Combine harvester with multi-stage grain preparation

• Main Authors: WILLEM, BENNY, VAN STEENKISTE, DIMITRI, CANNEGIETER, TODD A, VAN DE STEENE, BERT, DUQUESNE, FRANK R. G, BONTE, WARD, MISSOTTEN, BART M. A, MOUTTON, BART
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 10.03.2016
• Subjects: AGRICULTURE; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; DEVICES FOR STORING AGRICULTURAL OR HORTICULTURAL PRODUCE; FISHING; FORESTRY; HAY OR STRAW PRESSES; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HUNTING; PROCESSING OF HARVESTED PRODUCE; TRAPPING

The present invention is related to a combine harvester provided with a threshing means (1), a preparation means and a cleaning arrangement. The preparation means comprises multiple preparation stages, each of said stages being configured to transport said mixture over a given distance between a front edge and a rear edge of the stage, with an air gap (7) being present between each pair of consecutive stages. The preparation means further comprises a blower means (15) that is separate from the main blower (10), said blower means being configured to direct an air stream or air blasts towards at least one of said air gaps (7), to thereby blow at least a portion of said mixture towards the rear of the combine harvester. The preparation means comprises a plate (5) provided with fins (6) mounted transversally with respect to the longitudinal direction of the harvester, each fin (6) representing one of said preparation stages, the plate (5) further comprising one or more openings (8) between at least one pair of consecutive fins, said opening(s) being suitable for allowing the passage of an air stream produced by the separate blower means (15), and directed towards the gap (7) between the pair of consecutive fins (6).