A crop debris routing assembly for an agricultural machine includes a chopper rotor and opposing knives. The chopper rotor is configured to rotate about a chopper axis and includes chopper knives extending away from the chopper axis. The opposing knives extend toward the chopper rotor and are spaced from the chopper knives. The crop debris routing assembly includes at least one load cell operatively coupled to a controller. The at least one load cell measures a force applied to the opposing knives as harvested crop passes through the crop debris routing assembly. The controller receives a signal from the at least one load cell indicative of the measured force applied to the opposing knives and determines an amount of power required by the chopper rotor based on the measured force applied to the opposing knives and a rotational speed of the chopper rotor.

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 detection arrangement for detecting a state of wear of a chopping assembly comprises at least one magnet arrangement which includes a magnetic excitation arrangement and a flux-conducting device magnetically coupled thereto. The magnet arrangement provides a pole arrangement which forms at least one magnetic pole for outwardly conducting magnetic flux. At least one portion of the chopping blades moves past the pole arrangement during a rotation of the cutting cylinder, and forms an air gap arrangement including at least one air gap with respect to the pole arrangement and, as a result, at least one magnetic circuit excited by the excitation arrangement is closed via the chopping blade. At least one portion of the magnetic flux generated by the magnetic excitation arrangement is longitudinally guided in the chopping blade at least across one longitudinal portion of the chopping blade.

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.

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.

An apparatus comprising a pair of associated chopper drums, including a top chopper drum and a lower chopper drum. The chopper drum defines an axial cylindrical bore having a rotational axis into which is mounted a drive shaft (not shown) that is keyed radially to drive the chopper drum. Radially spaced from the rotational axis are a plurality of outwardly facing recesses defined by walls of a body of the chopper drum. Each recess extends longitudinally along the periphery of the chopper drum end-end to provide a recess for mounting a corresponding plurality of cutting blades. Each recess is defined by a longitudinally extending lower wall and an opposed and circumferentially spaced. The cross sectional profile of the chopper drum is generally consistent throughout its length and includes a plurality of ridges and troughs with the ridges built up to define therein the recesses, the ridges being interposed by the troughs. A higher side wall provides support for the cutting blade and is inclined relative to a plane extending radially outwardly from the rotational axis. The opposed smaller side wall supports a wedge clamp.

An apparatus comprising a pair of associated chopper drums, including a top chopper drum and a lower chopper drum. The chopper drum defines an axial cylindrical bore having a rotational axis into which is mounted a drive shaft (not shown) that is keyed radially to drive the chopper drum. Radially spaced from the rotational axis are a plurality of outwardly facing recesses defined by walls of a body of the chopper drum. Each recess extends longitudinally along the periphery of the chopper drum end-end to provide a recess for mounting a corresponding plurality of cutting blades. Each recess is defined by a longitudinally extending lower wall and an opposed and circumferentially spaced. The cross sectional profile of the chopper drum is generally consistent throughout its length and includes a plurality of ridges and troughs with the ridges built up to define therein the recesses, the ridges being interposed by the troughs. A higher side wall provides support for the cutting blade and is inclined relative to a plane extending radially outwardly from the rotational axis. The opposed smaller side wall supports a wedge clamp.