Combine with adjustable straw guide

#The present invention is directed to a combine having a separator from which straw is expelled to a discharge assembly, an adjustable straw guide is associated with the discharge assembly. A motor adjusts the straw guide in response to signals from a controller.

#When one uses add-on straw choppers attached to combines, the chopped straw should be delivered along a cutting width in as uniform a weight distribution as possible over that width. A conventional straw chopper works with several knives attached to the chopper rotor. This chopper rotor rotates at high rpm and cuts the straw that is fed to it. The rotating knives pass through a stationary knife bar. At the same time, the chopper rotor must generate an air stream capable of blowing out the chopped straw. To achieve an even distribution by the chopper of the chopped straw from the machine channel width to the harvesting platform, feeding of the straw chopper must be done very evenly. Even feeding is also required with combines that operate with two independent discharge means.

#In conventional straw walker combines, even feeding of the chopper generally does not present a problem because the loading of the straw walker is very even. In combines with rotating discharge systems, however, even feeding of the straw chopper is not always guaranteed. With these combines, the straw is conveyed by one or two helical threshing and/or separation rotors through a cylindrical and partially eccentric casing.

#FIG. 1 is a semi-schematic side view of a combine.

#FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the straw chopper and the end region of the axial separators.

#FIG. 3 is a schematic cross sectional view through the housing of a second embodiment of a straw chopper.

#FIG. 1 shows a self-propelled combine 10 having a frame 12, which is supported on the ground by wheels 14. The combine 10 is propelled across a field by wheels 14. A harvesting assembly 16 is coupled to the feeder house 18 that extends forwardly from the frame 12. Crop material harvested by the harvesting assembly 16 is directed into the feeder house 18 which conveys the harvested crop material upwardly and rearwardly between the side sheets of the frame 12 into the combine 10. The harvested crop material is processed inside the combine 10 by threshing and separating assemblies. The threshing and separation assemblies comprise a transversely arranged threshing cylinder 20 and a threshing concave 21, to which the harvested crop material is first directed. The threshed crop material is then led to a stripping roll 23 and a transverse beater 22. The beater 22 directs the threshed crop material to two axially arranged separators 24. However, it is also conceivable to omit the transverse threshing cylinder 20 and to use an axially arranged rotary threshing assembly that is integral with an axially arranged separator. It is possible to use a single axial separator or two (or more) axial separators that are arranged next to each other.

#The grain and the chaff, which are separated during the threshing process, fall onto at least one auger 30, which leads the grain and chaff to a grain pan 33. Grain and chaff falling from the axial separators 24 fall onto a shaking pan 32, which conveys the grain and chaff to the grain pan 33. The grain pan 33 conveys the grain and the chaff to cleaning shoe 34, which is associated with a blower 36, to facilitate separation of the chaff from the grain. Cleaned grain is led by an auger conveyor 38 to an elevator, not shown, that carries the grain to a grain tank 40. A tailings screw 42 returns unthreshed head portions back to threshing processing via an additional elevator, not shown. Finally, the cleaned grain is unloaded from the grain tank 40 by means of a discharge system with transverse augers 44 feeding a discharge auger 46.

#All the above described systems are driven by an internal combustion engine 48 that is operated by an operator from a driver's cab 50. The various means for threshing, conveying, cleaning and separation are located within the support frame 12.