Abstract: A combine harvester including a grain pan arranged to catch a crop stream from threshing or separating apparatus. The grain pan is 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 of the grain pan. The grain pan comprises includes a transversely corrugated surface and longitudinal gullies having a curved profile for compensating for side-hill operation.

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 combine harvester including a grain pan arranged to catch a crop stream from threshing or separating apparatus. The grain pan is 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 of the grain pan. The grain pan comprises includes a transversely corrugated surface and longitudinal gullies having a curved profile for compensating for side-hill operation.

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 includes threshing apparatus, a grain pan and a cleaning unit. The grain pan is arranged to collect a grain/chaff stream from the threshing apparatus and is driven in an oscillating manner to convey the collected grain/chaff to a rear edge from where the grain/chaff stream falls into the cleaning unit. The cleaning unit includes a fan unit for generating an airstream directed through the grain/chaff stream falling from the rear edge and an airstream vented above the grain pan.

Abstract: A combine harvester (10) comprising axial separating apparatus (24, 5) is provided. The axial separating apparatus comprises at least one rotor (28) mounted for rotation in a rotor cage (30) and is arranged to convey crop material in a spiral path from a front end to a rear end. The rotors (28) may also serve to thresh the crop material before separation. The rotor cage (30) includes a grate (34) for allowing separated grain to fall there through under gravity. Two return conveyors (42, 44) are positioned below the grate (34), one behind the other. A first return conveyor (42) disposed under a front portion of the separating apparatus is arranged to catch a portion of said separated grain and convey the caught grain forwardly to a first front edge (46) from where the grain falls under gravity onto a first region of an underlying grain pan (60).

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.

Abstract: A combine harvester comprising threshing apparatus, a grain pan and a cleaning unit is provided. The grain pan is arranged to collect a grain/chaff stream from the threshing apparatus and is driven in an oscillating manner to convey the collected grain/chaff stream rearwardly to a rear edge from where the grain/chaff stream falls under gravity into the cleaning unit. The cleaning unit comprises a fan unit for generating a first cleaning airstream which is directed under the grain pan and through the grain/chaff stream falling from said rear edge. The combine harvester further comprises means to generate a second cleaning airstream vented above the grain pan.

Abstract: A combine harvester (10) comprising axial separating apparatus (24, 5) is provided. The axial separating apparatus comprises at least one rotor (28) mounted for rotation in a rotor cage (30) and is arranged to convey crop material in a spiral path from a front end to a rear end. The rotors (28) may also serve to thresh the crop material before separation. The rotor cage (30) includes a grate (34) for allowing separated grain to fall there through under gravity. Two return conveyors (42, 44) are positioned below the grate (34), one behind the other. A first return conveyor (42) disposed under a front portion of the separating apparatus is arranged to catch a portion of said separated grain and convey the caught grain forwardly to a first front edge (46) from where the grain falls under gravity onto a first region of an underlying grain pan (60).

Abstract: A combine harvester comprises an oscillating thresher pan (128;228;328) for conveying a chaff/grain stream rearwardly to a rear edge from where the grain/chaff stream falls under gravity into a cleaning unit (148;248;348). The cleaning unit, or shoe, includes at least one vibrating pan (150;250;350,151;251;351) onto which the grain/chaff stream falls. The cleaning unit comprising a fan (52) for generating a cleaning airstream which is directed through the failing grain/chaff stream. The cleaning pan, when in use, is provided with a damping surface to damp bounce of kernels falling thereupon. In one example, the damping surface is provided by a sheet of rubber (284,288).

Abstract: A combine harvester comprises a separating apparatus arranged to receive a threshed crop stream and convey rearwardly. The separating apparatus comprises a grate for allowing grain and chaff to fall onto an underlying separator pan, the separator pan being driven in an oscillating manner to convey a grain/chaff stream forwardly for delivery to a cleaning unit. The separator pan comprises a first portion and a second portion disposed forwardly of the first portion. A rear edge of the second portion is releasably attached to a front edge of the first portion, the second portion being pivotable around a forward mounting around a transverse axis between an operating position in which the second portion is attached to the first portion forming a continuous pan surface, and a lowered position in which the second portion is detached from the first portion giving maintenance access to the underside of the separating apparatus.

Abstract: A combine harvester (10) comprises separating apparatus (32,36) arranged to receive a threshed crop stream and convey in a rearward direction. The separating apparatus comprises a grate (42) for allowing grain and chaff to fall under gravity onto an underlying separator pan (44), the separator pan being driven in an oscillating manner to convey a grain/chaff stream forwardly for delivery to a cleaning unit. The separator pan comprises a first portion (44R) suspended from a combine frame by front and rear suspension means (72,70), and a second portion (44F) disposed forwardly of the first portion and pivotally mounted at the forward end.

Abstract: A bearing support assembly (10) comprising a bearing (12) supported within a bearing block (14) is provided. A shaft (26) is arranged to rotate within the bearing (12) and a disc member (34) is carried on the shaft (26) proximate to the bearing block (14). A ring member (20) is secured to the bearing block (14) so that in the event of bearing failure the disc member (34) engages with the ring member (20) so as to support the shaft (26) in rotational motion. The disc member has a diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the ring member. The ring member (20) is at least partially recessed into the thickness of the disc member (34). The assembly may be utilized in agricultural machinery which include rotors (30) which are supported on rotating shafts. The ring member (20) may provide a labyrinth seal which inhibits the ingress of particulate matter into the bearing.

Abstract: A combine harvester (10) comprises a transverse threshing unit (26) arranged to receive and thresh a crop stream. Separating apparatus (32,36) are located downstream and rearward of the threshing unit and arranged to receive the threshed crop stream and convey in a rearward direction. Both the threshing unit and separating apparatus comprise respective grates (34, 42) for allowing grain and chaff to fall under gravity onto an underlying thresher pan (28) and separator pan (44) respectively. The thresher pan is driven in an oscillating manner to convey a primary grain/chaff stream rearwardly to a rear edge (49) from where the primary grain/chaff stream fails under gravity into a cleaning unit (48). The separator pan is also 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.

Abstract: A combine harvester comprises an oscillating thresher pan (128;228;328) for conveying a chaff/grain stream rearwardly to a rear edge from where the grain/chaff stream falls under gravity into a cleaning unit (148;248;348). The cleaning unit, or shoe, includes at least one vibrating pan (150;250;350,151;251;351) onto which the grain/chaff stream falls. The cleaning unit comprising a fan (52) for generating a cleaning airstream which is directed through the failing grain/chaff stream. The cleaning pan, when in use, is provided with a damping surface to damp bounce of kernels falling thereupon. In one example, the damping surface is provided by a sheet of rubber (284,288).

Abstract: A bearing support assembly (10) comprising a bearing (12) supported within a bearing block (14) is provided. A shaft (26) is arranged to rotate within the bearing (12) and a disc member (34) is carried on the shaft (26) proximate to the bearing block (14). A ring member (20) is secured to the bearing block (14) so that in the event of bearing failure the disc member (34) engages with the ring member (20) so as to support the shaft (26) in rotational motion. The disc member has a diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the ring member. The ring member (20) is at least partially recessed into the thickness of the disc member (34). The assembly may be utilised in agricultural machinery which include rotors (30) which are supported on rotating shafts. The ring member (20) may provide a labyrinth seal which inhibits the ingress of particulate matter into the bearing.