Abstract: A combine harvester includes a conveyor attached tangentially to a rethresher rotor. An auger extends from the rethresher to a grain pan. A rotatable shaft carries the auger and also carries an impeller. The auger has a first diameter adjacent the rethresher rotor and has a second, larger diameter adjacent the grain pan.

Abstract: A casing is secured at the rear of the threshing machine underneath the straw discharge thereof. It is provided with a closed base panel and a partially open top panel through which the straw and chaff is fed. In one embodiment, a multi-bladed straw chopper is journalled for rotation within the casing and the blade ends are angulated to create a downdraft within the casing. The straw is chopped by the blades and blown out together with the chaff through apertured wall of the casing. The wall is closed at the rear thereof through approximately 90.degree. with at least one vertical support bar between the upper and lower panels towards the front. In a preferred embodiment, an adjustable divider is situated near the rear of the straw walkers and extends upwardly from the casing so that the straw enters the blades in the front portion and the chaff is drawn in through the rear portion of the casing.

Abstract: The feeder house of a self-propelled combine harvester carries a front-mounted gatherer which delivers crop material to a forward inlet of the feeder house which is pivotally supported by the combine separator body, and delivers crop material to an inlet of the separator. A pair of side-by-side, contra-rotating auger conveyors deliver crop material directly to the separator rotor in a relatively concentrated high-speed stream. Convergence and concentration of the harvested crop material begun by a grain platform auger is continued by a pair of transverse beaters, each including helical conveying elements, arranged in tandem ahead of and partially above the dual auger conveyors. A forward beater close to the feeder house inlet receives material directly from the platform auger and conveys it rearwardly over a floor somewhat elevated with respect to the auger conveyors and transfers it to a second beater above the forward end of the dual augers which directs it downwards into the auger conveyors.

Abstract: This is a combine conveyor apparatus having a combine auger conveyor apparatus of this invention mounted on a conventional combine structure. The combine auger conveyor apparatus includes a feeder auger conveyor assembly which transfers cut wheat or the like to a feeder slat conveyor assembly which, in turn, conveys the cut material into a threshing cylinder assembly. The feeder auger conveyor assembly is known in the prior art having spiral flights on a cylindrical support driven to move the material to the center thereof and having a central auger retractable finger assembly to move the material into the feeder slat conveyor assembly. The feeder slat conveyor assembly includes a first sprocket assembly connected by a feeder chain and slat assembly to a second sprocket assembly.

Abstract: A mobile combine harvester comprises a reaping assembly comprising a laterally extending platform, a cutter bar at the forward edge of the platform, a reel above the cutter bar and a screw conveyor for transporting cut grain to a discharge point. A thrashing assembly which is inclined upwardly rearwardly receives cut grain directly from the reaping assembly and comprises a cylindrical casing, a cylindrical screen in the casing and a rotor in the cylindrical screen. The rotor comprises a cylindrical portion provided with a helically extending vane carrying pins or blades for thrashing the grain. At the rear end of the rotor there is a coaxial radial fan which discharges straw from which grain has been recovered. Below the cylindrical screen there is a grain-collecting trough with a screw conveyor for transporting the grain to the rear where it is delivered directly to a cleaning assembly comprising a vibrating screen and blower for removing light waste.

Abstract: The use of a baffle (61) spaces the horizontal cleaning air discharge a substantial distance below the accelerator rolls (32, 33) to substantially reduce passage of cleaning air to the threshing area (18). This in turn reduces the amount of dirty air discharged from the forward end of the combine in the area of the operator's cab (26).

Abstract: In a self-propelled combine, crop material is gathered from a field and transferred by a chain and slat-type feeder house to a fore-and-aft disposed axial flow rotary separator including, from the front, infeed, threshing and separating portions respectively. The infeed portion of the rotor is in the form of a helical conveyor having an outside diameter of approximately equal to that of the threshing and separating portions of the rotor. The chain and slat conveyor of the feeder house, which is considerably wider than the outside diameter of the separator rotor, is arranged to deliver undershot fashion to he underside of the infeed rotor.

Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting sesame seed from sesame stalks having pods thereon and having a framekwork with the cylinder structure rotatably mounted in the framework. A concave structure is also mounted in the framework in a fixed position in the framework and generally underlies the cylinder structure to form an entrance area, a separating area and an exit area in conjunction with the cylinder structure. A feeder is carried by the framework for delivering sesame stalks with the pods thereon, sesame seed pods and sesame seeds to the entrance area so that they are introduced between the cylinder structure and the concave structure and pass through the separating area for separating sesame seeds therefrom and discharging the remaining stalk and pod fragments through the exit area. Walker assemblies are utilized for removing the remaining stalk and pod fragments from the exit area.

Abstract: The inlet end of an axial flow rotor feeds high volumes of crop materials at low crop pressures toward the threshing and separating areas to avoid bunching of crop materials or plugging of the rotor. A cylindrical core tube at the inlet end of the rotor is of substantially reduced diameter compared to the generally cylindrical threshing or separating portions of the rotor. A frusto-conical portion connects the core tube to the threshing portion for a ramp-like transition of crop materials near the threshing area. The flighting, which is helically disposed about the core tube, feeds the materials toward special threshing elements which rise from the frusto-conical portion and a connecting portion of the core tube to a height approximately equal to that of a plurality of rasp bars affixed to the threshing portion for uniformly dispersing the crop materials against the rotor casing.

Abstract: A self-propelled axial flow rotary combine includes a generally fore-and-aft disposed separator including a separating rotor surrounded by a cylindrical grate. A forward-mounted header gathers crop material from a field and feeds it to the space between the rotor and the grate for threshing and separation, straw being ejected from the rear of the separator and a portion of the crop material, including grain and chaff, passing through the grate and generally downwards to be intercepted by either a reciprocating grain pan under a forward portion of the separator or a reciprocating cleaning shoe immediately rearward of the grain pan and beneath a rearward portion of the separator. The grain pan is shaped so as to compensate for the laterally uneven distribution of the crop material as it passes downwards from the grate so that delivery of material from the rearward edge of the grain pan to the cleaner is distributed more uniformly across the width of the cleaner.

Abstract: In the process of the invention, the onion stalks are cut and the upper ends thereof are agitated prior to drying thereof to effect removal of the seed capsules from the umbels.The apparatus of the invention comprises means for cutting the onion stalks and conveying the upper portions thereof with the umbels thereon into one end of a perforated rotating drum. A beater is coaxially and rotatably supported within the drum to agitate the onion stalk portions and thereby separate the seed capsules from the stalks and umbels. The drum and beater are peferably rotated in the same direction, but can be counter-rotated. Said seed capsules fall through the perforations of the drum into appropriate receiving means and the stalks and other debris are discharged from the other end of the drum.

Abstract: A mobile, self-propelled chaff-production means in which windrowed hay is picked up and conveyed to a chaff-cutter via a covered conveyor. As the hay moves along the conveyor it is moistened by steam applied to it through jets located beneath the input region of the conveyor so that when the hay reaches the chaff-cutter it is moist enough not to be fractured on impact of the blades and cutter bar. The resulting chaff is then conveyed by an auger to a twin-column screw bagger as a final, saleable product.

Abstract: Apparatus for discharging threshed crop materials, in a relatively uniform manner across the body width of the combine, directly from the discharge end of a threshing and separating rotor in an axial flow combine without the need for additional apparatus at the discharge end of the rotor to discharge the threshed materials or to avoid plugging or bunching of crop materials between the rotor and rotor casing. The rotor extends longitudinally through the combine to a discharge area at the discharge end of the rotor. The rotor casing closely surrounds the rotor near the discharge end and guide vanes disposed in the rotor casing cooperate with separating elements circumferentially disposed about the rotor near the discharge end to positively move threshed materials toward the discharge end of the rotor.

Abstract: The threshing, separating, and cleaning elements of the harvester are contained in a housing which has openings only in its front and rear walls. A threshing and separating rotor surrounded by a generally cylindrical, partially foraminous casing, extends fore-and-aft through an upper portion of the separator housing and penetrates the forward wall of the housing to permit feeding of crop material to the rotor. During separation straw is carried in a generally spiral path, rearwardly in the annular space between rotor and casing and fed into a transverse rotary straw discharge beater, which finally discharges straw through a rearward opening in the separator housing. An arcuate floor under the discharge beater is connected to the rearward end of the separator casing so that a continuous channel or conduit for the passage of straw extends through the separator housing. Beneath the straw discharge beater floor, an opening in the rear wall of the separator housing, serves as a second outlet from the housing.

Abstract: An axial flow combine having a crop harvesting header including a feeder for cutting a crop and feeding it rearwardly into a threshing and separating mechanism. The mechanism includes a casing for receiving the crop material and a rotor within the casing for threshing and separating grain from the crop material. The rotor has a central drive shaft driven through a gear case behind the rotor. The gear case is partially enclosed within a cover having a smooth exterior surface. The end of the rotor is configured in a smooth exterior surface which is complementary to the surface of the cover to inhibit collection of chaff about the drive shaft. Impeller blades are secured on the rotor for creating an air flow directing crop material away from the drive shaft to prevent crop material wrapping about the shaft or accumulating in the drive system.

Abstract: A rotor for an axial flow combine which is adapted to coact with conventional grate means in said combine, said rotor having on the forward end thereof interrupted infeed flight means which are spiral segments spaced both axially and circumferentially from each other, and certain of the leading ends of said flight segments in the direction of rotation of the rotor extending radially a limited distance beyond the outer edges of said segments to provide aggressive engagement of said segments with crop material being delivered to said flight from conventional elevator mechanism and the like normally employed in combines.

Abstract: An auxiliary attachment which may be detachably coupled to the front end of a combine adjacent an inlet opening in the front end. The attachment includes a conveyor for conveying unshelled corn towards the inlet opening and a rotatable rotor for engaging and feeding that corn into and through the opening. The attachment serves to transport unshelled corn into the combine so that the corn shelling apparatus inside the combine can be used to shell dried corn. The attachment is meant to be coupled to the combine in place of the normal crop picking header thereon.

Abstract: An axial flow combine having a crop harvesting header including a feeder for cutting a crop and feeding it rearwardly into a threshing and separating mechanism. The mechanism includes a casing for receiving the crop material and a rotor within the casing for threshing and separating grain from the crop material. A plurality of crop material directing vanes is disposed within the casing and cooperate with the rotor in directing the material generally helically along the casing. Means are included for selectively and simultaneously adjusting the position of the vanes to change the rate of movement of the crop material through the casing.

Abstract: In a crop harvesting and threshing machine having an internal combustion engine operatively connected via an electrical circuit to a starter motor, a grain storage tank, an unloading auger movably mounted to an in material flow communication with the storage tank, a hydraulic cylinder operatively connected to the unloading auger to effect the movement of the unloading auger between a first inboard storage position and a second outboard unloading position, a control mechanism connected to the unloading auger between the first inboard position and the second outboard position and movable between first, second and third predetermined positions, the first predetermined position corresponding to the first inboard position and the second predetermined position corresponding to the second outboard position, there is provided a safety switch operatively connected to the electrical circuit and the hydraulic cylinder such that the control mechanism must be in the third predetermined position to permit the flow of elect

Abstract: A peanut combine has a plurality of relatively large threshing cylinders arranged in series with a breastplate underneath having openings of a size to permit peanuts and some extraneous matter to fall therethrough, the vines being carried upwardly by the cylinders, and a conveyor beneath the forward threshing cylinder having openings of a size to permit the passage of some extraneous matter but of a size to retain the peanuts thereon for discharge into a shaker pan beneath an upper threshing cylinder.

Abstract: In an axial flow combine, an improved inlet transition area for changing the flow of crop materials from a linear ribbon-like flow through the feeder to an arcuate ribbon-like flow about the flighting of the inlet end of the rotor to a helical sleeve flow between the rotor and rotor casing while at the same time injecting crop materials in all portions of the flighting. A sloping ramp extends upwardly and rearwardly from the feeder to an elliptical intersection with the rotor casing. A pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls in generally perpendicular relation to the ramp extend from the feeder and converge about the inlet end of the rotor at an upper portion of the rotor casing. Another wall between the sidewalls, oppositely disposed from the ramp, encloses the inlet transition area.

Abstract: In a harvesting and threshing machine utilizing at least one cooperative cylinder and rotatable rotor to achieve axial flow threshing and separation of grain bearing crop material there is provided an improved grain collection means underlying the auxiliary separation and discharge means and overlying at least a portion of the primary cleaning and separating means movably mounted to the frame of the machine in such a manner that air flow generated by the cleaning fan is not disturbed by the rotation of the rotor or the beater means of the auxiliary separation and discharge means.

Abstract: A corn harvester has a chassis adapted to travel along the ground and provided on its front with an intake mechanism for picking ears off the cornstalks and for reducing these ears to fragments including pieces of cob, corn kernels, and pieces of husk. These fragments are displaced backwardly onto a ridged floor having a rear edge spaced by an upstream gap from a riddle having in turn a rear edge spaced upwardly by a downstream gap from a comb. A blower directs a current of air through these gaps to separate out the chaff-like husk pieces, while the smaller and denser fragments can drop through the riddle and be collected. Both the riddle and the floor are oscillated to displace the fragments backwardly. A second comb meshes with the first comb and has a plurality of tines that are continuously displaced through the tines of the first comb to separate out husk pieces from the fragments on the first comb.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a combine with a unique sealing arrangement between the pivotable feeder housing and the inlet opening. The feeder housing includes axially aligned pivot arms which extend away therefrom to engage a pair of support yokes which permit the feeder housing to pivot vertically. The pivot arms include curved contact plates which sealingly engage at least partly semi-circular resilient closure members on the combine frame to prevent crop material from escaping between the feeder housing and the inlet opening.

Abstract: In a rotary separator, cylindrical threshing, frusto-conical separating, and centrifugal fan sections are arranged coaxially and in tandem. A fixed grate including threshing and separating portions surrounds and generally conforms to a rotor profile. A frusto-conical collector housing encloses the forward part of the separator and feeds threshed and separated grain to a grain cleaning unit, the screen elements of which, along with the collector housing, rotate concentricaly with the grate while at the same time reciprocating axially. A stationary cylindrical housing surrounds the cleaner unit and clean grain and tailings pass centrifugally from the cleaner screens to separate annular channels, to be swept around the inside of the housing by paddles moving with the cleaner elements to tangential discharge points near the top of the separator for transfer to clean grain and tailings return augers respectively.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a combine with a unique sealing arrangement between the pivotable feeder housing and the inlet opening. The rearward portion of the feeder housing, extending into the inlet opening, includes spaced apart arcuate smooth edge plates which mate with, but do not contact, sealing blocks affixed to the inside vertical side edges of the inlet opening. The feeder housing further includes axially aligned pivot arms which extend away therefrom to engage a pair of support yokes which permit the housing to pivot vertically. The pivot arms and the edge plates have the same central axis so that pivoting of the feeder housing does not interfere with the sealing block/edge plate relationship.

Abstract: Material control elements carried by the rotor of an axial flow rotary combine separator include inclined blades as well as conventional rasp bars. The inclined blades take various forms but common features include their downstream inclination, (that is in the direction of the axial movement of crop material in the separator) and having a frontal working edge athwart the direction of rotation to engage crop material and deflect or urge it downstream. The orientation and configuration of the blades results in their working edges being their dominating material control feature while the inclined surfaces have a subordinate role in material control, the actual effect of the surfaces depending on the orientation of their line of slope with respect to the rotor axis.

Abstract: In a crop harvesting and threshing machine of the type utilizing axial flow threshing and separation there is provided about the upper portions of the rotor casing axial flow inhibiting members rearwardly of axial flow facilitating members. The inhibiting members are arranged in a reverse pattern to the facilitating members so that crop material transported axially about the threshing and separating rotors is decelerated and deflected into a discharge opening without passing further rearwardly, thus preventing the enwrapping of crop material about the rotatable shafts of the rotor.

Abstract: An axial flow combine harvester with a frame and an axial flow threshing and separating rotor rotatably mounted on the frame in a tubular casing. Feed means are provided for feeding crop material from a crop harvesting table to the axial flow threshing and separating rotor. The feed means includes an auger beater with a shaft rotatably journaled on the frame, at least one spiral flight section with a right hand helix attached to the shaft and at least one spiral flight section with a left hand helix attached to the left. The auger beater receives a mat of crop material, moves both edges of the mat toward the center and then feeds the mat to the axial flow threshing and separating rotor.

Abstract: An improved drive mechanism and support arrangement for an agitator device used for preventing an accumulation of straw or the like on the upper outer peripheral surface of a screen-like cylindrical cylinder cage surrounding an axial flow threshing cylinder which rotates within the screen-like cage. The agitator device comprises a "main beam" which extends axially of and in overlying relation to the upper outer peripheral surface of the cylinder cage. A plurality of arcuate scraper fingers are mounted on and move with the "main beam" and extend in contiguous overlying relation to the outer periphery of the cylinder cage. A carriage member secured to the agitator device is mounted for sliding movement on a pair of horizontal guide rails. Reciprocating movement is imparted to the slidable carriage and to the agitator device by an endless drive chain which is driven at a constant speed and with a continuous motion.

Abstract: In a combine harvesting machine comprising a plurality of interconnected sub-assemblies, there is provided the apparatus and the method for utilizing an entirely separate, self-contained, and self-supporting straw walker sub-assembly that may be mounted to a mobile chassis during the production line assembly.

Abstract: A combine harvester having crop cutting and elevating means at the forward end of the combine to deliver crop material to be threshed to a threshing compartment in which axial rotor and concave means thresh and axially move the crop material to straw walker means immediately rearward of said threshing compartment to separate straw and chaff from threshed crop material and discharge the straw and chaff from the rear end of the harvester.

Abstract: The axial flow rotary separator of a combine includes a rotor having a generally cylindrical threshing section surrounded by a fixed, non-adjustable concave or grate so as to define an annular threshing space. The rotor includes threshing bar assemblies pivoted about axes parallel to the rotor axis and spring loaded in the direction of reducing concave clearance, against adjustable stops. Setting of the stops is controlled by adjusting eyebolts mounted on the front of the rotor, accessible from the front of the combine and connected to the stops through a pivot arm assembly. In normal operation springs hold the threshing bar assemblies against the stops but the pressure of a large foreign body or an excessive flow or material entering the threshing space may overcome the spring pressure forcing the threshing bars to retract to provide necessary clearance.

Abstract: A chaff spreading attachment that is mountable adjacent the chaff discharge of a harvester, wherein the chaff discharge is located elevationally below and forward of a straw or stalk discharge. The chaff spreading attachment is utilized to create transverse air currents to spread the chaff over the width of the swath taken by the harvester. The attachment includes two oppositely facing fans that are rotated in the same direction about a transverse axis by mechanism connected to a power source provided by the harvester.

Abstract: An axial flow type combine having a rotor provided with rasp bars operable relative to a concave to form a threshing region and provided at the inlet end of the threshing region with support means for the rotor adjustable to vary the distance between the rotor and concave. In the preferred construction of said support means, the forward end of the shaft of the rotor is mounted for movement toward and away from the inner surface of the concave.

Abstract: Swathed grain is picked up by a conventional pick-up and fed into the side of one end of a transversly situated rotary impeller assembly which moves the crop in a spiral motion against threshing grates on the lower portion and spiral fins on the upper portion. The crop reaches the other end of the impeller assembly and is transferred to one end of a second transversly situated rotary impeller assembly whereupon the action is repeated until the crop reaches the other end of the second assembly whereupon the crop with the majority of grain removed, is discharged at right angles to the axis of the impeller assembly and into a final beater assembly. The threshed and separated grain falls from the impeller assemblies to a grain pan and is cleaned by two sieve assemblies which extend the full width of the impeller assemblies. Unthreshed grain is returned to a re-threshing unit mounted at one end of the beater.

Abstract: A cylinder cage of an axial flow combine has radial openings about its circumference permitting threshed material to leave the cage as the threshing cylinder is rotated. An agitator mechanism is provided to dislodge threshed material tending to accumulate on the top side of the cylinder cage. Once dislodged, the threshed material will fall to a distribution aguer which in turn delivers the threshed material to accelerator rolls disposed beneath the threshing cylinder and cylinder cage. The agitator includes a plurality of curved ribs or fingers spaced axially along and adjacent the outer periphery of the cylinder cage. The agitator fingers are rigidly secured to a backbone member, which in turn is supported on the main frame of the combine by a pair of parallel links. An oscillating device is connected to one of the parallel links causing it to swing horizontally back and forth which in turn effects oscillating movement of the agitator in the axial direction of the cylinder cage.

Abstract: A combine is provided with a threshing cylinder which rotates within a foraminous cage with a concave causing the grain to be separated from the severed crop. The separated grain chaff, and other small lightweight portions of the crop being harvested, pass through the concave and other parts of the cage and thence through a transverse slot. The material passing through the transverse slot is accelerated downwardly by a pair of counter-rotating accelerator rolls at substantially right angles to a rearward directed sheet or layer of air which serves to separate the lightweight material from the kernels of grain. The lightweight material is blown rearwardly over the cleaning shoe assembly of the combine and the heavier grain kernels continue in their downwardly direction impacting with the grain pan below the accelerator rolls.

Abstract: According to the present invention a harvesting machine comprises a chassis with threshing and separating means and a power source mounted thereon and a grain tank pivotally mounted whereby it can be tipped to discharge grain contained therein rearwardly of the machine. The harvesting machine further also comprises a grain cleaning means mounted on the chassis and a conveyor means for loading grain into the grain tank. The conveyor means comprises a lower elevator extending from the grain cleaning means to the grain tank, an upper elevator mounted within the grain tank and aligned with the lower elevator when the grain tank is in the grain loading position, and disengageable coupling means disposed between the lower and upper elevators.

Abstract: A combine has a feeding system, for conveying crop material from a harvesting unit to the infeed rotor of a longitudinal axial flow rotary crop processing unit, including a feeder house employing a pair of augers, mounted side by side in an enclosed housing, and contrarotating at a relatively high speed. The augers are cantilevered from a bulkhead at the inlet end of the feeder house and do not make contact with the housing. The housing cross section does not conform to the cylindrical surfaces swept by the augers and there is also space between the augers themselves so that heterogeneous material can be conveyed within the housing on all sides of the augers. Housing shape and clearances are designed so that there is a minimum of dead space in the housing and, with some assistance from fixed strippers, mounted inside the housing parallel to the axes of the augers, material is conveyed generally linearly at a speed nearly equal to the equivalent axial speed of the auger flighting.

Abstract: A harvester machine includes a plurality of harvester units that can be positioned side-by-side in a row that extends across the direction of operative travel in front of a tractor. The tractor is connected to a first coupling to push the machine when processing crop and a second coupling at one side of the machine can be used to tow the machine during transport; the units then being located one behind the other. Each unit includes cutting, threshing and cleaning means and a delivery device communicates with the units to remove grain through one or more outlets that extend over the tractor to a rear container. The units are interconnected by pivot connections at their sides with pivot axes extending in the direction of operative travel. Adjustable castor wheels support the units at the desired height and a common drive from the tractor engages the various threshing, cleaning, mowing and delivery devices including blowers.

Abstract: A combine harvester comprising at least one generally cylindrical crop handling unit having tandem threshing and separating sections through which material is advanced along a generally helical path. A conveyor is provided for receiving crop material from a forwardly positioned crop header and delivering it axially into the cylindrical unit. During operation, grain is separated from the crop material and discharged through concaves and grates in the threshing and separating sections, respectively, onto a grain pan which in turn deposits it on cleaning sieves located rearwardly of the grain pan. The clean grain is elevated to a storage tank mounted on the combine while the residue is conveyed rearwardly and expelled onto the field.

Abstract: A combine harvester comprising two side-by-side generally cylindrical crop handling units each having tandem threshing and separating sections. A conveyor is provided for receiving crop material from a forwardly positioned crop header and delivering it axially into the cylindrical units. During operation, grain is separated from the crop material and discharged through concaves and grates in the threshing and separating sections, respectively, onto a grain pan which in turn deposits it on cleaning sieves located rearwardly of the grain pan. The clean grain is elevated by an auger to a storage tank mounted on the combine while the residue is conveyed rearwardly and expelled onto the field. At least a portion of the grates in the separating sections are cylindrical in configuration and permit discharge over most or all of the circumference of the cylindrical units.

Abstract: A self-propelled combine has a mobile body with a forward inlet, a forward transversely elongated harvesting header, and a feeder housing extending between the header and the inlet for feeding crop material from the header to a crop treating mechanism in the combine body. The feeder housing has an upwardly and rearwardly inclined floor with a chain and slat type conveyor mounted in the housing and having a lower run moving upwardly and rearwardly above the floor. A flat pan-like crop deflecting member is mounted on top of the floor underneath the conveyor and includes a plurality of generally fore and aft vanes that extend a substantial portion of the length of the floor.

Abstract: A self-propelled crop harvester has opposite upright frame sides in truss form with horizontal frame members extending between them. A grain tank in saddle configuration straddles crop processing means and an engine, and sections of the walls of the saddle portions of the tank serve as the center bays of the truss frame sides. The saddle portions of the tank are also structurally connected at their lower extremities to the housing of a transverse auger conveyor which transfers grain from one saddle portion of the tank to the other. In addition to its conveyor function, the housing serves as a horizontal frame member. The transverse conveyor housing, and the front and rear axle assemblies which interconnect the frame sides at their forward and rearward ends respectively, all have substantial torsion strength. The principal functional units of the harvester are self contained, and pinned joints are used to facilitate their assembly to and removal from the harvester as modular units.

Abstract: Crop gathering table for a grain combine has belts positioned to convey crop rearwards between a cutterbar and an auger. Each belt is caused to run straight by adjustable guide rollers located between the upper and lower runs of the belt and engaging the edge portions of the inner surface of the belt in its lower run and deflecting said edge portions downwards. The guide rollers are angularly adjustable by a lever mechanism actuable from the front of the table while the belts are being driven.

Abstract: A winnowing blower for discharging a stream of air over the sieve of a combine harvester-thresher has an axially elongated housing formed at each of its axial ends with an inlet opening provided with an axial-flow fan. A shaft passing axially through the housing carries these two fans and two deflector disks spaced inwardly from the fans and each of a diameter substantially less than the respective fan. The housing is provided with a radially extending plenum chamber so that air drawn axially into the ends of the housing is partially deflected by these plates and ejected outwardly through the plenum chamber over the sieve of the combine.

Abstract: A combine of the axial flow type having an axially extending power driven rotor which coacts with a concave complementary in shape to that of the rotor to thresh a wide variety of agricultural crop material. The concave comprises a plurality of longitudinal bars that are spaced transversely and a first row of curved wires extend through said bars adjacent the upper edges thereof and are spaced even distances in a longitudinal direction to form passages for threshed crop material. A second row of wires extend through a row of holes in said bars below said first row of wires. The second row of wires is spaced more closely than the wires of the first row to form pockets which receive said threshed crop material and remove the same from contact by said rotor to prevent damage to the threshed material and also provide more aggressive threshing of the material.

Abstract: A mobile combine having longitudinally extending rotor and concave threshing members and a reciprocating grain pan beneath said concave to receive threshed and partially threshed crop products for passage to sieve mechanism, and angular deflector members fixed to and reciprocable with said grain pan and extending longitudinally therewith, said members extending downward and inward from opposite sides of the chamber below said concave and above said grain pan to deflect grain falling from said concave and direct it toward the center of said grain pan to prevent crop material from gravitating more to one side of said grain pan than the other such as during hillside harvesting operations.

Abstract: A harvesting header for a combine in which a consolidating auger of appreciable length extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the combine and said auger having reversely spiralled flights respectively extending inward from opposite ends of the auger toward the midpoint of the axis thereof, the improvement comprising barrier means in the form of one or more discs on said auger between the inner ends of said flights and operable to prevent any substantial movement of ears of corn along the auger trough past the center of the auger when the combine is operating on a sloping field area.