Patent Publication Number: US-2023157211-A1

Title: Feed accelerator for an agricultural harvester

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates generally to agricultural harvesters and, particularly, to crop processing apparatuses of agricultural harvesters. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Harvesters, such as combine harvesters, utilize equipment, such as a header coupled to the harvester, to harvest crop. In some instances, the harvested crop is conveyed from the header to a feederhouse of the harvester. The feederhouse directs the harvested crop material to a feed accelerator that accelerates and directs the crop material towards threshing equipment, such as a rotor and concave assembly, that functions to separate grain from material other than grain (“MOG”). 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     A first aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a feed accelerator for an agricultural harvester that may include a cylindrical body comprising an exterior wall; a central longitudinal axis extending along the cylindrical body; and a convertible section of the exterior wall. The cylindrical body may be rotatable about the central longitudinal axis, and a plurality of first paddles may be arranged on the exterior wall. The convertible section may be convertible between a first agitator assembly and a second agitator assembly. 
     A second aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an agricultural harvester that may include a feederhouse that is configured to received crop material and a feed accelerator located downstream from the feederhouse. The feed accelerator may be configured to accelerate the received crop material. The feed accelerator may include a cylindrical body comprising an exterior wall; a central longitudinal axis extending along the cylindrical body; a plurality of first paddles arranged on the exterior wall; and a convertible section of the exterior wall. The cylindrical body may be rotatable about the central longitudinal axis, and the convertible section may be convertible between a first agitator assembly and a second agitator assembly. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method of configuring a feed accelerator in response to a change in crop conditions. The method may include providing a feed accelerator. The feed accelerator may include a cylindrical body comprising an exterior wall; a central longitudinal axis extending along the cylindrical body; a plurality of first paddles arranged on the exterior wall; and a convertible section of the exterior wall. The cylindrical body may be rotatable about the central longitudinal axis, and the convertible section may be convertible between a first agitator assembly and a second agitator assembly. The method may also include converting from one of the first agitator assembly or the second agitator assembly to the other of the first agitator assembly or the second agitator assembly. 
     The various aspects may include one or more of the following features. The first agitator assembly may include an agitator including a sidewall extending from the exterior wall, and the sidewall may extend obliquely relative to the central longitudinal axis. The first agitator assembly may include a first sidewall and a second sidewall extending from the exterior wall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall may form a chevron shape. The first sidewall and the second sidewall may be bent such that end portions of the first sidewall and the second sidewall flare outwardly away from each other. The first agitator assembly further may include a third sidewall extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The third sidewall may extend between ends of the first sidewall and the second sidewall. A first end of the first sidewall and a first end of the second sidewall may be coupled to form a vertex of the chevron. The third sidewall may extend from the vertex. The second agitator assembly may include at least one second paddle. The first plurality of paddles arranged on the exterior wall may be arranged in a plurality of rows extending along the cylindrical body. The second agitator assembly may align with a row of the plurality of rows when the second agitator assembly is coupled to the cylindrical body such that the at least one second paddle aligns with the first plurality of paddles included in the row. The first plurality of paddles arranged on the exterior wall may be arranged in a plurality of rows extending along the cylindrical body parallel with the central longitudinal axis. The cylindrical body may include a length, and the convertible section may be located at a central location along the length of the cylindrical body. The convertible section may be convertible from one of the first agitator assembly or the second agitator assembly to the other of the first agitator assembly or the second agitator assembly by replacement of one of the first agitator assembly or the second agitator assembly with the other of the first agitator assembly or the second agitator assembly. A plurality of convertible sections may be included. The first plurality of paddles arranged on the exterior wall may be arranged in a plurality of rows extending along the cylindrical body. Alternating rows of the plurality of rows may align with one of the convertible sections. The first plurality of paddles arranged on the exterior wall may be arranged in a plurality of rows extending along the cylindrical body, the first paddles of adjacent rows may be laterally offset from each other. The convertible section may include a plurality of convertible sections removably couplable to the cylindrical body. At least one of the first paddles may define a plane that is parallel with and laterally offset from the central longitudinal axis. 
     Other features and aspects will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description of the drawings refers to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a partial schematic view of an example combine harvester, according to some implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a front view of an example feed accelerator in a first configuration, according to some implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a detail view of the feed accelerator of  FIG.  2    in the first configuration. 
         FIG.  4    is an oblique view of a portion of the feed accelerator of  FIG.  2    in the first configuration. 
         FIG.  5    is a side view of feed accelerator of  FIG.  2    in the first configuration. 
         FIG.  6    is a front view of the feed accelerator of  FIG.  2    in a second configuration. 
         FIG.  7    is a detail view of the feed accelerator of  FIG.  2    in the second configuration. 
         FIG.  8    is an oblique view of the feed accelerator of  FIG.  2    in the second configuration. 
         FIG.  9    is a front view of another example feed accelerator in a first configuration, according to some implementations of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  10    is a detail view of the feed accelerator of  FIG.  9    in the first configuration. 
         FIG.  11    is an oblique view of a portion of the feed accelerator of  FIG.  9    in the first configuration. 
         FIG.  12    is a side view of feed accelerator of  FIG.  9    in the first configuration. 
         FIG.  13    is a front view of the feed accelerator of  FIG.  9    in a second configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the implementations illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is intended. Any alterations and further modifications to the described devices, systems, or methods and any further application of the principles of the present disclosure are fully contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. In particular, it is fully contemplated that the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to one implementation may be combined with the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to other implementations of the present disclosure. 
     The present disclosure is directed to feed accelerators (sometimes referred to as “beaters”) of an agricultural harvester. Particularly, the present disclosure is directed to convertible feed accelerators that include one or more convertible sections that are configurable between different crop engagement features (e.g., agitators), such as to accommodate or adapt to changing crop conditions, for example. Consequently, the feed accelerator is capable of being quickly converted between configurations to address, for example, different crops or crop conditions. Feed accelerators within the scope of the present disclosure provide for improved material flow and reduced risk of back feeding of crop material. Back feeding occurs when incoming crop material from a feederhouse of an agricultural harvester is circulated by a feed accelerator rather than being advanced downstream for further processing, such as to a rotor and concave for threshing. As a result, the circulated crop material is redirected towards the incoming crop material, creating interference with the incoming crop material. The result is that the circulated crop material can be forced into the feederhouse or otherwise cause problems with continuous feeding of crop material into the agricultural harvester. 
       FIG.  1    is a partial schematic view of an example agricultural harvester  10  that includes a feederhouse  12  through which harvested crop material  14  is fed during a harvesting operation. In some implementations, the agricultural harvester  10  is a combine harvester. The feederhouse  12  receives harvested crop material, for example, from a header attached to the agricultural harvester  10 . A flow of the crop material  14  is directed to a feed accelerator  16  that rotates in the direction of arrow  18 . The feed accelerator  16  accelerates the flow of crop material  14  and directs the accelerated flow of crop material to subsequent crop material processing equipment, such as a threshing system  20 . The example threshing system  20  includes a rotor  22  and concave  24  that operate in concert to separate grain from material other than grain (“MOG”). 
       FIGS.  2  through  8    illustrate an example feed accelerator  100 .  FIGS.  2  through  5    show the feed accelerator  100  in a first configuration, and  FIGS.  6  through  8    show the feed accelerator  100  in a second configuration. The feed accelerator  100  includes a cylindrical body  102  having an exterior wall  104 . The feed accelerator  100  also includes a shaft  106  positioned centrally along the cylindrical body  102 . The cylindrical body  102  defines a central longitudinal axis  108  that extends along the shaft  106  along a centerline thereof, as shown in  FIG.  5   . The feed accelerator  100  is rotatable about the central longitudinal axis  108 . In the illustrated example, the shaft  106  rotates with the cylindrical body  102 . 
     A first end  110  of the shaft  106  includes a power transmission feature  111 . Particularly, the first end  110  is splined and is configured to mate with a splined female surface. The splined connection formed between the first end  110  and the counterpart female splined surface operates to transmit a rotation to the cylindrical body  102  to rotate the feed accelerator  100 , such as at a desired rotational speed. In other implementations, the first end  110  has different power transmission features, such as a keyed connection or a pinned connection. A second end  112  of the shaft is configured to couple to a rotatable coupling, such as a bearing, to facilitate rotation of the shaft  106  and, consequently, the cylindrical body  102 . 
     In the illustrated example, the exterior wall  104  forms a general faceted cylindrical shape in cross-section, as show, for example, in  FIG.  5   . In other implementations, a cross sectional shape of the exterior wall  104  forms other types of shapes, such as a circular cross-sectional shape, a square cross-sectional shape, a triangular cross-sectional shape, or any other type of polygonal cross-sectional shape. As shown in  FIG.  5   , the exterior wall  104  is formed from a plurality of elongate sections  114 . In the illustrated example, the elongate sections  114  are secured to the cylindrical body via fasteners  116  (shown in  FIG.  2   ), e.g., nuts and bolts. However, in other implementations, the elongate sections  114  can be secured to the cylindrical body  102  in other ways, such as an interlocking arrangement, welding, rivets, or an adhesive. 
     Each elongate section  114  forms a general “U” shape having a base  118  and sides  120  extending from the base  118 . A side  120  of each elongate section  114  is connected to the side  120  of an adjacent elongate section  114 , as shown, for example, in  FIG.  5   . The connected sides form platforms  122  to which paddles  124  are mounted. In the illustrated example, the paddles  124  are attached to the connected sides  120  of the elongate sections  114  via fasteners  123 , such as nuts and bolts. In other implementations, the paddles  124  are attached in other ways, such as with rivets, an interlocking arrangement, welding, or an adhesive. As shown in  FIG.  3   , the paddles  124  include a plurality of notches  125  formed in an edge  127 . In other implementations, the edge  127  may have a different contour. In still other implementations, the notches  125  are omitted and the edge  127  is continuous. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , the paddles  124  define planes  129  that are parallel to, but offset from, the central longitudinal axis  108 . In other implementations, the paddles  124  have different orientations relative to the central longitudinal axis  108 . For example, in some instances, one or more of the paddles  124  define a plane that is parallel to and extend through the central longitudinal axis  108 . Other orientations of the paddles  124  being angled relative to the central longitudinal axis  108  are also contemplated. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2  to  8   , the paddles  124  are arranged in a plurality of rows  126  that extend longitudinally along the cylindrical body  102 . In the illustrated example, the rows  126  extend in a direction that is parallel with the central longitudinal axis  108 . Further, in the illustrated example, paddles  124  provided in adjacent rows  126  are laterally offset from each other. Thus, in some implementations, a gap  128  (shown, for example, in  FIG.  3   ) formed between adjacent paddles  124  in one row  126  is circumferentially adjacent to a paddle  124  is an adjacent row  126 . 
     In the illustrated example, the feed accelerator  100  includes eight elongated sections  114  that define eight rows  126  of paddles  124 . The rows  126  are uniformly angularly distributed about the central longitudinal axis  108 . Thus, in the illustrated example, each row  126  is angularly offset from an adjacent row  126  about the central longitudinal axis  108  by 45°. In other implementations, the feed accelerator  100  includes a different number of elongated sections  114 , a different number of rows  126 , or both. In some implementations, the rows  126  are nonuniformly distributed about a circumference of the cylindrical body  102 . In some instances, the feed accelerator  100  includes fewer than eight rows  126 , while, in other instances, the feed accelerator  100  includes more than eight rows  126 . 
     The feed accelerator  100  also includes convertible sections  130 . The convertible sections  130  are centrally located along the cylindrical body  102 . For example, in some implementations, the convertible sections  130  are centered along a longitudinal length, L, of the cylindrical body  102 . In other implementations, one or more of the convertible sections  130  is positioned off-center along the length L of the cylindrical body  102 . 
     The convertible sections  130  are convertible between different agitator assemblies. In the present example, the convertible sections  130  are convertible between two different agitator assemblies  132  and  134 . In other implementations, a plurality of different assemblies are selectable. For example, a plurality of agitators having different configurations are selectable at the convertible sections  130 . In  FIGS.  2  through  5   , the convertible sections  130  are converted to the agitator assemblies  132  and  134 . The agitator assembly  132  includes an agitator  133  that includes sidewalls  136  and  138  that extend from the exterior wall  104 . The sidewalls  136  and  138  are joined at first ends  140 ,  142  respectively thereof to form a vertex  144 . The sidewall  136  defines plane  141 , and the sidewall  138  defines plane  143 . The planes  141  and  143  are oblique to and intersects the central longitudinal axis  108 . 
     The sidewalls  136  and  138  diverge from each other to form a chevron shape to define an angle  139 . In some implementations, the angle  139  is within a range of 35° to 75°. The agitator  133  also includes a leading edge component  146 . The leading edge component  146 , along with the “V” shape of the agitator  133 , increases durability of the agitator  133 . The leading edge component  146  has a “V” shape and is attached to the first ends  140 ,  142  of the first and second sidewalls  136  and  138 , respectively. The leading edge component  146  defines the vertex  144  of the chevron-shaped agitator  133 . In some implementations, the leading edge component  146  is joined to the first ends  140  and  142  by welding. In other implementation, the leading edge component  146  connects in other ways, such as an interlocking arrangement (e.g., a nesting slot and tab arrangement), an adhesive, or with fasteners (e.g., nuts and bolts). In other implementations, the leading edge component  146  is omitted. 
     The sidewalls  136  and  138  are attached to a base plate  148 . In some implementation, the sidewalls  136  and  138  are welded to the base plate  148 . In other implementations, the sidewalls  136  and  138  are attached to base plate  148  in other ways, such as with fasteners, rivets, adhesive, or interlocking joints. In this example, the base plate  148  of the agitator assembly  132  is removably securable to the cylindrical body  102 , such as to the exterior wall  104 , with fasteners  149 , such as nuts and bolts. In this way, the agitator assembly  132  is quickly removable from the cylindrical body  102  and replaceable with a different agitator assembly, such as agitator assembly  134 . Thus, feed accelerator  100  can be quickly converted among a plurality of different configurations based on a type of agitator provided at the convertible sections  130 . The agitator assemblies positioned on the cylindrical body  102  to engage crop material can be located onto the exterior wall  104  in other ways. In other implementations, the agitator assembly  132  is securable to the exterior wall  104  in other ways, such as with interlocking joints or pins. 
     In some implementations, the base plate  148  is contoured to engaged two elongated sections  114  defining two facets of the cylindrical body  102 . In other implementations, the base plate  148  may be contoured to engaged fewer or additional facets of the cylindrical body  102 . 
     In the illustrated example, the different agitator assemblies are removably coupled to the exterior wall  104 . In other implementations, the first agitator  132  and the second agitator  134  are linked, and rotation about an axis in a first direction causes one of the first agitator  132  and the second agitator  134  to extend outwardly from the exterior wall  104 . Rotation about the axis in a second direction causes the other of the first agitator  132  and the second agitator  134  to extend outwardly from the exterior wall  104 . For example, in some instances, the convertible sections  130  include an assembly that is pivotably coupled to the cylindrical body  102  and pivotable about an axis. The assembly includes different agitators. For example, the pivotable assembly may include two different agitator types, and rotation of the pivotable assembly about the axis in a first direction to a first position positions one of the agitators to extent from the exterior wall  104 . Rotation of the pivotable assembly in a second direction of rotation about the axis moves the pivotable assembly to a second position in which the second agitator is positioned to extend from the exterior wall  104 . The pivotably assembly may be locked into respective first or second positions. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , in some instances, the sidewalls  136  and  138  include bends  150 . The bends  150  cause second ends  152 ,  154  of the sidewalls  136  and  138 , respectively, to flare outwardly away from each other. In this manner, the sidewalls  136  and  138  approximate a shape of an auger flight. 
     The agitator  133  extends across two of the elongated sections  114 . Particularly, as shown in  FIG.  5   , the agitator  133  extends partially across a width W of two of the elongated sections  114 . In other implementations, such as the example feed accelerator shown in  FIGS.  9  through  12   , an agitator  926  extends across three of the elongated sections  114 , as shown in  FIG.  12   . Particularly, the agitator  926  extends entirely across the width W of one elongated section  114  and partially across the width W of two adjacent elongated sections  114 . Thus, as shown in FIG.  12 , the agitator  926  (discussed in more detail below) spans a larger angular amount  922  than an angular amount  156  of the agitator  133 , as illustrated in  FIG.  5   . 
     The feed accelerator  100  is rotated in the direction of arrow  158  (shown in  FIG.  5   ) such that the vertex  144  leads in engaging crop material by the agitator  133 . In this way, the agitator assembly  132  increases shear forces applied to the crop material, accelerates the flow of crop material, while also operating to split the flow of crop material into separate flows (such as flows  160  and  162  shown in  FIG.  2   ). The crop flows are directed, for example, to a threshing system of a combine harvester. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2  through  4   , the agitator assembly  132  also includes another sidewall  164 . The sidewall  164  forms part of the agitator  133  and extends between the second ends  152  and  154  of the sidewalls  136  and  138 , respectively. The sidewalls  136 ,  138 , and  164  define a triangular structure of the agitator  133 . The sidewall  164  increases rigidity and strength of the agitator  133 . In other implementations, the third sidewall  164  is omitted. 
       FIGS.  6  through  8    illustrate the feed accelerator  100  with the convertible sections  130  are converted to the agitator assemblies  134 . The agitator assemblies  134  include a paddle  166 . The paddle  166  is similar to the paddles  124 . In other implementations, additional paddles  166  are included on the agitator assembly  134 . As shown, the paddles  166  align with the paddles  124  in rows  168  of the rows  126 . Thus, with the convertible sections  130  converted to the second agitator assemblies  134 , each of the rows  126  contain a continuous row of paddles. 
     The agitator assembly  134  includes a base plate  170  that is removably securable to the exterior wall  104 . The paddles  166  are attached to the base plate  170  using fasteners (such as fasteners  171 ), rivets, interlocking features, an adhesive, or in some other way. In the illustrated example, the base plate  170  is removably securable to the cylindrical body  102 , such as to the exterior wall  104 , with fasteners  171 , such as nuts and bolts. Consequently, the agitator assembly  134  is quickly removable from the cylindrical body  102  and replaceable with a different agitator assembly, such as agitator assembly  132 . In other implementations, the base plate  170  is removably securable to cylindrical body  102  in other ways, such as with an interlocking joint or pins. In other implementations, as explained earlier, the agitator assemblies  132  and  134  are convertible in other ways, such as rotation about an axis. The paddle  166  is mounted to the base plate  170 , such as with fasteners  173  (e.g., nuts and bolts). In other instances, the mounting plate  170  is attached using rivets, welding, an interlocking arrangement, an adhesive, or in other ways. 
     In some implementations, the base plate  170  is contoured to engage elongated segments  114  forming two facets of the cylindrical body  102 . In other implementations, the base plate  170  may be contoured to engage fewer or additional facets of the cylindrical body  102 . 
       FIGS.  9 - 13    are views of another example feed accelerator  900 . The feed accelerator  900  is similar to the feed accelerator  100 , described earlier. Similar features are identified with the same reference numbers as used earlier in describing the feed accelerator  100 , and the description of those similar features are omitted herefrom. Portions of the feed accelerator  900  that vary from the feed accelerator  100  are described in more detail below. 
     Similar to the feed accelerator  100 , the feed accelerator  900  includes convertible sections  130  that are convertible between different agitator assemblies. The feed accelerator  900  includes four convertible sections  130  and eight rows  126  of paddles  124 . In other implementations, the feed accelerator  900  may include additional or fewer convertible sections  130  and additional or fewer rows  126  of paddles  124 . 
     In the illustrated example, the convertible sections  130  are convertible between agitator assemblies  902  and  904 . The agitator assembly  902  includes sidewalls  906 ,  908  and  910 ; a leading edge component  912 ; and a base plate  914 . The sidewalls  906 ,  908 , and  910  converge to form a vertex  916 , and sidewalls  906  and  908  define an angle  917 . In some implementations, the angle  917  is within a range of 35° to 75°. The leading edge component  912  connects to the side walls  906  and  908 . Particularly, the leading edge component  912  is connected to first ends  918  and  920  of the sidewalls  906  and  908 , respectively. In other implementations, the leading edge component  912  connects to all of the sidewalls  906 ,  908 , and  910 . In some implementations, the leading edge component  912  connects to one or more of the sidewalls  906 ,  908 , and  910  via fasteners, welding, rivets, an adhesive, an interlocking arrangement, or in another way. In some implementations, the leading edge component  912  is omitted. The sidewall  910  extends between the sidewalls  906  and  908  and divides the angle  917  formed therebetween. In some instances, the sidewall  910  bisects the angle  917 . In some implementations, an outer edge  911  of the sidewall  910  is serrated. 
     Similar to the sidewalls  136  and  138  described earlier, in some instances, the sidewalls  906  and  908  include bends  923 , as shown in  FIG.  10   . The bends  923  cause second ends  925 ,  927  of the sidewalls  906  and  908 , respectively, to flare outwardly away from each other. In this manner, the sidewalls  136  and  138  approximate a shape of an auger flight. 
     The sidewalls  906 ,  908 , and  910  are secured to the base plate  914 , such as with fasteners, welding rivets, an adhesive, or an interlocking arrangement. For example, in some instances, the sidewall  910  connects to the base plate  914  via a bracket  924  secured to the base plate  914 . The sidewall  910  connects to the bracket  924  with fasteners  929 , although other types of connections (e.g., welding, rivets, interlocking features, or an adhesive) can be used. 
     In the illustrated example, the base plate  914  is contoured to engage three elongated segments  114  that define three facets of the cylindrical body  102 . The base plate  914  may be contoured to engaged fewer or additional facets of the cylindrical body  102 . 
     The sidewalls  906 ,  908 , and  910  form an agitator  926  that operates to process crop material, separate the crop material into different flows, e.g., crop flows  928  and  930  shown in  FIG.  9   , and accelerate the crop material towards another system of a harvester, such as a threshing system of a combine harvester. 
     As shown in  FIG.  12    and as explained earlier, the agitator  926  extends, at least partially, across three elongated sections  114  of the exterior wall  104 . Thus, the sidewalls  908  and  910  are larger (e.g., longer) than the sidewalls  136  and  138  of the agitator  133 , as seen by comparing  FIG.  5    to  FIG.  12   . Further, in the case where the feed accelerators  100  and  900  are of comparable sizes, due to the increased size of the agitator  926 , e.g., the increased angle  922  over which the agitator  926  extends, compared to the agitator  133 , the agitator  926  imparts an increased amount of shear force into the crop material. The shear forces work to separate grain from MOG. Additionally, due to the increased size of the agitator assembly  902  and associated agitator  926 , the agitator  926  extends across two rows  126  of paddles  124 . 
     The convertible sections  130  are convertible as described earlier and can be converted between the agitator assembly  902  and the agitator assembly  904  in the same ways that the convertible sections  130  of the feed accelerator  100  can be converted, as described earlier. In other implementations, the convertible sections  130  can be converted between more than two types of agitator assemblies. 
     As shown in  FIG.  13   , the agitator assembly  904  includes a first paddle  932  and second paddles  934 . The first paddle  932  aligns with the paddles  124  in a first row  936  of the plurality of rows  126 , and the second paddles  934  align with the paddles  124  in a second row  938  of the plurality of rows  126 . The first and second rows  936  and  938  are disposed adjacent each other. In other implementations, additional first paddles  932  may be included and additional or fewer second paddles  934  may be included. 
     The agitator assembly  904  also includes a base plate  936  to which the paddles  932  and  934  are coupled. The paddles  932  and  934  couple to the base plate, for example, via fasteners, rivets, interlocking features, or an adhesive. The base plate  936  attaches to the exterior wall  104  with fasteners  940 . In other implementations, the base plate  936  attaches to the exterior wall in other ways, such as an interlocking joint, rivets, welding, or an adhesive. The base plate  936  is contoured to engage three elongated sections  114  defining three facets of the cylindrical body  102 . In other implementations, the base plate  936  can engage additional or fewer facets of the cylindrical body  102 . 
     Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or more of the example implementations disclosed herein is providing a feed accelerator this is convertible between different types of crop engaging components, such as different agitators. In this way, changing a configuration of the feed accelerator is less laborious and takes less time and avoids the time and cost associated with entirely removing a first feed accelerator and installing a different feed accelerator. As a result, a harvester associated with the feed accelerator experiences less downtime and is, therefore, available for increased utilization. Another technical effect of one or more of the example implementations disclosed herein is providing feed accelerators that increase shear forces imparted to harvested crop material, thereby improving separation of grain from MOG. 
     While the above describes example implementations of the present disclosure, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, other variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims.