Inventors:
Clet Dugas - Loreauville LA
International Classification:
B23D 5300
Abstract:
A sugar cane planting machine for eliminating the excessive manual labor previously required to plant sugar cane stalks. The uncut stalks are loaded in the rear of a tractor-pulled cart at the bottom of which is positioned a conveyor-like belt for moving the cane towards the front of the cart. Slideably attached on a transversely positioned guide member of a pivotable frame at the front of the cart is a combination cross-cutting and kicker-chain assembly which moves laterally across the width of the cart under hydraulic controls. Said assemblies include a downwardly extending chain saw which is followed by at least one vertically disposed kicker-chain, both preferably under the control of a common motor. Below the kicker-chain assembly is positioned a trough or hopper having an opening formed along the bottom thereof. After the stalks of the sugar cane have been loaded and extend across the cross-cutting path over the hopper, the assemblies are actuated to move the chain saw and kicker-chain laterally across the cart to cut the stalks into portions of planting length.