Abstract: The combine harvester includes a grain tank having a cover includes pivotable panels connected by collapsible connections so that the cover forms a funnel-shaped extension of the main receptacle of the tank when the cover is fully deployed. At least one of the panels includes an aperture and a door configured to close or open the aperture by pivoting about a pivot axis. When the cover is deployed, the door either closes the aperture and is secured thereto so that the panel has the same function as in a conventional harvester. However, when the door is opened, and supported by a support structure of the harvester, the door obtains the function of a walking plank that enables a person to walk on the plank and thereby access the interior of the tank.

Abstract: The combine harvester includes a grain cleaning section and a grain elevator, the cleaning section including one or more clean grain augers configured to deliver clean grains into the grain elevator. The harvester further includes a rotatable drive axle and a transmission system coupled thereto so that the drive axle drives the one or more augers as well as the elevator. The transmission system includes a reversible decoupler mechanism configured to decouple the one or more clean grain augers from the drive axle while not decoupling the elevator from the drive axle. These features enable removing a blockage from the grain elevator, by decoupling the one or more clean grain augers and then activating the elevator to remove the blockage, followed by the re-coupling of the one or more augers.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for moving an unload tube of an agricultural vehicle between stowed and deployed positions. The actuator assembly includes a mount that is configured to be fixed to a fixed mounting point on the agricultural vehicle. An actuator of the actuator assembly has a first end that is mounted to the mount and a second end that is mounted to the unload tube for moving the unload tube between the stowed and deployed positions. A tension rod of the actuator assembly has a first end that is pivotably mounted to the mount and a second end that is mounted to a fixed tension rod mounting point located either on or adjacent the unload tube.

Abstract: A tensioner assembly for tensioning a belt including a moveable arm, a first tensioner pulley mounted to the moveable arm, and a second tensioner pulley mounted to the moveable arm. In a first position of the moveable arm corresponding to a forward drive configuration, the first tensioner pulley is positioned in contact with the belt while the second tensioner pulley is spaced apart from the belt. In a second position of the moveable arm corresponding to a reverse drive configuration, the second tensioner pulley is positioned in contact with the belt while the first tensioner pulley is spaced apart from the belt.

Abstract: A chain guide for a wall of a grain elevator of an agricultural vehicle. The chain guide includes an elongated body. A rib extends from a surface of the elongated body, the rib being configured to engage with a chain of the grain elevator. A mating surface is either formed on or in the body, and the mating surface is configured to be connected to the wall of the grain elevator.

Abstract: A feederhouse assembly for an agricultural vehicle includes a feederhouse frame including at least four interconnected walls, an open front end, an open rear end, and a hollow space circumscribed by the four interconnected walls. A header adapter is moveable relative to the feederhouse frame. The header adapter has an adapter sidewall disposed adjacent a feederhouse sidewall of the four interconnected walls. A torque stop is positioned within a gap formed between the feederhouse sidewall and the adapter sidewall. The torque stop has a low-friction bearing surface that is configured for bearing directly on one of the adapter sidewall and the feederhouse sidewall upon deformation of the frame to reduce friction between the adapter sidewall and the feederhouse sidewall.

Abstract: A tensioner assembly for tensioning a belt including a moveable arm, a first tensioner pulley mounted to the moveable arm, and a second tensioner pulley mounted to the moveable arm. In a first position of the moveable arm corresponding to a forward drive configuration, the first tensioner pulley is positioned in contact with the belt while the second tensioner pulley is spaced apart from the belt. In a second position of the moveable arm corresponding to a reverse drive configuration, the second tensioner pulley is positioned in contact with the belt while the first tensioner pulley is spaced apart from the belt.

Abstract: A tension roller assembly includes a tension roller, a pivotable support arm, a tension arm, a compression spring, a rod, first and second spring stops, a mounting plate, and an overcenter assembly connected to an end of the tension arm. The overcenter assembly connects the tension arm to the mounting plate. The overcenter assembly is configured to make a pivoting movement over a pivot trajectory between engaged and disengaged positions. The overcenter assembly further has a center position located between the engaged and disengaged positions. The pivot trajectory between the center position and the disengaged position is divided into a tensioned section in which the end stop does not engage the stop surface and the spring exerts a force on the overcenter assembly, and a free-moving section in which the end stop engages the stop surface and the spring does not exert any force on the overcenter assembly.

Abstract: A tension roller assembly includes a tension roller, a pivotable support arm, a tension arm, a compression spring, a rod, first and second spring stops, a mounting plate, and an overcenter assembly connected to an end of the tension arm. The overcenter assembly connects the tension arm to the mounting plate. The overcenter assembly is configured to make a pivoting movement over a pivot trajectory between engaged and disengaged positions. The overcenter assembly further has a center position located between the engaged and disengaged positions. The pivot trajectory between the center position and the disengaged position is divided into a tensioned section in which the end stop does not engage the stop surface and the spring exerts a force on the overcenter assembly, and a free-moving section in which the end stop engages the stop surface and the spring does not exert any force on the overcenter assembly.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis and a feeder housing pivotally mounted to the chassis. The agricultural harvester is characterized in that an axle assembly is pivotally mounted to the feeder housing. A hydraulic actuator is coupled with the axle assembly for pivotally moving the axle assembly in upward and downward directions from the feeder housing. A road mode switch provides a first output signal indicative of a field mode and a second output signal indicative of a road mode. A controller is coupled with the road mode switch and the hydraulic actuator. The controller receives the second output signal from the road mode switch and controls the hydraulic actuator, whereby the hydraulic actuator provides a substantially constant down force between the axle assembly and a ground surface.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis and a feeder housing pivotally mounted to the chassis. The agricultural harvester is characterized in that an axle assembly is pivotally mounted to the feeder housing. A hydraulic actuator is coupled with the axle assembly for pivotally moving the axle assembly in upward and downward directions from the feeder housing. A road mode switch provides a first output signal indicative of a field mode and a second output signal indicative of a road mode. A controller is coupled with the road mode switch and the hydraulic actuator. The controller receives the second output signal from the road mode switch and controls the hydraulic actuator, whereby the hydraulic actuator provides a substantially constant down force between the axle assembly and a ground surface.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling maximum available engine power of a combine harvester wherein the engine drives the harvester and additionally powers a threshing mechanism for separating harvested crop into grain and crop residue and at least one further crop processing subsystem that may be selectively configured and disengaged, including a straw chopper engageable for chopping the crop residue and propelling the chopped residue from the harvester, structure configurable for directing the crop residue into the chopper or to bypass the chopper, utilizing a controller for automatically reducing the maximum available engine power as a function of the status of the engagement of the subsystems, particularly the chopper and the configuration of the associated structure.

Abstract: A power transmission device for utility machinery is disclosed, the device including: a) a sleeve supporting a first sheave member having a first face; b) a hub received through said sleeve and moveable axially in relation thereto, said hub supporting a second sheave member having a second face that opposes said first face such that said first and second faces define therebetween a groove adapted to receive a belt and relative axial movement between said sleeve and said hub being adapted to vary at least one of pitch diameter and grip imparted to said belt from said sheaves; and c) an actuator mechanism adapted, through control of relative axial displacement between said sleeve and said hub, to vary at least one of said pitch and grip, said actuator mechanism comprising a control rod disposed substantially perpendicularly to the line of action of said axial displacement and connected to said hub through a link mechanism, said control rod being adapted to rotate and said link mechanism being adapted to transla

Abstract: A power transmission device for utility machinery is disclosed, the device including: a) a sleeve supporting a first sheave member having a first face; b) a hub received through said sleeve and moveable axially in relation thereto, said hub supporting a second sheave member having a second face that opposes said first face such that said first and second faces define therebetween a groove adapted to receive a belt and relative axial movement between said sleeve and said hub being adapted to vary at least one of pitch diameter and grip imparted to said belt from said sheaves; and c) an actuator mechanism adapted, through control of relative axial displacement between said sleeve and said hub, to vary at least one of said pitch and grip, said actuator mechanism comprising a control rod disposed substantially perpendicularly to the line of action of said axial displacement and connected to said hub through a link mechanism, said control rod being adapted to rotate and said link mechanism being adapted to transla

Abstract: A drive linkage is described for reciprocating a sieve that is suspended within a frame of a combine harvester for movement in mutually orthogonal directions. The drive linkage comprises a cranking mechanism for imparting a reciprocating motion to the sieve in the direction of travel of the harvester and a pivot arm pivotably connected at one end to one side of the sieve to cause the sieve to move in an arc centred on a pivot axis at the opposite end of the pivot arm as the sieve is reciprocated. In the invention, the pivot axis of the pivot arm is displaced relative to the frame in synchronism with the reciprocation of the sieve in such a manner as to cause the sieve to follow a substantially rectilinear path relative to the frame.

Abstract: An anti-wrapping device is described for preventing crop from being wrapped about the central shaft of a reel rotatably supported on side arms of a header of a combine. The device comprises an annular cover plate for securing to the axial end of the reel to prevent the crop from becoming entangled with projections from the reel and a tubular shroud for mounting on the header support arm to surround the central shaft of the reel, the axial end of the shroud being positioned when in use in close proximity to the annular cover plate of the reel to avoid any crop being caught therebetween.

Abstract: A concave arrangement is disclosed for a threshing machine such as a combine harvester 10. The arrangement includes a concave 30 having a moveable rear portion 48 that is adapted to vary the break-over angle presented to straw passing downstream. A flap member 54 is provided that moves jointly with the moveable rear portion 48 and ensures that a gap G between the moveable portion 48 and a later processing stage such as a beater apparatus is kept substantially closed. Variation of the break-over angle influences the length of the straw leaving the threshing machine and the loading of the further separation and cleaning mechanisms.