■ jkp Agriculture

Canada

Research Direction generale
Branch de la recherche

Technical Bulletin 1984-3E

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ANADA AGRICULTURE

Construction details of
a large forage plot
harvester for cleanup
and harvest of test plots

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Construction details of
a large forage plot
harvester for cleanup
and harvest of test plots

RAYNALD DRAPEAU and ULYSSE DALLAIRE
Experimental Farm
Normandin, Quebec

Report No. 216, Sainte-Foy Research Station, Quebec

Research Branch
Agriculture Canada
1984

Copies hi this publication are available from:

Experimental Farm

Reseait h Bran< h. Agriculture Canada

1472 rue St-Cyrillc

Normandin, Quebec

(.o\\ 2E0

Produced 1>\ Research Program Service

! Minista ol Supply and Services Canada 1984
Cai No A54-8 I984-3E
ISBN 0-662-13032-4

Vussi disponible en Irancais sons le titre
Details de construction d'une grosse fourragire
funn U- nettoyage et la recolte de pari flics

CONTENTS

Abstract iv

1.0 Introduction 1

2.0 The vehicle 1

2.1 The motor 1

2.2 The transmission 4

2.3 The wheels 6

2.4 The cutter control 6

2.5 The hydraulic system 6

2.6 The cutter 9

2.7 The hopper 10

2.8 Other accessories 10

2.9 Safety features 12

2.10 Conclusion 14

2.11 Acknowledgments 14

in

Abstract

This technical bulletin provides construction details for a large forage plot
harvester built specifically to clean up experimental plots and to take
samples on large plots for experimental purposes.

Resume

Le bulletin technique presente les details de construction d'une grosse
fourragere construite specifiquement pour le nettoyage des parcelles
experimentales et/ou pour la prise d'echantillons lorsque de grandes parcelles
sont requises pour atteindre les objectifs experimentaux.

IV

1.0 - INTRODUCTION

To conduct forage experiments, whether they involve cultivar evaluation or
management studies, test plots have to be planted and tended for several
years. Replication of seedings over 2 or 3 consecutive years increases the
number of plots that must be cut and the area that must be restored to an
identical condition after removal of the samples used to determine yields or
other agronomic characteristics. Cleanup of the test area after sampling
takes a relatively long time with small forage plot harvesters, but large
machines are very inconvenient to use for this work. For these reasons, it
was decided to construct a large forage plot harvester that was compact, easy
to operate, and labor efficient, and that saved time.

There are no plans for the forage plot harvester. The purpose of this
bulletin is to provide a reasonably detailed description of the main
components and their operation.

2.0 - THE VEHICLE

The forage plot harvester is 127.5 cm wide by 232.5 cm long. The frame of the
harvester (Fig. 1) is made of square tubes, 5 x 10 x 0.5 cm (2 x 4 x 3/16
inch), bent and welded into a rectangular shape, ending in a point. The
chassis is 120 cm long by 47.5 cm wide. Pieces "d" and "e" (Fig. 1) reinforce
the frame and support other parts of the machine. Point "a" shows the
location of the front wheel axle, 23.7 cm from the front of the frame. The
steering linkage arm is inserted at point "b" (Fig. 1). The front part of the
forage harvester pivots on shaft "c", which is 3^2 cm in diameter, by means of
two pillow blocks. The shaft also carries the sprockets that transmit power
from the transmission to the front wheels by a chain drive.

The structure of the mobile frame of the forage harvester is shown in Figure
2. The cutter is attached to the mobile subframe on piece "f" using bolts
12 x 89 mm (1/2 x 3 1/2 inches). The two pieces "g" support the hopper, and
plates "h" secure the front part of the harvester to the shaft "c" (Fig. 1) by
means of pillow blocks. A metal plate 19 mm (3/4 inch) thick is fitted
between the pillow blocks and the plates "h" so that the coupling point of the
cutter projects 5 cm beyond the chassis of the vehicle. The hydraulic
cylinder that lifts the front of the forage harvester is attached at one end
to a point between the metal plates "k" (Fig. 2) and at the other to the
support "e" on the frame of the vehicle (Fig. 1). The lower part of the
cylinder that is used to empty the hopper is attached to point "n" on the
mobile subframe.

2.1 - THE MOTOR

The motor is mounted on a support that protrudes slightly from the frame at
the right rear. The motor is a Briggs and Stratton 16 horsepower two-cylinder
air-cooled gas motor. The electric starter, the generator, and the alternator
are integral with the motor. The throttle is connected through a cable to a
remote control located near the operator's seat.

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FIGURE 2 - Construction details of the subframe of the mobile front portion
of the forage harvester. Dimensions are given in centimetres.

f - cutter attachment points

g - hopper support

h - attachment of the mobile subframe to the shaft using pillow

blocks
k - attachment of cylinder that lifts the front of the forage

harvester
n - attachment of the base of the cylinder that tips up the hopper

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FIGURE 3 - Mechanism for transmission of power from the motor to the
accessories.

Power is transmitted to accessories by belts from the four-belt pulley A
(Fig. 3) fixed to the power takeoff shaft. The pulley is 12.8 cm (5 inches)
in diameter, with a 2.5 cm (1 inch) shaft size. The innermost belt is
connected to pulley B (Fig. 3), which is a single-belt pulley 15.3 cm
(6 inches) in diameter with a shaft size of 1.25 cm (1/2 inch). This pulley
powers the hydraulic system pump G. The two central belts go to pulley D of
the DE complex (Fig. 3), which consists of two two-belt pulleys with diameters
of 12.8 and 15.3 cm (5 and 6 inches), respectively. These pulleys transmit
motive power to the cutter. The fourth belt, on the outside, is connected to
a single-belt pulley C (Fig. 3) 17.8 cm (7 inches) in diameter and shaft size
of 2.5 cm (1 inch), which provides power to the transmission.

2.2 - THE TRANSMISSION

The transmission is a Peerless No. 2302A complete with a clutch control. It
is attached to the triangular part of the frame of the vehicle and has three
forward speeds and one reverse.

A 5L-430 V-belt runs between the motor and the transmission. Tension is
controlled through an idler pulley F (Fig. 3) acting as a clutch. The idler
pulley is operated by a pedal (Al, Fig. 9) on the footrest, connected by a
steel rod. The clutch pedal engages the transmission when it is pushed down.

FIGURE 4 - Control system for the drive and for power transfer
to the cutter.

To change gears, the clutch is disengaged by taking one's foot off the pedal,
which returns to its original position by means of a spring. The speed
control is then set in the desired position and the operator presses on the
pedal to engage the clutch.

Independent drive on each wheel is obtained through a No. 50 chain system. A
power sprocket H (Fig. 4) with 26 teeth and 2.5 cm (1 inch) shaft size is
attached to the transmission shaft and connected to the KJ complex by a
chain. Tension on the chains is maintained through an adjustable gear wheel
attached partly under the motor support and partly under the footrest. The KJ
complex consists of two pulleys with 36 and 30 teeth respectively and with a
shaft size of 3-2 cm (1 1/4 inch). A grease coupling between the two
sprockets provides lubrication. The KJ complex transmits power from the
transmission to a 30-tooth sprocket welded to the center of the front wheel.
This system is used again for each of the axles. (This concept is based on an
unpublished design by G. B. Hergert, Engineering and Statistical Research
Service, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa.)

2.3 THE WHEELS

The front tires are 57.5 - 21.25 - 30 era (23 - 8.5 - 12 inches), whereas the
steering tires are 41.25 - 16.25 - 20 cm (16.5 - 6.5 - 8 inches). A major
modification should be made to the front wheels. The center of the wheel rim
should be unwelded and reconnected to the interior edge of the rim in order to
clear the sprocket welded to the hub of the wheel and allow the chain to go
around without rubbing against the tire.

2.4 - THE CUTTER CONTROL

The cutter control system originally consisted of two large belts that
directly connected the power take-off of the motor to the cutter pulley. This
system was changed after one season of tests, because the rotation of the
cutter could not be kept constant as a result of loss of tension on the belts
when the front part of the forage harvester was raised to make a higher cut.
To counteract this major inconvenience and the resulting loss of efficiency,
the system that transfers power from the motor to the cutter was modified and
operates with the help of a neutral point located in the same axis as the
pivot shaft of the front part of the vehicle.

The neutral point also acts as the attachment point for the clutch mechanism
of the cutter. This consists of two steel boxes, N and P (Fig. 4), which
slide on two metal blocks. Movement of the boxes downward increases tension
on two belts, which are connected to the motor and provide rotary motion to
the cutter. The inverse movement stops the cutter rotation. The whole
mechanism is engaged by means of a metal bar located near the steering wheel
of the vehicle and connected by a rod V (Fig. 8).

The clutch block of the cutter, made up of two pulleys M and L (Fig. 4), with
double belts and diameters of 15.3 and 12.8 cm (6 and 5 inches) respectively,
makes it possible to alter the rotary speed of the cutter by changing pulley
M or L to a smaller or larger diameter depending on whether a reduction or
increase of maximum speed is desired. In addition, depending on requirements,
installing the system at a neutral point provides a way of adjusting the
cutting height without loss of rotary power to the cutter. A double-belt
pulley of 21.25 cm (8.5 inches) diameter, fixed on the axis of the cutter,
completes the system.

2.5 - THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM

One hydraulic system is used to operate four cylinders. All the components
are connected by flexible hydraulic hose of medium pressure.

The power steering consists simply of a steering control mechanism at the base
of the steering column and a hydraulic cylinder Q (Fig. 5) that can stretch
19 cm (7.5 inches). The system was taken from the power steering used on some
models of Ford cars. The steering control and the cylinder are connected by a
flexible hydraulic hose to a reservoir R, which is a rectangular column with a
capacity of 2.5 L.

FIGURE 5 - Part of the hydraulic system used for power steering.

Cylinders S and T (Fig. 6) empty the hopper and raise the front part of the
forage harvester, respectively. These two cylinders are 37.5 cm (15 inches)
long and 2.5 cm (1 inch) in diameter and have a maximum stretch of 25 cm
(10 inches).

One end of cylinder S is connected to the mobile subframe at point "n"
(Fig. 2), and the other end is connected to the hopper 37.5 cm (15 inches)
from the end of it. The bottom of the hopper is fastened to the mobile frame
by a large hinge. Cylinder T is attached at one end to bar "e" (Fig. 1)
welded to the vehicle frame and at the other end to the front of the machine
between the steel plates "k" (Fig. 2). Two springs U (Fig. 6) were installed
under the mobile subframe of the forage harvester to allow the cutter to
follow the terrain more closely and to provide better traction for the wheels
by shifting the weight of the mobile part to the frame of the vehicle.

The final component of the hydraulic system consists of a cylinder 60 cm
(24 inches) long with a diameter of 2.5 cm (1 inch) having a stretch of 40 cm
(16 inches). One end is connected to the hopper and the other end to the
hopper gate. This cylinder opens and closes the hopper gate (Fig. 7). The
oil pressure necessary to activate all the components of the hydraulic system
is provided by pump G (Fig. 3).

FIGURE 6 - Components of the hydraulic system that lifts the front part of
the vehicle and empties the hopper.

FIGURE 7 - Components of the hydraulic system that opens the hopper for
emptying.

FIGORE 8 - Design of the control systems of the forage harvester.

The design of the control systems of the forage harvester is shown in
Figure 8. The metal lever V with a knob on top, located near the steering
wheel, is used to engage and disengage the rotary cutter. The plate W is a
small dashboard with an ignition key unit, a choke control, and an ammeter.
The throttle control is on the shaft supporting the steering wheel and the
seat. The steering wheel operates the power steering control at the foot of
the steering column, whereas the other hydraulic components are connected to
two valves X and Y (Fig. 8) attached to the top of the hydraulic oil
reservoir. The hydraulic valve X is equipped with two double-action levers.
One of these levers is used to open and close the gate of the hopper, and the
other is used to lift the hopper and empty it, and bring it back to its
original position. The hydraulic valve Y (Fig. 8) operates the cylinder
control used to raise the front part of the forage harvester.

The transmission box is located under the motor support. The pedal Al
(Fig. 9) is used to operate the idler pully F (Fig. 3), which puts tension on
the belt to engage the transmission. The pedal Bl (Fig. 9) is connected by a
metal rod to a band brake attached to the transmission to stop the forage
harvester.

2.6 - THE CUTTER

The front view of the forage harvester (Fig. 10) shows the cutter, which is 1
m wide and 45 cm in diameter in extension. A shaft 3.2 cm (1 1/4 inches) in
diameter covered by a cylinder of 10 cm (4 inches) makes up the core of the
cutter. Attached to it are 9-cm (3-1/2 inch) metal supports in pairs, to
which the blades are fixed.

FIGURE 9 - Position of the clutch and brake pedals.

The blades are of the "Mott" type and are 3.2 cm (1 1/4 inches) wide by 12.5
cm (5 inches) long. An adjustable roller 10 cm (4 inches) in diameter is set
beneath the back of the cutter to control the height of cut.

Two screens Dl and D2 (Fig. 10) with openings 1 x 2 cm (3/8 x 3/4 inch) and
3 x 16 ram (1/8 x 5/8 inch) respectively are placed on the hopper to allow air
to pass through and out.

2.7 - HOPPER

The frame of the hopper is made of square steel tubes, 2.5 x 2.5 cm (1 x 1
inch). A metal sheet 1.56 mm (1/16 inch) thick is bent and welded inside the
frame.

The interior dimensions and the gate, as well as the depth of the hopper, are
shown in Figure 11. The gate moves on a large hinge. The capacity of the
hopper cannot be determined from the dimensions as shown, because the open
gate hides the upper part of the hopper (Fig. 14), which is 10 cm (4 inches)
above the gate hinge. The capacity of the hopper is about 0.4 cubic metre (14
cubic feet) .

2.8 - OTHER ACCESSORIES

A rear view of the forage harvester (Fig. 12) shows the location of other
accessories such as the 12-V battery (El), the gas tank (Re), and the controls
(Co) necessary for the operation of the harvester.

10

FIGURE 10 - Front view of the forage harvester showing the cutter.

FIGURE 11 - Interior dimensions of the hopper in centimetres,

11

FIGURE 12 - Rear view of the forage harvester

Other less important accessories have been added: a drawbar (Bt) and a
toolbox (Fl). The shape of the gas tank available allowed us to attach it to
the support column of the seat and the steering wheel. However, any other
models or shapes of gas tank could be installed by lengthening the footrest
slightly toward the rear, without extending it beyond the vehicle frame, and
by setting the gas tank partly under the seat in place of the toolbox.

2.9 - SAFETY FEATURES

The right side of the forage harvester (Fig. 13) shows the locations where the
protective screens are installed. A screen Gl covers the motor tailpipe to
prevent burns. Screens G2 and G3 protect the belt systems and minimize the
possibility of injuries.

The left side view of the forage harvester (Fig. 14) shows the attachment of
the roller (Ro) under the rear of the cutter and also the bolts used (Bo) to
adjust the height of cut. A trapdoor (Tr) allows the operator to check the
level of material in the hopper.

12

FIGURE 13 - Right side view of the forage harvester.

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FIGURE 14 - Left side view of the forage harvester

13

2.10 - CONCLUSION

After 3 years, during which we tested, adjusted, and modified the forage
harvester, we can confirm that it has attained its objectives. This very
compact, large forage plot harvester can be transported long distances in the
box of a truck or in a small trailer. We have been able to reduce by
one-third the time required to clean up test plots after harvesting. Also,
the forage harvester can be used to take samples if the experiment requires
data from large plots. The physical demands on the operator are minimal
because all the controls are hydraulic, which permits the vehicle to be
operated continuously for longer periods of time.

2.11 - ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors wish to thank Drs. C. Gagnon and C. Richard for their advice in
preparing this paper and Mr. J. St-Cyr, photographer and designer, for his
collaboration in the photography.

14