Abstract: A mowing sickle drive system comprises a knife bar supported by a frame and drive apparatus operable to drive the knife bar in a reciprocating linear motion at a variable drive frequency. A spring is coupled to the knife bar for applying a restoring force to the knife bar toward a neutral position when in motion. The spring has a variable modulus of elasticity that is controlled dependent upon the drive frequency.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine harvester has a chaffer and a blower configured to direct air rearward and upward through the chaffer. The chaffer has a perforated base, a plurality of longitudinal lateral walls, and a plurality of airbags, each of which is disposed adjacent to a lateral wall. An air supply is configured to inflate at least one of the airbags. Another cleaning system for a combine harvester also has a chaffer and a blower configured to direct air rearward and upward through the chaffer. The chaffer has a perforated base, a plurality of longitudinal lateral walls, a plurality of rigid members disposed adjacent to a corresponding lateral wall, and at least one actuator configured to move each rigid member relative to the corresponding lateral wall. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A crop processing system in a combine harvester for directing grain and MOG on a return pan, having a crop processor arranged to thresh and separate grain from a crop stream, a return pan located below a rear portion of the crop processor to collect separated material falling from the crop processor and convey the material forward with respect to the normal forward direction of travel of the combine harvester, a plurality of paddles on the return pan, an inclinometer which measures the angle of the slope of the combine to the horizontal, and an ECU coupled to the paddles and able to command one or more actuators coupled to the paddles and adjust them to a preferred position according to the slope of the combine.

Abstract: A combine harvester includes a feederhouse mounted to a chassis. The feederhouse is adapted at a front end to support a crop gathering header in a manner that places a front inlet in communication with a discharge opening of the header. The feederhouse defines a crop conveying passage and includes a chain and slat conveyor arranged in the passage to convey a crop stream rearwardly from the front inlet over a floor. A longitudinally-aligned ridge is provided on the floor for dividing the crop stream.

Abstract: A mowing sickle drive system comprises a knife bar supported by a frame and drive apparatus operable to drive the knife bar in a reciprocating linear motion at a variable drive frequency. A spring is coupled to the knife bar for applying a restoring force to the knife bar toward a neutral position when in motion. The spring has a variable modulus of elasticity that is controlled dependent upon the drive frequency.

Abstract: A mowing sickle drive system comprises a knife bar supported by a frame and drive apparatus operable to drive the knife bar in a reciprocating linear motion at a variable drive frequency. A spring is coupled to the knife bar for applying a restoring force to the knife bar toward a neutral position when in motion. The spring has a variable modulus of elasticity that is controlled dependent upon the drive frequency.

Abstract: A mowing sickle drive system comprises a knife bar supported by a frame and drive apparatus operable to drive the knife bar in a reciprocating linear motion at a variable drive frequency. A spring is coupled to the knife bar for applying a restoring force to the knife bar toward a neutral position when in motion. The spring has a variable modulus of elasticity that is controlled dependent upon the drive frequency.