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 thresher basket arrangement for a combine with a thresher basket and with a harvested crop processing arrangement located ahead of the inlet to the thresher basket which includes a body with a first group of projections and a second group of projections arranged on the surface of the body, where the body can be pivoted about a pivot axis extending along the inlet side of the thresher basket between a first position in which the projections of the first group interact with the harvested crop and a second position in which a smooth guide surface interacts with the harvested crop. The body is provided with a consistent shape at least in the area of the smooth guide surface and of the projections of the first group and that it is spaced at the same distance from the pivot axis in the area of the smooth guide surface and of the projections of the first group.

Abstract: A knife blade cover for converting the rotary chopper element of an integral chopper assembly of a combine harvester to operate as a beater instead of as a chopping construction, which knife blade cover includes a cover member mountable over one or more mounted assemblies of the rotary chopper element of an integral chopper assembly of a combine harvester, which mounted assemblies include a mounting lug and one or more blades fixedly attached thereto, to envelop such mounted assemblies within the cover member while presenting to the residue flowing through the integral chopper assembly a relatively broad and blunt surface that acts to beat, instead of chopping, such residue, and connection hardware for mounting the cover member to the rotary chopper element. A plurality of knife blade covers may be provided with connection hardware as a kit for converting the rotary chopper element to operate as a beater construction.

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 remote adjustment mechanism for the louvered cleaning elements of a combine harvester has a linearly movable output member directly fastened to the adjusting bar of each element. The actuator is driven by an electric motor. Calibration and feedback of the louver opening is provided by a pair of non-contact sensors sealed in the actuator housing. A first sensor sends a signal to a microprocessor controller when the output member is in a home position corresponding to a known louver opening. The second sensor sends a signal to the microprocessor that is responsive to movement of the output member. By tracking the movement of the output member from the home position, the current position of the output member is known from which the louver opening is determined based on the louver geometry.

Abstract: A rotary combine includes a rotor having a longitudinal axis of rotation and a concave removably mounted adjacent the rotor. The concave assembly includes a longitudinally extending frame having first and second sides spaced circumferentially around the rotor. Each of the first and second sides is transversely moveable relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. A method for adjusting the position of the concave assembly is provided and includes moving at least one of the first and second sides of the frame in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A method for replacing the concave insert of a rotary combine. The rotary combine includes a rotor having a longitudinal axis of rotation and a concave removably mounted adjacent the rotor. The concave is removable in a direction outwardly transverse relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. In a preferred embodiment, a concave assembly includes a longitudinally extending frame having first and second sides spaced circumferentially around the rotor. Each of the first and second sides is transversely moveable relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. A concave insert is removably mounted to the frame.

Abstract: A rotary combine includes a rotor having a longitudinal axis of rotation and a concave removably mounted adjacent the rotor. The concave is removable in a direction outwardly transverse relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. In a preferred embodiment, a concave assembly includes a longitudinally extending frame having first and second sides spaced circumferentially around the rotor. Each of the first and second sides is transversely moveable relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. A concave insert is removably mounted to the frame. A method for adjusting the position of the concave assembly is also provided and includes moving at least one of the first and second sides of the frame in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation. A method for replacing the concave insert is also provided.

Abstract: A rotary combine includes a rotor having a longitudinal axis of rotation and a concave removably mounted adjacent the rotor. The concave is removable in a direction outwardly transverse relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. In a preferred embodiment, a concave assembly includes a longitudinally extending frame having first and second sides spaced circumferentially around the rotor. Each of the first and second sides is transversely moveable relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. A concave insert is removably mounted to the frame. A method for adjusting the position of the concave assembly is also provided and includes moving at least one of the first and second sides of the frame in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation. A method for replacing the concave insert is also provided.

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: 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 rotating cylinder is used with a complementary fixed concave in a combine to separate grain from the leafy portion of the plant. The elongated cylinder is comprised of a plurality of aligned star-shaped hubs disposed in a spaced manner along its length. An elongated, linear raspbar is attached to each "point" of the aligned star-shaped hubs and extends the length of the cylinder for engaging and urging the plant against the concave and separating the grain from the plant's leafy portion. A flat elongated filler plate is disposed between each pair of adjacent raspbars for preventing the grain and crop residue from entering the hollow cylinder and for displacing the grain and crop residue rearwardly along the concave where it is discharged onto another combine grain processing and separation stage. The flat profile of the filler's plate prevents the grain and crop residue from remaining on the surface of the rotating cylinder for improved grain threshing.

Abstract: The present invention has a wrist connector connected to a conventional slat connection member. An electrically activated liner actuator which includes a linearly movable shaft is connected to the wrist connector to move the slat connection member fore or aft. The actuator is electrically controlled from an electrical control box located in the cab. Further, the actuator provides an electrical signal output responsive to the linear position of the shaft. This output signal is directed to the control box which has a meter driven by this output signal to provide a visual indication of how far the openings are opened or closed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a concave latch mechanism for an agricultural combine. The invention consists of concave surrounding a rotor. The concave has a concave pin and an adjust pin. The adjust pin is inserted into a support slot located in the frame. The concave pin is inserted into a handle also located on the frame. The handle has a lever which orients a curved cradle plate which supports the concave pin. When the lever is released, the cradle plate correctly orients the concave pin with the handle. The concave pin enters the cradle plate through an aperture. The aperture can have a sloped lead-in which assists in the positioning of the concave pin. The handle can also have an isolation mount between a portion of the handle and the frame. This isolation mount helps minimize vibrational noise from the rotor.

Abstract: A combine rotor assembly and method of using the same are provided. The rotor assembly is characterized by a cylindrical drum having an outer peripheral surface. A plurality of helical or spiral shaped threshing groups are attached to the outer peripheral surface and extend substantially the length of the drum. Each of the curved threshing members making up a helical group are placed end to end resulting in a continuous and uninterrupted spiral or helical pattern. A plurality of straight threshing members are attached to the outer peripheral of the drum. The straight threshing members are interspersed between the helical or spiral groups in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows. The rows may be arranged in alternating fashion resulting in a staggered appearance.

Abstract: A threshing assembly is provided for a combine having a frame mounted on wheels and a longitudinal axis. The threshing assembly is formed from a threshing rotor disposed within a perforated threshing cage. At least one helical vane, formed of high strength plastic, mounts to the interior of the threshing cage and extends along the length of the threshing cage. The radial height of the vane is graduated along the length of the threshing cage from the forward end to the rearward end for threshing of different size grain crop. Rasp bars of the threshing rotor also have heights that increase along the length of the threshing rotor, from the forward end to the rearward end, to correspond to the decrease in height of the vanes.

Abstract: A turning drum of self-propelling harvester thresher is arranged after a threshing mechanism and has a closed casing with a plurality of rows of ribs extending parallel to a rotary axis of the drum. The ribs are inclined by substantially 20.degree.-40.degree. relative to a traveling direction of the harvester thresher. Thereby, the grains which strike against the inclined ribs are deviated, and as a result their striking energy is reduced and the grain breakage is prevented.

Abstract: A combination of cylinder bars used with a backing plate for mounting on different lengths of threshing cylinders. The cylinders used with different models of combines for the threshing of grain, chaff and straw. The combination of cylinder bars includes a forward cylinder bar, a reverse cylinder bar and a center cylinder bar. The center cylinder bar is characterized by having both a forward and a reverse tooth configuration. Also, the center cylinder bar may be of various lengths depending on the length of the cylinder. Opposite side portions of the backing plate are bent to match the threshing cylinder radius. The backing plate includes bolt holes to match bolt holes on cylinder flanges on the threshing cylinder. Bolts are used to secure the backing plate to the cylinder. The three cylinder bars are mounted on a top portion of the backing plate. The top portion of the backing plate includes bolt holes to match the configuration of the bolt holes in the forward, reverse and center cylinder bar.

Abstract: A crop straw flow disruption device for installation on a cylindrical grain separation grate of a crop harvesting machine includes a top member adapted for installation on an interior side of the grate, a bottom member adapted for installation on an exterior side of the grate, and a fastener for releasably clamping the top member and bottom member respectively against the interior and exterior sides of the grate and adjacent to one another through an opening in the grate. The top member includes an upright crop engaging portion extending upwardly and outwardly from the interior side of the grate so as to project across and interrupt the path of flow of crop straw about the interior side of the grate to disrupt the occurrence of intertwining of crop straw and thereby the formation and discharge of an elongated rope of crop straw on a harvested field.

Abstract: A disc-type rotor assembly for a threshing machine in which threshing teeth are maintained in their preferred generally radial direction by spacers which are inserted between the rotor discs and extend the full circumferential length between threshing teeth mounting locations on the rotor discs.

Abstract: A threshing rotor for an agricultural combine. The threshing rotor comprises an elongated drum having a generally cylindrical outer wall defining a smooth outer surface or skin extending along the length of the drum and having a plurality of straps or bands circumferentially arranged about and disposed along the outer wall of the rotor. Each band or strap has at least one threshing element connected thereto. A clamp mechanism releasably secures each strap against the outer wall of the drum and permits the strap and the threshing element connected thereto to be quickly replaced and/or shifted relative to adjacent threshing elements carried by adjacent straps. The threshing rotor further includes stops provided on opposite sides of each strap to inhibit longitudinal shifting of the strap along the outer wall of the rotor during a threshing operation.

Abstract: A combine with a rotor assembly having an impeller at a forward end and a cylindrical drum axially extending from the impeller. The rotor assembly is provided with a series of thresher elements secured about the circumference of the rotor in generally helical arrays and is provided with a plurality of linearly extended thresher elements each having a smooth outer material engaging surface and which are secured about that end of the drum adjacent the impeller. When the rotor assembly is operated, the plurality of linearly extended thresher elements form a paddle like mechanism which extends to a forward end of the rotor assembly to offer enhanced control over the abundance of material being threshed at a forward end of the rotor assembly while simultaneously minimizing damage to the crop thereby maximizing the farmer's profit.

Abstract: An axial flow combine rotor has an exterior surface, a checkerboard pattern of multiple spaced-apart attachment sites, and a checkerboard pattern of multiple spaced-apart threshing elements in criss-crossing helical rows defining continuous helical criss-crossing paths extending from an entry end to a discharge end of the rotor. The axial flow rotor additionally incorporates helical threshing extension members in its forward threshing area which are substituted for, and occupy the locations of, at least pairs of single-sited threshing elements on the rotor. The extension members are installed in pairs in order to maintain rotor balance. Each extension member replaces at least two of the original single-sited threshing elements of the checkerboard pattern. Each of the helical threshing extension members is installed in one of the helical rows in the forward threshing area of the rotor, connected to and spanning between at least a pair of the multiple spaced attachment sites.

Abstract: A combine for cutting and threshing grain has an axial flow threshing drum. A feeder head mounts to the forward end of the threshing drum. Impellers on the feeder head push grain into the threshing drum housing and also provide threshing. Rasp bars on the feeder head thresh the crop prior to reaching the threshing drum while pushing the crop through perforations in the feeder housing. The feeder housing and threshing drum housing rotate, but at a slower speed than the threshing drum. A brake will prevent the threshing drum housing from rotating at an excessive speed. Clearances between the threshing drum and threshing drum housing, and clearances between the feeder head rasp bars and feeder housing, ca be adjusted for different crop conditions.

Abstract: A rotor for a rotary threshing combine which is readily adjustable to provide a great variety of threshing patterns to suit the particular crops and conditions of use. The rotor drum has a plurality of mounting lugs affixed thereto in an array that includes longitudinal, circumferential, and helical rows. A variety of differently shaped threshing elements, each designed for efficient operation under particular conditions, is provided and said elements are selectively and interchangeably and releasably connectable to the mounting lugs.