Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine includes crop processing functionality configured to engage crop in a field, perform a crop processing operation on the crop, and move the processed crop to a harvested crop repository, and a control system configured to identify a weed seed area indicating presence of weed seeds, and generate a control signal associated with a pre-emergence weed seed treatment operation based on the identified weed seed area.

Abstract: A harvester may include a crop path along which crops are moved, a working member to interact with weed seeds moving along the crop path and a controller. The controller is to receive data indicating forthcoming weed seeds and is to output control signals controlling the working member based on the data.

Abstract: An example harvester that may include a weed seed devitalizer and a controller that automatically adapts or adjusts the weed seed devitalizer. The controller is to receive data from at least one sensor indicating forthcoming weed seeds and to output control signals controlling the weed seed devitalizer based on the data.

Abstract: The invention provides an adaptive control system and a regulating method for the threshing separation load of the combined harvester and the longitudinal axis. The control system mainly comprises entrainment loss monitoring device, grain breaking rate monitoring device, device for regulating clearance of cutting concave outlet, jitter board load monitoring device, return plate load monitoring device and on-line monitoring and control system. According to the differential signal of the impact force sensor and the inertial force sensor, the cutting flow threshing and separating device is calculated by real-time monitoring of the grain breaking rate, the entrainment loss rate, the tangential groove outlet gap, the cutting drum speed and the longitudinal axis drum speed.

Abstract: A radiator screen arrangement (10) for a combine harvester is provided. A screen (12) through which air, which is to pass through a radiator, is drawn by a fan. Rotating means (16) are provided for rotating the screen. Blanking means (18), past which the screen is rotated, provides a blanked off area of the screen which is not subject to the induction pressure of the fan and from which particles can therefore be more easily removed. The arrangement is characterised in that the blanking means has a leading edge (18a) which is of generally spiral shape so that the particles on the outer surface of the screen which enter the blanked-off area can reach the outer periphery (12d) of the rotating screen without being exposed to the induction pressure of the fan and hence have an improved chance of being detached from the screen.

Abstract: A combine side-shaking control system and a method for controlling operation of a side-shaking mechanism in a combine. The control system includes at least one sieve for separating crop material from other materials and a movable side-shaking mechanism coupled to the at least one sieve and configured to move the at least one sieve in a side-to-side motion. The control system also includes at least one sensor for sensing at least one operating condition of a combine system. The control system further includes a controller for receiving the at least one operating condition and causing the side-shaking mechanism to stop moving the at least one sieve in the side-to-side motion or start moving the at least one sieve in the side-to-side motion based on the at least one operating condition.

Abstract: A vacuum apparatus rotatable about an axis through a filter screen for continually removing contaminants, which utilizes an asymmetrical vacuum arm supported by a center hub, and large longitudinally extending asymmetrical vacuum orifices in portions of the arm on opposite sides of the hub, operable for removing large elements of debris, trash and the like from the screen. One of the arm portions cleans a radial outer region of the screen, and the other cleans an inner region, the arm portions being generally even in mass for balance. A knife disposed on the screen cleans and cooperates with a brush on the arm for breaking up larger elements of trash. The arm is also manually removable via a snap together vacuum seal joint, for service and cleaning.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for unblocking a perforated rotary filter screen. In the invention, at least one jet of high pressure air is directed at a surface of the filter screen as the filter screen is rotated and the or each jet of air is moved in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the perforations in the screen in order to cause the or each air jet to trace a spiral or helical path over the surface of the screen.

Abstract: A bulk loader including an air inlet, an air-particulates separating chamber in communication with the air inlet, an air outlet in communication with the air-particulates separating chamber, means for moving air and particulates into the air-particulates separating chamber, means for separating air from particulates positioned within the air-particulates separating chamber, means for removing air from the air-particulates separating chamber, an auger, the auger being in communication with the air-particulates separating chamber by way of an auger opening in the air-particulates separating chamber, and a screen positioned across a portion of the auger opening adapted to permit air to flow therethrough and adapted to prevent particulates from flowing therethrough.

Abstract: The movable cleaning shoe frame is provided with internal sidewalls. The frame supports a sieve for receiving grain to be cleaned. The sieve is provided with longitudinally extending dividers that define a plurality of longitudinally extending grain flow channels. The sidewalls and the dividers are provided with cleaning shoe spreaders that extend into the longitudinally extending grain flow channels above the sieve. Movement of the cleaning shoe drives the spreaders to flap back and forth. This flapping action of the spreaders distributes the grain to be cleaned transversely across the sieve so that the cleaning assembly operates more efficiently.

Abstract: A crop chaffer for combines features air jets which deliver an air blast to the grain and chaff. The air jets and sifting screens are arranged in a cross sectionally “stair step” pattern in which the tread of each stair is the screen and the riser of the each stair has the air jet located thereon. The air jets do not allow grain passage, while the apertures in the screens do not produce a strong current of air. The chaffer is divided into individually separable and replaceable elements, thus greatly easing the burden of changing chaffers in the combine.

Abstract: There is described a screen device (3) for a harvester-thresher for a test field, comprising at least one frame (9) receiving a cleaning screen (11) and an adjusting means (12) for adjusting the frame (9) pivotally mounted about a transverse axis (10) in the chassis (1), where the adjusting means (12) consists of an actuating shaft (13) parallel to the swivel axis (10), mounted in the chassis (1) and connected to a swivel drive, which actuating shaft has at least one swivel arm (14) connected with the frame (9) via a connecting rod (15).

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for the simultaneous adjustment and setting of a pair of combine screens. A tie bar arrangement is provided, interconnecting at least a pair of side-by-side sieve screens. An operating handle is pivotally mounted to the frame and is pivotally connected to the tie bars and extends outwardly of the apparatus for ease of use. A scale or gauge is provided to indicate the amount of handle movement and therefore, screen opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing foreign matter from a harvested crop and for destroying the foreign matter, wherein grain produced by a threshing process is passed over a screen to allow relatively fine foreign matter to fall through the screen, while the grain is conveyed to a receptacle, and the foreign matter preferably is directed to a pair of rollers operative to crush the foreign matter to present germination of any seeds therein. Foreign matter removed during the threshing process also preferably is directed to a pair of rollers for crushing.

Abstract: A mobile collector or harvester for weed seeds that are normally discharged onto the ground during a combining operation, is connected to trail a conventional grain combine, and collects the straw and the tailings discharged from the separating sieve that normally discharges small chaff and seeds onto the ground. The harvester frame has a conveyor for conveying straw and chaff onto a separate shaker screening member, which is of size to let the small weed seeds drop onto a grain pan and then into a hopper, while the straw is retained on the top of the screen and discharged onto the ground. A separate auger conveyor is used for elevating the weed seeds from the hopper into a storage tank, which is then periodically emptied through the use of another auger conveyor. The entire unit is self-contained including an internal combustion engine power unit, that drives a hydraulic pump for operating hydraulic motors through suitable valves.