Handling The Rotor Of A Rotary Machine

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for removing a rotor of a rotary machine, such as a rotary combine harvester. The method comprises the steps of exposing one end of the rotor while ensuring that the rotor remains safely anchored within the machine, securing to the exposed end of the rotor a plate that is mounted on a support block carried on the lifting platform of a movable lifting device, disconnecting the rotor from all remaining components of the machine to permit the rotor to be slid out of the machine, and moving the lifting device away from the machine while simultaneously controlling the height of its lifting platform to cause the end of the rotor to move along a path parallel to the axis of the rotor and thereby extract the rotor from the machine while supporting the weight of the portion of the rotor projecting from the machine.

1 . Apparatus for removing a rotor of a rotary machine, such as a rotary combine harvester, characterized in that it comprises a support block having a base designed to be anchored to the lifting platform of a movable lifting device, a plate mounted on the support block and anchoring points on the plate for enabling the plate to be firmly secured to one end of the rotor.  
   
   
       2 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the base comprises two hollow girders dimensioned and positioned to receive the prongs of the lifting fork of a movable lifting device.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the plane of the plate is inclined to the plane of the two girders so that the normal to the plate, which extends parallel to the axis of the rotor, is inclined to the horizontal when the support block is carried by a horizontal lifting platform.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the plate is rotatable relative to the support block.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , characterized in that the plate is rotatable relative to the support block.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that the plate is rotatable relative to the support block.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that the plate is mounted on a shaft that is journalled on the support block by means of at least two pillow blocks.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus as claimed in any of  claim 1 , characterized in that it further comprises an extension arm for supporting the weight of the rotor at a point along its length spaced from the plate and means for securing the extension to the support block.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus as claimed in any of  claim 2 , characterized in that it further comprises an extension arm for supporting the weight of the rotor at a point along its length spaced from the plate and means for securing the extension to the support block.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus as claimed in any of  claim 3 , characterized in that it further comprises an extension arm for supporting the weight of the rotor at a point along its length spaced from the plate and means for securing the extension to the support block.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus as claimed in any of  claim 4 , characterized in that it further comprises an extension arm for supporting the weight of the rotor at a point along its length spaced from the plate and means for securing the extension to the support block.  
   
   
       12 . Apparatus as claimed in any of  claim 5 , characterized in that it further comprises an extension arm for supporting the weight of the rotor at a point along its length spaced from the plate and means for securing the extension to the support block.  
   
   
       13 . Apparatus as claimed in any of  claim 1 , characterized in that a forklift truck is used as the movable lifting device.  
   
   
       14 . Apparatus as claimed in any of  claim 2 , characterized in that a forklift truck is used as the movable lifting device.  
   
   
       15 . Apparatus as claimed in any of  claim 3 , characterized in that a forklift truck is used as the movable lifting device.  
   
   
       16 . Apparatus as claimed in any of  claim 4 , characterized in that a forklift truck is used as the movable lifting device.  
   
   
       17 . Apparatus as claimed in any of  claim 5 , characterized in that a forklift truck is used as the movable lifting device.  
   
   
       18 . Apparatus as claimed in any of  claim 6 , characterized in that a forklift truck is used as the movable lifting device.