Abstract: A system for determining knife usage. The system includes an infeed cutter including a cutter rotor, a knife drawer, and a plurality of knives extending through the knife drawer. The cutter rotor is mounted above the knife drawer such that a cutting zone for crop material is defined. The system further includes a measuring device configured to measure a quantity which is representative for the couple exerted by the cutter rotor on crop material going through the cutting zone of the infeed cutter, a controller configured to control the measuring device for measuring values for the quantity at consecutive moments in time, and a knife usage determining module configured to determine knife usage based on the measured values.

Abstract: A helical auger flight has an inner edge, an outer edge, an inner face, an outer face, and a leading extremity that includes a prominence and a leading edge that extends from the outer edge to the prominence. The prominence extends outward from the leading edge of the leading extremity to an outer end having an upturned jut. A wear plate is releasably connected to the inner face of the helical auger flight. The wear plate extends from the outer edge of the helical auger flight to the prominence. A front extremity of the wear plate extends forwardly of the leading edge of the helical auger flight so as to be in a shielding relationship with respect to the leading edge of the helical auger flight, and a nose of the front extremity of the wear plated is seated in direct contact against a contact surface of the jut.

Abstract: A combine harvester thresher includes a combine harvester threshing drum formed with a helical auger flight and which is mounted for rotation in a threshing direction for threshing crop cuttings to form threshings. The helical auger flight has a leading end directed into the threshing direction and an opposed trailing end directed away from the threshing direction, an outer face and an opposed inner face angled toward the threshing direction for driving cuttings to the threshing drum for threshing in response to rotation of the threshing drum in the threshing direction. A sacrificial shield and wear plate is releasably attached to the leading end of the helical auger flight for shielding the leading end of the helical auger flight from impacting cuttings and for deflecting cuttings to the inner face of the helical auger flight in response to rotation of the threshing drum in the threshing direction.

Abstract: A helical auger flight has an inner edge, an outer edge, an inner face, an outer face, and a leading extremity that includes a prominence and a leading edge that extends from the outer edge to the prominence. The prominence extends outward from the leading edge of the leading extremity to an outer end having an upturned jut. A wear plate is releasably connected to the inner face of the helical auger flight. The wear plate extends from the outer edge of the helical auger flight to the prominence. A front extremity of the wear plate extends forwardly of the leading edge of the helical auger flight so as to be in a shielding relationship with respect to the leading edge of the helical auger flight, and a nose of the front extremity of the wear plated is seated in direct contact against a contact surface of the jut.

Abstract: A combine threshing system includes a rotor having and in-feed area at a front end of the rotor and a rotor body configured to convey material along a helical path from the front end of the rotor body to a rear end of the rotor body. The system also includes a substantially cylindrical threshing chamber positioned circumferentially around and spaced apart from the rotor body. The threshing chamber includes a lower portion substantially concentric with the rotor body and having an inner surface positioned a first distance from an outer surface of the rotor body and an upper portion having a first inner surface substantially concentric with the rotor body and positioned the first distance from the outer surface and a second inner surface that is substantially concentric with the rotor body, positioned a second distance from the outer surface and is greater than the first distance.

Abstract: A combine threshing system includes a rotor having and in-feed area at a front end of the rotor and a rotor body configured to convey material along a helical path from the front end of the rotor body to a rear end of the rotor body. The system also includes a substantially cylindrical threshing chamber positioned circumferentially around and spaced apart from the rotor body. The threshing chamber includes a lower portion substantially concentric with the rotor body and having an inner surface positioned a first distance from an outer surface of the rotor body and an upper portion having a first inner surface substantially concentric with the rotor body and positioned the first distance from the outer surface and a second inner surface that is substantially concentric with the rotor body, positioned a second distance from the outer surface and is greater than the first distance.

Abstract: A combine harvester (10) comprising a pair of axial separating rotors (20) each extending side-by-side within respective housings (19) in a longitudinal direction and serving to separate grain from straw. A feed beater (18) is provided which rotates on a transverse axis (X) and is located in front of the separating rotors to direct a crop flow rearwardly under the feed beater. Directional vanes (34) on the feed beater direct the crop flow away from a central zone of the beater and toward respective crop streams associated with the two rotors. Scraper apparatus (50) comprising stationary vanes (54) are provided above the beater. Crop material which back feeds over the top of the beater is scraped free of the beater and directed outwardly by the stationary vanes so that the scraped material is re-fed under the beater away from the central zone.

Abstract: A threshing and separating mechanism for a combine includes an elongated rotor mounted for rotation about a rotor axis on the combine within a rotor housing. The rotor has a threshing portion and a separating portion. The rotor has a rotor tube that is tapered continuously in the threshing portion and has threshing elements extending from the rotor tube. The housing has a threshing section and a separating section corresponding to the threshing portion and the separating portion. The housing surrounds the rotor and is spaced from the rotor tube to form an annular space between the rotor tube and the housing for crop material to flow through in an axial crop flow direction from an inlet end of the housing to an outlet end of the housing. The housing includes a smooth transition section between the threshing section and the separating section of the housing.

Abstract: A method of preventing the accumulation of debris within cavities or voids of crop engaging components of an agricultural combine is provided. To prevent debris accumulation within such cavities, the cavities of such crop engaging components are first identified. Then, the cavities are injected with a fill material, such as self-expanding foam to fill the cavity and adhere thereto. A rasp bar for mounting to a rotor of an agricultural combine is also provided. The rasp bar includes a rasp bar element, a mounting bracket, a fastener, and a fill material for filling a cavity formed by the rasp bar.

Abstract: An adjustable vane system for an axial-flow, rotary combine housing that incorporates at least one flat wall section as part of the otherwise cylindrical or oblong, curved housing cover, and adjustable vanes having flat bases that are angularly adjusted on the surface of the flat wall section. The housing includes fixed vanes on a curved portion of the housing cover that have a lead ends, in a direction of circumferential crop movement, substantially in registry with trailing ends of the adjustable vanes. The adjustable vanes include pivot connections near the trailing ends and swing connections near the lead ends of the adjustable vanes. All of the adjustable vanes are gang together and moved together. A mechanism is provided to swing the adjustable vanes from a position corresponding to the normal helical path of the fixed vanes to a bypass position wherein crop flow through the adjustable vanes will skip one or more passes between the fixed vanes on the next pass through the fixed vanes.

Abstract: A method of positioning a concave in a threshing section of an agricultural machine including the steps of selecting and maintaining. The selecting step includes the selecting of a set pressure, a minimum separation distance of the concave from a rotating member and a maximum separation distance of the concave from the rotating member. The maintaining step includes the maintaining of a hydraulic fluid pressure in a hydraulic concave support system that supports the concave at substantially the set pressure while the concave is positioned between the minimum separation distance and the maximum separation distance when crop material is being transported between the concave and the rotating member.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine including a frame and a threshing section supported by the frame. The threshing section includes a rotating member, a concave and a hydraulic concave support system that positions the concave proximate to the rotating member. The concave is movable in directions toward or away from the rotating member. The hydraulic concave support system includes at least one hydraulically driven element movable substantially parallel to the same directions.

Abstract: A front rotor inlet section for a rotor of an agricultural combine, including anti-wind features for preventing winding or wrapping of plant materials about a front bearing therearound, and features for providing a straw ejecting capability, including at least one radially outwardly extending slot in a protuberance located adjacent to the front bearing and operable for conveying plant material to a radial outer region of the inlet section, and at least one shoulder or lip on the radial outer region extending at least partially circumferentially therearound and rearwardly, for conveying the crop material rearwardly away from the bearing.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved threshing and separating mechanism and method for a combine. The mechanism includes an elongated rotor mounted for rotation about a rotor axis within a rotor housing on the combine. The rotor has a threshing portion and a separating portion. The housing has a threshing section and a separating section corresponding to the threshing portion and the separating portion. The housing surrounds the rotor and is spaced from the rotor to form an annular space between the rotor and the housing for crop material to flow through in an axial crop flow direction from an inlet end of the housing to an outlet end of the housing. A rear portion of the rotor is tapered in a rearward direction to create an increased volume at the outlet of the rotor housing to prevent stagnation of flow of straw material in the transition of velocity between the housing outlet and the straw beater.

Abstract: A rotor, in an agricultural harvester crop processing unit, comprising a drum to which crop processing elements for an infeed section and a threshing section are affixed. The drum comprises a rearward cylindrical portion and a forwardly extending frusto-conical portion. The frusto-conical portion is divided into an aft-region adjacent to the rearward cylindrical portion of the drum, and a fore-region. The infeed section has at least one infeed element located on the fore-region of the frusto-conical portion of the drum. The crop processing section has at least one crop processing element located on the aft-region of the frusto-conical portion of the drum.

Abstract: A rotor for a threshing system of an agricultural combine and method for making the same, including a body of simplified, three part press fit construction including an inlet segment, a main body segment having threshing elements therearound, and a bulkhead to be connected to a drive mechanism. The inlet segment, main body segment and bulkhead are configured so as to facilitate press fit assembly thereof concentric about a rotational axis about which the rotor will be rotated during operation, while also minimizing eccentricities of those components. As a result, the manufacture of the rotor is simplified by the elimination of the need for an internal skeleton structure and associated welds and/or fasteners.

Abstract: A rotor for a threshing system of an agricultural combine, the rotor having a sequence of four inlet impellers disposed around an inlet section thereof at predetermined angularly spaced positions around a rotational axis therethrough, the impellers being oriented and configured for conveying crop material along generally helical flow paths, respectively, about the inlet section to a threshing section of the rotor when rotated and the crop material is fed thereto, and three rasp bars configured for threshing the crop material disposed in axially offset relation in a row extending circumferentially about the threshing section, including a first rasp bar at a first axial position adjacent to an end of the second inlet impeller of the sequence, a second rasp bar at a second axial position adjacent to an end of the third impeller of the sequence, and a third rasp bar at a third axial position and axially spaced from the first impeller of the sequence defining a crop material flow path therebetween.

Abstract: An anti-wind wiper including an extension adjustably mountable in a desired spaced relation and angular orientation relative to a leading edge of a flight of a front rotor inlet section of a combine, for interaction with the flight during rotation of the rotor, for directing and guiding crop material, particularly long strand-like elements of crop material, away from a shaft and bearing supporting the inlet section.

Abstract: A threshing front rotor inlet section and front bearing housing shroud assembly for an agricultural combine. The front rotor inlet section includes a center body or plate having a radial outer circumferential periphery and a substantially annular protuberance extending forwardly therefrom concentric with a rotational axis thereof. The protuberance has at least one slot extending radially therethrough defined by one or more edges and/or surfaces which face in the rotational direction and are raked back in the radial outward direction, for pushing crop material, radially outwardly for conveyance rearwardly by impeller augers or flights of the rotor. Other surfaces can also be provided around the outer periphery for pushing longer plant material away from spaces between the inlet section and bearing housing and shroud.

Abstract: A threshing front rotor inlet section and front bearing housing shroud assembly for an agricultural combine. The front rotor inlet section includes a center body or plate having a radial outer circumferential periphery and a substantially annular protuberance extending forwardly therefrom concentric with a rotational axis thereof. The protuberance has at least one slot extending radially therethrough defined by one or more edges and/or surfaces which face in the rotational direction and are raked back in the radial outward direction, for pushing crop material, radially outwardly for conveyance rearwardly by impeller augers or flights of the rotor. Other surfaces can also be provided around the outer periphery for pushing longer plant material away from spaces between the inlet section and bearing housing and shroud.

Abstract: A threshing front rotor inlet section and front bearing housing shroud assembly for an agricultural combine. The front rotor inlet section includes a center body or plate having a radial outer circumferential periphery and a substantially annular protuberance extending forwardly therefrom concentric with a rotational axis thereof. The protuberance has at least one slot extending radially therethrough defined by one or more edges and/or surfaces which face in the rotational direction and are raked back in the radial outward direction, for pushing crop material, radially outwardly for conveyance rearwardly by impeller augers or flights of the rotor. Other surfaces can also be provided around the outer periphery for pushing longer plant material away from spaces between the inlet section and bearing housing and shroud.

Abstract: A rotor, in an agricultural harvester crop processing unit, comprising a drum to which crop processing elements for an infeed section and a threshing section are affixed. The drum comprises a rearward cylindrical portion and a forwardly extending frusto-conical portion. The frusto-conical portion is divided into an aft-region adjacent to the rearward cylindrical portion of the drum, and a fore-region. The infeed section has at least one infeed element located on the fore-region of the frusto-conical portion of the drum. The crop processing section has at least one crop processing element located on the aft-region of the frusto-conical portion of the drum.

Abstract: A composite threshing element, for a rotor in an agricultural harvester crop processing unit, comprising a hollow support structure with at least one outwardly extending crop engaging portion, and a forwardly extending infeed element attachment feature. The rotor comprises a drum to which crop processing elements for an infeed section and a threshing section are affixed. The threshing element is bolted to a frusto-conical portion of the rotor drum, with a portion of an infeed element bolting to the infeed element attachment feature.

Abstract: A shroud for the infeed section impeller in a rotary combine. The shroud includes a rear converging wall cone and a front diverging wall cone. A feed plate extends transversely across the front of the shroud and a sump is formed in the shroud behind the feed plate. The front diverging wall cone comprises top and bottom, rearwardly diverging walls. Transitions castings separate the top and bottom walls on left and right sides and have rearwardly converging front faces.

Abstract: A threshing rotor and front bearing housing shroud assembly for an agricultural combine having improved anti-wind characteristics, particularly with regard to long, wet straw. The invention resides in a front rotor inlet or infeed section having at least one radially outwardly extending impeller or auger flight having a front leading edge extending radially outwardly from a front center portion so as to be swept back relative to the rotational direction of the auger and so as to radiate from inwardly of, and form at least a 90 degree included angle in relation to, a wiping surface and anti-wind wiper of the shroud. A generally annular space exists between the shroud and a front bearing housing substantially surrounded thereby, and at least one radially outwardly raked anti-wind lug on the front center portion of the inlet section rotates through the space to agitate and clear plant material therefrom through pathways provided through the shroud for the flow of the plant material from the space.

Abstract: A shroud for the infeed section impeller in a rotary combine. The shroud includes a rear converging wall cone and a front diverging wall cone. A feed plate extends transversely across the front of the shroud and a sump is formed in the shroud behind the feed plate. The front diverging wall cone comprises top and bottom, rearwardly diverging walls. Transitions castings separate the top and bottom walls on left and right sides and have rearwardly converging front faces.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided an axial flow combine harvester having a combination impeller and rotor. The rotor has a front end and is rotatable in a specified rotational direction during normal operation of the combine harvester. The impeller comprises a front, a rear, a mount for fitting the impeller on the rotor with the rear of the impeller adjacent to the front end of the rotor, and a pair of impeller blades extending radially outwards from the mount. The impeller blades are hook-shaped when viewed from the front end of the impeller with outer ends projecting in the rotational direction of the rotor.

Abstract: A threshing rotor and front bearing housing shroud assembly for an agricultural combine having improved anti-wind characteristics, particularly with regard to long, wet straw. The invention resides in a front rotor inlet or infeed section having at least one radially outwardly extending impeller or auger flight having a front leading edge extending radially outwardly from a front center portion so as to be swept back relative to the rotational direction of the auger and so as to radiate from inwardly of, and form at least a 90 degree included angle in relation to, a wiping surface and anti-wind wiper of the shroud. A generally annular space exists between the shroud and a front bearing housing substantially surrounded thereby, and at least one radially outwardly raked anti-wind lug on the front center portion of the inlet section rotates through the space to agitate and clear plant material therefrom through pathways provided through the shroud for the flow of the plant material from the space.

Abstract: A self-propelled harvester having a drivable separating rotor rotatably mounted in a rotor housing with a bearing in an end wall covering an inlet opening of the rotor housing at a front end of the a separating rotor, further comprising a lower edge transverse and operatively connected to the bearing of the end wall.

Abstract: The present invention is a self-propelled combine harvester having a tangential threshing device, main threshing drum and feed drum for transferring crop to an axial dividing device. The axial dividing device has two cylindrical dividing housings that are asymmetrically and expand vertically and horizontally at their inlet ends to ensure uniform and trouble-free transfer of the harvested crop to the dividing device.

Abstract: An infeed assembly for a rotary combine has an impeller for directing crop materials outwardly and rearwardly. The impeller is arranged on the infeed section of the rotor and includes impeller blades that redirect the incoming mat-like crop materials into a whirling, circulatory motion and also translates the crop materials rearward towards the rotor's threshing section. Each blade has a leading edge that is swept back in two dimensions. Each leading edge is simultaneously swept back circumferentially away from the direction of impeller rotation and axially towards the rotor's threshing section. The pitch of each blade increases for a predetermined distance rearwardly.

Abstract: A rotary crop-processing unit for an agricultural combine in which the rotor is mounted in a rotor housing with the rotor axis diverging from the housing axis in the crop flow direction through the crop-processing unit. The diverging rotor and housing axes enable the gap between the rotor and the top of the housing to increase in the crop flow direction without producing abrupt changes in the housing shape.

Abstract: A rotor used for a combine-harvester includes a cylindrical member having a front end and rear end with a plurality of rub bar members spacedly disposed thereupon and extending outwardly therefrom and with a plurality of outwardly projecting spiral members which are disposed about the rear portion of the cylindrical member and which effectively shed the vines and stalks of the crop plants from about the rotor and with a plurality of short threshing members which are mounted to and project outwardly from the cylindrical member at the rear end thereof for removing any grain left on the vines and stalks before they are removed off the rear end of the rotor.

Abstract: A variable sweep infeed element for a rotary combine is bolted to the infeed section of the rotor drum and extends radially outward therefrom. The element is provided with a forward portion and a rearward portion. The forward portion is the location where the infeed element first contacts the crop mat. The forward portion has a radial section that extending radially outward from the rotor drum and an outermost section is forward swept in the direction of rotor rotation. This forward sweep is most aggressive at the initial feeding point and becomes less aggressive as the forward portion extends longitudinally downstream towards the transition point between the forward portion and the rearward portion. The rearward portion is provided with a radial section extending radially outward from the rotor drum and an outermost.

Abstract: An impeller blade for the rotor of an axial flow combine harvester is shaped such that an outer blade portion has a shape of the blade portion defining an inclined edge which joins a forward blade edge lying in a radial plane of the rotor at a first position spaced outwardly from the hub of the rotor and joins the outer blade edge at a second position spaced rearwardly of the first position, the inclined edge having at least a part thereof which is substantially straight and parallel to an inner blade edge so as to be inclined at an angle to the outer blade edge and extend outwardly and rearwardly from the first position to the second position such that the radial distance of the second position from the axis is greater than that of the first position. This reduces the length of the forward edge to 50% to 75% of its conventional length and acts to overcome a long standing feeding problem of this type of rotor in some crops.

Abstract: A threshing and separating apparatus particularly for use in a combine harvester includes a threshing rotor having a generally conical outer surface cooperating with a generally conical inner surface of a stator so that crop material fed to the narrower end of the rotor moves between the surfaces to provide a threshing action. At the discharge end of the annular channel between the rotor and stator is provided a separating sleeve which is rotated around the rotor separately from the rotor and stator. The sleeve is perforated to allow radial escape of seeds under a centrifugal force and a fan generates an air flow entering the sleeve from the feed end and pulled out of the sleeve from the discharge end so that lighter materials such as chaff are drawn through the space of the discharge end while the seeds escape outwardly.

Abstract: A flax dressing machine for decorticating a tangled mass of flax includes a first breaking edge. A first breaker is provided, and includes stationary plate-shaped elements arranged to form parallel gaps, and rotatable plate-shaped elements rotatable about a first axis arranged transverse to a direction of flow of the flax and forming parallel and radially arranged gaps. Each of the gaps extends essentially in the direction of flow of the flax. A second breaker comprises a drum rotatable about a second axis parallel to the first axis and is arranged transverse to the direction of flow of the flax. The drum has beating tools attached to an outer circumference thereof. A peripherally arranged bottom region forms with the outer circumference a peripheral gapped region for accommodating flax. The bottom region has stationary rubbing tools attached thereto that cooperate with the beating tools. One of the first and second breakers is located adjacent to the first breaking edge.

Abstract: A self-propelling harvester thresher has elements for cutting and transporting a harvested product, threshing unit arranged after the elements and operating in accordance with the principle of radial flow and also including a threshing basket and a threshing drum, a transferring drum arranged after the threshing unit for transferring substantially threshed straw, a separating unit transporting the harvested product in accordance with the principle of axial flow against a travelling direction of the harvester thresher and including at least one separating rotor and a separating housing provided with a drawing-in opening. The threshing drum has a plurality of threshing segments arranged on its periphery and offset relative to one another.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a rotary combine having an anti-wrap blade assembly which acts in combination with an impeller blade assembly to direct material outwardly and rearwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the rotor assembly. The anti-wrap blade assembly includes a plurality of flights arranged at a foremost end of the rotor assembly in equally spaced relation about the rotational axis of the rotor assembly. Each blade of the anti-wrap assembly has a leading edge lying in a plane extending generally normal to the rotational axis and includes a material engaging surface which has a generally concave shape configuration extending rearwardly from the leading edge of the blade for directing materials outwardly and rearwardly from the rotational axis of the rotor. The rotor assembly further includes an anti-wind assembly for inhibiting debris and other foreign matter from contaminating a bearing assembly which rotatably mounts one end of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: The feeding section of an axial flow agricultural combine is provided with helical vanes. Each helical vane having an upstream end that is provided with a notch in which crop material is temporarily trapped. The notch is formed by tapering the upstream end of the helical vane which is welded to a transverse leading blade. The transverse leading blade is provided with a tapered leading edge to prevent crop material from hairpinning on the blade.

Abstract: An improved infeed plate more evenly distributes harvested crop material as it is transferred from a feederhouse to an axial rotor. Crop on one side of the infeed plate is curled into the bottom of the rotor by a conical section. Crop on the other side of the rotor is introduced to the top of the rotor by a ramp. Crop in the middle section is directed to the bottom of the rotor. The ramp section is provided with an upwardly extending rim.

Abstract: A door assembly for a rotary combine having a crop receiving and generally tubular rotor casing defining an elongated axis, a rotor coaxially disposed within the casing, and a vaned impeller arranged at a forward end of the rotor. The door assembly extends across and at least partially closes a forward open end of the casing. At least a portion of the door assembly has a flighted and ramped configuration extending circumferentially about its outermost edge for positively moving crop material axially rearward through the rotor casing to reduce crop material repeat on the downward rotational direction side and improving endwind efficiency.

Abstract: A door assembly for an axial-flow combine having a crop receiving and generally tubular rotor casting defining an elongated axis, a rotor coaxially disposed within the casing, and a vaned impeller arranged at a forward end of the rotor. The door assembly extends across and at least partially closes a forward open end of the casing. At least a portion of the door assembly has a surface configuration extending circumferentially about its outermost edge for positively moving crop material axially rearward through the rotor casing to reduce crop material repeat on the downward rotational direction side and improving endwind efficiency.

Abstract: An infeed assembly for an axial-flow combine arranged at a forward end of a rotor which is mounted within a casing defining a transition section at a forward end thereof. The transition section has a series of spiral transport vanes on an inner surface thereof. The infeed assembly is comprised of a series of equally spaced blades. Each blade has a leading edge, an outer edge, and a material engaging surface. The leading edge of the blade, which is peripherally rounded, is swept back relative to the given direction of rotor rotation. The outer blade edge extends from the leading edge and angles relative to the transport vanes in varying degrees as the blade extends rearwardly from the leading edge. The material engaging surface of the blade has a generally concave shaped section extending axially rearward from the leading edge of the blade and which extends into a relatively flat shape section.

Abstract: A combine for cutting and threshing grain has an axial flow threshing drum. A feeder head mounts to the forward end of the threshing drum. Impellers on the feeder head push grain into the threshing drum housing and also provide threshing. Rasp bars on the feeder head thresh the crop prior to reaching the threshing drum while pushing the crop through perforations in the feeder housing. The feeder housing and threshing drum housing rotate, but at a slower speed than the threshing drum. A brake will prevent the threshing drum housing from rotating at an excessive speed. Clearances between the threshing drum and threshing drum housing, and clearances between the feeder head rasp bars and feeder housing, ca be adjusted for different crop conditions.

Abstract: An axial-flow combine with an improved rotor assembly which is configured to be less sensitive to crop material conditions. The rotor assembly includes a rotor casing with a rotor rotatably arranged therewithin. At its forward end, the rotor casing is provided with a transition section having a forward crop receiving end and an aft end. The rotor is provided with an impeller section which leads in a downstream direction to a threshing section. The impeller section of the rotor includes a plurality of impeller blades arranged within the transition section of the rotor assembly. A rearward end of each blade terminates upstream of the aft end of the transition section whereby allowing threshing instrumentalities on the threshing section of the rotor to extend into the transition section thereby extending the threshing area of the rotor thus enhancing crop material flow through the rotor assembly.

Abstract: An axial flow harvesting machine having at least one generally cylindrical rotor rotatably mounted within a casing and operable in conjunction with the casing to thresh and separate grain from straw material, and a plurality of mounting members provided on the periphery of the rotor to mount crop operating members for engagement with the straw material is disclosed wherein each of the mounting members have mounting surfaces oriented in a predetermined manner to orient the crop operating members in a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: An axial flow combine harvester feed plate assembly for directing crop material from an elevator into a longitudinally extending threshing and separating rotor is disclosed wherein the feed plate assembly includes a surface extending upwardly and rearwardly to a junction with an arcuate surface to direct the mat of crop material being conveyed by the elevator in a linear path into a spirally extending flow path around the threshing and separating rotor. For axial flow harvesters having a pair of threshing and separating rotors, the feed plate includes a central divider member and a pair of transversely spaced side members providing an infeed configuration that eliminates dead spots in the transition of the flow of crop material from the elevator to the threshing and separating rotors to provide a smooth and efficient harvesting operation.

Abstract: A combine harvester is disclosed wherein the operative components thereof are built according to a modular concept. The combine harvester includes a threshing module, a separating module and a cleaning module, all of which are supported by a frame and operably interconnected. Each respective module is interchangeable with a like module having a different configuration.