Abstract: A fan assembly for a cleaning system of a combine harvester includes a housing having a plurality of interconnected walls, the interconnected walls defining least one inlet opening through which air is delivered into the housing, and at least one outlet opening through which air is exhausted from the housing. A deflector is positioned either at or adjacent the outlet opening, the deflector being configured to affect a flow of air across a width dimension W of the outlet opening. The deflector may be a single, unitary body or the deflector may include a plurality of independently rotatably panels.

Abstract: An actuator position sensing system for sensing a position of an actuator. The actuator position sensing system includes a first sensor for detecting a position of a first moveable portion of the actuator; a plurality of second sensors each being configured for detecting a position of a second moveable portion of the actuator; and a controller connected to the first sensor and the plurality of second sensors. The controller is configured to calculate a difference between (i) a position of the second movable portion as calculated based upon the data transmitted from the first sensor, and (ii) a position of the second movable portion as calculated based upon the data transmitted from one or more of the plurality of second sensors. A motor is connected to the first movable portion and the controller, and the motor is configured to move the first moveable portion based upon the calculated difference.

Abstract: A cleaning and tailings system of an agricultural harvester including an upper sieve and a lower sieve spaced from the upper sieve. A clean grain sheet is disposed below the lower sieve, and a tailings sheet is disposed below the clean grain sheet for receiving grain from the lower sieve and upper sieve. A tailings auger is disposed about a forward end of the tailings sheet, and a sensor is disposed about an inlet of the tailings auger for sensing impact of grain received by the tailings sheet. A controller is in communication with the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to determine an amount of grain received by the tailings sheet.

Abstract: A cleaning and tailings system of an agricultural harvester including an upper sieve and a lower sieve spaced from the upper sieve. A clean grain sheet is disposed below the lower sieve, and a tailings sheet is disposed below the clean grain sheet for receiving grain from the lower sieve and upper sieve. A tailings auger is disposed about a forward end of the tailings sheet, and a sensor is disposed about an inlet of the tailings auger for sensing impact of grain received by the tailings sheet. A controller is in communication with the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to determine an amount of grain received by the tailings sheet.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine harvester includes a sieve for capturing grain, and a magnetic propulsion system configured to move the sieve in a reciprocating motion with respect to a stationary housing of the combine harvester. The magnetic propulsion system includes a magnet that moves as the sieve moves and a plurality of electromagnets arranged along a path of movement of the magnet during a throw stroke and a return stroke of the sieve. During the throw stroke, the plurality of electromagnets may be one of attracted to and repulsed by the magnet. During the return stroke, the plurality of electromagnets may be another of attracted to and repulsed by the magnet. The magnet may move along an arc, and the plurality of magnet may be arranged along an arc adjacent to the magnet.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine harvester having an adjustable throwing angle is provided. The cleaning system includes a shoe for holding a sieve of the cleaning system, a mounting surface disposed on the shoe, and a rocker arm either movably or removably connected to the mounting surface. The rocker arm is configured to be mounted to the mounting surface at at least two different locations on the mounting surface. Each location resulting in a different throwing angle of the shoe of the cleaning system.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine harvester having an adjustable throwing angle is provided. The cleaning system includes a shoe for holding a sieve of the cleaning system, a mounting surface disposed on the shoe, and a rocker arm either movably or removably connected to the mounting surface. The rocker arm is configured to be mounted to the mounting surface at at least two different locations on the mounting surface. Each location resulting in a different throwing angle of the shoe of the cleaning system.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine harvester includes a sieve for capturing grain, and a magnetic propulsion system configured to move the sieve in a reciprocating motion with respect to a stationary housing of the combine harvester.

Abstract: A preparation section of a combine harvester that is configured to receive a mixture of grain and material other than grain (MOG) from a threshing section of the combine harvester. The preparation section includes a conveyor positioned beneath the threshing section that is configured to transport the grain and MOG in a downstream direction toward a cleaning section, and a deflector positioned at a downstream end of a conveyor that is configured to launch the grain and MOG into the air and cause at least partial separation of the MOG and grain prior to falling onto the cleaning section.

Abstract: A preparation section of a combine harvester that is configured to receive a mixture of grain and material other than grain (MOG) from a threshing section of the combine harvester. The preparation section includes a conveyor positioned beneath the threshing section that is configured to transport the grain and MOG in a downstream direction toward a cleaning section, and a deflector positioned at a downstream end of a conveyor that is configured to launch the grain and MOG into the air and cause at least partial separation of the MOG and grain prior to falling onto the cleaning section.

Abstract: A grain conveyor for a combine harvester capable of increasing capacity and reducing component wear is disclosed. The grain conveyor includes a grain elevator, a transition chamber and an auger assembly. The grain elevator has an inlet for receiving a flow of grain. The transition chamber includes an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet and the grain elevator inlet. The transition chamber outlet has an asymmetric non-circular opening larger than the non-cylindrical opening of the transition chamber inlet. The auger assembly is operatively connected to the transition chamber and includes an inlet for receiving a flow of grain and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet.

Abstract: A grain conveyor for a combine harvester capable of increasing capacity and reducing component wear is disclosed. The grain conveyor includes a grain elevator, a transition chamber and an auger assembly. The grain elevator has an inlet for receiving a flow of grain. The transition chamber includes an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet and the grain elevator inlet. The transition chamber outlet has an asymmetric non-circular opening larger than the non-cylindrical opening of the transition chamber inlet. The auger assembly is operatively connected to the transition chamber and includes an inlet for receiving a flow of grain and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet.

Abstract: A grain conveyor for a combine harvester capable of increasing capacity and reducing component wear is disclosed. The grain conveyor includes a grain elevator, a transition chamber and an auger assembly. The grain elevator has an inlet for receiving a flow of grain. The transition chamber includes an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet and the grain elevator inlet. The transition chamber outlet has an asymmetric non-circular opening larger than the non-circular opening of the transition chamber inlet. The auger assembly is operatively connected to the transition chamber and includes an inlet for receiving a flow of grain and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine harvester that includes a cleaning shoe having a sieve, a cleaning fan, an air plenum and a pair of air diverters is provided. The cleaning fan is rotatably driven for generating a flow of air and positioned within the air plenum. The air plenum extends across the entire length of the cleaning fan and includes an inlet for the intake of air, an outlet downstream the inlet for directing the flow of air in a first direction, lateral walls forming a portion of the outlet, and a bottom wall extending between the lateral walls. The pair of air diverters extends inwardly from the lateral walls. Each air diverter is configured substantially as a pyramid having a rounded corner that extends inwardly from the lateral wall and upwardly from the bottom wall.

Abstract: A grain conveyor for a combine harvester capable of increasing capacity and reducing component wear is disclosed. The grain conveyor includes a grain elevator, a transition chamber and an auger assembly. The grain elevator has an inlet for receiving a flow of grain. The transition chamber includes an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet and the grain elevator inlet. The transition chamber outlet has an asymmetric non-circular opening larger than the non-cylindrical opening of the transition chamber inlet. The auger assembly is operatively connected to the transition chamber and includes an inlet for receiving a flow of grain and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet.

Abstract: A grain conveyor for a combine harvester capable of increasing capacity and reducing component wear is disclosed. The grain conveyor includes a grain elevator, a transition chamber and an auger assembly. The grain elevator has an inlet for receiving a flow of grain. The transition chamber includes an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet and the grain elevator inlet. The transition chamber outlet has an asymmetric non-circular opening larger than the non-cylindrical opening of the transition chamber inlet. The auger assembly is operatively connected to the transition chamber and includes an inlet for receiving a flow of grain and an outlet in fluid communication with the transition chamber inlet.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine harvester that includes a cleaning shoe having a sieve, a cleaning fan, an air plenum and a pair of air diverters is provided. The cleaning fan is rotatably driven for generating a flow of air and positioned within the air plenum. The air plenum extends across the entire length of the cleaning fan and includes an inlet for the intake of air, an outlet downstream the inlet for directing the flow of air in a first direction, lateral walls forming a portion of the outlet, and a bottom wall extending between the lateral walls. The pair of air diverters extends inwardly from the lateral walls. Each air diverter is configured substantially as a pyramid having a rounded corner that extends inwardly from the lateral wall and upwardly from the bottom wall.

Abstract: A method and system for use with the combine to modify tailings conveyed to a cleaning system grain bed. Methods and systems are provided that utilize one or more sensors to detect uneven distribution of crop material in the grain bed, which provides information for a controller to determine whether adjustments to a tailings distribution system is needed to encourage even distribution of crop material in the grain bed. Elements in the tailings distribution system can be adjusted to alter direction of tailings conveyed to the grain bed to encourage even distribution of crop material on the grain bed. The system may also inform an operator of suggested manual adjustments to mitigate the non-uniformity.