Asymmetrical feed beater for a single rotor separator

A feed beater (114) for a single-rotor, axial-flow combine (100), comprising:

• a cylinder (200) having opposite first and second ends and a first end portion extending from the first end beyond a midpoint between the first and second ends and a second end portion extending from the second end toward the midpoint and terminating short of the midpoint;
• first blades (302, 402, 500, 600) fixed to the first end portion of the cylinder (200) and disposed at least at one of a first angle (α) and a third angle (Δ) with respect to a rotational axis (300) of the cylinder (200);
• second blades (304) fixed to the second end portion of the cylinder (200) and disposed at a second angle (β) with respect to the rotational axis (300) of the cylinder (200);
• wherein the first blades (302, 402, 500, 600) are the only blades fixed to the first end portion of the cylinder (200) and each is disposed to spiral in a first direction about the cylinder (200) and each extends substantially an entire length of the first end portion of the cylinder (200);
• and
• wherein the second blades (304) are the only blades fixed to the second end portion of the cylinder (200) and each is disposed to spiral in a second direction and extend substantially an entire length of the second end portion of the cylinder (200), wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction, and further wherein the longitudinal extent of the first end portion is greater than the longitudinal extent of the second end portion.