Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes an annular housing having an arcuate cross-section such that the annular housing defines a toroidal chamber therein. Furthermore, the agricultural harvester includes a blade supported below the annular housing in a vertical direction, with the blade configured to sever top portions of plants from stalks of the plants. Additionally, the agricultural harvester includes a crop flow director positioned above the blade in the vertical direction, with the crop flow director configured to direct the severed top portions into the toroidal chamber. Moreover, the agricultural harvester includes an elevator assembly supported relative to the annular housing. In addition, the agricultural harvester includes a fan assembly configured to generate a flow of air through the annular housing to convey the severed top portions from the toroidal chamber to the elevator assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for adjusting the conveyor belt tension force within an agricultural harvester may include a conveyor having a first roller, a second roller spaced apart from the first roller, and a conveyor belt configured to engage the first and second rollers. The system may also include a tensioner assembly having a ratcheting mechanism configured to selectively adjust a position of the first roller relative to the second roller to adjust a tension force exerted on the conveyor belt.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for adjusting the conveyor belt tension force within an agricultural harvester may include a conveyor having a first roller, a second roller spaced apart from the first roller, and a conveyor belt configured to engage the first and second rollers. The system may also include a tensioner assembly having a ratcheting mechanism configured to selectively adjust a position of the first roller relative to the second roller to adjust a tension force exerted on the conveyor belt.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes an auger assembly including an auger having an auger shaft defining an axis of rotation and a fighting carried by the auger shaft, the auger being configured to rotate the fighting in a sweeping path about the axis of rotation and convey cleaned crop material toward the crop material elevator; an auger trough placed adjacent to the auger to hold crop material in the sweeping path; and an auger cover held above the sweeping path that is configured to direct flung crop material toward the auger and/or the auger trough.

Abstract: A slat for use within a material moving system of an agricultural combine may include a connector web extending in a lengthwise direction of the slat between a first end and a second end and in a widthwise direction of the slat between a front side and a rear side of the slat. The connector web may also define an outer surface and an inner surface. The slat may also include a front wall extending outwardly from the outer surface of the connector web along the front side of the slat and a rear wall extending outwardly from the outer surface of the connector web along the rear side of the slat. Additionally, the slat may include one or more additional features for increasing the structural integrity of the slat and/or for enhancing the crop grabbing/gripping capabilities of the slat.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester (10) defining a longitudinal axis (LI) includes a chassis; at least one ground engaging traction member carried by the chassis (12); a cleaning system (26) carried by the chassis that is configured to clean crop material; and a generally vertical crop material elevator (60) carried by the chassis. The crop material elevator (60) includes a housing (78) having an inlet (76) formed therethrough; a driving loop (88) held within the housing; a plurality of paddles (90) connected to the driving loop; and a rotating element (92) configured to rotate the plurality of paddles about an axis of rotation that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The agricultural harvester (10) also includes a crop material conveyor (70) configured to supply cleaned crop material to the inlet of the crop material elevator from the cleaning system.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes an auger assembly including an auger having an auger shaft defining an axis of rotation and a fighting carried by the auger shaft, the auger being configured to rotate the fighting in a sweeping path about the axis of rotation and convey cleaned crop material toward the crop material elevator; an auger trough placed adjacent to the auger to hold crop material in the sweeping path; and an auger cover held above the sweeping path that is configured to direct flung crop material toward the auger and/or the auger trough.

Abstract: A slat for use within a material moving system of an agricultural combine may include a connector web extending in a lengthwise direction of the slat between a first end and a second end and in a widthwise direction of the slat between a front side and a rear side of the slat. The connector web may also define an outer surface and an inner surface. The slat may also include a front wall extending outwardly from the outer surface of the connector web along the front side of the slat and a rear wall extending outwardly from the outer surface of the connector web along the rear side of the slat. Additionally, the slat may include one or more additional features for increasing the structural integrity of the slat and/or for enhancing the crop grabbing/gripping capabilities of the slat.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester (10) defining a longitudinal axis (LI) includes a chassis; at least one ground engaging traction member carried by the chassis (12); a cleaning system (26) carried by the chassis that is configured to clean crop material; and a generally vertical crop material elevator (60) carried by the chassis. The crop material elevator (60) includes a housing (78) having an inlet (76) formed therethrough; a driving loop (88) held within the housing; a plurality of paddles (90) connected to the driving loop; and a rotating element (92) configured to rotate the plurality of paddles about an axis of rotation that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. The agricultural harvester (10) also includes a crop material conveyor (70) configured to supply cleaned crop material to the inlet of the crop material elevator from the cleaning system.

Abstract: An unloading conveyor arrangement for an agricultural machine includes a conveyor having a discharge end, and a spout arrangement at the discharge end of the conveyor. The spout arrangement includes a spout which is connected to the discharge end and movable relative to the conveyor. The spout and the discharge end have an interspatial gap therebetween. The spout arrangement further includes a seal which is attached to the conveyor and/or the spout and extends across the interspatial gap.

Abstract: A cleaning system for use in an agricultural harvester includes a sieve and an auger arrangement positioned below the sieve. The auger arrangement includes an auger, an end plate carrying the auger and having a curved slot positioned radially outside of the auger, a deformable seal associated with the curved slot, a trough having an inner side wall, and an elongate removable pull out which is slidable through the curved slot adjacent to the inner side wall. The removable pull out and the deformable seal together being configured to prevent exit and entry of loose particles through the curved slot.

Abstract: A cleaning system for use in an agricultural harvester includes a sieve and an auger arrangement positioned below the sieve. The auger arrangement includes an auger, an end plate carrying the auger and having a curved slot positioned radially outside of the auger, a deformable seal associated with the curved slot, a trough having an inner side wall, and an elongate removable pull out which is slidable through the curved slot adjacent to the inner side wall. The removable pull out and the deformable seal together being configured to prevent exit and entry of loose particles through the curved slot.

Abstract: An unloading conveyor arrangement for an agricultural machine includes a conveyor having a discharge end, and a spout arrangement at the discharge end of the conveyor. The spout arrangement includes a spout which is connected to the discharge end and movable relative to the conveyor. The spout and the discharge end have an interspatial gap therebetween. The spout arrangement further includes a seal which is attached to the conveyor and/or the spout and extends across the interspatial gap.

Abstract: An automatedly foldable and unfoldable grain tank extension construction for increasing the grain holding capacity of a grain tank of an agricultural harvesting machine, such extension construction including a plurality of extension panels mounted for pivotal movement about corresponding, respective, upper peripheral portions of the grain tank, with pliable corner pieces extending between adjacent extension panels to seal the corner spaces between the adjacent extension panels, especially when the extension construction is deployed or unfolded, wherein the pivotal movements of the extension panels are controllable by operation of a linkage system that automatedly effects the folding and unfolding of the extension construction by effecting movement of each extension panel through an angle greater than 90°, with at least the control actuator of the linkage system being located external to the grain tank so as to be generally accessible for servicing even when the grain tank is filled.

Abstract: An automatedly foldable and unfoldable grain tank extension construction for increasing the grain holding capacity of a grain tank of an agricultural harvesting machine, such extension construction including a plurality of extension panels mounted for pivotal movement about corresponding, respective, upper peripheral portions of the grain tank, with pliable corner pieces extending between adjacent extension panels to seal the corner spaces between the adjacent extension panels, especially when the extension construction is deployed or unfolded, wherein the pivotal movements of the extension panels are controllable by operation of a linkage system that automatedly effects the folding and unfolding of the extension construction by effecting movement of each extension panel through an angle greater than 90°, with at least the control actuator of the linkage system being located external to the grain tank so as to be generally accessible for servicing even when the grain tank is filled.

Abstract: A pivoting conveyor and a mechanism easily and quickly configurable in a first manner for holding the conveyor in a first position, and in a second manner for holding the conveyor in a second position. The mechanism is connected between the conveyor housing and an adjacent structure or frame, and includes a first link pivotally connected to the frame, and a second link pivotally connected to the conveyor housing, the first link and the second link being pivotally connected at a pivotal connection. The mechanism is configured such that as the conveyor housing is in the first position, the first and second links will be in a generally aligned relationship so as to hold the conveyor housing, and the housing can be released by pivoting the second link from the aligned relationship. When the conveyor housing is in the second position, the links will be in overlapping relation so as to hold the conveyor housing, and the housing can be released by pivoting the second link.