Combine harvesters are provided for use in harvesting seed corn from corn plants in fields. In connection therewith, a method for producing such seed corn from the corn plants, for use in growing subsequent corn plants, includes measuring a moisture content of corn kernels on ears of the corn plants in the field and removing, by one of the combine harvesters, the ears of corn from the corn plants when the moisture content satisfies a threshold moisture content. The method then includes separating the corn kernels from cobs of the ears of corn onboard the combine harvester and collecting the separated corn kernels for use as seed corn, whereby one or more subsequent corn plants can be grown from the collected corn kernels.

A threshing concave assembly is disclosed having a threshing concave bar wherein the threshing bar is comprised of two threshing surfaces having a dihedral angle relationship relative to each other. In addition, in another aspect the threshing bar can be comprised of two dihedral surfaces whereby one surface face has about 130% greater surface area than its adjacent surface face. Alternatively, one surface face of the threshing bar can be 1.3x wider than its adjacent surface face. In another aspect the threshing bar can be comprised of two dihedral surfaces whereby one surface face has about a 170% greater surface area than its adjacent surface face.

A threshing system of an agricultural harvester. The threshing system including a rotor cage surrounding a rotor defining a threshing space there between. The rotor cage has a cut crop entrance, a transition cone defining an infeed to the rotor cage, where the transition cone is positioned to direct crop flow toward the cut crop entrance of the rotor cage. The threshing system also includes an infeed ramp positioned between the rotor cage and the transition cone, where the infeed ramp includes guide vanes for guiding the crop flow from the transition cone into the cut crop entrance of the rotor cage.

A threshing system of an agricultural harvester. The threshing system including a rotor cage surrounding a rotor defining a threshing space there between. The rotor cage has a cut crop entrance, a transition cone defining an infeed to the rotor cage, where the transition cone is positioned to direct crop flow toward the cut crop entrance of the rotor cage. The threshing system also includes an infeed ramp positioned between the rotor cage and the transition cone, where the infeed ramp includes guide vanes for guiding the crop flow from the transition cone into the cut crop entrance of the rotor cage.

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.

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 rotary thresher for a combine harvester including a plurality of concaves which may be rotated around a rotor to move to or from a threshing position or one or more of one or more resting positions.

A rotary thresher for a combine harvester including a plurality of concaves which may be rotated around a rotor to move to or from a threshing position or one or more of one or more resting positions.

An agricultural vehicle including a chassis and a threshing system supported by the chassis. The threshing system includes a rotor, a front concave located at a distance radially away from the rotor and at least partially surrounding the rotor, and an infeed ramp connected to the front concave. The infeed ramp is located at a distance radially away from the rotor and has a plurality of slots therein. The threshing system also includes a support member positioned underneath the infeed ramp and a plurality of vanes connected to the support member. Each vane extends through a respective slot of the plurality of slots and is located at a distance radially away from the rotor. The vanes are configured for contacting and directing the crop material rearwardly towards the front concave.

An agricultural vehicle including a chassis and a threshing system supported by the chassis. The threshing system includes a rotor, a front concave located at a distance radially away from the rotor and at least partially surrounding the rotor, and an infeed ramp connected to the front concave. The infeed ramp is located at a distance radially away from the rotor and has a plurality of slots therein. The threshing system also includes a support member positioned underneath the infeed ramp and a plurality of vanes connected to the support member. Each vane extends through a respective slot of the plurality of slots and is located at a distance radially away from the rotor. The vanes are configured for contacting and directing the crop material rearwardly towards the front concave.