Abstract: The device for separating and screening bulk materials, in particular crop materials, is formed by a zig-zag separator (9) with separation conduits (14) which are diverted once or several times in the vertical direction and through which a separator air stream (SL) flows, and its top and bottom which is covered by the bulk material (6, 7)--crop material--forms a screening surface (9a). The zig-zag separator (9) forms a cross flow orientation of the rising separator air flow (SL) at the bends (14a) of its separator conduits (14) and a rotating material vortex (GW) in the separator conduits (14), by means of which the light chaff/stalk parts (7) are moved upward and the grain (6) is released downward.

Abstract: A combine cleaning system including a fan and a cleaning sieve which coact with each other to separate chaff and unthreshed tailings from grain. The sieve defines a grain cleaning area comprised of an air foil section extending rearwardly from a forward edge of the sieve and a slat or louvered section downstream of the air foil section. The air foil section provides a first level of cleaning to the threshed materials deposited on the grain cleaning area while the slat section provides a second level of cleaning to the material received thereon. Preferably, the air foil section comprises about 60% to about 85% of the grain cleaning area.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine including a fan and reciprocal sieves mounted within a housing of the combine. The sieves include a series of transversely extending slats which are selectively adjustable to allow clean grain to pass therethrough. A plurality of transversely adjacent baffles extend in a fore-and-aft direction along substantially the entire length of and for a relatively short distance above an upper distance of the sieves. The baffles have a cumulative effect of inhibiting a disproportionate granular accumulation of granular material adjacent the downhill side of the sieves when the harvesting apparatus is tilted during slope harvesting. Each of the baffles are movable conjointly with and in response to adjustment of the slats of the sieves.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine including at least one sieve located in a housing of the combine such that a flow of air from a fan mechanism is directed upwardly therethrough. The sieve includes a plurality of louvers which are are arranged relative to each other to define a first series of clean grain passages therebetween. A majority of the louvers define a series of openings which define a second series of openings which allow clean grain to pass therethrough and facilitate an increased flow of air therethrough to enhance separation of unwanted residue from clean grain.

Abstract: The threshed material passing through the foraminous cage and concave of the processor section of the combine falls by gravity to a distribution auger in a trough at the bottom of the processor housing. The threshed material passes through a slot in the trough to a pair of accelerator rolls which throw the threshed material downwardly to the cleaning section of the combine. In order to help the distribution auger to distribute the threshed material to the slot whereby the threshed material is spread along the trough and discharges at a relatively even flow rate along the length of the slot, one or two movable trough extensions are added to reduce the width of the slot along a portion of its length.

Abstract: A combine harvester having a threshing and separating mechanism and a grain cleaning mechanism disposed beneath the threshing and separating mechanism and including a grain pan fitted with a movable divider apparatus and operable to receive grain from the threshing and separating mechanism, sieve mechanism operable to receive grain from the grain pan, and a fan operable to blow air through the sieve mechanism, is disclosed wherein an inclination sensing mechanism for sensing the lateral inclination of the combine harvester is operatively associated with an actuator operatively coupled to the grain pan divider apparatus for positionally adjusting the grain pan divider apparatus in response to the output of the inclination sensing mechanism to compensate for any given lateral inclination of the harvester.

Abstract: A combination harvester of conventional type includes a reciprocating sieve onto which the grain and chaff is deposited for separation by differential response to air flow passing through openings in the sieve. The openings in the sieve can be adjusted by an adjustment mechanism in the form of levers positioned at the rear of the sieve. A kit of parts is provided to communicate rotation of the hand crank within the cab of the combine through a flexible pipe which passes through an opening in the combine wall to a screw and nut arrangement which acts to adjust the levers of the sieve adjustment mechanism in dependence upon rotation of the hand crank. The reciprocation of the sieve relative to the combine wall is taken up by flexing of the pipe. The ability to adjust the sieve from within the cab allows on the go adjustment for fine tuning of the separation by the sieve according to harvesting conditions.

Abstract: A combine harvester, having threshing and separating means for threshing and separating crop material and a cleaning apparatus disposed to receive threshed and separated grain from said treshing and separating means and being operable to clean unwanted residue from the threshed and separated grain is disclosed wherein the cleaning apparatus, including at least a pair of cleaning sieves arranged to be oscillated generally back-and-forth for moving threshed and separated grain therealong while permitting the passage of cleaned grain therethrough, and further including a cleaning fan operable to direct a cleaning air blast to the cleaning sieves for urging unwanted residue to the threshed and separated grain into an airborne state for discharge from the combine harvester, is provided with an agitator positioned between the cleaning sieves.