Abstract: Granule conveying apparatus (12) comprising two screw conveyors (21,22) are provided. Each screw conveyor comprises flighting (26,36) mounted to a shaft (27,37) and a cylindrical volume (61,62) associated therewith. Each cylindrical volume (61,62) has a length defined by the associated shaft (27,37) and a diameter defined by the associated flighting (26,36). One end of each of said two screw conveyors meet at an elbow or junction (52) where the direction of material conveyance is changed. The conveyor shafts (27,37) are supported independently from one another. The shaft of one of said two screw conveyors intersects the cylindrical volume associated with the other one of said two screw conveyors at the elbow. The close proximity of the two screw conveyors at the elbow region reduces power consumption.

Abstract: A combine harvester comprises a threshing unit arranged to receive and thresh a crop stream. Separating apparatus are located downstream and rearward of the threshing unit and are arranged to receive the threshed crop stream and convey such a rearward direction. The front of a return pan, disposed below the separating apparatus, overlaps the rear of a stratification pan, disposed below the threshing unit. The stratification pan is driven in an oscillating manner to convey a primary grain/chaff stream rearwardly to a rear edge from where the primary grain/chaff stream falls under gravity into a cleaning unit. The return pan is 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 on the stratification pan.

Abstract: A combine harvester including threshing and separating apparatus which are arranged to process a cut crop stream and each having a grate arrangement through which material separated from the crop stream falls under gravity. Grain conveyance means arranged below the threshing and separating apparatus catch the falling grain and material other than grain (MOG). A stratification pan is located below a front region of the threshing and separating apparatus and a return conveyor is located below a rear region of the threshing and separating apparatus, both conveyors being driven in a oscillating manner. The return conveyor conveys said grain and MOG in a forward direction to a front edge thereof which is located above the stratification pan. The stratification pan conveys collected material rearwardly to a rear edge from where the collected material falls under gravity into a cleaning unit.

Abstract: A combine harvester includes threshing apparatus, a grain pan and a cleaning unit. The grain pan is arranged to collect a grain/chaff stream from the threshing apparatus and is driven in an oscillating manner to convey the collected grain/chaff to a rear edge from where the grain/chaff stream falls into the cleaning unit. The cleaning unit includes a fan unit for generating an airstream directed through the grain/chaff stream falling from the rear edge and an airstream vented above the grain pan.

Abstract: A combine harvester (10) comprising axial separating apparatus (24, 5) is provided. The axial separating apparatus comprises at least one rotor (28) mounted for rotation in a rotor cage (30) and is arranged to convey crop material in a spiral path from a front end to a rear end. The rotors (28) may also serve to thresh the crop material before separation. The rotor cage (30) includes a grate (34) for allowing separated grain to fall there through under gravity. Two return conveyors (42, 44) are positioned below the grate (34), one behind the other. A first return conveyor (42) disposed under a front portion of the separating apparatus is arranged to catch a portion of said separated grain and convey the caught grain forwardly to a first front edge (46) from where the grain falls under gravity onto a first region of an underlying grain pan (60).

Abstract: A combine harvester including threshing and separating apparatus which are arranged to process a cut crop stream and each having a grate arrangement through which material separated from the crop stream falls under gravity. Grain conveyance means arranged below the threshing and separating apparatus catch the falling grain and material other than grain (MOG). A stratification pan is located below a front region of the threshing and separating apparatus and a return conveyor is located below a rear region of the threshing and separating apparatus, both conveyors being driven in a oscillating manner. The return conveyor conveys said grain and MOG in a forward direction to a front edge thereof which is located above the stratification pan. The stratification pan conveys collected material rearwardly to a rear edge from where the collected material falls under gravity into a cleaning unit.

Abstract: A combine harvester (10) comprising axial separating apparatus (24, 5) is provided. The axial separating apparatus comprises at least one rotor (28) mounted for rotation in a rotor cage (30) and is arranged to convey crop material in a spiral path from a front end to a rear end. The rotors (28) may also serve to thresh the crop material before separation. The rotor cage (30) includes a grate (34) for allowing separated grain to fall there through under gravity. Two return conveyors (42, 44) are positioned below the grate (34), one behind the other. A first return conveyor (42) disposed under a front portion of the separating apparatus is arranged to catch a portion of said separated grain and convey the caught grain forwardly to a first front edge (46) from where the grain falls under gravity onto a first region of an underlying grain pan (60).

Abstract: A combine harvester comprises an oscillating thresher pan (128;228;328) for conveying a chaff/grain stream rearwardly to a rear edge from where the grain/chaff stream falls under gravity into a cleaning unit (148;248;348). The cleaning unit, or shoe, includes at least one vibrating pan (150;250;350,151;251;351) onto which the grain/chaff stream falls. The cleaning unit comprising a fan (52) for generating a cleaning airstream which is directed through the failing grain/chaff stream. The cleaning pan, when in use, is provided with a damping surface to damp bounce of kernels falling thereupon. In one example, the damping surface is provided by a sheet of rubber (284,288).

Abstract: A trailer for transporting a harvester header comprises a chassis, a rear axle assembly and a front axle assembly. A steering force transfer mechanism is arranged to transfer a steering force hydraulically from a first one steerable wheel supported on the front axle assembly to a second one steerable wheel supported on the rear axle assembly. A steering movement of the first one steerable wheel to one side effects a steering movement of the second one steerable wheel to the opposite side.

Abstract: A combine harvester comprises a separating apparatus arranged to receive a threshed crop stream and convey rearwardly. The separating apparatus comprises a grate for allowing grain and chaff to fall onto an underlying separator pan, the separator pan being driven in an oscillating manner to convey a grain/chaff stream forwardly for delivery to a cleaning unit. The separator pan comprises a first portion and a second portion disposed forwardly of the first portion. A rear edge of the second portion is releasably attached to a front edge of the first portion, the second portion being pivotable around a forward mounting around a transverse axis between an operating position in which the second portion is attached to the first portion forming a continuous pan surface, and a lowered position in which the second portion is detached from the first portion giving maintenance access to the underside of the separating apparatus.

Abstract: A combine harvester (10) comprises separating apparatus (32,36) arranged to receive a threshed crop stream and convey in a rearward direction. The separating apparatus comprises a grate (42) for allowing grain and chaff to fall under gravity onto an underlying separator pan (44), the separator pan being driven in an oscillating manner to convey a grain/chaff stream forwardly for delivery to a cleaning unit. The separator pan comprises a first portion (44R) suspended from a combine frame by front and rear suspension means (72,70), and a second portion (44F) disposed forwardly of the first portion and pivotally mounted at the forward end.

Abstract: A bearing support assembly (10) comprising a bearing (12) supported within a bearing block (14) is provided. A shaft (26) is arranged to rotate within the bearing (12) and a disc member (34) is carried on the shaft (26) proximate to the bearing block (14). A ring member (20) is secured to the bearing block (14) so that in the event of bearing failure the disc member (34) engages with the ring member (20) so as to support the shaft (26) in rotational motion. The disc member has a diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the ring member. The ring member (20) is at least partially recessed into the thickness of the disc member (34). The assembly may be utilized in agricultural machinery which include rotors (30) which are supported on rotating shafts. The ring member (20) may provide a labyrinth seal which inhibits the ingress of particulate matter into the bearing.

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 combine harvester comprises an oscillating thresher pan (128;228;328) for conveying a chaff/grain stream rearwardly to a rear edge from where the grain/chaff stream falls under gravity into a cleaning unit (148;248;348). The cleaning unit, or shoe, includes at least one vibrating pan (150;250;350,151;251;351) onto which the grain/chaff stream falls. The cleaning unit comprising a fan (52) for generating a cleaning airstream which is directed through the failing grain/chaff stream. The cleaning pan, when in use, is provided with a damping surface to damp bounce of kernels falling thereupon. In one example, the damping surface is provided by a sheet of rubber (284,288).

Abstract: A combine harvester (10) comprising a pair of axial separating rotors (20) each extending side-by-side within respective housings (19) in a longitudinal direction and serving to separate grain from straw. A feed beater (18) is provided which rotates on a transverse axis (X) and is located in front of the separating rotors to direct a crop flow rearwardly under the feed beater. Directional vanes (34) on the feed beater direct the crop flow away from a central zone of the beater and toward respective crop streams associated with the two rotors. Scraper apparatus (50) comprising stationary vanes (54) are provided above the beater. Crop material which back feeds over the top of the beater is scraped free of the beater and directed outwardly by the stationary vanes so that the scraped material is re-fed under the beater away from the central zone.

Abstract: A bearing support assembly (10) comprising a bearing (12) supported within a bearing block (14) is provided. A shaft (26) is arranged to rotate within the bearing (12) and a disc member (34) is carried on the shaft (26) proximate to the bearing block (14). A ring member (20) is secured to the bearing block (14) so that in the event of bearing failure the disc member (34) engages with the ring member (20) so as to support the shaft (26) in rotational motion. The disc member has a diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the ring member. The ring member (20) is at least partially recessed into the thickness of the disc member (34). The assembly may be utilised in agricultural machinery which include rotors (30) which are supported on rotating shafts. The ring member (20) may provide a labyrinth seal which inhibits the ingress of particulate matter into the bearing.

Abstract: A combine harvester (10) comprising a pair of axial separating rotors (20) each extending side-by-side within respective housings (19) in a longitudinal direction and serving to separate grain from straw. A feed beater (18) is provided which rotates on a transverse axis (X) and is located in front of the separating rotors to direct a crop flow rearwardly under the feed beater. Directional vanes (34) on the feed beater direct the crop flow away from a central zone of the beater and toward respective crop streams associated with the two rotors. Scraper apparatus (50) comprising stationary vanes (54) are provided above the beater. Crop material which back feeds over the top of the beater is scraped free of the beater and directed outwardly by the stationary vanes so that the scraped material is re-fed under the beater away from the central zone.

Abstract: A load sensing hydraulic system includes two pumps, at least one hydraulic fluid consumer, and a pressure balance circuit. In the case of no demand from the consumer, hydraulic fluid flows from the pumps through the pressure balance circuit and to tank. In the case of demand from the consumer for hydraulic fluid at a flow rate less than or equal to the flow rate provided by the first pump, hydraulic fluid from the first pump flows to the consumer, and hydraulic fluid from the second pump flows to the tank. In the case of a demand from the consumer for hydraulic fluid at a flow rate greater than the capacity of the first pump, hydraulic fluid from both pumps flow to the consumer.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an operator's cab having an air inlet and an air filtration system, and an air outlet, wherein the air filtration system comprises a filter element, and a filter container for receiving the filter element, the operator's cab comprising a chamber for receiving the filter container housing the filter element, the filter container being movable into and out of the chamber between a filtering position and an emptying position, wherein with the container in the emptying position the filter element may be removed from the container, and the container emptied of debris, and wherein the filter container comprises at least one air inlet opening and at least one air outlet opening, and wherein with the container in the filtering position the openings are aligned with the air inlet and air outlet such that air may be drawn through the filter into the cab.

Abstract: In an electronic control system for controlling the setting of two or more continuously variable parameters, the system comprises a hand operated lever and electronic processing means 14 having an input from the lever 1 and output means for outputting a signal or signals representative of the said continuously variable parameters, characterised in that: a) the lever 1 is arranged in a gate having two substantially parallel slots 3-5 and a transverse slot 6, the position of the lever 1 in each of the two parallel slots being substantially continuously variable and corresponding to a desired value for one or more of the said continuously variable parameters; b) the processing means includes means 14 for storing a record of the position of the lever 1 in one of the said slots after the lever has been removed from the slot.