Abstract: Provided is a threshing cylinder with a threshing processing section provided on the rear side of a raking section. In the threshing processing section, a front support member, an intermediate support member, and a rear support member are supported by a threshing cylinder support shaft. A plurality of front-side divided threshing teeth support members are supported by the front support member and the intermediate support member in a state in which the front-side divided threshing teeth support members are arranged at the same arrangement pitch in the circumferential direction of the threshing processing section. A plurality of rear-side divided threshing teeth support members are supported by the intermediate support member and the rear support member in a state in which the rear-side divided threshing teeth support members are arranged at the same arrangement pitch in the circumferential direction of the threshing processing section.

Abstract: A kit and method of abrading grain provides multiple components to improve the threshing operation within an agricultural combine. The kit includes a unique concave design, open valley rasp bars, and restrictor plates. The method of abrading grain allows threshing operations for large grains such as corn and, also, for small grains such as soybeans. For example, the kit can be used to facilitate construction of a harvesting system that comprises: a drum of a rotary combine; a straight bar concave in a first position, wherein the straight bar concave utilizing intersecting bars, wherein at least some of said intersecting bars including a sharp leading edge, wherein the sharp leading edge abrades harvested materials and separate grain therefrom when the rotary drum rotates; and a plurality of round bar concaves in at least a second and a third position.

Abstract: A combine harvester threshing drum threshing bar includes a threshing fixture including a leading edge, an opposed trailing end, a top threshing side, including a trailing threshing face that extends between the trailing end and the corner and a leading threshing that inclines downwardly from the corner to the leading edge to form a wedge in the threshing fixture, an opposed bottom threshing drum emplacement side, a first bore and a second bore. The first bore includes a first hole open to trailing threshing face that enlarges a second hole open to the threshing drum emplacement side. The second bore includes a third hole open to leading threshing face that enlarges a second hole open to the threshing drum emplacement side.

Abstract: A driver assistance system for a combine harvester that has a processing stage with an input for a crop flow, a first output for a useful flow and has abundant threshed grains, and a second output for a residual flow with scarce grains. At least one operating parameter of the processing stage is adjustable. The driver assistance system has an actuatable rethreshing device arranged at the second output of the processing stage, a residual grain sensor for detecting a proportion of threshed out grain in the residual flow downstream of the rethreshing device, and an evaluating device that turns the rethreshing device on and off, compares the proportions of threshed out grains in the residual flow when the rethreshing device is turned on and when the rethreshing device is turned off, and to adapt the at least one operating parameter of the processing stage based on the comparison.

Abstract: A concave section for a harvester includes a concave body having an upstream side, a downstream side, a leading end and a trailing end. The concave body defines an arcuate crop engagement face facing radially inwardly. A plurality of crop passage openings are defined through the arcuate crop engagement face. A cover is configured to at least partially cover at least some of the crop passage openings. The cover is carried by the concave body and is movable thereon between at least two different positions to adjust a degree of openness of at least some of the crop passage openings.

Abstract: A universal threshing concave for an agricultural combine for harvesting different types of crops is disclosed. The threshing concave comprises a frame with a pair of opposite side members and opposite end members. The invention further comprises an array of threshing bars angled and notched along their longitudinal extent, and hexagonal in cross-section. Each bar is seated in openings in the end members of said frame.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle crop feeder system having housings defining a crop passage, a conveyor assembly, a rotor, a guide plate, and one or more guide vanes extending from the guide plate. The conveyor assembly propels crop material along a feeder flow direction to the rotor. The rotor has inlet vanes that receive the crop material in a receiving region located below the rotor's axis. The leading edges of the rotor inlet vanes travel towards the receiving region on a first transverse side of the rotor axis and away from the receiving region on a second transverse side of the rotor axis. The guide plate is adjacent the receiving region. The guide vane extends into the crop passage on the first side of the rotor axis, and angled relative to the flow direction with its trailing edge closer to the first rotor axis, in the transverse direction, than the leading edge.

Abstract: An agricultural combine has a threshing drum and a matching concave, the threshing drum comprising multiple threshing slats having an outer surface segment which, when the drum is rotated with respect to the concave with crop material in the drum, beats and squeezes the crop material thereby releasing grain from residue in the crop material, wherein at least the outer surface segment is formed from a material having a Shore A hardness higher than 90 and lower than 95.

Abstract: A combine harvester threshing drum spiked threshing bar includes a rigid, integral, unitary threshing fixture having a leading edge, a trailing end, an upstream face, a downstream face, a threshing side, including a trailing threshing face and a leading threshing face, a threshing drum emplacement side, and a threshing spike that extends outwardly from the leading threshing face.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a bale processor includes a hopper for receiving baled material, a discharge opening for outputting chopped material, and primary and secondary rotors. The primary rotor has an axis of rotation and a rotatable flail to chop the material from the bale received in the hopper. The secondary rotor is rotatable to chop the material after being chopped by the primary rotor, and the secondary rotor is offset from the primary rotor such that the primary rotor is between the secondary rotor and the discharge opening. The flail includes a pivot tube for rotating about the axis, first and second hammers secured to the pivot tube, and a paddle. The paddle is positioned between and secured to the first and second hammers to generate airflow when the first and second hammers are rotated at an operating speed, thereby increasing a throw distance of the chopped material.

Abstract: A separating rotor (32) for a combine harvester (10) is provided having a rotor core (43) and a plurality of crop engaging elements (42). Each element (42) has a finger support (50) and a finger element (58) attached to the finger support. The finger support comprises a pair of feet (52, 54) connected together by a finger attachment plate (56) wherein the finger element is attached to the finger attachment plate. Each foot is secured to the rotor core along a respective base edge (52a, 54a) which resides on both sides of an extended plane defined by the associated finger element.

Abstract: A depth adjustable crop transport vane, crop transport vane assembly, and agricultural combine threshing chambers employing such adjustable crop transport vanes are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a helical bar concave from a flat, rolled laser cut arrangement that provides a net helical concave functionality. Laser cutting a flat metal sheet to form helical cutouts defining a percent open area having a helical geometry in combination with configurable rub bars mounted in a helical fashion results in a configurable helical bar concave in which the number or aggressiveness of the threshing surface on the inside radius of the grate may be changed and/or the rub bars may be moved to the outside of the grate to change the percent open area and hence the separation characteristics of the concave.

Abstract: A threshing element includes a structure having an outside surface for threshing a crop material, and an inside surface. A body is operatively connected to a sensor. The body is secured to the inside surface of the structure, the body having a connecting feature for securing at least the body and the structure to each other. The structure is securable to a rotatable threshing rotor of a harvester threshing system. In response to operation of the threshing rotor of the harvester threshing system, the sensor outputs a signal corresponding to forces generated by contact between the outside surface of the structure and the crop material.

Abstract: A threshing element includes a structure having an outside surface for threshing a crop material, and an inside surface. A body is operatively connected to a sensor. The body is secured to the inside surface of the structure, the body having a connecting feature for securing at least the body and the structure to each other. The structure is securable to a rotatable threshing rotor of a harvester threshing system. In response to operation of the threshing rotor of the harvester threshing system, the sensor outputs a signal corresponding to forces generated by contact between the outside surface of the structure and the crop material.

Abstract: A combine harvester threshing drum threshing bar includes a rigid, integral, unitary threshing fixture having a leading edge and an opposed trailing end, an upstream face and an opposed downstream face formed with an oblique crop deflecting surface, a threshing side and an opposed threshing drum emplacement side. The threshing side includes a trailing threshing face formed toward the trailing end of the threshing fixture, and an inclined leading threshing face extending from the trailing threshing face to the leading edge, and which cooperates with the threshing drum emplacement side and the upstream and downstream faces of the threshing fixture at the leading edge to form a wedge in the threshing fixture. Crop threshing grooves are formed in the trailing threshing face of the top threshing side of the threshing fixture, which extend from the trailing end to the leading threshing face of the threshing fixture.

Abstract: A combine harvester threshing drum threshing bar includes a rigid, integral, unitary threshing fixture having a leading edge and an opposed trailing end, an upstream face and an opposed downstream face formed with an oblique crop deflecting surface, a threshing side and an opposed threshing drum emplacement side. The threshing side includes a trailing threshing face formed toward the trailing end of the threshing fixture, and an inclined leading threshing face extending from the trailing threshing face to the leading edge, and which cooperates with the threshing drum emplacement side and the upstream and downstream faces of the threshing fixture at the leading edge to form a wedge in the threshing fixture. Crop threshing grooves are formed in the trailing threshing face of the top threshing side of the threshing fixture, which extend from the trailing end to the leading threshing face of the threshing fixture.

Abstract: A combine harvester threshing drum threshing bar includes a rigid, integral, unitary threshing fixture having a leading edge and an opposed trailing end, an upstream face and an opposed downstream face formed with an oblique crop deflecting surface, a threshing side including a crop-cutting blade and a rasp structure, and an opposed threshing drum emplacement side.

Abstract: A combine harvester threshing drum threshing bar includes a rigid, integral, unitary threshing fixture having a leading edge and an opposed trailing end, an upstream face and an opposed downstream face formed with an oblique crop deflecting surface, a threshing side and an opposed threshing drum emplacement side. The threshing side includes a trailing threshing face formed toward the trailing end of the threshing fixture, and an inclined leading threshing face extending from the trailing threshing face to the leading edge, and which cooperates with the threshing drum emplacement side and the upstream and downstream faces of the threshing fixture at the leading edge to form a wedge in the threshing fixture. Crop threshing grooves are formed in the trailing threshing face of the top threshing side of the threshing fixture, which extend from the trailing end to the leading threshing face of the threshing fixture.

Abstract: A combine harvester threshing drum threshing bar includes a rigid, integral, unitary threshing fixture having a leading edge and an opposed trailing end, an upstream face and an opposed downstream face formed with an oblique crop deflecting surface, a threshing side and an opposed threshing drum emplacement side. The threshing side includes a trailing threshing face formed toward the trailing end of the threshing fixture, and an inclined leading threshing face extending from the trailing threshing face to the leading edge, and which cooperates with the threshing drum emplacement side and the upstream and downstream faces of the threshing fixture at the leading edge to form a wedge in the threshing fixture. Crop threshing grooves are formed in the trailing threshing face of the top threshing side of the threshing fixture, which extend from the trailing end to the leading threshing face of the threshing fixture.

Abstract: A rasp bar assembly is disclosed that includes a rasp bar having a plurality of rotation stops that contact the rasp bar mount. The plurality of rotation stops stabilize the rasp bar upon the rasp bar mount and prevent the rasp bar from rotating from its assembled position.

Abstract: A rasp bar assembly is disclosed that includes a rasp bar having a plurality of rotation stops that contact the rasp bar mount. The plurality of rotation stops stabilize the rasp bar upon the rasp bar mount and prevent the rasp bar from rotating from its assembled position.

Abstract: A combine harvester threshing drum threshing bar includes a rigid, integral, unitary threshing fixture having a leading edge and an opposed trailing end, an upstream face and an opposed downstream face formed with an oblique crop deflecting surface, a threshing side and an opposed threshing drum emplacement side. The threshing side includes a trailing threshing face formed toward the trailing end of the threshing fixture, and an inclined leading threshing face extending from the trailing threshing face to the leading edge, and which cooperates with the threshing drum emplacement side and the upstream and downstream faces of the threshing fixture at the leading edge to form a wedge in the threshing fixture. Crop threshing grooves are formed in the trailing threshing face of the top threshing side of the threshing fixture, which extend from the trailing end to the leading threshing face of the threshing fixture.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a threshing system of a combine provides effective grain threshing and separation, while doing so in a manner that conserves power and avoids usage spikes and the like, by providing at least two helical patterns of elements for threshing and separating, having a helical pitch that progressively changes by an advantageous extent, while spacing between adjacent ones of the elements of each pattern is held about constant.

Abstract: A knife blade for a chopper rotor is made in at least two members that are coupled together by a web disposed at the bottom of the slot, wherein the slot is configured to receive and pass therethrough a stationary blade that extends perpendicular to the rotational axis of the chopper rotor, the knife blade having a second edge with co-linear portions on each of the at least 2 members, wherein the co-linear portions are disposed generally at a right angle to the slot, and wherein the co-linear portions are configured to cut against a longitudinally extending knife blade (152) that extends generally parallel to the rotational axis of the chopper rotor.

Abstract: A modular straight separator bar for a rotor for a threshing system of an agricultural combine that is mountable on a single mounting lug and interchangeable with a rasp bar at a plurality of locations on the rotor. As a result, more straight separator bars may be mounted towards the front of the rotor providing the threshing system the capability of performing increased separation in the threshing process without interrupting the helical flow pattern of the crop material.

Abstract: A locking system for attaching a threshing and/or separating element to a mounting lug on a rotor of a threshing system of an agricultural combine, including a single bolt attachment with multiple points of contact between the element and the lug created by a convex portion extending from an inner surface of the threshing and/or separating element cooperatively engaged in a recessed portion of the mounting lug. The locking system resists loading conditions generated when the crop mat engages the element, prevents radially outward movement of the threshing and/or separating element relative to the mounting lug, and reduces the stress on the mounting hardware during harvesting operations.

Abstract: Combine threshing assemblies are provided. Combine threshing assemblies illustratively include a rotatable member having a cylindrical shaped outer surface. In some embodiments, a first and a second row of bars are secured to the cylindrical shaped outer surface. Each bar in the first row is illustratively distributed along the circumference of the cylindrical shaped outer surface such that each bar in the first row is separated from each other bar in the first row by an angle that is greater than forty-five degrees. Each bar in the second row is illustratively distributed along the circumference of the cylindrical shaped outer surface such that each bar in the second row is separated from each bar in the first row by at least half of the angle.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a threshing system of a combine provides effective grain threshing and separation, while doing so in a manner that conserves power and avoids usage spikes and the like, by providing at least two helical patterns of elements for threshing and separating, having a helical pitch that progressively changes by an advantageous extent, while spacing between adjacent ones of the elements of each pattern is held about constant.

Abstract: A locking system for attaching a threshing and/or separating element to a mounting lug on a rotor of a threshing system of an agricultural combine, including a single bolt attachment with multiple points of contact between the element and the lug created by a convex portion extending from an inner surface of the threshing and/or separating element cooperatively engaged in a recessed portion of the mounting lug. The locking system resists loading conditions generated when the crop mat engages the element, prevents radially outward movement of the threshing and/or separating element relative to the mounting lug, and reduces the stress on the mounting hardware during harvesting operations.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine includes a first rotating working member rotating about an axis; a non-rotating working member cooperatively associated with the first working member; and at least one releasable segment associated with the first rotating working member, forming an assembly and dismounting opening when the releasable segment is removed and wherein the assembly and dismounting opening creates an access to the non-rotating working member and additional adjacent working members.

Abstract: A composite threshing element, for a rotor in an agricultural harvester crop processing unit, comprising a hollow support structure with at least one outwardly extending crop engaging portion, and a forwardly extending infeed element attachment feature. The rotor comprises a drum to which crop processing elements for an infeed section and a threshing section are affixed. The threshing element is bolted to a frusto-conical portion of the rotor drum, with a portion of an infeed element bolting to the infeed element attachment feature.

Abstract: The rotary beater has a number of untwisted, flat, feeding plate segments angularly disposed about its periphery. The plates are arranged in a left-hand group and a right-hand group so oriented that they converge the crop material centrally as they feed and accelerate the crop material rearwardly toward and through the inlet of an axial flow threshing rotor assembly. The feeding segments of each group are arranged in diametrically opposed sets containing at least one segment each, and the sets of one group are offset circumferentially 90° from the sets of the other group. Each segment has a hardened crop-engaging face, and the segments are all detachably bolted to the drum of the beater to facilitate removal and replacement when worn or damaged.

Abstract: An auger for a combine includes a central tube having an outer cylindrical surface and having a first diameter; flighting extends from the outer surface of the central tube. The flighting has an outer edge. An auger diameter is defined as the diameter extending from a top edge of the flighting to the bottom edge of the flighting. The first diameter is approximately 25 percent of the outer diameter.

Abstract: An auger for a combine includes a central tube having an outer cylindrical surface and having a first diameter; flighting extends from the outer surface of the central tube. The flighting has an outer edge. An auger diameter is defined as the diameter extending from a top edge of the flighting to the bottom edge of the flighting. The first diameter is approximately 25 percent of the outer diameter.

Abstract: A combine harvester comprises a threshing and separating arrangement mounted to a main frame, which includes a generally cylindrical chamber having a generally longitudinal axis, and a separating concave assembly. The arrangement further includes a rotor assembly mounted for rotation in the chamber and comprising a generally cylindrical rotor body with a separating section associated with the separating concave assembly. This separating section comprises a plurality of longitudinal elements having a leading, generally longitudinally arranged crop engaging face and a plurality of transverse elements having a generally transversely arranged crop engaging edge. The transverse elements assist in preventing the roping of crop material between the rotor and the separating concave assembly.

Abstract: A rotary combine is equipped with a rotor that has a separating portion having at least one ramp segment mounted to the rotor. The ramp segments provide an inclined face that directs the grain radially outward as the ramp segments move through the crop material. The ramp segments are intermixed with tines on the separator section of the rotor. The ramp segments provide a face that is trapezoidal in shape, having inwardly inclined front and rear edges so that the radially distal edge of the face is shorter than the proximal edge of the face. The trapezoidal shape of the ramp segments assists the ramp segments in shedding crop material and thereby preventing the crop material from becoming entangled thereon.

Abstract: An improved threshing cylinder for a combine has an enclosed cylinder construction and rasp-type cylinder bars secured to mounting flanges on an outer periphery of the enclosed cylinder. The enclosed cylinder is substantially impervious to crop material so that debris cannot accumulate inside the cylinder during operation. The rasp-type cylinder bars are center-arched, deep-toothed, and have leading edges that slope rearwardly relative to a direction of rotation less than about 15 degrees from a radial line passing through the axis of rotation. The teeth on the rasp-type bars have a substantially constant height from a leading edge to a trailing edge of the bars. The mounting flanges each have a sloped front surface for guiding crop material outwardly to the rasp-type bars, and a mounting surface having a plurality of bores for attaching the rasp-type bars.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for an agricultural combine includes a rotor, a plurality of short thresher elements and a plurality of elongated thresher elements. The short thresher elements and a plurality of elongated thresher elements are arranged on the rotor so that the crop material contacts at least two short thresher elements before contacting an elongated element, thereby breaking up clumps of crop material before the clumps contact an elongated element. The agricultural combine has a rotor having a front portion, a rear portion a plurality of elongated thresher elements. Each elongated thresher element is aligned along a separate longitudinal line which extends from the front portion to the rear portion, to prevent a roll of material from building across multiple elongated thresher elements.

Abstract: A threshing element for an axial flow combine comprising a chromium steel alloy rasp bar. The rasp bar is cast of chromium-moly white cast iron with an inclined front face with a slope of about 52.5°. The cast iron contains 18% to 23% chromium. The rasp bar walls are about 15 mm thick.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a chopper for breaking up stalks such as straw, being provided with a chopper housing in which a rotor equipped with cutting tools and a driver are housed, and which a knife beam with counter blades is positioned. The cutting tools are equipped with slits for entrance of counter blades and are positioned to swivel on axles parallel to the rotor axle, with front edges of the cutting tools operating together with front edges of stationary countercutters.

Abstract: A crop-engaging angle member is mounted on the outer forward end of each of the crop-engaging paddles of a combine header auger to assist in conveying crop material rearwardly towards the intake end of the feederhouse of the combine.

Abstract: The crop engaging element of the present invention is a hollow structure having a smooth curved convex top portion which terminates in a concave trough before extending into a radially extending lip. The hollow structure is provided with sidewalls and a rear wall. The sidewalls extend upwardly to enclose the sides of the trough. The element is provided with leading and trailing mounting flanges for mounting the element to the exterior surface of a combine rotor.

Abstract: In a combine harvester comprising a separating device which operates by the axial flow method, a chopping device which operates by the axial flow method designed in such a way that the components of the separating rotor's chopping device can be replaced in a very simple manner and are kept to a minimum. In the combine harvester according to the invention, the impact teeth, arranged in a spirally or helically extending row, form a one-piece impact tooth functional part which can be replaced as one single piece. One-piece filler bodies located between the individual rows of impact teeth are provided with cutting channels which are entered by the chopper blades on rotation of the rotor. The impact teeth are also provided with cutting grooves to reduce the length of the chopped material. The combine harvester is particularly designed for harvesting cereal.

Abstract: A combine harvester has a cutterbar, a feed conveyor for transporting a mowing product, a threshing mechanism arranged after the feed conveyor, a separating device arranged after the threshing mechanism and including a separating rotor provided with peripheral transporting elements and a housing surrounding the separating rotor and having an upper cover hood and a lower separating basket, the transporting elements of the separating rotor being provided within a predetermined region of a transporting path with radial slots, at least one of the cover hood and the separating basket being provided with deflector elements for guidance of a threshing product, the housing having a trough with an inner side which faces the separating rotor and being provided on the inner side with guiding elements which operationally correspond to the deflector elements and which are interrupted in a region of the slots.

Abstract: A grain combine with an improved threshing cage surface achieves greater separation efficiency without increasing the length of the threshing section. The invention utilizes rings mounted to the interior surface of a perforated screen. The rings are transversely secured to a helical vane which is used to guide the crop material rearwardly through the threshing section. The rings interrupt the grain sliding rearward by forcing the grain to bounce over the rings. Since the grain does not penetrate the straw when it bounces over the rings, this invention creates greater separation by decreasing the velocity of the grain so that it may pass more easily through the perforations in the screen. The rings also agitate the grain that is mixed with the straw to allow the grain to penetrate outward toward the perforations in the screen.

Abstract: A rasp bar assembly for a threshing cylinder includes a single backing plate for carrying a plurality of rasp bars thereacross. The rasp bars are separated by a region of discontinuity for allowing the backing plate to flex without breaking the rasp bars attached thereto. Each of the rasp bars are provided with a toothed surface and a mounting surface, a front edge and a back edge, and at least one end which is angled obliquely to the front and back edge and parallel to the teeth.

Abstract: A thresher element adapted for securement to a combine rotor for threshing crop materials. The thresher element has a generally L-shaped configuration including first and second portions which angle away from each other. The second portion of each thresher element is configured to impact with crop materials moving therepast while the first portion deflects crop material from impacting with thresher element mountings on the rotor. The first and second portions of the thresher elements are each provided with a smooth outer material engaging surface extending thereover to inhibit abrading action between the crop material and the thresher elements. The smooth outer material engaging surface extending over the second portion of the thresher element preferably has a curved configuration. A smooth spike can extend outwardly from the second portion of the thresher element to facilitate handling of crop material during the threshing process.

Abstract: An agricultural combine having a transverse threshing cylinder and a pair of axial separator units wherein the angle flighting on the rasp bars of the threshing cylinder are arranged to assist in directing the harvested crop material to the inlets of the axial separator units during a threshing operation. The left hand and right hand angled flighting sections assist in forming two crop streams that are aligned with the inlets for the axial separator units.

Abstract: An axial-flow combine with an improved rotor assembly which is configured to be less sensitive to crop material conditions. The rotor assembly includes a rotor casing with a rotor rotatably arranged therewithin. At its forward end, the rotor casing is provided with a transition section having a forward crop receiving end and an aft end. The rotor is provided with an impeller section which leads in a downstream direction to a threshing section. The impeller section of the rotor includes a plurality of impeller blades arranged within the transition section of the rotor assembly. A rearward end of each blade terminates upstream of the aft end of the transition section whereby allowing threshing instrumentalities on the threshing section of the rotor to extend into the transition section thereby extending the threshing area of the rotor thus enhancing crop material flow through the rotor assembly.