Abstract: A residue deflector is disposed in a combine body, and positioned along an airflow path to guide residue from an exit end of a cleaning shoe and a threshing and separation assembly, to a residue chopper. The deflector is configured with a plurality of spaced fingers so that air can pass through the deflector between the fingers.

Abstract: An improvement to the grid racks (100) in the straw walker portion of a grain combine; wherein, the grid racks (100) are provided with a plurality of apertured steps (101)(102)(103), etc. and raised side walls (108)( 109); and, the improvement comprises a plurality of auxiliary saw toothed units (12) and (13) mounted on the apertured steps (101)(102)(103), etc. of the grid racks (100) and a saw tooth panel unit (17) mounted on the sides (108)(109) of the grid rack (100) to aggressively process stalks or straw passing through the straw walker portion of the combine.

Abstract: A straw walker for an agricultural combine includes a linear, elongated body having a lower, generally horizontal, sieve-like panel and a pair of spaced, generally vertical sidewalls. The upper edge of each of the spaced sidewalls is provided with a plurality of generally V-shaped teeth for agitating a chaff and grain mixture and moving the chaff rearward for discharge from the rear of the combine. Various elements are attached to the upper surface of the straw walker's lower panel for improving the separation of the grain from the chaff. Each of these elements includes at least one elongated, linear blade-like member having a plurality of spaced teeth on an upper edge thereof. Increased spacing of the teeth in the blade-like member allows the chaff and grain mixture along the center of the straw walker to be displaced rearwardly faster than the mixture along the edges of the walker for improved agitation of the mixture and separation of the grain from the chaff as well as faster chaff discharge.

Abstract: The invention provides a drum shaker apparatus for use in seed or vine crop harvesters with improved effectiveness in removing seeds or fruit from the plant portion of the crop. The drum shaker includes a rotatable drum to which is mounted a counterweight mechanism having at least three rotatable counterweights, each counterweight having an axis of rotation spaced apart from its center of mass, and means for rotating the counterweights in a phased relationship. Usually, the drum is rotated at a constant angular speed, onto which is superimposed the oscillatory movement caused by rotation of the counterweights. The drum shaker further includes tines extending outward from its surface for engaging the crop. The present invention provides tines of varied stiffness arranged on the drum so as to create relative movement of adjacent tines, which tends to shear the seeds or fruit from the plants.

Abstract: A mobile collector or harvester for weed seeds that are normally discharged onto the ground during a combining operation, is connected to trail a conventional grain combine, and collects the straw and the tailings discharged from the separating sieve that normally discharges small chaff and seeds onto the ground. The harvester frame has a conveyor for conveying straw and chaff onto a separate shaker screening member, which is of size to let the small weed seeds drop onto a grain pan and then into a hopper, while the straw is retained on the top of the screen and discharged onto the ground. A separate auger conveyor is used for elevating the weed seeds from the hopper into a storage tank, which is then periodically emptied through the use of another auger conveyor. The entire unit is self-contained including an internal combustion engine power unit, that drives a hydraulic pump for operating hydraulic motors through suitable valves.