FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; rule 13)
“DRIVE SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL HARVESTER”
CNH Industrial (India) Pvt. Ltd. of the address: B1-207, Boomerang, Chandivali Farm Road, Near Chandivali Studio, Andheri (East) Mumbai – 400 072, India; Nationality:- India.
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in
which it is to be performed:

DRIVE SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL HARVESTER
BACKGROUND
[0001] The disclosure relates generally to agricultural vehicles, and more
specifically, to a drive system that drives various components of an agricultural
harvester.
[0002] Generally, harvesters include multiple drums distributed across a width of the harvester. Each drum is configured to harvest crops along a row as the harvester moves across a field. For example, a drum of a cotton harvester may include a rotor with spindles that revolve about the rotor to remove cotton bolls from cotton plants. The harvested goods (e.g., cotton) and other agricultural materials (e.g., chaff, foliage) may be directed through outlets to a bin, baler, or to the field. However, typical self-propelled harvesters may be large and/or expensive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0003] In one embodiment, a harvester assembly includes a drum drive system having a first pulley configured to non-rotatably couple to a power take off (PTO) shaft of an agricultural vehicle, a second pulley positioned vertically above the first pulley and configured to non-rotatably couple to a drive shaft, and a first belt extending about the first pulley and the second pulley to enable rotation of the PTO shaft to drive rotation of the drive shaft to facilitate collection of an agricultural crop from an agricultural field.
DRAWINGS
[0004] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a harvester configured to harvest rows of a crop, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a side view of a harvester assembly and a tractor assembly that may be coupled to one another to form the harvester of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective view a drive system of the harvester of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0008] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a front side of the drive system of FIG. 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rear side of the drive system of FIG. 3, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0010] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of components that may be included within the drive system of FIG. 3 to drive a water pump, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers’ specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0012] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
[0013] A harvester collects agricultural product and separates portions of the agricultural product into harvested goods (e.g., cotton) and other agricultural materials (e.g., chaff, foliage) as the harvester travels across an agricultural field. The harvested goods and the other agricultural materials are discharged into outlets, such as a harvested goods outlet and a discharge outlet, respectively. Some typical self-propelled harvesters may be large and/or expensive. Thus, the disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates conversion or modification of another agricultural or work vehicle into a harvester. For example, a tractor may be used throughout the year to carry out various farming operations (e.g., non-harvesting operations). As harvesting season approaches, an operator (e.g., farmer) may modify the tractor, such as by coupling harvester components (e.g., one or more drums, a blower, a bin, a cabin) to certain tractor components (e.g., a tractor chassis supporting wheels, an engine, a transmission, a heating ventilation and air conditioning [HVAC] system), to form a harvester (e.g., a tractor-mounted harvester or a modified tractor) that may be used to carry out harvesting operations. When the harvesting season ends, the operator may separate the harvester components from the tractor components, and the tractor may again be utilized to carry out the various farming operations.
[0014] In some embodiments, the harvester may include a drive system (e.g., pulley system) that is configured to drive the one or more drums and/or the blower. In some embodiments, the drive system may include components configured to drive a water pump. The drive system may be part of the harvester components that are coupled to the tractor components to form the harvester. For example, a first pulley of the drive system may be coupled to a power take-off (PTO) shaft of the tractor, and one or more other pulleys supporting one or more belts may be coupled to a harvester frame mounted on the tractor chassis to form the drive system. In operation, the drive

system may utilize power from the PTO shaft to drive rotation of a drive shaft coupled to the one or more drums, thereby driving the one or more rotors within the one or more drums to rotate to harvest the agricultural crop as the harvester travels across the agricultural field. In some embodiments, the drive system may drive rotation of a blower shaft coupled to the blower, thereby driving a fan within the blower to rotate to direct the harvested agricultural crop through one or more conduits to the bin of the harvester. In some embodiments, the drive system may drive rotation of a water pump shaft coupled to a water pump, thereby pumping a fluid (e.g., water) from a fluid source (e.g., fluid storage container) toward the one or more drums (e.g., to clean spindles within the one or more drums).
[0015] The drive system may include a bracket that is configured to be coupled to the harvester chassis and that supports multiple pulleys. The bracket may include a removable rear plate to facilitate maintenance operations, such as inspection, repair, and/or replacement of the multiple pulleys and/or belts, for example. The various components (e.g., pulleys, belts, bracket) of the drive system may be arranged relative to one another to form a compact system. For example, the bracket may be positioned vertically above the first pulley coupled to the PTO shaft, which may enable some or all of the drive system to be positioned laterally between front wheels of the harvester.
[0016] Thus, the disclosed drive system may be a compact system that utilizes power from the PTO shaft of the tractor to drive various components (e.g., the one or more drums, the blower, the water pump) of the harvester. Advantageously, the disclosed embodiments may facilitate efficient construction of a relatively small and/or low cost harvester (e.g., compared to some self-propelled harvesters) that also enables higher harvesting capacity and/or increased output of harvested goods compared to harvesting crops by hand, for example.
[0017] While the present disclosure illustrates embodiments of a harvester that includes harvesting components and tractor components to facilitate discussion, it should be understood that the harvester may include components of any of a variety of agricultural or work vehicles, such as trucks or the like. For example, harvester components, including the drive system, may be coupled to components of a truck to

form a harvester. Furthermore, the drive system may be utilized within any of a variety of agricultural or work vehicles. For example, the drive system may be adapted for use in self-propelled harvesters or other modified tractors (e.g., tractors modified to operate as sprayers).
[0018] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a harvester 10 (e.g., a tractor-mounted harvester or a modified tractor) configured to harvest rows of a crop in an agricultural field. To facilitate discussion, the harvester 10 and its components may be described with reference to a longitudinal axis or direction 12, a vertical axis or direction 14, and a lateral axis or direction 16.
[0019] As shown, the harvester 10 includes multiple drums 18 (e.g., harvesting heads) that utilize one or more rotors to separate harvested goods (e.g., cotton or other agricultural product) from other agricultural materials (e.g., chaff, foliage, stems, debris). The harvester 10 may include an air system that includes a blower 20 (e.g., fan) that is configured to blow air to direct the harvested goods through one or more conduits 22 to a bin 24 (e.g., basket or baler). In some embodiments, the bin 24 may be configured to move (e.g., pivot or rotate) to transfer the harvested goods out of the bin 24 (e.g., to another container or to the agricultural field). In some embodiments, the other agricultural materials may be deposited onto the agricultural field beneath and/or behind the harvester 10. As discussed in more detail below, the harvester 10 may include a drive system 30 (e.g., pulley system) that is configured to drive the multiple drums 18, the blower 20, and/or other components of the harvester 10.
[0020] In some embodiments, the harvester 10 may include a cabin 32 configured to support or house an operator. It should be understood that the cabin 32 may be an enclosed cabin (e.g., a climate-controlled cabin), as shown, or the cabin 32 may be a platform (e.g., open or non-enclosed platform) on which the operator may sit or stand, for example. In the illustrated embodiment, the cabin 32 includes one or more operator interfaces and/or input devices 34 (e.g., switch, knob, light, display, steering wheel, gear shift lever) that enable the operator to monitor and/or control various functions of the harvester 10, such as ground speed, steering angle, transmission range and/or gear, operation of the HVAC system, the drive system 30, or the like. As

shown, the bin 24 and the cabin 32 are supported on a frame 36 (e.g., harvester frame or chassis). Various other components (e.g., the drums 18, the blower 20, the one or more conduits 22, the drive system 30) may be supported by and/or coupled to the frame 36 to form the harvester 10. In some embodiments, the blower 20 may be positioned rearward of the cabin 32 (e.g., between the bin 24 and the cabin 32 along the longitudinal axis 12). In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 36 supports or includes a cover assembly 38 (e.g., cage assembly) that is configured to cover (e.g., surround or protect) various components, such as an engine, a transmission, an HVAC system, and a radiator, which are supported on a frame 40 (e.g., tractor frame or chassis). In operation, the harvester 10 may be driven in a direction of travel 42 through the agricultural field using forward wheels 44 and rear wheels 46.
[0021] As discussed above, the harvester 10 may include harvester components and tractor components. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the forward wheels 44, the rear wheels 42, the frame 38, and various components supported on the frame 38, such as the engine, the transmission, the HVAC system, and/or the radiator, may form a tractor assembly 50 (e.g., tractor powertrain assembly) that may be coupled to other tractor components (e.g., tractor hood, tractor cabin, or the like) to form a tractor (e.g., an unmodified tractor). The drums 18, the blower 20, the one or more conduits 22, the bin 24, the drive system 30, the cabin 32, the input devices 34, the frame 36, and/or the cover assembly 38 may be part of a harvester assembly 52 (e.g., harvester kit or conversion kit) that may be coupled to the tractor assembly 50 to create or to build the harvester 10. Thus, at certain times of the year, the operator may utilize the tractor assembly 50 as part of a tractor to carry out various agricultural operations. However, during a harvesting season, the operator may separate the tractor assembly 50 from other tractor components of the tractor, and then the operator may combine the tractor assembly 50 with the harvester assembly 52 to build the harvester 10 to carry out harvesting operations. At the conclusion of the harvesting season, the operator may separate the tractor assembly 50 from the harvester assembly 52, and then reassemble the tractor components of the tractor assembly 50 to form the tractor to resume the various agricultural operations.

[0022] It should be appreciated that although two drums 18 are shown in FIG. 1, that the harvester 10 may have any suitable number of drums 18, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more drums 18. It should also be appreciated that the harvester 10 may include tracks in place of front wheels 44 and/or rear wheels 46.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tractor assembly 50 and the harvester assembly 52 that may be coupled to one another to form the harvester 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The tractor assembly 50 may include the forward wheels 44, the rear wheels 46, the frame 40, and/or various other components supported on the frame 40. For example, the tractor assembly 50 may include powertrain components, such as an engine 70, a transmission 72, and/or other components that transmit power from the engine 70 to axles to drive rotation of the forward wheels 44 and the rear wheels 46. In some embodiments, the tractor assembly 50 may include various other components, such as an HVAC system 74 (e.g., compressor and condenser) and/or a radiator 76. When the tractor assembly 50 is not coupled to the harvester assembly 52, the tractor assembly 50 may be coupled to various other tractor components 80, such as a tractor hood, tractor cabin, tractor input devices, or the like, to form a tractor 82 (e.g., an unmodified tractor) and to enable the tractor 82 to travel in a forward direction of travel 84 to carry out various agricultural operations (e.g., non-harvesting operations).
[0024] As shown, the harvester assembly 52 includes the drums 18, the blower 20, the one or more conduits 22, the bin 24, the drive system 30, the cabin 32, the input devices 34, the frame 36, and the cover assembly 38, among other components. The harvester assembly 52 may be coupled to the tractor assembly 50 (e.g., via fasteners) to form the harvester 10 to travel in the forward direction 42 through the agricultural field. In some embodiments, the forward direction of travel 84 of the tractor 82 is opposite the forward direction of travel 42 of the harvester 10 (i.e., the forward wheels 44 of the harvester 10 are the rear wheels of the tractor 82). The harvester assembly 52 may be coupled to the tractor assembly 50 via any of a variety of processes or steps. For example, in some embodiments, the harvester assembly 52 is partially assembled or fully assembled (e.g., as shown), and then subsequently coupled or mounted onto the tractor assembly 50 to form the harvester 10. In some

embodiments, the components of the harvester assembly 52 may be coupled individually and/or sequentially to the tractor assembly 50. As discussed in more detail below, the drive system 30 may be utilized to drive the drums 18, the blower 20, and/or other components (e.g., the water pump) of the harvester 10.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view the drive system 30 coupled to the harvester 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the drive system 30 includes a first portion 100 (e.g., drum drive system or first pulley assembly) configured to drive the one or more drums 18 and a second portion 102 (e.g., blower drive system or second pulley assembly) configured to drive the blower 20. The first portion 100 may include a first pulley 110, a second pulley 112, a third pulley 114, a fourth pulley 116, a first belt 118, and/or a first belt tensioner assembly 120 that work together to drive rotation of a drive shaft 130 (e.g., drum drive shaft) coupled to the one or more drums 18. The second portion 102 may include a fifth pulley 122, a sixth pulley 124, a second belt 126, and/or a second belt tensioner assembly 128 that work together to drive rotation of a blower shaft 132 coupled to the blower 20. It should be understood that the belts (e.g., first and second belts 118, 126) disclosed herein may be any suitable continuous loop structures, including chains or the like.
[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the first pulley 110 is coupled (e.g., via a splined interface and/or fastener) to a PTO shaft 140 of the tractor assembly 50. The PTO shaft 140 may be coupled to a drive shaft of the tractor assembly 50 to enable the engine 70 of the tractor assembly 50 to drive rotation of the PTO shaft 140. In some embodiments, rotation of the PTO shaft 140 may be activated and/or deactivated (e.g., turned on and/or off) via an operator input at the input devices 34 (FIG. 1) within the cabin 32 (FIG. 1) or at another location of the harvester 10.
[0027] In operation, the PTO shaft 140 may rotate in the direction of arrow 142 (e.g., clockwise rotation), thereby driving the first belt 118 in the direction of arrow 144. The second pulley 112, the third pulley 114, and the fourth pulley 116 may together form a v-shaped pulley assembly 146 (e.g., reverse drive assembly) that is configured to drive the drive shaft 130 in the direction of arrow 148 (e.g.,

counterclockwise rotation), opposite the direction of arrow 142. For example, due to the arrangement of the v-shaped pulley assembly 146, the second pulley 112 rotates in the direction of arrow 148. Because the drive shaft 130 is coupled (e.g., via a splined interface and/or fastener) to the second pulley 112, rotation of the second pulley 112 drives rotation of the drive shaft 130 in the same direction (i.e., in the direction of arrow 148).
[0028] In some embodiments, some or all of the pulleys that form the v-shaped pulley assembly 146 may be rotatably supported on respective shafts that are coupled (e.g., via attachment brackets, linkages, and/or fasteners) to a bracket 150 (e.g., support bracket). In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket 150 is coupled (e.g., via fasteners) to the frame 36 of the harvester assembly 52; however, the bracket 150 may be coupled to any portion or component of the harvester 10. As noted above, the first belt tensioner assembly 120 may be provided to tension the first belt 118. In the illustrated embodiment, the first belt tensioner assembly 120 includes the third pulley 114 rotatably supported on a shaft that is coupled (e.g., via attachment brackets, linkages, and/or fasteners) to a biasing member 152 (e.g., spring) that may generally bias the third pulley 114 away from the first pulley 110 (e.g., along the vertical axis 14). However, it should be appreciated that the first belt tensioner assembly 120 may have any suitable form to tension the first belt 118.
[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the fifth pulley 122 of the second portion 102 is positioned forward of a front plate 160 of the bracket 150, and the fourth pulley 116 of the first portion 100 is positioned rearward of the front plate 160 of the bracket 150. In certain embodiments, the fifth pulley 122 is non-rotatably coupled (e.g., via one or more shafts, splined interfaces, and/or fasteners) to the fourth pulley 116, such that rotation of the fourth pulley 116 drives rotation of the fifth pulley 122. The sixth pulley 124 is non-rotatably coupled (e.g., via a splined interface and/or fastener) to the blower shaft 132 that extends into the blower 20, such that rotation of the sixth pulley 124 drives rotation of the blower shaft 132.
[0030] In operation, the PTO shaft 140 may rotate in the direction of arrow 142 (e.g., clockwise rotation), thereby driving the first belt 118 to move in the direction of

arrow 144 and driving the fourth pulley 116 to rotate in the direction of arrow 142. Such rotation of the fourth pulley 116 drives or causes the fifth pulley 122 to rotate in the direction of arrow 142, thereby driving the second belt 126 to move in the direction of arrow 162 and driving the sixth pulley 124 and the attached blower shaft 132 of the blower 20 to rotate in the direction of arrow 142. As shown, the blower 20, as well as the sixth pulley 124 and the blower shaft 132 may be supported by a blower bracket 155 (e.g., blower-supporting bracket) that may be coupled to another component of the harvester 10, such as the frame 36.
[0031] As noted above, the second belt tensioner assembly 128 may be provided to tension the second belt 126. In the illustrated embodiment, the second belt tensioner assembly 128 includes a seventh pulley 156 supported on a shaft that is coupled (e.g., via attachment brackets, linkages, and/or fasteners) to a biasing member 158 (e.g., spring) that may generally bias the seventh pulley 156 (e.g., along the lateral axis 16). However, it should be appreciated that the second belt tensioner assembly 128 may have any suitable form to tension the second belt 126.
[0032] Thus, rotation of the PTO shaft 140 (e.g., via power provided by the engine 70 of the tractor assembly 50) in one direction (e.g., the direction of arrow 142) may be utilized by the drive system 130 to drive rotation of the drive shaft 130 coupled to rotating components (e.g., rotor) of the one or more drums 18 in an opposite direction (e.g., the direction of arrow 148) and/or to drive rotation of the blower shaft 132 coupled to rotating components (e.g., fan) of the blower 20 in the same direction (e.g., the direction of arrow 142). The disclosed configuration may enable the PTO shaft 140 to drive rotation of rotating components of the one or more drums 18, which may be configured to receive rotational inputs in the opposite direction (e.g., the direction of arrow 148) to function properly. For example, the one or more drums 18 may be constructed for use on different types of harvesters (e.g., self-propelled harvesters) that are configured to provide the rotational inputs in the opposite direction. Thus, the drive system 30 provided herein may enable the one or more drums 18 to be driven by the PTO shaft 140 of the tractor assembly 50, thereby facilitating construction of the harvester 10.

[0033] Furthermore, it should be appreciated, the various pulleys of the drive system 30 may have dimensions (e.g., diameter) that enable the drive system 30 to rotate the drive shaft 130 and/or the blower shaft 132 at appropriate speeds. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the second pulley 112 has a first radius 170, and the sixth pulley 124 has a second radius 172 that is less than the first radius 170 (e.g., at least approximately 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 50, or 75 percent less or between approximately 5 to 75, 10 to 50, or 20 to 30 percent less). Such a configuration may enable the drive system 130 to rotate the drive shaft 130 at a first speed, and to rotate the blower shaft 132 at a second speed that is greater than the first speed 170 (e.g., at least approximately 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 50, or 75 percent greater or between approximately 5 to 75, 10 to 50, or 20 to 30 percent greater). Thus, rotation of the PTO shaft 140 (e.g., via power provided by the engine 70 of the tractor assembly 50) at a PTO shaft speed may be utilized by the drive system 130 to drive rotation of the drive shaft 130 at the first speed and/or to drive rotation of the blower shaft 132 at the second speed, and the PTO shaft speed, the first speed, and/or the second speed may be different from one another.
[0034] Furthermore, the various components of the drive system 130 may be arranged to form a compact system. For example, when assembled on the harvester 10, the drive system 130 may fit between the forward wheels 44 of the harvester 10 (e.g., along the lateral axis 16). In some embodiment, a maximum width 174 (e.g., along the lateral axis 16) of the drive system 130 is less than a lateral distance 176 (e.g., along the lateral axis 16) between laterally-inner surfaces 178 of the forward wheels 44. In some embodiments, no portion of the drive system 130 extends or is positioned laterally outwardly relative to laterally-outer surfaces 180 of the forward wheels 44. In some embodiments, at least some of the components of the drive system 30, such as the connection between the drive system 30 and the drive shaft 130 (i.e., at the second pulley 112), the v-shaped pulley assembly 146, the bracket 150, and/or the blower shaft 132, are positioned between the forward wheels 44 (e.g., relative to the lateral axis 16). Thus, the drive system 130 may be generally compact in the lateral direction 16. However, various configurations are envisioned. For example, in some embodiments, the components that form the first portion 100 of the

drive system 30 (e.g., the first pulley 110, the first belt 118, the v-shaped pulley assembly 146, the bracket 150) are positioned between the forward wheels 44 (e.g., relative to the lateral axis 16), while the second belt 126 extends laterally from the fifth pulley 122 to the sixth pulley 124 and the blower 20, which may be positioned laterally outwardly relative to the fifth pulley 22, the bracket 150, and/or one of the forward wheels 44, for example.
[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, a maximum height 182 (e.g., along the vertical axis 14) of the drive system 130 is greater than the maximum width 174. As shown, the bracket 150 and the v-shaped pulley assembly 146 supported therein are positioned vertically above (e.g., along the vertical axis 14) the first pulley 110 and the PTO shaft 140 relative to the ground. Thus, the connection between the drive system 30 and the drive shaft 130 (i.e., at the second pulley 112) is vertically above (e.g., along the vertical axis 14) the first pulley 110 and the PTO shaft 140 relative to the ground. Furthermore, the second portion 102, including the fifth pulley 122 and sixth pulley 124, may be positioned vertically above (e.g., along the vertical axis 14) the first pulley 110 and the PTO shaft 140 relative to the ground. As shown, the sixth pulley 124 and the blower shaft 132 are also positioned vertically above (e.g., along the vertical axis 14) the other components of the drive system 130, including the first pulley 110, the PTO shaft 140, the fifth pulley 122, and the bracket 150, relative to the ground. As shown, the pulleys within the drive system 30 are configured to rotate about respective axes of rotation that are generally parallel to one another and/or to the longitudinal direction 14 and/or to the direction of travel 40 (FIG. 1) of the harvester 10.
[0036] FIG. 4 is a perspective of view of a front side 200 of the drive system 30 and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rearward side 202 of the drive system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the drive system 30 includes the first portion 100 configured to drive the one or more drums 18 and the second portion 102 configured to drive the blower 20. The first portion 100 includes the first pulley 110, the second pulley 112, the third pulley 114, the fourth pulley 116, the first belt 118, and/or the first belt tensioner assembly 120 that work together to drive rotation of the drive shaft 130 coupled to the one or more drums 18.

The second portion 102 may include the fifth pulley 122, the sixth pulley 124, the second belt 126, and/or the second belt tensioner assembly 128 that work together to drive rotation of the blower shaft 132 coupled to the blower 20.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, the bracket 150 may include the front plate 160 positioned forward of the pulleys that form the v-shaped pulley assembly 146 and a rear plate 204 positioned rearward of the pulleys that form the v-shaped pulley assembly 146. The illustrated bracket 150 also includes extending portions 206 (e.g., longitudinally-extending portions) on opposite lateral sides of the bracket 150. The extending portions 206 may include bracket portions 208 that are configured to couple (e.g., via fasteners) to another component of the harvester 10, such as the frame 36 (FIG. 1). The extending portions 206 may be configured to position the drive system 30 forward of the connection between the bracket portions 208 and the component of the harvester 10, thereby enabling the pulleys and the belts of the drive system 30 to rotate freely without interference from other components of the harvester 10, for example. The extending portions 206 of the bracket 150 may also facilitate inspection, repair, and/or replacement of the pulleys and/or belts of the drive system 30 by providing space rearward of the bracket 150 (e.g., between the bracket 150 and the frame 36 [FIG.1] of the harvester 10) for the operator to access the bracket 150. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the front plate 160 and the rear plate 204 may be coupled (e.g., via fasteners) to one another and the pulleys that form the v-shaped pulley assembly 146 are coupled (e.g., via fasteners) to both the front plate 160 and the rear plate 204. Thus, in operation, the operator may access the space rearward of the bracket 150, remove or separate the rear plate 204 from the front plate 160 (e.g., by removing fasteners), and thereby efficiently inspect, repair, and/or replace the second pulley 112, the third pulley 114, the third pulley 116, the first belt 118, and/or the second belt 126, and/or carry out other maintenance operations.
[0038] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of components that may be included within the drive system 30 to drive a water pump 220, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The water pump 220 may be configured to pump and/or flow a fluid (e.g., water) from a fluid inlet 222 (e.g., coupled to a fluid source) to a fluid outlet 224 that extends toward and/or is coupled to a conduit that extends toward the

one or more drums 18. The fluid may be utilized to clean components the one or more drums 18, such as the spindles of the rotors of the one or more drums 18 to block build-up of crop material and to enable efficient harvesting operations as the harvester 10 travels across the agricultural field.
[0039] As shown, the drive system 30 includes a third portion 226 (e.g., water pump drive system or third pulley assembly) that is configured to drive rotation of a rotatable component of the water pump 220 to cause the water pump 220 to pump and/or flow the fluid into the fluid inlet 222. The third portion 226 may include a eighth pulley 228, a ninth pulley 230, a third drive belt 232, and/or a third belt tensioner assembly 234. In the illustrated embodiment, the eighth pulley 228 is coupled (e.g., via a splined interface and/or fasteners) to an auxiliary output shaft 236 that may be coupled to a drive shaft of the tractor assembly 50 to enable the engine 70 of the tractor assembly 50 to drive rotation of the auxiliary output shaft 236. In some embodiments, rotation of the auxiliary output shaft 236 may be activated and/or deactivated (e.g., turned on and/or off) via an operator input at the input devices 34 (FIG. 1) within the cabin 32 (FIG. 1) or at another location of the harvester 10. As shown, the ninth pulley 230 is coupled (e.g., via splined interface and/or fasteners) to and/or integrally formed with a water pump shaft 240 of the water pump 220. In operation, the auxiliary output shaft 236 may rotate in a first direction, such as the direction of arrow 240 (e.g., clockwise rotation), thereby driving the eighth pulley 228, the ninth pulley 230, and the water pump shaft 240 to rotate in the first direction.
[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the water pump 220 is supported on a bracket assembly 250 that may be coupled to another component of the harvester 10 (e.g., the frame 36 [FIG. 1]). In some embodiments, the water pump 220, as well as some or all of the components of the third portion 226 of the drive system 30, may be positioned vertically above the first pulley 110 and/or the PTO shaft 140 (e.g., along the vertical axis 14). Additionally or alternatively, the water pump 220, as well as some of all of the components of the third portion 226 of the drive system 30, are positioned vertically below the bracket 150 and/or other components of the drive system 30, such as the sixth pulley 24 (FIG. 3) (e.g., along the vertical axis 14). Additionally or alternatively, the water pump 220, as well as some or all of the

components of the third portion 226 of the drive system 30, are positioned laterally between opposed portions of the first belt 118, 241 (e.g., along the lateral axis 16), as shown. Thus, the drive system 30 having the water pump 220 may be generally compact.
[0041] As noted above, the third belt tensioner assembly 234 may be provided to tension the third belt 232. In the illustrated embodiment, the third belt tensioner assembly 234 includes a biasing member 252 (e.g., spring) that may generally bias the ninth pulley 230 (e.g., by exerting a force either directly or indirectly on the ninth pulley 230) away from the eighth pulley 228 (e.g., along the vertical axis 14). However, it should be appreciated that the second belt tensioner assembly 128 may have any suitable form to tension the third belt 232.
[0042] Thus, the disclosed drive system 30 may be a compact system that utilizes power from the powertrain of the tractor assembly 50 to drive various components (e.g., the drums 18, the blower 20, the water pump 220) of the harvester 10. Advantageously, the disclosed embodiments may facilitate efficient construction and/or disassembly of a relatively small and/or low cost harvester (e.g., compared to some typical self-propelled harvesters) that also enables higher harvesting capacity and/or increased output of harvested goods compared to harvesting crops by hand, for example.
[0043] While only certain features of the disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure.

CLAIMS:
1. A harvester assembly, comprising:
a drum drive system, comprising:
a first pulley configured to non-rotatably couple to a power take off (PTO) shaft of an agricultural vehicle;
a second pulley positioned vertically above the first pulley and configured to non-rotatably couple to a drive shaft; and
a first belt extending about the first pulley and the second pulley to enable rotation of the PTO shaft to drive rotation of the drive shaft to facilitate collection of an agricultural crop from an agricultural field.
2. The harvester assembly of claim 1, wherein the drum drive assembly comprises a v-shaped pulley assembly comprising the second pulley, a third pulley, and a fourth pulley, wherein the first belt extends about the third pulley and the fourth pulley, and the v-shaped pulley assembly enables rotation of the PTO shaft in a first direction to drive rotation of the drive shaft in a second direction, opposite the first direction.
3. The harvester assembly of claim 1, comprising a blower drive system, comprising:
a fifth pulley configured to be driven by rotation of the PTO shaft;
a sixth pulley configured to non-rotatably couple to a blower shaft of a blower; and
a second belt extending about the fifth pulley and the sixth pulley to enable rotation of the PTO shaft to drive rotation of the blower shaft to flow air through one or more conduits to facilitate transfer of the agricultural crop to a bin.
4. The harvester assembly of claim 3, wherein the fifth pulley is non-rotatably
coupled to a third pulley of the drum drive system, the first belt extends about the
third pulley, and the third pulley is configured to be driven by rotation of the PTO
shaft.

5. The harvester assembly of claim 1, wherein the second pulley is rotatably supported on a shaft that is coupled to a bracket that is coupled to a frame of the harvester assembly.
6. The harvester assembly of claim 5, wherein the bracket comprises a front plate and a rear plate coupled to one another via fasteners, and the shaft extends between and is coupled to both the front plate and the rear plate.
7. The harvester assembly of claim 1, wherein the drum drive system comprises a tensioner configured to tension the first belt.
8. The harvester assembly of claim 1, comprising a water pump drive system, comprising:
an eighth pulley configured to non-rotatably couple to an auxiliary output shaft of the agricultural vehicle;
a ninth pulley configured to non-rotatably couple to a water pump shaft of a water pump; and
a third belt extending about the eighth pulley and the ninth pulley to enable rotation of the auxiliary output shaft to drive rotation of the water pump shaft to flow a fluid through a fluid outlet toward the drum.
9. The harvestter assembly of claim 1, wherein the harvester assembly is
configured to be couple to a powertrain of the agricultural vehicle to facilitate
conversion of the agricultural vehicle into a harvester.
10 The harvester assembly of claim 9, wherein the first pulley and the second pulley are positioned between forward wheels of the harvester along a lateral axis when the harvester assembly is coupled to the powertrain of the agricultural vehicle.