Abstract: A system of chopping and spreading residue for an agricultural combine comprises a chopper disposed in front of a residue accelerator at the rear of an agricultural combine. The chopper is disposed to receive crop residue from a threshing and separating section of the combine and to chop that residue into smaller portions, the residue accelerator is disposed behind the chopper to receive the chopped crop residue from the chopper, and to accelerate it.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for distributing crop material onto a cleaning sieve of an agricultural combine. The method includes providing a sensor in connection with a controller, the sensor senses information representative of grain associated with a crop material distributor and an inclination angle associated with the crop material distributor, and outputs signals representative of grain associated with a crop material distributor and an inclination angle associated with the crop material distributor to the controller. The method provides the crop material distributor for distributing crop material from a threshing system onto a sieve. The controller determines information representative of grain associated with a crop material distributor and an inclination angle associated with at least one of the crop material distributor and the combine. The method includes outputting signals for operable control of operating parameters associated with the crop material distributor and the sieve.

Abstract: A concave for an agricultural combine includes a frame having curved members, and angle members each having opposite ends, a corner segment, a straight threshing segment including a threshing edge, and a straight separating segment having a separating grate. Each of the opposite ends of each of the angle members is non-destructively held in a respective one of a plurality of corresponding angle slots of the curved members. The angle members extend between the curved members, are spaced from one another and extend axially between the curved members forming openings therebetween for grain to pass through, the threshing edge of each one of the angle members is adjacent to top edges of the respective curved members, and the separating grate of each one of the angle members extends across an adjacent one of the openings for separating grain from threshed crop material.

Abstract: A concave for an agricultural combine includes first and second frames connected together for movement between closed and open positions. The first frame includes curved members axially spaced from one another, and bars each movable between a first position removably connected to the first frame and a second position detached from the first frame, wherein the bars are spaced from one another and extend axially between the curved members forming openings therebetween for grain to pass through in the first position of each of the bars. The second frame restricts movement of each of the bars between the first and second positions in the closed position of the first and second frames, and the second frame allows movement of each of the bars between the first and second positions in the open position of the first and second frames.

Abstract: A screen for a shredder machine has a shape that avoids clogging of the materials being processed through the shredder. The screen has a pair of mounting plates that are connected to the shredder with one mounting plate attached toward the top of the rotor and the other mounting plate attached toward the bottom of the rotor and extending the entire length of the rotor. Arcuate ribs are attached to and extend between the mounting plates, and a grid is attached to the ribs.

Abstract: A chopper assembly for harvesting equipment including a rotary chopper device with a plurality of knives and a cylindrical chopper grate assembly spaced from the rotary chopper to form a passageway for crop residue. The chopper grate assembly includes a plurality of slots extending in the direction of crop residue flow. A knife bank assembly includes a plurality of knife elements aligned with and insertable in the slots with the knife bank assembly being displaceable toward and between a position where the bank knife elements are fully inserted through the slots into the passageway and a position where they are substantially clear of the passageway. A deflector is provided for covering the slots and the deflector is displaceable with the knife elements to uncover the slots as the knife elements are displaced through the slots and into the passageway.

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 grain turner for turning grain in a drying tower includes opposed generally vertical side walls and a generally vertical dividing plate (which is shorter than the side walls) extending between the side walls; the dividing plate defining inner and an outer vertical channels in a portion of the turner. An inner inclined plate is pivotally connected to one side wall to be within the inner channel and an outer inclined plate is connected to the other side wall to be within the outer channel. The inclined plates are pivotal between a first position in which they are inclined downwardly in a opposite widthwise directions and a second position in which they are generally adjacent their respective side walls. The inclined plates have a length such that when they are in the first position, their lower edges are proximate a bottom of the divider plate.

Abstract: A beater (17) for use in a combine harvester in which harvested crop is fed as a number of separate streams towards a threshing and/or separating rotor (21) which rotates within a housing (20) about an axis disposed generally longitudinally relative to the combine. The beater rotates about an axis generally transverse relative to the combine and is divided asymmetrically along its length into a number of sections (A1, B1,C1) corresponding to the number of streams of crop, each section of the beater having differently angled crop feeding members (17a,17b,17c) which direct crop towards a crop steam.

Abstract: A beater (17) for use in a combine harvester in which harvested crop is fed as a number of separate streams towards a threshing and/or separating rotor (21) which rotates within a housing (20) about an axis disposed generally longitudinally relative to the combine. The beater rotates about an axis generally transverse relative to the combine and is divided asymmetrically along its length into a number of sections (A1, B1,C1) corresponding to the number of streams of crop each section of the beater having differently angled crop feeding members (17a,17b,17c) which direct crop towards a crop steam.

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: 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: 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: A beater for an agricultural combine comprises an open rotor frame mounted on a drive shaft. The open frame defines a cylindrical periphery to which are mounted transversely extending mounting plates. Adjacent mounting plates define mounting channels. Replaceable crop-engaging blades are mounted in the mounting channels. The mounting plates are provided with a first upturned portion and a second upturned portion. Each replaceable blade is provided with a crop engaging portion and an integral mounting portion. The crop engaging portion of the replaceable blades is provided with first and second mounting lips. The first and second mounting lips respectively engage first and second edges on the first and second upturned portions to prevent rotation of the replaceable blade. The crop engaging portion of the replaceable blade extends outwardly from the mounting channel to engage the crop. Open gaps in the mounting channel are formed between adjacent replaceable blades.

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: A beater for an agricultural combine comprises an open rotor frame mounted on a drive shaft. The open frame defines a cylindrical periphery to which are mounted transversely extending mounting plates. Adjacent mounting plates define mounting channels. Replaceable crop-engaging blades are mounted in the mounting channels. The mounting plates are provided with a first upturned portion and a second upturned portion. Each replaceable blade is provided with a crop engaging portion and an integral mounting portion. The crop engaging portion of the replaceable blades is provided with first and second mounting lips. The first and second mounting lips respectively engage first and second edges on the first and second upturned portions to prevent rotation of the replaceable blade. The crop engaging portion of the replaceable blade extends outwardly from the mounting channel to engage the crop. Open gaps in the mounting channel are formed between adjacent replaceable blades.

Abstract: A combine includes a housing enclosing a rotary separator. The rotary separator's discharge area is built such that the quality of the chopped crops is improved and a continuous discharge of crops is guaranteed. Guiding devices in the area of the axial-flow chopping device and on the inside of the housing's cover are designed such that the half of the guiding devices which are located in front of the chopping knives are essentially perpendicular to the pivotal axis of the rotary separator. In the area of the chopping knives, the housing is designed as a swiveling shutter so that the annular gap, located between the rotary separator and the housing, can be narrowed by the swiveling shutter.

Abstract: A crop processing arrangement (28) is proposed with a cylindrical rotor housing (42), an eccentric axle (44) rotatively supported in bearings therein and tines (46) rotatively supported in bearings on the eccentric axle (44). The transverse inclination of the tines can be varied by shifting the axial position of the eccentric axle relative to the cylindrical rotor housing. In this way a loosening and sideways movement of the crop conveyed by the tines (46) is attained with a relatively simple mechanism.

Abstract: A harvester thresher has a threshing mechanism, a separating device operating in accordance with the principle of an axial flow and having a separating rotor provided with transporting elements and a housing surrounding the separating rotor, at least one receiving axle, a chopping device associated with the separating device for chopping a straw. The chopping device is formed as an axial flow chopping device and is located inside a region of a transporting path of the separating rotor. The transporting elements of the separating rotor are provided for chopping with outwardly open radial slots. The chopping device has a plurality of chopping cutters arranged on the receiving axle at a distance from one another in a circumferential path of the transporting elements so that each of the chopping cutters is located for a cutting process for a short time inside a respective one of the radial slots.

Abstract: A beater bar assembly for use in a threshing machine. The beater bar assembly is formed of a chute assembly and interfitting, horizontally oriented, rotating cylindrical drum having a plurality of extending teeth forming racks of combs. The chute assembly contains a collection sump which serves as a rock trap. The rotating drum teeth comb through the incoming plant material, batting entrained rocks and other debris into the collection sump, and accelerating the remaining plant material through the chute and into the threshing assembly of the machine.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a beater for a combine having a hollow drum having a triangular cross section with first, second and third apexes that define the first, second and third wings of the beater. Identical first, second and third members are mounted to the triangular drum at the apexes. Each of the members have upturned ends that are joined together to form fourth, fifth and sixth apexes which define the fourth, fifth and sixth wings of the beater.

Abstract: The apparatus for harvesting crops, particularly seed crops, comprises a mobile support structure 20 and a crop stripping device in the form of a rotor 30, which may be attached to height adjustable arms and is driven by drive means 22. The rotor 30 carries transverse rows of crop engaging elements 32 comprising loosening beaters and/or combing teeth. The drive to the rotor is so arranged that during forward movement of the apparatus the crop engaging elements 32 are propelled progressively through the crop, moving upwards at the front region. Seeds and other plant parts detached by the action of the rotor are impelled into a crop flow passage 27 under a crop guide cover 21. A transverse auger 83 transfers the detached material into a duct 84 where an elevator 85 moves it over a screen 86 for separation of the seeds. The coarse crop material is directed for further processing to recover remaining seeds.