Combine harvester with even crop distribution

摘要

A combine harvester has a thresher rotor assembly having a thresher rotor and a grate. At least one distribution device is disposed beneath the thresher rotor and is controllable to deflect grain falling from the thresher rotor assembly in a transverse direction. The distribution device may take the form of stub augers, pivoting plates or sliding plates. A cleaning shoe has a pan upon which grain falling from the thresher rotor assembly impacts. Plural sensors are disposed adjacent the pan and are each arranged to generate a signal indicative of crop load on the pan, wherein the distribution device is controlled automatically in response to the generated load signals.

主权项

1. A combine harvester comprising:
a thresher rotor assembly having a thresher rotor and a grate, the thresher rotor having a transverse rotation axis with respect to a forward direction of travel of the harvester; a plurality of distribution devices disposed beneath the thresher rotor and each being independently controllable to deflect grain falling through the grate from the thresher rotor assembly in a transverse direction, wherein the plurality of independently controllable distribution devices comprise at least a pair of distribution stub augers; a plurality of hydraulic motors to drive the plurality of independently controlled distribution stub augers; a cleaning shoe comprising a pan upon which grain falling from the thresher rotor assembly impacts; and, plural sensors disposed adjacent the pan and each arranged to generate a signal indicative of crop load on the pan, wherein the plurality of distribution devices are controlled automatically in response to the generated load signals.