Abstract: The invention relates to a fruit-harvesting machine including a motorized support structure (1) and a harvesting assembly mounted on the structure by a suspension frame (2), the harvesting assembly comprising two shaker devices adapted to detach the harvest from the plant stocks and a system for recovering the detached harvest, the shaker devices delimiting transversely between them a harvesting space into which the stocks to be shaken are introduced successively to move in the space between a front opening and a rear opening of said space, wherein the suspension frame (2) includes a rear part (6a) that is mounted on the support structure (1) with at least one degree of freedom in the transverse direction, a front part (5a) of the frame being mounted on the support structure (1) enabling transverse displacement of the rear part relative to the front part.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the lateral tilt of a combine header. The method includes receiving, at a control system, a plurality of output voltages from a plurality of potentiometers; determining, by the control system, at least one adjustment signal; determining, by the control system, a rate for transmitting the at least one adjustment signal; transmitting, by the control system, the at least one adjustment signal at the determined rate to at least one adjustment mechanism operably connected to control system; and adjusting, by the at least one adjustment mechanism, the lateral tilt of the combine header in response to the at least one adjustment signal. The rate for transmitting the signal is determined based upon one or more of a forward speed of the combine, the weight of the combine head, and an input selection made by an operator of the combine.

Abstract: A helical bar concave including a grate having helical mounting framework and helical cutouts to form a percent open area having a helical geometry. Configurable and segmented rub bars are mounted in a helical fashion to a cylindrical helical surface of the grate. The 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 self-propelled agricultural combine having a capability for baling crop residue produced by operation of the combine, including chaff from the cleaning system. The combine can also incorporate a dust suppression capability. The crop residue produced by threshing is in a compressed state, and is routed directly to a baler of the combine is essentially a continuous, compressed stream, while still in that state, and the chaff is mixed in before compaction into the bales. The dust suppression apparatus uses air flow of a cleaning system of the combine, to carry the dust and separates the air such that the dust will fall from the combine.

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 system for determining and/or controlling the relative position of two relatively movable elements, comprising a vehicle container combination, a utility vehicle including an unloading apparatus and at least three transmitting devices intended to be fitted, in use, in a predetermined spatial arrangement to one of the two relatively elements and configured to transmit respective signals; a single sensor device intended to be fitted, in use, to the other of the two relatively movable elements and configured to receive, and to determine the source direction (?i, ?i) of, the signals transmitted by the transmitting devices; and an electronic processing unit connected to the sensor device and configured to determine the relative position of the two relatively movable elements based on the source direction (?i, ?i) of the signals transmitted by the transmitting devices, and on the spatial arrangement of the transmitting devices.

Abstract: The cob cleaning conveyor system provides a capability for positively removing or cleaning lighter crop residue from a flow of cobs. The system can be incorporated with a cob collection device, such as on a trailer, and can be adjustable in several ways for accommodating varying corn varieties, conditions and the like. The system includes a first conveyor which propels the flow into a gap or passage toward a second conveyor, while a flow of air is directed downwardly through the passage to remove or clean the lighter residue material from the cobs. The angle of attack of the air flow can be selectable, and optionally be directed downwardly along the second conveyor to the passage, and upwardly along the second conveyor to travel with or follow the residue flow, to suit present conditions.

Abstract: The non-row sensitive corn harvesting unit utilizes a tine wheel tilted to have tines that extend forwardly and downwardly into a side region of a stalk receiving area bounded by a row divider and which move along an upward and rearward trajectory toward a moving stalk handling element bounding an inlet of a stalk processing or picking channel, for pushing stalks toward the path of the handling element, such that the stalk will be grasped and carried into the channel, providing enhanced non-row sensitivity as well as handling of downed stalks. A companion tine wheel can be provided on the opposite side of the receiving area and function in the same manner.

Abstract: A method and system for use with the combine to modify tailings conveyed to a cleaning system grain bed. Methods and systems are provided that utilize one or more sensors to detect uneven distribution of crop material in the grain bed, which provides information for a controller to determine whether adjustments to a tailings distribution system is needed to encourage even distribution of crop material in the grain bed. Elements in the tailings distribution system can be adjusted to alter direction of tailings conveyed to the grain bed to encourage even distribution of crop material on the grain bed. The system may also inform an operator of suggested manual adjustments to mitigate the non-uniformity.

Abstract: A device (1) for sorting a harvested stream of fruit in bunches is mounted in a harvesting machine. The sorting device includes at least two transverse sorter bars (3) driven with a cyclic relative movement, the cyclic relative movement enabling longitudinal displacement of the stream over the bars, while opening passages (4) between them. The passages allow detached berries to drop under the sorting device.

Abstract: A motor support system including a motor having a shaft rotatably secured to and maintained in a substantially axial alignment with a second shaft configured to change angular orientation along at least one plane of travel perpendicular to the axial alignment. The second shaft has a first pivot point with respect to a frame, the motor being secured to the frame by a cantilevered flexible member to maintain the motor shaft in substantial axial alignment with the second shaft.

Abstract: An unloading system for an agricultural harvesting machine for reducing grain loss by detaining a grain saver door after movement to a fully open position during the unloading process, and by rapidly returning the door to a closed position with sufficient force for urging grain in the door area back into an unloading tube a predetermined time after the unloading process pauses or ceases. The system can advantageously detain the door in the open position in the presence of varying or reduced amounts of grain for increasing consistency and cohesiveness in the flow discharging grain and reduce the amount of grain remaining near a discharge end of the unloading tube when the door is in the closed position.

Abstract: A rotor chopper assembly including a chopper rotor having a mounting lug. A knife blade includes a body having an opening arrangement configured to receive a retention device securing the body to a member that is rotatably connected to the mounting lug of the chopper rotor. During unobstructed operation of the rotor chopper assembly, the body is centrifugally urged radially outward from the mounting lug. In response to the body striking an obstruction during operation of the rotor chopper assembly, the body is urged into rotational movement until the retention device abuts a stop formed in the mounting lug. An angle subtended between axes defining unobstructed operation and stop abutment is different for at least two openings of the arrangement of openings formed in the body.

Abstract: A transverse fan assembly, including for use with agricultural combine harvesters, which fan assembly includes a supplementary air feed inlet for the infill of air flow voids or deficiencies in the air flow pathway from the air inlet of the transverse fan assembly to the air inlet entryway so as to effect a desired, generally more uniform, output air flow pattern across the entire expanse of the air outlet of the transverse fan assembly, and a method of use thereof.

Abstract: A coppice header for a forage harvester adapted to be mounted on and powered by a forage harvester. The header including at the front side two circular rotatable knives, a feeding drum being mounted above each knife, said drums being rotatable about the same rotation axis as the respective knives. The header may also be provided with a front feed roll placed behind the knives and two additional feed rolls placed behind the front feed roll, wherein the front feed roll is equipped with guiding blades along the length of the feed roll. The blades have a central protrusion, so that the blades are longer in a region around the middle of the blade than at the lateral ends of the blades. The central protrusion is an inclined surface bent rearwardly away from the rotatable knives.

Abstract: A cornhead row unit is provided including first and second longitudinally extending stripper plates mounted on a frame and having opposed stripping edges which define a gap between them. The frame further includes a resilient device arranged and disposed to adjustably transversely urge the first stripper plate on the frame toward the second stripper plate to vary the width of the gap. An adjusting arrangement connecting the frame and the second stripper plate selectably and transversely moves the second stripper plate with respect to the first stripper plate to vary the width of the gap.

Abstract: A method of detecting one or more errors in a series of electronically processed, multi-pixel images, the pixels of which correspond from one image to the next, the method including monitoring the reflectance of one or more of the corresponding pixels during sequential processing of each image of the series and, if the reflectance value of a pixel is invariant or substantially invariant in more than a predetermined number of consecutive said images, and identifying an error.

Abstract: A system for cleaning a flow of harvested crop including a suction device between an inlet (1) and an outlet (3), the inlet being equipped with a hood (5) in which is formed a circulation path of the flow of suction air between the inlet and a suction opening (6). The suction device further including a drum (7) rotating relative to the hood, the hood being positioned in the drum to form a suction area (10) on the exterior of the wall, the suction area being delimited circumferentially by respective upstream (10a) and downstream (10b) edges. The system further including a conveyor (11) for the flow of crop, a device (12, 13) to recover the portion of the flow of crop that is not sucked up, and a device (14, 15) to recover the portion of the flow of crop that has been sucked up in the area. The circulation path of the hood (5) forms a deflector for the flow of suction air, the deflector is arranged to balance the speed of the flow of air along the suction opening (6).

Abstract: An agricultural combine unloader extension is provided that can be used to extend the reach of conventional unloader tubes and for preventing the loss of crop material residing within the unloader tube from falling out and becoming waste. The unloader extension is hingedly connected to the unloader tube, wherein a drive mechanism is configured to rotate the unloader extension about a vertical axis from a discharging position to a closed or storage position.

Abstract: The control system allows selecting from multiple speed ranges for the ground drive of a work machine without a mechanical transmission. The system does this by controlling a variable displacement fluid pump supplying fluid to variable displacement fluid motors driving ground wheels of the machine. When a speed range is selected, the system automatically controls displacement of the pump and motors to provide operability within the range by movement of a speed input device. When another range is selected, the system provides a seamless transition, including to and from reverse, as no disengaging and engaging of mechanical gears, or change in the speed input position, is required. The system can also automatically adjust ground speed for the new speed range for the current speed input position.