Abstract: A collecting trough construction for facilitating the clean out of collecting troughs of clean grain and tailings collecting and conveying systems of agricultural combines, such collecting trough construction including a base pan sized and dimensioned to extend longitudinally between first and second cross-pieces of such a collecting and conveying system, one of which cross-pieces may be a clean grain auger trough or a tailings auger trough, and laterally generally between the sidesheets of a combine, with collecting troughs formed in the upper side thereof, which base pan has first and second ends and is positionable between the first and second cross-pieces with the first end of the auger trough base pan adjacent the first cross-piece and the second end of the auger trough base pan adjacent the second cross-piece to be readily complementarily engageable therewith and wholly or partially disengageable therefrom by a user to permit convenient access to the formed collecting troughs for cleaning thereof.

Abstract: An combine harvester comprises threshing and separating chambers having cover plates on which groups of vanes may be adjusted by individual tie plates utilizing an off-center pivot point for the vanes and a two-bolt system. The two-bolts being the maximum number of bolts needed to secure each vane wherein one of the bolts is an off-center pivot point while the other of the bolts extends through the cover plate to secure the tie plate for each group of vanes.

Abstract: The arcuate processing assembly of a combine harvester may be pivotally adjusted generally radially toward or away from a rotary processing device to adjust the operating clearance between the periphery of the rotary device and the assembly. Simultaneously with such adjustment of the assembly as a whole, in a compound pivoting action one arcuate member of the assembly is also pivoted relative to the other arcuate member to properly reshape the threshing region for the adjusted running clearance.

Abstract: A crop processing device includes a rotor with crop engaging means, a sheet partly surrounding the rotor, whereas the sheet is circumferentially moveable with respect to the rotor, and a control providing resistance to circumferential movement of the sheet.

Abstract: A device and method is disclosed for allowing a combine operator, from the operator's station, to automatically transversely position a pinch-point of a concave relative to a rotor of a combine in accordance with the clearance spacing set between the concave and the rotor, thereby minimizing operator effort without sacrificing combine performance.

Abstract: A device for changing throughgoing openings through which grain passes in a separating area of a concave in an agricultural harvester in which the concave is composed of at least one frame, and a plurality of beater strips and wires which form therebetween the throughgoing openings the concave separating area, the device comprising an adjusting device composed of a plurality of individual tines which are in operative connection with one another through at least one tine strip, a switching shaft, and at least one cam arranged on the switching shaft and controlling the tine strip, wherein the adjusting device is being configured so as to change a size of the throughgoing openings so as to determine a comminution degree of a product mat between a threshing drum and the concave.

Abstract: A method for changing throughgoing openings on separation area of a concave in an agricultural harvester in which the concave is composed of at least one frame, a plurality of beater strips and wires together forming the concave separating area, arranging at least one adjusting device under the concave separating area, and adjusting a width of the throughgoing openings by the at least one adjusting device; and a device for performing the method is provided.

Abstract: A device and method is disclosed for allowing a combine operator, from the operator's station, to automatically transversely position a pinch-point of a concave relative to a rotor of a combine in accordance with the clearance spacing set between the concave and the rotor, thereby minimizing operator effort without sacrificing combine performance.

Abstract: A device and method is disclosed for effecting movement and extending the clearance spacing between a rotor of a combine and a concave to allow for easy removal of lodged material. The apparatus and method additionally provide a reduction in rotor actuation motor torque and an increase in rotor mechanical advantage. Finally, the apparatus and method provide a travel limit to prevent a concave from being raised into, and having contact with, a rotor of a combine.

Abstract: In an agricultural combine, a latch mechanism for attaching a grate to the crop processing unit. The latch mechanism comprises a support bar on the crop processing unit, a support receptacle on the grate, a latch handle, and a latch retainer. The support receptacle envelopes the support bar the when the grate is attached to the crop processing unit, with the latch handle and latch retainer cooperating to hold the support receptacle against the support bar.

Abstract: A concave arrangement is disclosed for a threshing machine such as a combine harvester 10. The arrangement includes a concave 30 having a moveable rear portion 48 that is adapted to vary the break-over angle presented to straw passing downstream. A flap member 54 is provided that moves jointly with the moveable rear portion 48 and ensures that a gap G between the moveable portion 48 and a later processing stage such as a beater apparatus is kept substantially closed. Variation of the break-over angle influences the length of the straw leaving the threshing machine and the loading of the further separation and cleaning mechanisms.

Abstract: A method for changing throughgoing openings on separation area of a concave in an agricultural harvester in which the concave is composed of at least one frame, a plurality of beater strips and wires together forming the concave separating area, arranging at least one adjusting device under the concave separating area, and adjusting a width of the throughgoing openings by the at least one adjusting device; and a device for performing the method is provided.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine for removing and separating grain from harvested crop has a threshing zone and at least one separation zone for separating the grain. The axial separating rotor is at least partially encased by a separating housing having a plurality of sections. At least one of the sections is displaceable in the axial direction of the at least one axial separating rotor to increase the opening and ensure separation when a correspondingly large proportion of grain are in the outer region of the rotating crop stream and the proportion of admixtures is small.

Abstract: A tool that is provided for the removal and the installation of a threshing concave is disclosed. The tool has a pair of spaced support arms for slideably receiving end sections of a threshing concave. The support arms are provided with mechanism for attachment of the arm to the housing. The housing has an inner arm section that extends to one side of the attachment mechanism for supporting the concave inside the housing when the support arm is attached to the housing. The outer arm section extends to the other side of the attachment mechanism for supporting a threshing concave outside the housing when the support arm is attached to the housing.

Abstract: A remote adjustment mechanism for the louvered cleaning elements of a combine harvester has a linearly movable output member directly fastened to the adjusting bar of each element. The actuator is driven by an electric motor. Calibration and feedback of the louver opening is provided by a pair of non-contact sensors sealed in the actuator housing. A first sensor sends a signal to a microprocessor controller when the output member is in a home position corresponding to a known louver opening. The second sensor sends a signal to the microprocessor that is responsive to movement of the output member. By tracking the movement of the output member from the home position, the current position of the output member is known from which the louver opening is determined based on the louver geometry.

Abstract: A rotary combine includes a rotor having a longitudinal axis of rotation and a concave removably mounted adjacent the rotor. The concave assembly includes a longitudinally extending frame having first and second sides spaced circumferentially around the rotor. Each of the first and second sides is transversely moveable relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. A method for adjusting the position of the concave assembly is provided and includes moving at least one of the first and second sides of the frame in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A combine harvester comprises a threshing and separating arrangement mounted to a main firm and including a generally cylindrical chamber having a generally longitudinal axis. Part of the chamber is constituted by a separating concave assembly comprising at least two separating concaves, the one located behind the other. The concaves are taken from a choice of less and more aggressive separating concaves. The chamber comprises mounting device operable to receive and hold each of the separating concaves. The front and/or the rear concaves can be removed and replaced.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the opening width of vibrating sieves in a cleaning mechanism of combine harvesters is arranged on and vibrates directly with the sieves or the sieve frame. The device includes an electric-motor-driven adjusting mechanism which actuates in a direction along an axis which differs from the direction in which the sieve is vibrating. A detector is activated when a particular sieve opening width is achieved. When the detector is activated, the particular opening width is associated with a position of the adjusting mechanism as measured by a position sensor, thereby allowing calibration of further adjustments to the sieve opening.

Abstract: A combine harvester comprises a threshing and separating arrangement mounted to a main frame, which includes a generally cylindrical chamber having a generally longitudinal axis and comprising a separating concave assembly and an upper guide cover provided with fins arranged to move harvested crop material along a helical path inside the chamber. The threshing and separating arrangement further comprises a rotor assembly mounted for rotation in the chamber and comprising a generally cylindrical rotor body with a separating section associated with the separating concave assembly and having a circumscribed diameter D. The pitch angle &agr; of the rotor fins has been optimized with respect to power requirements and rotor losses.

Abstract: A rotary combine includes a rotor having a longitudinal axis of rotation and a concave removably mounted adjacent the rotor. The concave is removable in a direction outwardly transverse relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. In a preferred embodiment, a concave assembly includes a longitudinally extending frame having first and second sides spaced circumferentially around the rotor. Each of the first and second sides is transversely moveable relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. A concave insert is removably mounted to the frame. A method for adjusting the position of the concave assembly is also provided and includes moving at least one of the first and second sides of the frame in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation. A method for replacing the concave insert is also provided.

Abstract: A rotary combine includes a rotor having a longitudinal axis of rotation and a concave removably mounted adjacent the rotor. The concave is removable in a direction outwardly transverse relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. In a preferred embodiment, a concave assembly includes a longitudinally extending frame having first and second sides spaced circumferentially around the rotor. Each of the first and second sides is transversely moveable relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. A concave insert is removably mounted to the frame. A method for adjusting the position of the concave assembly is also provided and includes moving at least one of the first and second sides of the frame in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation. A method for replacing the concave insert is also provided.

Abstract: A control unit for an agricultural harvesting machine is arranged so that the width of a passage or opening between two machine elements can be precisely adjusted as simply as possible. Adjustable stops are in the form of plungers are displaceably guided in cylinders. Each cylinder is connected to a multi-chamber pump which contains a displaceable stepped piston. Individual chambers of the multi-chamber pump and the steps of the piston are mutually matched so that the same quantity of hydraulic fluid is squeezed out from the two chambers of the multi-chamber pump and the plungers move in and out in synchronism. The control unit is particularly suitable for use in foragers, combines other agricultural harvesting machines.

Abstract: A concave for an agricultural combine having an array of straight rectangular bars and straight round bars spaced from one another and extending axially of the rotor or cylinder to form a threshing surface and to form openings therebetween for grain to pass through. The round bars shed crop material to reduce plugging while the rectangular bars provide an aggressive threshing edge. Smaller diameter wires can be inserted between the round and rectangular bars to reduce the opening size for use with small grains.

Abstract: Adjustment of the sieve of a combine harvester is effected by an adjustment apparatus attached to the side wall of the combine on the outside surface. The adjustment apparatus comprises an angle bracket having a vertical portion screwed to the side wall and a generally horizontal plate. The lever is pivotally mounted to pivot in a plane parallel to the horizontal plate and is maintained in place by a top strap having an arcuate series of holes for pinning the lever at a selected position. A rod extends from the end of the lever through a slot in the side wall of the combine to an adjustment arm extending rearwardly from the sieve. The adjustment position of the arm can therefore be locked in place and is visible from the outside of the combine.

Abstract: A sieve for use in a combine harvester includes a plurality of longitudinal parallel rails lying in a common plane of the sieve including two spaced side rails and at least one intermediate rail. Each rail has a row of holes supporting a plurality of parallel cross wires of square cross-section extending generally at right angles to the rails with each wire passing through a respective one of the holes. Each wire carries a plurality of separate louver sections thereon, each louver section spanning a distance between a respective pair of the rails. A common adjustment member for the wires causes common rotation of each of the wires about a longitudinal axis to cause rotation of the louver sections to adjust the louver openings. Each louver section has formed a square sleeve through which the wire passes without welding to the wire so that the wire can be pulled longitudinally relative to the louver sections for removal of individual louver sections for repair.

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: The present invention has a wrist connector connected to a conventional slat connection member. An electrically activated liner actuator which includes a linearly movable shaft is connected to the wrist connector to move the slat connection member fore or aft. The actuator is electrically controlled from an electrical control box located in the cab. Further, the actuator provides an electrical signal output responsive to the linear position of the shaft. This output signal is directed to the control box which has a meter driven by this output signal to provide a visual indication of how far the openings are opened or closed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a concave latch mechanism for an agricultural combine. The invention consists of concave surrounding a rotor. The concave has a concave pin and an adjust pin. The adjust pin is inserted into a support slot located in the frame. The concave pin is inserted into a handle also located on the frame. The handle has a lever which orients a curved cradle plate which supports the concave pin. When the lever is released, the cradle plate correctly orients the concave pin with the handle. The concave pin enters the cradle plate through an aperture. The aperture can have a sloped lead-in which assists in the positioning of the concave pin. The handle can also have an isolation mount between a portion of the handle and the frame. This isolation mount helps minimize vibrational noise from the rotor.

Abstract: A threshing assembly is provided for a combine having a frame mounted on wheels and a longitudinal axis. The threshing assembly is formed from a threshing rotor disposed within a perforated threshing cage. At least one helical vane, formed of high strength plastic, mounts to the interior of the threshing cage and extends along the length of the threshing cage. The radial height of the vane is graduated along the length of the threshing cage from the forward end to the rearward end for threshing of different size grain crop. Rasp bars of the threshing rotor also have heights that increase along the length of the threshing rotor, from the forward end to the rearward end, to correspond to the decrease in height of the vanes.

Abstract: A harvester thresher has two threshing mechanisms which are located directly one behind the other and each have a threshing drum and a threshing basking. The threshing baskets are jointly adjustable so that the basket of the first threshing mechanism is adjustable parallel to itself and by its adjustment the basket of the second threshing mechanism is turnable about an axle provided at the end of the second basket which is spaced from the basket of the first threshing mechanism.

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: The invention is directed to a concave for a rotary crop processing unit for an agricultural combine. The concave comprises a frame to which is releasably mounted a grid. The grid comprises a plurality of curved rods to which are projection welded a series of straight bars. The bars are perpendicular to the rods. The grid is held in place by a mounting assembly which is formed by six mounting ears that are welded to the frame that clamp the grid against a curved rim. A trapping lip is also used to trap one end of the grid in the frame.

Abstract: A rotary combine including an elongated rotor assembly having a rotor mounted within a rotor casing for threshing crop materials passing through the rotor assembly. The rotor casing includes an axially elongated threshing section defined by a plurality of concaves that define an arcuate section extending axially along a underside of the rotor casing. Each concave extends in partial circumferential relation relative to the rotor and is supported for movement toward and away from the rotor. An improved concave adjustment mechanism including a powered motor assembly is operably disposed between the frame of the combine and each of the concaves so as to permit on-the-go adjustment of the concaves in unison relative to the rotor to variably control the cooperative threshing relationship between the rotor and the concaves.

Abstract: A camming member is used to adjust two beater grates. The camming member has two circular camming discs. The first camming disc engages an oval aperture on the first beater grate. The second camming disc engages a U-shaped slot on the second beater grate. An intermediate transition grate is located between the two grates and is bolted to the camming member. The transition grate has a radial aggressive profile and a tangential less aggressive profile. By rotating the camming member the beater grates are moved up and down and the profile of the transition grate is changed.

Abstract: A combine having a transverse threshing cylinder and concave and an axial separator. The axial separator comprises a pair of side-by-side axial separator units each having a rotor and a casing in which the rotors are housed. Each axial separator units is provided with three detachable covers having inwardly projecting spiral vanes. The covers are axially arranged and the first cover is adjacent to the transverse threshing cylinder and concave. The first cover is provided with at least five spiral vanes. The first vane has an angle of inclination to the transverse axis of approximately forty-five degrees; the second, third and fourth vanes have an angle of inclination of approximately thirty degrees; and the fifth vane has an angle of inclination of approximately twenty-five degrees. In small grains, such as rice, the second and third covers each have at least four vanes all with an angle of inclination of approximately twenty degrees.

Abstract: In a combine harvester having a tangential-flow threshing unit installed transversely to the direction of travel and comprising a drum (6) and a concave which has a frame (14) and a removable sieve lining (25), an inclined conveyor (3) protruding into the threshing unit housing through the front wall (1) of the latter and an opening in this wall (1) being arranged above the inclined conveyor (3), it is proposed, in order to facilitate the installation and removal of the sieve lining (25), that the said sieve lining be divided into a plurality of longitudinally abutting lining sections which are supported at the butt joints by arcuate webs and that the sieve lining (25) and the frame (14) be designed in such a way that the sieve lining (25) is removable in the circumferential direction from the frame (14) and can be removed through the opening in the wall (1) without dismounting the inclined conveyor (3).