Abstract: A concave includes a frame and an array of threshing elements supported by the frame, the threshing elements being spaced apart and extending generally parallel to one another. The threshing elements each have formed on an upper portion thereof disposed adjacent to an upper portion of the frame a longitudinally-extending notch respectively defining an aggressive threshing edge. The threshing edges faces a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of a harvester rotor. The notch is recessed into the bar and disposed adjacent to the upper portions of the opposite members of the frame and facing opposite to a direction of movement of the rotor. The notch has a channel along an outer edge of the notch, the channel being filled with filler material having a differing hardness than a hardness of the bar.

Abstract: An adjustable vane system for use with a rotor cage of a threshing system of an agricultural harvester. The vane system includes a vane having a generally helically curved inner profile; a surface being an outer profile that is opposite the inner profile and is generally helically curved over a portion of the vane; a first flat portion proximate an end of the vane on the outer profile; and a second flat portion proximate to another end of the vane on the outer profile.

Abstract: A threshing and separating system for an agricultural vehicle includes: a rotor cage; a first vane rail movably connected to the rotor cage; a first vane portion pivotably connected to the rotor cage and linked to the first vane rail; a second vane rail movably connected to the rotor cage, the second vane rail being movable independently of the first vane rail; and a second vane portion pivotably connected to the rotor cage and linked to the second vane rail, the second vane portion and the first vane portion together defining a substantially continuous vane.

Abstract: A threshing system including a rotor cage with a plurality of slots therein, a first bank of vanes and a second bank of vanes arranged within the cage. An adjustable vane control system is coupled to the rotor cage and the banks of vanes. A first and second member are respectively pivotally coupled the vanes in the first bank and the vanes of the second bank through corresponding slots. Linkages couple an arm to the members. The first and second members each having a range of travel defined by the slots. The members each having a surface facing the outer surface of the rotor cage, the surfaces of the first member and the second member each remain tangent to the outer surface of the rotor cage as the first member and the second member are moved within their range of travel.

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: A processing system for a combine harvester having a rotor housing that receives a rotor. A cover directs crop material through the rotor housing. At least one adjustable vane guides the crop material. The vane has a cover-facing proximal edge adjacent the cover and an edge projecting toward the rotor. A leading end of the vane is connected with a first pivot connection and the vane is connected to the cover along its inner edge with a second pivot connection. A line drawn through the pivot connections intersects a plane perpendicular to an axis of the cover and forms an angle with the plane of between 5 and 15 degrees. The vane pivots with respect to the cover about an axis along the line to adjust a tilt angle of the vane. Also, tilting the vane adjusts an angle of the distal edge of the vane relative the plane.

Abstract: A combine harvester operates with an axial separating device for separating a crop flow picked up by the combine harvester into a plurality of partial flows. A partial flow composed of grain and non-grain components is fed by a separation surface of the axial separating device to a cleaning unit disposed downstream. The axial separating device is configured to manipulate a local concentration gradient of the partial flow that is output by the axial separating device caused by a tilt of the combine harvester. The extent of the manipulation is controlled individually depending on the tilt of the combine harvester.

Abstract: A threshing mechanism is formed with a first threshing drum and a second threshing drum disposed one behind the other in a direction of crop flow. A first concave encloses the first threshing drum and the second threshing drum in sections in a circumferential direction. A second concave encloses the second threshing drum in sections in the circumferential direction. The concaves are displaceable in a radial direction of the threshing drums and are formed with at least one crop-processing device disposed at the first concave. The first concave and the second concave are swivellable about a common axis connecting the concaves. The enclosure of the second threshing drum by the first concave and the second concave is approximately identical.

Abstract: A concave for a harvester combine and methods of use are provided, such as a concave for a combine harvester, the concave comprising a first longitudinal member comprising a plurality of first longitudinal member wire guide grooves substantially at the same height position relative to a bottom of the first longitudinal member; a second longitudinal member comprising a plurality of second longitudinal member wire guide grooves substantially at the same height position relative to a bottom of the second longitudinal member; a first transverse member and a second transverse member substantially parallel to one another affixed to the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member; and a plurality of module members affixed to the first and second transverse members.

Abstract: A combine harvester having a tubular housing that concentrically receives a rotor used for threshing and separating crop materials. Concave assemblies are arranged side-by-side along the a processing system. The processing system also includes at lease one disrupter plate placed between adjacent concave assemblies having an arcuate configuration similar to that of concave assemblies. An upper edge of the disrupter plate projects above the transverse bars and curved rods of the concave assemblies toward the rotor to slow the axial flow of the crop material through the rotor housing. Accordingly, the disrupter plate provides a tortuous flowpath for the crop material as it moves axially through the processing system to permit the more time for threshing and separation to take place.

Abstract: A dual action corn cob separation and attendant corn cob separator, having a plurality of generally vertical or generally longitudinally elongated slots, and having disposed therebetween at least two of said slots, at least one generally vertical or longitudinal in-line row of smaller slots or openings, whereby whole corn cobs can be more effectively harvested.

Abstract: A threshing device for harvesting machines having a cut front header for cutting plants to be harvested. The threshing device includes a feeder rotor, at least two threshing rotors, and a grille located underneath of the threshing rotors. The threshing rotors are placed adjacent to each other and only one is located adjacent to the feeder rotor. The feeder rotor feeds the plants to the threshing rotor nearest the feeder rotor. The grille runs continuously through all the threshing rotors and includes a plurality of waves parallel to each other and defining peaks and valleys. The valleys match the peaks of the adjacent waves. On each valley the corresponding threshing wheel is located.

Abstract: A grate for an agricultural combine includes curved grate segments, each of which include mounting holes in at least one end segment. To provide a threshing grate, the end segments of the grate segments are offset to provide a “step”, or discontinuity in the radius of the assembled grate, which improves the threshing efficiency of the combine. The step can be provided by offsetting mounting holes between adjacent grate segments, and securing the grates to a frame member.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating grain, kernel or cereal from harvested crop includes a separating rotor operatively mounted in a rotor housing and having a rotor axis, and a separating grate which partly surrounds the separating rotor and forms a lower part of the rotor housing. The separating grate includes a plurality of frame portions, profiles operatively connected to the plurality of frame portions and extending parallel to the rotor axis, and webs having apertures therein and bent in a step-like shape. The webs are mounted between the profiles and the plurality of frame portions and transverse to the rotor axis forming a sieve area for separating the grain from the crop mat. The separating grate is utilized in a combine harvester, preferably a self-propelled combine harvester. The sieve area is used to sift, separate or loosen grain, kernel or cereal from the crop with reduced fragmentation and clogging.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for separating grain, kernel or cereal from crop having a separating rotor operatively mounted in a rotor housing and having a rotor axis, a separating grate located between the separating rotor and the rotor housing, a plurality of frame portions operatively mounted to the separating grate, profiles operatively connected to the plurality of frame portions, and extending parallel to the rotor axis, and webs are repeatedly bent in a step-like shape and operatively mounted between the profiles and the plurality of frame portions and transverse to the rotor axis forming a sieve area for separating the grain from the crop mat. The separating grate is utilized in a combine harvester, preferably a self-propelled combine harvester. The separating grate has a plurality of frame portions operatively connected to profiles. Webs are operatively mounted between the plurality of frame portions and the profiles.

Abstract: A grain husk cracking plate for attaching to a chopping cylinder housing of a harvester in proximity to a shear bar to crack husks of grain moving through the harvester. The grain husk cracking plate includes a base plate adapted for directing grain through the chopping cylinder housing of the harvester. The base plate has a top surface, a bottom surface, a pair of opposite side edges, and a leading edge and a trailing edge extending between the side edges. A plurality of blades are mounted on the top surface of the base plate for cracking the husk of grain traveling through the chopping cylinder housing and striking the blades. Each of the blades has a forward edge directed toward the leading edge of the base plate, a rearward edge directed toward the trailing edge of the base plate, and a pair of side faces. A carbide layer is formed on each of the blades, and the carbide layer is formed on a portion of a first one of the side faces of each of the blades adjacent to the forward edge of the blade.

Abstract: A harvesting machine having a rotary crop processing unit supported between a pair of spaced side sheets with openings for access to the crop processing unit and a cleaning system therebelow. Molded plastic cover panels extend from the lower edge of the access openings on the side sheet to the crop processing unit to close the access openings. Multiple cover panels are used in each opening to minimize the size of each cover panel for ease in handling and the cover panels are retained by hand manipulated pins or fasteners to remove and install the panels without the use of tools.

Abstract: A grain husk cracking plate for attaching to a chopping cylinder housing of a harvester in proximity to a shear bar to crack husks of grain moving through the harvester. The grain husk cracking plate includes a base plate adapted for directing grain through the chopping cylinder housing of the harvester. A pair of side mounting members are mounted to side edges of a base plate. A plurality of blade members are mounted on the top surface of the base plate. Each of the side mounting members has a pair of mounting structures, and each mounting structure comprises a mounting aperture extending through the side mounting member adjacent to the leading edge or the trailing edge of the base plate. Each of the mounting structures may include a threaded fastener coupled to each of the side mounting members. The plurality of blade members may be positioned on a rear portion of the base plate.

Abstract: A threshing cage for a grain combine has a frame with permanent and removable panels. Each panel is a semi-circular arc which extends between adjacent frame members to form a cylindrical shape. Each panel has an arcuate rib on each axial end and a pair of axial supports which joins them together. A perforated screen extends between the ribs and axial supports. The panels are pivotally mounted on the frame members and rotated into a locking position with panel levers. The panel levers have a cam member which pivotally engages a mating slot in an adjacent frame member. The panels also have side arc clamps for locking their ribs to adjacent structural support members.

Abstract: A grid insert assembly for a concave of an agricultural threshing machine having a frame formed from two side walls that define a slot. The slot engaging a cross bar of the concave. Each side wall is provided with an engagement aperture. The engagement apertures are coaxial with a grid insert mounting aperture located on the concave cross bar. A U-shaped mounting pin, having an engagement leg is selectively positioned into and out of the slot through the engagement apertures for securing the grid insert to the concave cross bar. A mounting leg of the mounting pin is slidably positioned in mounting ears extending from the grid insert. A latching assembly for latching the mounting pin is formed by an elastomeric sleeve which engages the mounting leg of the mounting pin.

Abstract: In an axial flow rotary separator, a separator grate forming part of a generally cylindrical separator casing consists of a series of circumferentially spaced, axially extending, finger bar assemblies. In each finger bar assembly side by side fingers extend circumferentially in the direction of rotation, supported cantilever fashion by an axially extending finger support bar. The fingers and support bar inner surfaces all lie approximately in a cylindrical surface but the radial offset of the free ends of the fingers relative to the following finger support bar, may be chosen or varied according to the crop handled and the grate characteristics desired. In a second embodiment a threshing concave of the same general structure is used in conjunction with a conventional rasp bar threshing cylinder.