Abstract: A transverse fan assembly that includes a fan rotatably disposed in an air plenum for drawing air through an inlet opening and drivingly forcing air from an outlet opening defined by the air plenum, the inlet opening having an elongate, bladed, inlet rotor oriented on a rotational axis parallel to the fan, extending the length of the fan, and positioned proximate to the fan periphery to increase air flow from the outlet of the air plenum along the length of the fan while generating less noise.

Abstract: A transverse fan assembly including a fan rotatably disposed in an air plenum for drawing air through an inlet opening and drivingly forcing air from an outlet opening defined by the air plenum, the fan having elongated fan blades angled toward a peripheral center plane of the fan such that the blades have a chevron-like configuration between opposite ends of the fan, the plenum having an inverted V-shaped inlet opening edge structure whereby the edge angles mirror the chevron angles of the adjacent fan blades thereby improving air flow uniformity and flow from the outlet of the air plenum while generating less noise.

Abstract: A transverse fan assembly that includes a fan rotatably disposed in an air plenum for drawing air through an inlet opening and drivingly forcing air from an outlet opening defined by the air plenum, the inlet opening having an elongate, bladed, inlet rotor oriented on a rotational axis parallel to the fan, extending the length of the fan, and positioned proximate to the fan periphery to increase air flow and improve air flow distribution from the outlet of the air plenum along the length of the fan while generating less noise.

Abstract: A rotary combine includes a rotor having a longitudinal axis of rotation and a concave removably mounted adjacent the rotor. The concave assembly includes a longitudinally extending frame having first and second sides spaced circumferentially around the rotor. Each of the first and second sides is transversely moveable relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. A method for adjusting the position of the concave assembly is provided and includes moving at least one of the first and second sides of the frame in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A locking arrangement for a concave of a rotary combine, the concave having first and second ends spaced circumferentially around a rotor of the combine. The first end includes a pivot member received in an opening of a hook member supported by a support structure so as to support the first end for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of rotation of the rotor. A locking member mounted on the hood member is pivotable between an engaged position for engaging the pivot member of the first end of the concave for retaining the pivot member in the opening of the hook member and a disengaged position wherein the locking member is disengaged from the pivot member while the pivot member is supported in the opening by the hook member.

Abstract: A rotary combine is disclosed to include a wheel-supported main frame supporting, among other components, a cylindrically shaped rotor and a grain bin having sides and a bottom for the temporary storage of crop material treated by the combine. A support structure supported by the main frame overlying the rotor and including a lower portion having a semi-circular surface partially surrounding the upper longitudinal half of the rotor and including an upper portion having two inclined surfaces meeting to form an inverted-V shaped surface extending, in spaced-apart relationship, along and above the semi-circular surface and comprising at least a portion of the bottom surface of the grain bin.

Abstract: A rotary combine includes a rotor having a longitudinal axis of rotation and a concave removably mounted adjacent the rotor. The concave is removable in a direction outwardly transverse relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. In a preferred embodiment, a concave assembly includes a longitudinally extending frame having first and second sides spaced circumferentially around the rotor. Each of the first and second sides is transversely moveable relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. A concave insert is removably mounted to the frame. A method for adjusting the position of the concave assembly is also provided and includes moving at least one of the first and second sides of the frame in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation. A method for replacing the concave insert is also provided.

Abstract: A method for replacing the concave insert of a rotary combine. The rotary combine includes a rotor having a longitudinal axis of rotation and a concave removably mounted adjacent the rotor. The concave is removable in a direction outwardly transverse relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. In a preferred embodiment, a concave assembly includes a longitudinally extending frame having first and second sides spaced circumferentially around the rotor. Each of the first and second sides is transversely moveable relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. A concave insert is removably mounted to the frame.

Abstract: A rotary combine includes a rotor having a longitudinal axis of rotation and a concave removably mounted adjacent the rotor. The concave is removable in a direction outwardly transverse relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. In a preferred embodiment, a concave assembly includes a longitudinally extending frame having first and second sides spaced circumferentially around the rotor. Each of the first and second sides is transversely moveable relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. A concave insert is removably mounted to the frame. A method for adjusting the position of the concave assembly is also provided and includes moving at least one of the first and second sides of the frame in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation. A method for replacing the concave insert is also provided.

Abstract: A rotary combine includes a rotor having a longitudinal axis of rotation and a concave removably mounted adjacent the rotor. The concave is removable in a direction outwardly transverse relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. In a preferred embodiment, a concave assembly includes a longitudinally extending frame having first and second sides spaced circumferentially around the rotor. Each of the first and second sides is transversely moveable relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. A concave insert is removably mounted to the frame. A method for adjusting the position of the concave assembly is also provided and includes moving at least one of the first and second sides of the frame in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation. A method for replacing the concave insert is also provided.

Abstract: A rotary combine includes a rotor having a longitudinal axis of rotation and a concave removably mounted adjacent the rotor. The concave is removable in a direction outwardly transverse relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. In a preferred embodiment, a concave assembly includes a longitudinally extending frame having first and second sides spaced circumferentially around the rotor. Each of the first and second sides is transversely moveable relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. A concave insert is removably mounted to the frame. A method for adjusting the position of the concave assembly is also provided and includes moving at least one of the first and second sides of the frame in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation. A method for replacing the concave insert is also provided.

Abstract: An agricultural combine feeder assembly and rotor interface wherein the feeder assembly includes front and rear housing section connected by a pivot. The front section contains a conveyor while the rear section contains a rotating beater. The rearmost extremity of the beater is spaced from 5 to 16 inches from the forwardmost extremity of the impeller blade or blades on the front end of the rotor.

Abstract: A rotary combine includes a rotor having a longitudinal axis of rotation and a concave removably mounted adjacent the rotor. The concave is removable in a direction outwardly transverse relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. In a preferred embodiment, a concave assembly includes a longitudinally extending frame having first and second sides spaced circumferentially around the rotor. Each of the first and second sides is transversely moveable relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. A concave insert is removably mounted to the frame. A method for adjusting the position of the concave assembly is also provided and includes moving at least one of the first and second sides of the frame in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation. A method for replacing the concave insert is also provided.

Abstract: An agricultural combine feeder assembly and rotor interface wherein the feeder assembly includes front and rear housing section connected by a pivot. The front section contains a conveyor while the rear section contains a rotating beater. The rearmost extremity of the beater is spaced from 5 to 16 inches from the forwardmost extremity of the impeller blade or blades on the front end of the rotor.

Abstract: An infeed assembly for a rotary combine has an impeller for directing crop materials outwardly and rearwardly. The impeller is arranged on the infeed section of the rotor and includes impeller blades that redirect the incoming mat-like crop materials into a whirling, circulatory motion and also translates the crop materials rearward towards the rotor's threshing section. Each blade has a leading edge that is swept back in two dimensions. Each leading edge is simultaneously swept back circumferentially away from the direction of impeller rotation and axially towards the rotor's threshing section. The pitch of each blade increases for a predetermined distance rearwardly.

Abstract: A combine cleaning system including a fan and a cleaning sieve which coact with each other to separate chaff and unthreshed tailings from grain. The sieve defines a grain cleaning area comprised of an air foil section extending rearwardly from a forward edge of the sieve and a slat or louvered section downstream of the air foil section. The air foil section provides a first level of cleaning to the threshed materials deposited on the grain cleaning area while the slat section provides a second level of cleaning to the material received thereon. Preferably, the air foil section comprises about 60% to about 85% of the grain cleaning area.

Abstract: A transverse fan assembly including a plurality of elongated fan blades arranged in a cylindrical array and a plurality of axially spaced and generally aligned discs of substantially uniform diameter. Each disc defines equidistantly spaced slots concentric with and inwardly of the disc periphery for allowing the blades to loosely pass therethrough. Each blade is individually attached to a disc by a blade retainer which, in response to an individual twisting action upon the blade, releasably and individually attaches the blade to the disc under a substantially constant and independent force in a manner allowing for removal or replacement of the blade without affecting other blades in the fan assembly.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine including a fan and reciprocal sieves mounted within a housing of the combine. The sieves include a series of transversely extending slats which are selectively adjustable to allow clean grain to pass therethrough. A plurality of transversely adjacent baffles extend in a fore-and-aft direction along substantially the entire length of and for a relatively short distance above an upper distance of the sieves. The baffles have a cumulative effect of inhibiting a disproportionate granular accumulation of granular material adjacent the downhill side of the sieves when the harvesting apparatus is tilted during slope harvesting. Each of the baffles are movable conjointly with and in response to adjustment of the slats of the sieves.

Abstract: A rotor for a rotary threshing combine which is readily adjustable to provide a great variety of threshing patterns to suit the particular crops and conditions of use. The rotor drum has a plurality of mounting lugs affixed thereto in an array that includes longitudinal, circumferential, and helical rows. A variety of differently shaped threshing elements, each designed for efficient operation under particular conditions, is provided and said elements are selectively and interchangeably and releasably connectable to the mounting lugs.

Abstract: An axial flow combine harvester incorporating a novel air flow system for separating grain from material other than grain. The system includes a cross-flow fan located at the exit end of the threshing cage which acts in conjunction with a cross-flow fan located adjacent the inlet end of the threshing cage to positively direct air past the cage to provide amore efficient separation of the grain from the chaff or straw.