A harvesting machine including a frame, a rotor assembly rotatably coupled to the frame configured to move crop material, and a plurality of knives movably attached to the harvesting machine. The rotor assembly includes a plurality of spaced apart rotating blades, wherein one or more of the plurality of knives extends into the spaces between the blades. Each of the plurality of knives includes a knife body and a cutting edge having a plurality of teeth, wherein each of the teeth includes a scallop or valley. Each one of the plurality of valleys extends from the knife body to the leading edge of one of the plurality of teeth, wherein adjacent valleys are located on opposite sides of the knife body. The valleys are lined with a wear resistant material to increase the longevity of the cutting edge and cutting ability.

A cutting unit includes: a plurality of knives; a knife guard with at least one opening; a knife tray carrying the knives and movable between an exposed position where the knives extend through the at least one opening and a retracted position where the knives are shielded by the knife guard; and an overload protection assembly including a first slide member coupled to the knife tray and having a first engagement surface and a second slide member having a second engagement surface that is engaged with the first engagement surface. The first slide member and the second slide member are held together and slidable relative to one another such that the first slide member slides relative to the second slide member to move the knife tray from the exposed position to the retracted position when an overload force is applied to at least one of the knives.

A method for operating a baler including an initial step of providing a cleaning system that includes a floor plate having a plurality of slots therein, at least one knife tray, at least one actuator operably connected to the at least one knife tray, and a controller operably connected to the at least one actuator. The method further includes the steps of determining whether the plurality of knives of the at least one knife tray is retracted, determining whether to conduct a knife tray cleanout procedure for cleaning the floor plate based upon at least one cleaning parameter, and conducting the knife tray cleanout procedure by actuating the at least one actuator for cycling the plurality of knives of the at least one knife tray for dislodging debris from the floor plate.

A method for operating a baler including an initial step of providing a cleaning system that includes a floor plate having a plurality of slots therein, at least one knife tray, at least one actuator operably connected to the at least one knife tray, and a controller operably connected to the at least one actuator. The method further includes the steps of determining whether the plurality of knives of the at least one knife tray is retracted, determining whether to conduct a knife tray cleanout procedure for cleaning the floor plate based upon at least one cleaning parameter, and conducting the knife tray cleanout procedure by actuating the at least one actuator for cycling the plurality of knives of the at least one knife tray for dislodging debris from the floor plate.

A cutting assembly includes: a rotor having extensions; a rotor floor disposed adjacent to the rotor and having knife slots formed therein, the rotor floor defining a cutting side and a shielded side on the opposite side of the rotor floor; movable knives that each extend through a respective knife slot into the cutting side to cooperate with the extensions in a cutting position and are disposed on the shielded side such that the knives do not cooperate with the extensions in a retracted position; and a knife guide including a pair of spaced apart guide surfaces coupled to the rotor floor on the shielded side and defining a gap therebetween. A respectively associated knife is at least partially disposed in the gap when in the retracted position. At least one of the guide surfaces defines a curved shape that corresponds to a cutting edge profile of the associated knife.

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.

An agricultural working device, such as a mulcher, is improved with a working rotor which is driven by a drive shaft and a cutting rail with a cutting edge which can be directed towards the working rotor. Sensors for acquiring parameters of working rotor and/or cutting rail are provided. An electronic control apparatus is provided with at least one encoder to set the cutting rail. A method for setting the position of a cutting rail of a working device, such as a mulcher, relative to a working rotor, is configured in such a way that the rotational speed of a drive shaft and the rotational speed of the working rotor are measured and compared with one another. When a ratio of the rotational speeds differs by a predefined threshold, a change in the position of the cutting rail is brought about.

An agricultural working apparatus, for the separation of ground vegetation, in particular a mulching, mowing or a milling apparatus, includes at least one cutting device, having a cutting rail, and at least one adjusting device for the adjustment of the cutting rail. The cutting device has at least one connecting piece, which is arranged laterally in the transverse direction and by means of which the cutting rail is connected to the adjusting device.

A knife and blade for agricultural machines, in particular mower knife blades, straw chopper knives, corn header knives, feed mixer knives, loader wagon knives and baler knives, has at least one toothed cutting edge extending from a cutting edge beginning to a cutting edge end on a blade surface. The cutting edge has a straight or curved configuration and the blade surface has a mounting section. The toothing of the cutting edge is varied along its length with regard to the tooth pitch and/or the tooth geometry.