Abstract: A harvesting header for attachment to a harvesting machine, the header including two or more sub-assemblies each which includes a respective crop gathering mechanism and a respective drive mechanism coupled to operate the crop gathering mechanism. The drive mechanisms for the respective sub-assemblies are operable independently of one another to enable them to run at different speeds when the harvesting machine is performing a turn manoeuver.

Abstract: A residue spreader for receiving crop residue from a residue chopper of a combine harvester and spreading crop residue onto the ground. The spreader includes a body having an inlet side and an outlet side, a plurality of outlet deflectors, each outlet deflector mounted on the body in juxtaposed position and configured to laterally deflect the crop residue between the inlet side and the outlet side, and a plurality of inlet deflectors, each inlet deflector pivotally mounted on the body in juxtaposed position and extending forwards from a respective pivot axis towards the inlet side and each configured to laterally deflect the crop residue between the inlet side and the outlet side upstream of the outlet deflectors.

Abstract: A combine harvester includes a feederhouse mounted to a chassis adapted at a front end to support a crop gathering header, a duct mounted on the feederhouse that is connected to a crop conveying passage of the feederhouse via a set of suction openings, a set of vent openings in the duct, each of the vent openings having a respective closure element movable between an open position and a closed position, and a fan arranged within the duct that can be operated in a first direction to create a suction airflow to extract dust from the crop conveying passage and discharge the dust through the duct, and in a second direction to create a blowing airflow to open the closure elements and vent air through the vent openings.

Abstract: A residue spreader for receiving crop residue from a residue chopper of a combine harvester and spreading crop residue onto the ground. The spreader includes a body having an inlet side and an outlet side, a plurality of outlet deflectors, each outlet deflector mounted on the body in juxtaposed position and configured to laterally deflect the crop residue between the inlet side and the outlet side, and a plurality of inlet deflectors, each inlet deflector pivotally mounted on the body in juxtaposed position and extending forwards from a respective pivot axis towards the inlet side and each configured to laterally deflect the crop residue between the inlet side and the outlet side upstream of the outlet deflectors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the distribution of residue material from a spreader tool of an agricultural machine including a first sensor with a sensing region defining a first sensing boundary corresponding to a first direction with respect to the agricultural machine, a second sensor with a sensing region defining a second sensing boundary corresponding to a second direction with respect to the agricultural machine, and using the sensing data from the first and second sensors to determine a distribution of residue material associated with the spreader tool. One or more systems of the agricultural machine are then controlled based on the determined distribution.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the distribution of residue material from a spreader tool of an agricultural machine including an imaging sensor coupled to an unloading auger of the agricultural machine used to image an area to the rear of the agricultural machine where the Image data is analysed to determine a distribution of residue material associated with the spreader tool and one or more operational parameters of the agricultural machine or components are controlled based on the determined distribution.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the distribution of residue material from a spreader tool of an agricultural machine including receiving image data from an imaging sensor indicative of a residue material spread by the spreader tool within a sensing region rearwards of the agricultural machine and where one or more image transformations are applied to image data to generate an enhanced image of the distribution of the residue material including colour, distortion and/or correction transformations for generating an enhanced image for view by an operator of the machine and controlling a user interface associated with the agricultural machine to provide an indicator indicative of the enhanced image which is easily interpreted.

Abstract: A separating rotor with a rotor tube for use on a combine harvester has a plurality of crop engaging finger elements. Each finger element is mounted to a respective finger support which is secured to the rotor tube. Each finger element has a planar body with a flared base portion which presents a leading edge to the crop material with a relatively shallow angle with respect to the tube.

Abstract: Steps to manufacturing a feed beater for a twin axial-flow crop processor in a combine harvester including cutting a flat state vane element from sheet material and bending along predetermined bend lines before being secured to a rotor core. The vane element includes a transverse vane section parallel to the rotation axis, and a directional vane section having an effective edge that extends at a non-zero angle to the rotation axis.

Abstract: A combine harvester with a separating rotor, rotor tube and a plurality of crop engaging finger elements. Each finger element is mounted to a respective finger support which is secured to the rotor tube. Each finger element has a planar body with a flared base portion which presents a leading edge to the crop material with a relatively shallow angle with respect to the tube.

Abstract: A combine harvester with an axial flow crop processor with a rotor mounted for rotation inside a rotor housing arranged longitudinally with respect to the harvester. A feed beater is mounted for rotation on a substantially transverse axis and serves to tangentially impel crop material into the crop processor. A drive system drives the rotor and feed beater, wherein the drive system includes a rotor drive device for transmitting torque from a drive stage to the rotor, and a drive connection between the rotor drive device and the beater.

Abstract: Steps to manufacturing a feed beater for a twin axial-flow crop processor in a combine harvester including cutting a flat state vane element from sheet material and bending along predetermined bend lines before being secured to a rotor core. The vane element includes a transverse vane section parallel to the rotation axis, and a directional vane section having an effective edge that extends at a non-zero angle to the rotation axis.

Abstract: A combine harvester including a frame and a twin rotor crop processor mounted to the frame. The processor comprises a pair of axial-flow crop processing rotors arranged side-by-side and each being mounted for rotation inside a generally cylindrical rotor housing. Each rotor housing includes a curved cover plate. Each cover plate has a structure that includes a flange along a longitudinal edge for securing the plate to a central frame member between the rotor housings. Both flanges intersect a hypothetical vertical plane aligned with the frame member.

Abstract: A rotor top cover assembly for an axial-flow crop processor in a combine harvester is provided. The cover assembly comprises first and second curved cover plate sections at least one of which sections forming an upper part of a generally cylindrical shaped rotor housing for a crop processing rotor. A curved transition plate nests radially inside, and is fastened to, adjoining respective end regions of the cover plate sections. Helical guide vanes are mounted in an axially spaced relationship along an inner surface of at least one of the cover plate sections. At least one guide vane is mounted directly to the transition plate.

Abstract: A combine harvester with an axial flow crop processor with a rotor mounted for rotation inside a rotor housing arranged longitudinally with respect to the harvester. A feed beater is mounted for rotation on a substantially transverse axis and serves to tangentially impel crop material into the crop processor. A drive system drives the rotor and feed beater, wherein the drive system includes a rotor drive device for transmitting torque from a drive stage to the rotor, and a drive connection between the rotor drive device and the beater.

Abstract: A rotor top cover assembly for an axial-flow crop processor in a combine harvester is provided. The cover assembly comprises first and second curved cover plate sections at least one of which sections forming an upper part of a generally cylindrical shaped rotor housing for a crop processing rotor. A curved transition plate nests radially inside, and is fastened to, adjoining respective end regions of the cover plate sections. Helical guide vanes are mounted in an axially spaced relationship along an inner surface of at least one of the cover plate sections. At least one guide vane is mounted directly to the transition plate.

Abstract: A combine harvester including a frame and a twin rotor crop processor mounted to the frame. The processor comprises a pair of axial-flow crop processing rotors arranged side-by-side and each being mounted for rotation inside a generally cylindrical rotor housing. Each rotor housing includes a curved cover plate. Each cover plate has a structure that includes a flange along a longitudinal edge for securing the plate to a central frame member between the rotor housings. Both flanges intersect a hypothetical vertical plane aligned with the frame member.

Abstract: A grain unloading system for a combine harvester comprises an unloading tube having a discharge outlet and a helical auger situated in the unloading tube and operable to convey grain towards and through the discharge outlet. A dribble control door serves to inhibit the leakage of grain from the tube when the auger is in a non-operative mode. The door is pivotally connected to the tube adjacent the discharge outlet so as to be pivotally moveable between a closed position and an open position. A lever arm is fixed at one end to the dribble control door, and at the other end to a gas spring which is mounted to the tube. The gas spring is pressurised so as to provide a closing moment to bias the dribble control door into the closed position. The geometry of the lever and gas spring is such that the closing moment increases as the dribble control door moves from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: A trailer for transporting a harvester header comprises a chassis, a rear axle assembly and a front axle assembly. A steering force transfer mechanism is arranged to transfer a steering force hydraulically from a first one steerable wheel supported on the front axle assembly to a second one steerable wheel supported on the rear axle assembly. A steering movement of the first one steerable wheel to one side effects a steering movement of the second one steerable wheel to the opposite side.

Abstract: A trailer for transporting a harvester header comprises a chassis, a rear axle assembly and a front axle assembly. A steering force transfer mechanism is arranged to transfer a steering force hydraulically from a first one steerable wheel supported on the front axle assembly to a second one steerable wheel supported on the rear axle assembly. A steering movement of the first one steerable wheel to one side effects a steering movement of the second one steerable wheel to the opposite side.