Abstract: An embodiment includes a combine including a sensor positioned to detect a physical characteristic of a windrow produced by the combine or an operational state of the combine, a windrow door for expelling the residue from the combine, a windrow door actuator coupled to the windrow door to position the windrow door at a windrow door angle, a windrow chute for receiving the expelled residue from the windrow door and guiding the residue into a windrow, a windrow chute actuator coupled to the windrow chute to position the windrow chute at a windrow chute angle, a controller configured to determine a physical characteristic of the windrow or the operational state of the combine based on an output of the sensor, and adjust at least one of the windrow door angle or the windrow chute angle based on the determined physical characteristic or operational state.

Abstract: A combine feeder slat having a first base, a second base, and a slat body. The bases are located at respective ends of the slat, and have respective upper and lower surfaces. The slat body extends longitudinally and connects the bases. The slat body has a variable profile as viewed along the longitudinal direction, that transitions from a first profile shape at the first base, to an intermediate profile shape between the first base and the second base, to a second profile shape at the second base. The intermediate profile shape includes a front lip, a rear lip, and an upward-facing concave projection that connects the front lip to the rear lip and extends below an attachment plane defined between the first lower surface and the second lower surface. The first base, second base, and slat body are made from a unitary wrought metal part.

Abstract: A threshing system for a combine harvester includes a support bracket that is configured to be attached to a threshing rotor cylinder of the threshing system and a rasp bar that is configured to be mounted to the support bracket. A channel is formed in one of the rasp bar and the support bracket for receiving a surface of the other of the rasp bar and the support bracket, wherein engagement between the channel and the surface limits movement of the rasp bar on the support bracket.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis; a threshing and separating assembly carried by the chassis; and a chopper assembly carried by the chassis that receives crop material from the threshing and separating assembly. The chopper assembly includes at least one movable chopping knife; a plurality of counter knives movable between a first knife position and a second knife position, the plurality of counter knives configured to cooperate with the at least one chopping knife to cut crop material when in the first knife position; a shear bar movable between a first bar position and a second bar position; and a linkage assembly connected to the plurality of counter knives and the shear bar such that the linkage assembly is selectively actuable to simultaneously move the plurality of counter knives and the shear bar between their respective first and second positions.

Abstract: A grain tank includes a generally flat bottom that is oriented at a position that is less than the angle of repose of the grain. A conveyor mechanism conveys grain along the bottom to a cross auger for unloading. One or more sensors may be placed in the grain tank to determine a state of the grain to further determine if the conveyor mechanism should be operated to unload grain from the grain tank.

Abstract: A combine including a chassis, a crop residue handling system including a residue chopper, residue spreader, a spreader chute and a swath selection door, a receiver configured to determine a location of the combine, and a controller that controls the residue handling system. The controller configured to determine the location of the combine on a map, execute a crop residue spreading mode in response to the controller determining that the location of the combine is located in a designated crop residue spreading zone indicated on the map, and execute a crop residue windrow mode in response to the controller determining that the location of the combine is located in a designated crop residue windrow zone indicated on the map.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a threshing and separating system for separating grain from non-grain crop material, and a residue handling system for receiving at least a portion of the non-grain crop material. The residue handling system includes a chopper and a windrow arrangement, each having an inlet. A door is movable between a closed position which directs the non-grain crop material to the chopper and an open position which directs the non-grain crop material to the windrow arrangement. A feed roller is positioned adjacent to and between the inlet of the chopper and windrow arrangement. The feed roller is rotatable in a first direction which directs the non-grain crop material to the chopper when the door is in the closed position, and a second direction which directs the non-grain crop material to the windrow arrangement when the door is in the open position.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis and a residue handling system carried by the chassis. The residue handling system includes a set of rotating knives disposed in a housing, a first set of counter-knives, and a residue pivoting platform and/or a second set of counter-knives. Crop residue travels through the system in a residue flow direction. The first set of counter-knives are configured to enter the housing proximate to the set of rotating knives. The residue pivoting platform is positioned proximate to the first set of counter-knives in an upstream direction relative to the crop residue flow direction. The second set of counter-knives are configured to enter the housing proximate to the set of rotating knives. The second set of counter-knives are in a downstream direction relative to the crop residue flow from at least one of the residue pivoting platform and the first set of counter-knives.

Abstract: A combine comprising a chassis, a crop residue handling system including a residue chopper, residue spreader, a spreader chute and a swath selection door, a receiver configured to determine a location of the combine, and a controller that controls the residue handling system. The controller configured to determine the location of the combine on a map, execute a crop residue spreading mode in response to the controller determining that the location of the combine is located in a designated crop residue spreading zone indicated on the map, and execute a crop residue windrow mode in response to the controller determining that the location of the combine is located in a designated crop residue windrow zone indicated on the map.

Abstract: A residue management system for an agricultural vehicle includes: a straw hood defining a first rear opening and a second rear opening; a windrow chute held adjacent to the first rear opening; a spreader assembly held adjacent to the second rear opening; a conveyor held within the straw hood and defining a conveyor axis of rotation; and a selection door pivotably coupled to the straw hood and defining a pivot axis which is rearward and below the conveyor axis of rotation, the selection door being configured to switch between a first position in which material from the conveyor is directed toward the first rear opening and a second position in which material from the conveyor is directed toward the second rear opening.

Abstract: A threshing system for an agricultural harvester includes a rotor having a proximal end adapted to receive material from a feeding mechanism and a distal end. A discharge housing surrounds the distal end of the rotor. The discharge housing includes a side wall spaced radially apart from the rotor to define a discharge passage between the rotor and the discharge housing. At least one vane is pivotably mounted to the side wall of the discharge housing at a downward swept side of the rotor. The vane extends from the inner surface of the discharge housing. The position of the vane is adjustable to change a trajectory of material expelled from the discharge passage. The vane is positioned on a large diameter portion of the discharge housing in order to limit compression of the material as the material passes along the at least one vane.

Abstract: A spreader system of an agricultural vehicle for spreading crop residue including first and second spreader devices and a chute. The first spreader device includes a plurality of first paddles configured to rotate about a first axis, the rotation of the first paddles producing a first stream of crop residue. The second spreader device includes a plurality of second paddles configured to rotate about a second axis, the rotation of the second paddles producing a second stream of crop residue. The chute receives the first stream of crop residue and the second stream of crop residue flow respectively from the first spreader device and the second spreader device. The first stream and the second stream of crop residue are combined in the chute.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis, with a separating system and a residue handling system each carried by the chassis. The separating system receives a flow of crop material producing a chaff flow and a residue flow. The residue handling system receives the chaff flow and the residue flow from the separating system, and the residue handling system includes a residue chopper operationally positioned immediately above a residue spreader. The residue spreader is oriented to receive the chaff flow and the residue flow chopped by the residue chopper.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a threshing and separating system for separating grain from non-grain crop material, and a residue handling system for receiving at least a portion of the non-grain crop material. The residue handling system includes a chopper and a windrow arrangement, each having an inlet. A door is movable between a closed position which directs the non-grain crop material to the chopper and an open position which directs the non-grain crop material to the windrow arrangement. A feed roller is positioned adjacent to and between the inlet of the chopper and windrow arrangement. The feed roller is rotatable in a first direction which directs the non-grain crop material to the chopper when the door is in the closed position, and a second direction which directs the non-grain crop material to the windrow arrangement when the door is in the open position.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis; a threshing and separating assembly carried by the chassis; and a chopper assembly carried by the chassis that receives crop material from the threshing and separating assembly. The chopper assembly includes at least one movable chopping knife; a plurality of counter knives movable between a first knife position and a second knife position, the plurality of counter knives configured to cooperate with the at least one chopping knife to cut crop material when in the first knife position; a shear bar movable between a first bar position and a second bar position; and a linkage assembly connected to the plurality of counter knives and the shear bar such that the linkage assembly is selectively actuable to simultaneously move the plurality of counter knives and the shear bar between their respective first and second positions.

Abstract: A method of operating an agricultural vehicle having a feeder housing and a header. The method includes the steps of providing an automated adjustment system configured for adjusting at least one of: at least one header function, at least one feeder housing function, and at least one agricultural vehicle function. The automated adjustment system includes a controller and a memory operably coupled to the controller. The method includes the further steps of receiving an input from one of an operator manually inputting the input or the header automatically communicating the input, defining an origin position, calibrating an origin pitch angle of the header, adjusting a position of the header, maintaining the origin position, determining a condition, and adjusting or maintaining at least one of the at least one header function, the at least one feeder housing function, and the at least one agriculture vehicle function in response to the condition.

Abstract: A combine comprising a chassis, a crop residue handling system including a residue chopper, residue spreader, a spreader chute and a swath selection door, a receiver configured to determine a location of the combine, and a controller that controls the residue handling system. The controller configured to determine the location of the combine on a map, execute a crop residue spreading mode in response to the controller determining that the location of the combine is located in a designated crop residue spreading zone indicated on the map, and execute a crop residue windrow mode in response to the controller determining that the location of the combine is located in a designated crop residue windrow zone indicated on the map.

Abstract: A system processes seeds that are present in crop material. The system includes a first shearing surface, a second shearing surface arranged opposite the first shearing surface, and a clearance between the first shearing surface and the second shearing surface. The system passes crop material between the first and second shearing surfaces, where the crop material contacts the shearing surfaces as it passes through the shearing surfaces. Contact with the first and second shearing surfaces damages seeds that are present in the crop material. The system can be installed in an agricultural harvester to damage seeds that are present in crop residue to prevent the seeds from germinating after the crop residue is discharged from the agricultural harvester back into the field.

Abstract: A residue management system for an agricultural vehicle includes: a straw hood defining a first rear opening and a second rear opening; a windrow chute held adjacent to the first rear opening; a spreader assembly held adjacent to the second rear opening; a conveyor held within the straw hood and defining a conveyor axis of rotation; and a selection door pivotably coupled to the straw hood and defining a pivot axis which is rearward and below the conveyor axis of rotation, the selection door being configured to switch between a first position in which material from the conveyor is directed toward the first rear opening and a second position in which material from the conveyor is directed toward the second rear opening.