A harvesting machine that has a first rotor rotationally coupled to a chassis, a second rotor rotationally coupled to the chassis, and a spine separating the first rotor from the second rotor. Wherein the spine has threshing inserts coupled thereto to facilitate threshing of crop processed by the first and second rotors.

The invention comprises a method for increasing the harvesting effectiveness of a combine harvester using a removable cover plate assembly, which may be quickly attached, detached and adjusted to the exterior of a concave grate of a combine harvester in order to adjust the flow characteristics of the concave or separator grate assemblies. The method for using the cover plate assembly increases the threshing capability of the rasp bar threshing cylinder while simultaneously capturing additional threshed grain. Moreover, the cover plate assembly of the present invention enables a single set of concave grate assemblies to better harvest a wider variety of crop types.

A threshing and separating system for an agricultural harvester includes a rotor configured to rotate about a rotor axis, a rotor cage at least partially enclosing the rotor and including a tailings return inlet formed therein and configured to couple to a tailings return elevator and an insert opening formed therein that is at least partially circumferentially aligned with the tailings return inlet relative to the rotor axis, at least one concave coupled to the rotor cage and defining a plurality of concave perforations, and a threshing insert removably coupled to the rotor cage and including at least one mounting opening. The threshing insert at least partially covers the insert opening and is positioned such that material from the tailings return inlet travels past the threshing insert before reaching the concave.

The present invention comprises multiple embodiments of an automated, dynamic cover plate system, which may be quickly attached, detached and adjusted to the exterior of a concave grate of a combine harvester in order to adjust the flow characteristics of the concave or separator grate assemblies. The automated, dynamic cover plate system improves the threshing capability of the rasp bar threshing cylinder while simultaneously capturing additional threshed grain. The automated, dynamic cover plate system of the present invention is designed to be controlled, either manually or automatically, by the operator of the combine harvester or by a computerized or automated intelligence system.

A threshing and separating system including a non-stationary rotor cage including a perforated cylindrical body extending in a longitudinal direction from a first open end portion to a second open end portion. The first open end portion supported by a first rotatable coupling point, and the second open end portion supported by a second rotatable coupling point. The threshing and separating system also includes a rotor configured to rotate within the non-stationary rotor cage to thresh harvested crop. The non-stationary rotor cage is configured to rotate about an axis extending between the first rotatable coupling point and the second rotatable coupling point, and to be rotationally driven by the rotor via the threshed harvested crop.

A concave assembly for an agricultural machine includes a frame pivotally connected to a structural component and a concave connected to the frame. The frame includes a trunnion having a front end and a rear end. A front arm and a rear arm are connected to the trunnion. A crossbar extends between the front arm and the rear arm. A rotating member rotatably connected to the crossbar. The concave includes a first outer support and a second outer support. An inner support is positioned between the first outer support and the second outer support. A plurality of separator bars extend between the first outer support and the second outer support.

A concave assembly for an agricultural machine includes a frame pivotally connected to a structural component and a concave connected to the frame. The frame includes a trunnion having a front end and a rear end. A front arm and a rear arm are connected to the trunnion. A crossbar extends between the front arm and the rear arm. A rotating member rotatably connected to the crossbar. The concave includes a first outer support and a second outer support. An inner support is positioned between the first outer support and the second outer support. A plurality of separator bars extend between the first outer support and the second outer support.

A harvesting machine that has a first rotor rotationally coupled to a chassis, a second rotor rotationally coupled to the chassis, and a spine separating the first rotor from the second rotor. Wherein the spine has threshing inserts coupled thereto to facilitate threshing of crop processed by the first and second rotors.

The concave section includes a first concave body. The first concave body includes a first leading end, a first trailing end, a first upstream side and a first downstream side. A width between the first upstream side and the first downstream side is no greater than 10 inches. The first concave body includes a first crop engagement face that extends between the first ends and the first sides. The first crop engagement face includes at least one of a first thresher profile portion and a first separator profile portion.

A threshing and separating system including a non-stationary rotor cage including a perforated cylindrical body extending in a longitudinal direction from a first open end portion to a second open end portion. The first open end portion supported by a first rotatable coupling point, and the second open end portion supported by a second rotatable coupling point. The threshing and separating system also includes a rotor configured to rotate within the non-stationary rotor cage to thresh harvested crop. The non-stationary rotor cage is configured to rotate about an axis extending between the first rotatable coupling point and the second rotatable coupling point, and to be rotationally driven by the rotor via the threshed harvested crop.