially horizontal, cylinder-type cutterhead rotatably mounted within the housing in cooperative cutting relation with the shear bar for reducing the crop material, the cutterhead being rotatable about an axis generally parallel with the shear edge of the shear bar and including at least one knife having relatively sharp cutting edge defining an imaginary cylindrical surface as the cutterhead rotates, the knife having a leading surface, relative to the direction of cutterhead rotation, extending outwardly from the cutterhead axis and terminating at the cutting edge on the imaginary cylindrical surface, and an arcuate end surface adjoining the leading surface along the cutting edge and lying on the imaginary cylindrical surface, the arcuate end surface of the knife including a portion bounded by the cutting edge which is covered with a relatively thin layer of material having a greater wear resistance than that of the material composing the remainder of the knife, the wear resistance differential of the materials being of such magnitude as to cause the leading surface to wear away from the thin layer of material on the arcuate end surface during operation of the crop reducing means, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the cutting edge during such operation.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 265 words

In combination with a forage harvester having a frame, a cutterhead housing mounted on the frame and including a crop inlet opening, and conveyor means mounted adjacent to the inlet opening for advancing crop material into the housing through the opening, crop reducing means comprising: a stationary shear bar mounted adjacent to the cutterhead housing inlet and including a relatively sharp horizontal shear edge; and an axially horizontal, cylinder-type cutterhead rotatably mounted within the housing in cooperative cutting relation with the shear bar for reducing the crop material, the cutterhead being rotatable about an axis generally parallel with the shear edge of the shear bar and including at least one knife having relatively sharp cutting edge defining an imaginary cylindrical surface as the cutterhead rotates, the knife having a leading surface, relative to the direction of cutterhead rotation, extending outwardly from the cutterhead axis and terminating at the cutting edge on the imaginary cylindrical surface, and an arcuate end surface adjoining the leading surface along the cutting edge and lying on the imaginary cylindrical surface, the arcuate end surface of the knife including a portion bounded by the cutting edge which is covered with a relatively thin layer of material having a greater wear resistance than that of the material composing the remainder of the knife, the wear resistance differential of the materials being of such magnitude as to cause the leading surface to wear away from the thin layer of material on the arcuate end surface during operation of the crop reducing means, thereby perpetuating the sharpness of the cutting edge during such operation.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1975-01-17	1975-07-19	1976-01-18	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1979-01-17	1979-07-19	1980-01-18	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1983-01-17	1983-07-19	1984-01-18	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Cutterhead and shear bar for forage harvesters

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