An agricultural combine has a straw chopper that rotates in one direction in a straw chopping mode of operation and rotates in an opposing direction in a windrowing mode of operation.

A three-point bale spreader attachable to a tractor includes an arm capable of lifting a bale into a processing chamber. A pair of rotors with a plurality of flail knives is rotated to shred the bale. A conveyor feeds the bale into the rotating rotors, while a door can be opened to varying degrees to allow the shredded material to exit the bale spreader.

A three-point bale spreader attachable to a tractor includes an arm capable of lifting a bale into a processing chamber. A pair of rotors with a plurality of flail knives is rotated to shred the bale. A conveyor feeds the bale into the rotating rotors, while a door can be opened to varying degrees to allow the shredded material to exit the bale spreader.

A chopping unit (10) of a forage harvester, having a chopping drum (11) bearing chopping blades (15), having a shear bar carrier (17) bearing a shear bar (16) for the chopping blades (15), wherein a top side (20), facing away from the shear bar carrier (17), of the shear bar (16) provides a cutting edge (21) of the shear bar (16), wherein the top side (20) of the shear bar (16) is contoured such that the top side (20) of the shear bar (16) is inclined, at least in a top-side portion (26) facing the chopping drum (11), continuously in the direction of the chopping drum (11) in the contact region with the chopping blades, as seen in the axial direction of the chopping drum (11).

A chopping unit (10) of a forage harvester, having a chopping drum (11) bearing chopping blades (15), having a shear bar carrier (17) bearing a shear bar (16) for the chopping blades (15), wherein a top side (20), facing away from the shear bar carrier (17), of the shear bar (16) provides a cutting edge (21) of the shear bar (16), wherein the top side (20) of the shear bar (16) is contoured such that the top side (20) of the shear bar (16) is inclined, at least in a top-side portion (26) facing the chopping drum (11), continuously in the direction of the chopping drum (11) in the contact region with the chopping blades, as seen in the axial direction of the chopping drum (11).

A chopper mechanism for chopping stalk-like plant wherein the chopper mechanism includes a plurality of chopping elements that are removably mounted on the pair of chopper drums via associated holders. The chopping elements are mounted on the chopper drums circumferentially spaced apart and define a predetermined radial angle () therebetween. Each of the chopping elements having a pair of substantially parallel cutting edges spaced apart by substantially parallel mounting surfaces. One of the cutting edges is selectively engaged in the chopping while the other cutting edge is enclosed within the holder. The parallel cutting edge of the chopping elements facilitates in reversing each chopping element depending on the degree of abrasion of the cutting edge.

A chopper mechanism for chopping stalk-like plant wherein the chopper mechanism includes a plurality of chopping elements that are removably mounted on the pair of chopper drums via associated holders. The chopping elements are mounted on the chopper drums circumferentially spaced apart and define a predetermined radial angle () therebetween. Each of the chopping elements having a pair of substantially parallel cutting edges spaced apart by substantially parallel mounting surfaces. One of the cutting edges is selectively engaged in the chopping while the other cutting edge is enclosed within the holder. The parallel cutting edge of the chopping elements facilitates in reversing each chopping element depending on the degree of abrasion of the cutting edge.

A system for determining knife usage. The system includes an infeed cutter including a cutter rotor, a knife drawer, and a plurality of knives extending through the knife drawer. The cutter rotor is mounted above the knife drawer such that a cutting zone for crop material is defined. The system further includes a measuring device configured to measure a quantity which is representative for the couple exerted by the cutter rotor on crop material going through the cutting zone of the infeed cutter, a controller configured to control the measuring device for measuring values for the quantity at consecutive moments in time, and a knife usage determining module configured to determine knife usage based on the measured values.

A system for determining knife usage. The system includes an infeed cutter including a cutter rotor, a knife drawer, and a plurality of knives extending through the knife drawer. The cutter rotor is mounted above the knife drawer such that a cutting zone for crop material is defined. The system further includes a measuring device configured to measure a quantity which is representative for the couple exerted by the cutter rotor on crop material going through the cutting zone of the infeed cutter, a controller configured to control the measuring device for measuring values for the quantity at consecutive moments in time, and a knife usage determining module configured to determine knife usage based on the measured values.

A chopping drum is provided for a forage harvester including a plurality of blade holders distributed around the periphery of the chopping drum, and a plurality of chopping blades. Each of the chopping blades is selectively coupled to at least one blade holder in one of at least two different positions specified by a form-fitting means.