Abstract: Apparatus and a method for automatically recognizing a header connected to a harvesting machine and setting operating and/or adjustment parameters of a spreader of the machine for use with the header. The apparatus includes a memory containing information representative of predetermined spreader settings for at least one header connectable to the harvesting machine, such as a grain header and a corn or maize header. A detector element is operable for automatically identifying a header connected to the machine and outputting a signal or information representative thereof, to a controller automatically operable for using that information for retrieving the stored information representative of the predetermined spreader settings for that header. Input commands and/or information, for instance, relating to crop type, and/or crop and environmental conditions, can also be inputted using either an onboard or remote input device.

Abstract: An adjustable deflector apparatus having a deflector plate for transitioning crop residue from the rotor of an axially arranged threshing system of a combine to a crop residue distribution system is disposed with the deflector plate pivotally mounted at approximately the height of the axis of the rotor at its downstream end to be movable into and out of the flow of the crop residue such that at least a portion of such flow will strike or impinge the deflector plate and be deflected thereby downwardly and transversely toward the crop residue distribution system. An adjusting mechanism is operable for moving the deflector plate in relation to an internal side of the combine for adjusting a desired parameter or parameters of the deflected flow and for moving the deflector plate to a retracted position when reverse operation of the rotor is desired.

Abstract: A convergence panel construction for an agricultural combine that permits a user to adjust or controllably vary to some extent, depending upon whether windrowing or swath spreading of crop residue is desired, lateral flow concentration or dispersion of the crop residue flow as the crop residue flow is directed towards the rear of the combine and into a distribution chamber for discharge therefrom either through a rear opening for windrowing or into a chopper/spreader for swath spreading, including adjustable convergence panels hingedly attached to the sides of the distribution chamber for rotation about the hinged attachments and a positioning assembly therefor, which positioning assembly includes an adjustment mechanism, such as a linkage connected to the convergence panels, for adjustably moving such convergence panels about the hinged attachments and a controller mechanism operable by a user to effect the movement of such right and left convergence panels through operation of such adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A counter knife bank or knife rank for use with a stationary knife assembly, such as by attachment to a knife mounting assembly of the stationary knife assembly, of a chopper assembly of an agricultural combine, including a plurality of individual double-sided knife blades or elements joined together, such as by a spline connector that extends through aligned openings in the base body portions of the knife blades or elements, in an aligned columnar arrangement to form a knife formation that is connected to a support member, such as to an underlying member having an inverted U-shape, that is removably connectable to a depending side wall of the knife mounting assembly to permit initial use of the first cutting edges of the knife blades or elements, easy reversal of the counter knife bank or rank at a later time, and subsequent use of the second cutting edges of the knife blades or elements.

Abstract: An improved knife bank assembly of a counter knife assembly of an integral chopper assembly of a combine harvester that includes an elongated bracket member that extends between opposed knife bank end plates and has a plurality of spaced retainment mounts securable therealong, with at least one, and preferably two, knife blades being removably connectable to each retainment mount in a side-by-side arrangement. The bracket member is preferably mounted to a shaft member that extends between concave pan side plates to be slidable along such shaft member to permit adjustable positioning of the knife bank assembly and the knife elements thereof relative to the slots of the grate portion, and the retainment mounts are preferably removably securable to the bracket member.

Abstract: A concave pan portion of an integral chopper assembly that includes a concave pan shell portion with a separate grate portion that may be easily installed into and removed from an intermediate opening in such concave pan portion for replacement in the event of undesirable wear thereto, and a separate interruption plate installable downstream from the slots in the grate portion for the purpose of effecting a lower mean length of chop (LOC) as the integral chopper assembly operates. The separate grate portion is configured to be installable to fill the intermediate opening in the concave pan shell portion, with a plurality of slots therethrough positioned side-by-side in the crossways direction to accommodate knife elements that are part of the counter knife assembly. Preferably, such separate grate portion may be crossways adjustable to some degree within the intermediate opening.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for automatically recognizing a header connected to a harvesting machine and setting operating and/or adjustment parameters of a spreader of the machine for use with the header. The apparatus includes a memory containing information representative of predetermined spreader settings for at least one header connectable to the harvesting machine, such as a grain header and a corn or maize header. A detector element is operable for automatically identifying a header connected to the machine and outputting a signal or information representative thereof, to a controller automatically operable for using that information for retrieving the stored information representative of the predetermined spreader settings for that header. Input commands and/or information, for instance, relating to crop type, and/or crop and environmental conditions, can also be inputted using either an onboard or remote input device.

Abstract: An adjustable deflector apparatus having a deflector plate for transitioning crop residue from the rotor of an axially arranged threshing system of a combine to a crop residue distribution system is disposed with the deflector plate pivotally mounted at approximately the height of the axis of the rotor at its downstream end to be movable into and out of the flow of the crop residue such that at least a portion of such flow will strike or impinge the deflector plate and be deflected thereby downwardly and transversely toward the crop residue distribution system. An adjusting mechanism is operable for moving the deflector plate in relation to an internal side of the combine for adjusting a desired parameter or parameters of the deflected flow and for moving the deflector plate to a retracted position when reverse operation of the rotor is desired.

Abstract: A flow distributor apparatus for a vertical spreader operable for discharging a flow of straw or other crop residue in a sideward direction over a field, the flow distributor apparatus including a flow guide element, an adjusting mechanism, and a coupling connector connecting the flow guide element to the adjusting mechanism for controllable repositioning of the flow guide element relative to the spreader paddles. The flow guide element is disposed generally adjacent to the back plate of the spreader and intermediate the spreader paddles with an apex portion, laterally extending arm portions, and longitudinally extending crop residue flow surfaces, at least portions of which crop residue flow surfaces extend beneath the spreader paddles.

Abstract: A flow distributor apparatus for a vertical spreader operable for discharging a flow of straw or other crop residue in a sideward direction over a field, the flow distributor apparatus including a flow guide element, an adjusting mechanism, and a coupling connector connecting the flow guide element to the adjusting mechanism for controllable repositioning of the flow guide element relative to the spreader paddles. The flow guide element is disposed generally adjacent to the back plate of the spreader and intermediate the spreader paddles with an apex portion, laterally extending arm portions, and longitudinally extending crop residue flow surfaces, at least portions of which crop residue flow surfaces extend beneath the spreader paddles.