Abstract: An unloading system for an agricultural harvester, includes a grain tank (16); a door (56) at the outlet of the grain tank (16) that is disposed to control the flow of grain out of the grain tank (16); a door actuator (84) coupled to the door (56) that is disposed to open and close the door; a first conveyor (30) disposed to receive grain passing through the door (56); a first conveyor drive motor (80) coupled to the first conveyor (30) to drive the first conveyor (30); a control circuit (72) coupled to both the door actuator (84) and the first conveyor drive motor (80), the control circuit (72) being configured to close the door (56) prior to shutting off the first conveyor (30) in response to an operator command to shut down the unloading system.

Abstract: A harvester (1) comprises an engine and machinery housing (2), a discharge chute (6) which is movably mounted on the engine and machinery mounting (2) and which carries a first outfeed point (7) and a second outfeed point (12) for harvested crop, and at least one deflector for switching a flow of harvested crop from one of the outfeed points (7, 12) to the other.

Abstract: An unloader for an agricultural harvester includes a telescopic belted conveyor that can be extended to opposite sides of the harvester. The conveyor can be operated at any selected elevation between a minimum elevation and a maximum elevation and at any extended length between a minimum extended length and a maximum extended length for the conveyor.

Abstract: In a method for transferring crop material from a harvesting machine to a hauling vehicle, with which the crop material is accelerated and ejected through a conveyor chute of a transfer device to a target point on the transport vehicle, the acceleration of the crop material to be transferred is controlled as a function of at least one parameter that represents a transfer distance. A corresponding control unit for a harvesting machine and a harvesting machine with a control unit of this type is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing crop composition of crops moving in a grain elevator, the elevator including paddles moving up on an up-going side of the elevator and down on a down-going side of the elevator, the apparatus including a crop entrance for entry of crops from the up-going paddles to the analyzing apparatus and a housing for containing a portion of crops to be analyzed. The crop entrance is located in a plane parallel to the elevator's outer wall at the up-going side of the elevator. The apparatus further includes a sloped gutter portion for bringing crops from the crop entrance towards the housing.

Abstract: A route planning system for an agricultural working machine including at least one crop material storage unit for storing quantities of crop material transferable to forage vehicles, has a unit for generating driving routes in a territory based on a defined working width assigned to the agricultural working machine, a unit for reconciling a crop material quantity stored in the crop material storage unit depending on at least one characteristic parameter, and a unit for dynamically adapting the reconciliation to changes in the at least one characteristic parameter.

Abstract: Disclosed is an articulated harvester composed of a forward bogey having an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, but being devoid of an on-board grain bin. A rearward bogey is attached by a joint to the forward bogey and has a powered wheel assembly, an on-board grain bin for receiving grain from the forward bogey grain transfer assembly, and a grain off-loading assembly. The disclosed improvement includes the rearward bogey having a powered wheel assembly of a powered stiff axle wheel assembly pivotable for steering the articulated harvester when the joint has articulated by a defined number of degrees. The joint may be connected to the rearward bogey powered stiff axle wheel assembly by a beam that has a second joint disposed ahead of the stiff axle and actuatable to crab the articulated harvester for grain unloading.

Abstract: A containment assembly and method includes generally side-by-side longitudinal tanks that are oriented substantially along a direction of travel of the containment assembly. The containment assembly includes a frame, a ground engagement member, and a plurality of tanks coupled to the frame. Each tank includes a longitudinal axis defined between a fore end and an aft end that is substantially parallel to the direction of travel. A length between the fore end and the aft end of the tank is greater than the width between a left side and a right side of the tank. A tank bottom surface is contoured to direct the granular material toward the aft end. The plurality of tanks are oriented such that at least a right side or a left side of one tank is proximate at least a right side or a left side of another one of the plurality of tanks.

Abstract: A harvesting machine including a frame, a plurality of ground engaging wheels, at least one grain separating section, a plurality of cross augers and a grain moving device. The plurality of ground engaging wheels support the frame. The at least one grain separating section is supported by the frame. The plurality of cross augers are positioned to receive grain from the at least one grain separating section. The plurality of cross augers each have an end. The grain moving device is associated with each of the plurality of cross augers proximate to the end of the plurality of cross augers.

Abstract: A carousel merger is provided that is designed to replace existing belt conveyor devices. The carousel merger device has a crop receiving passageway which extends through a top surface of the carousel merger device toward a bottom surface of the carousel merger device. The crop receiving passageway has a plurality of crop receiving regions and a crop flow region. The crop receiving regions have arcuate sidewalls, support plates rotatably mounted to the bottom surface and blades mounted to the support plates. The crop flow region is provided adjacent the crop receiving regions with a portion of the crop flow region extending through the crop receiving regions. The crop flow region has a back wall opposite from the arcuate sidewalls of the crop receiving regions. A discharge is in communication with the crop flow region.

Abstract: An unloader for an agricultural harvester includes a telescopic belted conveyor that can be extended to opposite sides of the harvester. The conveyor can be operated at any selected elevation between a minimum elevation and a maximum elevation and at any extended length between a minimum extended length and a maximum extended length for the conveyor.

Abstract: A grain tank on a crop harvester includes a belted conveyor floor for moving grain in the grain tank toward an opening through which the grain tank is emptied.

Abstract: An agricultural combine has a flexible unloading tube for discharging the contents of a grain tank positioned on the combine. The unloading tube includes first and second tubes connected by a pair of swivel joints on an intermediate tube. The swivel joints are actuated independent of one another by either electrical or hydraulic power to provide a range of motion significantly greater than found in current combines. A series of augers, connected through flexible joints, move grain material through the unloading tube. The double swivel joints enable the unloader to be conveniently located in the combine with a minimum intrusion on the overall volume of the unit.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an agricultural work machine for performing harvesting operations. The agricultural work machine includes a support structure. An unloading system is coupled to the support structure and is configured to transport an agricultural product received from a hopper to an off-machine location. The unloading system includes a transfer assembly having a discharge chute. A positioning system is configured to adjust at least one of an elevation, a length and a rotational position of the transfer assembly to position the discharge chute. A control system is configured to automatically locate the discharge chute from a stowed position to a desired unload position of a plurality of preset unload positions upon receiving an operator input via an operator input device.

Abstract: The present utility model relates to a series of improvements introduced to the system for harvesting grain directly from plants, without cutting or extracting. Advances were substantial, principally concerning harvesting efficiency as well as the capability for harvesting green beans and green soybeans. The more important modifications concern the rotating shafts, now having self-locking and relatively flexible fixing rings for the rods. The operator can easily release these rings through a locking mechanism at the end of the shaft, in a manner so as to allow the replacement of worn rods. Each pair of rings ideally holds three rods which are mounted in an arch in a manner that there are two ends to each rod, with each pair of rings bearing six bristles.

Abstract: A combine harvester has at least one cleaning device which includes at least one sieve and one cleaning fan, at least one conveyor device for conveying at least a portion of the crop material that exits the cleaning device into a higher region of the combine harvester and including at least one elevator having a lower intake region and an upper transfer region, the crop material being conveyed in the elevator via conveyor plates which are situated on a circulating chain, and the elevator includes, in its lower region, at least two interspaced deflection axles for the circulating chain, which are oriented transversely to the longitudinal extension of the combine harvester.

Abstract: A harvesting machine including a frame, a plurality of ground engaging wheels, at least one grain separating section, a plurality of cross augers and a grain moving device. The plurality of ground engaging wheels support the frame. The at least one grain separating section is supported by the frame. The plurality of cross augers are positioned to receive grain from the at least one grain separating section. The plurality of cross augers each have an end. The grain moving device is associated with each of the plurality of cross augers proximate to the end of the plurality of cross augers.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine for picking up and processing crop material includes a transfer device which is swivelable about a horizontal axis and a vertical axis for transferring crop material to a hauling vehicle, and the transfer device of the harvesting machine—which is performing the harvesting operation—is swiveled manually and/or automatically against the direction of travel of the harvesting machine as a function of operating criteria.

Abstract: A positive operating combine unloading discharge door which operates independent of the presence of grain in the unloading tube and is attached to the unloading tube to minimize opposition and obstruction to grain flow and completely cover the open end of the unloading tube when the unloading cycle is complete to minimize or eliminate grain loss due to grain dribble.

Abstract: A combination of a powered combine carrying a combine grain bin for housing harvested grain and a towed grain cart carrying a grain cart bin for housing harvested grain includes harvested grain transfer between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin and improved off-loading of harvested grain from the combination. A generally horizontally disposed first grain movement assembly is pivotally connected to a second grain movement assembly, which in turn is pivotally connected to a vertically disposed grain movement assembly in the grain cart, such that the rear end of the second grain movement assembly moves in all horizontal directions, but not in the vertical direction. The first grain movement assembly has an arcuate trolley ahead of the pivoted joint with the second grain movement assembly. An off-loading grain movement assembly is disposed for off-loading grain only from the combine grain bin.

Abstract: A pivoting conveyor and a mechanism easily and quickly configurable in a first manner for holding the conveyor in a first position, and in a second manner for holding the conveyor in a second position. The mechanism is connected between the conveyor housing and an adjacent structure or frame, and includes a first link pivotally connected to the frame, and a second link pivotally connected to the conveyor housing, the first link and the second link being pivotally connected at a pivotal connection. The mechanism is configured such that as the conveyor housing is in the first position, the first and second links will be in a generally aligned relationship so as to hold the conveyor housing, and the housing can be released by pivoting the second link from the aligned relationship. When the conveyor housing is in the second position, the links will be in overlapping relation so as to hold the conveyor housing, and the housing can be released by pivoting the second link.

Abstract: Disclosed is an articulated harvester composed of a forward bogey having an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, but being devoid of an on-board grain bin. A rearward bogey is attached by a joint to the forward bogey and has a powered wheel assembly, an on-board grain bin for receiving grain from the forward bogey grain transfer assembly, and a grain off-loading assembly. The disclosed improvement includes the rearward bogey having a powered wheel assembly of a powered stiff axle wheel assembly pivotable for steering the articulated harvester when the joint has articulated by a defined number of degrees. The joint may be connected to the rearward bogey powered stiff axle wheel assembly by a beam that has a second joint disposed ahead of the stiff axle and actuatable to crab the articulated harvester for grain unloading.

Abstract: A discharge spout is connecting a first end to a discharge tube in a forage harvester to discharge the processed crop from a mouth at a second end into a vehicle driven in use alongside the harvester. The spout has an inspection opening near its first end, a door covering and closing off the inspection opening, and at least one wear plate separate from the door and secured to the inner surface of the door.

Abstract: A transfer-assistance system for controlling a crop discharge flow from an agricultural harvesting machine has a transfer device provided in an agricultural working machine for carrying out a crop discharge flow. The system includes a transfer device cover assigned to the transfer device on one end, a transport device to which a crop is transported, a computing unit for determining a relative position and for controlling the crop discharge flow and a driving guidance system.

Abstract: Dribble control apparatus including a dribble control door hingedly or pivotally connected to an upper portion of a tube of a grain unloading conveyor. The door has a closed position covering a discharge opening of the tube for preventing grain dribbling, and an open position. The door has a shape which positions a center of gravity of the door for urging the door toward the closed position, including when closed, and which enables the door to support itself in the open position on a stream of grain flowing from the discharge opening with at least a substantial portion of the door spaced above the grain stream, while influencing or controlling an outward extent and direction of the flow of the stream.

Abstract: A cart is towed behind a combine harvester for collecting corn cobs and includes a conveyer belt feeding into a system for separating cobs from residue to be discharged and a tank for receiving and transporting the cobs. An unload auger is provided from the tank to one side of the cart while the cart moves forward. Power for driving the cart is obtained from a chopper drive of the combine harvester. The separating arrangement includes a series of sequential blower fans for blowing air through the discharged material as it is discharged from a conveyor and into a spreading guide disperses the residue. The cobs are conveyed using a series of augers where the auger to flight distance is at least 2 inches and particularly a pair of augers feed the cobs through a front wall of the tank so as to push cobs upwardly into the tank.

Abstract: The grain holding bin of a combine harvester can be rapidly unloaded either on-the-go or at a standstill by an inclined unloading conveyor having its intake end at a low point in the bin adjacent the far side of the bin. The unloading conveyor extends gradually upwardly and outwardly in a straight line from its intake end to a point above and beyond the opposite side of the bin to provide a straight, unrestricted run for grain being unloaded without twists, turns and significant breaks in auger flighting. The outer end of the unloading conveyor can be pivoted back into a rearwardly extending transport position about a simple generally upright pivot hinge.

Abstract: A harvested crop remains output apparatus for a combine can alternate between a broad distribution operating mode and an ejection elbow operating mode. The harvested crop remains output apparatus includes a housing having a first opening and a second opening; a flap associated with the first opening of the housing; a flap associated with the second opening of the housing; an output conveyor for tangentially conveying harvested crop remains arranged in the housing; a broad distribution arrangement arranged downstream of the first opening; an ejection elbow arranged downstream of the second opening; and a plurality of selection devices for selectively conveying harvested crop remains to the broad distribution arrangement or the ejection elbow. The plurality of selection devices include a first flap associated with the first opening and a second flap associated with the second opening.

Abstract: A header for a combine or a harvester comprising a center portion of said header having a feeder house position disposed to direct cut crop from the center portion to a feeder house when the header is mounted on the feeder house. At least one lateral portion of the header is attached to the center portion by a frame hinge. A draper comprised of a frame and a belt disposed to rotate over the frame extends from the lateral portion to the center portion having a draper hinge. A cutter having a curving portion is disposed at a leading aspect of the header to cut crop. The frame hinge, draper hinge and curving portion along the same axis are parallel to a direction of travel of the combine or harvester. The lateral portion can raise and lower relative to the center portion by rotation around the axis.

Abstract: A header for a combine or harvester has a frame with a longitudinal dimension transverse to a direction of travel of the combine or harvester. Two moving belts are disposed on the frame to receive cut crop from a cutter and to move the crop from outer portions of the header towards an inner portion of the header. Each of the belts has a leading edge oriented towards the direction of travel of the combine or harvester and a trailing edge oriented away from the direction of travel and each of the belts has an inner aspect disclosed in spaced relation to an inner aspect of the other of the belts such as to define a gap therebetween, the gap receiving cut crop being transported longitudinally and inwardly from the belts. An auger with a cylinder and two end cones around an axis is disposed to urge crop from the gap and from the inner aspect of the belts towards a feeder house position behind the gap. The axis of the auger is forward of the trailing edge of the belt.

Abstract: An improved agricultural vehicle is provided utilizing an upper storage container, movable laterally relative to a lower storage container. The dual storage containers allows for ease of loading and unloading a combine with multiple types of agricultural materials, such as stover and corn kernels. The invention also allows grain wagons to carry two separate types of agricultural material, such as stover and corn kernels.

Abstract: Vehicles, in particular self-propelled agricultural harvesting machines such as forage harvesters or combine harvesters designed to pick up and process crops, include transfer devices that transfer all of the harvested crop material to a hauling vehicle or an attached hauling container. The discharge device is equipped with a control device for performing automatic or manual adjustments, and the self-propelled agricultural harvesting machine is equipped with a navigation system for determining the positions of the vehicles involved. To transfer the crop material to the hauling vehicle without loss, the crop discharge flow is directed only to a defined permissible tolerance region on the hauling container. The tolerance region is located within the hauling container contour and is bounded by edge zones, which are “keep-out” zones for the transfer.

Abstract: The grain holding bin of a combine harvester can be rapidly unloaded either on-the-go or at a standstill by an inclined unloading conveyor having its intake end at a low point in the bin adjacent the far side of the bin. The unloading conveyor extends gradually upwardly and outwardly in a straight line from its intake end to a point above and beyond the opposite side of the bin to provide a straight, unrestricted run for grain being unloaded without twists, turns and significant breaks in auger flighting. The outer end of the unloading conveyor can be pivoted back into a rearwardly extending transport position about a simple generally upright pivot hinge.

Abstract: A root-crop harvester is configured to temporarily store tubers by recirculating tubers on the conveyor system of the harvester. The conveyor system has selectable first and second operating configurations. In the first operating configuration the conveyor system transports tubers from the digger bed to an outlet where tubers are unloaded from the harvester (e.g., onto a truck). In the second operating configuration the conveyor system transports tubers along the conveyor system for a period of time and then diverts tubers to an earlier position within the conveyor system, thereby recirculating tubers on the harvester. After a period of time, the harvester operator selects the first operating configuration and the recirculating tubers along with newly dug tubers are unloaded from the harvester.

Abstract: An extendable auger conveyor including a screw thread sleeve snugly and slidably receiving a rotary drive shaft having a non-round cross section, both housed within a pair of telescoping sections of a casing having an infeed port intermediate the length of the supporting casing section.

Abstract: The grain holding bin of a combine harvester can be rapidly unloaded either on-the-go or at a standstill by an inclined unloading conveyor having its intake end at a low point in the bin adjacent the far side of the bin. The unloading conveyor extends gradually upwardly and outwardly in a straight line from its intake end to a point above and beyond the opposite side of the bin to provide a straight, unrestricted run for grain being unloaded without twists, turns and significant breaks in auger flighting. The outer end of the unloading conveyor can be pivoted back into a rearwardly extending transport position about a simple generally upright pivot hinge.

Abstract: A harvesting machine with a discharge assembly for the transfer of harvested crop to a transport vehicle includes an actuator that is adapted to move the discharge assembly about a horizontal axis, thereby adjusting the height of the outlet end of the discharge assembly. A stop element can be moved between an active position and an inactive position. In the active position, the stop element limits the range of movement of the actuator such that the discharge assembly cannot be moved to a position that is lower than a lowest active position. In the inactive position, the stop element does not limit the range of movement of the actuator, thus the discharge assembly can be moved to a position that is lower than the lowest active position. Therefore, the discharge assembly remains above the lowest active position during the harvesting operation.

Abstract: An adjustable height spout for an agricultural harvester may be remotely actuated by an operator. The spout may be positioned to match a height of a receptacle into which grain from the harvester is being transferred. An agricultural harvester including an adjustable height spout which may be actuated remotely by an operator.

Abstract: The apparatus for directing a flow of air and cotton from a cotton conveyor duct of a cotton harvester into a cotton receiver includes a cover member and a mounting element configured for mounting the cover member to a cotton conveyor duct for movement between a first position located at least partially in a path of a flow of air and cotton discharged through a discharge outlet of the duct, and a second position located adjacent to the path for directing the flow therealong. The cover member when in the first position is movable to the second position by a force exerted thereagainst by a flow of at least air discharged from the duct. A locking element of the apparatus is configured for automatically holding the cover member in the second position, the locking element being automatically operable for releasing the cover member when a downward force is applied thereagainst by the cotton receiver for moving the cover member to the first position.

Abstract: The apparatus for directing a flow of air and cotton from a cotton conveyor duct of a cotton harvester into a cotton receiver includes a cover member and a mounting element configured for mounting the cover member to a cotton conveyor duct for movement between a first position located at least partially in a path of a flow of air and cotton discharged through a discharge outlet of the duct, and a second position located adjacent to the path for directing the flow therealong. The cover member when in the first position is movable to the second position by a force exerted thereagainst by a flow of at least air discharged from the duct. A locking element of the apparatus is configured for automatically holding the cover member in the second position, the locking element being automatically operable for releasing the cover member when a downward force is applied thereagainst by the cotton receiver for moving the cover member to the first position.

Abstract: The apparatus for directing a flow of air and cotton from a cotton conveyor duct of a cotton harvester into a cotton receiver includes a cover member and a mounting element configured for mounting the cover member to a cotton conveyor duct for movement between a first position located at least partially in a path of a flow of air and cotton discharged through a discharge outlet of the duct, and a second position located adjacent to the path for directing the flow therealong. The cover member when in the first position is movable to the second position by a force exerted thereagainst by a flow of at least air discharged from the duct. A locking element of the apparatus is configured for automatically holding the cover member in the second position, the locking element being automatically operable for releasing the cover member when a downward force is applied thereagainst by the cotton receiver for moving the cover member to the first position.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved grain unloader for off-loading (unloading) grain from a grain bin carried by one or more of a combine or a grain cart. A second grain movement assembly is coupled in parallel to the first grain movement assembly so that both grain movement assemblies can simultaneously off-load the grain bin. A third grain movement assembly feeds the second grain movement assembly. The first and second grain movement assemblies move together from a stowage position to an unloading position. The third grain assembly can only feed the second grain transfer assembly when the second grain assembly is in the off-load position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the separation of fruit from other plant matter. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for the separation of Material Other than Grapes (MOG) from viable berries during the harvesting of wine grapes. The improved MOG remover is able to be used in conjunction with conventional harvesting machinery and ensures that the harvested material is in contact with a separation conveyer for a long enough period of time to result in the full separation of the berries from the MOG. The separation conveyer is able to be adjusted to compensate for variations in terrain and the degree of difficulty of separating the berries from bunches. This ensures that the apparatus 10 is able to function effectively whilst the loss of viable berries is minimised.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a forage harvester blower including a blower rotor having a plurality of generally radially extending rotor paddles which operate in a corresponding substantially cylindrical housing, characterised in that said housing is provided with adjustment mechanism for at least locally adjusting the diameter of the housing. The present invention further relates to a method for optimising the operation of a forage harvester blower and to a method for preventing damage to a forage harvester blower during operation.

Abstract: A method of determining crop parameters in an agricultural harvester has the steps of determining at least one crop parameter during a working process with a compacting device which is fillable with a crop probe, and using for determining the at least one crop parameter of the crop probe depending on at least one defined compression of the crop probe produced by the compacting device.

Abstract: A crop discharging device, such as a discharge spout for a crop chopping machine, has a crop input end mounted for swiveling about an inclined upright axis and for pivoting vertically about a horizontal axis. The discharge spout also includes a vertically adjustable flap at its discharge end for directing the flow of crop from the spout. A first actuator is provided for effecting movement of the spout about the upright axis, a second actuator is provided for effecting movement of the spout about the horizontal axis and a third actuator is provided for effecting movement of the flap. A control arrangement, which includes a memory into which a preset correlation table, or the like may be loaded, is provided for automatically controlling the position of the second actuator as a function of the position of the first actuator so as to maintain a given discharge height.

Abstract: A combine harvester for harvesting grain and seed crops includes a double unloading auger system for unloading in both directions of travel harvested feed grains produced in one round or two lengths of a field to storage area of transport vehicle. The double unloading auger system has a first main unloading auger assembly being selectively operable for discharging the harvested grain from a first side of the combine harvester to the transport vehicle and a second main unloading auger assembly being selectively operable for discharging the harvested grain from a second side of the combine harvester to the transport vehicle. A pair of transverse auger is located in a bottom wall of the grain tank and is selectively reversibly driven for delivery of the harvested grain from the grain tank to either the first main unloading auger assembly or the second main unloading auger assembly.

Abstract: A threshing plate installable in a housing of a tailings conveyor of an agricultural combine for causing threshing of a flow of tailings propelled through the housing by rotation of an impeller therein. The threshing plate can include a threshing surface having a wide variety of surface textures or characteristics for deflecting tailings propelled thereagainst back into the tailings flow in a turbulent manner so as to cause collision between the tailings resulting in the threshing action. The threshing plate can optionally be removable and reversible so as to provide different threshing characteristics.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine includes a tailings conveyor housing. The agricultural harvesting machine provides a cleaning device for cleaning threshed and separated grain. The tailings conveyor housing collects tailings from the cleaning device and propels the tailings with a first impeller against a first rethreshing member and radially to a second impeller. The second impeller propels the tailings against a second rethreshing member and radially to a third impeller. The third impeller propels the tailings against a third rethreshing member and radially through the second opening and past a baffle, where the tailings are redirected back to the cleaning device and spread out over the cleaning device.

Abstract: A method for controlling a transfer device (2) mounted pivotally on a harvesting machine (1) so that it can be pivoted about both a vertical axis (3) and a horizontal axis (4) is described. In this method the transfer device is automatically swung from an actual position (A) about the vertical axis (3) into another position above a supporting member (11) for the transfer device (2) mounted on the harvesting machine (1). The transfer device (2) is then automatically lowered into a street travel position on the supporting member (11) within an event-controlled street travel positioning procedure. Moreover a suitable apparatus for controlling the transfer device (2) is also described.