Abstract:
An adjustable flow distributor for a vertical spreader operable for discharging a flow of straw and other crop residue in a sideward direction for deposition over a field, the flow distributor including a metering edge and the adjustability allowing positioning the metering edge for tailoring or adjusting a pattern of discharged flow of crop residue, for instance, so as to be better and more evenly distributed over a swath of an agricultural field from which the crop was harvested, particularly a region of the swatch in proximity to the spreader and/or chopper.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This invention relates generally to an agricultural combine, and more particularly, to an adjustable flow distributor for a vertical spreader operable for discharging a flow of straw and other crop residue in a sideward direction for deposition over a field, the flow distributor including at least one metering edge which, in combination with at least fore and aft adjustability of the distributor allowing adjusting or tailoring a pattern of crop residue flow therefrom, for instance, so as to be better and more evenly distribute the flow side to side over a swath of an agricultural field from which the crop was harvested. 
   BACKGROUND ART 
   Currently, combines typically include a crop residue spreader for disposing of straw and other residue separated from the harvested crop onto the field from which the crop was harvested. In addition, some combines have a chaff spreader for spreading chaff residue separated from the grain by the cleaning apparatus or system onto the crop field. In many instances it is desirable for the straw, chaff and other residue to be spread as evenly as possible over the width or swath of that section of the field over which the combine has just passed and harvested the crop from, to avoid problems resulting from uneven spreading, such as, but not limited to, difficulty in passage of fall tillage tools through residue clumps or thick areas; uneven insulation of the field resulting in uneven field warming and thawing and crop emergence during the following planting season; and increased rodent and insect habitat. In some instances, it is also desirable to have an ability to adjust the spreading to compensate for crop type, varying moisture and weather conditions, such as wind and the like, and also combine header width. 
   Although various crop residue spreaders are known which can propel residue a distance equal to about one half the width of a typical combine header, many suffer from shortcomings, including a tendency to provide uneven crop residue distribution or coverage in the side to side direction over the swath. More particularly, for a vertical spreader, that is, a spreader utilizing one or more rotary impellers or other elements rotatable about a generally horizontal axis, or an axis oriented or tilted at a small acute angle to horizontal, and configured for directing a flow or flows of crop residue sidewardly, it has been found that the resultant coverage has a tendency to be uneven in the sideward direction, for instance, typically thicker toward the outer regions or sides of the swath, and thinner or less uniform closer to the center of the swath. 
   Thus, what is sought is a crop residue flow distributor for the discharge outlet of a vertical crop residue spreader, having a capability to adjustably distribute or guide portions of a discharged flow of crop residue for achieving a desired pattern of the distributed residue, which can include particularly, more even distribution side to side over a region of an agricultural field from which the crop was harvested, to achieve the advantages, and avoid the shortcomings and problems of the prior art devices, discussed above. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   What is disclosed is an adjustable crop residue flow distributor for a vertical crop residue spreader of an agricultural combine which overcomes many of the problems discussed above. 
   According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the flow distributor includes a flow guide having a first end portion, a second end portion opposite the first end portion, and opposite fore and aft edges extending between the first and second end portions defining a crop residue flow surface extending therebetween. The flow guide is supported on a combine, preferably directly on the spreader, with at least the first end portion disposed beneath a generally downwardly facing discharge opening of the spreader such that the crop residue flow surface is located generally beneath the opening and extends sidewardly outwardly relatively thereto to the second end portion of the flow guide, for carrying and guiding a flow of crop residue discharged from the opening so as to flow sidewardly and outwardly from the spreader for distribution over a field. 
   Importantly, the flow distributor includes an adjusting mechanism operable for moving the flow guide at least fore and aft relative to the discharge opening, such that at least one of the fore and aft edges is disposed for changing a pattern of crop residue distribution over a field, including optionally as desired or required, for allowing a desired amount of the flow to bypass the flow guide so as to be distributed on a region of a field directly below and in close proximity to the spreader, for instance, so as to provide more even and uniform coverage side to side over a swath of a field, including the region beneath the spreader itself. 
   According to another preferred aspect of the invention, the adjusting mechanism is operable for adjustably moving the flow guide in the fore and aft directions to position at least one of the fore and aft edges of the flow guide for metering a portion of the flow so as to be distributed on a region of a field in an altered manner. 
   According to still another preferred aspect of the invention, at least one of the fore and aft edges of the flow guide used for metering the flow can have a special shape, such as a tapered shape, for distributing portions of a crop residue flow thereover at different sideward distances from the spreader, as a function of a fore and aft location of the edge. 
   According to still further preferred aspects of the invention, the crop residue flow surface of the flow guide can have an upwardly and sidewardly outwardly facing concave curved shape, so as to be capable of guiding a flow of crop material discharged downwardly from the discharge opening sidewardly and outwardly therefrom. The flow guide can also be supported so as to be movable upwardly and downwardly relative to the discharge opening, for effecting changes in the crop residue distribution pattern, and the adjusting mechanism can include an actuator remotely controllable for moving the flow guide in the fore and aft directions, and the upward and downward movement can also be remotely controlled by an actuator, as desired. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a simplified, fragmentary side view of the rear end of an agricultural combine including a pair of adjustable crop residue flow distributors for a vertical spreader of the combine; 
       FIG. 2  is a rear view of the combine, showing the spreader and adjustable flow distributors; 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged front view of the adjustable flow distributors; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the flow distributors, illustrating mounting thereof on a rear wall of a housing of the spreader; 
       FIG. 5  is a right side view of the flow distributors mounted on the rear wall of the spreader; 
       FIG. 6  is a fragmentary left side view of the spreader, illustrating the flow distributor thereof in one fore and aft position; 
       FIG. 7  is another fragmentary left side view of the spreader, showing the flow distributor in another fore and aft position; 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the flow distributors; 
       FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the flow distributors of the invention, showing an adjusting mechanism including a remotely controllable actuator, and remotely controllable actuators for controlling upward and downward movement of flow guides of the distributors; 
       FIG. 10  is a simplified schematic rear view of a right rear end of the combine and spreader, showing a representative pattern of crop residue distribution by the flow distributor on that side of the spreader; and 
       FIG. 11  is a simplified schematic rear view of a right rear end of the spreader and flow distributor, in combination with a bottom view thereof, diagrammatically illustrating characteristics of a pattern of crop residue flow distribution therefrom. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown, in  FIG. 1 , a rear end  20  of a self-propelled agricultural combine  22  is shown, including a vertical crop residue spreader  24  operable for spreading straw, stalks, and other crop residue and trash that has been separated from the grain of the crops by a threshing mechanism (not shown) of combine  22  located forwardly of rear end  20 . The straw, stalks and the like are propelled rearwardly by rotating beaters or the like (also not shown) from the threshing mechanism and downwardly through a rear cavity of combine  22  to vertical spreader  24  for spreading and optionally chopping thereby, all in the well known manner. 
   Referring also to  FIG. 2 , spreader  24  includes a housing  26  of sheet metal or other construction containing a pair of side by side rotary impellers  28  and  30  rotatable in opposite predetermined rotational directions, denoted by arrows A and B, about a pair of rotational axis  32  and  34 , respectively. Here, it should be understood that impellers  28  and  30  are representative of a variety of rotary devices that can be utilized in a spreader of this type, such as a rotor having fixed blades, or carrying a plurality of knives, such as flail knives, for propelling the crop residue outwardly from the housing. The spreader can additionally optionally include a rank of fixed knives through which the rotating knives pass for chopping crop residue. 
   Impellers  28  and  30  are rotated by suitable driving elements, such as by conventionally constructed and operable hydraulic motors powered by pressurized hydraulic fluid received from a pump (not shown) of combine  22 , an electric motor, belt, or the like, again in the well known manner. Rotational axes  32  and  34  extend at least generally in the fore and aft directions, that is, generally forwardly and rearwardly with respect to combine  22 , and are generally horizontal or oriented at a small acute angle to horizontal, depending on an orientation or tilt of spreader  24  on combine  22 , which can be optionally variable and adjustable in the well known manner. 
   Housing  26  of spreader  24  includes spaced, opposed radial side walls, and a rear wall  36  extending therebetween across the width of spreader  24 , defining an internal cavity containing impellers  28  and  30 . Housing  26  defines a forwardly and upwardly facing inlet opening for receiving the residue flow from the threshing system, and a downwardly facing discharge opening  38 , through which the residue is propelled downwardly and in opposite sideward directions by impellers  28  and  30 , respectively. 
   Residue flow within housing  26  is propelled by rotating impellers  28  and  30  in the predetermined rotational directions A and B along circumferential flow paths, at speeds equal to or increased relative to the inlet speed of the residue flow such that the residue does not build up at the inlet and is expelled from housing  18  through discharge opening  38  at a corresponding speed. In the instance wherein spreader  24  is solely used for spreading, the speed imparted to the residue by impellers  28  and  30  will be sufficient for airborne travel of the residue a substantial sideward distance from combine  22  for deposition on regions of the agricultural field over which combine  22  has just traveled and from which the crops have been harvested. 
   As noted above, it is desired in many instances to distribute the crop residue discharged by impellers  28  and  30  substantially evenly over the width of a swath of the field from which the crop has just been harvested by combine  22 , which width is typically defined by the overall width of a harvesting head of combine  22 , which width can be as much as 30 to 40 feet in the instance of some heads currently in use. Thus, it is desirable that rotary impellers  28  and  30  have the capability to expel or propel crop residue a distance of up to about 20 feet or so therefrom, corresponding to one-half the width of the header used on combine  22 , and possibly farther as combine headers of greater width are introduced. Impellers  28  and  30  can be suitably configured and rotated at a sufficient velocity for propelling crop residue such as, but not limited to, chopped straw, stems and branches, cobs and the like, the required distance of up to one-half the width of a header currently being used, by a conventional hydraulic motor or any other suitable driver as mentioned above. The problem to be currently overcome, however, is distributing the crop residue substantially evenly over this distance of up to about 20 feet or so particularly including in the region of a swath directly beneath spreader  24 . 
   Referring also to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8 , to overcome the problem set forth above, spreader  24  includes a pair of adjustable crop residue flow distributors  40 , constructed and operable according to the teachings of the present invention. Crop residue flow distributors  40  are mirror images of one another, and thus can be described and discussed singularly when appropriate, and are positioned for use in cooperation with respective impellers  28  and  30  ( FIG. 2 ) of spreader  24  for receiving and carrying flows of crop residue discharged through discharge opening  38 , in opposite sideward directions outwardly away from spreader  24 , for distribution in a desired pattern on sides of a just harvested swath of a field over which combine  22  is moving. Here, it should be understood that by the term “sideward” what is meant is a direction transverse the fore and aft directions, the term “sidewardly outwardly” thus meaning sidewardly away from a center line  42  ( FIG. 2 ) of spreader  24 , the term “sidewardly inwardly” meaning closer to center line  42 . 
   Each of flow distributors  40  preferably includes a flow guide of suitable, rigid construction, such as of sheet metal, or plastics, having a first end portion  46  supported adjacent to discharge opening  38  in the vicinity of center line  42  in a position so as to receive at least a portion of the crop residue flow discharged through opening  38 . Flow guide  44  includes a second end portion  48  opposite first end portion  46 , and a fore edge  50  and an opposite aft edge  52  extending between first and second end portions  46  and  48  defining a crop residue flow surface  54  extending between end portions  46  and  48  for guiding and carrying the received crop residue flow sidewardly outwardly away from spreader  24  and distributing the crop residue, illustrated by strings of oppositely directed arrows C and downwardly directed arrows D in  FIG. 2 , for distribution in a pattern on a field, represented by dotted line  56  in  FIG. 2 , having desired characteristics, such as uniformity and evenness of crop residue distribution. 
   Flow guide  44  is additionally preferably elongate in the sideward direction, and crop residue flow surface  54  preferably has an upwardly directed concave shape. Additionally, at least aft edge  52  includes a tapered portion  58  which extends diagonally forwardly and sidewardly outward toward second end portion  48 , such that a portion of crop residue flow surface  54  adjacent to second end portion  48  of the flow guide, is reduced in fore and aft extent, compared to a portion of surface  54  adjacent to first end portion  46 . 
   Referring more particularly to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each of flow guides  44  is preferably supported on combine  22 , and more preferably on spreader  24 , by adjustable support structure  60 . Support structure  60  preferably includes a rear plate  62  mountable in a suitable manner, such as using bolts or other fasteners, to a central region of rear wall  36  of spreader  24 , so as to be at least generally aligned with center line  42  of spreader  24 . Support structure  60  includes a center flow divider  64  connected to plate  62  and extending forwardly therefrom, so as to be disposed between impellers  28  and  30  for dividing crop residue flow therebetween, and for supporting flow guides  44  for fore and aft movement relative to structure  60 , as denoted by arrows E in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8 , and also upward and downward pivotal movement relative thereto, as denoted by arrows F in  FIG. 3 . The first end portion  46  of each of flow guides  44  is connected to support structure  60  by a fore and aft extending pivot pin  66  retained in position by a cotter pin  68 . Additionally, pins  66  support a center bracket  70  which extends downwardly from divider  64  and is movable in the fore and aft directions with flow guides  44 . Each of flow guides  44  includes a bracket  72  on an underside thereof about midway between end portions  46  and  48 . A pair of turn buckles  74  are pivotally connected between center bracket  70  and brackets  72  on flow guides  44 , respectively, and are individually adjustable for varying the position of the respective flow guides  44  upwardly and downwardly, as desired or required for achieving a particular crop residue distribution pattern, particularly the overall width thereof. Center bracket  70  additionally includes a threaded nut  76  fixed on a rear end thereof, which threadedly receives an elongate threaded member  78  supported for rotation on support structure  60 , for jointly moving flow guides  44  in the fore and aft directions, denoted by arrows E, by the rotation of threaded member  78 , in the manner of a jack screw. That is, by rotation of threaded member  78  in a first rotational direction, simultaneous movement of both flow guides  44  in a first of the fore and aft directions is achieved, and by rotation of member  78  in an opposite rotational direction, simultaneous movement of flow guides  44  in an opposite one of the fore and aft directions is achieved. Two representative fore and aft positions of a flow guide  44  are illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , it being contemplated that the flow guides  44  are positionable at any of a range of positions between those shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
   An important advantage of the ability to adjustably position flow guides  44  through a range of fore and aft positions, is the ability to vary the fore and aft position of aft edge  52  in relation to flow from spreader  24 , and, more particularly, a position of tapered portion  58  of aft edge in the flow, which functions as a metering edge for adjusting a pattern of distribution of the flow over a field. The adjustability of tapered portion  58  has been found to be advantageous, because, the more aft the location thereof, the greater is the amount of crop residue which will be distributed a farther distance from the spreader. 
   Additionally, aft edge  52  can serve as a divider of flow discharged from spreader  24 . That is, edge  52  can be positioned such that a portion of the flow will impinge surface  54  of flow guide  44  in the vicinity of first end portion  46  thereof, and be guided and carried thereby sidewardly outwardly over second end portion  48  for subsequent distribution over regions of a field sidewardly beyond the flow guide, and portions can pass through a space  80  between aft edge  52  and rear wall  36  so as to effectively bypass the flow guide and flow more downwardly for distribution over regions of a field beneath and closer to spreader  24 . As a result, aft edge  52  and the fore and aft position of flow guide  44  serves as an adjustable metering apparatus for distribution of crop residue over a field. 
   More particularly in the latter regard, in  FIG. 6 , a fore and aft extent G of a portion of space  80  between first end portion  46  of flow guide  44  and rear wall  36  of spreader  24  is shown, and a fore and aft extent H of space  80  between second end portion  48  and rear wall  36 , which is greater than extent G, is shown. In  FIG. 7 , a fore and aft extent G 1  is shown between first end portion  46  and rear wall  36 , and a fore and aft extent H 1  between second end portion  48  and wall  36  is shown, extents G 1  and H 1  being greater than extents G and H, reflecting the different fore and aft positions of flow guide  44  in the two figures. Thus, it should be apparent that by enlarging or decreasing space  80 , different distribution characteristics can be achieved, particularly in the area beneath spreader  24 . 
   Referring also to  FIG. 9 , a remotely controllable actuator  82  is shown in connection with threaded member  78 , for effecting rotation thereof for achieving a desired or required fore and aft position of flow guides  44  of flow distributors. Remotely controllable actuators  84  are shown in connection between center bracket  70  and brackets  72  on flow guides  44 , in place of turn buckles  74 , for effecting upward and downward movements of the flow guides, either independently, or jointly. Actuators  82  and  84  can be any suitable commercially available devices, such as, but not limited to, electric or other motors, cylinders, solenoids, or the like, and can be controlled from a suitable location such as an operator cab of the combine. 
     FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate crop residue distribution patterns  56  which are possible using a flow distributor  40  in cooperation with a vertical spreader such as spreader  24  on combine  22 . Again, as discussed in reference to  FIG. 2 , a substantially even or uniform crop residue distribution pattern, denoted by line  56 , can be achieved as between flows C and D, by making required adjustments of the position of distributor  40  in the above discussed manner. The dots  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ,  100 ,  102 ,  104 ,  106  and  108  in  FIG. 11  illustrate approximate locations along pattern  56  where crop residue flowing along the correspondingly numbered lines will be distributed on a field. 
   It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps, and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within the principles and scope of the invention. The foregoing description illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention; however, concepts, as based upon the description, may be employed in other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to protect the invention broadly as well as in the specific form shown.