The present invention comprises 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 cover plate assembly improves 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.

The present invention comprises 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 cover plate assembly improves 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 method of coating an agricultural component including the step of providing a concave component. The concave component has a crop engaging surface. The method also includes the steps of applying a high hardness coating on the crop engaging surface, and bonding the applied high hardness coating to the crop engaging surface by heating the applied high hardness coating to a temperature of at least 1900 F.

A method of coating an agricultural component including the step of providing a concave component. The concave component has a crop engaging surface. The method also includes the steps of applying a high hardness coating on the crop engaging surface, and bonding the applied high hardness coating to the crop engaging surface by heating the applied high hardness coating to a temperature of at least 1900 F.

An agricultural harvester including a chassis and a threshing and separating section for threshing and separating grain from gathered crop material. The threshing and separating section is carried by the chassis. The threshing and separating section includes at least one concave having a hooking feature, at least one sliding support, and a frame assembly for carrying and coupling the at least one concave thereto. The frame assembly includes a support bar allowing the hooking feature of the at least one concave to hook over the support bar to support one side of the at least one concave. Another side of the at least one concave is coupled to the frame assembly. The at least one sliding support supports the at least one concave as the at least one concave is moved toward or away from the support bar.

An agricultural harvester including a chassis and a threshing and separating section for threshing and separating grain from gathered crop material. The threshing and separating section is carried by the chassis. The threshing and separating section includes at least one concave having a hooking feature, at least one sliding support, and a frame assembly for carrying and coupling the at least one concave thereto. The frame assembly includes a support bar allowing the hooking feature of the at least one concave to hook over the support bar to support one side of the at least one concave. Another side of the at least one concave is coupled to the frame assembly. The at least one sliding support supports the at least one concave as the at least one concave is moved toward or away from the support bar.

A concave for a combine harvester having a first side support member and a second side support member. The concave can further include a threshing bar secured to the first and second side support members, the threshing bar having a cut-out that extends the length of the threshing bar such that the cut-out defines a first face and a second face for the threshing bar. In addition, the first and second side support members can each include a top surface having a first face and a second face, wherein the first face and the second face of the first and second side support members substantially axially align with the first face and the second face of the threshing bar.

A concave for a combine harvester having a first side support member and a second side support member. The concave can further include a threshing bar secured to the first and second side support members, the threshing bar having a cut-out that extends the length of the threshing bar such that the cut-out defines a first face and a second face for the threshing bar. In addition, the first and second side support members can each include a top surface having a first face and a second face, wherein the first face and the second face of the first and second side support members substantially axially align with the first face and the second face of the threshing bar.

A combine for harvesting a harvested material that includes a grain, the combine comprising: a threshing chamber comprising a series of threshing and separating apparatuses, sequentially arranged, comprising at least: (i) a straight bar concave (ii) a first round bar concave, and (iii) a second round bar concave. The size of each of the straight bar throats is smaller than a size of the first openings, and the size of each of the first openings is smaller than the size of each of the second openings.

A grain processing apparatus for a combine harvester has a threshing system and a separating system downstream of the threshing system. The separating system includes a rotor and a separator grate. A cover is provided against the separator grate, at a side of the separator grate opposite to the rotor. The cover is a slide fit at one end and has a locking arrangement at the other end, such that the cover can be slid into place then locked in a closed position against the separator grate, or unlocked and removed. When closed, the cover blocks the flow of material to a cleaning system of the combine harvester in order to reduce the loss suffered at the cleaning system.