Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine that comprises a crop processing mechanism and an elevator assembly for conveying harvested crop material to the crop processing mechanism is provided. The elevator assembly comprises an elevator housing, an elevator mechanism mounted in the housing, at least two flexible endless members and a plurality of slats mounted transversely to the flexible members. The slats have an S-shaped cross section that provides additional strength to the slats while reducing the chance of damage to the crop conveyed by these slats.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine that comprises a crop processing mechanism and an elevator assembly for conveying harvested crop material to the crop processing mechanism is provided. The elevator assembly comprises an elevator housing, an elevator mechanism mounted in the housing, at least two flexible endless members, and a plurality of slats mounted transversely to the flexible members. The slats have an S-shaped cross section that provides additional strength tot the slats while reducing the chance of damage to the crop conveyed by these slats.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine comprises crop processing mechanism and an elevator assembly for conveying harvested crop material to said crop processing mechanism. The elevator assembly comprises an elevator housing and elevator mechanism mounted in said housing and comprising at least two flexible endless members and a plurality of slats mounted transversely to said flexible members. The slats have an S-shaped cross section. This shape provides additional strength tot the slats, while reducing the chance of damage to the crop conveyed by these slats.

Abstract: A combine harvester comprises a threshing and separating mechanism mounted to a main frame, which includes a generally cylindrical chamber having a generally longitudinal axis, and a separating concave assembly. The arrangement further includes a rotor assembly mounted for rotation in the chamber and comprising a generally cylindrical rotor body with a separating section associated with the separating concave assembly. The separating mechanism further comprises a beater assembly arranged behind the concave assembly for receiving threshed and separated crop material therefrom and projecting it rearwardly. The beater assembly comprises a transverse guide mounted behind the separating concave assembly and below the rotor body, and a transverse beater rotor. The chamber comprises a curved guide plate arranged behind the separating concave assembly and above the guide.

Abstract: A combine harvester comprises a threshing and separating arrangement mounted to a main firm and including a generally cylindrical chamber having a generally longitudinal axis. Part of the chamber is constituted by a separating concave assembly comprising at least two separating concaves, the one located behind the other. The concaves are taken from a choice of less and more aggressive separating concaves. The chamber comprises mounting device operable to receive and hold each of the separating concaves. The front and/or the rear concaves can be removed and replaced.

Abstract: A combine harvester comprises a threshing and separating arrangement mounted to a main frame, which includes a generally cylindrical chamber having a generally longitudinal axis and comprising a separating concave assembly and an upper guide cover provided with fins arranged to move harvested crop material along a helical path inside the chamber. The threshing and separating arrangement further comprises a rotor assembly mounted for rotation in the chamber and comprising a generally cylindrical rotor body with a separating section associated with the separating concave assembly and having a circumscribed diameter D. The pitch angle &agr; of the rotor fins has been optimized with respect to power requirements and rotor losses.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine having a threshing and separating mechanism for threshing and separating crop material; and cleaning mechanisms for cleaning the threshed and separated crop material. The cleaning mechanism comprising: a grain pan for receiving threshed and separated crop material and transporting the latter rearwardly; and an upper and lower sieves installed behind the grain pan and operable to receive the material from the grain pan and move it through and along. At least one portion of the grain pan is inclined in a sideways direction for sideways movement of the threshed and separated crop material while it is being transported rearwardly towards the sieve. This inclination spreads out the surplus of crop material supplied to one longitudinal section of the grain pan and delivers it in an even pattern to the front section of the upper sieve.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine having a threshing and separating mechanism for threshing and separating crop material; and cleaning mechanism for cleaning the threshed and separated crop material. The cleaning mechanism comprising: a grain pan for receiving threshed and separated crop material and transporting the latter rearwardly; and an upper and lower sieves installed behind said grain pan and operable to receive the material from said grain pan and move it through and along. At least one portion of said grain pan is inclined in a sideways direction for sideways movement of said threshed and separated crop material while it is being transported rearwardly towards said sieve. This inclination spreads out the surplus of crop material supplied to one longitudinal section of the grain pan and delivers it in an even pattern to the front section of the upper sieve.

Abstract: A variable diameter belt type power transfer assembly having a drive sheave and a driven sheave, both of which are adjustable and include a pair of opposing coaxial flanges, one of which is axially movable relative to the other, is disclosed wherein both flanges of the drive sheave are provided with first and second belt engaging surfaces flaring radially outwardly with respect to each other so as to define first and second variable diameter belt receiving grooves therebetween. A dual range of velocity ratios between the drive sheave and the driven sheave is obtainable by selectively positioning a drive belt in the respective variable diameter belt receiving grooves. The inner and outer flange portions of one sheave member are constructed to allow the outer sheave portion to be selectively located in an operative position and an axially spaced retracted position relative to the inner sheave portion.

Abstract: A variable diameter belt type power transfer assembly having a drive sheave and a driven sheave, both of which are adjustable and include a pair of opposing coaxial flanges, one of which is axially movable relative to the other, is disclosed wherein both flanges of the drive sheave are provided with first and second belt engaging surfaces flaring radially outwardly with respect to each other so as to define first and second variable diameter belt receiving grooves therebetween. A dual range of velocity ratios between the drive sheave and the driven sheave is obtainable by selectively positioning a drive belt in the respective variable diameter belt receiving grooves.

Abstract: A variable diameter belt type power transfer assembly having a drive sheave and a driven sheave, both of which are adjustable and include a pair of opposing coaxial flanges, one of which is axially movable relative to the other, is disclosed wherein both flanges of the drive sheave are provided with first and second belt engaging surfaces flaring radially outwardly with respect to each other so as to define first and second variable diameter belt receiving grooves therebetween. A dual range of velocity ratios between the drive sheave and the driven sheave is obtainable by selectively positioning a drive belt in the respective variable diameter belt receiving grooves.

Abstract: A belt-type power transfer assembly for driving the separating mechanism of a rotary combine harvester is disclosed wherein the assembly includes spaced apart driving and driven pulleys, an endless flexible belt interengaged between the pulleys to transfer rotational power therebetween and spring-loaded tensioning means operably engaged with the flexible belt to take up the slack thereof and to maintain proper tension therein when transferring rotational power. Stop means are associated with the spring-loaded tensioning means for restricting biasing movement thereof in the direction of the flexible belt, causing the tensioning means to act as fixedly positioned tensioning means after an initial belt tensioning movement thereof. The power transfer assembly according to the invention may be used to drive the separating mechanism of a rotary combine harvester.