Abstract: An agricultural machine system, includes: an agricultural machine; a control system operatively coupled with the agricultural machine, the control system including: a sensor configured for: sensing a cut stubble of a plant material; outputting a cut stubble signal corresponding to the cut stubble; a controller system operatively coupled with the sensor and configured for: receiving the cut stubble signal; determining a cut stubble characteristic based at least in part on the cut stubble signal; outputting an output signal based at least in part on the cut stubble characteristic.

Abstract: A residue chopper comprising a housing forming a cutting chamber, a shaft, knives extending from the shaft, a counterknife support, a counterknife, and a fin. The counterknife and fin are attached to the counterknife support, with the fin behind the counterknife. the fin has a blunt side facing against the operating direction. The counterknife support is movable between a first position in which the counterknife extends a minimum predetermined distance into the cutting chamber and the fin is not within the cutting chamber, a second position in which the counterknife extends an intermediate predetermined distance into the cutting chamber and within the cutting volume and the fin is not within the cutting chamber, and a third position in which the counterknife extends a maximum predetermined distance into the cutting chamber and into the cutting volume and the fin extends into the cutting chamber.

Abstract: A spreader system for use in an agricultural harvester having a threshing system and a cleaning system. The spreader system includes a chopper for the chopping of straw from the threshing system and a chaff spreader system and a straw spreader system. The chaff spreader system is configured to receive a flow of chaff from the cleaning system; and the straw spreader system is configured to receive a flow of straw from the chopper. The chaff spreader system is configured to emit a chaff airflow stream in a first flow path, and the straw spreader system is configured to emit a straw airflow stream in a second flow path. The first flow path and the second flow path intersect at a place of confluence apart from the chaff spreader system and the straw spreader system.

Abstract: A spreader system of an agricultural vehicle for spreading crop residue over a field includes a first spreader device including a plurality of first paddles configured to rotate about a first axis to define a first spread path; and a second spreader device including a plurality of second paddles configured to rotate about a second axis to define a second spread path. The second spreader device and the first spreader device are located side-by-side. The spreader system further includes deflector that include a first deflector portion for deflecting the first spread path and a second deflector portion for deflecting the second spread path. The spreader further includes a deflector driver connected to the deflector. The deflector driver is configured to move the first deflector portion and the second deflector portion of the deflector in a direction generally parallel to the first axis or the second axis in an oscillating pattern.

Abstract: A grain cleaning system in an agricultural harvester, that includes a chaff pan with a pivotal axis near an end of the chaff pan. The chaff pan has a dual locking system coupled thereto for holding the chaff pan in two different positions. The dual locking system has a first over-center locking arrangement and a second over-center locking arrangement. The first locking arrangement is used to hold the chaff pan in an upward position when the first locking arrangement is locked. The first locking arrangement includes a first linkage element; and a second linkage element. The second locking arrangement holds the chaff pan in a locked downward position when the second locking arrangement is locked. The second locking arrangement includes a first linkage element; and a second linkage element. The first linkage element of the first locking arrangement is also the first linkage element of the second locking arrangement.

Abstract: A spreader system for use in an agricultural harvester having a threshing system and a cleaning system. The spreader system includes a chopper for the chopping of straw from the threshing system and a chaff spreader system and a straw spreader system. The chaff spreader system is configured to receive a flow of chaff from the cleaning system; and the straw spreader system is configured to receive a flow of straw from the chopper. The chaff spreader system is configured to emit a chaff airflow stream in a first flow path, and the straw spreader system is configured to emit a straw airflow stream in a second flow path. The first flow path and the second flow path intersect at a place of confluence apart from the chaff spreader system and the straw spreader system.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis; a header carried by the chassis and configured to cut crop material; a chopper carried by the chassis downstream of the header; and a windrow assembly carried by the chassis downstream of the chopper. The windrow assembly includes a windrow chute defining a leading edge downstream from the chopper and a trailing edge downstream from the leading edge; and a roller associated with the leading edge to form an active leading edge of the windrow chute during rotation.

Abstract: A grain cleaning system in an agricultural harvester, that includes a chaff pan with a pivotal axis near an end of the chaff pan. The chaff pan has a dual locking system coupled thereto for holding the chaff pan in two different positions. The dual locking system has a first over-center locking arrangement and a second over-center locking arrangement. The first locking arrangement is used to hold the chaff pan in an upward position when the first locking arrangement is locked. The first locking arrangement includes a first linkage element; and a second linkage element. The second locking arrangement holds the chaff pan in a locked downward position when the second locking arrangement is locked. The second locking arrangement includes a first linkage element; and a second linkage element. The first linkage element of the first locking arrangement is also the first linkage element of the second locking arrangement.

Abstract: A spreader system of an agricultural vehicle for spreading crop residue over a field includes a first spreader device including a plurality of first paddles configured to rotate about a first axis to define a first spread path; and a second spreader device including a plurality of second paddles configured to rotate about a second axis to define a second spread path. The second spreader device and the first spreader device are located side-by-side. The spreader system further includes deflector that include a first deflector portion for deflecting the first spread path and a second deflector portion for deflecting the second spread path. The spreader further includes a deflector driver connected to the deflector. The deflector driver is configured to move the first deflector portion and the second deflector portion of the deflector in a direction generally parallel to the first axis or the second axis in an oscillating pattern.

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 residue handling system of an agricultural harvester includes a straw beater for receiving material other than grain from a threshing and separating system. A subsequent residue treatment device receives the material from the straw beater and breaks down larger parts of the material prior to discharge from the agricultural harvester. At least one wind generating system is located at an end of the straw beater and directs a flow of air from the vicinity of the straw beater to the subsequent residue treatment device. The flow of air is directed to pass substantially through an upper rearward part of the residue handling system. The flow of air operates to further entrain, render airborne, and transport material other than grain proceeding from the straw beater to the subsequent residue treatment device.

Abstract: A chopper assembly for a crop residue distribution system of an agricultural combine may include a rotor shaft extending lengthwise along a rotational axis between a first end and a second end. The chopper assembly may also include a plurality of flail blades pivotally coupled to the rotor shaft. Each flail blade may be configured to pivot relative to the rotor shaft about a pivot axis, with the flail blades being spaced apart axially from one another between the first and second ends of the rotor shaft. In addition, the chopper assembly may include one or more features configured to improve the performance of the chopper assembly during low speed operation. For example, the feature(s) may correspond to one or more fixed blades coupled to the rotor shaft and/or one or more torsional springs provided in operative association with one or more of the flail blades.

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: An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis; a header carried by the chassis and configured to cut crop material; a chopper carried by the chassis downstream of the header; and a windrow assembly carried by the chassis downstream of the chopper. The windrow assembly includes a windrow chute defining a leading edge downstream from the chopper and a trailing edge downstream from the leading edge; and a roller associated with the leading edge to form an active leading edge of the windrow chute during rotation.

Abstract: A crop residue spreader has a plurality of deflector elements arranged in a first group and a second group, a planar spreader frame element having a bottom surface to which the first and second group of deflector elements are displaceably mounted, the planar spreader frame element comprising a guide slot extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a first cover plate that is displaceably mounted to a top surface of the planar spreader frame element; a second cover plate that is displaceably mounted to the top surface of the planar spreader frame element and whereby a relative displacement of the first and second cover plates away from each other causes a part of the guide slot to be uncovered and a third cover plate is configured to cover, at least partly, the uncovered part of the guide slot.

Abstract: A chopper assembly for a crop residue distribution system of an agricultural combine may include a rotor shaft extending lengthwise along a rotational axis between a first end and a second end. The chopper assembly may also include a plurality of flail blades pivotally coupled to the rotor shaft. Each flail blade may be configured to pivot relative to the rotor shaft about a pivot axis, with the flail blades being spaced apart axially from one another between the first and second ends of the rotor shaft. In addition, the chopper assembly may include one or more features configured to improve the performance of the chopper assembly during low speed operation. For example, the feature(s) may correspond to one or more fixed blades coupled to the rotor shaft and/or one or more torsional springs provided in operative association with one or more of the flail blades.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester with crop residue spreaders distributing crop residue laterally. Each crop residue spreader has a plurality of radially extending bats rotatable within a housing for directing residue from an axially directed inlet radially outward through an outer outlet. The housing has an outer wall with a height that increases axially in a uniform fashion around the periphery to minimize if not eliminate recirculation of residue to the inlet.

Abstract: A residue handling system of an agricultural harvester includes a straw beater for receiving material other than grain from a threshing and separating system. A subsequent residue treatment device receives the material from the straw beater and breaks down larger parts of the material prior to discharge from the agricultural harvester. At least one wind generating system is located at an end of the straw beater and directs a flow of air from the vicinity of the straw beater to the subsequent residue treatment device. The flow of air is directed to pass substantially through an upper rearward part of the residue handling system. The flow of air operates to further entrain, render airborne, and transport material other than grain proceeding from the straw beater to the subsequent residue treatment device.

Abstract: A spreader arrangement for an agricultural harvester includes a pair of spreader discs, at least one cover plate and a windrow chute. The spreader discs are generally horizontally arranged and rotatable in a counter rotating manner. Each cover plate is positioned at a location above a respective spreader disc, and is operable to inhibit a flow of crop material to the respective spreader disc when positioned above the respective spreader disc. The windrow chute has an entrance end positioned below the pair of cover plates and above the pair of spreader discs, whereby crop material is discharged from the top of the cover plates into the windrow chute.

Abstract: A spreader for a harvesting machine includes a pair of counter-rotating spreader units each having an impeller and a fan supported on a common shaft. A plenum routes at least part of the airflow from a first fan to merge with chaff exiting the opposite impeller and at least a part of the airflow from the opposite fan to merge with chaff exiting the impeller on the machine side of the first fan. In one embodiment all airflow from a fan is ducted to an impeller on the opposite side, while a second embodiment commingles airflow from both fans in a plenum from which portions of the mixed airflows is directed to the chaff exiting each impeller exit. In a third, embodiment an established airflow receives chaff from the impeller on the side on which that airflow is generated.