Abstract: A fiber reinforced plastic composite chassis incorporates flexible panel suspension structure between generally rigid chassis members, to accommodate, dissipate and absorb bending and torsional loads encountered by the chassis.

Abstract: Leaves and other debris arranged in piles along a roadway are lifted by a flail-type rotary cutting device towed centrally behind a tractor. The device includes a containment hood having a forwardly opening throat which is adjustable to conform generally to the size of the piles for receiving the piles and restricting the material from being thrown forwardly from under the hood particularly at the end of a pile. The lifted material is delivered into a receptacle towed behind the cutting device. The rotary cutting device can handle leaves and other debris in states ranging from dry and fluffy to frozen and snow-covered. The tractor and/or additional brushes may be used for preliminary piles sizing and positioning. Brushes may also be added to the machine for additional cleaning action and to help part wide piles.

Abstract: In an axial flow rotary separator, the crop material engaging elements of the eccentrically mounted rotor include helically oriented deflecting surfaces of significant axial extent which in operation, sweep closely or "wipe" a separating grate of the separator casing while the helical surfaces contribute to axial indexing of the material.

Abstract: The axial flow rotary separator of a self-propelled combine employs dual side-by-side rotors sharing a common infeed opening. Finger-like crop engaging elements of the rotors are propelled in orbits both oblique and eccentric with respect to the separator casings. The rotors are counter rotating and a stream of threshed crop material is delivered towards the bite of the rotors so that it is carried through between the rotors and divided against an opposite floor of the infeed casing. The fingers are disposed so that, as the rotor rotates, the degree of engagement of each finger with the crop material stream varies and so that, while in its principal engagement with the material, each finger propels portions of the crop material stream generally spirally downstream.

Abstract: In the axial flow rotary separator of a combine harvester spiral propulsion of the crop material mat is achieved through the cooperation of helical guide vanes in the separator casing and rotor fingers free to swing axially. The rotor is eccentrically mounted so that each finger fully engages the mat for only part of each revolution. While in engagement, the fingers maintain the circumferential propulsion of the mat but each finger is free to be carried downstream by the mat under the influence of the guide vanes, deflected from its normal free fully radially extending position. On disengagement from the mat, centrifugal force restores the finger to its fully extended position ready for reengagement of the mat.