Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080268927 | Apparatus and method for automatically setting operating parameters for a remotely adjustable spreader of an agricultural harvesting machine - Apparatus and a method for automatically recognizing a header connected to a harvesting machine and setting operating and/or adjustment parameters of a spreader of the machine for use with the header. The apparatus includes a memory containing information representative of predetermined spreader settings for at least one header connectable to the harvesting machine, such as a grain header and a corn or maize header. A detector element is operable for automatically identifying a header connected to the machine and outputting a signal or information representative thereof, to a controller automatically operable for using that information for retrieving the stored information representative of the predetermined spreader settings for that header. Input commands and/or information, for instance, relating to crop type, and/or crop and environmental conditions, can also be inputted using either an onboard or remote input device. The controller then responsively controls a crop residue spreader connected to the machine as a function of the retrieved information and any inputted commands or information, if within predetermined permissible ranges. | 10-30-2008 |
20080290198 | Knife bank assembly of a counter knife assembly of an integral chopper assembly of a combine harvester - An improved knife bank assembly of a counter knife assembly of an integral chopper assembly of a combine harvester that includes an elongated bracket member that extends between opposed knife bank end plates and has a plurality of spaced retainment mounts securable therealong, with at least one, and preferably two, knife blades being removably connectable to each retainment mount in a side-by-side arrangement. The bracket member is preferably mounted to a shaft member that extends between concave pan side plates to be slidable along such shaft member to permit adjustable positioning of the knife bank assembly and the knife elements thereof relative to the slots of the grate portion, and the retainment mounts are preferably removably securable to the bracket member. The knife elements are removably connectable to the retainment mounts at first and second space mounting points, preferably in such a way that the knife elements are maintained in an extended position by application of a biasing force at the second mounting point but are rotatable about the first mounting point to a displaced or relaxed position if a sufficient force is applied to the leading edge of the knife element to overcome the biasing force. | 11-27-2008 |
20080293461 | Rotary chopper element of an integral chopper assembly of a combine harvester - A rotary chopper element for an integral chopper assembly of a combine harvester, which rotary chopper element includes a cylindrical rotary member having a plurality of ring portions axially aligned in an ordered side-by-side arrangement along the longitudinal axis of the rotary member, with each ring portion having disposed annularly therearound a plurality of mounting lugs, each of which mounting lugs is designed to support or to have affixed thereto at least one knife blade. The mounting lugs on each succeeding ring portion are rotated or offset radially from the lugs of the preceding ring by a predefined amount and the knife blades are attached to the mounting lugs to form mounted assemblies that have beveled leading edges that extend substantially continuously from adjacent to the outer surface of the rotary member to the tips of the knife blades. The knife blades of such mounted assemblies define a plurality of spaced helical arrays that extend along and wrap around the rotary member. The rotary chopper element is configured to be mountable generally parallel to the grate portion of a counter knife assembly of the integral chopper assembly to define a material flow path between the grate portion and the rotary member and to be operable to transport crop residue past the integral chopper assembly. | 11-27-2008 |
20080293462 | Concave pan portion of an integral chopper assembly of a combine harvester - A concave pan portion of an integral chopper assembly that includes a concave pan shell portion with a separate grate portion that may be easily installed into and removed from an intermediate opening in such concave pan portion for replacement in the event of undesirable wear thereto, and a separate interruption plate installable downstream from the slots in the grate portion for the purpose of effecting a lower mean length of chop (LOC) as the integral chopper assembly operates. The separate grate portion is configured to be installable to fill the intermediate opening in the concave pan shell portion, with a plurality of slots therethrough positioned side-by-side in the crossways direction to accommodate knife elements that are part of the counter knife assembly. Preferably, such separate grate portion may be crossways adjustable to some degree within the intermediate opening. The interruption plate is configured to extend generally crossways across the concave pan portion, downstream from the slots of the grate portion to project upwardly into and across the passageway between the rotary chopper element and the concave pan portion so as to interrupt the flow of residue past the integral chopper assembly to permit the residue to be chopped into shorter pieces, resulting in a lower mean length of chop (LOC) as the integral chopper assembly operates. | 11-27-2008 |
20090005137 | Adjustable convergence panels for discharging residue from a combine harvester - A convergence panel construction for an agricultural combine that permits a user to adjust or controllably vary to some extent, depending upon whether windrowing or swath spreading of crop residue is desired, lateral flow concentration or dispersion of the crop residue flow as the crop residue flow is directed towards the rear of the combine and into a distribution chamber for discharge therefrom either through a rear opening for windrowing or into a chopper/spreader for swath spreading, including adjustable convergence panels hingedly attached to the sides of the distribution chamber for rotation about the hinged attachments and a positioning assembly therefor, which positioning assembly includes an adjustment mechanism, such as a linkage connected to the convergence panels, for adjustably moving such convergence panels about the hinged attachments and a controller mechanism operable by a user to effect the movement of such right and left convergence panels through operation of such adjustment mechanism. | 01-01-2009 |
20090255758 | Novel rear deck service ladder and handle assembly for combines - A novel rear deck service ladder and handle assembly for combine harvesters is disclosed having integral latching and height adjustment features. | 10-15-2009 |
20100229520 | Rotor tine and rotary element configuration for crop residue treatment systems - A rotor tine construction for a rotary element of a crop residue treatment system for effecting improved transport of crop residue along a material flow path and, if a counter knife assembly is spaced from the rotary element across the material flow path, for also effecting improved shear cutting of such crop residue by the knife elements of the counter knife assembly and more efficient operation of the crop residue treatment system, which rotor tine construction includes a base portion generally mountable to the rotary member of the rotary element, at least one rotor tine extending outwardly from such base portion and including three distinct blade edges, one of which forms a trailing edge and the other two of which are upper and lower edge portions forming a leading edge, with the lower and upper edge portions configured and intersecting with one another to form a notch-like indentation along the leading edge at an intersection point P defined to be the point of cut contact position, such that, as the rotary member rotates forwardly the rotor tine is rotated through the material flow path to engage and concentrate engaged lengths of crop residue near intersection point P for an improved cut as such material is moved past the knife elements of the counter knife assembly. | 09-16-2010 |
20110130181 | REGULATOR OF RESIDUE FLOW FOR SPREADING DEVICES ON AGRICULTURAL COMBINES - An agricultural combine having an adjustable spreader assembly is provided that includes a spreader with one or a pair of regulators. The spreader includes a discharge opening about its lateral side. The regulator is pivotably connected to the lateral side of the spreader such that the regulator is in fluid communication with the discharge opening. The regulator can be configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position or to vary the direction of discharge of crop residue. The spreader can be a vertical spreader, a horizontal spreader, or a spread board. | 06-02-2011 |
20110237316 | CROP RESIDUE FLOW DISTRIBUTOR FOR AN AGRICULTURAL COMBINE - An adjustable flow distributor for a spreader of an agricultural combine operable for discharging a flow of straw and other crop residue in a sideward direction for deposition over a field, the flow distributor including an edge portion oriented at an oblique angle to a reference such as a back plate of the spreader, defining an oblique shaped space therebetween, the edge portion being pivotally adjustable in the fore and aft direction for controlling the portions of the flow of crop residue deposited beneath the spreader and discharged sidewardly therefrom, respectively, for instance, so as to better and more evenly distribute the crop residue over a swath of an agricultural field from which the crop was harvested, particularly a region of the swath in proximity to the spreader and/or chopper. | 09-29-2011 |
20130153373 | MATERIAL MOVING SYSTEM - A pin assembly for a chain of a material moving system includes a pin having a first end and a second end, the first end having a threaded portion extending to a guide region having a reduced cross-section compared to the threaded portion, the threaded portion being at least partially modified during fabrication of the pin, the guide region extending to a transition region of increasing cross-section with respect to the guide region from the first end toward the second end, the transition region terminating at a shoulder. A fastener is configured to engage the threaded portion during construction of the chain. During construction of the chain, the pin and the fastener form a compression fit therebetween in response to a predetermined torque applied to the fastener, damaging at least a segment of the fastener, substantially limiting reuse of the fastener after the fastener has been disassembled from the pin. | 06-20-2013 |
20130192187 | PIVOTABLY ADJUSTABLE ATTACHMENT APPARATUS FOR AGRICULTURAL VEHICLE - A pivotably adjustable attachment apparatus for an agricultural vehicle includes an attachment connected to a mounting structure. The mounting structure is operatively connected to an adapter assembly in communication with a feed device for moving a crop from the attachment to a feed device for further processing of the crop. A frame supports the feed device over an uneven surface. An apparatus is positioned between the mounting structure and the adapter assembly. The apparatus provides a substantially non-sliding contact between the mounting structure and the adapter assembly in response to the mounting structure being directed to a pivotable movement with respect to the mounting structure, thereby providing a pivotable movement of the attachment in response to encountering the uneven surface. | 08-01-2013 |
20130313077 | COMBINE CROP CONVEYING AND FEEDING SYSTEM - A combine feeding system includes a lower conveyor roller configured to rotate around a lower conveyor roller axis, an upper conveyor roller configured to rotate around an upper conveyor roller axis and a drive shaft configured to rotate around a drive shaft axis. The lower conveyor roller axis, upper conveyor roller axis and drive shaft axis are substantially perpendicular to first and second housing walls. The feeding system also includes at least one chain configured to move over the drive shaft, the lower conveyor roller and the upper conveyor roller. The feeding system further includes at least one lower support arm coupled to the drive shaft and the lower conveyor roller and configured to pivot about the drive shaft axis. At least one force mechanism is configured to apply a force to the at least one chain in at least one of a first direction and a second direction. | 11-28-2013 |
20130324199 | REGULATOR OF RESIDUE FLOW FOR SPREADING DEVICES ON AGRICULTURAL COMBINES - An agricultural combine having an adjustable spreader assembly is provided that includes a spreader, a regulator and a rotary spreader. The spreader is operatively connected to a rear end of the agricultural combine and includes a housing and rotary blades. The housing has an inlet for receiving a flow of residue, and an outlet configured about a lateral side of the housing for discharging the flow of residue. The rotary blades are operatively connected to the housing for rotating therein. The regulator has a proximal end pivotably connected to a lateral side of the spreader about a substantially vertical axis to pivot the regulator in a fore and an aft direction, and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The regulator is in fluid communication with the housing. The rotary spreader is positioned proximate the distal end of the regulator and receives and distributes the flow of residue. | 12-05-2013 |
20140102863 | SLAT FOR A MATERIAL MOVING SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL HARVESTING MACHINE - A slat for use in an agricultural harvester including a web securable to a material moving system. A first and second leg extending outwardly from one side of the web, the first leg providing primary impetus for movement of crop material in a first direction by the material moving system. A third leg extending outwardly from an opposed side of the web and providing secondary impetus for movement of crop material by driven movement of the material moving system. In response to the slat encountering a foreign object that becomes wedged between the first leg, the third leg and structure of the material moving system and preventing driven movement of the material movement system in the first direction, upon application of force urging movement of the material movement system in an opposed second direction, the third leg facilitating a rotational movement of the slat for dislodging the foreign object. | 04-17-2014 |
20140179383 | CHOPPER ASSEMBLY FOR HARVESTING EQUIPMENT - A chopper assembly for harvesting equipment including a knife bank movable between a first position where knife elements of the knife bank are fully inserted into a passageway for crop residue and a second position where knife elements of the knife bank are fully retracted from the passageway. A body has a slot or profile, the body secured to the knife bank and at least one knife element, the body and the knife element configured to move relative to the knife bank. A resilient device operably connects the slot or profile and the knife bank, the resilient device preventing movement of the knife element away from the first position and toward the second position until the knife element is subjected to a predetermined force. Upon removal of the predetermined force, the resilient device urges the knife element to move toward the first position. | 06-26-2014 |