A combine harvester (10) comprises sensing means to detect or estimate a volume of material other than grain (MOG) flowing through crop processing apparatus. A photoelectric sensing device (60) in communication with a controller (101) is arranged forward of, and below, a front edge (32′) of a return pan (32) which serves to catch crop material falling from overhead separating apparatus (20). The photoelectric sensing device (60) generates one or more light beams (68) which are directed across a path of a crop mat (80) as the mat falls under gravity from the front edge (32′). The controller (101) is configured to generate one of a fan speed setting and a sieve opening setting in dependence upon detection signals that are generated by the photoelectric sensing device (60).

Embodiments of a kernel-level grain monitoring system include a grain camera positioned to capture bulk grain sample images of a currently-harvested grain taken into and processed by a combine harvester, a moisture sensor, and a display device. A controller architecture is coupled to the grain camera, to the moisture sensor, and to the display device. The controller architecture is configured to: (i) analyze the bulk grain sample images, as received from the grain camera, to determine an average per kernel (APK) volume representing an estimated volume of a single average kernel of the currently-harvested grain; (ii) repeatedly calculate one or more topline harvesting parameters based, at least in part, on the determined APK volume and the moisture sensor data; and (iii) selectively present the topline harvesting parameters on the display device for viewing by an operator of the combine harvester.

A hood assembly for a fan that has a base section, a discharge nozzle pivotally coupled to the base section, and a motor coupled between the base section and the discharge nozzle. Wherein, the discharge nozzle is repositionable with the motor to alter the orientation of the discharge nozzle relative to the base section.

A rotary cleaning system for a combine harvester that includes a hollow drum having a plurality of apertures along at least a portion of a length of an exterior surface of the drum, the drum having a feeding end configured to receive a harvested crop and a discharge end configured to expel chaff from the harvested crop and a guiding vane positioned in an interior of the drum, wherein one of the drum and the guiding vane is configured for rotation while the other one of the drum and the guiding vane is stationary to expel grain through the plurality of apertures in the drum. A feeding mechanism can be attached to supply the crop to the hollow drum. A fan can be attached to the rotary cleaning system to generate an air flow stream. A plurality of fingers can be positioned in the drum.

A handheld harvester apparatus may include a threshing assembly and a screening assembly within a housing. The threshing assembly may include a threshing drum with a plurality of blades coupled to a first axle. The plurality of blades may include a set of teeth configured to strip a plurality of seeds and plant material from a plant. The screening assembly may include a paddle assembly configured to receive the plurality of seeds and plant material from the threshing assembly, the paddle assembly including a plurality of paddles coupled to a second axle. The screening assembly may include a screen assembly positioned beneath the paddle assembly, the screen assembly including a plurality of pass-through apertures configured to define a threshold for the plurality of seeds. The screening assembly may include a collection chamber configured to receive any of the plurality of seeds that exit the plurality of pass-through apertures.

A combine and combine conversion for collecting agricultural plants in a manner that separates various parts of the plants for collection or disposal. A combine is provided with an improved system for collecting and cleaning seed of an agricultural material such as cannabis while collecting lightweight chaff, such as trichomes, and returning stalks back to the agricultural field. The system provides for rapid conversion of a combine to seed and chaff collection and back again.

A combine harvester, and method of control involves conveying a crop material stream through a grain cleaning system which has screening apparatus. A cleaning airstream (X) is generated by a fan which is driven by a hydraulic fan drive system. The cleaning airstream (X) is directed through the screening apparatus. A fan drive pressure of a hydraulic supply line within the fan drive system is measured with a sensor. A material quantity value is calculated from the fan drive pressure. A working unit of the combine harvester is controlled using the material quantity value.

A sugarcane harvester for harvesting sugarcane including a cutter configured to cut sugarcane into a sugarcane mat. An extractor is operatively connected to the cutter, and includes a fan housing having an inlet configured to receive the sugarcane mat and an outlet configured to discharge crop debris. A fan is located in the fan housing to move the sugarcane mat through the fan housing and includes a motor, blades rotatably coupled to the motor, and a blade angle of incidence mechanism operatively connected to the blades, wherein the blade angle of incidence mechanism adjusts the angle of incidence of the blades with respect to the motor. Sensors identify an air flow through the fan housing or a load placed on the motor during movement of the sugarcane mat through the fan housing. The angle of incidence of the blades is adjusted based on one or both of the air flow through the fan housing or the load placed on the motor.

A combine harvester includes a cleaning shoe, which has a chaffer, a sieve below the chaffer, a blower configured to direct air rearward and upward through the sieve and the chaffer, and an air channel assembly defining a plurality of longitudinal air channels positioned to receive air from the blower under a forward end of the sieve and deliver the air to a position rearward along a length of the sieve. The air channels are spaced such that the air channel assembly defines free paths between adjacent air channels such that grain falling downward through the sieve does not obstruct rearward air flow through the air channels.

A combine harvester includes a housing having a rear hood and defining an interior, a blower for generating an air stream in a substantially rearward direction, and a cleaning system separating residue from a crop material such that the residue is transported via the air stream rearwardly to be discharged from the housing. A chopper rotor assembly is disposed within the interior below the rear hood and includes a chopper rotor having a plurality of blades for chopping the residue as it is received via the air stream. A chopper housing is disposed within the interior and defines an inlet of the chopper rotor for receiving the residue and an outlet spaced rearward from the chopper rotor for discharge of the chopped residue from the interior of the housing. An air gap through which the air stream may exit the interior is defined between the rear hood and chopper rotor.