Combine harvester

A combine harvester comprising:

• a transversely extending threshing mechanism having a threshing cylinder cooperable with a threshing concave for threshing a layer of crop material fed therebetween and a separating mechanism having a first and a second separating component operable to submit the layer of crop material received from the threshing mechanism to a first and a second separating action;
• the first component comprising a separator cylinder cooperable with a separator concave and having a plurality of beater means transversely spaced apart on the width thereof, the beater means being arranged to impact on sections of the layer of crop material received from the threshing mechanism, thus submitting said crop material to said first separating action and conveying it to the second component;
• and
• the second component comprising at least one separator rotor cooperable with a separator housing including a separator concave, the at least one separator rotor having at least one separator means extending lengthwise thereof and arranged spirally to convey crop material received from the first separator component therearound to one of its ends while submitting it to said second separating action;
• and
• the beater means of the first component of the separating mechanism are formed by tines which comprise flat operative surfaces which are inclined rearwardly as seen in the direction of rotation of the separator cylinder and which are arranged to impact on the crop material fed thereto.