Abstract: In an axial flow rotary separator, each radially extending finger-like crop-engaging element of the rotor is individually and obliquely journaled on a fixed eccentric shaft. Push bars spaced 90 degrees apart rotate about the axis of the separator to drive the fingers so that the finger tips describe a circular path eccentric to the separator casing and inclined to its axis. The plane of rotation of the fingers and the speed of rotation of the rotor are chosen so that the fingers maintain the crop material in an annular mat in contact with the inside wall of the casing and propel it spirally downstream. Finger element bearing housings are split for convenient assembly and repair.

Abstract: In the variable speed V-belt drive of a combine harvester threshing cylinder, the driven sheave is torque-responsive, responding automatically to adjust drive belt tension according to the torque being transmitted. A linear hydraulic actuator, integral with the drive sheave, is used to adjust an axially movable sheave half with respect to a fixed sheave half so as to vary sheave effective diameter and hence driven speed. At any given speed setting, oil is trapped in the hydraulic actuator and oil pressure varies according to separating force between the halves of the drive sheave which in turn depends upon belt tension. A pressure switch, connected so as to sense the oil pressure, has a set point such that at a predetermined maximum (overload) belt tension, the switch is actuated so as to declutch or disconnect the drive sheave from its power source, thus protecting the threshing cylinder and drive components from damage.

Abstract: The engine of a self-propelled combine is mounted in an enclosure having an inlet through which cooling air is drawn by an engine-driven fan. The air is filtered by a rotating disk-like screen mounted over the air inlet before passing through a radiator adjacent the inlet. A duct extends across the face of the disk from its center to periphery, changes direction and terminates with an open end adjacent the inlet side of the fan by-passing the radiator. The duct is also open adjacent the face of the screen so that the fan draws air through the duct, (some of the air being necessarily drawn from inside the screen as it passes the duct opening) so that foreign material filtered from the mass of cooling air being drawn through the unobstructed portion of the screen and held on the screen exterior surface is removed and carried through the duct. A trash knife rigidly attached to the periphery of the screen extends outwards parallel to the screen's axis of rotation.