Abstract: A combine harvester includes a rotor cage surrounding a rotor, a threshing space defined between the rotor cage and the rotor, and a transition section defining an infeed to the rotor cage. The transition section is mounted to the rotor cage at a location upstream of the rotor cage. The transition section has an inlet for receiving the crop material. The harvester also includes a crop conveying drum for conveying crop material to the inlet of the transition section and beneath the rotor. The crop conveying drum is at least partially encased by a shroud. The transition section includes a bottom wall, two side walls each having lower portions extending substantially vertical with respect to the bottom wall, and curved side walls each extending between the bottom wall and one of the side walls. The bottom wall is substantially tangential to a lower portion of the shroud.

Abstract: A combine harvester includes a rotor cage surrounding a rotor, a threshing space defined between the rotor cage and the rotor, and a transition section defining an infeed to the rotor cage. The transition section is mounted to the rotor cage at a location upstream of the rotor cage. The transition section has an inlet for receiving the crop material. The harvester also includes a crop conveying drum for conveying crop material to the inlet of the transition section and beneath the rotor. The crop conveying drum is at least partially encased by a shroud. The transition section includes a bottom wall, two side walls each having lower portions extending substantially vertical with respect to the bottom wall, and curved side walls each extending between the bottom wall and one of the side walls. The bottom wall is substantially tangential to a Sower portion of the shroud.

Abstract: A threshing system of an agricultural harvester includes a rotor cage surrounding a rotor, a threshing space defined between the rotor cage and the rotor, and a transition cone defining an infeed to the rotor cage and the threshing system. A mating interface between the rotor cage and the transition cone is curved in three different dimensions of a Cartesian coordinate system for maximizing the threshing space. As viewed from above the mating interface of the threshing system, a convex portion of the rotor cage is mounted to a concave portion of the transition cone.

Abstract: A concave adjustment device for an agricultural harvester includes a rotor having a longitudinal axis, a concave encircling at least a portion of the rotor, and a linkage connected to the concave for moving the concave with respect to the rotor. The linkage includes a first link, a second link and the concave. The first link has a first portion connected to a device for moving the linkage and a second portion connected to one side of the concave. The second link has a first portion pivotably connected to an opposing side of the concave and a second portion pivotably connected to a fixed point on the harvester. The device for moving the linkage is configured to translate the first link, which causes rotation of the second link and movement of the concave with respect to the rotor.

Abstract: A concave adjustment device for an agricultural harvester includes a rotor having a longitudinal axis, a concave encircling at least a portion of the rotor, and a linkage connected to the concave for moving the concave with respect to the rotor. The linkage includes a first link, a second link and the concave. The first link has a first portion connected to a device for moving the linkage and a second portion connected to one side of the concave. The second link has a first portion pivotably connected to an opposing side of the concave and a second portion pivotably connected to a fixed point on the harvester. The device for moving the linkage is configured to translate the first link, which causes rotation of the second link and movement of the concave with respect to the rotor.

Abstract: A threshing system of an agricultural harvester includes a rotor cage surrounding a rotor, a threshing space defined between the rotor cage and the rotor, and a transition cone defining an infeed to the rotor cage and the threshing system. A mating interface between the rotor cage and the transition cone is curved in three different dimensions of a Cartesian coordinate system for maximizing the threshing space. As viewed from above the mating interface of the threshing system, a convex portion of the rotor cage is mounted to a concave portion of the transition cone.

Abstract: A method of coating an agricultural component including the step of providing a concave component. The concave component has a crop engaging surface. The method also includes the steps of applying a high hardness coating on the crop engaging surface, and bonding the applied high hardness coating to the crop engaging surface by heating the applied high hardness coating to a temperature of at least 1900° F.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis and a threshing and separating section carried by the chassis that is configured for threshing and separating grain from gathered crop material. The threshing and separating section includes at least one concave with at least one crop engaging surface having a high hardness coating formed thereon.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis and a threshing and separating section carried by the chassis that is configured for threshing and separating grain from gathered crop material. The threshing and separating section includes at least one concave with at least one crop engaging surface having a high hardness coating formed thereon.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis and a threshing and separating section carried by the chassis that is configured for threshing and separating grain from gathered crop material. The threshing and separating section includes at least one concave with at least one crop engaging surface having a high hardness coating formed thereon.

Abstract: A modular straight separator bar for a rotor for a threshing system of an agricultural combine that is mountable on a single mounting lug and interchangeable with a rasp bar at a plurality of locations on the rotor. As a result, more straight separator bars may be mounted towards the front of the rotor providing the threshing system the capability of performing increased separation in the threshing process without interrupting the helical flow pattern of the crop material.

Abstract: A locking system for attaching a threshing and/or separating element to a mounting lug on a rotor of a threshing system of an agricultural combine, including a single bolt attachment with multiple points of contact between the element and the lug created by a convex portion extending from an inner surface of the threshing and/or separating element cooperatively engaged in a recessed portion of the mounting lug. The locking system resists loading conditions generated when the crop mat engages the element, prevents radially outward movement of the threshing and/or separating element relative to the mounting lug, and reduces the stress on the mounting hardware during harvesting operations.

Abstract: A rear deck service ladder for combine harvesters having rear M.O.G. discharge ports, said ladders being retractable and extendible without interfering with the discharge port.

Abstract: A locking system for attaching a threshing and/or separating element to a mounting lug on a rotor of a threshing system of an agricultural combine, including a single bolt attachment with multiple points of contact between the element and the lug created by a convex portion extending from an inner surface of the threshing and/or separating element cooperatively engaged in a recessed portion of the mounting lug. The locking system resists loading conditions generated when the crop mat engages the element, prevents radially outward movement of the threshing and/or separating element relative to the mounting lug, and reduces the stress on the mounting hardware during harvesting operations.

Abstract: A modular straight separator bar for a rotor for a threshing system of an agricultural combine that is mountable on a single mounting lug and interchangeable with a rasp bar at a plurality of locations on the rotor. As a result, more straight separator bars may be mounted towards the front of the rotor providing the threshing system the capability of performing increased separation in the threshing process without interrupting the helical flow pattern of the crop material.