Support system for separator grates of a harvester

A support system for separator grates of a harvester includes a first member and a second member extending substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of a threshing rotor. The first member extends from a staging portion to a first support portion rearwardly positioned from the staging portion. The second member extends along a second support portion that corresponds to the first support portion. Separator grate segments may be selectably installed and removed from the first member and second member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to rotary threshing systems for agricultural harvesters and, more particularly, to support systems for separator grates associated with threshing rotors in axial flow-type harvesters.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many agricultural harvesters, such as combines use a rotary threshing and/or separating system. The system typically includes at least one rotor drivingly rotated within a rotor housing including a perforated concave spaced radially outwardly thereof. The rotor will often have a frusto-conical inlet end having a helical flight or flights therearound for conveying a flow of crop material into a space between the rotor and the housing. The main body of the rotor will typically have an array or layout of threshing elements, typically rasp bars, which protrude radially outwardly therefrom into the space for conveying a mat of the crop material along a helical path through the space. Rasp bars cooperate with the concave to separate larger components of the crop, namely crop residue commonly referred to as straw, which includes stalks, stems, cobs and the like, from the smaller grain and material other than grain (MOG).

The concave typically includes grates that may either be maintained in a fixed position or movable in a radial direction with respect to a rotor rotational axis to provide adjustable clearance with respect to the rotor. Generally, concave grates near the front of the threshing rotor are adjustable and referred to as “threshing concaves”, while the concave grates in the rear section are fixed in position and referred to as “separator grates”. To the rear of the separator grates is the rotor discharge section. Installation and removal of the separator grates is difficult due to their weight, access to mounting hardware, and minimal operator access space between the separator grates and other components of the harvester.

Accordingly, there is a need for a support system that addresses the problems identified above. More specifically, there is a need for a support system that permits simplified installation and removal of separator grates from exterior of the harvester.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a support system for separator grates of a harvester includes a first member and a second member extending substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of a threshing rotor. The first member extends from a staging portion to a first support portion rearwardly positioned from the staging portion. The second member extends along a second support portion that corresponds to the first support portion. The separator grate segment is installable from exterior of the harvester by directing one end of a separator grate segment into a sliding pivotal engagement with the staging portion of the first member. The separator grate segment rotates about the first member until the opposite end of the separator grate segment is axially aligned with the second member. The ends of the separator grate segment are slid along the first support portion of the first member and the second support portion of the second member to an installed position.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of installing separator grates of a harvester includes providing a first member and a second member extending substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of a threshing rotor. The first member extends from a staging portion to a first support portion rearwardly positioned from the staging portion. The second member extends along a second support portion that corresponds to the first support portion. The method further includes directing one end of a separator grate segment into a sliding pivotal engagement with the staging portion of the first member. The method further includes rotating the separator grate segment about the first member until the opposite end of the separator grate segment is axially aligned with the second member. The method further includes sliding the ends of the separator grate segment along the first support portion of the first member and the second support portion of the second member to an installed position.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a method of removing separator grates from an installed position in a harvester includes providing a first member and a second member extending substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of a threshing rotor. The first member extends from a staging portion to a first support portion rearwardly positioned from the staging portion, and the second member extends along a second support portion that corresponds to the first support portion. At least one separator grate segment has opposed ends positioned in the installed position on the first support portion and the second support portion. The method further includes sliding the ends of the at least one separator grate segment along the first support portion of the first member and the second support portion of the second member to the staging portion. The method further includes sufficiently rotating the at least one separator grate segment about the first member to permit disengagement of the one end of the at least one separator grate segment from the first member. The method further includes removing the at least one separator grate segment from the harvester.

An advantage of the support system of the present invention is that it provides a staging portion to rotatably support a separator grate segment and permit axial alignment of the separator grate segment prior to installation of the separator grate segment on the support system, greatly simplifying such installation.

Another advantage of the support system of the present invention is that it prevents inadvertent removal of the separator grate segment from the harvester.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings,FIG. 1depicts a representative agricultural harvester10, such as a combine including a rotary threshing system12having a threshing rotor14in a rotor housing16. Threshing rotor14includes an auger flight18at an infeed portion20to transfer crop material to a threshing/separating portion22. Among other rotary threshing systems, an agricultural combine may have a rotary threshing system that includes only one threshing rotor (single rotor), as shown inFIG. 1, or a threshing system that has two counter-rotating threshing rotors (twin rotor). Agricultural harvester10is representative of an axial flow-type combine including one or two fore and aft extending threshing rotors, but it should be understood that it is contemplated that the invention can likewise be used with rotors of other types of combines, including, but not limited to, conventional types wherein one or more rotors of the invention will be mounted in a transverse orientation within a body of the combine.

Referring collectively toFIGS. 1-4, a twin rotary threshing system12of agricultural harvester10shows a rotor housing32associated with a left hand side rotor34and a rotor housing28associated with a right hand side rotor30having an axis of rotation31. As further shown inFIG. 2, an opening36corresponds to a left hand side37, and an opening38corresponds to a right hand side39for accessing components of the threshing system. As further shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the threshing system further includes a support system24for supporting threshing concaves25and separator grates26. Threshing concaves25are movable with respect to support system24, and are installed and removed in a known manner along threshing concave support portion23that will not be further discussed herein.

As further shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, separator grate26is a collection of a plurality of separator grate segments26A,26B,26C that are shown in their respective installed positions26A.1,26B.1,26C.1. Separator grate segments26A,26B,26C each include opposed ends50,52for engaging and being supported by a respective first member40and a second member42for each set of separator grates26. That is, each side of the harvester frame of a twin rotor includes first member40and second member42for a corresponding set of separator grates26associated with each rotor. A harvester having a single rotor would likewise only need one first member40and second member42to support one set of separator grates26.

As shown inFIG. 3, first member40and second member42include rails that extend substantially parallel to an axis of rotation35of thresher rotor34. The rails of first member40and second member42are secured in position and supported by a plurality of J-shaped structures58, such as shown inFIG. 5, which corresponds to a cross section of separator grate segment26B in installed position26B.1. As a result of the support from J-shaped structures58, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 11, each of the rails of first member40and second member42provides a substantially continuous rail engagement surface92with corresponding ends50,52of separator grate segments26A,26B,26C. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the outer surface of at least one of the rails of first member40and second member42that engages ends50,52of separator grate segments26A,26B,26C has a low coefficient of friction. A low coefficient of friction associated with the rails could be as a result of the rails, for example, having a polished surface, the rail material having a low coefficient of friction without a polished surface, a layer of material (not shown) applied over the rails and having a low coefficient of friction, or any combination thereof. As further shown inFIG. 3, the rails could include rollers94to further reduce forces associated with axial movement of ends50,52of separator grate segments26A,26B,26C with respect to the rails of first member40and second member42.

As shown inFIG. 3, first member40of support system24includes a staging portion44that is associated with both installation and removal of separator grate segments26A,26B,26C. Rearward of staging portion44of first member40is a first support portion46. Second member42includes a second support portion48that corresponds to first support portion46. In other words, first support portion46of first member40and second support portion48of second member42are substantially parallel and longitudinally aligned with each other. Stated another way, a line transverse to first support portion46and coincident with a forwardmost end of first support portion46of first member40would also generally coincide with the forwardmost end of second support portion48of second member42. Similarly, if the transverse line were moved to coincide with a rearmost end of first support portion46, the transverse line would also generally coincide with the rearwardmost end of second support portion48. As further shown inFIG. 3, the rails of each first member40and second member42include a stopping feature90to prevent separator grate segments26A,26B,26C from inadvertently traveling rearwardly past installed position26C.1(FIG. 4). As will be discussed in more detail below, once separator grate segments26A,26B,26C have been placed in their respective installed positions26A.1,26B.1,26C.1, a head of a fastener62(FIG. 9) may be installed in second member42which acts as a stopping feature to prevent separator grate segments26A,26B,26C from inadvertently traveling in a forward position past their respective installed positions26A.1,26B.1,26C.1. In an alternate embodiment, the stopping feature could include a mechanical component, such as a cotter pin (not shown) that could be inserted through an opening formed near an end of first support portion46of first support member40or second support portion48of second support member42. Other component arrangements may be utilized as stopping features.

As a result of staging portion44of first member40extending forward of second member42, one skilled in the art can appreciate that an end50of a separator grate segment26A, for example, may be directed into a sliding pivotal engagement with staging portion44of first member40. This is shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, in which end52of separator grate segment26A is directed inside of opening36formed in left hand side37of the harvester structure. However, as can be shown inFIG. 4, if end52were inserted inside of the harvester from the left hand side, end52would need to be directed beneath and past rotor34, to be installed onto the rails associated with rotor30located on the right hand side of the harvester structure. The vantage point ofFIGS. 7-9is through an opening38formed in right hand side39of the harvester structure, which is a reverse perspective view ofFIG. 6. That is,FIGS. 7-9show different stages of the installation of separator grate segment26A onto the rails of first member40and second member42associated with the right hand side rotor30(FIG. 4).

As further shown inFIG. 7, pivotal engagement of end50of separator grate segment26A and staging portion44of the rail of first member40is achieved. Once end50achieves engagement, as further shownFIG. 8, separator grate segment26A is urged into a rotational movement66about the portion of the rail corresponding to staging portion44of first member40until end52of separator grate segment26A is brought into alignment with axis64of the rail of second member42. Once end52achieves alignment, as further shown inFIGS. 8-9, application of an axial force68to separator grate segment26A that is parallel to the rails of first member40and second member42urges separator grate segment26A into supported movement along the rails, until separator grate segment26A reaches installed position26A.1, after which a fastener62may be installed to prevent separator grate segment26A from moving from its installed position26A.1.FIG. 10shows threshing concave25positioned in a threshing concave support portion23(also seeFIG. 4which shows the relative position of threshing concave25with respect to staging portion44).

One skilled in the art can appreciate that to remove separator grate segment26A, threshing concave25must first be removed, since threshing concave support portion23encompasses staging portion44. Once threshing concave25is removed, and fastener62is removed, separator grate segment26A may be removed by reversing the steps previously outlined for installation of separator grate segment26A. That is, as shown inFIGS. 9-7, an axial force69opposite that of axial force68is applied to urge separator grate segment26A into sliding movement from installed position26A.1and from supported movement along the rails of first member40and second member42until separator grate segment26A reaches staging portion44. Upon separator grate segment26A reaching staging portion44of first member40, separator grate segment26A is urged into rotational movement67, which is opposite rotational movement66, sufficiently such that end50of separator grate segment26A can be disengaged from first member40and subsequently removed from the harvester. In one embodiment, no rotational movement67, or a minimal rotational movement67, at most, may be required before end50can be disengaged from first member40.

In the exemplary embodiment above, for separator grate segment26A to be in installed position26A.1, separator grate segments26C and26B would have already been placed in respective installed positions26C.1and26B.1. Similarly, to remove separator grate segments26C and26B, separator grate segment26B would need to be removed in a manner similar to that previously discussed for separator grate segment26A, followed by removal of separator grate segment26C. Conversely, to install separator grates26, separator grate segment26C would be installed in a manner similar to that described above for separator grate segment26A. Upon installation of separator grate segment26C, separator grate segment26B would be installed, followed by installation of separator grate segment26A.

In one embodiment, the separator grates26are interconnected to each other or to support structure, such as by a fastener60, which could be a threaded fastener, or a dagger pin arrangement, in which the pin is inserted inside a corresponding opening when adjacent separator grate segments26A,26B,26C are brought together, such as when adjacent separator grate segments are brought into respective installed positions26A.1,26B.1,26C.1. Such interconnections prevent inadvertent disengagement of separator grate segments26A,26B,26C from the rails of first member40and second member42.

Alternately, as shown inFIG. 11, which is taken along line11-11fromFIG. 9, the arrangement of structure surrounding opposed ends50,52of separator grates26is shown. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 11by separator grate segment26A, the separator grates26are prevented from being inadvertently disengaged from the rails of first member40and second member42, despite an absence of fasteners securing separator grate segments to each other or to a structural component of the harvester. That is, for example, in installed position26A.1of separator grate segment26A, end52of separator grate segment26A is slidably engaged with a rail of second member42. It is readily apparent that surface72of panel70is positioned at a distance82from a portion of separator grate segment26A that is much too small to permit disengagement of end52from the rail of second member42. Similarly, it should also be readily apparent that outer surface56of divider54is positioned at a distance86from a portion of end50of separator grate segment26A that is much too small to permit disengagement of end50from the rail of first member40.

In one embodiment, the rail of first member40and second member42may be configured differently from each other such that only one of ends50,52of separator grate segments26A,26B,26C can engage first member40. In another embodiment, the rail of first member40and second member42may be configured differently from each other such that only one of ends50,52of separator grate segments26A,26B,26C can engage second member42. As used herein, the term configured differently may refer to a difference in shape, size or a combination of both, such that a single arrangement is required before assembly is possible between ends50,52and a corresponding or mating rail of first member40and second member42. That is, where separator grate segments26A,26B,26C are not symmetric between opposed ends50,52, it would not be possible to inadvertently assemble a separator grate segments26A,26B,26C in a manner different than intended. Stated another way, such an arrangement is sometimes referred to as a one-way assembly between opposed ends50,52and separator grate segments26A,26B,26C.

As further shown inFIG. 11, a rotor center76includes a substantially horizontal reference line78that extends through the rail of second member42such that a distance80separates the rail of second member42from a base surface74, such as level ground. Conversely, an angle84separates horizontal reference line78from a line that extends through the rail of first member40such that a distance88separates the rail of first member40from base surface74. In other words, in an exemplary embodiment, distance80and distance88are different from each other. However, in another embodiment, the distance between the rails of each of first member40and second member42and base surface74may be substantially the same.