Abstract: An agricultural harvester has a chassis carrying a threshing and separating system for separating grain from Material Other than Grain (MOG). The threshing and separating system has a threshing rotor and at least one concave. At least one rasp bar is attached to the threshing rotor. The at least one rasp bar has an upper threshing surface and a trailing surface. The trailing surface is set at a draft angle. At least one trailing surface interrupter is located on the trailing surface and may be inclined slightly rearward from vertical. The trailing surface interrupters may be used with rasp bars with or without rasp bar spikes.

Abstract: A separating device formed with rotationally driven components and stationary components has at least one crop-treatment element for processing crop. The crop-treatment element extends transversely to the rotational direction (R) of the components, at least in sections. The crop-treatment element has a substantially cuboid cross-section and a front edge with a curved course optimized in terms of flow, and which faces a rotational direction (R) and away from a conveyance direction (FR) of the crop.

Abstract: A combine harvester has a thresher rotor assembly having a thresher rotor and a grate. At least one distribution device is disposed beneath the thresher rotor and is controllable to deflect grain falling from the thresher rotor assembly in a transverse direction. The distribution device may take the form of stub augers, pivoting plates or sliding plates. A cleaning shoe has a pan upon which grain falling from the thresher rotor assembly impacts. Plural sensors are disposed adjacent the pan and are each arranged to generate a signal indicative of crop load on the pan, wherein the distribution device is controlled automatically in response to the generated load signals.

Abstract: A combine harvester (10) comprises a transverse threshing unit (26) arranged to receive and thresh a crop stream. Separating apparatus (32,36) are located downstream and rearward of the threshing unit and arranged to receive the threshed crop stream and convey in a rearward direction. Both the threshing unit and separating apparatus comprise respective grates (34, 42) for allowing grain and chaff to fall under gravity onto an underlying thresher pan (28) and separator pan (44) respectively. The thresher pan is driven in an oscillating manner to convey a primary grain/chaff stream rearwardly to a rear edge (49) from where the primary grain/chaff stream fails under gravity into a cleaning unit (48). The separator pan is also driven in an oscillating manner to convey a secondary grain/chaff stream forwardly to a front edge from where the secondary grain/chaff stream falls under gravity to combine with the primary grain/chaff stream.

Abstract: A threshing unit for combine harvesters has a cylinder, an assigned concave, at least one drum situated downstream of the cylinder, redirecting a threshed crop material out of a threshing region, and conveying it further in a direction of a remaining-grain separating device, wherein threshing slats of the cylinder and slats of at least one downstream drum are situated at a distance from one another in a circumferential region of the cylinder, and wherein peripheral speeds of the cylinder and the drum are synchronized with one another such that in a turning and scraping region the slats of the cylinder and the drum are always positioned opposite each other, or in a leading position that slightly deviates from the position opposite each other, or in a trailing position which slightly deviates from the position opposite each other.

Abstract: A threshing device for harvesting machines having a cut front header for cutting plants to be harvested. The threshing device includes a feeder rotor, at least two threshing rotors, and a grille located underneath of the threshing rotors. The threshing rotors are placed adjacent to each other and only one is located adjacent to the feeder rotor. The feeder rotor feeds the plants to the threshing rotor nearest the feeder rotor. The grille runs continuously through all the threshing rotors and includes a plurality of waves parallel to each other and defining peaks and valleys. The valleys match the peaks of the adjacent waves. On each valley the corresponding threshing wheel is located.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine includes a first rotating working member rotating about an axis; a non-rotating working member cooperatively associated with the first working member; and at least one releasable segment associated with the first rotating working member, forming an assembly and dismounting opening when the releasable segment is removed and wherein the assembly and dismounting opening creates an access to the non-rotating working member and additional adjacent working members.

Abstract: A sieve lining for a concave in a threshing mechanism of a harvesting machine accommodates larger threshing cylinders while still allowing the sieve lining segments to be removed through an inspection opening in a threshing mechanism housing and includes an extension formed by either a single piece or segments; a plurality of sieve lining segments; and an articulated connection between the extension and the sieve lining segments.

Abstract: An automotive combine has a frame adapted to move in a travel direction along the ground, a front housing pivotal on the frame, a cutter on the front housing for cutting standing crop, and a main thresher on the front housing having a front intake and a rear output for taking in the cut standing crop at the intake, threshing it, and ejecting it at the output as a chaff/grain stream and a separate chaff stream. A pair of separate conveyors on the frame each have an intake at the rear output for receiving the chaff/grain stream and a respective output for ejecting respective portions of the chaff/grain stream. One of the conveyor outputs is vertically spaced above the other conveyor output. An upper sieve at the one conveyor output and a separate lower sieve at the other conveyor output receive the respective portions of the chaff/grain stream and separate kernels from chaff therein.

Abstract: A turning drum of self-propelling harvester thresher is arranged after a threshing mechanism and has a closed casing with a plurality of rows of ribs extending parallel to a rotary axis of the drum. The ribs are inclined by substantially 20.degree.-40.degree. relative to a traveling direction of the harvester thresher. Thereby, the grains which strike against the inclined ribs are deviated, and as a result their striking energy is reduced and the grain breakage is prevented.

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: An agricultural combine having a transverse threshing cylinder and a pair of axial separator units wherein the angle flighting on the rasp bars of the threshing cylinder are arranged to assist in directing the harvested crop material to the inlets of the axial separator units during a threshing operation. The left hand and right hand angled flighting sections assist in forming two crop streams that are aligned with the inlets for the axial separator units.

Abstract: In a combine harvester having a tangential-flow threshing unit installed transversely to the direction of travel and comprising a drum (6) and a concave which has a frame (14) and a removable sieve lining (25), an inclined conveyor (3) protruding into the threshing unit housing through the front wall (1) of the latter and an opening in this wall (1) being arranged above the inclined conveyor (3), it is proposed, in order to facilitate the installation and removal of the sieve lining (25), that the said sieve lining be divided into a plurality of longitudinally abutting lining sections which are supported at the butt joints by arcuate webs and that the sieve lining (25) and the frame (14) be designed in such a way that the sieve lining (25) is removable in the circumferential direction from the frame (14) and can be removed through the opening in the wall (1) without dismounting the inclined conveyor (3).

Abstract: A milkweed processing machine includes a housing having an inlet end and an outlet end. Milkweed pods are introduced into the inlet end and conveyed to a pod cracking chamber whrein a cylinder having rigid spikes projecting radially therefrom cracks the pods. The cracked milkweed pods are then conveyed to a picking chamber wherein a plurality of cylindrical members having fingers projecting therefrom will pick and loosen the floss and seeds from the cracked milkweed pods. The picking cylinders are arranged in parallel relationship and rotate in opposite directions. The picked and loosened floss and pods are then conveyed to a fluffing chamber which includes a rotating cylindrical member having a plurality of fingers which further fluff the loosened floss to remove the seeds from the floss. A fan directs a current of air through the loosened and picked floss materials to lift the floss and carry it to an outlet.