Patent Abstract:
A harvesting machine, a method for harvesting using the harvesting machine, a crop residue harvesting system for the harvesting machine, and an apparatus are provided. The arrangement described herein spreads crop residue over the ground. It uses sensors to monitor the amount of crop residue spread over the ground.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application, a continuation-in-part utility patent application, claims priority to co-pending utility patent application Ser. No. 12/062,846, which was filed on Apr. 4, 2008, and to provisional application Ser. No. 60/910,250 filed Apr. 5, 2007 and to provisional application Ser. No. 60/998,984 filed Oct. 15, 2007, from which application Ser. No. 60/910,250 also claimed priority, and all three of which prior applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     GRANT REFERENCE 
       [0002]    This invention was made with government support under Grant No. 68-3A75-4-137 awarded by USDA/NRCS and DOE. The Government has certain rights in this invention. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Agricultural combine harvesters are typically designed to cut off crops at ground-level, separate non-grain plant matter from the crop portions of the plant, save the crop portions to a holding tank or reservoir, and discard the non-grain plant matter at the rear of the vehicle. 
         [0004]    Often, the non-grain plant matter, includes, without limitation, stems, cobs, stalks, leaves, and branches. The term crop residue may be used to describe this generally non-grain plant material. This term is indicative of the historical relative value of grain and non-grain material. The crop residue is chopped at the rear of the combine harvester and distributed over the ground where it is broken down by microbes in the soil and provides fertilizer for the next growing season&#39;s crops. 
         [0005]    In recent years, however, there has been a growing movement to recover this non-grain plant matter and to use it for secondary processes, such as for a biomass material for ethanol production. Thus, this non-grain plant matter has value beyond its traditional usage. The collection of the material can either occur simultaneously with grain harvest in a single pass operation, or collected after grain harvest, in a multiple pass operation. In a single pass operation, the non-grain plant material can be collected after it is chopped at the rear of the vehicle and is directed into a “stover” cart or similar wheeled container that is towed behind the combine harvester to receive the non-grain plant matter, while the grain is collected in the combine grain tank. In a multi-pass operation, the non-grain material can be left on the field during grain harvest and collected during subsequent field operations, using a baler, forage harvester or similar machinery. 
         [0006]    What is needed, therefore, is an apparatus for varying the amount of chopped non-grain plant material that is distributed over the ground while the vehicle is underway. What is also needed is a way of automatically varying the amount of chopped non-grain plant material that is deposited on the ground based upon soil parameters, crop parameters, terrain parameters or other environmental or regulatory factors. 
         [0007]    It is an object of this invention to provide such an apparatus in at least one of the claims herein. Other embodiments and other inventions providing alternative or additional benefits are also be described herein. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    According to one aspect of the present invention, a crop residue harvesting system for a harvesting machine having a crop residue chopper is provided. The crop residue harvesting system includes an accelerator to assist in conveying crop residue and a transition member, the transition member having a first position and a second position. In a first position the transition member directs at least a portion of the crop residue to the accelerator for harvesting of the crop residue. In a second position the transition member allows for spreading at least a portion of the crop residue. 
         [0009]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a harvesting machine is provided. The harvesting machine includes a self-propelled vehicle adapted for separating grain from crop residue, a residue chopper operatively connected to the vehicle and adapted for receiving the crop residue and chopping the crop residue to form chopped crop residue, an accelerator for conveying the chopped crop residue, and a transition member having a first position and a second position operatively connected between the residue chopper and the accelerator. In a first position the transition member directs at least a portion of the chopped crop residue to the accelerator for harvesting of the chopped crop residue. In a second position the transition member allows for spreading at least a portion of the chopped crop residue. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for harvesting a crop using a harvesting machine is provided. The method includes selecting a setting on the harvesting machine to control relative proportions of crop residue spreading and crop residue harvesting, separating grain from crop residue using the harvesting machine, collecting the grain using the harvesting machine, and chopping the crop residue using a chopper of the harvesting machine. 
         [0011]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a harvesting machine is adapted for selectively collecting and spreading crop residue. The harvesting machine includes a vehicle adapted for separating grain from crop residue and a transition member having at least a first position and a second position. In a first position the transition member directs at least a portion of crop residue for collection. In a second position the transition member allows for spreading at least a portion of the chopped crop residue. There is at least one actuator operatively connected to the transition member for adjusting position of the transition member. 
         [0012]    According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method of controlling the flow rate of crop residue deposited on the ground is provided in which a flow sensor disposed upstream of a crop residue outlet and a flow sensor disposed downstream of a crop residue outlet are coupled to an intelligent control to collectively indicate the flow rate of crop residue deposited on the ground. 
         [0013]    The intelligent control is coupled to both the flow sensors in the embodiment. The intelligent control is configured to receive signals from both these sensors and to combine the signals to determine the crop flow rate pass out of the crop residue outlet. 
         [0014]    The crop flow rate sensor disposed downstream of the crop residue outlet is disposed to sense the flow rate of crop residue that does not pass through the crop flow outlet. The crop flow rate sensor disposed downstream of the crop residue outlet is disposed to sense the flow of crop residue that is retained in the harvesting machine. 
         [0015]    The crop flow rate sensor disposed upstream of the crop residue outlet is located in a position in which it is capable of sensing the combined flow of crop residue upstream of the crop residue outlet, which includes the combined flow of crop residue through the crop residue outlet and the flow of crop residue that is retained in the harvesting vehicle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a harvesting machine in a crop residue collecting position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the harvesting machine in a position such that crop residue is spread on the ground. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the harvesting machine for spreading and collecting crop residue in a single pass. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates the transition member for selecting between spreading and collecting in greater detail. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5A  illustrates another arrangement for the transition member. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5B  illustrates another arrangement for the transition member. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5C  illustrates yet another arrangement for the transition member. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating electronic control of the spreading and collecting of crop residue. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  illustrates placement of sensors on opposite ends of a chopper. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating the use and creation of map data. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a flow diagram illustrating collection and spreading of crop residue. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]    The device combines two separate functions and can be switched to perform either of the functions at a given time. The transition/residue spreader can be set to either funnel crop residue from the outlet of the residue chopper at the back of a combine harvester to a blower for residue harvest purposes, or it can be set to deflect the residue away from the blower and uniformly distribute it on the ground. The transition component funnels the crop residue from the chopper to the blower being used for stover collection purposes. Thus, the flexibility of performing either operation is provided with minimal effort required to switch between the two. Moreover, the present invention provides for controlling relative amounts of crop residue which is collected and spread and this control may be provided electronically either by an operator or based on geographic position within a field or other factors such as, but not limited to, soil parameters such as soil moisture, soil pH, soil clay content, soil sand content; terrain parameters such as inclination of the field; and plant parameters such as the moisture content of the non-grain plant material, quality of material and the volume of the non-grain plant material, and other environmental or regulatory parameters such as residue removal rates for conservation compliance. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a harvesting machine in the form of a combine harvester  100 . The combine harvester  100  includes a self-propelled combine vehicle  102 , to which a harvesting head  104  is attached. The harvesting head  104  is supported on a feeder house  106  that is pivotally coupled to and disposed at the front of the vehicle  102 . A threshing system  108  is disposed within the vehicle  102 . The threshing system  108  feeds the threshed crop material to a cleaning and separating system  110 , which is also disposed within the vehicle  102 . Grain that is separated during cleaning and separating stages of the cleaning and separating system  110 , falls to the bottom of the combine harvester  100  and is conveyed by a grain elevator  112  to a grain tank  114  where it is held for future unloading such as to a grain cart (not shown) via unloading conveyor  116 . 
         [0029]    Non-grain plant material, such as stems, stalks, leaves, branches, and cobs, is conveyed from the cleaning and separating system  110  to a chopper  118  disposed at the rear of the vehicle  102 . Chopper  118  may include a rotating shaft  120  to which a plurality of knife blades  122  are attached. Such blades preferably chop the non-grain plant material into lengths of about 1-2 inches or less. 
         [0030]    The chopper  118  imparts considerable momentum to the chopped non-grain plant material, causing it to exit the chopper  118  into a transition member  124 . A transition member is a structure located anywhere between the chopper and the accelerator for selectively directing flow of crop residue between crop residue collecting and crop residue spreading. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the transition member  124  includes a conduit  125  connected to the exit of chopper  118 . The conduit  125  extends between the chopper  118  and the accelerator  126  which may be disposed approximately 2 feet away from chopper  118 . The accelerator  126  includes a rotor that spins at high speed and conducts the chopped non-grain plant material up an exit conduit  128  which is coupled to the outlet of the accelerator  126 . The exit conduit  128 , in turn, directs the chopped non-grain plant material into a grain cart or other storage or transport container.  FIG. 2  illustrates the combine harvester  100  of  FIG. 1  except the transition member  124  is in a different relative position to affect the flow of crop residue from the chopper. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the inlet end of the transition member is raised above the outlet from the chopper to direct the path of crop residue so that crop residue is spread on the ground and not directed towards the accelerator  126 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates the combine harvester  100  with a stover cart  130 . The grain cart  130  may be drawn to the field by the combine  100  to which it is attached by a cart tongue  132 . Alternatively, the cart  130  may be drawn to the field by a tractor or other vehicle. In this manner, the combine harvester  100  may make a single pass of the field to collect grain in the grain tank  114  and crop residue in the cart  130 . In addition, because of the transition member  124  which may include a conduit  125 , some or all of the crop residue may be spread with the remaining portion collected through the control of the relative position of the transition member with respect to the chopper and/or the accelerator  126 . 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a detailed illustration is provided showing the chopper  118 , transition member  124  including a conduit  125 , accelerator  126 , and exit conduit  128  in partial cutaway. In  FIG. 4 , the conduit  125  is illustrated in three different positions. The conduit  125  of the transition member  124  functions to direct the flow leaving chopper  118  proportionally into either (or both) of two directions: to exit conduit  128  and thence into wagon  130 . The space between the conduit  125  and the chopper outlet constitutes a crop residue outlet, since crop residue passing between the conduit  125  and the chopper outlet leaves the agricultural harvester entirely and is deposited on the ground. 
         [0033]    A first position  200  is illustrated in  FIG. 4  in which the conduit covers the entire outlet  202  of the chopper  118 , directing all chopped non-grain plant material exiting the chopper into the conduit  124  and thence into the accelerator  126 . 
         [0034]    A second position  204  is also illustrated in  FIG. 4  in which the conduit  124  partially covers the outlet  202  of the chopper  118  conducting a portion of the chopped non-grain plant material into the conduit  124  and directing the remaining portion of the chopped non-grain plant material against flow directors  206  that are coupled to the bottom of the conduit  124  and are disposed to direct chopped non-grain plant material into a wide swath that will cover the ground behind the combine harvester  100 , extending substantially all the way from the left side of the combine harvester  100  to the right side of the combine harvester  100 . In an alternative arrangement, flow directors  206  are disposed to direct chopped non-grain plant material into a wide swath that will cover the ground behind combine harvester  100 , extending substantially all the way from the left side of harvesting head  104  to the right side of harvesting head  104 . 
         [0035]    A third position  208  of conduit  124  is further illustrated in  FIG. 2  in which all of the non-grain chopped plant material leaving chopper  118  is directed into flow directors  206 . In this manner, all the chopped plant material leaving chopper  118  is distributed across the ground. By extension, none of the chopped non-grain plant material is directed into the open end of conduit  125 . 
         [0036]    While only three positions are illustrated in  FIG. 4 , conduit  125  can take any position between position  200  and position  208 . Thus, different relative amounts of crop residue may be spread or harvested. 
         [0037]    In an alternative arrangement, shown in  FIG. 5A , the transition member  124  includes a conduit  125 . The inlet end of the conduit  125  is pivotally coupled to the outlet  202  of chopper  118 . The outlet end of conduit  125  is movable up and down to the same range of positions shown in  FIG. 4  with respect to the inlet of accelerator  126 . In this embodiment, flow directors  206  are disposed adjacent to accelerator  126 , and are not disposed on conduit  125 . The space between the outlet end of conduit  125  and the inlet of accelerator  126  constitutes a crop residue outlet, since crop residue passing between the conduit  125  and the chopper outlet leaves the agricultural harvester entirely and is spread on the ground. 
         [0038]    In another alternative arrangement, shown in  FIG. 5B , the accelerator  126  is movable with respect to chopper  118  to a range of positions in which 100% of the chopped non-grain plant material is directed into accelerator  126  and 100% of the chopped non-grain plant material is directed into flow director  206  and all positions in between as in the previous examples. In this arrangement, the transition member  124  includes the inlet conduit to the accelerator  126 . 
         [0039]    In a further alternative arrangement shown in  FIG. 5C , a portion  210  of the floor of conduit  124  is pivotable up-and-down through a similar range of positions to direct 100% of the chopped non-grain plant material into accelerator  126  or 100% of the chopped non-grain plant material into flow director  206  and all positions in between as in the previous examples. In this arrangement, the transition member  124  includes the outlet conduit from the chopper  128 . 
         [0040]    Other alternative arrangements for the transition member are contemplated. For example, the transition member may be placed after the accelerator. Thus, the transition member need not be positioned between the chopper and the accelerator as shown. 
         [0041]    In each of the foregoing examples, an actuator  212  is provided to move the movable complement to its range of positions in order to provide for the direction of flow either through accelerator  126  or over the ground. Actuator  212  as shown here is a hydraulic cylinder having one end connected to a rigid support and a second end connected to the element that is moved to change the direction of flow of chopped non-grain plant material. Thus, in the arrangements shown, the actuator  212  is operatively connected to the transition member  124  to change paths of crop residue from the chopper  118 . 
         [0042]    Actuator  212  need not be a hydraulic cylinder, however. It may be a linear actuator that is hydraulically, pneumatically, or electrically driven. It may be rotary actuator that is hydraulically, pneumatically, or electrically driven. Other types of actuators may be used as appropriate in a particular application or environment. 
         [0043]    In one arrangement, the operator has a control in the operator&#39;s cab  214  ( FIG. 3 ) that is operable while the vehicle is underway to reposition the actuator and redirect flow either through accelerator  126  or over the ground. In another arrangement, one or more sensors are provided that sense soil conditions, terrain conditions, or crop conditions and automatically reposition the actuator according to an algorithm stored in an electronic memory of an intelligent control such as a microcontroller, processor, or other type of intelligent control. In another arrangement, a map is provided to, either alone, or in combination with the above identified sensors, be used to automatically reposition the actuator  212  according to an algorithm stored in an electronic memory of a microcontroller. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  illustrates several of these arrangements in schematic diagram form. Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an intelligent control  400  is electrically connected to an actuator  212  which may control a hydraulic valve to change the relative position of the transition member. In this way, the intelligent control  400  controls the relative amounts of crop residue spread and collected. The intelligent control can be based on instructions within memory  414 , such as instructions formed based on a map. The intelligent control may also be based on signals from various sensors as well as operator input devices. 
         [0045]    Intelligent control  400  is coupled to the terrain sensor  406  which is responsive to the slope of the ground over which combine harvester  100  is traveling. As the slope changes, terrain sensor  406  sends a signal indicative of the slope of the ground to the intelligent control  400 , which receives the signal and adjusts the position of actuator  212  accordingly. In particular, as terrain sensor  406  senses the changing slope, the intelligent control  400  is configured to adjust actuator  212  to increase the amount of chopped non-grain plant material that is distributed over the ground, thereby providing heavier ground cover on portions of the field with greater slope. This additional ground cover retains rain and slows run off thereby reducing soil erosion. 
         [0046]    Intelligent control  400  is also coupled to soil sensor  408  which senses the soil surface residue. As surface residue decreases, the intelligent control  400  is configured to adjust actuator  212  to increase the amount of chopped non-grain plant material that is distributed over the ground. In this case, it is assumed that the objective is to maintain place surface plant residue above a certain threshold for conservation management compliance. 
         [0047]    The intelligent control  400  is also coupled to soil sensor  410  which senses the organic matter content of the soil. As organic matter increases, the intelligent control  400  is configured to decrease the amount of chopped non-grain plant material that is distributed over the ground. The assumption is that if soil organic matter levels are high greater material removal rates are possible without effecting soil quality. This will allow higher removal rates and increased economic returns. 
         [0048]    The intelligent control  400  is also coupled to an electronic position sensor  412  such as a GPS receiver, LORAN receiver, or other ground, satellite-based, or dead reckoning position sensor. The intelligent control  400  is electrically connected to a memory  414  which may be internal and/or external and which stores map data of the field through which combine harvester  100  is traveling and harvesting crop. For each possible harvester position in the field this map indicates a desired position of actuator  212  necessary to deposit an appropriate amount of chopped non-grain plant material on the ground. In one configuration, this map data is derived from one or more soil conditions, such as the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, or other trace elements in the soil, soil acidity, and amounts of previous herbicide, pesticide, or fertilizer applications. The plant material removal rates may be dictated by any one of these agronomic parameters. 
         [0049]    The intelligent control  400  is also coupled to one or more crop sensors  416  which are disposed in combine harvester  100  in a flow path of the cut crop to determine characteristics of the cut crop material. 
         [0050]    In one arrangement, a crop sensor  416  is a moisture sensor. The intelligent control  400  is configured to control actuator  212  to vary the amount of chopped non-grain crop material that is deposited on the ground as the crop moisture changes. 
         [0051]    In another arrangement a crop sensor  416  is a material quality sensor, such as ethanol conversion potential. The intelligent control  400  is configured to control actuator  212  to increase the amount of chopped non-grain plant material that is deposited on the ground as the crop stover quality decreases. 
         [0052]    In another arrangement an operator input device  420  is coupled to the intelligent control  400  to permit the operator to select the type of crop being harvested, such as wheat or corn. The intelligent control  400  is configured to control actuator  212  to vary the amount of chopped non-grain plant material that is deposited on the ground based upon the type of crop that is being harvested. 
         [0053]    The intelligent control  400  is also coupled to a material flow rate sensor  418 . Depending on the fullness of the crop growth that it harvests, the amount of non-grain plant material may vary significantly. This may require that the system adjusts to the changing flow rate of non-grain plant material by adjusting actuator  212  to maintain constant the amount of non-grain plant material distributed over the ground. 
         [0054]    For example, in a parched portion of the field the plants being harvested may be stunted and produce very little non-grain plant material for sending through chopper  118 . This will not change the volume of air that is conveyed through chopper  118  and accelerator  126 , but it will reduce the density of chopped non-grain plant material entrained in the air—the material flow rate of chopped non-grain plant material through conduit  125 , and thus the amount of material deposited on the ground. 
         [0055]    To maintain constant the amount of material distributed on the ground, the intelligent control  400  is configured to monitor the mass flow rate of non-grain plant material passing through combine harvester  100  and to control actuator  212  to maintain the material flow rate at the appropriate material flow rate. 
         [0056]    For example, the intelligent control  400  is configured to continually determine an appropriate material flow rate to be deposited on the ground based upon the changing signals received from one or all of sensors  406 ,  408 ,  412 ,  416 ,  418  and the location of the vehicle indicated by map data stored in the memory  414 . As the combine harvester travels through the field, the appropriate material flow rate will change. The intelligent control  400  correspondingly changes the position of actuator  212  to maintain this appropriate material flow rate. Similarly, the intelligent control  400  senses when there is a change in the amount of the material entrained in the air and corrects for this as well to maintain the appropriate material flow rate. 
         [0057]    The material flow sensor  418  may be disposed in the flow path of the non-grain plant material upstream of chopper  118 . It may also be disposed in a flow path downstream of chopper  118 . Referring now to  FIG. 7 , placement of several different material flow rate sensors is shown. They are identified in  FIG. 7  as sensors  418 A,  418 B,  418 C, and  418 D. 
         [0058]    Material flow rate sensors  418 A is an optical flow rate sensor which is configured to transmit light between the two sensor elements across a flow path disposed upstream of the inlet of chopper  118 . 
         [0059]    An identical optical flow rate sensor may be alternatively disposed downstream of the outlet of chopper  118 . It is shown in  FIG. 5  as sensor  418 B. 
         [0060]    Material flow rate sensor  418 C is a mass impact flow rate sensor responsive to the impact of non-grain plant material against a striker plate. The greater the material flow rate, the greater the material impacts against sensor  418 C, and the greater the signal generated by sensor  418 C. 
         [0061]    An identical mass impact sensor may be disposed downstream of the outlet of the chopper. It is shown in  FIG. 5  as material flow rate sensor  418 D. Of course, additional sensors and types of sensors and alternative placements may be used to assist in sensing data which may be used to control the relative amounts of crop residue spread and collected. Additional sensors of any number of types may be placed throughout the combine in any number of locations or configurations to assist in sensing information or data useful in the control or monitoring of the performance of the combine, characterization of grain or grain movement, characterization of non-grain material or non-grain material movement, or for other purposes. 
         [0062]    All of the flow rate sensors shown in  FIG. 7  are disposed around the chopper or downstream of the chopper. They are all located upstream of the transition member. The flow rate signals generated by the various flow rate sensors of  FIG. 7  therefore indicate the flow rate of crop residue before it is divided into a flow that is spread on the ground and a flow that is ultimately deposited in a collection container variously described as a stover cart  130 , grain cart  130 , cart  130  or wagon  130 . 
         [0063]    In an alternative arrangement shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 A,  5 B, and  5 C, any one or more of the flow rate sensors  418 ,  418 A,  418 B,  418 C, and  418 D (shown collectively in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 A,  5 B,  5 C as item “ 418 ” for simplicity of illustration) may be disposed downstream of the crop residue outlet to sense the flow rate of the flow of amount of crop residue that has not exited the harvesting machine. The signals from these downstream flow rate sensors as shown in  FIG. 6  are provided to the intelligent control. 
         [0064]    The intelligent control, in turn, is alternatively programmed to calculate the difference between the flow rates indicated by one or more of the flow rate sensors  418 ,  418 A,  418 B,  418 C,  418 D illustrated in  FIG. 7  that are disposed upstream of the crop residue outlet and the flow rates indicated by one or more flow rate sensor or sensors  418  of  FIGS. 4 ,  5 A,  5 B,  5 C that are located downstream of the crop residue outlet. 
         [0065]    This difference is equivalent to the flow rate of crop residue passing through the crop residue outlet and being spread onto the ground. The difference provides a more accurate measure of the amount of crop residue that is deposited on the ground and in a preferred arrangement is used by the intelligent control as electronic feedback to maintain the amount of crop residue distributed upon the ground at a desired amount, e.g. the amount indicated by the prescription map data  450  for each location in the field. 
         [0066]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating information flow. As shown in  FIG. 8 , prescription map data  450  may be used to provide the intelligent control  400  with instructions regarding control of the spreading and collecting of crop residue. The intelligent control  400  then provides for controlling the spreading and collecting of crop residue at least partially based on the prescription map data  450 . The intelligent control  400  may save data regarding its control of the spreading and collecting of crop residue to generate residue map data  452 . The residue map data  452  may be the same or different from the prescription map data  452  as prescribed operations may be over-ridden by operator control, or based on feedback from various sensors. 
         [0067]      FIG. 9  is a flow diagram illustrating movement of residue within the harvesting machine such as a combine harvester. In step  930 , grain is separated from residue. The grain may be collected in a conventional manner. In step  932 , the residue is chopped with a residue chopper. The residue chopper may be of any type or design, including but not limited to a flail chopper. In step  934  alternative paths for the residue are provided depending upon the current configuration or setting. The configuration may be modified in various ways such as by changing position of a lever or electronic control. If the configuration is set to spread residue then in step  936  the residue is spread. Alternatively, if the configuration is set to collect residue then in step  938  residue is directed towards an accelerator. In step  940 , the residue is collected. In step  934 , the position or setting may direct different amounts or proportions of crop residue towards the accelerator and to be spread. There are any number of positions which allow for varying amounts of crop residue to be spread and collected, thus varying amounts of crop residue may be spread while varying amounts of crop residue are collected during a single pass harvesting operation. 
         [0068]    A combination residue spreader and collector for single pass harvesting systems has now been disclosed. It is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments described here as variations in size, form, structure, and features are contemplated. These and other variations, options, and alternatives are within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0