Abstract:
The invention concerns a combine ( 10 ) with a chassis ( 12 ) that can be moved across a field in the forward operating direction, a harvested crop processing arrangement ( 26 ) with an outlet ( 62 ) for straw and a straw chopper ( 60 ) with an inlet for straw ( 58 ). A rotating conveyor drum ( 68 ) is attached downstream of the outlet ( 62 ) of the harvested crop processing arrangement ( 26 ) and upstream of the inlet ( 58 ) of the straw chopper ( 60 ) that rotates in a first direction of rotation in the swath deposit operating mode and that conveys the straw received from the harvested crop processing arrangement ( 26 ) past the straw chopper ( 60 ) to the ground, and conveys it in the chopper operating mode in the second direction of rotation into the inlet ( 58 ) of the straw chopper ( 60 ).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention concerns a combine with a chassis that can be moved in the forward direction across a field, a harvested crop process arrangement with an outlet for straw, a straw chopper with an inlet, and a conveyor arranged downstream of the outlet of the harvested crop process arrangement and upstream of the inlet of the straw chopper that can be driven for a swath deposit operation in a first direction of rotation and for the chopper operation in a second direction of rotation opposite to the direction of rotation of the first operation. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Agricultural combines are large machines that harvest, thresh, separate, and clean agriculturally planted crop carrying corn. The clean corn attained in this way is stored in a corn tank arranged on the combine. The threshed-out straw is usually either chopped and distributed on the field across the width of the cutter head or conducted around the straw chopper and deposited in a swath on the field without being chopped in order to be able to retrieve it later by means of a baler. The harvested crop remains that remain at the rear outlet of the cleaning arrangement such as chaff and small straw particles are distributed across the field by a chaff spreader or conducted through the straw chopper and distributed across the field. The latter solution has the advantage that no separate chaff spreader is needed, but requires that the straw be conducted past the straw chopper to the rear in the swath deposit mode. Examples of such combines are described in DE 100 64 356 A and DE 102 56 744 A. 
   In DE 100 64 356 A sheet metal guide vane is arranged underneath the rear straw outlet of an axial separating arrangement, that is connected in joints at its lower end pivoted about a pivot axis to the frame of the combine and can be pivoted between a swath deposit position in which it extends at an angle upward and to the front and conducts the straw ejected by the axial separating arrangement to the ground at its rear side to the rear of the straw chopper, and a chopper position in which it extends approximately vertically and conducts the straw at its forward side into the straw chopper arranged underneath the pivot axis. Chaff and small straw particles are conducted in both operating modes by the suction effect of the straw chopper from the cleaning into the straw chopper. 
   DE 102 56 744 A proposes that a straw guide element be arranged that is connected in joints, pivoted about a pivot axis extending horizontally and transverse to the forward operating direction, underneath the axis of rotation of an ejection drum arranged under the outlet of an axial separating arrangement. Accordingly, the straw can be conducted into the straw chopper or conducted past its rear side onto the ground, in that the straw guide element is pivoted into the corresponding position. Chaff and small particles are conveyed by means of a conveyor sheet into the inlet of the straw chopper. 
   In the case of the two arrangements described the deflections of the harvested crop performed by pivoted guide elements that are otherwise rigid and stationary is seen as detrimental for conducting the straw to the straw chopper or for the deposit in a swath to the rear of the straw chopper, in that the attainable throughput is limited by the friction of the harvested crop on the guide elements. A further problem is seen in the fact that in view of capacity increases of more modern combines which lead to increasingly long cleaning arrangements the straw chopper must be arranged further to the rear which further complicates the conveying of the straw from a separating arrangement to the straw chopper either without a driven conveying arrangement (DE 100 64 356 A) or with only one conveying arrangement (DE 102 56 744 A). 
   DE 36 44 900 A describes another combine in which an adjustable straw guide surface is provided that can be pivoted between a swath deposit position and a straw chopper position and is located between the rear outlet of a straw shaker and the inlet to the straw chopper. The straw guide surface is connected in joints at its lower end to the frame of the combine and can be pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis extending transverse to the direction of operation between the swath deposit position, in which it extends at an angle upward and to the rear and guides the straw ejected from the straw shaker to the ground ahead of the straw shaker, and a straw chopper position, in which it extends at an angle upward and to the front and guides the straw into the straw chopper arranged to the rear of the pivot axis. In one embodiment the straw guide element is configured as a conveyor belt. In this arrangement the disadvantage is seen in the fact that a separate chaff distributor is required in order to distribute the chaff and small straw particles given off by the cleaning arrangements across the field, since the straw is deposited on the ground ahead of the straw chopper in the swath deposit mode. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,810 B is seen as forming a class and describes a further combine in which a conveyor belt operating in overshot mode is arranged that follows to the rear of the outlet of the axial separating arrangement with an ejection drum arranged downstream. At the rear end of the conveyor belt sheet metal guide surfaces are attached that form a duct directed downward in the chopper mode, and conduct the straw into a straw chopper arranged underneath and to the rear of the rear end of the conveyor belt that chops it and distributed it across the field. The harvested crop remains from the cleaning arrangement are distributed across the field. Furthermore, the sheet metal guide surfaces can be brought into a swath deposit position in which they guide the straw onto the field to the rear of the straw chopper. Furthermore, a position of the harvesting crop remains distribution arrangement is provided, in which the sheet metal guide surface forming the forward wall of the duct is pivoted at an angle to the rear, so that the chopped crop is moved downward ahead of the straw chopper and is deposited there on the ground mixed with the chaff from the chaff spreader. In place of the sheet metal guide surface, the conveyor belt can also be pivoted into an approximately vertical position about the axis of rotation of its front or its rear deflecting roll, in which it guides its straw onto the ground that was thrown by the ejection drum against its forward side. Here it can be seen as detrimental that several chaff distributors are necessary and that a multitude of moveable parts are required, in order attain the various modes of operation. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The purpose underlying the invention is seen in the need to prepare a combine of the kind cited initially in which a transportation of the straw, without any problems, can be performed in the swath deposit mode as well as in the chopper mode. 
   This problem is solved according to the invention by the teaching of patent claim  1 , where the further patent claims cite characteristics that further develop the solution to great advantage. 
   A combine includes a chassis that can be moved across a field in the forward direction of operation and a harvested crop processing arrangement arranged within it that threshes and separates the harvested crop taken up by the front harvesting attachment. The threshed-out straw, generally separated from the corn, is ejected through an outlet of the harvested crop processing arrangement and transferred to a conveyor drum. The conveyor drum can be driven in two directions. In the swath deposit operating mode it is driven in the first direction of rotation and conveys the straw received from the ejection drum past the straw chopper onto the ground. In the chopper operating mode the conveyor drum is driven in the second direction of rotation, opposite to the first direction of rotation, and conveys the straw into the inlet of the straw chopper. 
   In this manner, by reversing the direction of rotation of the conveyor drum it is possible to achieve a switching without any problems between the chopper operation and the swath deposit operation. In both modes of operation the straw is actively conveyed by the conveyor drum so that a jam of the harvested crop need not be feared. A change in position of the conveyor drum between chopper operating mode and swath deposit mode is not required. 
   The direction of rotation of the conveyor drum is preferably selected in such a way that it conveys in an overshot manner in the first direction of rotation and in an undershot manner in the second direction of rotation. Thereby the result is that the straw is deposited on the ground in swath deposit mode to the rear of the straw chopper. An advantage of this condition is seen in the fact that it makes possible a cleaning system that conducts the harvested crop remains (chaff and small straw particles) to an inlet of the straw chopper both in the swath deposit mode and in the chopper mode. The conveying of the chaff from the cleaning arrangement to the straw chopper can be performed by an air flow or by means of a conveying sheet, or the outlet of the cleaning arrangement is directly adjoining to the inlet of the straw chopper. 
   In order to prevent the straw carried along by the conveyor drum in the chopper operating mode from being ejected through a rear ejection opening of the combine, the invention proposes that a pivoted flap be arranged to the rear of the conveyor that covers the outlet opening of the combine in the chopper operating mode and opens it in the swath deposit mode. The shape of the flap can conform to the shape of the conveyor drum. 
   To improve the delivery of the harvested crop an ejection drum may be associated with the harvested crop process arrangement. The ejection drum preferably accelerates the straw in such a way that it reaches the drum conveyor in free flight. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     An embodiment of the invention is explained in relation to the illustration described below. 
       FIG. 1  shows a partial section of a side view of a combine with a conveyor drum that can be operated in different directions in the swath deposit mode and in the chopper operating mode. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1  shows an agricultural combine  10  with a chassis  12  with wheels  14  in contact with the ground that are fastened to the chassis  12 , and are used for the forward propulsion of the combine  10 , which travels to the left (in  FIG. 1 ) as it harvests crop. The operation of the combine  10  is controlled from the operator&#39;s cab  16 . A cutter head  18  is used to harvest harvested crop containing corn and to conduct it to a slope conveyor  20 . The harvested crop is conducted by the slope conveyor  20  to a guide drum  22 . The guide drum  22  guides the harvested crop through an inlet transition section  24  to an axial harvested crop processing arrangement  26 . In the following directions such as front and rear refer to the forward operating direction of the combine  10 . 
   The harvested crop processing arrangement  26  includes a rotor housing  34  and a rotor  36  arranged within it. The rotor  36  includes a hollow drum  38  to which crop processing elements are fastened for a charging section  40 , a threshing section  42 , and a separating section  44 . The charging section  40  is arranged on the front side of the axial harvested crop process arrangement  26 . The threshing section  42  and separating section  44  are located downstream in the longitudinal direction and to the rear of the charging section  40 . The drum  38  is in the form of a truncated cone in the charging section  40 . The threshing section  42  includes a forward section in the form of a truncated cone and a cylindrical rear section. The cylindrical separating section  44  of the drum  38  is located at the end of the axial harvested crop processing arrangement  26 . In place of an axial harvested crop processing arrangement  26  a tangential threshing drum followed by an axial separating arrangement or a straw shaker could also be used. 
   Corn and chaff that fall through a threshing basket associated with the threshing section  42  and a separating grate associated with the separating section  44  are conducted to a cleaning system  28  which includes a blower  46 , an upper sieve  48 , and a lower sieve  50  that can be driven in generally fore-and-aft oscillating movement. The cleaning system  28  removes the chaff and conducts the clean corn by means of a screw conveyor  52  to an elevator for clean corn (not shown). The elevator for clean corn deposits the clean corn in a corn tank  30 . The clean corn in the corn tank  30  can be unloaded by means of an unloading screw conveyor  32  to a corn wagon, trailer, or truck. Harvested crop remaining at the rear end of the lower sieve  50  is again conducted to the harvested crop processing arrangement  26  by means of a screw conveyor  54  and an overshot conveyor (not shown). The harvested crop remains that are carried to the rear end of the upper sieve  48 , consist essentially of chaff and small straw particles, which are then conveyed rearwardly into the inlet  58  of a straw chopper  60  by means of an oscillating conveyor sheet  56 . 
   Threshed out straw that leaves the separating section  44  is ejected through an outlet  62  from the harvested crop processing arrangement  26  and conducted to an ejection drum  64 . The ejection drum  64  that interacts with a sheet  66  ejects the straw to the rear. A conveyor  68 , preferably in the form of a drum conveyor, is located to the rear of the ejection drum  64  and approximately at the vertical height of the axis of rotation of the ejection drum  64 . The conveyor  68  extends horizontally and transverse to the forward operating direction and can be brought into rotation in both possible directions of rotation about its axis of rotation  70  (in which it is fastened to the chassis  12 , free to rotate, but otherwise in a fixed position) by means of an appropriate drive. Typically, a hydraulic motor is employed to drive the conveyor  68 . The conveyor  68  is preferably constructed the same as the ejection drum  64  and includes a rotationally symmetrical sleeve  72  with drivers  74  distributed around its circumference and rigidly attached thereto, the leading and trailing edges of the drivers are preferably symmetrical. 
   An upper wall  76  is arranged above the ejection drum  64  and the conveyor  68 . Upper wall  76  extends horizontally and in the forward operating direction. Upper wall  76  encloses an engine compartment  78  in the downward direction. A flap  80  is connected in joints, free to pivot about an axis  82  extending horizontally and transverse to the forward operating direction, it can be pivoted between a swath deposit position and a chopper position. Flap  80  is located on the wall  76  above the conveyor  68 . Flap  80  in its chopper position (which it is shown in solid lines) has an upper section  84  that extends from the axis  82  at an angle to the rear and downward and has a lower section  86  adjacent to upper section  84  that extends generally vertically downward. Flap  80  conforms to the shape of the conveyor drum  68 . Underneath the lower section  86 , there follows without any gaps a sheet metal part  88  rigidly connected to the chassis, which extends at an angle to the rear and downward and is connected with a slide  90  and extending parallel to it, on which the straw can slide to the ground in the swath deposit operation. The straw swath can also be brought into a desired shape by a guide runner or a straw guide rake (not shown) attached on the upper side of the slide  90 . A horizontal sheet metal part  92  and a vertical sheet metal part  94  are attached ahead of the sheet metal part  88 , that form a triangular profile with the sheet metal part  88  and form an upper front cover defining the inlet  58  of the straw chopper  60 . 
   The flap  80  can be pivoted about the axis  82  between the chopper position, in which it is shown in solid lines in the FIGURE, and a swath deposit position, in which the flap  80  is shown in the FIGURE in dashed lines and that frees a rear outlet opening  96  of the combine  10 . 
   The straw chopper  60  is located underneath the sheet metal parts  88 ,  92 ,  94 , it is composed of a housing  98  and a rotor  100  arranged within it that can rotate about a horizontal axis extending transverse to the direction of operation and includes chopper knives  102 , pendulously suspended, distributed around the circumference of the rotor  100 . The slide  90  forms an upper housing for the straw chopper  60 . Two blowers  106  are arranged to the side alongside each other underneath the slide  90 . The two blowers  106  are provided downstream of an outlet  104  of the straw chopper  60 , of which only one is visible in  FIG. 1 . The blowers  106  include a number of air moving blades  108  that are connected to the shaft  110  extending orthogonally to the slide  90 . The shaft  110  can be brought into rotation in each case by means of a hydraulic motor  112 . In the swath deposit position the straw chopper  60  conveys only the harvested crop remains from the cleaning system  28  to the blowers  106  that distribute them onto the ground approximately across the width of the cutter heads  18 . In place of the blowers  106  a number of straw guide plates arranged side by side alongside each other, rigid or vibrating could be used. Moreover the straw chopper  60  could also be provided with an upper housing independent of the slide  90 , to which the blowers  106  could also be attached. 
   For the deposit of the straw in a swath, the flap  80  can be brought into the swath deposit position (shown in dashed lines) manually by an appropriate lever from the operator or by means of a drive actuated by external force (not shown) from the operator&#39;s cab  16 . The straw is conducted from the outlet  62  of the harvested crop processing arrangement  26  to the ejection drum  64  that throws it in free flight to the conveyor  68 . The sideways distribution of the straw can be optimized by preferably adjustable guide track  114  arranged downstream of the ejection drum  68 . The conveyor  68  is driven in the overshot manner in the swath deposit operating mode; accordingly it rotates in the clockwise direction as seen in  FIG. 1 . Thereby the straw is conveyed by the conveyor  68 , through the ejection opening  96  and onto the slide  90  from which it slides onto ground. 
   In the chopper position the flap  80  is pivoted downward about the axis  82  opposite to the swath deposit position as is shown in  FIG. 1 . The straw conveyed in undershot mode by the conveyor  68  is now driven opposite to the direction of the swath deposit operating mode, in counter clockwise direction in  FIG. 1 , it is accelerated downward by the conveyor  68  and falls downward into the inlet  58  of the straw chopper  60  which chops it together with the harvested crop remains from the cleaning system  28  and distributes it across the ground by means of the blowers  106 .