Abstract: The present invention provides a system for separating crop dust from crop residue produced during a harvesting operation using a combine. The system comprises an attachment member configured to be used with the combine, a shroud fastened to the attachment member and extending downward to form a negative pressure chamber; and a container for collecting the separated crop dust exiting the outlet of the cyclone unit. The attachment member comprises a suction fan to generate a negative pressure to draw an air flow comprising at least a portion of the crop dust separated from the crop residue; and a depressurized cyclone unit in communication with the suction fan, having an inlet for receiving the air flow comprising the separated crop dust drawn by the suction fan, and an outlet having a turning interlock configured to maintain the negative pressure while discharging the separated crop dust through the outlet.

Abstract: A cleaning system for an agricultural harvester includes a first and second cleaning systems. A plurality of fans of a substantially similar diameter are fluidically coupled to the first and second cleaning systems. A controller generates and sends control signals to the fans to control the speeds of the fans.

Abstract: A combine harvester is provided with a threshing system, a preparation arrangement and cleaning arrangement. The preparation arrangement comprises multiple preparation stages, each of said stages being configured to transport said mixture over a given distance between a front edge and a rear edge of the stage, with an air gap being present between each pair of consecutive stages. The preparation arrangement further comprises a blower, separate from the main blower, said blower configured to direct air towards at least one of said air gaps, to thereby blow at least a portion of said mixture towards the rear of the combine harvester. The preparation arrangement comprises a plate provided with fins mounted transversally with respect to the longitudinal direction of the harvester, each fin representing one of said preparation stages, the plate further comprising one or more openings between at least one pair of consecutive fins.

Abstract: A combine harvester including a frame, threshing apparatus, a grain cleaning system, and, a feederhouse pivotally mounted to the frame on a transverse lift axis. The feederhouse includes a conveyor for conveying cut crop material from a fore opening to an aft opening. The feederhouse is configured to support a cutting header at its forward end. The grain cleaning system includes a transverse cross-flow fan having a debris screen protecting an air inlet channel. The debris screen includes a plurality of elongate transverse screen elements each being mounted to the frame so as to provide a degree of vertical movement freedom with respect to the frame. At least one elastic member is connected between the underside of the feederhouse and the frame and connects the plurality of screen elements. At least one elastic member is stretched as the feederhouse is raised and the vertical spacing between the plurality of screen elements increases.

Abstract: A fan powered extractor system for a harvester, such as a sugarcane harvester, utilizes a rotary extractor screen larger than an air flow path to the fan, that moves through the air flow path such that the air flows through the screen to collect airborne leaves and other crop residue thereon, and carries them from the air flow and deposits them on the ground beside or behind the harvester or on another receiver without passing through the fan. The extractor screen can also pass through the exhaust air flow from the fan for blowing remaining collected residue therefrom, and the location of deposition of the leaves is optionally selectable.

Abstract: A system and method for conveying agricultural material in a harvester. One harvester includes a rotor which rotates to separate a plant into a first agricultural material and a second agricultural material. A grate is disposed vertically below the rotor and further separates the first and second agricultural materials from one another. A first conveyor receives the first and second agricultural material directly from a trailing end of the rotor and a trailing end of the grate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing dust and dirt before baling uses a baler having a baling chamber, a pickup for picking up material to be baled from the ground and an inlet section between the pickup and the baling chamber. The inlet section has a perforated member at the bottom thereof, the perforated member forming a part of an air chamber. A blower attached to the air chamber is used for pulling air from the inlet section, through the perforated member and from the air chamber whereby dirt will be extracted from the inlet section before such dirt enters the baling chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing dust and dirt before baling uses a baler having a baling chamber, a pickup for picking up material to be baled from the ground and an inlet section between the pickup and the baling chamber. The inlet section has a perforated member at the bottom thereof, the perforated member forming a part of an air chamber. A blower attached to the air chamber is used for pulling air from the inlet section, through the perforated member and from the air chamber whereby dirt will be extracted from the inlet section before such dirt enters the baling chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for evacuating water and dirt from a cooler box of a cooling system, incorporated with a blow-off for an air screen of the system. The water and dirt will flow through an aperture in a lower region of the cooler box into a smaller box of the apparatus disposed therebelow. A fan operable for generating the air flow through the air screen and the cooler box, also blows a portion of the flow through a blow-off channel to the air screen for blowing debris away from the air screen. The channel and smaller box are cooperatively configured such that the air flow through the channel will generate a partial vacuum condition in the smaller box operable for evacuating the water and the dirt into the channel so as to be carried away with debris from the air screen.

Abstract: A mobile harvesting unit which utilizes a high volume fan to separate crops from foreign matter, has a dust suppression system which substantially reduces particulates which are discharged with the fan exhaust. The dust suppression system has two stages. The first stage separates larger particles of foreign matter by deploying an air stream cleaning chain upstream of the fan. The second stage is contained within a air stream discharge duct. Within the air stream discharge duct, a liquid, such as water, is sprayed into the dust entrained air stream. The moistened air stream flows through a plurality of collection members which extend radially from a brush drum, where the moistened dust particles are accumulated on the collection members, such that the volume of dust particles contained within the air discharged from the harvesting unit is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A self-cleaning blow-off for a rotary air screen, includes a blow-off channel including an inlet disposed for receiving a flow of air from a pressurized air source, and a movable blow-off channel section configured and supported to be movable between an operational position disposed adjacent to a portion of the air screen for directing the flow of air for blowing debris and dirt from the screen, and a cleaning position disposed away from the screen such that accumulated debris and dirt in the blow-off section will be released. And, an actuator is connected to and controllably operable for moving the movable blow-off section between the operating position and the cleaning position. The actuator can be controlled to move the movable blow-off section to the cleaning position periodically, as desired, or responsive to an input.

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.

Abstract: A debris deflector having a proximal end, a distal end, and opposed sides. The debris deflector uses a flexible connecting device for attaching the proximal end to a combine and a rigid connecting device for attaching the distal end to a header of the combine. The flexible connecting device comprises a spring device at each opposed side of the debris deflector adjacent the proximal end having hooks or other device for fastening or connecting to the combine and a rigid member releasably retained by a sleeve at the proximal end of the debris deflector. The rigid connecting device comprises a magnet at each opposed side of the debris deflector adjacent the distal end for magnetically connecting to the header of the combine and a nut and bolt fastener or other device for fastening or connecting the magnet to another rigid member releasably retained by a sleeve at the distal end of the debris deflector.

Abstract: An agricultural combine for harvesting, threshing and separating an agricultural crop includes a processing assembly. A conveying mechanism moves harvested crop material to the crop processing assembly. A rotating member feeds crop material from the conveying mechanism to the processing assembly. An airflow diverter is transversely positioned adjacent the rotating member to divert a potion of the airflow from the conveying mechanism into the crop processing assembly independent of the crop flow path.

Abstract: A self-propelled forage harvester is equipped with a crop gathering device which transports crop material from the ground to feed rolls that position the crop for being chopped into small pieces by a chopper drum. To prevent pieces of crop material from accumulating on top of the housing structure for the feed rolls and the chopper drum, a flexible shield is mounted between the bottom of the operator's cab and the top of the crop gathering device. Various different access elements of the shield may be quickly opened to provide access to the feed rolls, chopper drum and other functioning elements provided for processing the crop.

Abstract: A combine dust eliminator attachable to the feeder housing of a John Deere carbine consists of an elongate dust eliminator housing having a pair of dust discharge chutes at either end. The dust discharge chutes are swingably mounted on the dust eliminator housing and may be swung upwards toward the center of the dust eliminator housing for access to internal parts. Mounted on each dust discharge chute is a dust curtain which hangs downwardly outside the sides of the combine feeder housing. The dust eliminator housing is swingably mounted to the top surface of the combine feeder housing and tilts upwardly and forwardly to allow access to the combine feeder housing. Locking devices hold the dust eliminator housing in horizontal contact with the feeder housing while in operation. Within the dust eliminator housing is a shaft having a driven rotating fan at each end, near the dust discharge chutes.

Abstract: An off-highway machine such as an agriculture harvester has an enclosed cab and a pressurizing blower or fan assembly for developing a primary or rapidly moving flow of air theretoward and directing a pressurized stream of a away therefrom. An apparatus is arranged proximate to and in operable combination with the blower or fan assembly on the off-highway machine for providing precleaned air to the enclosure.

Abstract: A shielding system for the engine compartment of a combine harvester includes shields that are mounted around the engine coolant radiator to close openings around the radiator communicating between the engine compartment and outside ambient conditions. It has been found that the high speed air flow drawn through the radiator by the cooling air fan will induce a large flow of air through openings around the radiator, carrying with it dust, chaff and other foreign material that is deposited in the engine compartment.

Abstract: A conventional header of a combine harvester includes a sickle knife and a table onto which the crop material is deposited by a reel. The crop material is transported toward the feeder housing of the combine harvester by an auger transportation system. At the feeder housing, the auger includes a cylindrical drum portion with fingers to push the material into the feeder housing. This conventional arrangement is modified by the addition of a suction shroud positioned over the central cylindrical portion of the auger to extract dust when cutting dusty crops such as peas.