The present invention relates to a method and system of conveying harvested material within or out of a combine harvester using positive air pressure. The invention provides for a lighter, simpler process of material handling by using positive air pressure to pneumatically convey harvested material. As compared to conventional methods, the present invention incorporates lighter weight components and fewer moving parts. Systems of the present invention have more flexible layouts than conventional methods, which allows for the incorporation of different material types, easier cleaning, and potentially greater ease for process automation.

An agricultural vehicle including a chassis, at least one rotor supported by the chassis and configured for threshing a crop material, at least one exterior side member supported by the chassis and including at least one outlet, and an air conduit located underneath the at least one rotor. The air conduit is configured for providing an airstream directed to the at least one exterior side member such that the airstream forces a material other than grain out through the at least one outlet.

An agricultural vehicle including a chassis, at least one rotor supported by the chassis and configured for threshing a crop material, at least one exterior side member supported by the chassis and including at least one outlet, and an air conduit located underneath the at least one rotor. The air conduit is configured for providing an airstream directed to the at least one exterior side member such that the airstream forces a material other than grain out through the at least one outlet.

A drop pan system for collecting discharge samples from combine harvesters or other conveyed machines or implements features a support housing attachable to the machine, a drop pan receivable in a nested position within the housing, and a magnetic hold/release mechanism with electro-permanent magnets responsive to selective energization to switch from a holding state emitting an external magnetic field for holding the drop pan in the nested position, to a release state cancelling the external magnetic field to thereby release the drop pan from the housing. A power supply is positioned on the housing at an area that resides within a footprint of the drop pan's nested position. Differently sized drop pans may be included, and the housing may include alignment guides for self-aligning the drop pan during magnetically aided placement thereof. Electrical components of the housing may be contained in an enclosure that doubles as a support for the electro-permanent magnets.

A drop pan system for collecting discharge samples from combine harvesters or other conveyed machines or implements features a support housing attachable to the machine, a drop pan receivable in a nested position within the housing, and a magnetic hold/release mechanism with electro-permanent magnets responsive to selective energization to switch from a holding state emitting an external magnetic field for holding the drop pan in the nested position, to a release state cancelling the external magnetic field to thereby release the drop pan from the housing. A power supply is positioned on the housing at an area that resides within a footprint of the drop pan's nested position. Differently sized drop pans may be included, and the housing may include alignment guides for self-aligning the drop pan during magnetically aided placement thereof. Electrical components of the housing may be contained in an enclosure that doubles as a support for the electro-permanent magnets.

A drop pan system for collecting discharge samples from combine harvesters or other conveyed machines or implements features a support housing attachable to the machine, a drop pan receivable in a nested position within the housing, and a magnetic hold/release mechanism with electro-permanent magnets responsive to selective energization to switch from a holding state emitting an external magnetic field for holding the drop pan in the nested position, to a release state cancelling the external magnetic field to thereby release the drop pan from the housing. A power supply is positioned on the housing at an area that resides within a footprint of the drop pan's nested position. Differently sized drop pans may be included, and the housing may include alignment guides for self-aligning the drop pan during magnetically aided placement thereof. Electrical components of the housing may be contained in an enclosure that doubles as a support for the electro-permanent magnets.

A drop pan system for collecting discharge samples from combine harvesters or other conveyed machines or implements features a support housing attachable to the machine, a drop pan receivable in a nested position within the housing, and a magnetic hold/release mechanism with electro-permanent magnets responsive to selective energization to switch from a holding state emitting an external magnetic field for holding the drop pan in the nested position, to a release state cancelling the external magnetic field to thereby release the drop pan from the housing. A power supply is positioned on the housing at an area that resides within a footprint of the drop pan's nested position. Differently sized drop pans may be included, and the housing may include alignment guides for self-aligning the drop pan during magnetically aided placement thereof. Electrical components of the housing may be contained in an enclosure that doubles as a support for the electro-permanent magnets.

The present invention provides an improved dust control system for removing debris and particulate matter from a fouled air stream. The system may be incorporated into crop harvesting equipment to eliminate the dust pollution generated by conventional harvesting equipment. The dust control system may use a multi-stage air filtering process that employs inertial separation techniques to eliminate particulate matter from the fouled air, without the need for water or electrostatic mechanisms to capture the fine particulates in the fouled air.

The present invention provides an improved dust control system for removing debris and particulate matter from a fouled air stream. The system may be incorporated into crop harvesting equipment to eliminate the dust pollution generated by conventional harvesting equipment. The dust control system may use a multi-stage air filtering process that employs inertial separation techniques to eliminate particulate matter from the fouled air, without the need for water or electrostatic mechanisms to capture the fine particulates in the fouled air.

A cleaning system for an agricultural harvester includes a first and second cleaning systems. A plurality of fans of a substantially similar diameter are fluidically coupled to the first and second cleaning systems. A controller generates and sends control signals to the fans to control the speeds of the fans.