Regulator of residue flow for spreading devices on agricultural combines

A residue discharge device for an agricultural combine comprising:

• a spreader operatively connected to a rear end of the agricultural combine, the spreader including:
• a housing having:
• an inlet for receiving a flow of residue, and
• an outlet configured about a lateral side of the housing for discharging the flow of residue, and
• rotary blades operatively connected to the housing for rotating therein to discharge the flow of residue received through the inlet out through the outlet;
• a regulator having a proximal end pivotally connected to a lateral side of the spreader, and a distal end opposite the proximal end, wherein the regulator is in fluid communication with the housing outlet for guiding and shielding the flow of residue discharged from the housing;
• a rotary spreader positioned proximate the distal end of the regulator, the rotary spreader for receiving and distributing the flow of residue;
• an extension member having one end connected to the combine and an opposite end positioned about or adjacent the distal end of the regulator, the extension member pivotally connected to the combine so as to allow the extension member to move between positions substantially in unison with the regulator;
• and
• an adjustor for adjusting the regulator from a first position in which the regulator extends in a substantially vertical direction to a second position in which the regulator extends in a substantially horizontal direction,
• wherein the rotary spreader is pivotally mounted to the regulator,
• wherein the regulator and the extension member are further configured to be pivotally connected to the lateral side of the spreader about a substantially horizontal or vertical axis;
• and
• wherein the distal end of the regulator is downwardly curved for deflecting the flow of residue downwardly onto the rotary spreader.