Windrow system with split curtains and method thereof

A windrow system of a combine, comprising:

• a chopper movable relative to a main body of the combine and including a chopper housing having a roof and a rotor assembly positioned in the chopper housing;
• a spreader movable relative to the main body of the combine, and including a top surface and an impeller positioned below the top surface, wherein the impeller includes one or more blades for rotatably conveying crop residue rearwardly and outwardly from the spreader;
• a top segment positioned above the roof of the chopper housing and above the top surface of the spreader and coupled to the main body of the combine;
• a first curtain coupled between the top segment and the roof of the chopper housing;
• a second curtain spaced apart from the first curtain and coupled between the top segment of the windrow system and the top surface of the spreader;
• wherein the spreader and the chopper and are movable relative to the main body of the combine from (i) at least one of a plurality operational positions, in which the first curtain extends a first distance between the top segment and the roof of the chopper housing, to (ii) a stowed position, in which the first curtain extends a second distance between the top segment and the roof of the chopper housing, and
• where the second distance is less than the first distance.

A method of moving a windrow system adapted for use at a rear portion of combine, comprising:

• positioning a spreader in a chopping position relative to a chopper, wherein the spreader includes a top surface and an impeller, and the chopper includes a chopper housing and a rotor assembly surrounded by the chopper housing;
• and
• moving the chopper and the spreader relative to a mounting bracket, which is positioned above the roof of the chopper housing, from (i) the chopping position in which a first curtain extends a first distance between the mounting bracket and the chopper housing, to (ii) a stowed position in which the first curtain extends a second distance between the mounting bracket and the chopper housing;
• wherein the second distance is less than the first distance.