Convertible combine rotor

An axial-flow rotor for a rotary threshing combine or the like comprising a generally cylindrical drum defining an outer wall portion defining an entry section and an exit section, a plurality of relatively long helically disposed and straight thresher elements disposed about the circumference of said entry section, a plurality of outwardly extending mounting means secured to the surface of said exit section of said wall portion around the entire circumference of said wall portion and forming various arrays of helical rows, circumferential rows and longitudinal rows, thresher elements interchangeably and releasably connectable to only a portion of said mounting means to form, as desired, longitudinal, circumferential, helical, or combinations of such orientations of such thresher elements to obtain for any given crop being harvested the desired threshing action by the rotor at any designated section around the circumference of the rotor in an axial direction to maximize the efficiency of the threshing and separating action, and connector means for releasably connecting said thresher elements to said mounting means, whereby the threshing combine can be used to interchangeably handle different crops quickly and easily by merely releasing the connector means and replacing and/or shifting of the existing threshing elements to different locations on the rotor by using a different portion of said mounting means, thus enabling an operator to thresh a wide variety of crops with only one rotor and a plurality of threshing elements of different sizes, shapes, surfaces, and configurations.