Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine has straw walkers or the like, an air sieve device, a straw chopping device, and a variable straw and chaff distribution arrangement. The arrangement includes an articulated lever combination; a servo element associated with the articulated lever combination; preferably two rotary distribution blowers each having a material inlet opening and a rotor circumference and being connected to the articulated lever combination. The rotary blower is movable between two different plane-parallel positions by the articulated lever combination and servo element. A guide is provided for supplying chaff radially to the distribution blower.

Abstract: A crop residue chopper for an agricultural combine including a spaced array of stationary knives. A rotor of the chopper is rotatable about an axis therethrough and includes mounting elements in axially spaced relation, and a plurality of offset knives, each of the offset knives including a mounting end portion fixedly mountable on one of the mounting elements and a an opposite free end portion disposed so as to extend radially outwardly in axially offset relation to the mounting end portion when mounted on the mounting element.

Abstract: A combine harvester having a blower for spreading the discharge mixture of chopped straw, chaff and like materials over a wide area utilizing the kinetic energy obtained through the medium of a chopper or feed device located prior to the blowers to save on drive power. Specifically, the material outlet opening of the chopper or the feed device is positioned in the same plane as the inlet opening of the blower.

Abstract: A combine harvester includes a device for discharging husks, the husk discharging device having at least one fan rotatably mounted in a fan casing, the fan casing having at least one husk discharge opening, a device for chopping straw arranged downstream of the husk discharging device, the straw chopping device having a rotating cutting rotor in a rotor casing for chopping straw, the rotor casing having an inlet for unchopped straw and an outlet for chopped straw, and a control device arranged between the husk discharging device and the straw chopping device, the control device being movable between a first position in which the control device closes the inlet of the rotor to bypass the straw chopping device and a second position in which the inlet of the rotor is open to allow chopping of the straw.

Abstract: A distribution device for straw chopper comprising a guide arrangement, a motor for the positioning the guide arrangement and a control arrangement for controlling the motor. At least one position input device is coupled to the control arrangement. The control arrangement can be operated selectively in a first operating mode and a second operating mode. The first operating mode is activated by the actuation of the position input device for a time interval less than a predetermined threshold value, and the second operating mode is activated by the actuation of the position input device for a time interval greater than the predetermined threshold value. In the first operating mode the guide arrangement is brought into a predetermined position and in the second operating mode the guide arrangement is moved as long as the position input device is actuated.

Abstract: A baler for making rectangular crop bales has a generally horizontally disposed fore-and-aft extending baling chamber. The pickup of the baler is disposed underneath the baling chamber in line with the path of travel of a reciprocating plunger in the overhead chamber. An in-line transfer duct leads generally upwardly and rearwardly from the pickup to the bottom of the chamber. An enclosed crop flow passage is defined from a point immediately behind the pickup to a point located at the opening in the bottom of the baling chamber and presents a forwardmost cutting zone, a packing zone behind the cutting zone, and an accumulating zone behind the packing zone. Cutter apparatus within the cutting zone reduces the crop materials into smaller pieces as they flow through the cutting zone, whereupon a separate packer takes the materials from the rear side of the cutter apparatus and packs them in a downstream direction toward the accumulating zone where they form into a charge.

Abstract: A fastening arrangement for fastening a blade to a rotor of a straw chopper. The fastening arrangement comprising a bolt that is inserted into a blade hole in the blade and into a plate hole in a mounting plate extending from the rotor and into a retaining element that retains the bolt in the holes. The retaining element can be separated from the bolt. The bolt and the retaining element are fixed against rotation by the mounting plate.

Abstract: A crop residue chopper and spreader for an agricultural combine. The chopper and spreader includes a disk mounted for rotation in a predetermined rotational direction about an axis oriented horizontally or at a small acute angle to horizontal, the disk including at least one radially outwardly extending impeller having a radial outermost periphery. The chopper and spreader includes a housing at least partially containing the disk and including an upwardly facing inlet opening located generally above the disk for receiving a flow of crop residue from a threshing mechanism of the combine, and a radially facing discharge opening located generally below the disk for discharging the flow of crop residue. The chopper and spreader additionally includes cutting elements mounted on the housing and on the radially outermost periphery of the at least one impeller cooperable for cutting the crop residue when passing through the housing from the inlet opening to the discharge opening.

Abstract: Rotary accelerating apparatus for a crop residue spreader of an agricultural combine, including blades mounted to a rotatable hub for rotation therewith, each of the blades having a surface oriented to face in the direction of rotation, the surface having opposite, spaced axial edges, and a mounting portion disposed intermediate the edges, and arms connected to and extending between the blades and the hub, each of the blades having first and second surface portions disposed primarily for contacting different flows of crop residue emanating from different locations for integrating, accelerating and discharging the flows for dispersal over an agricultural field, the mounting location of the blades, and the relative shapes and sizes of the portions thereof providing advantageous load distribution and transfer characteristics.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for fastening blades to a straw chopper rotor. The rotor is provided with a plurality of mounts each mount having a rotor mounting hole. The blades are secured to the mounts. Each blade is provide with a blade mounting hole. A pin is inserted into the rotor mounting hole and the blade mounting hole. The pin is provided with a locking element for holding the pin in place. The locking element having a trapping position where it is locked in place and a loosening position wherein the pin can be removed. The locking element is held in its trapping position by a spring. The locking element engaging a recess having an edge for holding the locking element in the trapping position.

Abstract: A residue handling system for an agricultural combine including a residue chopper that provides enhanced air flow for evenly distributing crop materials onto a crop field. A hub and blade assembly accurately positions flail blades and resists fatigue stresses. Each flail blade includes an outer portion that is angled longitudinally away from a plane transverse to the axis of rotation. In a mated blade pair embodiment, the leading edges of the paired flail blades may be closer to each other than the trailing edges, or vice versa. Also, the leading edges of the flail blade pair may be the same distance away as the trailing edges of the pair, beneficially directing discharge sideways in a preferred common direction. The assembly includes a mounting support post that has a width substantially equal to the distance between two mated blades. The mated blades are installed directly against the sides of the mounting support, without spacer bushings, using only three connector elements.

Abstract: A stalk and chaff distribution arrangement in an agricultural harvesting machine having a chopping device arranged in a discharge region of the machine includes first and second blowers arranged adjacent to each other in the discharge region and each blower having a rotary shaft, a crop inlet opening, and a crop outlet opening; a crop dividing plate associated with the first and second blowers, the crop dividing plate having an apex and first and second diverging arms, said apex arranged in the direction opposite a crop flow from the chopping device to the blowers; and a first adjustable partial casing moveably associated the first blower and adjoining the first diverging arm, said first adjustable partial casing arranged circumferentially with the first blower; whereby a direction of the crop flow from the crop outlet of the first blower is changed when the first adjustable partial casing is moved

Abstract: A chaff distributor for a combine harvester or similar for the distribution of chaff, the chaff distributor (6) possesses a trough (8) with a conveyor screw (9) supported drivably therein.

Abstract: A flail chopper blade comprises an integral cast body that is reversible. Each flail chopper blade is provided with a mounting end and a crop processing end. The mounting end is provided with an outwardly extending radial slot defining two transverse mounting bores. The crop processing end is provided with two hammers that are separated from one another by an inwardly extending slot. The mounting end and the crop processing end are coupled to one another by a middle flange portion. The middle flange portion has a reinforcing ridge that defines a portion of the inwardly extending radial slot and the outwardly extending radial slot.

Abstract: A chopper and discharge apparatus includes a stationary housing for attachment to the rear discharge of a combine harvester so that straw is fed from the combine into an inlet of the housing and is discharged from an outlet of the housing. Within the housing is mounted a hub for rotation about the horizontal axis with the hub carrying a plurality of lugs at angularly and axially spaced positions therearound, each lug carrying a pair of pivotal blade members which are rotated with the hub in the form of flails. Each lug is associated with a stationary blade on the inside of the housing so that the pair of blades carried on each lug sweep past the stationary blade each on a respective side of the stationary blade. The blade members include some flat cutting blades and some twisted blade members which have a planar base portion attached to the lug, an outer planar blade portion and an intermediate twisted portion twisted about a center line so that the blade portion lies at an angle to the base portion.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine has a comminuting device which includes a chopper rotor having a rotor shaft, and a conveying element pivotably connected with the rotor shaft. The conveying element is formed by a first arm and a second arm which are interconnected by a cross web. In one embodiment the cross web has a recess between the first and second arms, and a cutting element is provided which passes either through the recess of the conveying element or outside of the first and second arms of conveying element as the conveying element rotates. In another embodiment the conveying element is provided with both leading and trailing cutting edges arranged in sets. Initially one set of cutting edges is utilized and the conveying element can latter be reversed in position to utilize the other set.

Abstract: A residue handling system for an agricultural combine including a residue chopper that provides enhanced air flow for evenly distributing crop materials onto a crop field. A hub and blade assembly accurately positions flail blades and resists fatigue stresses. Each flail blade includes an outer portion that is angled longitudinally away from a plane transverse to the axis of rotation. In a mated blade pair embodiment, the leading edges of the paired flail blades may be closer to each other than the trailing edges, or vice versa. Also, the leading edges of the flail blade pair may be the same distance away as the trailing edges of the pair, beneficially directing discharge sideways in a preferred common direction. The assembly includes a mounting support post that has a width substantially equal to the distance between two mated blades. The mated blades are installed directly against the sides of the mounting support, without spacer bushings, using only three connector elements.

Abstract: A beater for an agricultural combine comprises an open rotor frame mounted on a drive shaft. The open frame defines a cylindrical periphery to which are mounted transversely extending mounting plates. Adjacent mounting plates define mounting channels. Replaceable crop-engaging blades are mounted in the mounting channels. The mounting plates are provided with a first upturned portion and a second upturned portion. Each replaceable blade is provided with a crop engaging portion and an integral mounting portion. The crop engaging portion of the replaceable blades is provided with first and second mounting lips. The first and second mounting lips respectively engage first and second edges on the first and second upturned portions to prevent rotation of the replaceable blade. The crop engaging portion of the replaceable blade extends outwardly from the mounting channel to engage the crop. Open gaps in the mounting channel are formed between adjacent replaceable blades.

Abstract: In a combine incorporating blowers (9) for spreading the discharge mixture of chopped straw and chaff over a wide area, the kinetic energy obtained through the medium of a chopper or feed device located prior to the blowers is retained so as to save on drive power by making the material outlet opening (4′) of the chopper (4) or the feed device lie in the same plane as the inlet opening (9′) of the blower (9).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a combine having a chopper arrangement for receiving and chopping harvested crop material that has been threshed and separated. The chopper arrangement comprises a web wheel disk having knives entrained thereon that cooperate with a stationary shear bar to chop the harvested crop material that has been threshed and separated.

Abstract: An apparatus for attachment to a rear end of a combine for spreading straw and chaff comprises a pair of side-by-side rotating pans with attached blades for spreading chaff, with a straw spreader attached to and above each pan to spread straw before same falls onto the pans. Each pan is enclosed at the front by a vertical wall with an opening to allow chaff to exit to the rear and side. A lip extends from the top of the wall toward the center of the pan to enhance the air blast and increase the distance chaff is blown. Rear deflectors allow the amount of chaff directed to the rear to be varied.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a distributing device for a straw chopper arrangement. The chopper arrangement is provided with at least one guide vane for the transversely scattering the chopped straw. The position of the guide vane can be varied by a drive. In order to attain a uniform distribution of the chopped straw on the field the drive continuously moves the guide vane back and forth.

Abstract: A baler for making large cylindrical bales is equipped with a cutting device for cutting picked up crop into pieces before it enters the baling chamber. The cutting device includes a plurality of cutting knives that are pivotable about a horizontal transverse axis between an working position for cutting crop, wherein the knives each project upwardly through respective slits provided in a guide sheet, and a non-working position wherein the knives are withdrawn to a non-working position substantially below the guide sheet. A plurality of knife positioning elements are respectively associated with the knives and mounted for pivoting about a second horizontal transverse axis such that when the positioning elements are in a first position corresponding to the working position of the knives rollers respectively carried by the positioning elements are in engagement with a recess in a surface provided on the rear of the associated knife.

Abstract: A straw-cutting machine serves to chop stalks, preferably to chop straw behind the straw-walker end (1) of a combine harvester. It possesses a straw-cutting machine housing (4) in which a rotor (5) provided with cutting tools (7) and a drive is pivoted, a guide plate (12) which forms a straw-cutting machine bottom and an outlet (13). To improve such a straw-cutting machine, counter-cutters (11) are provided on the straw-cutting machine bottom (12). Preferably, further counter-cutters (23) are provided in the region of the inlet gap (22) (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A chopper and discharge apparatus includes a stationary housing for attachment to the rear discharge of a combine harvester so that straw is fed from the combine into an inlet of the housing and is discharged from an outlet of the housing. Within the housing is mounted a hub for rotation about the horizontal axis with the hub carrying a plurality of lugs at angularly and axially spaced positions therearound, each lug carrying a pair of pivotal blade members which are rotated with the hub in the form of flails. Each lug is associated with a stationary blade on the inside of the housing so that the pair of blades carried on each lug sweep past the stationary blade each on a respective side of the stationary blade. The blade members include some flat cutting blades and some twisted blade members which have a planar base portion attached to the lug, an outer planar blade portion and an intermediate twisted portion twisted about a center line so that the blade portion lies at an angle to the base portion.

Abstract: A straw chopper with a housing having a chopping region and a discharge region, a chopping and conveying element and a distributor having several guide vanes for the transverse dispersal of the chopped straw, wherein the discharge region of the housing can be pivoted about a first axis relative to the chopping region of the housing and chopped straw is conducted by the conveying element past the chopping and the discharge regions in the direction toward the guide vanes. Choppers such as this are applied to harvesting machines such as combines, in order to distribute chopped straw on a field. In order to attain an optimum transverse distribution of the straw and to be able to bring the distributor into a favorable position for transport on the road, it is proposed that the distributor be arranged so as to be able to pivot relative to the chopping region of the housing, separately from the discharge region of the housing.

Abstract: A straw chopper for a combine harvester having a chopper housing mounted to a combine for rotation about a transverse axis. The housing is movable from a chopping position, in which the chopper receives straw from the separator of the combine and chops and spreads the straw over a wide area, to a rearwardly raised windrowing position, in which straw falls from the combine to the ground in front of the chopper housing. By rotating the housing rearward and upward, increased access into the rear of the combine is possible. An electric motor driven lift actuator is provided to raise the chopper housing to the windrowing position where a mechanical latch locks the housing to the combine structure.

Abstract: The discharge section of an axially arranged rotary combine is provided with a discharge chute having a ramp on the downward swept side. The ramp is provided with upper and lower metering edges for metering the flow of crop material other than grain from the helical flow to a transverse discharge beater. The floor of the discharge chute is provided with three guide vanes that define specific flow paths of the crop material being expelled by the axial crop processing unit and directing this crop material uniformly across the transverse discharge beater. The upward swept side of the discharge chute is provided with a filler plate for engaging crop material that was not engaged by the vanes to direct this crop material to the upward swept side of the discharge beater.

Abstract: A crop residue spreader for a combine harvester is pivotally mounted to the combine for rotation about a transverse axis. The spreader has a spreading position in which crop residue is spread over a wide area at the rear of the combine. The spreader is rotatable about the transverse axis to a raised windrowing position to allow the residue to fall to the ground in a windrow for later collection. The disks of the spreader are covered by shrouds above and to the sides to reduce the upward dispersal of the residue. Gas assist cylinders are provided to lift the spreader to the windrow position after which a latch is engaged to hold the spreader there. A hold down latch operates to hold the spreader in the spreading position in opposition to the gas assist cylinders.

Abstract: A combine includes a housing enclosing a rotary separator. The rotary separator's discharge area is built such that the quality of the chopped crops is improved and a continuous discharge of crops is guaranteed. Guiding devices in the area of the axial-flow chopping device and on the inside of the housing's cover are designed such that the half of the guiding devices which are located in front of the chopping knives are essentially perpendicular to the pivotal axis of the rotary separator. In the area of the chopping knives, the housing is designed as a swiveling shutter so that the annular gap, located between the rotary separator and the housing, can be narrowed by the swiveling shutter.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a chopper for breaking up stalks such as straw, being provided with a chopper housing in which a rotor equipped with cutting tools and a driver are housed, and which a knife beam with counter blades is positioned. The cutting tools are equipped with slits for entrance of counter blades and are positioned to swivel on axles parallel to the rotor axle, with front edges of the cutting tools operating together with front edges of stationary countercutters.

Abstract: In a rotary chopper associated with a harvester combine and having a chopper rotor and counter-knives cooperating therewith in the housing of the rotary chopper, a fan is provided for supply of supplementary air at an excess pressure to the housing in order to increase the amount and the rate of the air exiting the rotary chopper and thus to improve the spreading of the comminuted material onto the ground.

Abstract: A crop chopper for an agricultural machine has a rotor having a plurality of fingers displaceable on rotation of the rotor along the passage, and respective blades interleaved with the fingers and each having a front end pivoted about a horizontal axis and a rear edge formed with a rearwardly open notch so that crop pressed by the fingers between the blades is chopped and moved rearward along the passage. A rocker is pivotal about a horizontal axis and respective actuator plates juxtaposed with the rear edges of the blades are each formed with a rearwardly projecting arm. Respective abutment bodies on the plates are displaceable toward and away from the respective blades and respective springs braced between the bodies and the respective plates urge the bodies forward toward the blades.

Abstract: An arrangement for attaching a chopper to a combine harvester has two slide rails arrangeable on the combine harvester, a unit for suspending the chopper on the slide rails of the combine harvester, a unit for horizontally displacing the chopper and including a driven drive shaft having two ends each provided with a toothed gear, and a unit for preventing tilting of the chopper relative to the combine harvester during the horizontal displacement, the drive shaft being composed of two shaft parts having different lengths and each carrying a respective one of the toothed gears, and the shaft parts being radially adjustable relative to one another by a releasable connection so as to form the tilting preventing unit.

Abstract: A combine harvester has a mowing table, a feed conveyor for transporting a mowed product, a threshing mechanism located after the conveyor, and two separating devices located after the threshing mechanism in a product flow direction and each having a separating rotor, each of the separating devices in a region which faces away from the threshing mechanism being provided with a chopper device, the chopper device having chopping knives which are pivotable between an operative position and an inoperative position, spaced from one another by a distance, and fixedly supported on supporting axles which are axis-parallel to rotary axes of the separating rotors of the separating devices, at least one swing lever fixedly mounted on each of the supporting axles and having an end which faces away from the supporting axles, a connecting strap which movably connects the ends of the swing levers with one another, and a drive unit having a driving element with a free end on which the connecting strap is mounted.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a straw-cutting machine which is positioned behind the grain separation devices of a combine harvester and whose separation organs chop the stalks falling from the straw walkers into short pieces. The aim of the invention is by means of a special design of the separation organs to reduce the required driving power, to chop and disintegrate stalks falling onto the straw-cutting machine in a lateral position or a longitudinal direction uniformly into the smallest possible pieces and subsequently to disperse the chopped stalks as uniformly as possible over the whole cutting width on the soil. This is achieved by positioning in uniform distribution fixed tang plates serrated on their front sides on the mantle of a chopping cylinder which tang plates separate laterally positioned stalks in a drawing cut in a uniform, relatively thin veil over cutting knives fixed rigidly, but equipped with springs on the chopping floor.

Abstract: A combine harvester has a cutterbar, a feed conveyor for transporting a mowing product, a threshing mechanism arranged after the feed conveyor, a separating device arranged after the threshing mechanism and including a separating rotor provided with peripheral transporting elements and a housing surrounding the separating rotor and having an upper cover hood and a lower separating basket, the transporting elements of the separating rotor being provided within a predetermined region of a transporting path with radial slots, at least one of the cover hood and the separating basket being provided with deflector elements for guidance of a threshing product, the housing having a trough with an inner side which faces the separating rotor and being provided on the inner side with guiding elements which operationally correspond to the deflector elements and which are interrupted in a region of the slots.

Abstract: An adjustable chopper shaft is disclosed including a chopper shaft (14), a gear (18) concentrically mounted on the chopper shaft, the gear being accomodated in a gearbox (40). A setup (30, 32) for selectively allowing rotation of the chopper shaft relative to the gear are provided and this setup for selectively allowing rotation of the chopper shaft relative to the gear is located externally of the gearbox.

Abstract: A harvester thresher has a housing, a straw shaking means, a chopper drum arranged after the straw shaking means and provided with associated counter cutters for comminuting a threshed straw, a width distributing device arranged under the chopper drum for distributing the comminuted straw, the chopper drum being arranged at a height of the discharge end of the straw shaking means, the chopper drum having a drum casing, a shaft supporting the drum casing in the housing, and a plurality of parallel supporting rings arranged at a distance from one another on the drum casing, the chopper drum further having a plurality of impact plates, a plurality of transfer strips associated with the straw shaking means and inserted in ring gaps between the supporting rings, and a plurality of counter cutters which deviate under the action of an overload and extend in the ring gaps between the supporting rings at a different location.

Abstract: A harvester thresher has a threshing mechanism, a separating device operating in accordance with the principle of an axial flow and having a separating rotor provided with transporting elements and a housing surrounding the separating rotor, at least one receiving axle, a chopping device associated with the separating device for chopping a straw. The chopping device is formed as an axial flow chopping device and is located inside a region of a transporting path of the separating rotor. The transporting elements of the separating rotor are provided for chopping with outwardly open radial slots. The chopping device has a plurality of chopping cutters arranged on the receiving axle at a distance from one another in a circumferential path of the transporting elements so that each of the chopping cutters is located for a cutting process for a short time inside a respective one of the radial slots.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a beater for a combine having a hollow drum having a triangular cross section with first, second and third apexes that define the first, second and third wings of the beater. Identical first, second and third members are mounted to the triangular drum at the apexes. Each of the members have upturned ends that are joined together to form fourth, fifth and sixth apexes which define the fourth, fifth and sixth wings of the beater.

Abstract: A distributing device for a chopper, in particular attachment chopper for harvester thresher, has several motor-adjustable guiding plates arranged in a deviating housing for guiding a chopped product, and a measuring device for determination of a wind direction and a wind speed. In order to compensate for wind influences on the exiting chopped product, the guiding plates are automatically adjustable in dependence on the measuring value of the measuring device in a corresponding direction so as to produce an asymmetric guiding plate adjustment relative to the longitudinal direction of the chopper or harvester thresher and/or to vary the total spreading width.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved chopper for use with a harvester-thresher having a straw and chaff spreader for delivering a portion of the chopped straw rearwards to the ground and for delivering a portion of the chopped straw to a Kirby type or similar straw and chaff spreader. The chopper comprises a chopper housing, a knife bar, a flail, a drive means, a plurality of first outlets arranged in the bottom wall of the chopper for communication of a first portion of the chopped waste material to the spreader, and a second outlet arranged rearward of the plurality of first outlets for the communication of a second portion of the chopped waste material to the ground, said second outlet having straw deflectors on a rear deck for direction of said material.

Abstract: The combine has a straw chopper (2), to the rear of a threshing and separator apparatus (1); the straw chopper can be shifted on the straw hood (3) via a movement device (4) into a working position (A) and a nonworking position.For this purpose, this straw chopper (2) rests displaceably on guides (5, 6) of the straw hood (3) and is movable into its two positions by the movement device (4), preferably a pressure fluid cylinder. The discharge hopper (7) of the straw chopper (2), and/or a straw guide rake disposed on the straw chopper (2), are pivotable into a working position (A) and a nonworking position as a function of the displacement motion of the straw chopper (2), via coupling members (9-13).

Abstract: A chopper and discharge apparatus includes a stationary housing for attachment to the rear discharge of a combine harvester so that straw is fed from the combine into an inlet of the housing and is discharged from an outlet of the housing. Within the housing is mounted a hub for rotation about the horizontal axis with the hub carrying a plurality of lugs at angularly and axially spaced positions therearound, each lug carrying a pair of pivotal blade members which are rotated with the hub in the form of flails. Each lug is associated with a stationary blade on the inside of the housing so that the pair of blades carried on each lug sweep past the stationary blade each on a respective side of the stationary blade. The blade members include some flat cutting blades and some fan blade members which have a flap portion at a trailing edge of the blade which is bent outwardly at right angles and is also inclined outwardly and forwardly to generate a fan action in the air carried by the blade.

Abstract: A straw and chaff chopping and discharge arrangement is attached to a rear discharge opening of a combine harvester. The discharge apparatus includes a horizontal hub member transverse to the combine and carrying upon it a plurality of blade members arranged in radial planes along the length of the hub member. Each blade member includes a support plate lying in a radial plane together with a transverse blade surface which is inclined so that it extends outwardly and forwardly to generate a high velocity of air rotating with the chopping assembly around the axis. A housing is shaped with a stripping edge at the discharge opening to cause the rotating air and chopped material to be expelled through the discharge opening upwardly and rearwardly from the housing. The material can be spread across the ground up to a width equal to the swath from which the crop has been cut to provide even spreading of the material across the ground.

Abstract: A detachable knife assembly having a hanger bracket forming a curved end. The curved end defines an opening large enough to fit the curved end of the hanger bracket over a mounted hanger rod. A retaining bracket is positioned adjacent the hanger bracket and close enough to the curved end of the hanger bracket to enclose and retain the hanger rod within the hanger bracket opening. A knife blade is either a part of or secured to the hanger bracket. The retaining bracket is detachably secured to the hanger bracket. The curved end of the hanger bracket preferably forms a curve about an arc segment of approximately 180.degree..

Abstract: A three-point hitch furrow sweep and trash shredder are positioned with the furrow sweep being centered over the furrows for moving stalks onto the ridges where they are acted upon by the shredders. The shredders include a rotor in a housing having a plurality of pivotal hammers which work upon the trash and drive the trash through a perforated screen which reduces the size of the trash particles and returns it to the ground. The furrow sweeps include a pair of coulters in back to back oppositely facing relationship centered over the center line of the furrows or a single coulter for each furrow. The counters may be staggered or positioned in back to back relationship and may be flat or concave in shape.

Abstract: A straw cutter for a combine has a rotatable rotor (11), counterknives (13) and knife arms (12) which pass between the counterknives. To increase the blowr action of the rotor and to thereby improve the distribution of disintegrated straw, the knife arms have a V- or arch-shaped cross section.

Abstract: A harvester thresher has a housing, several straw shakers located after the threshing device having a discharge end, a threshing and separating device having two lateral product outlet openings, a chopper having two opposite ends, and passages each connected with a respective one of the product outlet openings of the threshing and separating device and having an end located above a respective one of the ends of the chopper.