Straw Chaff Spreader Or Handling (discharge) Patents (Class 460/111)
  • Patent number: 12114609
    Abstract: A residue handling system for an agricultural harvester includes a chopper that is positionable within a straw hood of the combine harvester and a seed mill that is mounted directly to the chopper. The chopper has projecting elements for chopping straw within the straw hood as the chopper rotates. The seed mill includes a rotatable rotor that is at least partially positioned within a concave. The rotor and the chopper are connected or unitized so as to rotate together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Frederik Baes, Charlotte van de Wege
  • Patent number: 12010946
    Abstract: A residue management system of a combine harvester includes a tailboard with a guide surface and guide fins for spreading of the residue to the sides. At least one of the fins includes a leading portion which is smoothly concavely curved up to a trailing portion which intersects with the leading portion at a change in direction or defined bend in the sheet metal. The trailing portion thus extends across and intersects with a path of the residue as it passes along the concave side surface at the leading portion and leaves the end of the leading portion to apply increased pressure on the stream and thus increase the spreading action. The trailing edge of the trailing portion is also inclined to a line across the trailing portion at right angles to the tailboard surface which causes the residue to leave the trailing edge at different angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Tritana Intellectual Property Ltd.
    Inventor: Dean Mayerle
  • Patent number: 11711995
    Abstract: One or more information maps are obtained by an agricultural work machine. The one or more information maps map one or more agricultural characteristic values at different geographic locations of a field. An in-situ sensor on the agricultural work machine senses an agricultural characteristic as the agricultural work machine moves through the field. A predictive map generator generates a predictive map that predicts a predictive agricultural characteristic at different locations in the field based on a relationship between the values in the one or more information maps and the agricultural characteristic sensed by the in-situ sensor. The predictive map can be output and used in automated machine control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Nathan R Vandike, Bhanu Kiran Reddy Palla, Nathan Greuel
  • Patent number: 11589506
    Abstract: A residue management system comprises a chopper to chop crop residue, a residue spreader, and a floor extension. The residue spreader is mounted for pivotable movement relative to the chopper between a dispersal position to disperse crop residue and a windrow position to deposit crop residue in a windrow. The residue spreader comprises a first spreading device, a second spreading device, and a splitter positioned laterally between the first and second spreading devices to divide flow of crop residue therebetween. A floor of the chopper and a floor of the residue spreader are spaced apart from one another to define a gap. The floor extension projects rearwardly from the floor of the chopper partially over the floor of the residue spreader about the gap alongside the splitter to guide flow of crop residue from the chopper to the residue spreader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Martin Rittershofer, Christopher J. Faulkner, Myles W. Zirpel
  • Patent number: 11547048
    Abstract: A spreader system of an agricultural vehicle for spreading crop residue over a field includes a first spreader device including a plurality of first paddles configured to rotate about a first axis to define a first spread path; and a second spreader device including a plurality of second paddles configured to rotate about a second axis to define a second spread path. The second spreader device and the first spreader device are located side-by-side. The spreader system further includes deflector that include a first deflector portion for deflecting the first spread path and a second deflector portion for deflecting the second spread path. The spreader further includes a deflector driver connected to the deflector. The deflector driver is configured to move the first deflector portion and the second deflector portion of the deflector in a direction generally parallel to the first axis or the second axis in an oscillating pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Reinout De Baere, Stefaan Desmet, Frank R. G. Duquesne
  • Patent number: 11284566
    Abstract: A combine harvester for carrying out an agricultural harvesting process has a plurality of working units and a driver assistance system for controlling at least some of the working units. The combine harvester accommodates as working units a chaff cutter for comminuting harvested produce and a produce distributing arrangement in the rear area of the combine harvester downstream of the chaff cutter for distributing harvested produce on the field soil in adjustable throw directions. The respective throw direction comprises vector components of a horizontal throw direction and a vertical throw direction. The driver assistance system is adapted to optimize the control of the produce distributing arrangement by at least one of the substrategies including “throw direction correction” and/or “inclination-dependent produce distribution” and/or “produce distribution in longitudinal direction” and/or “produce distribution in transverse direction” with respect to at least one optimization criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Baumgarten, Bastian Bormann, Andreas Wilken, Christopher Vieregge, Stefan Teroerde, Christoph Heitmann, Klaus Schaefer
  • Patent number: 11240958
    Abstract: An embodiment includes a combine including a sensor positioned to detect a physical characteristic of a windrow produced by the combine or an operational state of the combine, a windrow door for expelling the residue from the combine, a windrow door actuator coupled to the windrow door to position the windrow door at a windrow door angle, a windrow chute for receiving the expelled residue from the windrow door and guiding the residue into a windrow, a windrow chute actuator coupled to the windrow chute to position the windrow chute at a windrow chute angle, a controller configured to determine a physical characteristic of the windrow or the operational state of the combine based on an output of the sensor, and adjust at least one of the windrow door angle or the windrow chute angle based on the determined physical characteristic or operational state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Nathan E. Isaac, Austin Jackson, Mark Dilts
  • Patent number: 11197416
    Abstract: A control system and method for controlling the positioning of an adjustable deflector plate employed in a harvesting combine to adjust a side-to-side flow of crop residue to spreaders associated with the combine and the distribution thereby. The deflector plate is operably extendable into the flow of crop residue to redirect crop residue impinging the deflector plate. The deflector plate is adjusted based upon a comparison between the open/closed states of valves associated with the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Brent Smith, Mark Dilts
  • Patent number: 11096327
    Abstract: A crop residue spreader for an agricultural crop harvester such as a combine includes a rotor having a plurality of paddles including a first paddle having a first cross-sectional shape and a second paddle having a second cross-sectional shape, the second cross-sectional shape of the second paddle being different from the first cross-sectional shape of the first paddle. Different V-shapes can be used for the first and second cross-sectional shapes, the openings of the V-shapes facing in a forward rotational direction of the rotor. Multiple pairs of similarly shaped paddles can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Dilts, Reinout De Baere
  • Patent number: 10653063
    Abstract: A combine harvester including an aft portion, a spreader assembly, a monitoring system, and a processing unit. The monitoring system including sensors coupled to the aft portion. The sensors: receiving a plurality of response waves reflected from a portion of the crop residue that is discharged from the spreader assembly toward a discharge area before the portion of crop residue arrives at the discharge area; and sending a response signal representative of the plurality of response waves reflected from the portion of the crop residue, the reflected waves comprising a sequence of multiple reflections distributed over time. The processing unit receiving the response signal from the plurality of sensors; and processing the response signal to determine a reflected energy distribution from the portion of the crop residue representative of a distribution of the crop residue over the discharge area substantially perpendicular to a travel direction of the combine harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Mahieu, Bart M. A. Missotten, Bart Lenaerts, Frederik Tallir, Jeroen Lowie
  • Patent number: 10492364
    Abstract: A combine harvester having a chopper configured for chopping crop, which comprises a cutting cylinder fitted with chopper knives, a knife carrier fitted with counter knives, and a rasp bar arrangement. The counter knives and/or the rasp bar arrangement can be moved into a partial stream passing by the chopper. The harvester also has a crop spreading device configured for spreading the chopped-material stream emerging from the combine harvester on the ground in the rear region of the combine harvester, and a sensor unit configured for generating sensor data which represent at least one parameter influencing the spreading quality of the chopped-material stream emerging from the combine harvester. There is a control unit that adapts the position of the rasp bar arrangement and/or the counter knives depending on the spreading quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Heitmann, Joachim Baumgarten, Christopher Vieregge, Christian Beulke, Stefan Teroerde, Bastian Bormann
  • Patent number: 10470365
    Abstract: A monitoring system for a combine harvester having a header with a header width for harvesting a crop. The monitoring system includes a plurality of sensors, configured to provide a plurality of measurement waves to a discharge area for crop residue, and receive a plurality of response waves reflected from the discharge area. The system further includes a processing unit comprising an input terminal configured to receive a response signal of the plurality of sensors, the response signal representative of the plurality of response waves reflected from the discharge area. The processing unit is configured to process the response signal and determine, based on the response signal, a distribution of the crop residue over the discharge area. The processing unit further comprises an output terminal configured to output a distribution signal representative of the distribution of the crop residue over the discharge area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Mahieu, Bart M. A. Missotten, Bart Lenaerts, Frederik Tallir, Jeroen Lowie
  • Patent number: 10212882
    Abstract: A chopper for receiving the straw and/or chaff from a combine harvester includes a housing with a chopping rotor to transport the materials though a discharge opening onto a tailboard construction with downwardly facing guide surface and fins for spreading of the crop materials. A rotary spreader has a plurality of fan members with blades rotatable for discharge to a respective side of the rotary spreader. An arrangement is operable so that in a first mode the crop material is spread wholly by the tailboard and in a second mode the crop material is spread at least mainly by the rotary spreader. In the second mode the tailboard remains position above the rotary spreader which is therefore located underneath a guide surface with fins of the guide surface facing downwardly adjacent the blades. The movement to the second ode is provided by the rotary spreader being moved forwardly and downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventor: Dean Mayerle
  • Patent number: 10209235
    Abstract: A crop loss level generator receives a crop loss sensor signal from a crop loss sensor and generates a crop loss metric indicative of a sensed crop loss level based on the crop loss sensor signal. A first crop loss display generator generates a first crop loss display element based on the crop loss metric and controls a display device to display the first crop loss display element relative to a target loss range indicator indicative of a target loss range. A historic crop loss display generator generates a historic crop loss display element, based on previously generated crop loss metrics, and controls the display device to display the historic crop loss display element relative to the target loss indicator and relative to the first crop loss display element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Alexander Cotton, Steven R. Kingsley
  • Patent number: 9974232
    Abstract: A spreader system for discharging residue from an agricultural combine to a ground surface. The spreader system including a direction detector and a spreader operatively connected to a rear end of the agricultural combine. The direction detector is configured to detect direction changes of the agricultural combine and to produce a signal representative of the direction change. The spreader includes one or more impellers and a housing, with the impellers being operatively connected to the housing for rotating therein. The housing having an inlet for receiving a flow of residue, an outlet coupled to the housing for discharging the flow of residue, and one or more residue flow directors. The residue flow directors are configured to alter the flow of residue from the agricultural combine, the system being configured to alter the flow of residue dependent upon the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas S. Shane
  • Patent number: 9943031
    Abstract: A spreader arrangement for an agricultural harvester includes a windrow chute having a first position for building a windrow in which the chute angles downwardly from a proximal edge to a distal edge of the chute, and a second position for cleanout of the chute in which the chute angles downwardly from the distal edge to the proximal edge of the chute. Adjustment from the first position to the second position and back to the first position can occur automatically when the combine is operating but not currently harvesting, such as during the time period between when a harvesting swath is completed and the next harvesting swath is commenced, so that accumulated crop residue material can be dislodged from the windrow chute without disrupting harvesting or the windrow building process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Dale W. Panoushek, Craig E. Murray, Justin L. Montenguise, Nicholas S. Shane
  • Patent number: 9439349
    Abstract: A gang reel mower comprises a frame that carries a plurality of variable speed, electrically powered reel cutting units. Cutting units having different reel diameters may be installed on the frame. Upon system power up, a mower controller on the frame automatically acquires information identifying the reel size of the cutting units then installed on the frame and uses the acquired reel size information to properly set the speed of the electric motors driving the cutting units to a desired value, such as that needed to maintain a desired clip. Thus, the cutting units can be changed in size with the mower controller automatically recognizing the change in a plug and play manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Drake, Kelly S. Meemken
  • Patent number: 9066470
    Abstract: A harvester including, a spreader system configured to distribute an agricultural material onto a field, wherein the spreader system is configured to receive the agricultural material from a chopper, wherein the spreader system comprises a first panel or vane positioned on a first lateral side of the spreader system, and a second panel or vane positioned on a second lateral side of the spreader system, opposite the first lateral side, and wherein the spreader system is configured to detect a first force applied to the first panel or vane and a second force applied to the second panel or vane, and to adjust a position of the spreader system with respect to the chopper based on the first force, the second force, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Ricketts, Jason L. Shonk, Bradley J. Wagner
  • Patent number: 9033780
    Abstract: A biomass feed system includes a device to propel an airborne flow of the biomass along a trajectory within a collection device. At least one air flow port is disposed and operable in cooperation with at least one fan for discharging a flow of air for creating a blanket of pressurized air within the interior cavity beneath the trajectory for supporting and extending a distance of travel of the biomass within the collection device. The collection device can include an air flow outlet adjacent to a terminal end of the trajectory, to and through which the pressurized air will flow, in a manner for lifting and carrying at least some of the airborne biomass farther into the interior cavity. And, vanes or other elements can be provided to used to achieve better sideward distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan E. Ricketts
  • Publication number: 20150111627
    Abstract: A chaff pan for attachment to a cleaning apparatus of an agricultural combine is provided. The chaff pan includes a surface for receiving a flow of chaff from the cleaning apparatus. The surface has a proximal end proximate the combine and an opposing distal end. First and second side walls extend upwards from the surface about respective lateral ends of the chaff pan. The chaff pan also includes a flow control guide vane positioned on the surface of the chaff pan that extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the surface. The flow control guide vane is positioned on the surface at an angle relative to a midline of the chaff pan for directing the flow of chaff towards the midline of the chaff pan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Nathan E. Isaac, Derek S. Rude, Joel M. McDonald
  • Patent number: 8992294
    Abstract: A windrow door assembly for controlling a direction of flow of crop residue expelled from a combine is disclosed. The window door assembly may generally include a door panel extending between a first end and a second end. The door panel may be moveable between a closed position, wherein the crop residue being expelled from the combine is directed along the door panel into a spreader of the combine, and an opened position, wherein the crop residue is directed along the door panel towards a rear opening of the combine. In addition, the windrow door assembly may include a deflector panel rotatably coupled to the door panel. The deflector panel may be configured to alter the direction of flow of the crop residue when the door panel is in the opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Mark David Dilts, Nathan E. Isaac
  • Patent number: 8961286
    Abstract: A method and device for harvesting threshed crops including a threshing assembly (3) arranged downstream of a cutting assembly (2) of a combine harvester (1) for separating the grain-chaff mixture (12) from the straw. A chaffing device (4) is arranged downstream of the threshing assembly (3) for separating the total straw fraction into a first and a second straw fraction (5.1, 5.2). A comminution device (8) is arranged downstream of the chaffing device (5) for comminuting the second straw fraction (5.2). A blower (10) having a suction pipe (9) draws in and mixes the grain-chaff mixture (12) and the second straw fraction (5.2) to form a mixture (18) of grain, chaff, and second straw fraction and conveys the mixture (18) into a silo (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: Johann Rumpler
  • Patent number: 8939830
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a combine harvester including a straw chopper having an inlet for unchopped straw, an outlet for chopped straw in an essentially horizontal direction, and a spreader fan, connected downstream of the outlet of the straw chopper and having an essentially horizontal plane of rotation, for spreading the chopped straw over a ground surface. The combine harvester further includes a guide member, which is arranged to deflect at least a part of the stream of chopped straw material to an axial intake of the spreader fan such that a part of chopped straw material meets the blades of the spreader fan in the direction of transport of the chopped straw material through the spreader fan at an acute angle (?) relative to the plane of rotation of the spreader fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Rekordverken Sweden AB
    Inventor: Bengt Holmén
  • Publication number: 20150011274
    Abstract: An agricultural machine includes: a base member; a residue assembly; a support member assembly being pivotally coupled with the base member and being connected to the residue assembly, the support member assembly supporting the residue assembly and being configured for moving the residue assembly relative to the base member between a residue assembly operating position and a residue assembly service position about a pivot axis substantially without raising an elevation of the residue assembly when the residue assembly is in the residue assembly service position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Craig E. Murray, Justin L. Montenguise, Nicholas S. Shane
  • Publication number: 20150011276
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester with a flexible crop residue management system. A pivotal swath door and displaceable windrow chute are coordinated to be displaced between positions in which all of crop residue is spread laterally and another position in which straw in the crop residue is directed in a windrow by a windrow chute and the chaff is directed laterally. The windrow chute and swath door are each pivotally mounted and a linkage is provided between the windrow chute and swath door in the form of bars extending in between rollers to displace the windrow chute in coordination with the displacement of the swath door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Craig E. Murray, Justin L. Montenguise, Nicholas S. Shane
  • Publication number: 20150011275
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester with a flexible crop residue management system. A pivotal swath door and displaceable windrow chute are coordinated to be displaced between positions in which all of crop residue is spread laterally and another position in which straw in the crop residue is directed in a windrow by a windrow chute and the chaff is directed laterally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Craig E. Murray, Justin L. Montenguise, Nicholas S. Shane
  • Patent number: 8876583
    Abstract: An agricultural combine having an adjustable spreader assembly is provided that includes a spreader with one or a pair of regulators. The spreader includes a discharge opening about its lateral side. The regulator is pivotably connected to the lateral side of the spreader such that the regulator is in fluid communication with the discharge opening. The regulator can be configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position or to vary the direction of discharge of crop residue. The spreader can be a vertical spreader, a horizontal spreader, or a spread board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Martin Jean Roberge, Jason M. Benes, Andrew V. Lauwers, Nathan E. Isaac
  • Publication number: 20140302897
    Abstract: A system for discharging residue from an agricultural combine to a ground surface. The system including a spreader operatively connected to a rear end of the agricultural combine. The spreader having one or more impellers each having an axis of rotation and a housing. The impellers are operatively connected to the housing for rotating therein. The housing has an inlet for receiving a flow of residue, an outlet configured about a lateral side of the housing for discharging the flow of residue, and one or more residue flow distributors each pivotably movable in a direction generally parallel with the axis of rotation. Each flow distributor is configured to guide the discharged flow of residue sidewardly away from the spreader to the ground surface. The rotation of the one or more impellers discharge a flow of residue received through the inlet out through the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Nathan E. Isaac, Kevin Frederick Knapp, Austin L. Jackson, William Mark McCully, Clayton E. Banks, JR.
  • Patent number: 8834244
    Abstract: A flow distribution system for use with a combine spreader having an inlet opening at the top thereof for receiving crop residue, a pair of counter-rotating spreader paddles disposed generally side by side and forward of a back plate of the spreader, and a discharge opening below the spreader paddles. A flow guide element has an apex portion and a pair of opposed arm portions pivotally connected to the apex portion, the arm portions laterally extending to free end portions. An adjusting mechanism is operably connected to the arm portions to effect rotational movement of the arm portions about the apex portion, ends of spreader paddle members defining the outer swept diameters of the pair of spreader paddles and the crop residue flow surfaces of at least the arm portions defining clearance regions therebetween to controllably distribute crop residue in a desired pattern over a field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Nathan E. Isaac, Jason M. Benes
  • Patent number: 8821230
    Abstract: A spreader assembly for a combine harvester, the assembly including a pair of disks configured to be rotated such that chaff material dropped onto the disks is spread about the combine harvester, wherein each disk is operably connected to its own motor and a spreader frame assembly. The spreader frame assembly includes a first side support pivotably connected to a frame of the combine harvester, a second side support pivotably connected to the frame of the combine harvester, and at least one disk support configured to support at least one of the pair of disks. The spreader frame assembly further defines an opening configured such that when the combine harvester is windrowing material, no portion of the spreader frame assembly interferes with the flow of windrowing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Herbert M. Farley, Nathan E. Isaac
  • Patent number: 8801513
    Abstract: A cob conveying and cleaning system for use with a corn harvester, incorporating air induction in cooperation with an air flow from the harvester, for cleaning and separating lighter crop residue to be returned to the field from a mixed flow of the residue and cobs, such that the cleaned cobs can be collected, and the lighter residue optionally spread on the field. The air flow and induction are combined to cooperatively lift or draw the lighter residue from the mixed flow, and to optionally spread the removed lighter residue over a field. The induction apparatus can be located on the harvester, and used as a residue spreader when cobs are not collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Ricketts, John J. Borsdorf, James Minnihan
  • Patent number: 8777707
    Abstract: A spreader (100) has a hopper or bin (1) for storing a spreadable material (2), a plurality of spinners (5, 6) adapted to receive the material from the hopper or bin and to spread the material (2) on the ground, and a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver (8) for sensing the position of the spreader (100) and providing an output signal indicative of a position of the spreader to a controller (7). The controller (7) calculates a required pattern and density of material (2) to be spread by the spinners (5, 6) based on a comparison of the actual position of the spreader (A) to a preferred position of the spreader (I), and controls the spinners (5, 6) in order to obtain the required pattern and density of spread material (2). A method of controlling the pattern and density of material spread by a spreader is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: David Stanley Hoyle
  • Publication number: 20140162740
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester discharge guide includes a porous apparatus adapted for mounting to a discharge end of the agricultural harvester for guiding crop residue discharged from the agricultural harvester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. FOSTER, Douglas S. FITZKEE, John H. POSSELIUS, Mike MIELKE
  • Publication number: 20140162739
    Abstract: A spreader system for an agricultural harvester, including a hood assembly comprising a rotatable first hood and second hood, and wherein the first and second hoods cover a portion of a respective first and second discs and are configured to rotate between a first position and a second position, in the first position the first and second hoods block upward and rearward flow of a first agricultural material, a second agricultural material, an airflow, or a combination thereof, in the second position the first and second hoods are configured to facilitate upward and rearward flow of the first agricultural material, the second agricultural material, the airflow, or the combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Nathan Edward Isaac, Mark David Dilts
  • Publication number: 20140080555
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling spreader output from a harvester includes a distribution chamber for receiving an agricultural material removed from a field. The harvester includes a spreader system configured to distribute the agricultural material onto the field, and an opening configured to receive the agricultural material from the distribution chamber. Moreover, the distribution chamber includes a first panel rotatably coupled to a first side of the distribution chamber, and a second panel rotatably coupled to a second side of the distribution chamber. The first and second panels are configured to direct the agricultural material toward the opening of the spreader system. An angle of the first panel is independently adjustable to control a first amount of agricultural material directed toward a first inlet portion. An angle of the second panel is independently adjustable to control a second amount of agricultural material directed toward a second inlet portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: CNH America LLC.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Wagner, Jonathan E. Ricketts
  • Publication number: 20140066146
    Abstract: A windrow door assembly for controlling a direction of flow of crop residue expelled from a combine is disclosed. The window door assembly may generally include a door panel extending between a first end and a second end. The door panel may be moveable between a closed position, wherein the crop residue being expelled from the combine is directed along the door panel into a spreader of the combine, and an opened position, wherein the crop residue is directed along the door panel towards a rear opening of the combine. In addition, the windrow door assembly may include a deflector panel rotatably coupled to the door panel. The deflector panel may be configured to alter the direction of flow of the crop residue when the door panel is in the opened position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Mark David Dilts, Nathan E. Isaac
  • Publication number: 20140066147
    Abstract: A windrow door for controlling a direction of flow of crop residue expelled from a combine is disclosed. The windrow door may generally include a door panel extending lengthwise between a first end and a second end. The door panel may be configured to be move relative to a spreader of the combine between a closed position, wherein the crop residue being expelled from the combine is directed along the door panel and into the spreader, and a chute position, wherein the crop residue is directed through a rear opening of the combine and onto the door panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Mark David Dilts, Nathan E. Isaac
  • Publication number: 20140066148
    Abstract: A system for controlling the spreading of crop residue expelled from an agricultural combine is disclosed. The system may include a spreader configured to expel crop residue from the combine. The spreader may include at least one spreader disc configured to be rotated about an axis. In addition, the system may include a windrow door having an inner surface defining a flow path for directing the crop residue into the spreader. At least a portion of the windrow door may be configured to be moved relative to the spreader so as to adjust a location at which the crop residue is introduced onto the at least one spreader disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Mark David Dilts, Nathan E. Isaac
  • Publication number: 20140031096
    Abstract: A flow distribution system for use with a combine spreader having an inlet opening at the top thereof for receiving crop residue, a pair of counter-rotating spreader paddles disposed generally side by side and forward of a back plate of the spreader, and a discharge opening below the spreader paddles. A flow guide element has an apex portion and a pair of opposed arm portions pivotally connected to the apex portion, the arm portions laterally extending to free end portions. An adjusting mechanism is operably connected to the arm portions to effect rotational movement of the arm portions about the apex portion, ends of spreader paddle members defining the outer swept diameters of the pair of spreader paddles and the crop residue flow surfaces of at least the arm portions defining clearance regions therebetween to controllably distribute crop residue in a desired pattern over a field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Nathan E. Isaac, Jason M. Benes
  • Publication number: 20140024420
    Abstract: A spreader assembly for a combine harvester is disclosed, the assembly including a pair of disks configured to be rotated such that chaff material dropped onto the disks is spread about the combine harvester, wherein each disk is operably connected to its own motor and a spreader frame assembly. The spreader frame assembly includes a first side support pivotably connected to a frame of the combine harvester, a second side support pivotably connected to the frame of the combine harvester, and at least one disk support configured to support at least one of the pair of disks. The spreader frame assembly further defines an opening configured such that when the combine harvester is windrowing material, no portion of the spreader frame assembly interferes with the flow of windrowing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Herbert M. Farley, Nathan E. Isaac
  • Patent number: 8616945
    Abstract: A corn MOG separator for an agricultural combine having a chopper for chopping MOG, the corn MOG separator being located after the chopper in the MOG flow stream and having a separating chamber for receiving the MOG and separating the lighter from the heavier components, the chamber having a mechanical decelerator for mechanically decelerating the corn MOG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Aaron Scott Ritter, Daniel Stephen Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20130324199
    Abstract: An agricultural combine having an adjustable spreader assembly is provided that includes a spreader, a regulator and a rotary spreader. The spreader is operatively connected to a rear end of the agricultural combine and includes a housing and rotary blades. The housing has an inlet for receiving a flow of residue, and an outlet configured about a lateral side of the housing for discharging the flow of residue. The rotary blades are operatively connected to the housing for rotating therein. The regulator has a proximal end pivotably connected to a lateral side of the spreader about a substantially vertical axis to pivot the regulator in a fore and an aft direction, and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The regulator is in fluid communication with the housing. The rotary spreader is positioned proximate the distal end of the regulator and receives and distributes the flow of residue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Martin J. ROBERGE, Jason M. BENES, Andrew V. LAUWERS, Nathan E. ISAAC
  • Patent number: 8585475
    Abstract: The crop residue distribution apparatus and system use a horizontal crop spreader assembly and deflector door independently relatively positionable to be configurable in a straw windrowing and chaff spreading configuration in which straw flow is directed through an aperture between drive units of the spreader assembly while the chaff is directed to the spreader disposed in a lower opening; in a straw and chaff spreading configuration wherein the door closes the aperture and both straw and chaff are directed to the spreader; and in a straw and chaff windrowing configuration wherein the spreader is withdrawn from the lower opening such that the straw and chaff are both discharged therethrough to form a windrow without requiring removing disks of the spreader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Nathan E. Isaac, Herbert M. Farley
  • Patent number: 8574048
    Abstract: A spreader assembly for a combine harvester is disclosed, the assembly including a pair of disks configured to be rotated such that chaff material dropped onto the disks is spread about the combine harvester, wherein each disk is operably connected to its own motor and a spreader frame assembly. The spreader frame assembly includes a first side support pivotably connected to a frame of the combine harvester, a second side support pivotably connected to the frame of the combine harvester, and at least one disk support configured to support at least one of the pair of disks. The spreader frame assembly further defines an opening configured such that when the combine harvester is windrowing material, no portion of the spreader frame assembly interferes with the flow of windrowing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Herb M. Farley, Nathan E. Isaac
  • Patent number: 8475248
    Abstract: A discharge system for an agricultural harvester provides an air curtain that shields straw, chaff and other crop residue from the wind. The system includes a blower adapted for mounting to an agricultural harvester and having an intake side and a discharge side and a plenum fluidly connected to the discharge side of the blower. The plenum is arranged and disposed to distribute air exiting the discharge side of the blower to form an air curtain according to a predetermined profile at a location adjacent discharge that exits a rear door of the agricultural harvester as a windrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Herbert M. Farley
  • Publication number: 20130165193
    Abstract: A rotor discharge shield may be disclosed. The rotor discharge shield may comprise a planar wall, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The planar wall may define an opening. The first sidewall may be located proximate the opening. The second sidewall may be located proximate the opening. The first sidewall and the second sidewall may define a passage having an inlet and an outlet. An actuator may be arranged to selectively pivot the first sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin M. Tacke, Kevin Hamilton
  • Patent number: 8430732
    Abstract: A crop guide comprising one or more generally wedge-shaped guides configured to interact with a crop discharge stream as it is discharged from an agricultural mower having a counter-rotating disc cutterbar. The guides are positioned rearward from the cutterbar, with one guide being generally positioned on an axis centered between each pair of converging-rotation disc cutterheads where crop material flow is concentrated. Each guide is generally pyramidal in shape, having a pair of surfaces angled with respect to one another and forming a triangular pyramid form with respect to a third generally planar surface, typically the mower swathboard. The vertex of the pyramid is oriented upstream in the crop flow so that a portion of the crop flow is split by the angled surfaces and laterally dispersed. This dispersion of crop material produces a crop mat on the ground behind the mower having a more uniform thickness compared to that produced by a traditional mower using a counter-rotating rotary cutterbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Nathaniel K. Totten, Melanie W. Harkcom
  • Publication number: 20130102370
    Abstract: A crop guide comprising one or more generally wedge-shaped guides configured to interact with a crop discharge stream as it is discharged from an agricultural mower having a counter-rotating disc cutterbar. The guides are positioned rearward from the cutterbar, with one guide being generally positioned on an axis centered between each pair of converging-rotation disc cutterheads where crop material flow is concentrated. Each guide is generally pyramidal in shape, having a pair of surfaces angled with respect to one another and forming a triangular pyramid form with respect to a third generally planar surface, typically the mower swathboard. The vertex of the pyramid is oriented upstream in the crop flow so that a portion of the crop flow is split by the angled surfaces and laterally dispersed. This dispersion of crop material produces a crop mat on the ground behind the mower having a more uniform thickness compared to that produced by a traditional mower using a counter-rotating rotary cutterbar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Nathaniel K. TOTTEN, Melanie W. HARKCOM
  • Publication number: 20130095899
    Abstract: A wind compensation system for residue spreading for an agricultural machine, such as a combine, and method for adjusting residue spreading based on wind speed and direction. Residue spreading is adjusted by a computing device in the combine which analyzes wind speed and direction input relative to combine motion of travel and adjusts one or more spreading devices in the combine to compensate for the wind to provide for even distribution of residue onto the ground. To compensate for wind, the computing device controls any one of spreader impeller rotation speed, spreader flow guide position, and/or spreader regulator position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Frederick KNAPP
  • Patent number: 8313362
    Abstract: A self-propelled agricultural combine having a capability for baling crop residue produced by operation of the combine, including chaff from the cleaning system. The combine can also incorporate a dust suppression capability. The crop residue produced by threshing is in a compressed state, and is routed directly to a baler of the combine is essentially a continuous, compressed stream, while still in that state, and the chaff is mixed in before compaction into the bales. The dust suppression apparatus uses air flow of a cleaning system of the combine, to carry the dust and separates the air such that the dust will fall from the combine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Martin J. Roberge, John H. Posselius