CONVEYING SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL HARVESTER

A conveying system for an agricultural harvester includes a leveling drum assembly configured to be positioned upstream of a belt configured to move agricultural product from an accumulator to a bale formation cavity of a baler. The leveling drum assembly is configured to rotate in an opposite direction relative to a direction of rotation of the belt, and the leveling drum assembly is configured to level a surface of the agricultural product before the surface of the agricultural product engages the belt. The leveling drum assembly includes a drum configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation. The leveling drum assembly includes a shaft disposed within the drum and configured to rotate about a second axis of rotation offset from the first axis of rotation. The leveling drum assembly also includes multiple tines pivotally coupled to the shaft and configured to extend through respective apertures in the drum.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to a conveying system for an agricultural harvester.

Agricultural harvesters are used to harvest agricultural products (e.g., cotton or other natural material(s)). For example, an agricultural harvester may include a header having drums configured to harvest the agricultural product from a field. The agricultural harvester may also include an air-assisted conveying system configured to move the agricultural product from the drums to an accumulator. The agricultural product may then be fed into a baler via a conveying system. The baler may compress the agricultural product into a package to facilitate storage, transport, and handling of the agricultural product. For example, a round baler may compress the agricultural product into a round bale within a baling chamber, such that the round bale has a desired size and density. After forming the bale, the bale may be wrapped with a bale wrap to secure the agricultural product within the bale and to generally maintain the shape of the bale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In certain embodiments, a conveying system for an agricultural harvester includes a leveling drum assembly configured to be positioned upstream of a belt configured to move agricultural product from an accumulator to a bale formation cavity of a baler. The leveling drum assembly is configured to rotate in an opposite direction relative to a direction of rotation of the belt, and the leveling drum assembly is configured to level a surface of the agricultural product before the surface of the agricultural product engages the belt. The leveling drum assembly includes a drum configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation. Furthermore, the leveling drum assembly includes a shaft disposed within the drum and configured to rotate about a second axis of rotation offset from the first axis of rotation. The leveling drum assembly also includes multiple tines pivotally coupled to the shaft and configured to extend through respective apertures in the drum.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1is a side view of an embodiment of an agricultural machine system10(e.g., harvester, agricultural harvester) having an agricultural product transport assembly11. The agricultural machine system10is configured to harvest agricultural product12(e.g., cotton) from a field14and to form the agricultural product12into bales (e.g., agricultural bales). In the illustrated embodiment, the agricultural machine system10includes a header16having drums configured to harvest the agricultural product12from the field14. Additionally, the agricultural product transport assembly11of the agricultural machine system10includes an air-assisted conveying system18configured to move the agricultural product12from the drums of the header16to an accumulator of the agricultural product transport assembly11. The agricultural product transport assembly11also includes a conveying system configured to convey the agricultural product12from the accumulator into a cavity (e.g., bale formation cavity) of a baler20(e.g., agricultural baler). The baler20is supported by and/or mounted within or on a chassis of the agricultural machine system10. The baler20may form the agricultural product12into round bales. However, in other embodiments, the baler20of the agricultural machine system10may form the agricultural product into square bales, polygonal bales, or bales of other suitable shape(s). After forming the agricultural product12into a bale, a bale wrapping system of the agricultural machine system10wraps the bale with a bale wrap to secure the agricultural product12within the bale and to generally maintain a shape of the bale.

As discussed in detail below, the conveying system includes a first belt (e.g., belt) configured to move the agricultural product12from the accumulator to the cavity (e.g., bale formation cavity) of the baler20. The first belt is configured to rotate in a first rotational direction to move an agricultural product engaging surface of the first belt toward the bale formation cavity. In certain embodiments, the conveying system includes a second belt configured to be positioned on an opposite side of the agricultural product12from the first belt, and the second belt is configured to cooperate with the first belt to move the agricultural product from the accumulator to the bale formation cavity. Furthermore, the conveying system includes a leveling drum assembly positioned upstream of the first belt. The leveling drum assembly is configured to rotate in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction, and the leveling drum assembly is configured to level a surface of the agricultural product before the surface of the agricultural product engages the agricultural product engaging surface of the first belt. In certain embodiments, the leveling drum assembly includes a drum configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation, and the leveling drum assembly includes a shaft disposed within the drum and configured to rotate about a second axis of rotation offset from the first axis of rotation. The leveling drum assembly also includes tines pivotally coupled to the shaft and configured to extend through respective apertures in the drum. The tines are configured to engage the agricultural product, and the combination of the drum and the tines is configured to level the surface of the agricultural product, thereby enhancing the uniformity of the distribution of the agricultural product entering the bale formation cavity. As a result, density variations within the resultant bale may be reduced, thereby enhancing downstream processing of the agricultural product.

FIG.2is a schematic view of an embodiment of an agricultural product transport assembly11that may be employed within the agricultural machine system ofFIG.1. As previously discussed, the header16of the agricultural machine system10includes drums configured to harvest the agricultural product12(e.g., cotton) from the field. Furthermore, the air-assisted conveying system18is configured to move the agricultural product12from the drums of the header16to the accumulator26. In the illustrated embodiment, the air-assisted conveying system18includes a conveying air source28configured to output a conveying air flow through one or more ducts30. Each duct30receives the agricultural product12(e.g., cotton) from the header16, and the conveying air flow output by the conveying air source28drives the agricultural product to move through the duct(s)30from the header16to the accumulator26. In the illustrated embodiment, the agricultural product transport assembly11includes augers32configured to distribute the agricultural product12(e.g., cotton) laterally across the accumulator26(e.g., crosswise to the downward movement of the agricultural product through the accumulator). In the illustrated embodiment, the agricultural product transport assembly11includes two augers32. However, in other embodiments, the agricultural product transport assembly may include more or fewer augers (e.g., 0, 1, 3, 4, or more).

In the illustrated embodiment, the conveying system34of the agricultural product transport system11includes a first belt (e.g., belt)36configured to move the agricultural product12from the accumulator26to the cavity41(e.g., bale formation cavity) of the baler20. The first belt36is configured to rotate in a first rotational direction to move an agricultural product engaging surface of the first belt36toward the cavity41. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the conveying system34includes a second belt38positioned on an opposite side of the agricultural product12from the first belt36, and the second belt38is configured to cooperate with the first belt36to move the agricultural product12from the accumulator26to the cavity41. Furthermore, the conveying system34includes a leveling drum assembly40positioned upstream of the first belt36. The leveling drum assembly40is configured to rotate in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction, and the leveling drum assembly40is configured to level a surface of the agricultural product12before the surface of the agricultural product12engages the agricultural product engaging surface of the first belt36. In certain embodiments, the leveling drum assembly40includes a drum configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation, and the leveling drum assembly includes a shaft disposed within the drum and configured to rotate about a second axis of rotation offset from the first axis of rotation. The leveling drum assembly40also includes tines pivotally coupled to the shaft and configured to extend through respective apertures in the drum. The tines are configured to engage the agricultural product, and the combination of the drum and the tines is configured to level the surface of the agricultural product, thereby enhancing the uniformity of the distribution of the agricultural product entering the cavity41. As a result, density variations within the resultant bale may be reduced, thereby enhancing downstream processing of the agricultural product.

In the illustrated embodiment, the baler20includes multiple rollers35that support and/or drive rotation of one or more belts37. For example, one or more rollers35engage the belt(s)37, which enable the belt(s)37to move along the pathway defined by the rollers37and the bale39. One or more rollers35are driven to rotate via a belt drive system (e.g., including electric motor(s), hydraulic motor(s), pneumatic motor(s), etc.). The belt(s)37circulate around the pathway defined by the rollers35and the bale39. Movement of the belt(s)37captures agricultural product12from the conveying system34and draws the agricultural product12into the cavity41(e.g., bale formation cavity), where the agricultural product12is gradually built up to form the bale39.

In the illustrated embodiment, the baler20includes a tension arm33configured to establish tension within the belt(s)37. As the agricultural product12builds within the cavity41, the agricultural product12applies a force to the belt(s)37that urges a first portion43of the belt(s)37surrounding the bale39to expand. Concurrently, the size of a second portion45(e.g., serpentine portion) of the belt(s)37is reduced. Accordingly, the second portion45of the belt(s)37provides the increasing belt length for the expanding first portion43. In the illustrated embodiment, the second portion45of the belt(s)37is established by fixed rollers35(e.g., rollers fixed to a housing/frame of the baler20) and rollers35coupled to the tension arm33, which is pivotable relative to the fixed rollers35(e.g., relative to the housing/frame of the baler20). Accordingly, as the agricultural product12builds within the cavity41, the tension arm33is driven to rotate, thereby reducing the size of the second portion45and enabling the first portion43to expand.

Once the bale39reaches a desired size, a bale wrapping system47of the baler20wraps the bale39with a bale wrap49to secure the agricultural product within the bale39and to generally maintain a shape of the bale39, such as the round shape in the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, the shape of the bale may be rectangular, polygonal, or another suitable shape. The bale wrap49may be fed into contact with the bale39using one or more feed rollers. The feed rollers drive the bale wrap49over a wrap guide or wrap applicator51. The wrap guide/wrap applicator51is configured to move (e.g., rotate) to direct the bale wrap49into contact with the bale39. The bale wrap49is captured between the bale39and the belt(s)37. Accordingly, rotation of the bale39draws the bale wrap49around the bale39, thereby wrapping the bale39.

FIG.3is a schematic view of an embodiment of a conveying system34that may be employed within the agricultural product transport assembly ofFIG.2. As previously discussed, the first belt36is configured to rotate in a first rotational direction42to move an agricultural product engaging surface44of the first belt36toward the cavity41(e.g., bale formation cavity) of the baler20along a translational direction46. Furthermore, the second belt38is positioned on an opposite side of the agricultural product12from the first belt36, and the second belt38is configured to rotate in a second rotational direction48, opposite the first rotational direction42to move an agricultural product engaging surface50of the second belt38toward the cavity41along the translational direction. Accordingly, the first belt36and the second belt38are configured to cooperate to move the agricultural product12from the accumulator26to the cavity41along the translational direction46. In the illustrated embodiment, the first belt36and the second belt38(e.g., the agricultural product engaging surface44of the first belt36and the agricultural product engaging surface50of the second belt38) converge along the translational direction46toward the cavity41, thereby compressing the agricultural product12between the agricultural product engaging surfaces of the belts.

In the illustrated embodiment, each belt extends along an entire lateral extent of the conveying system (e.g., extent of the conveying system crosswise to the translational direction). However, in other embodiments, the conveying system may include multiple first belts distributed along the lateral extent of the conveying system, and/or the conveying system may include multiple second belts distributed along the lateral extent of the conveying system. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, each belt is rotatably supported by two rollers52, in which the rollers52are positioned at opposite ends of the belt with respect to the translational direction46, and the rollers52extend along the entire lateral extent of the conveying system. However, in other embodiments, at least one belt may be supported by one or more additional rollers. For example, at least one belt may be supported by at least one additional roller positioned along the length of the belt with respect to the translational direction, and/or at least one belt may be supported by at least one additional roller positioned along a lateral extent of the belt (e.g., multiple rollers may be distributed along the lateral extent of the belt at a common position along the length of the belt with respect to the translational direction). In addition, while the belts converge along the translational direction46toward the cavity41in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the belts (e.g., the agricultural product engaging surfaces of the belts) may diverge or be parallel to one another along the translational direction46toward the cavity41. Furthermore, while the conveying system34includes belts positioned on opposite sides of the agricultural product12in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the conveying system may only include belt(s) positioned on one side of the agricultural product. For example, in certain embodiments, the conveying system may include belt(s) positioned on one side of the agricultural product and a bearing surface positioned on the opposite side of the agricultural product.

In the illustrated embodiment, the length of the second belt38with respect to the translational direction46is greater than the length of the first belt36with respect to the translational direction46. As illustrated, a downstream end54of the second belt38extends beyond a downstream end56of the first belt36with respect to the translational direction46. In the illustrated embodiment, a blocking roller58is positioned at the downstream end56of the first belt36on the opposite side of the agricultural product12from the second belt38. The blocking roller58is configured to block movement of the agricultural product12to a region above the first belt36. While the downstream end54of the second belt38extends beyond the downstream end56of the first belt36with respect to the translational direction46in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the downstream end of the first belt may extend beyond the downstream end of the second belt with respect to the translational direction, or the downstream ends of the belts may be located at the same position with respect to the translational direction. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the blocking roller may be omitted.

In the illustrated embodiment, an upstream end60of the second belt38is positioned upstream of an upstream end62of the first belt36with respect to the translational direction46. As illustrated, the leveling drum assembly40is positioned proximate to the upstream end62of the first belt36, and the leveling drum assembly40is positioned on the opposite side of the agricultural product12from the second belt38. While the upstream end60of the second belt38is positioned upstream of the upstream end62of the first belt36with respect to the translational direction46in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the upstream end of the first belt may be positioned upstream of the upstream end of the second belt with respect to the translational direction, or the upstream ends of the belts may be located at the same position with respect to the translational direction. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the length of the first belt may be equal to or greater than the length of the second belt. In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, the upstream end60of the second belt38is positioned upstream of the leveling drum assembly40with respect to the translational direction46, such that the leveling drum assembly40overlaps the second belt38with respect to the translational direction46. However, in other embodiments, the upstream end of the second belt may be positioned downstream from the leveling drum assembly with respect to the translational direction, or the upstream end of the second belt and the leveling drum assembly may be located at the same position with respect to the translational direction.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first belt36and the leveling drum assembly40are positioned above the agricultural product12, and the second belt38is positioned below the agricultural product12. In addition, the leveling drum assembly40is positioned upstream of the first belt36, which is configured to move the agricultural product12from the accumulator to the bale formation cavity of the baler. The leveling drum assembly40is configured to rotate in the second rotational direction48, which is opposite the first rotational direction42of the first belt36. In addition, as previously discussed, the leveling drum assembly40is configured to level a surface64of the agricultural product12before the surface64of the agricultural product12engages the agricultural product engaging surface44of the first belt36. In the illustrated embodiment, the leveling drum assembly40includes a drum66configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation in the second rotational direction48. The leveling drum assembly40also includes multiple tines68configured to extend through respective apertures in the drum66. Furthermore, as discussed in detail below, the leveling drum assembly40includes an actuation mechanism configured to drive a portion of the tines68to extend through the respective apertures as the portion of the tines approaches the agricultural product12and to drive the portion of the tines to retract as the portion of the tines moves away from the agricultural product. For example, in certain embodiments, the actuation mechanism includes a shaft disposed within the drum and configured to rotate about a second axis of rotation offset from the first axis of rotation, in which the tines are pivotally coupled to the shaft.

In the illustrated embodiment, the conveying system34includes a shield70positioned adjacent to the leveling drum assembly40and configured to block flow of the agricultural product12around the leveling drum assembly40along the second rotational direction48. The spacing between the drum66and the shield70may be selected to substantially block movement of the agricultural product12through the interface between the shield and the drum66in the second rotational direction48as the leveling drum assembly40rotates in the second rotational direction48. The actuation mechanism is configured to drive a portion of the tines to extend through the respective apertures after the portion of the tines passes the shield along the second rotational direction and as the portion of the tines approaches the agricultural product. In addition, the actuation mechanism is configured to drive the portion of the tines to retract as the portion of the tines moves away from the agricultural product along the second rotational direction and before the portion of the tines reaches the shield. Accordingly, the tines may engage the agricultural product while extended. In addition, due to the retraction of the tines, the shield may be placed sufficiently close to the drum to substantially block movement of the agricultural product around the leveling drum assembly along the second rotational direction. As previously discussed, the combination of the drum66and the tines68is configured to level the surface64of the agricultural product12, thereby enhancing the uniformity of the distribution of the agricultural product12entering the cavity41of the baler20. As a result, density variations within the resultant bale may be reduced, thereby enhancing downstream processing of the agricultural product.

In the illustrated embodiment, the leveling drum assembly40extends along the entire lateral extent of the conveying system (e.g., extent of the conveying system crosswise to the translational direction46). However, in other embodiments, the conveying system may include multiple drum assemblies distributed along the lateral extent of the conveying system. In such embodiments, each leveling drum assembly may include any of the features and variations disclosed herein. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the shield70extends along the entire lateral extent of the conveying system (e.g., extent of the conveying system crosswise to the translational direction46). However, in other embodiments, the conveying system may include multiple shields distributed along the lateral extent of the conveying system, such that the shields collectively block flow of the agricultural product around the leveling drum assembly/assemblies along the second rotational direction. In addition, in certain embodiments, the leveling drum assembly/assemblies may have tines fixed to the drum (e.g., the actuation mechanism configured to drive the tines to move may be omitted). In such embodiments, the shield(s) may be omitted, or the shield(s) may be spaced apart from the drum by a sufficient distance to provide clearance between the fixed tines and the shield(s).

As previously discussed, the bale wrapping system47is configured to wrap the bale39with a bale wrap49to secure the agricultural product within the bale39and to generally maintain the shape of the bale. The bale wrap49is provided by one bale wrap roll100of a set of bale wrap rolls. In the illustrated embodiment, each bale wrap roll100of the set includes a shaft102, and the bale wrap49is wrapped around the shaft102to form the bale wrap roll100. However, in other embodiments, the shaft may be omitted from at least one bale wrap roll, and the bale wrap may be arranged in a rolled configuration (e.g., with a hollow region at the center). As the bale wrap49is fed toward the bale39, the respective bale wrap roll100rotates (e.g., about the shaft102), thereby providing the bale wrap to the bale.

In the illustrated embodiment, the set of bale wrap rolls100is stored within a hopper104of the baler20. In the illustrated embodiment, the hopper104is configured to store five bale wrap rolls100(e.g., the hopper104has a capacity of five bale wrap rolls100). However, in other embodiments, the hopper104may be configured to store more or fewer bale wrap rolls (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, or more). Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the hopper104is configured to store the bale wrap rolls100in a vertical arrangement. However, in other embodiments, the hopper may be configured to store the bale wrap rolls in another suitable arrangement (e.g., angled with respect to a vertical axis of the baler, etc.). In addition, in the illustrated embodiment, the hopper104is configured to store the bale wrap rolls100in a single stack. However, in other embodiments, the hopper may be configured to store the bale wrap rolls in multiple stacks (e.g., 2, 3, 4, etc.), in which the stacks converge to an outlet that is configured to present a single bale wrap roll to the bale wrapping system47.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments, each bale wrap roll100may be loaded into the hopper104via an inlet106at a top of the hopper104. Accordingly, the bale wraps of the bale wrap rolls may be used in the order the bale wrap rolls are loaded into the hopper, thereby reducing the duration each bale wrap roll remains within the hopper (e.g., as compared to a configuration in which each bale wrap roll is loaded into the hopper via an inlet at the bottom, which may cause the bale wrap rolls at the top to remain unused as additional bale wrap rolls are loaded from the bottom). However, in other embodiments, the hopper may include an inlet at the bottom of the hopper and/or at any other suitable location on the hopper.

In the illustrated embodiment, the hopper104is positioned forward of the cavity41(e.g., bale formation cavity) relative to a forward direction of travel108of the agricultural machine system. As illustrated, the hopper104is also positioned forward of the tension arm33, the rollers35, and the wrap guide or wrap applicator51relative to the forward direction of travel108. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the hopper104is positioned rearward of the accumulator relative to the forward direction of travel108. Accordingly, the hopper104is positioned between the accumulator and the cavity41with respect to a longitudinal axis of the agricultural machine system (e.g., which extends parallel to the forward direction of travel). However, in other embodiments, the hopper may be positioned at another suitable location within the agricultural machine system, such as forward of the accumulator with respect to the forward direction of travel, rearward of the cavity with respect to the forward direction of travel, or at another suitable location within the agricultural machine system. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the hopper104is generally laterally aligned with the cavity41(e.g., with respect to a lateral axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis) to enable the bale wrap49to be fed from the bottom bale wrap roll100to the bale39.

FIG.4is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a leveling drum assembly40that may be employed within the conveying system ofFIG.3. In the illustrated embodiment, the drum66is configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation72in the second rotational direction48. Furthermore, as previously discussed, the tines68are configured to extend through apertures74in the drum66. In addition, the leveling drum assembly40includes an actuation mechanism76configured to drive a portion of the tines68to extend through the respective apertures74as the portion of the tines approaches the agricultural product, and the actuation mechanism76is configured to drive the portion of the tines68to retract as the portion of the tines moves away from the agricultural product. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuation mechanism76includes a shaft78disposed within the drum66and configured to rotate about a second axis of rotation80offset from the first axis of rotation72. As illustrated, the tines68are pivotally coupled to the shaft78. Accordingly, as the leveling drum assembly40rotates in the second rotational direction48, the offset between the axes of rotation causes the tines68to extend and retract. The second axis of rotation80is offset from the first axis of rotation72to drive a portion of the tines68to extend as the portion of the tines68approaches the agricultural product in response to rotation of the leveling drum assembly40in the second rotational direction48. Accordingly, the tines68may engage the agricultural product. In addition, the offset between the axes causes the portion of the tines68to retract as the portion of the tines68moves away from the agricultural product and before the portion of the tines68reach the shield. Accordingly, the shield may be placed sufficiently close to the drum to substantially block movement of the agricultural product around the leveling drum assembly along the second rotational direction.

In certain embodiments, the shaft78may be rotatably coupled to a chassis/frame of the agricultural machine system by any suitable type of connection(s) (e.g., including bearing(s), bushing(s), axle(s), etc.), thereby enabling the shaft78to rotate about the second axis of rotation80. Furthermore, the drum66may be rotatably coupled to the chassis/frame of the agricultural machine system by any suitable type(s) of connection(s) (e.g., including bearing(s), roller(s), etc.). For example, rollers (e.g., positioned inside and/or outside of the drum) rotatably coupled to the chassis/frame may support the drum and enable the drum to rotate about the first axis of rotation80. Furthermore, the leveling drum assembly40may be driven to rotate by any suitable drive(s), such as hydraulic motor(s), electric motor(s), pneumatic motor(s), other suitable drive(s), or a combination thereof. For example, in certain embodiments, the shaft may be driven to rotate, and the shaft may drive the drum to rotate (e.g., via gear(s)), such that the drum rotates with the shaft. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the drum may be driven to rotate, and the drum may drive the shaft to rotate (e.g., via gear(s)), such that the shaft rotates with the drum. In addition, in certain embodiments, the shaft and the drum may be independently driven to rotate by separate drives, in which the drives are controlled, such that the drum and the shaft rotate together.

In certain embodiments, the offset of the second axis of rotation80relative to the first axis of rotation72may be selected, such that the portion of the tines reaches a maximum extension while a respective portion of the drum (e.g., the portion of the drum having the apertures through which the portion of the tines extends) is tangent to the surface of the agricultural product. For example, in embodiments in which the drum is positioned above the agricultural product, the portion of the tines may reach the maximum extension while the portion of the tines is positioned at the bottom of the leveling drum assembly. However, in certain embodiments, the offset of the second axis of rotation relative to the first axis of rotation may be selected, such that the portion of the tines reaches the maximum extension while a different portion of the drum is tangent to the surface of the agricultural product. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the shaft78is oriented relative to the drum along the second rotational direction48to angle each of the tines with the greatest extension substantially perpendicularly to the surface of the agricultural product. For example, in embodiments in which the drum is positioned above the agricultural product, the tines with the greatest extension may extend downwardly from the shaft. However, in certain embodiments, the shaft may be oriented relative to the drum along the second rotational direction to angle the tines with the greatest extension at another suitable orientation relative to the surface of the agricultural product.

In the illustrated embodiment, each tine68has a circular cross-sectional shape. However, in other embodiments, at least one tine may have another suitable cross-sectional shape (e.g., elliptical, polygonal, irregular, etc.). Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, each tine is straight (e.g., extending linearly from a proximal end to a distal end of the tine). However, in other embodiments, at least one tine may have another suitable shape (e.g., curved, a combination of curved and straight sections, etc.). The tines68may be distributed along the first axis of rotation72of the drum66(e.g., along the lateral extent of the conveying system). For example, as discussed in detail below, the tines68and the respective apertures74may be arranged in any suitable pattern, such as a helical pattern, a single chevron pattern, a multiple chevron patter, or another suitable pattern.

While the second axis of rotation80is offset from the first axis of rotation72to drive a portion of the tines68to extend as the portion of the tines approaches the agricultural product and to drive the portion of the tines68to retract as the portion of the tines moves away from the agricultural product in response to rotation of the leveling drum assembly40in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the second axis of rotation may be offset from the first axis of rotation to drive a portion of the tines to extend as the portion of the tines approaches/moves away from another target and/or to drive the portion of the tines to retract as the portion of the tines approaches/moves away from another target in response to rotation of the leveling drum assembly. Furthermore, while the actuation mechanism76includes the shaft78in the illustrated embodiment, in other embodiments, the actuation mechanism may include other suitable actuation device(s) (e.g., actuator(s), crank assembly/assemblies, cam and follower assembly/assemblies, etc.). For example, in certain embodiments, the actuation mechanism may include actuators (e.g., hydraulic cylinder(s), electric linear actuator(s), pneumatic cylinder(s), electric motor(s), etc.) configured to drive individual tine(s) and/or group(s) of the tines to extend and retract as the leveling drum assembly rotates. In addition, while the leveling drum assembly40is configured to rotate in the second rotational direction48in the embodiments disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, the leveling drum assembly may be configured to rotate in the first rotational direction.

FIG.5Ais a perspective view of an embodiment of a drum66that may be employed within the leveling drum assembly ofFIG.4, andFIG.5Bis a projection view of an outer surface82of the drum66ofFIG.5A. In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures74of the drum66and the respective tines are arranged in a helical pattern. The helical pattern of the tines may enable the tines to move the agricultural product laterally across the conveying system as the leveling drum assembly rotates, thereby enhancing the uniformity of the distribution of the agricultural product along the lateral extent of the conveying system.

FIG.6Ais a perspective view of another embodiment of a drum66′ that may be employed within the leveling drum assembly ofFIG.4, andFIG.6Bis a projection view of an outer surface82′ of the drum66′ ofFIG.6A. In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures74′ of the drum66′ and the respective tines are arranged in a single chevron pattern. The single chevron pattern of the tines may enable the tines to move the agricultural product laterally outwardly across the conveying system as the leveling drum assembly rotates, thereby enhancing the uniformity of the distribution of the agricultural product along the lateral extent of the conveying system.

FIG.7Ais a perspective view of a further embodiment of a drum66″ that may be employed within the leveling drum assembly ofFIG.4, andFIG.7Bis a projection view of an outer surface82″ of the drum66″ ofFIG.7A. In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures74″ of the drum66″ and the respective tines are arranged in a multiple chevron pattern. In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures/tines are arranged in a three chevron pattern. However, in other embodiments, the apertures/tines may be arranged in a two chevron pattern, a four chevron pattern, or another suitable chevron pattern. The multiple chevron pattern of the tines may enable the tines to move the agricultural product laterally outwardly across the conveying system as the leveling drum assembly rotates, thereby enhancing the uniformity of the distribution of the agricultural product along the lateral extent of the conveying system. While apertures/tines arranged in a helical pattern, a single chevron pattern, and a multiple chevron pattern are disclosed above, in certain embodiments, the apertures/tines may be arranged in another suitable pattern (e.g., in straight rows and columns, in an irregular/random pattern, etc.).