Abstract: A threshing and separating system for an agricultural harvester includes a concave having a plurality of perforations; a rotor having an outer surface and at least partially enclosed by the concave; and a plurality of rasp bars connected to the outer surface of the rotor, each rasp bar having a working surface defining a working angle relative to a tangent of the outer surface. At least one of the rasp bars is an adjustable rasp bar with an adjustable working surface pivotably coupled to the rotor. The system further includes an actuator coupled to the adjustable rasp bar and configured to selectively pivot the adjustable working surface to adjust the working angle of the adjustable rasp bar.

Abstract: A threshing section for a combine harvester includes a rotor and a transition cone. The rotor has an axis of rotation, a downstream end, and an upstream end. The upstream end includes one or more blades for moving crop downstream in a direction of crop flow. The transition cone at least partially surrounds the upstream end of the rotor and the blades. An annular space is formed between a swept profile of the blades and an interior surface of the transition cone through which crop is introduced into the threshing section. A cross-sectional area of the annular space, which is measured in a radial direction, is substantially constant along at least a portion of a length of the swept profile.

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 cage vane for use with a combine threshing system that includes (i) a mounting leg extending a mounting leg length from a cage vane inner edge to a mounting leg outer surface and a mounting leg thickness from a mounting leg bottom surface to a mounting leg top surface and (ii) a protruding leg extending a protruding leg length from the cage vane inner edge to a protruding leg top surface and a protruding leg thickness from a protruding leg inner surface to a protruding leg outer surface. At least one of the mounting leg length changes as the mounting leg extends the cage vane length, the mounting leg thickness changes as the mounting leg extends the cage vane length, the protruding leg length changes as the protruding leg extends the cage vane length, and the protruding leg thickness changes as the protruding leg extends the cage vane length.

Abstract: A combine harvester operates with an axial separating device for separating a crop flow picked up by the combine harvester into a plurality of partial flows. A partial flow composed of grain and non-grain components is fed by a separation surface of the axial separating device to a cleaning unit disposed downstream. The axial separating device is configured to manipulate a local concentration gradient of the partial flow that is output by the axial separating device caused by a tilt of the combine harvester. The extent of the manipulation is controlled individually depending on the tilt of the combine harvester.

Abstract: A separating unit for a combine harvester and operating in accordance with a principle of axial flow, has a housing having at least one separating grate provided with openings, a rotatably supported separating rotor located in the housing, a cover having a closed jacket surface including, on a side facing the separating rotor, a plurality of guide elements disposed next to one another coaxially to a longitudinal axis of the separating rotor and extending in sections in a radial direction of the cover, and at least one ramp-shaped crop flow deflecting element extending axially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the separating rotor and arranged on the side of the jacket surface facing the separating rotor.

Abstract: A separating unit for a combine harvester and operating in accordance with a principle of axial flow, has a housing having at least one separating grate provided with openings, a rotatably supported separating rotor located in the housing, a cover having a closed jacket surface including, on a side facing the separating rotor, a plurality of guide elements disposed next to one another coaxially to a longitudinal axis of the separating rotor and extending in sections in a radial direction of the cover, and at least one ramp-shaped crop flow deflecting element extending axially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the separating rotor and arranged on the side of the jacket surface facing the separating rotor.

Abstract: A system and method for remote control of an adjustable threshing cage vane, including while the threshing system is operating, for improving threshing performance and other operating parameters, utilizes an actuator in connection with the at least one vane and remotely controllable for adjustably varying the position thereof, e.g, pitch angle, within the cage for altering the path of the flow of the crop material therethrough. The remote control can be via an automatic controller to provide control responsive to one or more monitored operating parameters, such as grain loss, grain flow, ground speed, and/or throughput, as well as inputted commands.

Abstract: A combine harvester where opposing concaves on either side of a rotor of a processing system substantially simultaneously travel symmetrical paths. The concaves of the processing system may be supported on a suspension system such that the concaves are pivotally supported from a common axial location at one end and translationally adjusted at another end to move the concaves generally radially toward or away from the rotor.

Abstract: An improved threshing and separating mechanism for a combine that 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 tube includes one or more discharge flights or vanes that are adjustable in height and assist in discharging material through the outlet of the rotor housing. The discharge vanes work in conjunction with the vanes in the top covers of the rotor housing.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing energy consumption during data file read/write operations in a battery powered disk-based memory system is provided.

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 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: An improved threshing and separating mechanism for a combine that 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 tube includes one or more discharge flights or vanes that are adjustable in height and assist in discharging material through the outlet of the rotor housing. The discharge vanes work in conjunction with the vanes in the top covers of the rotor housing.

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 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. The housing includes a smooth transition section between the threshing section and the separating section of the housing.

Abstract: An improved combine harvester comprises threshing and separating chambers having cover plates on which groups of vanes may be adjusted by individual tie plates utilizing an off-center pivot point for the vanes and a two-bolt system. Said two-bolts being the maximum number of bolts needed to secure each vane wherein one of said bolts is an off-center pivot point while the other of said bolts extends through the cover plate to secure the tie plate for each group of vanes.

Abstract: A rotor for a combine harvester comprises a thresher portion to which a plurality of thresher elements are fitted for threshing the crop material and a driver portion for driving the threshed material rearwardly through the housing. Impeller blades are fitted to the front of the rotor for facilitating the entry of the crop material into the cylindrical housing. A plurality of pins are attached to the driver portion of the rotor to drive the threshed material rearwardly through the combine harvester and at the same time to separate the crop from the chaff.

Abstract: An axial separator of an agricultural combine comprises a rotor housed in a housing. The housing includes a lower separating grate and a top cover plate with spiral-shaped guide vanes, which are aligned to feed harvested crop on a helical path. A section of one of the guide vanes forms an acute angle with the housing as it extends outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine for removing and separating grain from harvested crop has a threshing zone and at least one separation zone for separating the grain. The axial separating rotor is at least partially encased by a separating housing having a plurality of sections. At least one of the sections is displaceable in the axial direction of the at least one axial separating rotor to increase the opening and ensure separation when a correspondingly large proportion of grain are in the outer region of the rotating crop stream and the proportion of admixtures is small.

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 separating rotor, further comprising a lower edge transverse and operatively connected to the bearing of the end wall.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine for removing and separating grain from harvested crop has a threshing zone and at least one separation zone for separating the grain The axial separating rotor is at least partially encased by a separating housing having a plurality of sections. At least one of the sections is displaceable in the axial direction of the at least one axial separating rotor to increase the opening and ensure separation when a correspondingly large proportion of grain are in the outer region of the rotating crop stream and the proportion of admixtures is small.

Abstract: A self-propelled combine harvester includes a transfer zone with side panels and a meshing and feed drum which functions on the tangential flow principle. The feed drum feeds the harvested crop to the separating rotors, which function on the axial flow principle and are rotatably mounted in rotor housings. Side panels are operatively mounted on the rotor housing in the frontal pickup region thereof Guide rails are directed upwardly at an acute angle and become increasingly elevated in the direction of conveyance, for imparting an upward, axially directed pulse to the harvested crop whereby the increasing elevation amplifies this pulse without thereby blocking the pickup zone in a frontal region. Dividing wedge for dividing the harvested crop into two paths, wherein the harvested crop glides over the dividing wedge towards the rotor housings and the long stemmed materials, such as stalks, are caught by the separating rotors and drawn into the corresponding rotor housing via the dividing wedge.

Abstract: A rotary combine in which the cleaning system is located directly under the threshing and separating sections of the rotary threshing and separating assembly. The rotary threshing and separating assembly is separated from the cleaning system by a longitudinally extending, unobstructed air passage that extends from the front to the rear of the combine. Grain and material other than grain (MOG) are discharged from the threshing concave and separating grate portions of the rotor assembly at a relatively high velocity. The cleaning system includes a fan which produces a high velocity stream of air that flows upwardly through the shoe sieve and chaffer sieve and then along the unobstructed passage. Grain falls through the air stream to the chaffer sieve. The MOG, on the other hand, has a lower weight density, and is less aerodynamic than the grain so it is picked up by and carried along with the air stream. The MOG is discharged to the field out the rear of the rotary combine.

Abstract: An agricultural machine having at least one crop processing work unit, a plurality of crop transport units operatively assembled as a straw walker step, wherein the crop transport units convey crop streams in opposite directions and are spaced apart defining a crop through-gap, and a cleaning device having a forced-draught fan before the cleaning device, further comprising an exhaust fan located after the cleaning device, wherein the transport units are located between the forced-draught fan and the exhaust fan, wherein an air stream is produced by the forced-draught fan and the exhaust fan and is directed from the forced-draught fan to the exhaust fan, and wherein the air stream improves a cleaning process in the straw walker through-gap of the straw walker step.

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: Ductwork directing air from a combine cooling fan to the top of a separator unit, the duct work extending in an arc between its inlet and a flared outlet, and includes a neck portion that hinders air within the duct work from swirling upward in that location.

Abstract: A rotary combine includes a rotor having a longitudinal axis of rotation and a concave removably mounted adjacent the rotor. The concave is removable in a direction outwardly transverse relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. In a preferred embodiment, a concave assembly includes a longitudinally extending frame having first and second sides spaced circumferentially around the rotor. Each of the first and second sides is transversely moveable relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. A concave insert is removably mounted to the frame. A method for adjusting the position of the concave assembly is also provided and includes moving at least one of the first and second sides of the frame in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation. A method for replacing the concave insert is also provided.

Abstract: A rotary combine includes a rotor having a longitudinal axis of rotation and a concave removably mounted adjacent the rotor. The concave is removable in a direction outwardly transverse relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. In a preferred embodiment, a concave assembly includes a longitudinally extending frame having first and second sides spaced circumferentially around the rotor. Each of the first and second sides is transversely moveable relative to the axis of rotation of the rotor. A concave insert is removably mounted to the frame. A method for adjusting the position of the concave assembly is also provided and includes moving at least one of the first and second sides of the frame in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation. A method for replacing the concave insert is also provided.

Abstract: A harvesting machine having a rotary crop processing unit supported between a pair of spaced side sheets with openings for access to the crop processing unit and a cleaning system therebelow. Molded plastic cover panels extend from the lower edge of the access openings on the side sheet to the crop processing unit to close the access openings. Multiple cover panels are used in each opening to minimize the size of each cover panel for ease in handling and the cover panels are retained by hand manipulated pins or fasteners to remove and install the panels without the use of tools.

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 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 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 present invention describes an intake zone (4a) for an axial separator (4) consisting of a rotor (6) that is configured as a cone in its front area, is tapered in the direction of the flow of materials and has a sleeve (12, 13, 16) or an intake zone for a similar axial flow threshing and separating device having at least one similar separating rotor (6) arranged downstream from a single or multi-cylinder threshing machine with a feed cylinder (3) connected thereto. The upper sleeve (12) of the intake zone (4a) has a semi-circular cross-section at the beginning of the rotor intake continuously running as far as the end of the intake zone (20) into an eccentric cross-section corresponding to the cross-section of the remaining upper sleeve.

Abstract: The crop engaging element of the present invention is a hollow structure having a smooth curved convex top portion which terminates in a concave trough before extending into a radially extending lip. The hollow structure is provided with sidewalls and a rear wall. The sidewalls extend upwardly to enclose the sides of the trough. The element is provided with leading and trailing mounting flanges for mounting the element to the exterior surface of a combine rotor.

Abstract: A grain threshing mechanism has a concave assembly and rotor assembly positioned within the concave assembly. The concave assembly has a concave receiving end portion, a concave middle portion, and a concave discharge end portion. A supporting system supports and maintains the concave assembly substantially coaxially aligned with the rotor assembly. The concave receiving end portion is in contact with the supporting means and the concave middle portion and the concave discharge end portions of the concave assembly are cantilevered and free from supporting means and discharge end obstruction.

Abstract: A grain combine for threshing grain from crop has a threshing rotor within a rotor housing, a front plate with a crop entry hole, a stationary ring mounted on the rearward side of the front plate, a plastic bearing pad mounted on the outer surface of the stationary ring, and a rotating ring mounted to the forward end of the rotor housing which lands on the bearing pad, thereby supporting the rotor housing. The bearing pad has a soft, elastomeric inner layer adjacent to the stationary ring, and a hard, elastomeric outer layer adjacent to the rotating ring. In addition, the rotating ring has a plurality of holes that allow dirt or other foreign material to exit the rotor housing.

Abstract: An axial agricultural combine having a single element rotor defining a rotor axis. The rotor is housed in a rotor housing having an infeed section, a threshing section and a separating section. The infeed section of the rotor housing defines a infeed axis, the threshing section of the rotor housing defines a threshing axis and the separating section of the rotor housing defines a separating axis. The infeed axis is parallel to and in line with the rotor axis. The threshing axis is parallel to and offset from the rotor axis. The threshing axis is offset above and downstream from the rotor axis. The separating axis is parallel to and offset from the rotor axis. The separating axis is offset above and downstream from the rotor axis. The separating axis is more offset from the rotor axis than the threshing axis is offset from the rotor axis.

Abstract: A grain combine according to the present invention includes a header having two sickles which extend on opposite sides of the combine for severing crop from a field, and two augers which extend on opposite sides of the combine for moving crop inward to central section of the combine. A centerline drive mechanical power transfer means directly connects to the two sickles and two augers at a point intermediate of the two sickles and two augers. A feeder has two conveyors, one located above the other, for transporting crop from the header to a primary threshing rotor. The two conveyors converge towards an aft end of the feeder to compress the crop therebetween. A perforated plate is provided beneath the aft end of the feeder for separating prethreshed grain from the crop. The prethreshed grain is passed through the perforated plate, onto a prethreshed grain conveyor and transported to a sieve section.

Abstract: An axial flow agricultural combine has a single element rotor defining a rotor axis. The rotor is housed in a rotor housing having a threshing section and a separating section. The threshing section of the rotor housing defines a threshing axis and the separating section of the rotor housing defines a separating axis. The threshing section of the rotor housing is substantially concentric with the rotor axis passing through that section. The separating section of the rotor housing is arranged eccentric to the rotor axis. The separating axis is located above the rotor axis.

Abstract: An axial agricultural combine having independently driven threshing and separating sections. A midpoint support bearing is located between the threshing and separating sections of the rotor. The midpoint support bearing is provided with a saddle mounted to the sidesheets of the combine and extending across the bottom portion of the rotor housing. A sealing disc is mounted to the saddle and has a sealing ring that covers the threshing section/separating section interface and a web that is provided with a bearing assembly. The drive shaft for driving the threshing section passes through this bearing.

Abstract: An agricultural combine having a transverse threshing cylinder and concave and an axial separator. The axial separator is provided with two side-by-side axial separator units, each unit having a rotor and a casing for housing the rotor. The casings are non-concentric housing having a semi-circular top, a semi-circular bottom and straight side walls joining the top and bottom. The rotor is provided with fixed teeth that extend radially outward from the rotor. The rotor is located at the bottom of the casing so the teeth can engage and penetrate the crop material at the bottom of the casing. The rotor throws the crop material upwardly against the top of the casing which is provided with downwardly projecting spiral vanes for directing the crop rearwardly. The rotor is rotated so that the tip speed of the teeth is greater than or equal to 11.8 m/sec and less than or equal to 20.9 m/sec.

Abstract: An axial flow combine rotor has an exterior surface, a checkerboard pattern of multiple spaced-apart attachment sites, and a checkerboard pattern of multiple spaced-apart threshing elements in criss-crossing helical rows defining continuous helical criss-crossing paths extending from an entry end to a discharge end of the rotor. The axial flow rotor additionally incorporates helical threshing extension members in its forward threshing area which are substituted for, and occupy the locations of, at least pairs of single-sited threshing elements on the rotor. The extension members are installed in pairs in order to maintain rotor balance. Each extension member replaces at least two of the original single-sited threshing elements of the checkerboard pattern. Each of the helical threshing extension members is installed in one of the helical rows in the forward threshing area of the rotor, connected to and spanning between at least a pair of the multiple spaced attachment sites.

Abstract: An axial separator for an agricultural combine. The axial separator comprises two side-by-side axial separator units. Each axial separator unit has a rotor that rotates in and is housed in a casing. The bottom rear of the axial separator is open and forms a discharge area into which straw falls. To move evenly distribute the straw along the width of the combine a wedge shaped deflector is positioned in the last quarter of the discharge area below and between the rotors.

Abstract: A self-propelling harvesting thresher comprises threshing means, and a post threshing and separating mechanism, the post threshing and separating mechanism operating in accordance with an axial flow system and including two rotors located near one another and driven in the same direction and a housing surrounding the rotors and provided with guiding means above each drum for guiding a product, the housing being expanded above the rotors.

Abstract: A harvester thresher comprises a housing threshing device accommodated in the housing, a plurality of straw shakers located after the threshing device and having a discharge end, threshing and separating device located after the straw shakers, and device for transferring an agricultural product from the straw shakers to the threshing and separating device and including a transferring element fixedly connected with the discharge of each of the shakers for transferring the agricultural product from each of the shakers to the threshing and separating device, and a transfer bottom associated with each of the transferring elements.

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: The invention is directed to an assembly for readily removing an axial separator from an agricultural combine. The axial separator is positioned within the combine side sheets by rails that are secured to the sides of the side sheets. A sprocket type wheel mounted on the combine engages the rails. The separator is also provided with guide wheels and guide pins facilitating the axial movement within the combine. A locking assembly located at the rear of the separator can be bolted to the guide rails. A transverse lifting pin is located to the rear of the combine to facilitate removal of the separator module from the combine. Movement of the axial separator within the combine is controlled by a worm gear assembly that can be manually actuated by a crank arm.

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 permanently provided at predetermined positions over the periphery of the rotor is disclosed wherein the height of each mounting member is less than the height of crop operating members mountable thereon for operation on the straw material in use of the machine to thresh and separate grain therefrom.

Abstract: A device for primary separation of grain and straw in a combine harvester for cereals, the combine comprising a chassis and wheels and, going from the front towards the rear relative to the longitudinal direction of combine displacement:a mower;a mown crop conveyor;a thresher; anda rotary drum separator;the separator further comprises:a rotary cylindrical drum disposed substantially horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the combine harvester and having an inlet orifice facing the thresher and an outlet orifice at the rear of the combine harvester;the drum comprising a cylindrical wall pierced by multiple perforations for passing grain, at least one internal rib fixed to the cylindrical wall and forming a helix at a first predetermined pitch extending over the entire length of the drum and a plurality of elongate drive members fixed around the drum and extending inwards, and disposed both longitudinally and circumferentially relative to the drum in such a manner as to form a set of successive portions