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.

An apparatus for trimming plant material includes a rotatable tumbler through which the plant material is to be axially propagated while rotationally tumbling, and a plurality of cutting reel systems adjacent the tumbler. The plurality of cutting reel systems includes a first cutting reel system adjacent the tumbler, and a second cutting reel system adjacent a landing zone of the rotatable tumbler. The landing zone is an angular range about the axis of the tumbler within which plant material tends to land on the tumbler after tumbling through a central volume of the tumbler.

An apparatus for trimming plant material includes a rotatable tumbler through which the plant material is to be axially propagated while rotationally tumbling, and a plurality of cutting reel systems adjacent the tumbler. The plurality of cutting reel systems includes a first cutting reel system adjacent the tumbler, and a second cutting reel system adjacent a landing zone of the rotatable tumbler. The landing zone is an angular range about the axis of the tumbler within which plant material tends to land on the tumbler after tumbling through a central volume of the tumbler.

This invention relates to bale feeders and bale feeder drums. A lower drum and an upper drum have inter-engaging teeth which grip feed from a bale as they rotate. Lower bale feeder drum has inclined paddles and/or paddles with a tapering profile. The configuration of the paddles helps centralize bales during the feeding process, and helps to break up and stretch feed. The tapering profile of the paddles improves grip of feed by teeth on the drums.

This invention relates to bale feeders and bale feeder drums. A lower drum and an upper drum have inter-engaging teeth which grip feed from a bale as they rotate. Lower bale feeder drum has inclined paddles and/or paddles with a tapering profile. The configuration of the paddles helps centralize bales during the feeding process, and helps to break up and stretch feed. The tapering profile of the paddles improves grip of feed by teeth on the drums.

A chopper assembly for a harvester may include a blade reset assembly having an automatic blade reset mechanism configured to apply a force that urges the assembly to pivot about a pivot axis such a blade element supported by the blade reset assembly is biased towards an extended position. In addition, blade reset assembly may be configured to pivot against the force applied by the blade reset mechanism when the blade element is subjected to a sufficient counterfbrce force such that the blade element is moved towards a retracted position.

A chopper assembly for a harvester may include a blade reset assembly having an automatic blade reset mechanism configured to apply a force that urges the assembly to pivot about a pivot axis such a blade element supported by the blade reset assembly is biased towards an extended position. In addition, blade reset assembly may be configured to pivot against the force applied by the blade reset mechanism when the blade element is subjected to a sufficient counterfbrce force such that the blade element is moved towards a retracted position.

Chopping blade (10) of a chopping drum of a forage harvester, having a base body (11) which comprises a fastening portion (12) for fastening the chopping blade (10) to the chopping drum and a cutting portion (13) for the harvested crop to be chopped, wherein at least one crop guiding element (15) for guiding the harvested crop is fastened to the inner surface of the fastening portion (12).

Chopping blade (10) of a chopping drum of a forage harvester, having a base body (11) which comprises a fastening portion (12) for fastening the chopping blade (10) to the chopping drum and a cutting portion (13) for the harvested crop to be chopped, wherein at least one crop guiding element (15) for guiding the harvested crop is fastened to the inner surface of the fastening portion (12).

A chopper assembly for a crop residue distribution system of an agricultural combine may include a rotor shaft extending lengthwise along a rotational axis between a first end and a second end. The chopper assembly may also include a plurality of flail blades pivotally coupled to the rotor shaft. Each flail blade may be configured to pivot relative to the rotor shaft about a pivot axis, with the flail blades being spaced apart axially from one another between the first and second ends of the rotor shaft. In addition, the chopper assembly may include one or more features configured to improve the performance of the chopper assembly during low speed operation. For example, the feature(s) may correspond to one or more fixed blades coupled to the rotor shaft and/or one or more torsional springs provided in operative association with one or more of the flail blades.