Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to a self-propelled harvester drive mechanism, more
particularly, ground drive system mechanism and harvester drive system mechanism
with four wheel drive along with the optional two wheel drive system providing power
and cost efficiencies during harvesting.
Background of the Invention:
The self-propelled harvesters are one of the worthy agricultural machines and from
last few decades, the developments in the technologies in the self-propelled
harvesters are remarkable and are popularly used for growth in production of the
crops while reducing the operating time of threshing, harvesting, cleaning etc. The
conventional drive mechanisms in the existing self propelled harvesters are utilizing
belt and pulley drives for transmission of power from engine to ground wheel which
results in high fuel consumption due to transmission loss and power loss. Due to
employment of belt and pulley drive mechanism for transmission of power from
engine to the ground wheels in conventional self propelled harvesters, the probability
of slippage in paddy fields are higher, hence more power consumed during
harvesting purpose.
In current harvester drive mechanism, conventional self-propelled harvesters are
bestowed with power transmission directly from the engine, which obtruded direct
load to the engine of the conventional self propelled harvesters, hence results to
drop in engine RPM, chocking of the thresher and lowered the grain quality. The
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conventional self-propelled harvesters are employed only with either four-wheel drive
system or two wheel drive system and therefore, narrowed the optimum use of the
harvester for harvesting purpose when encountered with unfavourable field condition
and turning radius resulted in more harvesting time, low production and low quality of
the crops.
Objective of the Invention:
The prime objective of the present invention is to propose a self-propelled harvester
that substantially overcomes the abovementioned disadvantages of the aforesaid
conventional drive systems in self-propelled harvesters.
Another objective of the present invention is to propose a self-propelled harvester
wherein an innovative harvester ground drive system is used to drive transmission
from engine providing least power loss, fuel saving, no slippage in paddy fields and
transmit more power for harvesting applications.
Another objective of the present invention is to propose a self-propelled harvester
wherein an innovative harvester threshing drive system is used to drive transmission
from gear box or PTO to repudiate direct load on engine, hence providing no drop in
Engine RPM facilitating good quality grains without chocking of thresher.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to propose a self-propelled
harvester with four wheel drive axle system along with optional two wheel drive axle
system.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to propose a self-propelled
harvester with an optional two-wheel drive axle system for efficient working in dry
fields.
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Yet another objective of the present invention is to propose a self-propelled
harvester with an optional two-wheel drive axle system to provide less maintenance
and high output in crops.
Still another objective of the present invention is to propose a self-propelled
harvester to trace less turning radius while using two-wheel drive application.
Still another objective of the present invention is to propose a self-propelled
harvester which is more power efficient and cost efficient as compared to
conventional harvesters drive mechanism.
Still another objective of the present invention is to propose a self-propelled
harvester available with two-wheel and four-wheel drive systems to provide
maximum output with less engine power.
Brief description of the accompanying drawing:
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected
embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the
scope of the present disclosure. Further objects and advantages of this invention will
be more apparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawing and wherein:
Figure-1 depicts the schematic view of existing ground drive system in conventional
self-propelled harvesters.
Figure-2 depicts the schematic view of existing harvester drive system in
conventional self-propelled harvesters.
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Figure 3 Represents schematic drive-mechanism of conventional harvester, as
shown in Figure 1.
Figure 4 depicts the schematic view of new ground drive system in said selfpropelled
harvester of the instant invention.
Figure-5 depicts the schematic view of new harvester drive system in said selfpropelled
harvester of the instant invention.
Figure-6 is the block diagram representation of the power flow from engine to rear
and front wheels along with the illustrative scheme of said four-wheel drive and two
wheel drive mechanism in the new self-propelled harvester of the instant invention.
Figure-7 represents another view of ground drive system in the new self-propelled
harvester of the instant invention.
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the
several views of the drawings.
Detailed Description of the Invention:
The following is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments to illustrate the
principles of the invention. The embodiments are provided to illustrate aspects of the
invention, but the invention is not limited to any embodiment. The scope of the
invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalent; it is
limited only by the claims.
Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide
a thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced
according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose
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of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the
invention has not been described in detail so that the invention is not unnecessarily
obscured.
In Figure-1 and Figure 2, exemplary reference to illustrate a conventional design of
self-propelled harvester is shown, in which belt and pulley drive are employed to
transmit power from engine to ground wheels and engine to harvester drive. In
figure-1, a schematic view of conventional self-propelled harvester depicts the
arrangements of main engine pulley (101), engine with side fan flow (102), belt
arrangement from engine to variator drive pulley (103) a variator drive pulley (104),
belt arrangement for variator to ground drive (105) and ground drive pulley (106)
accompanying with other harvester’s components illustrating existing ground drive
system in conventional self-propelled harvesters in which power transmits from main
engine pulley (101) to ground wheel drive via variator drive through belt drive.
In figure-2, a schematic view of conventional self-propelled harvester depicts the
arrangements of main engine pulley (101), belt arrangement from engine to variator
drive pulley (103) a variator drive pulley (104), belt arrangement for variator to
ground drive (105), ground drive pulley (106), main counter pulley (107) and a
thresher pulley (108) accompanied with other harvester’s components illustrates
combined functional drive including existing harvester drive and ground drive system
in conventional self-propelled harvesters in which power transmits from main engine
pulley (101) to cutter, feeder, thresher, sieve, cleaning system, conveyor and fan
drive via main counter pulley (107) through belt drive elucidating existing harvest
drive mechanism in conventional self-propelled harvesters.
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The conventional mechanism of engine to ground wheel drive and engine to
harvester drive utilize use of belt drive, reflecting the drawbacks of more power loss,
more engine load, high fuel consumption and severe in semi-wet land and the
conventional self propelled harvesters are driven by either two wheel drive
mechanism or four wheel drive mechanism.
Preferred embodiments in accordance with the present invention will now be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the present invention, one of the preferred embodiments is a proposed engine to
ground drive system bestowed in the Self-propelled harvester wherein mechanical
drive is used for power transmission.
Figure-4 is depicting an illustrative schematic diagram of the said engine to ground
drive system employed in the Self-propelled harvester, wherein an assembly of a
mechanical transmission (201), engine (202), upper sprocket with a plurality of teeth
(203), chain drive (204), lower sprocket with a plurality of teeth (205), front wheels
(206) and rear wheels (207) to disclose the arrangement of the innovative ground
drive system for power transmission from engine to the ground wheels through
mechanical drive. In the proposed ground drive system in the Self-propelled
harvester, the flow of power emanates from the engine following by the gear box
(209) and axle towards the wheels (206 and 207) through chain drive (204) and
providing a provision to subjugate the limitations of the conventional belt drive
system used in self-propelled harvesters.
The aforesaid embodiment of the present invention deteriorates the transmission
loss in the self-propelled harvester, reduces the fuel consumption and improves the
mobility of the harvester by avoiding the slippage in the paddy fields.
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Another preferred embodiment in the present invention is a proposed harvester drive
system employed in the Self-propelled harvester wherein power transmits from the
power take-off (PTO) drive or mechanical gear box to the harvester’s cutter bar,
feeder, thresher, sieve, cleaning system, conveyor and fan drive.
Figure-5 is depicting an illustrative schematic diagram of the said harvester drive
system employed in the Self propelled harvester, wherein the an assembly of the
mechanical transmission (201), engine (202), upper sprocket with a plurality of teeth
(203), lower sprocket with a plurality of teeth (205), front wheels (206), rear wheels
(207), power take-off (PTO) drive, mechanical gear box (209), main drive pulley
(210), thresher/harvester drive (211), centre drive pulley (212) and feeder/cutter bar
drive pulley (213) to disclose the arrangement of the innovative harvester drive
system for power transmission from the power take-off (PTO) drive or mechanical
gear box to the harvester’s cutter bar, feeder, thresher, sieve, cleaning system,
conveyor and fan drive.
The block diagram of Figure 6 depicts the power flow from engine to rear and front
wheels along with the illustrative scheme of said four-wheel drive and two wheel
drive mechanism in the new self-propelled harvester of the instant invention.
In the new harvester drive system in the Self-propelled harvester of the instant
invention, the flow of power emanates from the PTO drive (208) following by the gear
box (209) to the harvester’s cutter bar, feeder, thresher, sieve, cleaning system,
conveyor and fan drive via main drive pulley (210) and centre drive pulley (212),
providing a provision to subjugate the limitations of the conventional harvester drive
system used in existing self-propelled harvesters.
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The aforesaid embodiment of the present invention deteriorates engine RPM drop by
providing no direct load on the engine by harvesting elements in the self-propelled
harvester, providing good quality grains and preventing the chocking of thresher.
Another preferred embodiment in the present invention provides a provision of four
wheel drive system along with an optional two wheel drive system in the Selfpropelled
harvester, wherein said self propelled harvester of the instant invention
provides the option of two wheel drive system in addition to four wheel drive system
to the operator to operate and run the harvester as per the condition of the field.
Figure-6 depicts a schematic view of the optional two wheel drive axle system in the
four wheel drive harvester in lieu of the power flow and block diagrams with
reference numerals as shown in this diagram, wherein the assembly of the
mechanical transmission (201) and engine (202) is connected to the front wheels
(206) via the propeller shafts (212) and the chain drive systems (204), further the
assembly of the mechanical transmission (201) and engine (202) accompanying with
the a drop box (216) is connected to a rear axle (217) through the propeller shaft
(216) to drive power to the rear wheels (207) while the harvester drive (211) is
connected to the assembly of the mechanical transmission (201) and engine (202)
via the PTO drive (208) and the mechanical gear box (209) through the main drive
pulleys (210).
The Figure-6 also depicts the schematic view of the present invention by showing
the new engine to ground wheel drive mechanism, harvester drive mechanism and
the provision of the optional two wheel drive system in the four wheel drive self
propelled harvester. Said new optional two wheel drive system in the four wheel
drive self propelled harvester facilitates the self propelled harvester to work in semi10
wet land and in dry field too, providing less turning radius in two wheel drive
application, less maintenance as compared to harvester with four wheel drive system
only, resulting in more output of the crops.
The instant disclosure also includes the details of one preferred embodiment of the
invention, illustrated and characterized with regard to priors.
The instant invention relates to Drive to Self-propelled harvester from engine to
ground drive & Harvester drive. This invention is particularly characterized in
following advantageous constructional and structural features, provisioned for
functioning more effectively, as under:
A) In invented self-propelled harvester (SPH) drive from Engine to
transmission is mechanical drive while in current SPH Belt drive used for
power Transmission. Followings are the benefits of invented system:
 To avoid transmission loss which leads to fuel saving
 No slippage in paddy fields means more power for application
B) In invented self-propelled harvester (SPH) drive from Gear Box / PTO
while in current SPH drive directly from Engine. Followings are the benefits of
invented system:
 No direct load on Engine; thus no drop in Engine RPM
 Reduction to achieve threshing RPM is less, hence good quality grains
and no chocking of thresher.
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C) In invented self-propelled harvester optional 2WD axle provided for
working in dry field while in current SPH only one option available either 2WD
or 4WD. Followings are the benefits of invented system:
 Less turning radius in 2WD application
 Less maintenance as compare to 4WD; hence more output in
wheat crop
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and
described, it will at once be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention
includes advantages and features over and beyond the specific illustrated
construction. Accordingly it is intended that the scope of the invention be limited
solely by the scope of the claims, and not by the foregoing specification, when
interpreted in light of the relevant prior art.

We Claim:
1. Self-propelled harvester drive mechanism, more particularly, ground drive
system mechanism and harvester drive system mechanism with four
wheel drive along with the optional two wheel drive system providing
power during harvesting;
wherein, said self-propelled harvester drive mechanism is characterized in
the power flow from engine to rear and front wheels; particularly engine to
ground drive & Harvester drive.
2. Self-propelled harvester drive mechanism, as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said engine to ground drive system employed in the Self-propelled
harvester comprises an assembly of a mechanical transmission (201),
engine (202), upper sprocket with a plurality of teeth (203), chain drive
(204), lower sprocket with a plurality of teeth (205), front wheels (206) and
rear wheels (207) for power transmission from engine to the ground
wheels through mechanical drive; wherein the flow of power emanates
from the engine following by the gear box (209) and axle towards the
wheels (206 and 207) through chain drive (204).
3. Self-propelled harvester drive mechanism, as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said harvester drive system mechanism employed in the Self propelled
harvester comprises an assembly of the mechanical transmission (201),
engine (202), upper sprocket with a plurality of teeth (203), lower sprocket
with a plurality of teeth (205), front wheels (206), rear wheels (207), power
take-off (PTO) drive, mechanical gear box (209), main drive pulley (210),
thresher/harvester drive (211), centre drive pulley (212) and feeder/cutter
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bar drive pulley (213) for power transmission from the power take-off
(PTO) drive or mechanical gear box to the harvester’s cutter bar, feeder,
thresher, sieve, cleaning system, conveyor and fan drive.
4. Self-propelled harvester drive mechanism, as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the said harvester drive system in the self-propelled harvester, the flow of
power emanates from the PTO drive (208) following by the gear box (209)
to the harvester’s cutter bar, feeder, thresher, sieve, cleaning system,
conveyor and fan drive via main drive pulley (210) and centre drive pulley
(212).
5. Self-propelled harvester drive mechanism, as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the optional two wheel drive axle system in the four wheel drive harvester
comprises the assembly of the mechanical transmission (201) and engine
(202) is connected to the front wheels (206) via the propeller shafts (212)
and the chain drive systems (204), further the assembly of the mechanical
transmission (201) and engine (202) accompanying with the a drop box
(216) is connected to a rear axle (217) through the propeller shaft (216) to
drive power to the rear wheels (207) while the harvester drive (211) is
connected to the assembly of the mechanical transmission (201) and
engine (202) via the PTO drive (208) and the mechanical gear box (209)
through the main drive pulleys (210).
6. Self-propelled harvester drive mechanism, as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the self-propelled harvester (SPH) drive from engine to transmission is
mechanical drive.
7. Self-propelled harvester drive mechanism, as claimed in claim 1, wherein
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Said self-propelled harvester (SPH) drive is characterized in at least one of
the followings:
a) In power transmission from engine through mechanical gear box via
PTO drive;
b) In mechanical drive as to the self-propelled harvester (SPH) drive from
engine to transmission, preferably (i) to avoid transmission loss which
leads to fuel saving; and (ii) to avoid slippage in paddy fields means
more power for application;
c) In self-propelled harvester (SPH) drive involving Gear Box/PTO
therein, preferably (i) to ensure no direct load on Engine and thus no
drop in Engine RPM; and (ii) to ensure reduction to achieve threshing
RPM is less, leading to good quality grains and no chocking of
thresher;
d) In self-propelled harvester optional 2WD axle provided for working in
dry field, preferably (i) to ensure less turning radius in 2WD application;
and (ii) to ensure less maintenance as compare to 4WD, leading to
more output in terms of crop.
8. Self-propelled harvester drive mechanism, as claimed in claim 1, wherein
a preferred embodiment of self drive employed in the Self-propelled
harvester includes power transmits from the power take-off (PTO) drive or
mechanical gear box to the harvester’s cutter bar, feeder, thresher, sieve,
cleaning system, conveyor and fan drive.
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9. Self-propelled harvester drive mechanism, as claimed in claim 1, wherein
one preferred embodiment of said self-propelled harvester drive
mechanism provides a provision of four wheel drive system along with an
optional two wheel drive system in the Self-propelled harvester, and
wherein it provides the option of two wheel drive system in addition to four
wheel drive system to the operator to operate and run the harvester as per
the condition of the field.