Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to improve visibility of a status display unit while simplifying the installation of the status display unit and preventing damage to the status display unit. The present invention comprises: a work vehicle body capable of traveling automatically; a status detection unit that detects the status of the work vehicle body; and status display units that show a status display according to the status of the work vehicle body detected by the status detection unit. At least one pair of status display units are arranged diagonally across the work vehicle body in plan view.

Abstract: A combine harvester includes a header assembly configured for collecting a crop, a threshing assembly coupled to the header assembly and configured for separating grains of the crop from material other than grain, and a cleaning assembly positioned in association with the threshing assembly and configured for separating the grains from chaff. The cleaning assembly includes a fan assembly having a fan housing with a fan output duct and a fan mounted to the fan housing, and one or more cleaning sieves. The fan assembly is configured to blow air across the one or more cleaning sieves via the fan output duct. The fan output duct includes at least one segmented air deflector.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle including a chassis, at least one rotor supported by the chassis and configured for threshing a crop material, at least one exterior side member supported by the chassis and including at least one outlet, and an air conduit located underneath the at least one rotor. The air conduit is configured for providing an airstream directed to the at least one exterior side member such that the airstream forces a material other than grain out through the at least one outlet.

Abstract: A shaker table with air flow openings and airflow to preprocess the crop before it fully enters the separating and cleaning system of the harvester through a means of corrugation platforms with air flow directed from below to break up the material into a more easily cleaned condition.

Abstract: The airflow through a harvesting machine is adjusted by calculating a G-factor at a first point on an upper chaffer to determine if it is greater than 1+n, where n represents a desired factor. A blower is adjusted to reduce an airstream if the G-factor is greater than 1+n. A MOG factor is calculated if the G-factor is less than 1+n. The blower is adjusted to increase the airstream if the MOG-factor is less than 1+x, where x represents a desired factor. A MOG-factor is calculated at a second point if the MOG-factor at the point is greater than 1+x and the blower is adjusted to reduce the airstream if the MOG-factor at the second point is greater than 1+y, where y represents a desired factor or adjusted to increase the airstream if the MOG-factor at the second point is less than 1+y.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine harvester that includes a cleaning shoe having a sieve, a cleaning fan, an air plenum and a pair of air diverters is provided. The cleaning fan is rotatably driven for generating a flow of air and positioned within the air plenum. The air plenum extends across the entire length of the cleaning fan and includes an inlet for the intake of air, an outlet downstream the inlet for directing the flow of air in a first direction, lateral walls forming a portion of the outlet, and a bottom wall extending between the lateral walls. The pair of air diverters extends inwardly from the lateral walls. Each air diverter is configured substantially as a pyramid having a rounded corner that extends inwardly from the lateral wall and upwardly from the bottom wall.

Abstract: A combine harvester has a threshing mechanism for threshing grain and cleaning apparatus for removing chaff from the threshed grain. The threshing mechanism includes a plurality of concaves and the cleaning apparatus includes and upper chaffer and a lower sieve. The combine harvester also has a blower having a rotating impeller and a blower housing. The blower housing has a first duct that directs a first airstream onto the upper chaffer and lower sieve, and a second duct that directs a second airstream along the underside of the concaves. An inlet to the second duct has a cross-sectional area that is larger than the cross-sectional area of an outlet of the second duct. The blower has a divider plate that separates high-velocity air from the impeller and directs the high-velocity air to either the first duct or the second duct.

Abstract: A grain cleaning system of an agricultural combine directs a flow of high velocity air in a first direction about an inlet end of a cleaning shoe. The system further monitors the cleaning shoe in order to detect a change in an operational parameter of the cleaning shoe, wherein the operational parameter is one of a transient effect of a sieve of the cleaning shoe, a flow rate about and exit end of the cleaning shoe and a flow velocity about an exit end of the cleaning shoe. Further, the flow of high velocity air about the inlet end of the cleaning shoe can be redirected in a second direction in response to a detected change in the operational parameter.

Abstract: The airflow through a harvesting machine is adjusted by calculating a G-factor at a first point on an upper chaffer to determine if it is greater than 1+n, where n represents a desired factor. A blower is adjusted to reduce an airstream if the G-factor is greater than 1+n. A MOG factor is calculated if the G-factor is less than 1+n. The blower is adjusted to increase the airstream if the MOG-factor is less than 1+x, where x represents a desired factor. A MOG-factor is calculated at a second point if the MOG-factor at the point is greater than 1+x and the blower is adjusted to reduce the airstream if the MOG-factor at the second point is greater than 1+y, where y represents a desired factor or adjusted to increase the airstream if the MOG-factor at the second point is less than 1+y.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine harvester that includes a cleaning shoe having a sieve, a cleaning fan, an air plenum and a pair of air diverters is provided. The cleaning fan is rotatably driven for generating a flow of air and positioned within the air plenum. The air plenum extends across the entire length of the cleaning fan and includes an inlet for the intake of air, an outlet downstream the inlet for directing the flow of air in a first direction, lateral walls forming a portion of the outlet, and a bottom wall extending between the lateral walls. The pair of air diverters extends inwardly from the lateral walls. Each air diverter is configured substantially as a pyramid having a rounded corner that extends inwardly from the lateral wall and upwardly from the bottom wall.

Abstract: A combine harvester has a threshing mechanism for threshing grain and cleaning apparatus for removing chaff from the threshed grain. The threshing mechanism includes a rotor and a plurality of concaves and the cleaning apparatus includes and upper chaffer and a lower sieve. A blower provides cleaning air to the combine harvester. The blower is situated in a blower housing having a first cut off plate separating high-velocity air coming from the blower and directing a first portion of the high-velocity air to a lower duct that provides an airstream to the upper chaffer and lower sieve. The blower housing also has a second cut off plate directing a second portion of the high-velocity air to an upper duct that provides an airstream under the concaves. A leading portion of the second cut off plate contains a rolled edge along the width of the upper duct.

Abstract: A cart is towed behind a combine harvester for collecting corn cobs and includes a conveyer belt feeding into a system for separating cobs from residue to be discharged and a tank for receiving and transporting the cobs. An unload auger is provided from the tank to one side of the cart while the cart moves forward. Power for driving the cart is obtained from a chopper drive of the combine harvester. The separating arrangement includes a series of sequential blower fans for blowing air through the discharged material as it is discharged from a conveyor and into a spreading guide disperses the residue. The cobs are conveyed using a series of augers where the auger to flight distance is at least 2 inches and particularly a pair of augers feed the cobs through a front wall of the tank so as to push cobs upwardly into the tank.

Abstract: A cleaning system in a combine harvester includes a fan producing an airstream, an oscillating upper chaffer that separates grain and smaller residue from larger non-grain particles while the airstream entrains light non-grain particles and carries them out the rear of the machine. An oscillating lower sieve receives the grain and smaller residue passing through the upper chaffer and allows grain to pass through openings while residue unable to penetrate the lower sieve travels off the end of the lower sieve and the airstream entrains light non-grain particles and carries them out of the machine. An airstream diverter located between the upper chaffer and the lower sieve redirects a portion of the airstream through lower air-flow areas of the upper chaffer. The diverter is horn-shaped with a narrow leading edge and a wider trailing edge with a concave air-directing surface between the leading and trailing edges.

Abstract: A cart is towed behind a combine harvester for collecting corn cobs and includes a conveyer belt feeding into a system for separating cobs from residue to be discharged and a tank for receiving and transporting the cobs. An unload auger is provided from the tank to one side of the cart while the cart moves forward. Power for driving the cart is obtained from a chopper drive of the combine harvester. The separating arrangement includes a suction fan or a single blower fan or a series of blower fans for blowing air through material from a conveyor and into a spreading guide which disperses the residue. The cobs are conveyed using a series of augers where the auger to flight distance is at least 2 inches and particularly a pair of augers feed the cobs through a front wall of the tank so as to push cobs upwardly into the tank.

Abstract: A combine harvester having a frame and a crop harvesting header supported by the frame to gather crop material. A threshing and separating mechanism connected to the frame that receives the crop material from the header to thresh and separate the grain. A shoe assembly positioned beneath the threshing and separating mechanism to receive the threshed grain connected to a drive that affects fore-and-aft reciprocating movement of the shoe assembly which conveys grain rearward. A flexible seal attached to the underside of the shoe assembly across the width of the shoe to obstruct air from flowing under the shoe assembly.

Abstract: A cleaning system for corn cobs incorporating a conveyor system providing a capability for positively removing or cleaning other crop residue from the cobs, which is adapted to be towed by a harvester; to be incorporated with a cob collecting device; and which can be adjustable for varying corn varieties, conditions and the like. The conveyor system includes at least one enclosed inclined conveyor for carrying a flow of the crop residue upwardly and propelling the flow into a space, while a flow of air is directed downwardly along the conveyor to remove other residue material from the cobs. Another flow of air is optionally directed downwardly through the space for removing additional material other than cobs, and at least one aspect of the system can be adjusted for relatively varying the air flows to adapt the system for a variety of conditions.

Abstract: A particulate residue separator and a method for separating a particulate residue stream may include a plenum borne by a harvesting device, and have a first, intake end and a second, exhaust end; first and second particulate residue air streams which are formed by the harvesting device and which travel, at least in part, along the plenum and in a direction of the second, exhaust end; and a baffle assembly which is located in partially occluding relation relative to the plenum, and which substantially separates the first and second particulate residue air streams.

Abstract: A cleaning system for an agriculture work vehicle including a combination of a grain cleaning sieve having a limited region containing larger apertures providing increased grain throughput and also increased air throughput relative to the other regions of the sieve, utilized with a fan system that provides a substantially higher air flow rate through the region relative to the other regions of the sieve, such that a downward airborne flow of crop material above and flowing toward the limited region is subject to an air flow having a substantially higher flow rate compared to the other regions above the sieve, which operates to aggressively separate material other than grain from the grain above the limited region, and such that substantially only grain will fall onto and pass through the limited region of the grain cleaning sieve.

Abstract: A method and a system for varying the rotational fan speed of a combine cleaning system in response to the amount of crop entering the combine cleaning system. Increases and decreases in crop material entering the cleaning system are sensed prior to their arrival at the cleaning system, and cleaning fan speed is adjusted appropriately and contemporaneously with the crop material's presence in the cleaning system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radial blower for a cleaning device for a combine harvester, with several component blowers, where each of the blowers is arranged in an associated housing, each of which is connected to a wind duct that during operation guides the air stream generated by the component blower to the cleaning device, wherein the wind ducts have side walls that are connected with convex curvature to the side walls of the housing of the component blowers and wherein the side walls of adjacent wind ducts are connected to each other at the end facing toward the cleaning device, in which the side walls of the wind duct have a convex curvature over their length.

Abstract: A transverse fan assembly that includes a fan rotatably disposed in an air plenum for drawing air through an inlet opening and drivingly forcing air from an outlet opening defined by the air plenum, the inlet opening having an elongate, bladed, inlet rotor oriented on a rotational axis parallel to the fan, extending the length of the fan, and positioned proximate to the fan periphery to increase air flow and improve air flow distribution from the outlet of the air plenum along the length of the fan while generating less noise.

Abstract: A self-propelled combine harvester has a threshing mechanism composed of at least one aggregate selected from the group consisting of a threshing part, a working unit, and both, at least one stripping unit which is assigned to the at least one aggregate, and at least one rotary chamber configured on the at least one stripping unit on a circumference of the at least one aggregate.

Abstract: A cross-flow fan is operated in a suction mode, mainly in air-ducts with a large width, to provide a smooth flow of regulatable air. In accordance with the invention, a smooth flow suction separation device is suitable for the regulated suction to a large width of an amount of air containing a solid fraction, and is also suitable for the separation of the solid fraction on the inlet side. In certain forms of its construction, the flow of air is made to circulate. The smooth flowing suction separation device is equipped with a curved centrifugal separation device and a fraction outlet. A characteristic feature of the invention is that it has a cross-flow rotor, a housing constructed as a pneumatic duct, and a closed suction element attached to the internal edge of a centrifugal separation device.

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: An airfoil is placed in ductwork that directs airflow from a combine cooling fan the pneumatically blast dust, chaff and other debris off the top of a separator unit. The airfoil comprises a leading edge, a trailing edge located downstream from the leading edge, a thickness, and a chord extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The airfoil is adapted to encourage airflow downward toward to outlet of the ductwork and to discourage air from swirling back toward the inlet of the ductwork.

Abstract: A crop chaffer for combines features air jets which deliver an air blast to the grain and chaff. The air jets and sifting screens are arranged in a cross sectionally “stair step” pattern in which the tread of each stair is the screen and the riser of the each stair has the air jet located thereon. The air jets do not allow grain passage, while the apertures in the screens do not produce a strong current of air. The chaffer is divided into individually separable and replaceable elements, thus greatly easing the burden of changing chaffers in the combine.

Abstract: A cleaning shoe of an agricultural combine is provided with a front chaffer located upstream from the main chaffer. The front chaffer has a closed upstream portion and an open downstream portion. The closed upstream portion is upwardly inclined and the open downstream portion is downwardly inclined. The front chaffer is oriented so that an air blast from the cleaning fan passes beneath the closed upstream portion and upwardly through the declined open downstream portion. The open downstream portion is provided with transversely extending louvers through which the air blast passes. The cleaning fan comprises a plurality of radially and transversely extending fan blades. Blade inserts forming air dams are located near each transverse end. The blade inserts are provided with apertures that limited the transverse air flow along the blades.

Abstract: A cleaning shoe of an agricultural combine is provided with a front chaffer located upstream from the main chaffer. The front chaffer has a closed upstream portion and an open downstream portion. The closed upstream portion is upwardly inclined and the open downstream portion is downwardly inclined. The front chaffer is oriented so that an air blast from the cleaning fan passes beneath the closed upstream portion and upwardly through the declined open downstream portion. The open downstream portion is provided with transversely extending louvers through which the air blast passes. The cleaning fan comprises a plurality of radially and transversely extending fan blades. Blade inserts forming air dams are located near each transverse end. The blade inserts are provided with apertures that limited the transverse air flow along the blades.

Abstract: A crop chaffer for combines features air jets which deliver an air blast to the grain and chaff. The air jets and sifting screens are arranged in a cross sectionally “stair step” pattern in which the tread of each stair is the screen and the riser of the each stair has the air jet located thereon. The air jets do not allow grain passage, while the apertures in the screens do not produce a strong current of air. The chaffer is divided into individually separable and replaceable elements, thus greatly easing the burden of changing chaffers in the combine.

Abstract: A self-propelled combine harvester includes a separation unit having at least one rotor housing, a sieve mechanism with sieve openings and a rotor rotatably mounted therein. A grain collecting element is arranged adjacent the sieve mechanism. A cleaning apparatus receives the grain kernels collected from the grain collecting element. A sucking blower unit generates a sucking air flow stream. The sucking blower unit draws an air stream in an upward direction through a conduit which guides the air flow stream from a space between the rotor housing of the separation unit and the grain collecting element around a front wall of the housing of the separation unit towards the sucking blower unit. A second discharge location for chaff and broken straw draws the chaff and the broken straw from under the separation unit through the conduit via the sucking blower unit. The mixture of the air, the chaff and the broken straw is directed to the ground or into a chopper via a collection duct.

Abstract: A rotary threshing and separation unit, comprising a rotor housing with a feeding zone, a separation zone and a discharge zone, parts of the circumferential housing being closed and other parts having openings, a rotary driven threshing and separation rotor arranged in the rotor housing, beater plates fixed on the threshing and separation rotor, and sucking air flow stream generating device sucking an air flow stream from the discharge zone through the rotor housing. Guiding elements arranged in the discharge zone, which are projecting over the inner surface of the rotor housing to an extent to which they allow chaff to be sucked out of the rotor housing but retain grain kernels inside. Helical vanes in at least the first half of the length of the rotor housing are projecting over the inner surface of the rotor housing and are at an angle or inclined towards the feeding direction of the harvested crop to support the feeding action.

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: A rotary threshing and separation unit, comprising a rotor housing with a feeding zone, separation zone and is discharge zone, parts of the circumferential housing being closed and other parts having openings, rotary driven threshing and separation rotor arranged in the rotor housing, beater plates fixed on the threshing and separation rotor, fan to produce a main air flow stream and auxiliary air flow stream through the rotor housing, and wherein baffle plates are adjustable and located between the sieve and grain collection element wherein the baffle plates effect the auxiliary air flow stream. The baffle plates are adjustable in position, length and width parallel and traverse to the rotary threshing and separation unit axis.

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: 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 self-propelled combine harvester includes a separation unit having at least one rotor housing and a sieve mechanism with sieve openings therein. The separation unit has a rotor rotatably mounted therein. A grain collecting element is arranged adjacent the sieve mechanism. A cleaning apparatus receives the grain kernels collected from the grain collecting element. A sucking blower unit generates a sucking air flow stream for an improved cleaning process. The sucking blower unit draws an air stream in an upward direction through a conduit which guides the air flow stream from a space between the rotor housing of the separation unit and the grain collecting element around a front wall of the housing of the separation unit towards the sucking blower unit. In an alternative embodiment, a second discharge location for chaff and broken straw is provided. The second discharge location draws the chaff and the broken straw from under the separation unit through the conduit via the sucking blower unit.

Abstract: A general purpose combined harvester and thresher comprising a first rotor (51) and a second rotor (52) provided in a thresh unit (5) and arranged longitudinally in parallel to each other with axes thereof right and left, and a first receiving net (55) and a second receiving net (56) arranged below the respective rotors to define a first treating chamber (D1) and second treating chamber (D2). A grain tank (79) is arranged above the threst unit (5), a base end of a discharge auger (83) is arranged outside the grain tank (79), an engine (84) is arranged behind the grain tank (79), and a transmission casing (85) is arranged below the engines A tooth bar (T1) is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the first rotor (51) facing a grain rod inlet (36), and a screw vane (53) has a pitch (P) equal to a width of a rear end of a feeder housing (35). A terminal end of a return conveyor (81) for returning of a second product communicates with the first treating chamber (D1).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cleaning assembly for an agricultural combine having a cleaning shoe with at least one sieve. The sieve is provided with adjustable blades. The sieve is provided with an adjustment element for adjusting the position of the blades. A driving element is connected to the adjustment element. The sieve can be removed from the cleaning shoe without disassembling the connection between the drive element and adjustment element. The connection is automatically disengaged when the sieve is being removed from the cleaning shoe and automatically engaged when the sieve is being reinstalled in the cleaning shoe.

Abstract: A rotary threshing and separation unit, comprising a rotor housing with a feeding zone, separation zone and is discharge zone, parts of the circumferential housing being closed and other parts having openings, rotary driven threshing and separation rotor arranged in the rotor housing, beater plates fixed on the threshing and separation rotor, fan to produce a main air flow stream and auxiliary air flow stream through the rotor housing, and wherein baffle plates are adjustable and located between the sieve and grain collection element wherein the baffle plates effect the auxiliary air flow stream. The baffle plates are adjustable in position, length and width parallel and traverse to the rotary threshing and separation unit axis. The baffle plates are used to improve the separating function of the rotary threshing and separation unit.

Abstract: Harvested grain in the form of including ears, pods to be threshed are transported axially into an inclined threshing zone. Grain is liberated and falls through a sieve forming a bottom of the threshing zone. Most of the lightweight material or chaff is carried to an exit by a fan generated airflow stream. Grain and some chaff falling through the sieve are collected in a trough below the sieve. A fan generated auxiliary airflow stream carries most of the remaining chaff to the exit. The larger portion of the grain slides down the trough to exit. The balance of the grain with virtually no entrained chaff exits the trough via an auxiliary grain exit. Transverse baffles, in tandem, opposing relationship, cause airflow to be circuitous to promote grain in preference to chaff to enter the exit. A final cleaning step may be performed in a cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: A produce harvesting apparatus, such as for harvesting tomatoes, which includes apparatus for harvesting produce, such as tomatoes, which includes an enclosed vehicle and a first conveyor belt extending forward of the vehicle for moving produce and associated vines into the enclosed vehicle. The apparatus further includes a ventilation system for drawing air from within the enclosed vehicle and expelling that air through an outlet that is disposed in alignment with the first conveyer belt to direct exhaust air from the enclosed vehicle toward the produce on the first conveyor belt whereby some dirt is dislodged from the produce and vines disposed on the first conveyor belt. The apparatus may have the outlet disposed to direct a stream of air from the enclosed vehicle in a direction that is aligned with the axis of the first conveyor belt.

Abstract: For cleaning a sugarcane harvester, a main blower is provided in a lower region of a cleaning chamber and has a vertical blowing out pipe, the blowing out pipe of the main blower faces both chopper rollers of a comminuting device, and a deviating blower is located above the chopper rollers for deviating a main cleaning air stream exiting the vertical blowing out pipe by substantially 90.degree. to direct the same to a discharge hood.

Abstract: A combine harvester (1) is provided with a grain cleaning mechanism (12), comprising a fan (33) installed in a generally volute-shaped fan housing (72), having primary air inlets (73) in its side walls and a secondary air inlet (74) in its top wall. The housing (72) further has a main outlet duct (80) directed to a chaffer sieve (31) and a lower grain sieve (32) and an additional outlet duct (81) directed to a pre-cleaning sieve (29) and an associated grain pan (30). The secondary air inlet (74) is covered with a plurality of juxtaposed plates (75), comprising sets of louvres (76) which are opened rearwardly. Grain kernels which unwantedly fall off the leading edges of the sieves (29, 31, 32) or the grain pan (30) and into the outlet duct (80, 81), may be engaged and thrown upwardly by the blades (95) of the fan (33), but will be returned into the fan housing (72) by the louvres (76), which nevertheless do not obstruct an efficient air intake by the fan (33) .

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

Abstract: An air flow deflector panel for insertion into existing combines of the axial flow type without modification to the combines for changing the direction of air flow from the cleaning fan to the sieve section. The air flow deflector panel includes a plate having mounting brackets for attachment to the existing structure of the combine for holding the plate which extends across the separation chamber behind the outlet of the throat of the cleaning fan. The plate includes an angled portion for directing a required portion of the air beneath the sieves past the front portion thereof. The air flow deflector panel accomplishes more effectively separation of the straw and chaff from the grain being collected below the sieve section than is currently possible with certain models of combines of the axial flow type and further eliminates the use of a higher air flow which can in any event result in a portion of the grain being expelled with the debris.

Abstract: A cleaning system of a combine is provided with a cleaning shoe having a step pan, a conditioning pan and a chaffer. A cleaning fan is provided with two outlets. The first outlet has two ducts. The first duct directs a primary air blast above the step pan through grain and chaff falling from the threshing system to the step pan. The second duct directs a secondary air blast through grain and chaff falling from the step pan and the separating system onto the conditioning pan. The second outlet directs a chaffer air blast to the chaffer.

Abstract: A machine for harvesting onions utilizes a blower which provides a stream of air through a duct, having an opening across which the onions pass and are topped. The blower has a bladed fan in a cylindrical housing open at both ends. The fan blades are supported by arms which, with the blades, define a support truss for each blade in the form of a triangular structure, having arms meeting at an apex connected approximately midway of the end of the cylindrical housing and a base provided by the blade to which the arms are connected. A rigid support is provided together with an enlarged and substantially unobstructed intake passageway for air along the axis of rotation of the fan which is pressurized and forced through the duct, using less horsepower and fuel than conventional fans of like size and air flow.

Abstract: An air diverter positioned on an upper, forward portion of a sieve-like cleaning shoe in an agricultural combine directs a fan-generated air flow over the cleaning shoe to facilitate separation of chaff from grain which is directed onto and passes down through the cleaning shoe. A plurality of curved, spaced fins, or slats, receive the upward flow of air and deflect the air flow generally horizontally over the cleaning shoe for directing the chaff toward the rear of the combine where it is discharged. The inter-fin spacing decreases from bottom to top of the air diverter so as to increase air flow velocity for more efficient and higher capacity chaff removal.

Abstract: An agricultural combine having a pair of side-by-side axial separators. Each of the axial separators comprises a cylindrical tube, a rotor housed in the tube, an inlet and an outlet. An axial air stream is directed along the top of the axial separator to remove dust, chaff and other debris that may accumulate there. The air stream is intercepted from the cooling fan of an internal combustion engine by duct work that directs the air stream to a deflector located above the axial separators. The deflector forms a forward axial air stream component and a rearward axial air stream component. Exhaust openings are formed in the sidewalls of the combine to vent the forward air stream component. An exhaust gap is formed at the rear of the axial separator to vent the rearward air stream component.

Abstract: A device for combine harvesters (11) equipped with impact straw cutters (16) of the kind equipped with a cleaning device (13) for separation of chaff from the grain and which rotary chopper is connected to the straw outlet (17) of the combine harvester, whereby the chaff coming from the cleaning device (13) and being transported by a flow of air is intended to be supplied to the rotary chopper (16). The rotary chopper is connected to the straw outlet (17) of the combine harvester. The purpose of the invention is to provide a device by which the chaff is spread over the entire harvesting breadth of the combine harvester and is also efficiently admixed with the comminuted straw such that a continuous and even distribution can be obtained on the field.