Abstract: A cleaning element for a combine harvester having a plurality of cleaning element frames pivotable about parallel longitudinal axes. Each of the cleaning elements has a plurality of pivotal louvers connected to a longitudinal actuating element extending coaxially through the longitudinal pivoting axis of the cleaning frame. A ball joint connects the actuating element with an actuator so that pivoting of the louvers is accomplished independent of the pivoting of the cleaning element frame.

Abstract: A clean grain conveyor system for a harvesting machine having grain gathering, cleaning and temporary storage capabilities includes a clean grain elevator mechanism, a grain storage tank and a loading auger conveyor for moving grain from the elevator mechanism to a discharge end at the storage tank. The conveyor includes a hollow generally cylindrical tube extending obliquely upwardly from the elevator to the grain storage tank and a coaxially disposed auger journalled for rotation within the hollow tube. A grain flow deflector is fixed to the tube discharge end for minimizing grain scattering outside the tank and for selectively directing the flow of grain from the tube discharge end to compensate for different crops and crop conditions, and to generally center the pile of accumulated grain within the tank.

Abstract: A spreader bat disk for a spreader assembly that has a drive linkage operable to rotatably drive attachments thereto, the spreader bat disk being formed or molded as a unitary construction that includes a web portion, preferably of a generally circular configuration, having a top surface and an essentially flat bottom surface, with a plurality of integral radially distributed spreader blades projecting upwardly from the top surface, and which is configured to be operatively connectable to the drive linkage of the spreader assembly to be rotated thereby to spread material provided thereto.

Abstract: Cotton compacting structure for distributing and compacting cotton within a cotton compactor chamber of a cotton module builder or packager, including a frame adapted to be supported in the chamber for downward movement against cotton collected in a lower portion of the chamber for compacting the cotton therein into a cotton module or package, the frame including a plurality of elongate cotton compactor members disposed in a longitudinally extending concave array defining a downwardly facing cavity. The cotton compactor members include at least one center compactor member defining a longitudinally extending highest region of the cavity and compactor members spaced from the center compactor member defining lower regions of the cavity. At least some of the cotton compactor members include augers rotatable for moving cotton downwardly through the frame and in at least one longitudinal direction beneath the frame.

Abstract: A device for optimizing the transfer of harvested crop from a harvesting machine to a transport vehicle includes a control unit in the harvesting machine that generates control signals and an control device in the transport vehicle that communicates with the control unit and adjusts the travel speed and the steering angle of the transport vehicle as a function of the control signals received from the control unit. A related method for optimizing the transfer of harvested crop from a harvesting machine to a transport vehicle is also provided that includes the steps of monitoring the status of a vehicle with a monitoring device and controlling the travel of the vehicle by means of at least one control device based on the status of the vehicle.

Abstract: A straw and chaff spreading assembly consisting of a left spreader plate having a plurality of spreader fins fixedly attached thereto, a right spreader plate, having a plurality of spreader fins fixedly attached thereto, left spreader plate rotating means capable of rotatably mounting and upwardly angularly accelerating the left spreader plate, right spreader plate rotating means capable of rotatably mounting and downwardly angularly accelerating the right spreader plate; and, an oblongated straw and chaff deflecting shield fixedly mounted upon the rearward end of the harvester combine and positioned forward of the axes of rotation of the left and right spreader plates.

Abstract: The invention herein provides an improved machine for mobile harvesting vegetables comprising a frame adapted to be connected to a tractor, and a collection bin mounted to the frame for collecting vegetables as they are harvested. The improvement comprises an automated control system for moving the vegetables relative to the frame in accordance with the position and amount of vegetables collected and for controlling the speed of such movement. Movement of the vegetables may be accomplished in a variety of ways, including moving a movably mounted collection bin or by moving an internal conveyor located in a collection bin.

Abstract: A grain combine has a header, a header discharge port, a feederhouse for transporting the cut crops from the header housing into a rotating concave threshing system. The header, discharge port and feederhouse are separated into separate first and second discrete cut crop passageways extending from the header to the intake end of the concave.

Abstract: A combine harvester (1) having a threshing and separating mechanism (8), a cleaning mechanism (9) disposed to receive threshed and separated crop material from the threshing and separating mechanism (8) and operable to separate tailings therefrom. Tailings rethresher means (44) are associated with the cleaning mechanism (9) for rethreshing the tailings separated therein, and tailings conveyor means (52) are provided for recycling rethreshed tailings from the rethresher means (44) to the cleaning mechanism (9). Above the cleaning mechanism (9) at a location offset from a discharge aperture (62) of the tailings conveyor means (52) a resilient screen (86) is provided which, in use, intersects the tailings flow and is operable to absorb the kinetic energy thereof which is imparted thereto by the tailings conveyor means (52). A deflector (72) is operatively associated with a forwardly inclined outlet portion (70) of the tailings conveyor means (52) to evenly spread and project the tailings against the screen (86).

Abstract: A header adjusting system for a hillside combine harvester includes a master hydraulic cylinder assembly and a slave hydraulic cylinder assembly. The master hydraulic cylinder assembly is slaved to movement of the wheels relative to the combine frame. The slave hydraulic cylinder assembly is slaved to extension and retraction of the master hydraulic cylinder assembly. The slave hydraulic cylinder assembly causes the header to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the harvester in order to follow the contour of the ground. A header trimming mechanism is also provided to enable direct operator control of some of the pivoting action of the header about the longitudinal axis. A leveling system for a hillside combine harvester includes a cable and a biased, moveable reference pulley associated therewith.

Abstract: A sieve for a grain combine has a plurality of longitudinal sections. Each section is pivotally mounted in a sieve frame. A sensing means senses if the combine is leaning to one side. The sensing means controls a drive and linkage mechanism for pivoting each of the sections relative to the sieve frame to maintain each section generally horizontal. Elastomeric seals extend between each of the sections. A distributor at the forward end of the sieve has a pair of sprockets and a chain extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sieve. Fingers protrude longitudinally from the chain. The chain is driven when the combine leans.

Abstract: A sieve for a grain combine has a plurality of longitudinal sections. Each section is pivotally mounted in a sieve frame. A sensing means senses if the combine is leaning to one side. The sensing means controls a drive and linkage mechanism for pivoting each of the sections relative to the sieve frame to maintain each section generally horizontal. Elastomeric seals extend between each of the sections.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine having a feeder assembly, a conveyor arrangement and an output unit. In a combine, the feeder arrangement comprises a threshing cylinder and concave that direct threshed crop material to the conveyor arrangement. The conveyor arrangement directs crop material to the output unit which comprises a cleaning shoe. The conveyor arrangement comprises a conveyor chute having fixed converging guide vanes. The conveyor chute can be rotated about a bearing for directing crop material to the uphill side of the combine.

Abstract: A cleaning arrangement for a combine is equipped with return gutters, inclined and attached to the sides of the cleaning shoe and which serve to capture crop which accumulates on the upper surface of the cleaning shoe, during operation on a slope, and escapes across the side walls of the upper sieve. The crop is conducted by the return gutters to screw conveyors operating in opposite directions which direct the crop to vertical conveyors, which return the crop upstream of the cleaning shoe.

Abstract: An agricultural combine has a generally horizontal grain pan for delivering threshed crop material to a grain cleaning mechanism. The grain pan includes a plurality of generally upright fore-and-aft extending vanes that are adjustable to deflect crop material toward either lateral side of the grain pan to compensate for the gravity influenced migration of grain toward the downhill side of the combine when operating on a side slope. The vanes are automatically controlled by an electrical system that includes sensors at opposite sides of the grain pan that detect the building of crop material on the downhill side of the combine and adjusts the vanes to compensate for the buildup.

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.