Regulator of residue flow for spreading devices on agricultural combines

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9801339-B2
Application number	US-201213617264-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 14, 2012
Priority date	May 31, 2012
Publication date	Oct 31, 2017
Grant date	Oct 31, 2017

Abstract

An agricultural combine having an adjustable spreader assembly is provided that includes a spreader, a regulator and a rotary spreader. The spreader is operatively connected to a rear end of the agricultural combine and includes a housing and rotary blades. The housing has 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. The rotary blades are operatively connected to the housing for rotating therein. The regulator has a proximal end pivotably connected to a lateral side of the spreader about a substantially vertical axis to pivot the regulator in a fore and an aft direction, and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The regulator is in fluid communication with the housing. The rotary spreader is positioned proximate the distal end of the regulator and receives and distributes the flow of residue.

First claim

We claim:

1. 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,
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 connected between the extension member and the combine to move the extension member and the regulator between first and second positions,
wherein the rotary spreader is pivotally mounted to the regulator or to the extension member.

2. The residue discharge device of claim 1 , 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.

3. The residue discharge device of claim 2 , wherein the adjustor adjusts the regulator from the first position in which the regulator extends in a substantially vertical direction to the second position in which the regulator extends in a substantially horizontal direction.

4. The residue discharge device of claim 1 , wherein the regulator comprises:
a fore portion;
an aft portion; and
an upper portion connecting the fore and aft portions.

5. The residue discharge device of claim 1 , wherein the regulator is extendable from retracted in the first position to extended in the second position.

6. The residue discharge device of claim 1 , wherein the regulator is one of a telescoping regulator, a foldable regulator, or a combination thereof.

7. The residue discharge device of claim 1 , wherein the extension member is one of a telescoping extension, a foldable extension, or a combination thereof.

8. The residue discharge device of claim 1 , wherein the extension member further includes a shroud completely above the rotary spreader and extending toward the rotary spreader about a lateral side of the rotary spreader.

9. The residue discharge device of claim 1 , wherein the rotary spreader includes:
a motor positioned about an outside portion of the regulator; and
a spread plate operatively connected to the motor and positioned substantially below the regulator.

10. The residue discharge device of claim 1 , wherein the rotary spreader includes at least one actuator configured to pivot the rotary spreader relative to a horizontal ground surface.

11. The residue discharge device of claim 1 , wherein the rotary spreader is configured to be substantially horizontal or substantially vertical to a ground surface.

12. The residue discharge device of claim 1 , further comprising a pivot mechanism for allowing the rotary spreader to pivot in the fore and aft direction and medial lateral direction relative to the regulator or the extension member.

13. The residue discharge device of claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the regulator is downwardly curved for deflecting the flow of residue downwardly onto the rotary spreader.

14. The residue discharge device of claim 1 , wherein the rotary spreader is attached to and supported by the extension member.

15. 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.

16. The residue discharge device of claim 15 , further comprising a pivot mechanism for allowing the rotary spreader to pivot in the fore and aft direction and medial lateral direction relative to the regulator or the extension member.

Assignees

• Roberge Martin J
• Benes Jason M
• Lauwers Andrew V
• Isaac Nathan E
• Cnh Ind America Llc

Inventors

• Roberge Martin J
• Benes Jason M
• Lauwers Andrew V
• Isaac Nathan E

Classifications

• A01D41/1243 Primary

  Devices for laying-out or distributing the straw · CPC title