Abstract: A dual cut header assembly including a header, a chopper suspended from the header, and an actuator system comprising one or more cylinders. The actuator system solely connects the chopper to the header. The dual cut header assembly further includes at least one sensor for measuring a state of the chopper and an actuator steering module connected to the actuator system. The header is configured to be lifted by an agricultural vehicle to cut crop material from a field at a first height. The chopper is configured to cut the crop material at a second height lower than the first height. The actuator steering module is configured to automatically adapt the distance based on the measured state of the chopper.

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 transl

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 the sleeve and moveable axially in relation thereto, the hub supporting a second sheave member having a second face that opposes the first face such that the first and second faces define therebetween a groove adapted to receive a belt and relative axial movement between the sleeve and the hub being adapted to vary at least one of pitch diameter and grip imparted to the belt from the sheaves; and c) an actuator mechanism adapted, through control of relative axial displacement between the sleeve and the hub, to vary at least one of the pitch and grip, the actuator mechanism comprising a control rod disposed substantially perpendicularly to the line of action of the axial displacement and connected to the hub through a link mechanism, the control rod being adapted to rotate and the link mechanism being adapted to translate rotation of t

Abstract: A method is provided for bearing a pitch or grip of a belt running between a pair of opposing faces of respective first and second sheave members of a power transmission device. The method includes moving the second sheave member axially in relation to the first sheave member by translating to the second sheave member, in a form of linear movement, rotation of a control rod disposed substantially at right angles to a line of axial spoke of the second sheave member.

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 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 transl

Abstract: A drive mechanism for utility machinery is disclosed. The mechanism includes a driver wheel and a driven wheel that are coupled by means of an endless flexible band trained around outer rims of the driver and driven wheels. The driver wheel is adapted to transmit drive to the driven wheel in a forward direction F along a loaded side of the band. The mechanism further comprises an idler wheel that runs on an outer side of the band and applies an inwardly directed tensioning force to the band on a run of the band that is unloaded when forward drive is being transmitted. A reverse driver is positioned between the idler wheel and the driven wheel on an inner portion of the side of the band that is unloaded during forward drive. The reverse driver is adapted to selectively provide a reverse drive to the band.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for adjusting the width of a sieve opening on combine harvesters so as to permit a quick installation of a new sieve or a quick re-installation of the previously used sieve, whereby enabling the previous width of the sieve opening to be immediately readjusted. The lamellas of the sieve are adjusted by means of an adjusting rail, which is actuated by a transversal shaft and by an adjusting mechanism both of which being mounted in a positionally fixed manner on the sieve housing of the cleaning device. The transversal shaft, to which an upwardly oriented driver is attached, is located underneath the sieve, the driver being connected to the adjusting rail by means of positive locking that can be disengaged by an upward movement of the sieve.

Abstract: A grain tank of an agricultural harvester having a top formed with an opening is provided. A cover overlies the opening, and a lifting mechanism is provided for raising the cover to an elevated position. Side panels extend between the cover and the top of the grain tank when the cover is in the elevated position to provide an enclosed extension volume that increases the storage capacity of the grain tank. At least two of the side panels are rigidly and permanently connected to the cover.

Abstract: A crop chopper arrangement generally comprises a discharge apparatus having an inlet adapted to receive chopped crop from a crop chopper for an agricultural machine. The arrangement further includes a row of guide vanes positioned substantially transversely to a longitudinal axis of the agricultural machine and adapted to spread out a flow of the chopped crop from the discharge apparatus in a direction substantially rearwards to a direction of travel of the agricultural machine. One or more of the guide vanes has a shape or configuration that is adapted to impart a predetermined deviation to at least a portion of a flow of chopped crop passing through said discharge apparatus. The shape or configuration of each guide vane is dependent on its transverse position in the row. This arrangement makes it possible to realize an even distribution of the chopped crop over the full width of the harvester header.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for adjusting the width of a sieve opening on combine harvesters. The aim of the invention is to be able to economically produce this device and to permit a quick installation of a new sieve or a quick re-installation of the previously used sieve, whereby enabling the previous width of the sieve opening to be immediately readjusted. The invention also aims to be able, while using the device, to adjust the width of the sieve opening on a preliminary sieve from an easily accessible location. To these ends, the lamellas of the sieve are adjusted by means of an adjusting rail, which is actuated by a transversal shaft and by an adjusting mechanism both of which being mounted in a positionally fixed manner on the sieve housing of the cleaning device. The transversal shaft, to which an upwardly oriented driver is attached, is located underneath the sieve.

Abstract: A grain tank of an agricultural harvester is described having a top formed with an opening. A cover overlies the opening, and a lifting mechanism is provided for raising the cover to an elevated position. Side panels extend between the cover and the top of the grain tank when the cover is in the elevated position to provide an enclosed extension volume that increases the storage capacity of the grain tank. At least two of the side panels are rigidly and permanently connected to the cover.

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 combine harvester (1) is provided with a grain cleaning mechanism (12), comprising a fan (33) installed in a generally volute-shaped fan housing (72), having primary air inlets (73) in its side walls and a secondary air inlet (74) in its top wall. The housing (72) further has a main outlet duct (80) directed to a chaffer sieve (31) and a lower grain sieve (32) and an additional outlet duct (81) directed to a pre-cleaning sieve (29) and an associated grain pan (30). The secondary air inlet (74) is covered with a plurality of juxtaposed plates (75), comprising sets of louvres (76) which are opened rearwardly. Grain kernels which unwantedly fall off the leading edges of the sieves (29, 31, 32) or the grain pan (30) and into the outlet duct (80, 81), may be engaged and thrown upwardly by the blades (95) of the fan (33), but will be returned into the fan housing (72) by the louvres (76), which nevertheless do not obstruct an efficient air intake by the fan (33) .

Abstract: An adjustable sieve mechanism for an agricultural harvesting machine comprising louvres positioned behind one another and being movable through a range of positions between a fully closed and a fully opened position. Consecutive louvres define an opening when in an opened position. An adjustment mechanism is provided for changing the opening. Also provided is an opening indicator including a movable part which is unitarily moved with one of the louvres when the opening is adjusted. The indicator permits verification of the sieve opening even when the louvres are not accessible for measurement with gauges, and a direct link between the louvres and the movable part avoids the inaccuracies which are conceivable when the indicator is sensing the movement of further, intermediate components of the adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A combine harvester stone trap having its upwardly facing inlet generally in the proximity of the transition between the discharge end of the crop elevator and the forward end of the combine threshing concave. The stone trap includes a front wall in the form of a door which can be opened into a retracted position for emptying the stone trap and a rear wall which, in an operative position, effectively closes the gap between the forward end of the threshing concave and the forward end of the combine grain pan located below the concave in a conventional manner. The rear wall is movable into an inoperative position providing access to the gap between the forward ends of the threshing concave and the grain pan.

Abstract: A combine harvester having a threshing and separating mechanism and a grain cleaning mechanism disposed beneath the threshing and separating mechanism and including a grain pan fitted with a movable divider apparatus and operable to receive grain from the threshing and separating mechanism, sieve mechanism operable to receive grain from the grain pan, and a fan operable to blow air through the sieve mechanism, is disclosed wherein an inclination sensing mechanism for sensing the lateral inclination of the combine harvester is operatively associated with an actuator operatively coupled to the grain pan divider apparatus for positionally adjusting the grain pan divider apparatus in response to the output of the inclination sensing mechanism to compensate for any given lateral inclination of the harvester.