Abstract: A threshing and separating system for an agricultural harvester includes a rotor configured to rotate about a rotor axis, a rotor cage at least partially enclosing the rotor and including a tailings return inlet formed therein and configured to couple to a tailings return elevator and an insert opening formed therein that is at least partially circumferentially aligned with the tailings return inlet relative to the rotor axis, at least one concave coupled to the rotor cage and defining a plurality of concave perforations, and a threshing insert removably coupled to the rotor cage and including at least one mounting opening. The threshing insert at least partially covers the insert opening and is positioned such that material from the tailings return inlet travels past the threshing insert before reaching the concave.

Abstract: An assembly for selectively activating a cleaning fan of a combine harvester. The assembly includes a hydraulic pump for distributing power to the cleaning fan. The hydraulic pump is movably connected to a fixed point, and is configured to move between first and second positions. The hydraulic pump has an input portion for receiving power and a pressurized fluid port for distributing fluid to power the cleaning fan. A drive belt is wound about the input portion of the hydraulic pump and a drive pulley of the combine harvester. An actuator is provided for selectively moving the hydraulic pump between the first position, in which the drive belt is maintained in a state of tension such that the drive pulley can drive the cleaning fan, and the second position, in which the drive belt is maintained in a relaxed state such that the drive pulley cannot drive the cleaning fan.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle spreader system having a fixed frame, a pivot frame, a pivot joint connecting the pivot frame to the fixed frame for movement about a pivot axis between an operation position and a service position, a spreader assembly, and a power transmission. The pivot joint includes a pivot shaft extending along the pivot axis. The pivot shaft has a drive input and a drive output that is spaced along the pivot axis from the drive input. The spreader assembly has one or more spreaders mounted to the pivot frame and configured to rotate about a respective spreader axis that is offset radially from the pivot axis, and a respective spreader drive input drivingly connected to each of the one or more spreaders. The power transmission operatively connects the pivot shaft drive output to each respective spreader drive input.

Abstract: An automated system for moving a crop harvester relative to an obstacle in a crop field. The system includes a sensor that is configured to sense a presence of the obstacle in the crop field, and transmit a signal corresponding to the presence of the obstacle. A motor is configured to move the crop harvester relative to the agricultural vehicle. A controller is configured to activate the motor based upon the signal received from the sensor and thereby move the crop harvester relative to the agricultural vehicle to prevent physical contact between crop harvester and the obstacle.

Abstract: A threshing and separating system for an agricultural harvester includes a rotor configured to rotate about a rotor axis, a rotor cage at least partially enclosing the rotor and including a tailings return inlet formed therein and configured to couple to a tailings return elevator and an insert opening formed therein that is at least partially circumferentially aligned with the tailings return inlet relative to the rotor axis, at least one concave coupled to the rotor cage and defining a plurality of concave perforations, and a threshing insert removably coupled to the rotor cage and including at least one mounting opening. The threshing insert at least partially covers the insert opening and is positioned such that material from the tailings return inlet travels past the threshing insert before reaching the concave.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a malfunction in a harvesting machine includes a sensor for mounting to the harvesting machine. The sensor is configured to measure a magnitude of a mechanical wave produced in the harvesting machine, and output a signal based on the magnitude. A controller receives the signal from the sensor. The controller is configured to process the signal and generate an alarm signal when a threshold is exceeded. An alarm unit is configured to receive the alarm signal from the controller when the threshold value is exceeded, and output an alarm to alert the operator of the malfunction. The malfunction can be a slipped clutch caused by a jammed condition, or other anomaly that generates a mechanical wave. The mechanical wave can be a sound wave or mechanical vibration traveling through one or more parts of the harvesting machine.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a malfunction in a harvesting machine includes a sensor for mounting to the harvesting machine. The sensor is configured to measure a magnitude of a mechanical wave produced in the harvesting machine, and output a signal based on the magnitude. A controller receives the signal from the sensor. The controller is configured to process the signal and generate an alarm signal when a threshold is exceeded. An alarm unit is configured to receive the alarm signal from the controller when the threshold value is exceeded, and output an alarm to alert the operator of the malfunction. The malfunction can be a slipped clutch caused by a jammed condition, or other anomaly that generates a mechanical wave. The mechanical wave can be a sound wave or mechanical vibration traveling through one or more parts of the harvesting machine.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine includes a chassis and a threshing system carried by the chassis. The threshing system includes a rotor, a frame assembly and at least one concave carried by the frame assembly. A latch mechanism supports and secures the concave relative to the frame assembly and includes a concave support bar, a clamping bar and a quick-connect, over center latch for tool-less operation.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine includes a chassis and a threshing system carried by the chassis. The threshing system includes a rotor, a frame assembly and at least one concave carried by the frame assembly. A latch mechanism supports and secures the concave relative to the frame assembly and includes a concave support bar, a clamping bar and a quick-connect, over center latch for tool-less operation.