Abstract: An agricultural harvester residue handling selection method having the steps of: selecting a chop/swath residue handling mode resulting in a mode selection; setting a chopper speed range for a chopper in a residue handling section dependent upon the mode selection; and positioning a windrow door dependent upon the mode selection.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a grain processing section having a chaff pan with a discharge end adjacent aft steerable wheels for the combine. The main chaff pan has a deflector positioned across its discharge end. The deflector has articulated end sections that are displaceable between a first position where they are fully deployed to direct chaff towards the discharge end and a second position where they deflect to clear the steerable wheels adjacent their steering limits. Either a lost motion mechanism or direct abutment device is connected to the end sections so that they are actuated only adjacent the steering limits of the wheels.

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 machine includes: a base member; and a step assembly coupled with the base member. The step assembly includes: a support member coupled with the base member and configured for moving relative to the base member between a support member storage position and a support member operating position; and at least one step coupled with the support member and configured for moving relative to the support member between a step storage position and a step operating position, the step assembly being in a step assembly storage position when the support member is in the support member storage position and the at least one step is in the step storage position, the step assembly being in a step assembly operating position when the support member is in the support member operating position and the at least one step is in the step operating position.

Abstract: A feeder assembly for an agricultural harvester, including a first shaft, a second shaft opposite the first shaft, a chain extending around the first shaft and the second shaft, wherein the chain is configured to convey agricultural through the agricultural harvester, and a self-adjusting object deflector assembly positioned between the first shaft and the second shaft, wherein the self-adjusting object deflector assembly comprises a deflector biased against the chain and configured to block the agricultural material from interfering with a connection between the chain and the first shaft.

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 chopper assembly for harvesting equipment including a rotary chopper device with a plurality of knives and a cylindrical chopper grate assembly spaced from the rotary chopper to form a passageway for crop residue. The chopper grate assembly includes a plurality of slots extending in the direction of crop residue flow. A knife bank assembly includes a plurality of knife elements aligned with and insertable in the slots with the knife bank assembly being displaceable toward and between a position where the bank knife elements are fully inserted through the slots into the passageway and a position where they are substantially clear of the passageway. A deflector is provided for covering the slots and the deflector is displaceable with the knife elements to uncover the slots as the knife elements are displaced through the slots and into the passageway.

Abstract: A chopper assembly for harvesting equipment including a knife bank movable between a first position where knife elements of the knife bank are fully inserted into a passageway for crop residue and a second position where knife elements of the knife bank are fully retracted from the passageway. A body has a slot or profile, the body secured to the knife bank and at least one knife element, the body and the knife element configured to move relative to the knife bank. A resilient device operably connects the slot or profile and the knife bank, the resilient device preventing movement of the knife element away from the first position and toward the second position until the knife element is subjected to a predetermined force. Upon removal of the predetermined force, the resilient device urges the knife element to move toward the first position.

Abstract: A windrow door for controlling a direction of flow of crop residue expelled from a combine is disclosed. The windrow door may generally include a door panel extending lengthwise between a first end and a second end. The door panel may be configured to be move relative to a spreader of the combine between a closed position, wherein the crop residue being expelled from the combine is directed along the door panel and into the spreader, and a chute position, wherein the crop residue is directed through a rear opening of the combine and onto the door panel.

Abstract: A shifting method for an inline shaft system of a chopper system of an agricultural harvester is described and illustrated. The method includes the steps of detecting, temporarily rotating and engaging. The detecting step detects a failure to properly engage a shift collar with a splined component. The temporarily rotating step temporarily rotates the inline shaft system. The engaging step engages the shift collar with the splined component.

Abstract: A system for controlling the spreading of crop residue expelled from an agricultural combine is disclosed. The system may include a spreader configured to expel crop residue from the combine. The spreader may include at least one spreader disc configured to be rotated about an axis. In addition, the system may include a windrow door having an inner surface defining a flow path for directing the crop residue into the spreader. At least a portion of the windrow door may be configured to be moved relative to the spreader so as to adjust a location at which the crop residue is introduced onto the at least one spreader disc.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester residue handling selection method having the steps of: selecting a chop/swath residue handling mode resulting in a mode selection; setting a chopper speed range for a chopper in a residue handling section dependent upon the mode selection; and positioning a windrow door dependent upon the mode selection.

Abstract: A chaff pan for attachment to a cleaning apparatus of an agricultural combine is provided. The chaff pan includes a surface for receiving a flow of chaff from the cleaning apparatus. The surface has a proximal end proximate the combine and an opposing distal end. First and second side walls extend upwards from the surface about respective lateral ends of the chaff pan. The chaff pan also includes a flow control guide vane positioned on the surface of the chaff pan that extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the surface. The flow control guide vane is positioned on the surface at an angle relative to a midline of the chaff pan for directing the flow of chaff towards the midline of the chaff pan.

Abstract: A windrow door assembly for controlling a direction of flow of crop residue expelled from a combine is disclosed. The window door assembly may generally include a door panel extending between a first end and a second end. The door panel may be moveable between a closed position, wherein the crop residue being expelled from the combine is directed along the door panel into a spreader of the combine, and an opened position, wherein the crop residue is directed along the door panel towards a rear opening of the combine. In addition, the windrow door assembly may include a deflector panel rotatably coupled to the door panel. The deflector panel may be configured to alter the direction of flow of the crop residue when the door panel is in the opened position.

Abstract: A chopper assembly for harvesting equipment including a rotary chopper device with a plurality of knives and a cylindrical chopper grate assembly spaced from the rotary chopper to form a passageway for crop residue. The chopper grate assembly includes a plurality of slots extending in the direction of crop residue flow. A knife bank assembly includes a plurality of knife elements aligned with and insertable in the slots with the knife bank assembly being displaceable toward and between a position where the bank knife elements are fully inserted through the slots into the passageway and a position where they are substantially clear of the passageway. A deflector is provided for covering the slots and the deflector is displaceable with the knife elements to uncover the slots as the knife elements are displaced through the slots and into the passageway.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes: a base member; and a step assembly coupled with the base member. The step assembly includes: a support member coupled with the base member and configured for moving relative to the base member between a support member storage position and a support member operating position; and at least one step coupled with the support member and configured for moving relative to the support member between a step storage position and a step operating position, the step assembly being in a step assembly storage position when the support member is in the support member storage position and the at least one step is in the step storage position, the step assembly being in a step assembly operating position when the support member is in the support member operating position and the at least one step is in the step operating position.

Abstract: A shifting method for an inline shaft system of a chopper system of an agricultural harvester is described and illustrated. The method includes the steps of detecting, temporarily rotating and engaging. The detecting step detects a failure to properly engage a shift collar with a splined component. The temporarily rotating step temporarily rotates the inline shaft system. The engaging step engages the shift collar with the splined component.

Abstract: An agricultural combine having an adjustable spreader assembly is provided that includes a spreader with one or a pair of regulators. The spreader includes a discharge opening about its lateral side. The regulator is pivotably connected to the lateral side of the spreader such that the regulator is in fluid communication with the discharge opening. The regulator can be configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position or to vary the direction of discharge of crop residue. The spreader can be a vertical spreader, a horizontal spreader, or a spread board.

Abstract: A system for discharging residue from an agricultural combine to a ground surface. The system including a spreader operatively connected to a rear end of the agricultural combine. The spreader having one or more impellers each having an axis of rotation and a housing. The impellers are operatively connected to the housing for rotating therein. The housing has an inlet for receiving a flow of residue, an outlet configured about a lateral side of the housing for discharging the flow of residue, and one or more residue flow distributors each pivotably movable in a direction generally parallel with the axis of rotation. Each flow distributor is configured to guide the discharged flow of residue sidewardly away from the spreader to the ground surface. The rotation of the one or more impellers discharge a flow of residue received through the inlet out through the outlet.

Abstract: A flow distribution system for use with a combine spreader having an inlet opening at the top thereof for receiving crop residue, a pair of counter-rotating spreader paddles disposed generally side by side and forward of a back plate of the spreader, and a discharge opening below the spreader paddles. A flow guide element has an apex portion and a pair of opposed arm portions pivotally connected to the apex portion, the arm portions laterally extending to free end portions. An adjusting mechanism is operably connected to the arm portions to effect rotational movement of the arm portions about the apex portion, ends of spreader paddle members defining the outer swept diameters of the pair of spreader paddles and the crop residue flow surfaces of at least the arm portions defining clearance regions therebetween to controllably distribute crop residue in a desired pattern over a field.