US 11,737,391 B2
Sugarcane harvester chopper system with timing-adjustment tool
Guy Burch, Thibodaux, LA (US); Michael L. Halbrook, Thibodaux, LA (US); Javier J. Moscoso, Madrid (ES); and Prashant M. Jundale, Pune (IN)
Assigned to Deere & Company, Moline, IL (US)
Filed by DEERE & COMPANY, Moline, IL (US)
Filed on Sep. 1, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/9,314.
Claims priority of application No. 202021017984 (IN), filed on Apr. 27, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0329834 A1, Oct. 28, 2021
Int. Cl. A01D 45/10 (2006.01); A01D 69/06 (2006.01); A01D 43/08 (2006.01)
CPC A01D 43/08 (2013.01) [A01D 45/10 (2013.01); A01D 69/06 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A chopper system for a sugarcane harvester, comprising:
a chopper including:
a first chopper drum mounted for rotation about a first axis of rotation and comprising blades,
a second chopper drum mounted for rotation about a second axis of rotation and comprising blades that cooperate with the blades of the first chopper drum to sever sugarcane stalks into billets upon rotation of the first and second chopper drums respectively about the first and second axes of rotation, and
a gearbox that coordinates rotation of the first and second chopper drums relative to one another to establish a timing of operation between the blades of the first chopper drum and the blades of the second chopper drum, the gearbox comprising a rotor connected to the first chopper drum to rotate therewith, a first gear, fasteners fastening the rotor to the first gear for rotation of the first gear with the first chopper drum, and a second gear connected to the second chopper drum to rotate therewith, the first and second gears rotatably connected with one another, the rotor rotatable relative to the first gear upon loosening of the fasteners,
a timing-adjustment tool that removably mounts to a first fastener of the fasteners and the rotor to rotate the rotor relative to the first gear to adjust the timing of operation between the blades of the first chopper drum and the blades of the second chopper drum when the fasteners are loosened; and
wherein the rotor comprises an anchor, and the timing-adjustment tool comprises an adjustment bolt that operatively connects to the anchor.