Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes: a harvester frame; and an agricultural header coupled with the harvester frame, the agricultural header including: a header frame; an end row divider coupled with the header frame; an auger mounted to the end row divider and configured for moving a crop material rearwardly, the auger including a centerline; and an auger stripper coupled with the end row divider and configured for stripping the crop material from the auger, the auger stripper being angularly disposed relative to the centerline.

Abstract: A system and method for reversing a movement direction of a laterally extending conveyor of a draper header of an agricultural machine. The system includes a fluid line for delivering fluid to a motor that drives the laterally extending conveyor. A directional flow control valve is connected to the fluid line and is movable between a first state in which the directional flow control valve is configured to deliver the fluid to the motor in a first fluid direction to cause the motor to move the laterally extending conveyor in a first movement direction, and a second state in which the directional flow control valve is configured to deliver the fluid to the motor in a second fluid direction that is different from the first fluid direction to cause the motor to move the laterally extending conveyor in a second movement direction that is opposite to the first movement direction.

Abstract: A combine harvester includes a header assembly configured for collecting a crop, a threshing assembly coupled to the header assembly and configured for separating grains of the crop from material other than grain, and a cleaning assembly positioned in association with the threshing assembly and configured for separating the grains from chaff. The cleaning assembly includes a fan assembly having a fan housing with a fan output duct and a fan mounted to the fan housing, and one or more cleaning sieves. The fan assembly is configured to blow air across the one or more cleaning sieves via the fan output duct. The fan output duct includes at least one segmented air deflector.

Abstract: A system and method for reversing a movement direction of a laterally extending conveyor of a draper header of an agricultural machine. The system includes a fluid line for delivering fluid to a motor that drives the laterally extending conveyor. A directional flow control valve is connected to the fluid line and is movable between a first state in which the directional flow control valve is configured to deliver the fluid to the motor in a first fluid direction to cause the motor to move the laterally extending conveyor in a first movement direction, and a second state in which the directional flow control valve is configured to deliver the fluid to the motor in a second fluid direction that is different from the first fluid direction to cause the motor to move the laterally extending conveyor in a second movement direction that is opposite to the first movement direction.

Abstract: A harvester and associated method for adjusting a first row divider and a second row divider of the harvester, the first row divider having a first adjustable divider tip defining a first divider angle relative to a travel axis of the harvester and the second row divider having a second adjustable divider tip defining a second divider angle relative to the travel axis. The method includes detecting a turn of the harvester and activating at least one actuator to adjust the first divider angle by a first amount and the second divider angle by a second amount that is different from the first amount responsively to the detecting the turn.

Abstract: A combine harvester includes a header assembly configured for collecting a crop, a threshing assembly coupled to the header assembly and configured for separating grains of the crop from material other than grain, and a cleaning assembly positioned in association with the threshing assembly and configured for separating the grains from chaff. The cleaning assembly includes a fan assembly having a fan housing with a fan output duct and a fan mounted to the fan housing, and one or more cleaning sieves. The fan assembly is configured to blow air across the one or more cleaning sieves via the fan output duct. The fan output duct includes at least one segmented air deflector.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a harvester and associated method for adjusting a first row divider and a second row divider of the harvester, the first row divider having a first adjustable divider tip defining a first divider angle relative to a travel axis of the harvester and the second row divider having a second adjustable divider tip defining a second divider angle relative to the travel axis. The method includes detecting a turn of the harvester and activating at least one actuator to adjust the first divider angle by a first amount and the second divider angle by a second amount that is different from the first amount responsively to the detecting the turn.

Abstract: A harvesting reel assembly for a header of an agricultural harvester is disclosed. The harvesting reel assembly includes a central rotatable shaft, a plurality of support members, a cam assembly and an extendable reel arm. The plurality of support members extend widthwise across the reel assembly and connect to the central rotatable shaft for rotation therewith. The cam assembly guides rotation of the plurality of support members. The extendable reel arm includes a first end engaged with the central rotatable shaft for rotation therewith. The extendable reel arm also includes a distal end opposite the first end connected to one of the plurality of support members.

Abstract: A header for a combine harvester. The header includes a row unit that includes a pair of stalk rolls, a knife mount and a cutting blade. The knife mount is mounted to the row unit. The cutting blade is mounted to the knife mount and includes a leading cutting edge, and a tail end having a baffle configured to generate a flow of air, wherein the leading cutting edge is forward the tail end upon rotation of the knife mount.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a malfunction in a harvesting machine includes a sensor for mounting to the harvesting machine. The sensor is configured to measure a magnitude of a mechanical wave produced in the harvesting machine, and output a signal based on the magnitude. A controller receives the signal from the sensor. The controller is configured to process the signal and generate an alarm signal when a threshold is exceeded. An alarm unit is configured to receive the alarm signal from the controller when the threshold value is exceeded, and output an alarm to alert the operator of the malfunction. The malfunction can be a slipped clutch caused by a jammed condition, or other anomaly that generates a mechanical wave. The mechanical wave can be a sound wave or mechanical vibration traveling through one or more parts of the harvesting machine.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a malfunction in a harvesting machine includes a sensor for mounting to the harvesting machine. The sensor is configured to measure a magnitude of a mechanical wave produced in the harvesting machine, and output a signal based on the magnitude. A controller receives the signal from the sensor. The controller is configured to process the signal and generate an alarm signal when a threshold is exceeded. An alarm unit is configured to receive the alarm signal from the controller when the threshold value is exceeded, and output an alarm to alert the operator of the malfunction. The malfunction can be a slipped clutch caused by a jammed condition, or other anomaly that generates a mechanical wave. The mechanical wave can be a sound wave or mechanical vibration traveling through one or more parts of the harvesting machine.

Abstract: A header for a combine harvester is provided. The header includes a row unit, a knife mount and a cutting blade. The knife mount is mounted to the row unit. The cutting blade is mounted to the knife mount and includes a leading cutting edge, and a tail end configured to generate a flow of air substantially transverse to a major plane of the cutting blade.

Abstract: A rigid rotor discharge deflector apparatus for a combine, including a body member, attachable to the side wall of a discharge passage at the downstream end of the rotor, having a face portion with at least one ridge portion thereon extending generally laterally across at least a portion of the face portion, an upper body portion above the level of the ridge portion, an upper ramp portion sloped and extending outwardly from the upper body portion to the ridge portion, and a bracing associated with the upper ramp portion maintaining the ridge portion essentially fixed relative to the side wall and maintaining the upper ramp portion essentially fixed in position relative to the side wall under normal forward operating conditions of the rotor. The body member may also include a lower body portion below the level of the ridge portion, and the upper and lower body portions may both be attachable to the side wall.

Abstract: A clean grain and tailings conveying system for an agricultural combine, including a pan fixedly mounted beneath a lowermost sieve of a cleaning system The pan includes a tailings receiving portion disposed below a peripheral edge portion of the sieve, for receiving tailings which fall downwardly from the edge portion during operation of the sieve, and a clean grain receiving portion disposed beneath the sieve for receiving clean grain which falls downwardly therethrough during the operation of the sieve. The pan includes at least one elongate collecting conveyor including a clean grain collecting portion which extends longitudinally through the clean grain receiving portion of the pan, and a tailings collecting portion which extends longitudinally through the tailings receiving portion, for separately receiving and collecting the clean grain and the tailings received by the pan, and conveying the clean grain and tailings to transfer conveyors that can also be part of the pan.

Abstract: A clean grain and tailings conveying system for an agricultural combine, including a pan fixedly mounted beneath a lowermost sieve of a cleaning system. The pan includes a tailings receiving portion disposed below a peripheral edge portion of the sieve, for receiving tailings which fall downwardly from the edge portion during operation of the sieve, and a clean grain receiving portion disposed beneath the sieve for receiving clean grain which falls downwardly therethrough during the operation of the sieve. The pan includes at least one elongate collecting conveyor including a clean grain collecting portion which extends longitudinally through the clean grain receiving portion of the pan, and a tailings collecting portion which extends longitudinally through the tailings receiving portion, for separately receiving and collecting the clean grain and the tailings received by the pan, and conveying the clean grain and tailings to transfer conveyors that can also be part of the pan.

Abstract: An agricultural combine in which each of the front wheels and each of the rear wheels is driven by an independent fluid motor. The front wheels are steerable and the rear wheels are steerable, either independently or together. Regardless of the use mode in which the combine is operating the weight and balance characteristics of the combine for that use mode are such that the location of the CG is optimized.

Abstract: A grate for an agricultural combine includes curved grate segments, each of which include mounting holes in at least one end segment. To provide a threshing grate, the end segments of the grate segments are offset to provide a “step”, or discontinuity in the radius of the assembled grate, which improves the threshing efficiency of the combine. The step can be provided by offsetting mounting holes between adjacent grate segments, and securing the grates to a frame member.

Abstract: A textured trough element including a concave surface having a curved profile when viewed from a longitudinal end thereof of marginally larger diametrical extent than the circular cross section of a helical tailings auger. The trough element is positionable in a bottom portion of an auger trough with the concave surface facing and extending partially around a bottom portion of the helical radial outer periphery of the auger such that the auger will convey the tailings on and along the concave surface. The concave surface has a sufficiently rough surface texture for causing tumbling and rolling of at least a substantial portion of the tailings conveyed thereover, for loosening and releasing at least some of any grain partially or fully contained in elements of the tailings.

Abstract: A grate for an agricultural combine includes curved grate segments, each of which include mounting holes in at least one end segment. To provide a threshing grate, the end segments of the grate segments are offset to provide a “step”, or discontinuity in the radius of the assembled grate, which improves the threshing efficiency of the combine. The step can be provided by offsetting mounting holes between adjacent grate segments, and securing the grates to a frame member.

Abstract: Rotary accelerating apparatus for a vertical crop residue spreader of an agricultural combine capable of receiving, combining and accelerating a relatively high velocity of voluminous flow of relatively heavy, bulky crop residue including straw and the like deflected downwardly from the thresher of the combine, and a weaker, less voluminous flow of chaff and air from the cleaning system of the combine located forwardly of the spreader, by generating a negative pressure or suction condition in the vicinity of the chaff flow for overcoming any undesirable back pressure condition that interferes with induction of the crop residue flow from the cleaning system and which facilitates air flow through the chassis region of the combine to reduce conditions leading to undesirable dust buildup and other problems.