Abstract: An agricultural combine having an adjustable spreader assembly is provided that includes a spreader with one or a pair of regulators. The spreader includes a discharge opening about its lateral side. The regulator is pivotably connected to the lateral side of the spreader such that the regulator is in fluid communication with the discharge opening. The regulator can be configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position or to vary the direction of discharge of crop residue. The spreader can be a vertical spreader, a horizontal spreader, or a spread board.

Abstract: A flow distribution system for use with a combine spreader having an inlet opening at the top thereof for receiving crop residue, a pair of counter-rotating spreader paddles disposed generally side by side and forward of a back plate of the spreader, and a discharge opening below the spreader paddles. A flow guide element has an apex portion and a pair of opposed arm portions pivotally connected to the apex portion, the arm portions laterally extending to free end portions. An adjusting mechanism is operably connected to the arm portions to effect rotational movement of the arm portions about the apex portion, ends of spreader paddle members defining the outer swept diameters of the pair of spreader paddles and the crop residue flow surfaces of at least the arm portions defining clearance regions therebetween to controllably distribute crop residue in a desired pattern over a field.

Abstract: A combine harvester, with a separating mechanism from which a first crop stream can go optionally to a straw chopper in a chopping operating mode or bypass the straw chopper in a straw deposit mode and be placed as a swath on the ground of a field, a cleaning mechanism, from which a second crop residue stream in the chopping mode and in the straw deposit mode can be taken to the straw chopper, and a guide mechanism that is arranged downstream from the straw chopper and can move optionally between a straw depositing position and a chopping position.

Abstract: An agricultural machine having at least one crop processing work unit, a plurality of crop transport units operatively assembled as a straw walker step, wherein the crop transport units convey crop streams in opposite directions and are spaced apart defining a crop through-gap, and a cleaning device having a forced-draught fan before the cleaning device, further comprising an exhaust fan located after the cleaning device, wherein the transport units are located between the forced-draught fan and the exhaust fan, wherein an air stream is produced by the forced-draught fan and the exhaust fan and is directed from the forced-draught fan to the exhaust fan, and wherein the air stream improves a cleaning process in the straw walker through-gap of the straw walker step.

Abstract: A combine comprises a separating assembly defining a first crop residue stream and a cleaning assembly having a second crop residue stream. The first crop residue stream is directed to a straw chopper in a chopping mode and around the straw chopper in a straw swath disposition mode. The second crop residue stream is directed to the straw chopper in both modes. A conveying device conveys the second crop residue stream to the straw chopper. The conveying device feeds the second crop stream mechanically and separates it in two partial streams which are fed into the straw chopper. The conveying device has a transversely extending rotational axis parallel to the rotational axis of the straw chopper.

Abstract: A crop chopper arrangement generally comprises a discharge apparatus having an inlet adapted to receive chopped crop from a crop chopper for an agricultural machine. The arrangement further includes a row of guide vanes positioned substantially transversely to a longitudinal axis of the agricultural machine and adapted to spread out a flow of the chopped crop from the discharge apparatus in a direction substantially rearwards to a direction of travel of the agricultural machine. One or more of the guide vanes has a shape or configuration that is adapted to impart a predetermined deviation to at least a portion of a flow of chopped crop passing through said discharge apparatus. The shape or configuration of each guide vane is dependent on its transverse position in the row. This arrangement makes it possible to realize an even distribution of the chopped crop over the full width of the harvester header.

Abstract: A straw and chaff chopper is mounted at the rear hood of a combine harvester and includes a housing with a feed opening and a discharge opening and a rotor mounted in the housing comprising a hub with a plurality of blades mounted on the hub for chopping the fed materials and accelerating the chopped materials for discharge. A tailboard has a plurality of guide fins arranged relative to the housing so as to receive the chopped materials from the discharge opening to engage onto a guide surface and guide fins of the tailboard construction for spreading of the chopped materials. The tailboard is divided longitudinally into first and second separate tailboard portions, each arranged to receive a portion of the chopped materials and each being adjustable in angle to raise and lower independently of the other so as to provide a different spreading effect on the portion received thereon. Fins on the portions prevent the materials entering the gap. Adjustment on the go from the cab can be provided.

Abstract: A combine harvester has a husk discharge device mounted downstream from a sieving unit, and a blower mounted in a housing having at least one husk discharge opening, and a straw chopping device, which is located downstream from a straw shaking device and the husk discharge device and which has a rotary cutter mounted in a housing to chop the straw, the housing having an inlet for the unchopped straw and an outlet for the chopped straw. A guide means is located upstream of the straw chopping device, the guide means being displaceable between a first position for closing the inlet so as to effect bypassing of the straw chopping device and allowing deposition of the unchopped straw in the form of strings, and a second position in which is exposed the inlet to allow chopping of straw. A spreading device for spreading of the chopped straw received from the straw chopping device is connected to the outlet thereof and is formed with spreader wings.

Abstract: A combine comprising a separator feeds straw to a discharge assembly. An adjustable straw guide is adjusted by a motor that is controlled by a controller. The controller receives signals from a sensor that senses the transverse distribution of the straw. The adjustable straw guide is positioned between the separator and the discharge assembly. The sensor is arranged to detect the straw upstream of the outlet of the discharge assembly.

Abstract: A multiple finger flow guide for a crop residue spreader including an element disposed in a housing and rotatable in a predetermined direction about an axis for driving a flow of crop residue through a discharge opening or outlet of the housing located at a predetermined angular position around the axis.

Abstract: A stalk and chaff distribution arrangement in an agricultural harvesting machine having a chopping device arranged in a discharge region of the machine includes first and second blowers arranged adjacent to each other in the discharge region and each blower having a rotary shaft, a crop inlet opening, and a crop outlet opening; a crop dividing plate associated with the first and second blowers, the crop dividing plate having an apex and first and second diverging arms, said apex arranged in the direction opposite a crop flow from the chopping device to the blowers; and a first adjustable partial casing moveably associated the first blower and adjoining the first diverging arm, said first adjustable partial casing arranged circumferentially with the first blower; whereby a direction of the crop flow from the crop outlet of the first blower is changed when the first adjustable partial casing is moved.

Abstract: A distribution device for straw chopper comprising a guide arrangement, a motor for the positioning the guide arrangement and a control arrangement for controlling the motor. At least one position input device is coupled to the control arrangement. The control arrangement can be operated selectively in a first operating mode and a second operating mode. The first operating mode is activated by the actuation of the position input device for a time interval less than a predetermined threshold value, and the second operating mode is activated by the actuation of the position input device for a time interval greater than the predetermined threshold value. In the first operating mode the guide arrangement is brought into a predetermined position and in the second operating mode the guide arrangement is moved as long as the position input device is actuated.

Abstract: A chopper arrangement for a harvesting machine comprises a body that is rotated in a predominantly vertical axis of rotation. The body is provided with a plurality of radially extending knives that are axially distributed along the body. The knives have radially outer ends that are arranged in a conical shape. In this way the knives at the first end having a smallest radial extension are rotated at a slower circumferential speed than knives having a larger radial extension.

Abstract: A crop residue chopper and spreader for an agricultural combine. The chopper and spreader includes a disk mounted for rotation in a predetermined rotational direction about an axis oriented horizontally or at a small acute angle to horizontal, the disk including at least one radially outwardly extending impeller having a radial outermost periphery. The chopper and spreader includes a housing at least partially containing the disk and including an upwardly facing inlet opening located generally above the disk for receiving a flow of crop residue from a threshing mechanism of the combine, and a radially facing discharge opening located generally below the disk for discharging the flow of crop residue. The chopper and spreader additionally includes cutting elements mounted on the housing and on the radially outermost periphery of the at least one impeller cooperable for cutting the crop residue when passing through the housing from the inlet opening to the discharge opening.

Abstract: A mult-tier crop residue flow guide for a rotary crop residue spreader of an agricultural combine including an element disposed in a housing and rotatable in a predetermined direction about an axis which is oriented horizontally or at a small acute angle to horizontal for driving a flow of crop residue through a discharge opening of the housing located at a predetermined angular position around the axis, the flow guide including at least two guide surfaces or tiers having inlet ends disposed in at least generally axially side by side relation adjacent to the discharge opening in position for directing portions of the flow of crop residue in generally the predetermined direction radially outwardly.

Abstract: A chaff distributor for a combine harvester or similar for the distribution of chaff, the chaff distributor (6) possesses a trough (8) with a conveyor screw (9) supported drivably therein.

Abstract: A straw chopper with a housing having a chopping region and a discharge region, a chopping and conveying element and a distributor having several guide vanes for the transverse dispersal of the chopped straw, wherein the discharge region of the housing can be pivoted about a first axis relative to the chopping region of the housing and chopped straw is conducted by the conveying element past the chopping and the discharge regions in the direction toward the guide vanes. Choppers such as this are applied to harvesting machines such as combines, in order to distribute chopped straw on a field. In order to attain an optimum transverse distribution of the straw and to be able to bring the distributor into a favorable position for transport on the road, it is proposed that the distributor be arranged so as to be able to pivot relative to the chopping region of the housing, separately from the discharge region of the housing.

Abstract: Conventional agricultural combines are equipped with straw walkers for separating grain entrapped in the threshed crop mat. A rotary separator having two transverse rotors arranged one behind the other is positioned above the straw walkers. The rotors can be driven in the same or in opposite directions and are provided with tines for penetrating the crop mat. The tines are rotatively mounted to an eccentric axle located in the rotor housing.

Abstract: A straw and chaff spreading assembly consisting of a left spreader plate having a plurality of spreader fins fixedly attached thereto, a right spreader plate, having a plurality of spreader fins fixedly attached thereto, left spreader plate rotating means capable of rotatably mounting and upwardly angularly accelerating the left spreader plate, right spreader plate rotating means capable of rotatably mounting and downwardly angularly accelerating the right spreader plate; and, an oblongated straw and chaff deflecting shield fixedly mounted upon the rearward end of the harvester combine and positioned forward of the axes of rotation of the left and right spreader plates.

Abstract: A system for processing freshly picked ears of sweet corn in the field. In the preferred embodiment, a portable, towable processing machine having an on-board hydraulic power system includes a hopper for receiving whole ears, a husking bed for removing the husks, a bucket elevator for raising the husked ears to an upper level, a plurality of kernel cutting machines for cutting kernels from the ears, scalping beds for separating cut kernels from cutting debris, and a hopper for receiving and storing the cut corn and for delivering it to another vehicle or receptacle. The ears and kernels are moved through the machine by an integrated system of conveyors and bucket elevators. The conveyors and the cutting machines are so arranged that a stream of ears is recirculated past entrances to the machines, which are arranged in parallel flow so that any ear may be presented for kernel removal to any cutting machine. Ears enter the first available cutting machine they encounter.

Abstract: An agricultural combine having an enlarged cleaning area for enhancing the handling capacity of the machine without increasing the outside configuration thereof. The agricultural combine includes an elongated walled body arranged about and along an elongated separating mechanism. The combine further includes a cleaning station having a generally horizontal sieve disposed below the separating station so as to directly receive materials passing therefrom. The cleaning station further includes a blower assembly for directing a pressurized stream of air from an outlet end upwardly through the sieve thereby effecting a further cleaning function of the grain. The clean grain passing through the cleaning station falls into a clean grain area from whence an elevator transports the clean to grain an enhanced holding tank defined within the walled body of the combine.

Abstract: An apparatus connectable toward a downstream end of an agricultural combine for uniformly distributing residue material over a broad area. The apparatus is rotatable within a housing and about an axis extending generally parallel to a longuitudinal axis of the combine for distributing residue material from opposite sides of the combine. In those combines that use a cleaning system including a blower for directing a stream of air rearwardly toward a discharge end of the combine, the apparatus of the present invention accepts the stream of cleaning air from the blower and redirects or turns the air along with the residue material entrained therewith outwardly from opposite sides of the combine to broadly distribute the residue under the influence of an air flow thereby projecting the residue material over a broad area with uniformity.

Abstract: A distributing device for a chopper, in particular attachment chopper for harvester thresher, has several motor-adjustable guiding plates arranged in a deviating housing for guiding a chopped product, and a measuring device for determination of a wind direction and a wind speed. In order to compensate for wind influences on the exiting chopped product, the guiding plates are automatically adjustable in dependence on the measuring value of the measuring device in a corresponding direction so as to produce an asymmetric guiding plate adjustment relative to the longitudinal direction of the chopper or harvester thresher and/or to vary the total spreading width.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved chopper for use with a harvester-thresher having a straw and chaff spreader for delivering a portion of the chopped straw rearwards to the ground and for delivering a portion of the chopped straw to a Kirby type or similar straw and chaff spreader. The chopper comprises a chopper housing, a knife bar, a flail, a drive means, a plurality of first outlets arranged in the bottom wall of the chopper for communication of a first portion of the chopped waste material to the spreader, and a second outlet arranged rearward of the plurality of first outlets for the communication of a second portion of the chopped waste material to the ground, said second outlet having straw deflectors on a rear deck for direction of said material.

Abstract: A chaff spreader for attachment to a farm combine. The spreader rotates to spread chaff discharged from the combine and is readily removable and adjustable to the discharge opening in the combine. Novel safety rings are provided on the rotating spreader to protect operators or others who might come into contact with the rotor.

Abstract: A sieve for a grain combine has a plurality of longitudinal sections. Each section is pivotally mounted in a sieve frame. A sensing means senses if the combine is leaning to one side. The sensing means controls a drive and linkage mechanism for pivoting each of the sections relative to the sieve frame to maintain each section generally horizontal. Elastomeric seals extend between each of the sections. A distributor at the forward end of the sieve has a pair of sprockets and a chain extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sieve. Fingers protrude longitudinally from the chain. The chain is driven when the combine leans.

Abstract: A sieve for a grain combine has a plurality of longitudinal sections. Each section is pivotally mounted in a sieve frame. A sensing means senses if the combine is leaning to one side. The sensing means controls a drive and linkage mechanism for pivoting each of the sections relative to the sieve frame to maintain each section generally horizontal. Elastomeric seals extend between each of the sections.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine having a feeder assembly, a conveyor arrangement and an output unit. In a combine, the feeder arrangement comprises a threshing cylinder and concave that direct threshed crop material to the conveyor arrangement. The conveyor arrangement directs crop material to the output unit which comprises a cleaning shoe. The conveyor arrangement comprises a conveyor chute having fixed converging guide vanes. The conveyor chute can be rotated about a bearing for directing crop material to the uphill side of the combine.

Abstract: An agricultural combine has a generally horizontal grain pan for delivering threshed crop material to a grain cleaning mechanism. The grain pan includes a plurality of generally upright fore-and-aft extending vanes that are adjustable to deflect crop material toward either lateral side of the grain pan to compensate for the gravity influenced migration of grain toward the downhill side of the combine when operating on a side slope. The vanes are automatically controlled by an electrical system that includes sensors at opposite sides of the grain pan that detect the building of crop material on the downhill side of the combine and adjusts the vanes to compensate for the buildup.