Abstract: A combine harvester is provided with a conveyance system for transporting crop material discharged by overhead grain separating apparatus to a grain cleaning shoe. The conveyance system comprises a series of oscillating pans which move the grain in a generally longitudinal direction. A return pan conveys the collected material forwardly to a front discharge edge from where the material falls onto a stratification pan below. The stratification pan conveys the collected material rearwardly to a rear discharge edge from where the material falls into the grain cleaning shoe. At least one of the return pan and the stratification pan is non-rectangular and has a non-transverse discharge edge.

Abstract: A combine harvester is provided with a conveyance system for transporting crop material discharged by overhead grain separating apparatus to a grain cleaning shoe. The conveyance system comprises a series of oscillating pans which move the grain in a generally longitudinal direction. A return pan conveys the collected material forwardly to a front discharge edge from where the material falls onto a stratification pan below. The stratification pan conveys the collected material rearwardly to a rear discharge edge from where the material falls into the grain cleaning shoe. At least one of the return pan and the stratification pan is non-rectangular and has a non-transverse discharge edge.

Abstract: A combine harvester tailings return system includes a tailings conveyor and an ejection channel for depositing tailings upstream of a cleaning system. A proximity sensor is mounted to the ejection channel and is configured to sense the height of a layer of tailings during transit through the returns system.

Abstract: A combine harvester tailings return system includes a tailings conveyor and an ejection channel for depositing tailings upstream of a cleaning system. A proximity sensor is mounted to the ejection channel and is configured to sense the height of a layer of tailings during transit through the returns system.

Abstract: A combine harvester includes threshing apparatus, separating apparatus, a grain cleaning system located downstream of the separating apparatus, and a material conveyance system arranged to convey crop material from the separating apparatus to the grain cleaning system. The grain cleaning system includes screening apparatus, a fan arranged to generate a cleaning airstream through the screening apparatus, and a fan control system configured to control a fan speed. The fan control system includes a proximity sensor mounted above the material conveyance system for sensing a material volume. The fan control system controls the fan speed in dependence upon the material volume.

Abstract: A grain cleaning system in a combine harvester including a frame, a chaffer sieve, and a lower sieve. A clean grain chute is located under the lower sieve to catch grain falling therefrom and is inclined to direct the caught grain to a clean grain trough. A tailings return chute is disposed under the clean grain chute and is configured to direct tailings to a tailings collection trough. A multi-configurable plate is mounted to the frame and positioned under a rear portion of the chaffer sieve. The plate is moveable between different operating positions. In a first operating position the plate is configured to guide material incident thereon to the tailings return chute. In a second operating position the plate is configured to guide material incident thereon to the clean grain chute.

Abstract: A system for performing an agricultural operation according to a logistic plan comprising a number of tasks, said system comprising an operation deviation module and an operation coach module. The deviation module is configured to receive the logistic plan from the operation logistics module and measurements from the feedback loop and determine if there has been a deviation from the logistic plan and notify the coach module of any such deviation. The coach module is configured to store a deviations catalogue and determine, by way of reference to the deviations catalogue, if any such deviation requires an update to the logistic plan; perform any such update to the logistic plan, and; send any such updated logistic plan to the operation logistics module.

Abstract: A combine harvester having a grain pan arranged to catch a crop stream, the grain pan being driven in an oscillating manner to convey the crop stream rearwardly to a rear edge. A cleaning unit including a fan for generating a cleaning airstream which is directed under the rear edge. The grain pan includes a floor profile which defines a transverse profile comprising ridges and troughs. The troughs provide a plurality of longitudinal channels, wherein the ridge-to-trough height increases in the direction of conveyance. Crop material conveyed by the grain pan experiences channels that deepen towards the rear edge of the pan.

Abstract: A combine harvester is provided with a conveyance system for transporting crop material discharged by overhead grain separating apparatus to a grain cleaning shoe. The conveyance system comprises a series of oscillating pans which move the grain in a generally longitudinal direction. A return pan conveys the collected material forwardly to a front discharge edge from where the material falls onto a stratification pan below. The stratification pan conveys the collected material rearwardly to a rear discharge edge from where the material falls into the grain cleaning shoe. At least one of the return pan and the stratification pan is non-rectangular and has a non-transverse discharge edge.

Abstract: A combine harvester including a grain pan arranged to catch a crop stream. The grain pan is driven in an oscillating manner to convey the crop stream rearwardly to a rear edge from where the crop stream falls into a grain cleaning unit. A fan generates a cleaning airstream which is directed under the rear edge. The grain pan includes a conveyance floor with a rippled floor profile. A plurality of tines are provided and secured at one end to the conveyance floor. Each tine has a saw-toothed profile to lift lighter material within the crop stream away from the heavier material and enhance stratification thereof.

Abstract: A combine harvester is provided with a conveyance system for transporting crop material discharged by overhead grain separating apparatus to a grain cleaning shoe. The conveyance system includes a series of oscillating pans which move the grain in a generally longitudinal direction. A return pan conveys the collected material forwardly to a front discharge edge from where the material falls onto a stratification pan below. The stratification pan conveys the collected material rearwardly to a rear discharge edge from where the material falls into the grain cleaning shoe. At least one of the return pan and the stratification pan is non-rectangular and has a non-transverse discharge edge.

Abstract: A combine harvester having a grain pan arranged to catch a crop stream, the grain pan being driven in an oscillating manner to convey the crop stream rearwardly to a rear edge. A cleaning unit including a fan for generating a cleaning airstream which is directed under the rear edge. The grain pan includes a floor profile which defines a transverse profile comprising ridges and troughs. The troughs provide a plurality of longitudinal channels, wherein the ridge-to-trough height increases in the direction of conveyance. Crop material conveyed by the grain pan experiences channels that deepen towards the rear edge of the pan.

Abstract: A grain cleaning system in a combine harvester including a pair of side walls, a rear wall that extends between the side walls, a sieve that oscillates in a fore-and-aft path between the side walls, a fan unit for generating a cleaning airstream, and an outlet for discharging residue from a grain-cleaning process. The outlet is framed in part by a lower edge of the rear wall. An aperture is provided in the rear wall to provide air relief to enhance the fore-to-aft flow of the cleaning airstream. Optionally, an auxiliary fan may drive air through the aperture.

Abstract: A combine harvester includes a grain pan arranged to catch a crop stream, the grain pan being driven in an oscillating manner to convey the crop stream rearwardly to a rear edge. A cleaning unit includes a fan for generating a cleaning airstream which is directed under the rear edge. The grain pan includes a floor profile which defines a transverse profile having ridges and troughs. The troughs provide a plurality of longitudinal channels, wherein the ridge-to-trough height increases in the direction of conveyance. Crop material conveyed by the grain pan experiences channels that deepen towards the rear edge of the pan.

Abstract: A grain cleaning system in a combine harvester including a pair of side walls, a rear wall that extends between the side walls, a sieve that oscillates in a fore and aft path between the side walls, a fan unit for generating a cleaning airstream, and an outlet for discharging residue from a grain cleaning process. The outlet is framed in part by a lower edge of the rear wall. An aperture is provided in the rear wall to provide a means of air relief to enhance the fore to aft flow of the cleaning airstream. Optionally, an auxiliary fan may be provided to drive air through the aperture.

Abstract: A grain cleaning system in a combine harvester including a frame, a chaffer sieve, and a lower sieve. A clean grain chute is located under the lower sieve to catch grain falling therefrom and is inclined to direct the caught grain to a clean grain trough. A tailings return chute is disposed under the clean grain chute and is configured to direct tailings to a tailings collection trough. A multi-configurable plate is mounted to the frame and positioned under a rear portion of the chaffer sieve. The plate is moveable between different operating positions. In a first operating position the plate is configured to guide material incident thereon to the tailings return chute. In a second operating position the plate is configured to guide material incident thereon to the clean grain chute.

Abstract: A method and system for determining path plans to be followed by a fleet of agricultural working units during a harvest operation includes receiving a first set of input parameters related to a crop field and receiving a second set of input parameters related to an available fleet of working units. The fleet of working units includes a harvesting machine and a crop carting unit. A computer simulation of a harvest operation is executed based upon the first and second sets of input parameters. From the simulation, path plans are generated for at least two mobile working units.

Abstract: A combine harvester is provided with a conveyance system for transporting crop material discharged by overhead grain separating apparatus to a grain cleaning shoe. The conveyance system includes a series of oscillating pans which move the grain in a generally longitudinal direction. A return pan conveys the collected material forwardly to a front discharge edge from where the material falls onto a stratification pan below. The stratification pan conveys the collected material rearwardly to a rear discharge edge from where the material falls into the grain cleaning shoe. At least one of the return pan and the stratification pan is non-rectangular and has a non-transverse discharge edge.

Abstract: A combine harvester comprises a threshing unit arranged to receive and thresh a crop stream. Separating apparatus are located downstream and rearward of the threshing unit and are arranged to receive the threshed crop stream and convey such a rearward direction. The front of a return pan, disposed below the separating apparatus, overlaps the rear of a stratification pan, disposed below the threshing unit. The stratification pan is driven in an oscillating manner to convey a primary grain/chaff stream rearwardly to a rear edge from where the primary grain/chaff stream falls under gravity into a cleaning unit. The return pan is driven in an oscillating manner to convey a secondary grain/chaff stream forwardly to a front edge from where the secondary grain/chaff stream falls under gravity to combine with the primary grain/chaff stream on the stratification pan.

Abstract: A combine harvester including threshing and separating apparatus which are arranged to process a cut crop stream and each having a grate arrangement through which material separated from the crop stream falls under gravity. Grain conveyance means arranged below the threshing and separating apparatus catch the falling grain and material other than grain (MOG). A stratification pan is located below a front region of the threshing and separating apparatus and a return conveyor is located below a rear region of the threshing and separating apparatus, both conveyors being driven in a oscillating manner. The return conveyor conveys said grain and MOG in a forward direction to a front edge thereof which is located above the stratification pan. The stratification pan conveys collected material rearwardly to a rear edge from where the collected material falls under gravity into a cleaning unit.