An improved self-propelled grain harvester and threshing machine characterized by the sieves, cleaning fan and grain tank being beneath the grain harvester's threshing system which puts the center of gravity in the bottom of the machine and eliminates the need for conveying the grain throughout the machine for cleaning and to the top of the machine for storage. This configuration eliminates several clean grain conveying systems and reduces the length of the reprocess tailings elevator giving the machine a safe low profile and center of gravity when the machine is empty and the center of gravity lowers as the grain tank fills.

Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for monitoring yield while harvesting grain. Grain released from paddles on the clean grain elevator chain of a harvester contacts a flow sensor which reports the rate of grain flow through the clean grain elevator. In some embodiments a brush is mounted to the chain and disposed to clean the flow sensor surface. In other embodiments a bucket mounted to the clean grain elevator chain releases grain against the flow sensor at a rate dependent on a grain property.

Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for monitoring yield while harvesting grain. Grain released from paddles on the clean grain elevator chain of a harvester contacts a flow sensor which reports the rate of grain flow through the clean grain elevator. In some embodiments a brush is mounted to the chain and disposed to clean the flow sensor surface. In other embodiments a bucket mounted to the clean grain elevator chain releases grain against the flow sensor at a rate dependent on a grain property.

A preparation section of a combine harvester that is configured to receive a mixture of grain and material other than grain (MOG) from a threshing section of the combine harvester. The preparation section includes a conveyor positioned beneath the threshing section that is configured to transport the grain and MOG in a downstream direction toward a cleaning section, and a deflector positioned at a downstream end of a conveyor that is configured to launch the grain and MOG into the air and cause at least partial separation of the MOG and grain prior to falling onto the cleaning section.

A preparation section of a combine harvester that is configured to receive a mixture of grain and material other than grain (MOG) from a threshing section of the combine harvester. The preparation section includes a conveyor positioned beneath the threshing section that is configured to transport the grain and MOG in a downstream direction toward a cleaning section, and a deflector positioned at a downstream end of a conveyor that is configured to launch the grain and MOG into the air and cause at least partial separation of the MOG and grain prior to falling onto the cleaning section.

An agricultural harvester includes a chassis, at least one ground engaging traction member connected to the chassis, a cleaning system held by the chassis and configured to clean crop material, and an elevator supplied with the crop material. The elevator includes a housing having a crop material inlet that receives the crop material, a boot portion that forms a bottom of the housing, and a plurality of paddles configured to convey the crop material through the housing and away from the boot portion in a generally vertical direction. The elevator further includes a hinged wall section that includes a flexible steel sheet and a UHMW material plastic or other durable wear resistant flexible material overlying the sheet and facing an interior of the elevator. The hinged wall section may be a boot door or a head door.

An agricultural harvester includes a chassis, at least one ground engaging traction member connected to the chassis, a cleaning system held by the chassis and configured to clean crop material, and an elevator supplied with the crop material. The elevator includes a housing having a crop material inlet that receives the crop material, a boot portion that forms a bottom of the housing, and a plurality of paddles configured to convey the crop material through the housing and away from the boot portion in a generally vertical direction. The elevator further includes a hinged wall section that includes a flexible steel sheet and a UHMW material plastic or other durable wear resistant flexible material overlying the sheet and facing an interior of the elevator. The hinged wall section may be a boot door or a head door.

An agricultural harvester includes a chassis, a cleaning system carried by the chassis, and a crop material elevator for receiving crop material that has passed through the cleaning system. The crop material elevator has a top-most end, a bottom-most end, a first inlet between the top-most end and the bottom-most end, and a second inlet between the top-most end and the first inlet. The agricultural harvester also includes an auger system for supplying crop material from the cleaning system to the crop material elevator. The auger system includes a first auger defining an auger axis for supplying crop material to the first inlet, a second auger defining a second auger axis, and a crop material conveyor for supplying crop material from the second auger to the second inlet.

An agricultural harvester includes a chassis, a cleaning system carried by the chassis, and a crop material elevator for receiving crop material that has passed through the cleaning system. The crop material elevator has a top-most end, a bottom-most end, a first inlet between the top-most end and the bottom-most end, and a second inlet between the top-most end and the first inlet. The agricultural harvester also includes an auger system for supplying crop material from the cleaning system to the crop material elevator. The auger system includes a first auger defining an auger axis for supplying crop material to the first inlet, a second auger defining a second auger axis, and a crop material conveyor for supplying crop material from the second auger to the second inlet.

A concave section for a harvester is provided. The concave section includes a first concave body. The first concave body includes a first leading end, a first trailing end, a first upstream side and a first downstream side. A width between the first upstream side and the second downstream side is no greater than 10 inches. The first concave body includes a first crop engagement face that extends between the first ends and the first sides. The first crop engagement face includes at least one of a first thresher profile portion and a first separator profile portion.