US 12,471,535 B2
Residue chopper with counterblades and fins
Mark D. Dilts, Mohnton, PA (US); Stefaan Desmet, Vosselare (BE); Frederik Baes, Reninge (BE); and Nathan E. Isaac, New Holland, PA (US)
Assigned to CNH Industrial America LLC, New Holland, PA (US)
Filed by CNH Industrial America LLC, New Holland, PA (US)
Filed on Nov. 17, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/529,023.
Prior Publication US 2023/0148476 A1, May 18, 2023
Int. Cl. A01F 12/40 (2006.01); A01D 41/12 (2006.01)
CPC A01F 12/40 (2013.01) [A01D 41/1243 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A residue chopper comprising:
a housing defining a partially enclosed cutting chamber;
a shaft rotatably mounted within the cutting chamber and configured to rotate in an operating direction about a rotation axis extending along a longitudinal direction;
a plurality of knives extending from the shaft at respective axial locations along the longitudinal direction, each of the plurality of knives extending from a respective proximal end at the shaft to a respective distal end at a radial distance from the shaft, the radial distance defining a cutting volume;
a counterknife support rotatably mounted relative to the housing at a pivot that is located outside the cutting chamber;
a counterknife mounted to the counterknife support to move directly with the counterknife support; and
a fin rigidly mounted to the counterknife support to move directly with the counterknife support, the fin being mounted behind the counterknife relative to the operating direction and having a blunt side facing against the operating direction;
wherein the counterknife is mounted to the counterknife support at a location between the fin and the pivot,
wherein the counterknife support is movable between a first position in which the counterknife extends a minimum predetermined distance into the cutting chamber and the fin is not within the cutting chamber, a second position in which the counterknife extends an intermediate predetermined distance into the cutting chamber and within the cutting volume and the fin is not within the cutting chamber, and a third position in which the counterknife extends a maximum predetermined distance into the cutting chamber and into the cutting volume and the fin extends into the cutting chamber.