An agricultural vehicle has an engine, a threshing rotor, and a rotor drive system including a planetary gear assembly and a fluid circuit for driving the rotor at a constant acceleration during a start-up procedure of the rotor.

A grain cleaning system for a combine harvester includes a chaffer and a sieve positioned below the chaffer. A first link includes a first end and a second end coupled to the chaffer. A second link includes a first end and a second end coupled to the sieve. A drive shaft is driven by a drive system to rotate about a shaft axis, wherein rotation of the drive shaft drives the first link to reciprocate the chaffer and drives the second link to reciprocate the sieve. The drive system is configured to control reciprocating motion of the chaffer and sieve with the goals of (i) minimizing vibrations of the cleaning system, (ii) minimizing destructive forces on the bearings (and other components) of cleaning system, and (iii) minimizing the power required to reciprocate the chaffer and sieve back and forth.

A grain cleaning system for a combine harvester includes a chaffer and a sieve positioned below the chaffer. A first link includes a first end and a second end coupled to the chaffer. A second link includes a first end and a second end coupled to the sieve. A drive shaft is driven by a drive system to rotate about a shaft axis, wherein rotation of the drive shaft drives the first link to reciprocate the chaffer and drives the second link to reciprocate the sieve. The drive system is configured to control reciprocating motion of the chaffer and sieve with the goals of (i) minimizing vibrations of the cleaning system, (ii) minimizing destructive forces on the bearings (and other components) of cleaning system, and (iii) minimizing the power required to reciprocate the chaffer and sieve back and forth.

An assembly for selectively activating a cleaning fan of a combine harvester. The assembly includes a hydraulic pump for distributing power to the cleaning fan. The hydraulic pump is movably connected to a fixed point, and is configured to move between first and second positions. The hydraulic pump has an input portion for receiving power and a pressurized fluid port for distributing fluid to power the cleaning fan. A drive belt is wound about the input portion of the hydraulic pump and a drive pulley of the combine harvester. An actuator is provided for selectively moving the hydraulic pump between the first position, in which the drive belt is maintained in a state of tension such that the drive pulley can drive the cleaning fan, and the second position, in which the drive belt is maintained in a relaxed state such that the drive pulley cannot drive the cleaning fan.

An assembly for selectively activating a cleaning fan of a combine harvester. The assembly includes a hydraulic pump for distributing power to the cleaning fan. The hydraulic pump is movably connected to a fixed point, and is configured to move between first and second positions. The hydraulic pump has an input portion for receiving power and a pressurized fluid port for distributing fluid to power the cleaning fan. A drive belt is wound about the input portion of the hydraulic pump and a drive pulley of the combine harvester. An actuator is provided for selectively moving the hydraulic pump between the first position, in which the drive belt is maintained in a state of tension such that the drive pulley can drive the cleaning fan, and the second position, in which the drive belt is maintained in a relaxed state such that the drive pulley cannot drive the cleaning fan.

A sieve for use in an agricultural harvester includes a framework with a pair of opposed side members, and a first cross member extending between the side members at one end of the side members. A plurality of louvres extend between the pair of opposed side members. A pair of adjustment laths are respectively associated with and movable generally parallel to the side members, with each of the adjustment laths also being connected with the plurality of louvres. The sieve has an adjustment arrangement positioned below the plurality of louvres. The adjustment arrangement includes an actuator and a frame. One end of the actuator is connected to the first cross member and the other end of the actuator is connected to the frame. The frame has a pair of outboard ends with each of the outboard ends being connected to a respective one of the adjustment laths.

A sieve for use in an agricultural harvester includes a framework with a pair of opposed side members, and a first cross member extending between the side members at one end of the side members. A plurality of louvres extend between the pair of opposed side members. A pair of adjustment laths are respectively associated with and movable generally parallel to the side members, with each of the adjustment laths also being connected with the plurality of louvres. The sieve has an adjustment arrangement positioned below the plurality of louvres. The adjustment arrangement includes an actuator and a frame. One end of the actuator is connected to the first cross member and the other end of the actuator is connected to the frame. The frame has a pair of outboard ends with each of the outboard ends being connected to a respective one of the adjustment laths.

A drivetrain comprises an input shaft, a hollow shaft connected in terms of drive to the input shaft, and a bevel gear stage connected in terms of drive to the hollow shaft. The bevel gear stage comprises a driving bevel gear and a driven bevel gear. The driving bevel gear has a gear hub having an internal toothing which meshes with a first external toothing region extending axially on the hollow shaft. The first external toothing region is formed on a first connecting region of the hollow shaft. A rotation-transmitting region of the hollow shaft extends to axially adjoin the first connecting region. The rotation-transmitting region forms a rotationally conjoint connection in terms of drive between the input shaft and the first connecting region. The first connecting region is equipped, between the rotation-transmitting region and the external toothing region, with a first recess that defines a predetermined breaking point.

A drivetrain comprises an input shaft, a hollow shaft connected in terms of drive to the input shaft, and a bevel gear stage connected in terms of drive to the hollow shaft. The bevel gear stage comprises a driving bevel gear and a driven bevel gear. The driving bevel gear has a gear hub having an internal toothing which meshes with a first external toothing region extending axially on the hollow shaft. The first external toothing region is formed on a first connecting region of the hollow shaft. A rotation-transmitting region of the hollow shaft extends to axially adjoin the first connecting region. The rotation-transmitting region forms a rotationally conjoint connection in terms of drive between the input shaft and the first connecting region. The first connecting region is equipped, between the rotation-transmitting region and the external toothing region, with a first recess that defines a predetermined breaking point.

A combine harvester including one or two axial flow crop processors each with a rotor mounted for rotation inside a rotor housing that is arranged substantially longitudinally with respect to the harvester. A feed beater is mounted for rotation on a substantially transverse axis and serves to tangentially impel crop material into the crop processor(s). A drive system is provided for driving the rotor and the feed beater. A drive connection is provided between the rotor and the feed beater and includes a gear that is keyed to a rotor shaft of the rotor in front of a rotor drum.