AU2022203676A1

AU2022203676A1 - Combine harvester with weed seed destruction system

Info

Publication number: AU2022203676A1
Application number: AU2022203676A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Dean Mayerle
Original assignee: Tritana Intellectual Property Ltd
Current assignee: Tritana Intellectual Property Ltd
Priority date: 2015-07-14
Filing date: 2022-05-30
Publication date: 2022-06-16
Also published as: AU2021257987B2; AU2021100875A4; AU2022203321B2; AU2018208623B2; AU2021257987A1; AU2020101418B4; AU2022203272A1; AU2021200395B2; AU2022203150A1; AU2021200395A1; AU2019275558A1; AU2018208623A1; AU2017228663A1; AU2018208622B2; AU2020101420B4; AU2019200123B2; AU2021100889A4; AU2017228663B2; AU2020101420C4; AU2021100875B4

Abstract

Weed seeds are destroyed in the chaff from a combine harvester by repeated high speed impacts caused by a rotor mounted in one of a pair of side by side housings which accelerate the discarded seeds in a direction centrifugally away 5 from the rotor onto a stator including angularly adjustable stator surfaces around the axis. Thus the discarded seeds rebound back and forth between the rotor and the stator to provide a plurality of impacts. The seeds are carried axially of the rotor by a controlled airstream so that they move to an axial discharge location where a discharge fan is mounted. The angle of the discharge around the rotor axis can be 10 changed to direct the seeds to the side of the combine away from a straw chopper, towards the guide fins of the tailboard of the chopper, or into the housing of the straw chopper.

Description

COMBINE HARVESTER WITH WEED SEED DESTRUCTION SYSTEM

This invention relates to a combine harvester with a weed seed

destruction system so that weed seeds in the discharged chaff can be devitalized

before being spread onto the ground.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Combine harvesters harvest cereal grain crops, such as wheat, oats,

rye, barley, corn, soybeans and flax. Grain and straw are separated in a combine

harvester. Following the separation process, waste straw and chaff is supplied to

a chopper for shredding and distributing back over the field in an even spread pattern.

During the harvesting process weed seeds and grain seed are

discharged with the residue into the chopper and spread back onto the field. The

combine is then effectively acting as a seeder to evenly spread the seed back onto

the field. In a number of areas of the world herbicides are used heavily to control the

weed seeds however this has led to weed seed that has become resistant to the

herbicide. Grain seed has been developed to be resistant to specific herbicides, which

depending on crop rotations can be a problem for subsequent crop.

It is known that if the seed can be removed or destroyed before the

combine spreads it back onto the field the cycle can be stopped. Research has shown

that, with three consecutive cycles of weed and grain removal, significant reductions

in herbicide can be obtained providing huge saving for farmers.

One recent approach is shown in WO 2014/127408 published August

2 8 th 2014 and assigned to Grains Research Development Corporation Australia which shows that a plurality of impacts at relatively high speed of the seeds with a stationary object causes breakdown of the seed sufficient to prevent germination. Thus they have developed a cage mill which is integrally mounted inside the combine harvester so as to receive waste material (discarded seeds and chaff) from the sieve. The cage mill assembly includes at least one rotating ring carrying a plurality of blades and a series of outer stationary rings or fixed blades. Thus the seeds are accelerated outwardly by escaping centrifugally from the rotating blades into the surrounding stationary blades of the outer rings where a series of impacts occur as the seeds move outwardly into and through the fixed blades. The seeds are released outwardly under the centrifugal force from the stationary blades and escape outwardly into a peripheral channel for discharge.

The document shows evidence that four impacts at relatively high speed

are sufficient to cause the required breakdown of the seeds, for example to obtain a

95% kill rate.

However the cage mill shown is large and complex with numerous rings

running in opposite directions. Should a rock, or other hard material enter the mill, the

entire cage mill would need to be replaced. Thus the system may function to destroy

the seeds but has practical difficulties as it is without consideration of other obstacles

passing through the assembly. The assembly runs at a very high rotational speed, so

the precision in manufacturing is critical. Although this is believed that this

arrangement is closer to commercialization a number of problems remain with the

design.

US Patent 3,448,933 (Roy) issued June 10 1969 describes a cone style

grinding shear mill used to process weed seed. All excess chaff and weed seed is

processed by the unit. However it is a permanently fixed grinder without a means to

bypass material other than residue. It would also allow passage of small fine seeds

as it would need to be set to the average seed size to allow adequate throughput.

US Patent 5,059,154 (Reyenga) issued October 22 1991 discloses a

pair of rollers to mill seeds smaller than grain that are in the clean grain auger. This

does not address seeds thrown over the back of the sieve and would not work if placed

behind the sieve as today's combines the chaff stream is often 6 inches thick which

would cushion the seeds and allow the spread of live seed back onto the field.

In AU Published Application 2001/038781 an additional sieve is added

to remove more of the chaff before milling, and separate the weed seed from the grain.

However this is not practical with today's combines. All combines throw out some

grain and farmers want the herbicide tolerant grain removed as well.

US Patent 8,152,610 (Harrington) issued April 10 2012 discloses an

arrangement which processes all the chaff coming off of the sieves and blows it to a

trailing cart to pulverize all of the residue. The cart requires a second engine running

in the dust of the combine and the mill requires a significant amount of power to

pulverize and discharge the residue back onto the field. The cage mill disclosed is

large and complex with numerous rings running in opposite directions. Again, the

rings have not removable parts so should a rock, or other hard material enter it the entire cage mill would need to be replaced. The cost of this system will limit its commercialviability.

The term weed seed destruction used herein is used somewhat

colloquially in that the seeds are not annihilated but are devitalized or rendered so that

they cannot germinate. It will of course also be appreciated that not necessarily each

and every seed is destroyed but that the intention is that a significant number will be

incapable of germination so as to reduce the number of emerging seeds in the growing

season.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a combine

harvester comprising:

a separation system for separating from harvested crop a first material

comprising straw and a second material comprising chaff and weed seeds;

a straw spreading device for receiving the first material and spreading

the first material at least to sides of the combine harvester; and

a weed seed destructor section comprising:

a destructor rotor housing arranged to receive the second material;

a destructor rotor arrangement mounted in the destructor rotor housing

for rotation about a rotor axis and including a hub and plurality of rotor blades mounted

on the hub for engaging the second material; wherein each blade includes a blade portion extending at an angle to a radial plane of the pivot axis so as to act as a fan blade to drive entrained air and the second material centrifugally outwardly from the axis of the rotor; wherein the blades are each pivotally mounted on the hub for movement about a respective pivot axis parallel to the rotor axis so as to act as flails; a stator arrangement mounted at a location radially outwardly from the hub for engaging the weed seeds in said accelerated second material to cause a plurality of impacts with the weed seeds; the stator arrangement comprising at least a first array of impact elements defining a plurality of stator surfaces disposed around the axis of the destructor rotor arrangement.

Preferably in this aspect at least a part of the blade portion of each blade

extends in a direction axial of the rotor axis to a position axially beyond an end face of

the hub.

Preferably in this aspect at least a part of said blade portion of each

blade is inclined to a radius of the respective pivot axis so that a radially outer end of

the blade portion is angularly advanced relative to a radially inner end of the blade

portion.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a combine

harvester comprising:

a separation system for separating from harvested crop a first material

comprising straw and a second material comprising chaff and weed seeds; a straw spreading device for receiving the first material and spreading the first material at least to sides of the combine harvester; and a weed seed destructor section comprising: a destructor rotor housing arranged to receive the second material; a destructor rotor arrangement mounted in the destructor rotor housing for rotation about a rotor axis and including a hub and plurality of rotor blades mounted on the hub for engaging the second material; wherein each blade includes a blade portion extending at an angle to a radial plane of the pivot axis so as to act as a fan blade to drive entrained air and the second material centrifugally outwardly from the axis of the rotor; wherein at least a part of the blade portion of each blade extends in a direction axial of the rotor axis to a position axially beyond an end face of the hub a stator arrangement mounted at a location radially outwardly from the hub for engaging the weed seeds in said accelerated second material to cause a plurality of impacts with the weed seeds; the stator arrangement comprising at least a first array of impact elements defining a plurality of stator surfaces disposed around the axis of the destructor rotor arrangement.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a combine

harvester comprising:

a separation system for separating from harvested crop a first material

comprising straw and a second material comprising chaff and weed seeds; a straw spreading device for receiving the first material and spreading the first material at least to sides of the combine harvester; and a weed seed destructor section comprising: a destructor rotor housing arranged to receive the second material; a destructor rotor arrangement mounted in the destructor rotor housing for rotation about a rotor axis and including a hub and plurality of rotor blades mounted on the hub for engaging the second material; wherein each blade includes a blade portion extending at an angle to a radial plane of the pivot axis so as to act as a fan blade to drive entrained air and the second material centrifugally outwardly from the axis of the rotor; wherein at least a part of said blade portion of each blade is inclined to a radius of the respective pivot axis so that a radially outer end of the blade portion is angularly advanced relative to a radially inner end of the blade portion; a stator arrangement mounted at a location radially outwardly from the hub for engaging the weed seeds in said accelerated second material to cause a plurality of impacts with the weed seeds; the stator arrangement comprising at least a first array of impact elements defining a plurality of stator surfaces disposed around the axis of the destructor rotor arrangement.

The embodiments disclosed hereinafter provide a number of further

features and aspects.

According to one feature described herein there is provided an

apparatus for destroying weed seeds comprising:

a housing arranged to be mounted at a location on a combine harvester

for receiving from the location a feed material containing separated chaff and weed

seeds separated by the combine harvester from harvested crop;

a rotor mounted in the housing for rotation about an axis and including

rotor surfaces thereon for engaging the feed material and for accelerating the feed

material in a direction outwardly from the axis of the rotor;

a stator arranged at a location along the direction and including one or

more stator surfaces for engaging the weed seeds in the accelerated feed material;

said stator and said one or more stator surfaces of the stator being

arranged at an angle to a tangent of the rotor axis such that the weed seeds impact

on said one or more stator surfaces.

Preferably the stator surfaces are movable in an adjustment movement

relative to a tangent to the axis of the rotor so as to change the number of impacts

caused to each weed seed.

Preferably the stator surfaces are movable in the adjustment movement

about an axis parallel to the rotor axis.

Preferably the stator surfaces can be set up or adjusted for different

weed seed sizes.

Preferably the stator surfaces are replaceable.

Preferably the stator surfaces are hard surface coated.

Preferably the rotor comprises a hub carrying rotor blades defining said

rotor surfaces where the blades are pivotally mounted about an axis parallel to the

rotor axis so as to act as flails.

Preferably said stator and said one or more stator surfaces of the stator

are arranged such that the weed seeds impact on said one or more stator surfaces

and do not pass through the stator along said direction but instead are rebounded

therefrom back toward the rotor and such that the weed seeds rebound back and forth

between the rotor and the stator to provide a plurality of impacts on the accelerated

feed material to destroy at least some of the weed seeds.

Preferably at least one of the rotor surfaces and/or at least one of the

stator surfaces is arranged to pivot to a position to increase a spacing between the

stator and rotor surfaces to allow the passage of foreign objects between the rotor and

stator surfaces.

Preferably the rotational speed of the rotor is adjustable to change the

number of impacts a seed encounters during its passage.

According to one feature described herein there is provide an apparatus

for destroying weed seeds comprising:

a housing arranged to be mounted at a location on a combine harvester

seeds separated by the combine harvester from harvested crop; a rotor mounted in the housing for rotation about an axis and including rotor surfaces thereon for engaging the feed material and for accelerating the feed material in a direction outwardly from the axis of the rotor; a stator arranged at a location along the direction and including one or more stator surfaces for engaging the weed seeds in the accelerated feed material; wherein the stator surfaces are movable in an adjustment movement so as to change the number of impacts caused to each weed seed.

Preferably the stator surfaces are movable in the adjustment movement

about an axis parallel to the rotor axis.

According to one feature described herein there is provide an apparatus

for destroying weed seeds comprising:

a housing arranged to be mounted at a location on a combine harvester

seeds separated by the combine harvester from harvested crop;

a rotor mounted in the housing for rotation about an axis and including

material in a direction outwardly from the axis of the rotor;

a stator arranged at a location along the direction and including one or

wherein the stator surfaces are replaceable.

According to one feature described herein there is provide an apparatus

for destroying weed seeds comprising: a housing arranged to be mounted at a location on a combine harvester for receiving from the location a feed material containing separated chaff and weed seeds separated by the combine harvester from harvested crop; a rotor mounted in the housing for rotation about an axis and including rotor surfaces thereon for engaging the feed material and for accelerating the feed material in a direction outwardly from the axis of the rotor; a stator arranged at a location along the direction and including one or more stator surfaces for engaging the weed seeds in the accelerated feed material; said stator and said one or more stator surfaces of the stator being arranged such that the weed seeds impact on said one or more stator surfaces; wherein the rotor comprises a hub carrying rotor blades defining said rotor surfaces where the blades are pivotally mounted about an axis parallel to the rotor axis so as to act as flails.

According to one feature described herein there is provide an apparatus

for destroying weed seeds for use in a combine harvester where the combine

harvester comprises a separation system for separating from harvested crop at a first

discharge location a first material comprising straw and at a second discharge location

a second material comprising chaff and said weed seeds, the apparatus comprising:

a straw chopper section comprising:

a chopper housing arranged to receive from the first discharge

location the first material containing straw;

a chopper rotor mounted in the chopper housing having a plurality of chopping blades for chopping the straw for discharge from the first housing component; and a spreading device for receiving the straw discharged from the chopper housing and spreading the discharged straw to rear and sides of the combine harvester; a weed seed destructor section comprising: a destructor housing arranged to receive from the second discharge location the second material; a rotor arrangement mounted in the destructor housing for rotation about an axis and including rotor surfaces thereon for engaging the second material and for accelerating the feed material in a direction outwardly from the axis of the rotor; a stator arrangement mounted at a location along the direction and including a plurality of stator surfaces for engaging the weed seeds in the accelerated second material to cause a plurality of impacts with the weed seeds; and at least one a discharge mouth for discharge of the second material after the plurality of impacts; said at least one discharge mouth being located so as to direct the second material underneath the bottom wall onto the spreading device.

Preferably said rotor arrangement comprises two rotors each having an

upstanding axis of rotation with the two rotors arranged side by side across the

combine harvester and wherein said at least one discharge mouth comprises two discharge mouths at spaced positions across combine harvester and each arranged to direct the second material underneath the chopper housing onto the spreading device.

Preferably the spreading device comprises a tailboard with a plurality of

fins and the discharge mouth is oriented to direct the second material onto the fins.

Preferably the weed seed destructor section is mounted with an intake

in front of the chopper housing and with the rotor and stator underneath the chopper

housing.

According to one feature described herein there is provide an apparatus

for destroying weed seeds for use in a combine harvester where the combine

a straw chopper section comprising:

a chopper housing arranged to receive from the first discharge

location the first material containing straw;

a chopper rotor mounted in the chopper housing having a plurality

of chopping blades for chopping the straw for discharge from the first housing

component;

and a spreading device for receiving the straw discharged from

the chopper housing and spreading the discharged straw to rear and sides of the

combine harvester; a weed seed destructor section comprising: a destructor housing arranged to receive from the second discharge location the second material; a rotor arrangement mounted in the destructor housing for rotation about an axis and including rotor surfaces thereon for engaging the second material and for accelerating the feed material in a direction outwardly from the axis of the rotor; a stator arrangement mounted at a location along the direction and including a plurality of stator surfaces for engaging the weed seeds in the accelerated second material to cause a plurality of impacts with the weed seeds; and at least one a discharge mouth for discharge of the second material after the plurality of impacts; and a guide wall component movable between a first position and a second position where: in the first position the chaff and said weed seeds from the second discharge location are directed into the weed seed destructor, while the straw from the first discharge location enters the chopper housing; and in the second position the chaff and said weed seeds from the second discharge location are directed into the chopper housing with the straw.

According to one feature described herein there is provide an apparatus

for destroying weed seeds for use in a combine harvester where the combine

harvester comprises a separation system for separating from harvested crop at a first discharge location a first material comprising straw and at a second discharge location a second material comprising chaff and said weed seeds, the apparatus comprising: a straw chopper section comprising: a chopper housing arranged to receive from the first discharge location the first material containing straw; a chopper rotor mounted in the chopper housing having a plurality of chopping blades for chopping the straw for discharge from the first housing component; and a spreading device for receiving the straw discharged from the chopper housing and spreading the discharged straw to rear and sides of the combine harvester; a weed seed destructor section comprising: a destructor housing arranged to receive from the second discharge location the second material; a rotor arrangement mounted in the destructor housing for rotation about an axis and including rotor surfaces thereon for engaging the second material and for accelerating the feed material in a direction outwardly from the axis of the rotor; a stator arrangement mounted at a location along the direction and including a plurality of stator surfaces for engaging the weed seeds in the accelerated second material to cause a plurality of impacts with the weed seeds; and a guide wall component movable between a first position and a second position where: in the first position the chaff and said weed seeds from the second discharge location are directed into the weed seed destructor, while the straw enters the spreading device; and in the second position the chaff and said weed seeds from the second discharge location are directed into the straw spreading device.

This arrangement can be used in conjunction with a conventional

arrangement manufactured by CASEIH in which the chopper section is mounted

internally within the combine housing instead of at the rear. Therefore at the rear is

provided a rotary type spreader including typically two horizontal disks similar to the

conventional chaff spreading system. Thus in this arrangement the chaff and weed

seeds form the weed seed destruction section are directed by a guide onto the rotary

straw spreader system for common spreading of all material. Again the combined

spreading action and the additional air flow can enhance the spreading action to meet

the objective of spreading at header width.

Preferably the weed seed destructor section is mounted with an intake

housing.

Preferably the guide wall component comprises a front wall portion of

the chopper housing which is pivotal about an axis across a front of the chopper

housing and parallel to the axis of the chopper rotor.

Preferably the guide wall component includes a front position which

extends from the chopper housing upward and forwardly so as to butt against or

adjacent guide wall surfaces for the chaff and for the straw respectively.

Preferably there is provided a clutch for halting drive to the rotor of the

weed seed destructor when the wall portion is in in the second position.

According to one feature described herein there is provide an apparatus

for destroying weed seeds for use in a combine harvester where the combine

a straw chopper section comprising:

a chopper housing arranged to receive from the first discharge

location the first material containing straw;

a chopper rotor mounted in the chopper housing having a plurality

of chopping blades for chopping the straw for discharge from the first housing

component;

and a spreading device for receiving the straw discharged from

the chopper housing and spreading the discharged straw to rear and sides of the

combine harvester;

a weed seed destructor section comprising:

a destructor housing arranged to receive from the second

discharge location the second material; a rotor arrangement mounted in the destructor housing for rotation about an axis and including rotor surfaces thereon for engaging the second material and for accelerating the feed material in a direction outwardly from the axis of the rotor; a stator arrangement mounted at a location along the direction and including a plurality of stator surfaces for engaging the weed seeds in the accelerated second material to cause a plurality of impacts with the weed seeds; and at least one a discharge mouth for discharge of the second material after the plurality of impacts; at least the weed seed destructor being movable rearwardly of the combine harvester to allow access to a position between the weed seed destructor and the components of the combine harvester at the second discharge location.

Preferably the weed seed destructor section is slidable on a guide in a

rearward direction.

Preferably both the straw chopper section and the weed seed destructor

section are movable rearwardly of the combine harvester.

Preferably the weed seed destructor section is mounted with an intake

housing.

According to another feature described herein there is provided an

apparatus for destroying weed seeds comprising: a housing arranged to be mounted at a location on a combine harvester for receiving from the location a feed material containing separated chaff and weed seeds separated by the combine harvester from harvested crop; a rotor mounted in the housing for rotation about an axis and including rotor surfaces thereon for engaging the feed material and for accelerating the feed material in a direction outwardly from the axis of the rotor; a stator arranged at a location along the direction and including one or more stator surfaces for engaging the weed seeds in the accelerated feed material; said stator and said one or more stator surfaces of the stator being arranged such that the weed seeds impact on said one or more stator surfaces and do not pass through the stator along said direction but instead are rebounded therefrom back toward the rotor; the rotor and stator being arranged such that the weed seeds rebound back and forth between the rotor and the stator to provide a plurality of impacts on the accelerated feed material to destroy at least some of the weed seeds; wherein the housing includes a discharge opening for discharge of the feed material after the plurality of impacts, where the discharge opening is at a location different from the stator so that said weed seeds discharged from the rotor through said discharge opening do not pass through the stator.

Preferably therefore the discharge opening for discharge of the feed

material after the plurality of impacts the discarded seeds discharge from the rotor and

do not pass through the stator but instead are rebounded away from the stator to discharge at a different location. In this way, any foreign bodies are not trapped in the stator to cause damage but instead can escape to the discharge.

In the preferred arrangement described in detail hereinafter, the rotor

rotates around an axis so as to direct the discarded seeds centrifugally outwardly, and

the stator surrounds the axis so as to rebound the discarded seeds back toward the

axis and the discharge opening is arranged such that the discarded seeds discharge

axially from within the stator.

In one arrangement the rotor is mounted directly under the first

discharge location of the combine harvester with the rotor axis generally upright so

that the feed material fold directly into the top of the housing on to the rotor along the

axial direction of the rotor.

As an alternate embodiment the apparatus comprises a horizontal rotor

defined by a horizontally rotating tube or shaft, with auger flighting in the middle of the

shaft, moving the feed material or chaff to an impact zone at each end of the horizontal

rotor. The discharge zone is then at the end and is arranged to expel into the straw

chopper of the combine harvester.

Preferably as a feature of independent importance the feed material

enters the housing axially of the rotor at one end and discharges axially from the

opposite end of the rotor.

Preferably as a feature of independent importance there is provided a

fan component for driving the discarded seeds from the opposite end radially

outwardly.

Preferably as a feature of independent importance the stator includes a

plurality of stator surfaces spaced angularly around the axis.

Preferably as a feature of independent importance the stator surfaces

are arranged at an angle to a tangent of an imaginary cylindrical surface surrounding

the axis.

Preferably as a feature of independent importance the angle of the stator

surfaces to the tangent is adjustable.

Preferably as a feature of independent importance the stator surfaces

and/or the rotor surfaces are arranged to pivot so as to increase the spacing

therebetween to allow the passage of foreign objects between the rotor and stator.

Preferably as a feature of independent importance the stator surfaces

are readily removable for replacement when damaged or worn.

Preferably as a feature of independent importance the stator surfaces

include one or more fins extending generally around the axis.

Preferably as a feature of independent importance the housing when

viewed in plan longitudinal of the axis of the rotor is of polygonal shape to define a

plurality of apexes at angularly spaced positions around the axis and the stator surface

in plan view includes a plurality of pairs of stator surfaces which form a V shape

converging to a respective one of the apexes.

Preferably as a feature of independent importance the rotational speed

of the rotor is adjustable to change the number of impacts a seed encounters during

its passage.

Preferably as a feature of independent importance the velocity of air

along the rotor is adjustable to change the number of impacts a seed encounters

during its passage.

Preferably as a feature of independent importance the rotor and the

stator are arranged so that the impacts act to move the discarded seeds along the

rotor so as to change the position along the rotor at which the impacts of the discarded

seeds occurs.

Preferably as a feature of independent importance there is provided two

housings each including a rotor and stator arranged side by side across the width of

the discharge location.

Preferably as a feature of independent importance each of the housings

is rotatable about the axis of the respective rotor to change an angle of the discharge

around the axis.

According to another feature described herein there is provided an

apparatus for destroying weed seeds for use in a combine harvester where the

combine harvester comprises a separation system for separating from harvested crop

at a first discharge location feed material including chaff and said weed seeds and at

a second discharge location straw, the apparatus comprising:

a straw chopper section comprising:

a chopper housing for mounting at the second location on the

combine harvester for receiving from the first discharge location a feed material

containing separated straw separated by the combine harvester from harvested crop; a chopper rotor mounted in the housing for chopping the straw for discharge from the housing; and a spreading device onto which the discharged straw is directed; and a weed seed destruction section comprising: a housing arranged to be mounted at the first location for receiving from the first discharge location the feed material containing separated chaff and said weed seeds; a rotor mounted in the housing for rotation about an axis and including rotor surfaces thereon for engaging the feed material and for accelerating the feed material in a direction outwardly from the axis of the rotor; a stator arranged at a location along the direction and including one or more stator surfaces for engaging the weed seeds in the accelerated feed material to cause impacts with the weed seeds; wherein the housing includes a discharge opening for discharge of the feed material after the plurality of impacts; wherein the straw chopper section and the weed seed destruction section comprise a common unit.

Preferably the common unit includes is a common drive from the

combine harvester to the common unit.

That is preferably the weed seed destruction section is driven from the

straw chopper section.

Optionally the weed seed destruction section is driven from an

intermediate chopper drive shaft or jackshaft in parallel with the drive to the chopper.

That is a main drive belt from the chopper drive output pulley of the combine harvester

communicates drive to a lay shaft or jack shaft and then two belts communicates in

parallel to the horizontal transverse shaft of the chopper rotor and the horizontal

transverse drive shaft underneath the two rotors of the weed seed destruction section

In the common unit preferably the weed seed destruction section is

arranged such that material from the discharge opening can be fed into the straw

chopper section.

In this arrangement there are preferably provided two housings each

including a rotor and stator arranged side by side across the width of the second

discharge location.

In this arrangement preferably each of the housings is rotatable about

the axis of the respective rotor to change an angle of the discharge around the axis

such that the discharge opening can be directed to the side of the combine away from

the straw chopper, towards the guide fins of the tailboard of the chopper, or into the

housing of the straw chopper.

In addition to the above defined features, the seed destruction section

can include any of the features previously defined.

Aspects and embodiments of the invention may also be found in the

following statements:

Statement 1. A combine harvester comprising:

a separation system for separating from harvested crop at a first

a second material comprising chaff and said weed seeds;

a straw spreading device for receiving the first material and spreading

the first material at least to the sides of the combine harvester;

and a weed seed destruction section comprising:

a destructor housing component arranged to receive from the

second discharge location the second material;

means for causing devitalization of the weed seeds so as to

reduce the number of weed seeds that can germinate;

and at least one a discharge mouth for discharge of the second

material after devitalization;

wherein the straw spreading device and destructor rotor housing are

coupled together to form a single unit on the combine harvester.

Statement 2. The apparatus according to statement 1, wherein the straw spreading

device and destructor rotor housing comprise a common assembly having a common

frame and/or common housing separate from the combine harvester and arranged for

common mounting on the combine harvester.

Statement 3. The apparatus according to statement 1 or 2, wherein the straw

spreading device comprises a straw chopper section including a chopper housing, a

chopper rotor having a plurality of chopping blades for chopping the straw for

discharge from the chopper housing; and a spreading device for receiving the straw

discharged from the chopper and spreading the discharged straw to rear and sides of

the combine harvester.

Statement 4. The apparatus according to statement 3, wherein the spreading device

comprises a tailboard for receiving the straw discharged from the chopper housing

and including guide fins engaging the straw on the tailboard for guiding the discharged

straw in a spreading action to said rear and sides of the combine harvester and

wherein said at least one discharge mouth is arranged so as to direct the second

material to be guided by the fins while bypassing the chopping blades.

Statement 5. The apparatus according to any one of statements 1 to 6, wherein the

straw spreading device has an input drive member receiving drive from a mechanical

drive output of the combine harvester; wherein the destructor section comprises a

destructor drive input member for driving the destructor means from the mechanical

drive output of the combine harvester and wherein there is provided at least one

mechanical drive transfer member connecting the destructor drive input member and

the input drive member of the straw spreading device for receiving drive from the

mechanical drive output of the combine harvester.

Statement 6. The apparatus according to statement 5, wherein the input drive

members are mounted on respective shafts and wherein the mechanical drive output

of the combine harvester comprises a third shaft and wherein the drive input shafts

are parallel and substantially parallel to the third shaft.

Statement 7. The apparatus according to any one of statements 1 to 6, wherein said

means for causing devitalization of the weed seeds comprises a destructor rotor

arrangement mounted in the second housing component for rotation about an axis

and including rotor surfaces thereon for engaging the second material and for

accelerating the feed material and a stator arrangement including a plurality of stator

surfaces for engaging the weed seeds in the accelerated second material to cause a

plurality of impacts with the weed seeds.

Statement 8. The apparatus according to any one of statements 1 to 7, wherein said

at least one discharge mouth is arranged to direct the second material onto the

spreading device while bypassing the chopping blades.

Statement 9. The apparatus according to statement 3 or any one of statements 4 to 8

dependent on statement 3, wherein the chopper rotor includes a rotor shaft having a

center section carrying said chopper blades and first and second end sections

separate from said center section, wherein each of said first and second end sections includes rotor blades arranged to generate at least part of a discharge stream and wherein said destructor section includes first and second discharge mouths which are arranged so as to direct at least some of the second material at said first and second end sections respectively of the rotor shaft.

Statement 10. The apparatus according to any one of statements 1 to 9, wherein

the weed seed destructor section comprises a horizontal transfer member extending

across the combine harvester mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis, the

horizontal transfer member being shaped to carry both the chaff and weed seeds

along the housing outwardly to respective first and second ends of the housing,

wherein said horizontal transfer member includes a drive shaft along said longitudinal

axis.

Statement 11. A combine harvester comprising:

a separation system for separating from harvested crop at a first

a second material comprising chaff and said weed seeds;

a straw spreading device for receiving the first material and spreading

the first material at least to the sides of the combine harvester;

a first drive input member for driving at least part of the straw spreading

device from a mechanical drive output of the combine harvester;

and a weed seed destruction section comprising: a housing component arranged to receive from the second discharge location the second material; means for causing devitalization of the weed seeds so as to reduce the number of weed seeds that can germinate; said weed seed destruction section having a second drive input member; and at least one a discharge mouth for discharge of the second material after devitalization; and at least one mechanical drive transfer member connecting the first drive input member and the second drive input member for receiving drive from the mechanical drive output of the combine harvester.

Statement 12. The apparatus according to statement 11, wherein the first drive

input member is mounted on a first drive input shaft of the straw spreading device and

the second drive input member is mounted on a second drive shaft of the weed seed

destructor section, wherein the mechanical drive output of the combine harvester

comprises a third shaft and wherein the first and second drive input shafts are parallel

and substantially parallel to the third shaft.

Statement 13. The apparatus according to statement 11 or 12, wherein said

means for causing devitalization of the weed seeds comprises a destructor rotor

arrangement mounted in the housing component for rotation about an axis and including rotor surfaces thereon for engaging the second material and for accelerating the second material and a stator arrangement including a plurality of stator surfaces for engaging the weed seeds in the accelerated second material to cause a plurality of impacts with the weed seeds.

Statement 14. The apparatus according to statement 13, wherein said

destructor rotor arrangement comprises two rotors each having an upstanding axis of

rotation with the two rotors arranged side by side across spreading device with an

input shaft extending transversely of the housing component across the bottom of two

rotors with the second drive input member at one end, optionally at a first side of the

housing component which may be a common housing unit with the straw spreading

device.

Statement 15. The apparatus according to any one of statements 11 to 14,

wherein said at least one discharge mouth is arranged to direct the second material

onto the spreading device while bypassing chopping blades of the straw spreading

device.

Statement 16. The apparatus according to statements 11 to 15, wherein said at

least one mechanical drive transfer member connects the second drive input member

of the weed seed destruction section in parallel with the first drive input member of the straw spreading device from a common mechanical drive transfer member from said mechanical drive output.

Statement 17. The apparatus according to any one of statements 11 to 16,

wherein the straw spreading device comprises a tailboard including guide fins

engaging the straw on the tailboard for guiding the discharged straw in a spreading

action to rear and sides of the combine harvester.

Statement 18. The apparatus according to any one of statements 11 to 17,

wherein the straw spreading device comprises a chopper housing having a chopper

rotor therein which includes a rotor shaft having a center section carrying chopper

blades and first and second end sections separate from said center section, wherein

each of said first and second end sections includes rotor blades arranged to generate

at least part of a discharge stream and wherein said destructor section includes first

and second discharge mouths arranged so as to direct at least some of the second

material at said first and second end sections respectively of the rotor shaft.

Statement 19. The apparatus according to any one of statements 11 to 18,

wherein the weed seed destructor section comprises a horizontal transfer member

extending across the combine harvester mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis,

the horizontal transfer member being shaped to carry both the chaff and weed seeds

along the housing outwardly to respective first and second ends of the housing, wherein said horizontal transfer member includes a drive shaft along said longitudinal axis.

Statement 20. A combine harvester comprising:

a separation system for separating from harvested crop at a first

a second material comprising chaff and said weed seeds;

a straw spreading device for receiving the first material and spreading

the first material at least to the sides of the combine harvester;

a first input drive shaft for driving at least part of the straw spreading

device;

and a weed seed destruction section comprising:

a housing component arranged to receive from the second

discharge location the second material;

means for causing devitalization of the weed seeds so as to

reduce a number of the weed seeds that can germinate;

a second input drive shaft for driving at least part of the weed

seed destruction section;

and at least one a discharge mouth for discharge of the second

material after devitalization;

the combine harvester having a third output shaft providing a mechanical

drive output of the combine harvester; wherein the first and second drive input shafts are parallel and substantially parallel to the third output drive shaft.

Statement 21. The apparatus according to statement 20, wherein said means

for causing devitalization of the weed seeds comprises a destructor rotor arrangement

mounted in the housing component for rotation about an axis and including rotor

surfaces thereon for engaging the second material and for accelerating the second

material and a stator arrangement including a plurality of stator surfaces for engaging

the weed seeds in the accelerated second material to cause a plurality of impacts with

the weed seeds.

Statement 22. The apparatus according to statement 21, wherein said

rotation with the two rotors arranged side by side across the housing component with

the second input shaft extending transversely across the bottom of two rotors.

Statement 23. The apparatus according to statements 20 to 22, wherein at least

one mechanical drive transfer member connects the second drive shaft of the weed

seed destruction section in parallel with the first drive shaft of the chopper rotor from

the third output drive shaft.

Statement 24. The apparatus according to any one of statements 20 to 23,

device.

Statement 25. The apparatus according to any one of statements 20 to 24,

wherein the spreading device comprises a tailboard including guide fins engaging the

straw on the tailboard for guiding the discharged straw in a spreading action to rear

and sides of the combine harvester.

Statement 26. The apparatus according to any one of statements 20 to 25,

wherein the straw spreading device comprises a chopper housing having a chopper

each of said first and second end sections include rotor blades arranged to generate

material at said first and second end sections respectively of the rotor shaft.

Statement 27. The apparatus according to any one of statements 20 to 26,

wherein the weed seed destructor section comprises a horizontal transfer member

extending across the combine harvester mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis, the horizontal transfer member being shaped to carry both the chaff and weed seeds along the housing outwardly to respective first and second ends of the housing, wherein said horizontal transfer member includes a drive shaft along said longitudinal axis.

Statement 28. A combine harvester comprising:

a separation system for separating from harvested crop at a first

a second material comprising chaff and said weed seeds;

a straw spreading device for receiving the first material and spreading

the first material at least to the sides of the combine harvester;

and a weed seed destructor section comprising:

a destructor housing arranged to receive from the second

discharge location the second material;

means for causing devitalization of the weed seeds so as to

reduce a number of the weed seeds that can germinate;

and at least one a discharge mouth for discharge of the second

material after devitalization;

said at least one discharge mouth being arranged so as to direct the

second material to the spreading device for common spreading.

Statement 29. The apparatus according to statement 28, wherein said means

mounted in said destructor housing for rotation about an axis and including rotor

the weed seeds.

Statement 30. The apparatus according to statement 29, wherein said

rotation with the two rotors arranged side by side across the housing component.

Statement 31. The apparatus according to statement 30, wherein said at least

one discharge mouth comprises two discharge mouths at spaced positions across the

spreading device and each arranged to direct the second material onto the spreading

device while bypassing chopping blades of the straw spreading device.

Statement 32. The apparatus according to any one of statements 28 to 31,

straw on the tailboard for guiding the discharged straw.

Statement 33. The apparatus according to any one of statements 28 to 32,

wherein the straw spreading device comprises a chopper housing having a chopper

material at said first and second end sections respectively of the rotor shaft.

Statement 34. The apparatus according to any one of statements 28 to 33,

wherein the weed seed destructor section comprises a horizontal transfer member

along the housing outwardly to respective first and second ends of the housing,

axis.

Statement 35. A combine harvester comprising:

a separation system for separating from harvested crop a first material

comprising straw and a second material comprising chaff and weed seeds, the

separation system including at least one sieve;

a straw spreading section for receiving the first material and spreading the first material at least to sides of the combine harvester; and a weed seed destructor section comprising: a destructor housing arranged to receive the second material; means for causing devitalization of the weed seeds so as to reduce a number of the weed seeds that can germinate; at least one destructor discharge mouth for discharge of the second material after the devitalization, wherein at least the weed seed destructor section is movable in a direction rearwardly of the combine harvester away from the sieve from an operating position to an access position to allow an operator access to a position between the weed seed destructor and the at least one sieve of the combine harvester.

Statement 36. A combine harvester comprising:

a separation system for separating from harvested crop a first material

comprising straw and a second material comprising chaff and weed seeds, the

separation system including at least one sieve;

a straw spreading section for receiving the first material and spreading

the first material at least to sides of the combine harvester; and

a weed seed destructor section comprising:

a destructor housing arranged to receive the second material;

means for causing devitalization of the weed seeds so as to

reduce a number of the weed seeds that can germinate; at least one destructor discharge mouth for discharge of the second material after the devitalization, wherein the weed seed destructor section is connected to the straw spreading section and both the weed seed destructor section and the straw spreading section are movable together in a direction rearwardly of the combine harvester away from the sieve from an operating position to an access position to allow access of an operator to a position between the weed seed destructor and the sieve of the combine harvester.

Statement 37. The combine harvester according to statement 35 or statement

36, wherein said destructor rotor arrangement comprises two rotors each having an

combine harvester and wherein said at least one destructor discharge mouth

comprises two discharge mouths at spaced positions across the combine harvester.

Statement 38. The combine harvester according to any one of statements 35 to

37, wherein the straw spreading section comprises:

a chopper housing arranged to receive from the separation system the

first material containing straw;

a chopper rotor mounted in the chopper housing having a plurality of

chopping blades for chopping the straw for discharge from the chopper housing; and

a spreading device for receiving the straw discharged from the chopper housing and spreading the straw to a rear and the sides of the combine harvester.

Statement 39. The combine harvester according to statement 38, wherein the

spreading device comprises a tailboard with a plurality of fins and said at least one

discharge mouth is oriented to direct the second material onto the fins.

Statement 40. The combine harvester according to any one of statements 35 to

39, wherein the straw spreading section and the destructor rotor housing comprise a

common assembly having a common frame and/or common housing arranged for

common mounting on the combine harvester.

Statement 41. The combine harvester according to any one of statements 35 to

40, wherein the straw spreading section comprises a chopper rotor and a straw

spreading drive input member for driving the chopper rotor from a mechanical drive

output of the combine harvester, wherein the weed seed destructor section comprises

a destructor drive input member for driving the destructor rotor arrangement from the

mechanical drive output of the combine harvester, and wherein there is provided at

least one mechanical drive transfer member connecting the destructor drive input

member and the straw spreading drive input member for receiving drive from the

mechanical drive output of the combine harvester.

Statement 42. The combine harvester according to any one of statements 35 to

41, further including a guide wall component movable between positions including a

first position and a second position where in the first position the chaff and the weed

seeds are directed by the guide wall component into the weed seed destructor, while

the straw enters the straw spreading section and in the second position the chaff and

the weed seeds are directed by the guide wall component to bypass the weed seed

destructor section.

Statement 43. The combine harvester according to any one of statements 35 to

42, wherein the destructor means comprises a rotor arrangement mounted in the

destructor housing for rotation about an axis and including rotor surfaces thereon for

engaging the second material and for accelerating the second material and a stator

arrangement including a plurality of stator surfaces for engaging the weed seeds in

the accelerated second material to cause a plurality of impacts on the weed seeds

between the rotor and stator surfaces.

The arrangement as described hereinafter may provide one or more of

the following features and advantages:

To provide a seed destroyer in which the residue does not pass through

rotating or stationary rings of objects so that there is less potential for damage on

passage of a solid object.

To provide a seed destroyer in which the impacting members of the

destructor can be hard surface coated and easily removable for annual replacement

and preparation for the next harvest.

To provide a seed destroyer in which the number of hits a seed impacts

can be adjusted or tuned for optimum destruction.

To provide a seed destroyer which can allow passage of debris such as

rocks and other hard objects without damage or destruction, and has replaceable

parts should the object cause damage.

To provide an integrally mounted seed destroyer in which the trajectory

of the discharge can be changed from the side of the combine, to the back of the

combine tailboard, or into the chopper so that the residue can be spread with the

straw.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction

with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of an apparatus for destruction of weed

seeds according to the present invention which is arranged in a first embodiment

where the weed seed destruction section is mounted at a position on a combine

harvester at the rear of the sieve so as to discharge the chaff and destroyed seeds

away from the straw chopper to both sides of the combine harvester.

Figure 2 is an isometric view from the front and one side of the combined

apparatus including the straw chopper section and the weed seed destruction section of Figure 1.

Figure 2A is an isometric view from the rear and the other side of the

combined apparatus including the straw chopper section and the weed seed

destruction section of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the weed seed destruction section of

Figure 1 separate from the combine harvester with the discharge housing arranged

for discharge to the sides.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the weed seed destruction section of Figure

3 separate from the combine harvester with the discharge housing arranged for

discharge to the rear.

Figure 5 is an isometric view of the weed seed destruction section of

Figure 3 with a part of the housing removed.

Figure 6 is an isometric view of the weed seed destruction section

according to the present invention which is arranged to feed the discharged material

into the chopper rotor of the straw chopper section at the center thereof.

Figure 7 is an isometric view of the apparatus of Figure 6 adjusted to

feed the discharged material into the straw chopper section at the sides so as to by

pass the rotor and feed directly onto the tailboard.

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of Figure 2 showing

the drive system to the combined apparatus including the straw chopper section and

the seed destructor section.

Figure 9 is a plan view of an alternative arrangement of the weed seed destruction section where the rotors are arranged to rotate about a horizontal axis and thus rotate in a vertical plane to discharge rearwardly.

Figures 1OA and 1OB are isometric views of another embodiment of an

apparatus for destruction of weed seeds according to the present invention where

Figure 1OB shows the structure of one rotor assembly with the cover in place and the

other omitted and Figure 1OA shows the structure of one rotor assembly with the cover

removed.

Figure 11 is an isometric view from one side and the rear of the

combined apparatus including the straw chopper section and the weed seed

destruction section of the above Figures.

Figure 12 is an isometric view from one side and the front of the

combined apparatus including the straw chopper section and the weed seed

destruction section of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figures 11 and

12 mounted on a combine harvester and showing the apparatus in a rearwardly

displaced position providing access to the sieve of the combine harvester

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figures 11 and

12 mounted on a combine harvester and showing the apparatus in a first operating

position in which the straw passes through the chopper housing and the chaff and

weed seeds pass through the seed destructor section.

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Figures 11 and

12 mounted on a combine harvester and showing the apparatus in a second operating position in which both the chaff and weed seeds and the straw pass through the chopper housing.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts

in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The apparatus herein is shown in Figure 1 mounted on a combine

harvester 1 carried on ground wheels 3 and including harvesting components of a

conventional nature the rearmost one of which is the sieve 2 which discharges chaff

and discarded seeds including weed seeds to the rear edge 4 of the sieve.

The combine harvester includes a chopper and discharge arrangement

9 shown in Figures 1 and 6 is basically as shown in US Patent 6840854 issued

January 11 2005 of Redekop, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by

reference. The chopper thus comprises a housing 10 defined by a top wall 11, a

bottom wall 12 and two end walls 13. The end walls 13 include attachment means

13A for attachment of the housing to the outlet of a combine harvester for discharge

of straw and optionally chaff from the combine harvester into an inlet opening 15 of

the housing 10. The bottom wall 12 defines a semi-cylindrical portion extending from

the inlet 15 to an outlet 16 through which chopped straw and air is discharged at

relatively high velocity for spreading across the field or for transportation into a

container.

Within the housing is mounted a hub 17 which is carried on suitable

bearings 31 for rotation about a hub axis 18 at a center of the housing so that blade members 19 carried by the hub sweep around within the housing to entrap straw fed through the inlet 15 and to carry the straw and air past stationary blades 20 for chopping and for discharge through the outlet 16. The stationary blades 20 are mounted on the housing at a position approximately midway between the inlet 15 and the outlet 16 so that the blade members 19 sweep between the stationary blades in a cutting action.

The hub 17 carries a plurality of lugs 21 at angularly and axially spaced

positions therealong with each lug mounting a pair of blades 19 for pivotal movement

of the blade members 19 about a pin 22 parallel to the axis 18. Each of the lugs 21

carries a pair of the blades 19. Each lug 21 is aligned with a respective one of the

stationary blades 20 so that each stationary blade has associated with it a respective

one of the lugs and thus has associated with it the pair of blades carried by that lug.

In this arrangement of the chopper, there is provided three axially

spaced sections of the chopper assembly including a first fan section 30 at one end

of the hub 17 and the second fan section at the other end of the hub 17. In-between

the two narrow fan sections 30 is defined a center section 30A which provides the

whole of the cutting action.

Within the center section 30A all of the blades 19 are formed with a

cutting edge lying in a radial plane of the axis. The blades are preferably of the

conventional flat blade type with a leading and trailing chamfered edge. Thus each of

the two cutting blades 19 in the center section can pass closely on either side of a

respective one of the stationary blades 20. Thus the stationary blades can be spaced by a distance which is just sufficient to allow the passage there between of the preferably flat cutting blade. In the preferred arrangement, the spacing between the stationary blades is thus small in that the stationary blades are not sufficiently spaced to allow the passage there between of a fan type blade.

In the fan sections 30, there is provided a ring 33 which is mounted on

the hub 17 at a respective end of the hub. The ring thus surrounds the cylindrical wall

of the hub and stands outwardly therefrom just beyond the end of the center section

defined by the stationary blades and the blades 19 carried on the hub.

The rings 33 each carry a plurality of fan blades 34 at spaced positions

around the ring. The fan blades 34 are arranged thus so that each follow directly

behind the next at the same axial location.

Each of the fan blades 34 is bent with a fan blade portion so that each

of the fan blades is of the shape shown in Figure 3 of US patent 5,482,508 of Redekop,

the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. However the fan blades

34 do not necessarily have a sharpened leading edge since there is intended to be no

cutting action in the fan section. Thus the fan blades are spaced from the end most

stationary blade 19 so that in effect no cutting action occurs in this section.

The bent fan blade portion stands outwardly to one side of the flat plate

portion of the fan blade 34. The fan blade portion which is bent at right angles to the

main body of the fan blade is maximised in dimension so that it may be rectangular.

This large blade area together with the presence of the six blades provides a large fan

blade area which generates a significant air flow.

The fan blade portion is inclined forwardly and outwardly so that at a

regularly outer position toward the outer end of each fan blade the fan blade portion

is angularly advanced relative to its position closer to the axis of the hub. This incline

outwardly and forwardly significantly increases the air flow effect driving the air in the

greater volume and at higher speed radially from the fan section and outwardly of the

exit 16.

Preferably the fan section comprises only a single row of the six fan

blades but in some cases an additional row or rows may be provided although this is

not preferred. The fan blades are arranged immediately adjacent the end walls 13 so

that they take up minimum space at the end of the chopper assembly. It will be

appreciated that the intention is to provide maximum air flow in the fan sections while

taking up minimum dimensions so that the maximised chopping effect to provide

shortest material is achieved within the center section using the flat blades.

The above arrangement of straw chopper section is one example only

of arrangements which can be used herein.

The chopper and spreading assembly 9 is arranged to be mounted at a

rear straw discharge 101 of the combine harvester 1 and includes the housing 10, the

rotor 17 mounted in the housing 10 for rotation around a generally horizontal axis and

carrying the plurality of chopper blades 19 for chopping the discharge material.

At the exit 16 is provided the material spreading assembly which can be

the form of a tailboard 16A with guide fins 16B for receiving the chopped material and

spreading the material to the rear and sides of the combine harvester.

An apparatus 35 for destroying seeds comprises a body 36 carried on a

frame 37 mounted at a suitable location on the combine harvester by mounting

arrangements of a conventional arrangement. The body provides two side by side

housings 38, 39 each located adjacent a respected half of the discharge location the

feed material containing separated chaff and discarded seeds separated by the

combine harvester from harvested crop. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the

housings are located at the rear edge 4 of the sieve 2.

Each of the housings, as best shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 includes an

upper impact section 40 and a lower fan section 41. The upper section 40 includes a

housing 42 which is polygonal (in this example octagonal) in plan view with apexes

43A, 43B, 43C etc. The housing 42 incudes a top wall 44 connected to the polygonal

side wall and defining a circular opening 45 arranged to be mounted at the discharge

location of a combine harvester for receiving from the sieve the chaff and discarded

seeds including the weed seeds.

A rotor 46 is mounted in the housing for rotation about an upstanding

axis 47 at right angles to a bottom base of the housing axis. The rotor includes a

cylindrical hub 46A carrying upper and lower sets of blades 46B and 46C. The sets

are spaced axially. The individual blades of the set are spaced angularly. The sets

are carried above and below respectively a series of angularly spaced lugs 46D on

pins 46E so as to act as flails.

Each blade includes as best shown in Figure 5 a base plate 46F lying in

a radial plane and a blade portion 46G turned out of the radial plane so as to act as a fan blade to drive entrained air and the material centrifugally outwardly from the axis of the rotor.

As best shown in Figure 5, the lugs 46D are located adjacent a top face

461 of the hub 46A of the rotor 46 so that the base plate 46F of each blade lies in or

closely adjacent to a plane of the top face 461. The blade portion 46G stands upward

from the base plate 46F and hence extends in the axial direction of the rotor axis to

an upper end edge 46U at a position beyond the upper face 461 of the hub 46A.

As best shown in Figure 5, the blade portion 46G of each blade extends

diagonally across the base plate 46F from a radially inner end 46R of the blade portion

46G at a trailing edge 46T of the base plate 46F to a radially outer end 46Z of the

blade portion at a leading edge 46L of the base plate 46F. Thus the blade portion is

inclined to a radius of the respective pivot axis of the pin 46E so that the radially outer

end 46Z of the blade portion 46G is angularly advanced relative to the radially inner

end 46R of the blade portion 46G.

Thus the rotor includes components thereon defined by the two sets of

blades for engaging the feed material and for accelerating the feed material in a

centrifugal direction away from the rotor.

In the housing around the rotor is provided a stator 48 defined by the

inside surface of the polygonal housing 40 and arranged at a location centrifugally

outside the rotor 46 so that the material and discarded seeds thrown outwardly impact

on the stator. The stator includes a series of surface elements 48A for engaging the

discarded seeds in the accelerated material and arranged such that the discarded seeds impact thereon and rebound therefrom back toward the rotor.

Thus the rotor 46 and stator 48 are arranged such that the discarded

seeds rebound back and forth between the rotor 46 and the stator 48 to provide a

plurality of impacts on the feed material to destroy the seeds.

The housing includes a discharge opening defined by a circular inner

edge 50A of a plate 50 lying in a radial plane of the housing between the impact

section 40 and the fan section 41. Thus the bottom of the impact section is defined

by the bottom plate 50 so that air and the entrained material is directed downwardly

into the fan section for discharge of the feed material after the plurality of impacts. As

the air and entrained material passes downwardly, the discarded seeds discharge

from the rotor and do not pass or escape outwardly through the stator 48. That is the

stator wholly or substantially wholly surrounds the rotor section to prevent the seeds

from escaping radially. That is all of the seeds are rebounded back inwardly to the

rotor and move downwardly while rebounding back and forth until they pass out of the

impact section at the bottom through the hole 50A in the plate 50 into the fan section

41.

Thus the rotor 46 rotates around the axis 47 so as to direct the discarded

seeds centrifugally outwardly. The stator 48 surrounds the axis 47 so as to rebound

the discarded seeds back toward the axis and the discharge opening is arranged such

that the discarded seeds discharge axially from within the stator. In this way, the feed

material containing the discarded seeds enters the housing axially of the rotor at the

top end and discharges axially from the bottom end of the rotor into the fan section, where the material is accelerated radially outwardly into a channel defined by a peripheral wall 41A which spirals gradually outwardly from a leading edge to a trailing edge 41B so as to define an outlet location 41C.

Thus the fan section 41 shown in plan in Figure 4 at the top includes a

series of blades 41F carried on the rotor 46A underneath the plate 50 so that the fan

components act for driving the discarded seeds from the opposite or bottom end of

the rotor 46 radially outwardly to the discharge opening 41C at the trailing edge 41B.

As best shown in Figure 5, each of the stator surfaces 48A comprises a

generally V-shaped body with two walls 48B and 48C converging to an apex 48D

which is located at one of the apexes of the polygonally shaped housing. In Figure 5

is shown one of the stator surfaces 48A and it will be noted that the wall 48C against

which the seeds are primarily directed as the rotor 46 turns clockwise is arranged at

an angle to a tangent T of an imaginary cylindrical surface surrounding the axis. Thus

the surface 48C is inclined forwardly and inwardly so that the seeds moving with the

rotor and outwardly of the rotor impact against the surface 48C and are rebounded

inwardly. The stator surface portion 48A is mounted at the apex 48D by a hinge pin

48H which allows the angle of the stator surface 48C to the tangent T to be adjustable

to change the level of aggression in the rebound action.

Also the hinged mounting of the stator surface portion 48A allows the

stator surfaces to pivot to allow the passage of foreign objects between the rotor 46

at the outer tip of the blades 46B, 46C and stator as defined by the surface portions

48A. Also the stator surface portions are readily removable for replacement by pulling the support pin 48H when damaged or worn.

Also the stator surface portions 48A include one or more fins 48G lying

in a plane at right angles to the walls 48B, 48C and thus extending in a radial plane

around the rotor. The stator has an octagonal shape and there are four of the stator

surface portions 48A at four of the apexes of the polygon leaving the remainder of the

inner surface of the octagon exposed to act as the stator surface. This stator surface

surrounds the whole of the rotor and hence prevents outward escape of any material,

thus confining the material to move downwardly into the fan section for ejection.

The rotor 46 which carries both the blades of the impact section and fan

blades 41F of the discharge fan section 41 as best shown in Figure 8, is driven by a

hydraulic drive motor 46H, the rotational speed of which is adjustable to change the

speed of the impact blades and thus the number of impacts a seed encounters during

its passage.

Also the velocity of air along the rotor through the impact section from

the opening at the top plate 44 to the discharge plate 50 is adjustable to change the

number of impacts a seed encounters during its passage.

The rotor and particularly the stator are shaped and arranged so that the

impacts and rebounding action act to move the discarded seeds along the rotor from

the feed opening at the top plate 44 to the discharge opening at the plate 50 so as to

change the position along the rotor at which the impacts of the discarded seeds

occurs. Thus the seeds as they rebound back and forth move through the impact

section at a rate depending on the shape and position of the stator surfaces and depending on the rotation rate of the rotor and the air speed through the impact section.

In a typical walker style combine there is a large space between chopper

9 and the end of the sieve 2. In this case the seed destructor 36 is mounted at the

end of the sieve 2. In this position, the discharge openings 41C of the fan section 41

are located by rotating the housings 38, 39 so that the seed destructor discharge is

set to the side because the discharges are not close enough to the chopper 9 to allow

feeding into the chopper.

The seed destructor is made up of two rotating drums or rotors 46 within

the housings 38 and 39 rotating in opposite directions. The housings are rotatably

mounted on the frame 37 so that the discharge 41C can be pointed in the direction

required. Although this is shown as a fixed mounting it could be easily designed as a

movable mounting so the operator could change it quickly as desired. In one

arrangement the adjustment can be obtained conveniently by rotation of the housing

around the axis of the rotor.

The impact section 40 contains in the stator 48 replaceable, adjustable

impact plates or surface portions 48A, in which the residue that is dropped into the

seed destructor housing is flung against by the rotors 46 with blades 46B and 46C.

The residue is deflected back by the stator into the rotating blades for another hit.

The fan section 41 at the bottom of the housing acts to accelerate the

residue for spreading back onto the field or into the chopper or into the chopper fins

as desired.

The rotors can be driven by hydraulic motors which power and mount

the rotating hubs 46 in which case the motors are mounted to the frame 37.

The impact plates 48A are rotatably adjustable at the apex 48D and

designed to deflect the residue back into the high speed blades. The guide fins 48G

on the impact plates serve to control the angle that the residue is deflected and

therefore the number of times the residue rotates in the housing and thus the number

of hits a seed encounters in its passage through the destructor. The impact plates

48A are replaceable and are hard surface coated for a longer life.

At the bottom of the housing assembly below the fan section 41 is

provided a bottom plate 60 closing the bottom of the fan section 41 below the plate

50. In the plate 60 is defined an air inlet schematically indicated at 62 which regulates

the flow of exterior air into the fan section through the plate 60. The opening size of

the air inlet 62 can also be varied by an adjustment 62A. As the adjustment 62A

control the amount of air entering into the fan section, this adjustment increases or

reduces the amount of air drawn through the opening 50A in the plate 50 and thus

also serves to change the speed of the residue flowing through the assembly. The air

inlet 62 can be regulated so that, as it is closed off, the speed of the residue flow

increases, to the point when closed, all air is sucked in from the top of the assembly

at the plate 44, to be discharged with the fan in the discharge zone 41. When entirely

opened the majority of the air is drawn from the bottom plate 60 of the assembly and

the speed of the residue flowing through the assembly is reduced allowing for more

impacts.

A third method to adjust the number of impacts a seed encounters

through the assembly is of course with the speed of the rotor 46. The drive system to

the rotor can be controlled by the combine or by a separate driver operated control

and the speed of the assembly can be increased or decreased depending on factors

such as seed size, residue toughness, or residue size including factors such as corn

cob size and moisture content or sunflower head size.

In a preferred arrangement, the seed destructor section 36 is integrated

into the chopper 9 as a common unit with the chopper 9. In this arrangement the seed

destruction section 36 acts two receive all residue from the sieves. The weed seeds

are destroyed in the seed destructor and can be ejected into the chopper for spread

with the straw residue on the tailboard 16A.

In this arrangement the combination of all of the residue from both the

sieves and the straw exit into the chopper allows the destroyed seeds and chaff

residue to mix with the straw residue and be spread in a much wider spread pattern.

That is in Figure 6, the discharge openings 41C from the fan section 41 of the seed

destruction section 36 are turned on the frame 37 so that they are directed to the

center of the inlet 12 of the chopper 9.

Alternatively the chaff residue and destroyed seeds expelled from the

seed destructor at the discharge openings 41C is expelled at the sides of the chopper

at the fan sections 30 so as to bypass the center chopper section of the chopper so

as to be directed by the chopper into the fins of the chopper for mixing on the tailboard

16A and spreading with the straw residue from the chopper.

As a third option, the discharge openings 41C can be positioned to the

side to spread to the side of the combine as shown in Figure 1. Thus the seed

destruction section 36 is a part of or closely associated with the chopper 9. However

the position of the outlet in the embodiment of Figure 14 can be adjusted to the side

in the same manner by rotation of the housings on the frame 37.

Thus the destruction section 36 and the chopper 9 form a common unit

which can be supplied as a common assembly for attachment to the combine

harvester. The common unit may include a common frame. The common unit can

include a common drive arrangement by which a single output drive from the combine

harvester is directed to the common unit and then directed by the drive mechanism to

the chopper rotor and to the seed destruction section. The common unit can be

arranged so that in one or more adjustment positions of the seed of destruction section

the output from the fan section is directed into the chopper for common distribution

into the field. It is also possible in this arrangement that the seed destruction section

be adjusted so that the output therefrom is directed into the field bypassing the

chopper.

In an arrangement where the space between the sieve 2 and the straw

outlet is greater than can be accommodated by direct feed from the sieve into the inlet

of the seed destruction section, a feed duct or other transfer arrangement can be

provided.

Thus the combined apparatus comprises the straw chopper 9 as

described above together with the apparatus for destroying weed seeds as described above where the discharge opening of the housing is arranged such that the discharge opening can be directed to the side of the combine away from the straw chopper, towards the guide fins of the tailboard of the chopper, or into the housing of the straw chopper.

As an alternate embodiment shown in Figure 9 the apparatus forming

the weed seed destructor section can be designed as a horizontal tube or duct 70

forming an elongate housing into which the material is fed from the sieve 2 by a feed

duct 2A. This can be readily located at this position by a combine manufacturer as a

horizontal duct in their combine at a position ahead of the rear discharge for chaff.

The duct 70 contains a transverse shaft 71 driven at one end 72 and

carried on end walls of the duct 70 at bearings 73. The shaft carries auger flighting

74A, 74B divided in the middle so as to move chaff axially along the housing from the

inlet at the duct 2A outwardly to each respective end of the horizontal rotor defined by

the shaft 71 and flighting 74A, 74B. The arrangement thus provides seed destructors

75, corresponding to seed destructors 36, symmetrical to and operating in the same

manner as that previously described but arranged in an orientation at 90 degrees to

that shown previously and rotating in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis defined

by the shaft 71. Thus the destructor 75 includes a rotor 77 and stator 78,

corresponding to the rotor 46 and stator 48, as previously described and a fan section

79, corresponding to the fan section 41 as previous described. The fan section 79

communicates with a discharge zone 76, corresponding to the outlet location 41C,

which is located at the end of the rotor 77 to expel the chaff and weed seeds after treatment along direction 76A into a secondary spreading device, or into a straw chopper or into the tail board fins of the straw chopper. The auger flightings 74A, 74B and the rotor 77 and the fan section 79 thus form the horizontal rotor defining a generally cylindrical body within the tube or housing 70.

As shown in Figures 2A and 8 housing of the chopper section 9 and the

seed destructor section 35 are formed as a common or integral construction coupled

together as single or common unit which can be mounted on the combine harvester

at the rear of the combine so as to be associated with the rear straw discharge and

the rear chaff discharge.

The chopper 9 has an input drive pulley 9A on a shaft 9S connected to

the rotor 17 driven by a belt 9C or other drive component or pulley assembly 9B from

the combine. In addition the pulley 9A of the chopper drives an output pulley 9D which

communicates drive to the seed of destruction section 35 through a pulley 9E on a

shaft 9T driven by a belt 9F. In the arrangement shown the pulleys 9A and 9D are

mounted at the same end of the rotor 17 but this is not essential. The drive 9B to the

chopper can be as shown where the output pulley 9G on a shaft 9R of the combine

drives a belt 9H connected to a pulley system 9K to drive the belt 9C. Thus as shown

in Figure 2A, the shafts 9R, 9S and 9T are all parallel. Other drive arrangements can

be used such as a shaft from an output gearbox.

A shroud or hood 35A is over the seed destructor section to allow for the

chaff to be directed underneath the hood into the seed destructor. A powered roller

35B is required at the leading edge of the hood 35A to eliminate material buildup on the leading edge which could cause possible plugging. The roller is driven to rotate in a clockwise direction at 200-500 rpm to roll any long straw over to the chopper section 9 while the chaff and weed seeds flow under the hood the destructor section

35.

While the arrangement shown herein is shown as an externally mounted

chopper carried on the combine harvester at the rear straw discharge, some combines

include an internal chopper mounted in the housing at a position in advance of the

rear discharge. In this arrangement the seed destructor section can be located at the

chaff discharge and arranged to direct material into the internal chopper or away from

the internal chopper to the ground. In this case the internal chopper does not

cooperate directly with a spreading system such as a tail board.

Turning now to Figure 10A, there is shown a modified embodiment of

the seed destructor which includes a housing 80 with base 81 and a spiral outer

surface 82 upstanding from the base and extending to an outlet or discharge mouth

96. Inside a center part of the spiral is provided a central inlet 83 for feeding the

material from the sieve containing the chaff and weed seeds onto a rotor 84 mounted

on a hub 85. Around the hub 85 is provided a plurality of pivot pins or bolts 86 each

carrying a flail blade 87.

Around the rotor is provided two stationary annular coaxial perforated

rings 89 and 90 of impact posts with one ring inside the other. Each ring 89, 90 has

perforations between the posts so that the rotor flails 87 act to accelerate, impact and

wipe the material across the inside surface of the inner annular ring 89 to impact, shear and force some of the material between the posts. Between the two rings 89,

90 is a ring of posts 92 which are attached to a base plate of the rotor so as to rotate

with the center hub and flail blades. These posts 92 act to impact, accelerate and

shear the material round the inside surface of the annular ring 90 where again there

is a plurality of spaces 93 between the posts of the ring 90 to impact, shear and allow

any remaining material to escape outwardly. The material escaping the spaces 93 is

accelerated angularly by a final series of posts 94 attached to the rotating base of the

rotor so that the material is flung outwardly and angularly against the outer surface 82.

On this surface is provided a series of removable and optionally angularly adjustable

surface portions (not shown) at angularly spaced positons around the wall 82. These

are inclined inwardly from the outer wall 82 so as to form a flat inclined surface at an

angle of around 45 degrees to the direction of counter-clockwise flow of the material

passing to the discharge mouth 96 of the seed destroying section.

The arrangement shown in Figures 5 and 10 provides an apparatus for

destroying weed seeds comprising a housing 80 mounted at a location on the combine

harvester for receiving from sieve the chaff and weed seeds separated by the combine

harvester from harvested crop. A rotor 85 mounted in the housing for rotation about

an axis and including rotor surfaces thereon for engaging the feed material and for

accelerating the feed material in a direction outwardly from the axis of the rotor. A

stator is arranged at a location along the direction and including one or more stator

surfaces for engaging the weed seeds in the accelerated feed material. The stator includes the angled surfaces 91 arranged at an angle to a tangent of the rotor axis such that the weed seeds impact on the one or more stator surfaces.

The stator surfaces 91 can be movable in an adjustment movement

about an axis A parallel to the rotor axis so that the surface pivots relative to a tangent

to the axis of the rotor so as to change the number of impacts caused to each weed

seed. The stator rings 89, 90 are replaceable for example by unbolting a support bolt

from the housing roof. The stator surfaces may hard surface coated with a suitable

material such as carbide which reduces impact damage. The stator surfaces defined

by the annular rings 89, 90 can be adjusted by rotation around the axis of the rotor.

The rotational speed of the rotor is adjustable to change the number of

impacts a seed encounters during its passage.

In at least one stage, therefore, the weed seeds do not pass through the

stator but are rebounded between the rotor and the stator. The rotor also propels the

weed seed from the housing without needing to pass through an outside stator surface

so that a higher exit velocity is obtained and probably reduced in residue having more

moisture.

Turning now to figures 11 to 15 there is shown a further embodiment of

apparatus for destroying weed seeds which is similar to that shown in Figure 8 in that

it includes a straw chopper section 9 and a weed seed destructor section 35. The

section 35 is of the construction shown in Figure 10 so that it has an inlet 351 in the

center of the housing 80 which is fed by a par of inlet chutes 352 taking the feed from

across the sieve 354 which drops into a channel 353. Thus the intake of the destructor 35 is located in front of the chopper housing and with the rotor and stator underneath the chopper housing.

As best shown in Figure 14, the destructor 35 is mounted on the

housing of the chopper at a position lower than in Figure 8 so that the top wall 35R of

the destructor 35 is underneath the bottom wall 355 of the chopper housing. As shown

in Figure 20, at least part 35S of the stator arrangement and rotor arrangement of the

destructor 35 is located vertically beneath at least a part 35T of the chopper rotor 19

and its blades 19. Thus the discharge mouths 96 are arranged vertically beneath the

bottom wall portion 355 and act to release the chaff and weed seeds from a position

below the chopper that is underneath the bottom wall 355 of the chopper housing so

as to direct the second material along the direction F underneath the bottom wall 355

directly onto the tailboard 16A forming the spreading device. Thus the tailboard is

inclined downwardly and the chaff is fed onto the tailboard to join with the straw and

airflow from the chopper so that both materials are spread in a common action by the

fins 16B. This acts to provide an improved spreading action on the chaff which tends

to be very light and fluffy due to its passage through the destructor. Thus the added

momentum from the heavier and more dense straw is communicated to the fluffier

chaff to provide a full spreading action which can match the cutting width of the header.

As shown by comparing Figures 14 and 15 the guide channel 353

includes a guide wall component 35 movable between a first position shown in Figure

14 and a second position shown in Figure 15.

In Figure 14 the chaff and weed seeds from the sieve are directed into the weed seed destructor, while the straw from the first discharge location enters the chopper housing. This is achieved by moving the component 356 from a position in

Figure 14 which is raised so that the chaff passes underneath the component. Thus

the component includes a portion 360 defining a front wall of the chopper and an upper

tip portion 357 which contacts a guide surface 361 of the straw channel from the

combine. In figure 15 the component 356 Is moved so that the tip portion 357 engages

a guide surface 359 of the chaff transfer channel from the sieve 354. Thus in the

second position shown in Figure 15 the component 356 shuts off the flow to the

destructor 35 and instead directs the chaff and weed seeds from the second discharge

location into the chopper housing with the straw.

The guide wall component 356 comprises the front wall portion 360 of

the chopper housing which is pivotal about an axis 364 across a front of the chopper

housing and parallel to the axis of the chopper rotor.

When the system is arranged to bypass the destructor as shown in

Figure 15, a clutch 362 is operated to halt drive to the rotors of the weed seed

destructor 35 from the input drive shaft 363.

As best shown by comparing Figures 13 and 14, the destructor 35 and

the chopper 9 are formed as a common unit which is movable rearwardly of the

combine harvester along a track 401. The common unit can thus take up the operating

position shown in Figure 15 where the chopper inlet is aligned with the straw supply

duct and the destructor inlet 351 is aligned with the chaff inlet from the sieve 354. Also

the combined unit can move to the rearward position shown in Figure 13 where the destructor is moved rearwardly of the combine harvester away from the sieve 354 to allow access to a position between the destructor 35 and the sieve of the combine harvester. This allows the operator to access the sieve by entering an opening 402 in front of the destructor 35 and behind the axle of the combine to visibly inspect the sieve.

Thus the weed seed destructor section 35 and optional also the chopper

section is slidable on the guide 401 in a rearward direction. The guide 401 includes a

pair of tracks each on a respective side wall of the combine harvester and a suitable

slide component on the common unit.

The drive for the weed seed destruction section is driven from the slow

speed drive of the chopper. A selector on the chopper allows the chopper to operate

in either high speed or low speed. Therefore the chopper can be selected to operate

in low speed with the weed seed destruction section still operating. Therefore either

chopper speed can be selected without effecting the operation of the weed seed

destruction section.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein

above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made

within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope,

it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be

interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A combine harvester comprising:

a separation system for separating from harvested crop at a first

a second material comprising chaff and said weed seeds;

a straw spreading device for receiving the first material and spreading

the first material at least to the sides of the combine harvester;

and a weed seed destruction section comprising:

a destructor housing component arranged to receive from the

second discharge location the second material;

means for causing devitalization of the weed seeds so as to

reduce the number of weed seeds that can germinate;

and at least one a discharge mouth for discharge of the second

material after devitalization;

wherein the straw spreading device and destructor rotor housing are

coupled together to form a single unit on the combine harvester.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the straw spreading

device and destructor rotor housing comprise a common assembly having a common

common mounting on the combine harvester.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the straw

spreading device comprises a straw chopper section including a chopper housing, a chopper rotor having a plurality of chopping blades for chopping the straw for discharge from the chopper housing; and a spreading device for receiving the straw discharged from the chopper and spreading the discharged straw to rear and sides of the combine harvester.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the spreading

device comprises a tailboard for receiving the straw discharged from the chopper

housing and including guide fins engaging the straw on the tailboard for guiding the

discharged straw in a spreading action to said rear and sides of the combine harvester

and wherein said at least one discharge mouth is arranged so as to direct the second

material to be guided by the fins while bypassing the chopping blades.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the

mechanical drive output of the combine harvester.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the input drive

are parallel and substantially parallel to the third shaft.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said

means for causing devitalization of the weed seeds comprises a destructor rotor

arrangement mounted in the second housing component for rotation about an axis

and including rotor surfaces thereon for engaging the second material and for

plurality of impacts with the weed seeds.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said

at least one discharge mouth is arranged to direct the second material onto the

spreading device while bypassing the chopping blades.

9. The apparatus according to claim 3 or any one of claims 4 to 8

dependent on claim 3, wherein the chopper rotor includes a rotor shaft having a center

section carrying said chopper blades and first and second end sections separate from

said center section, wherein each of said first and second end sections includes rotor

blades arranged to generate at least part of a discharge stream and wherein said

destructor section includes first and second discharge mouths which are arranged so

as to direct at least some of the second material at said first and second end sections

respectively of the rotor shaft.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the

weed seed destructor section comprises a horizontal transfer member extending

horizontal transfer member being shaped to carry both the chaff and weed seeds along the housing outwardly to respective first and second ends of the housing, wherein said horizontal transfer member includes a drive shaft along said longitudinal axis.

11. A combine harvester comprising:

a separation system for separating from harvested crop at a first

a second material comprising chaff and said weed seeds;

a straw spreading device for receiving the first material and spreading

the first material at least to the sides of the combine harvester;

a first drive input member for driving at least part of the straw spreading

device from a mechanical drive output of the combine harvester;

and a weed seed destruction section comprising:

a housing component arranged to receive from the second

discharge location the second material;

means for causing devitalization of the weed seeds so as to

reduce the number of weed seeds that can germinate;

said weed seed destruction section having a second drive input

member;

and at least one a discharge mouth for discharge of the second

material after devitalization; and at least one mechanical drive transfer member connecting the first drive input member and the second drive input member for receiving drive from the mechanical drive output of the combine harvester.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first drive input

member is mounted on a first drive input shaft of the straw spreading device and the

second drive input member is mounted on a second drive shaft of the weed seed

and substantially parallel to the third shaft.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said means

mounted in the housing component for rotation about an axis and including rotor

the weed seeds.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said destructor

rotor arrangement comprises two rotors each having an upstanding axis of rotation

with the two rotors arranged side by side across spreading device with an input shaft

extending transversely of the housing component across the bottom of two rotors with

the second drive input member at one end, optionally at a first side of the housing

component which may be a common housing unit with the straw spreading device.

15. The apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein

said at least one discharge mouth is arranged to direct the second material onto the

spreading device while bypassing chopping blades of the straw spreading device.

16. The apparatus according to claims 11 to 15, wherein said at least

one mechanical drive transfer member connects the second drive input member of

the weed seed destruction section in parallel with the first drive input member of the

straw spreading device from a common mechanical drive transfer member from said

mechanical drive output.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein

the straw spreading device comprises a tailboard including guide fins engaging the

and sides of the combine harvester.

18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein

the straw spreading device comprises a chopper housing having a chopper rotor

therein which includes a rotor shaft having a center section carrying chopper blades

and first and second end sections separate from said center section, wherein each of

said first and second end sections includes rotor blades arranged to generate at least

part of a discharge stream and wherein said destructor section includes first and

second discharge mouths arranged so as to direct at least some of the second

material at said first and second end sections respectively of the rotor shaft.

19. The apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein

the weed seed destructor section comprises a horizontal transfer member extending across the combine harvester mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis, the horizontal transfer member being shaped to carry both the chaff and weed seeds along the housing outwardly to respective first and second ends of the housing, wherein said horizontal transfer member includes a drive shaft along said longitudinal axis.

20. A combine harvester comprising:

a separation system for separating from harvested crop at a first

a second material comprising chaff and said weed seeds;

a straw spreading device for receiving the first material and spreading

the first material at least to the sides of the combine harvester;

a first input drive shaft for driving at least part of the straw spreading

device;

and a weed seed destruction section comprising:

a housing component arranged to receive from the second

discharge location the second material;

means for causing devitalization of the weed seeds so as to

reduce a number of the weed seeds that can germinate;

a second input drive shaft for driving at least part of the weed

seed destruction section;

and at least one a discharge mouth for discharge of the second

material after devitalization; the combine harvester having a third output shaft providing a mechanical drive output of the combine harvester; wherein the first and second drive input shafts are parallel and substantially parallel to the third output drive shaft.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said means for

causing devitalization of the weed seeds comprises a destructor rotor arrangement

mounted in the housing component for rotation about an axis and including rotor

the weed seeds.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said destructor

with the two rotors arranged side by side across the housing component with the

second input shaft extending transversely across the bottom of two rotors.

23. The apparatus according to claims 20 to 22, wherein at least one

mechanical drive transfer member connects the second drive shaft of the weed seed

destruction section in parallel with the first drive shaft of the chopper rotor from the

third output drive shaft.

24. The apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein

spreading device while bypassing chopping blades of the straw spreading device.

25. The apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein

the spreading device comprises a tailboard including guide fins engaging the straw on

the tailboard for guiding the discharged straw in a spreading action to rear and sides

of the combine harvester.

26. The apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein

the straw spreading device comprises a chopper housing having a chopper rotor

said first and second end sections include rotor blades arranged to generate at least

second discharge mouths arranged so as to direct at least some of the second

material at said first and second end sections respectively of the rotor shaft.

27. The apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 26, wherein

horizontal transfer member being shaped to carry both the chaff and weed seeds

along the housing outwardly to respective first and second ends of the housing,

axis.

28. A combine harvester comprising: a separation system for separating from harvested crop at a first discharge location a first material comprising straw and at a second discharge location a second material comprising chaff and said weed seeds; a straw spreading device for receiving the first material and spreading the first material at least to the sides of the combine harvester; and a weed seed destructor section comprising: a destructor housing arranged to receive from the second discharge location the second material; means for causing devitalization of the weed seeds so as to reduce a number of the weed seeds that can germinate; and at least one a discharge mouth for discharge of the second material after devitalization; said at least one discharge mouth being arranged so as to direct the second material to the spreading device for common spreading.

29. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said means for

the weed seeds.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said destructor

with the two rotors arranged side by side across the housing component.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein said at least one

discharge mouth comprises two discharge mouths at spaced positions across the

device while bypassing chopping blades of the straw spreading device.

32. The apparatus according to any one of claims 28 to 31, wherein

the tailboard for guiding the discharged straw.

33. The apparatus according to any one of claims 28 to 32, wherein

the straw spreading device comprises a chopper housing having a chopper rotor

second discharge mouths arranged so as to direct at least some of the second

material at said first and second end sections respectively of the rotor shaft.

34. The apparatus according to any one of claims 28 to 33, wherein

35. A combine harvester comprising:

a separation system for separating from harvested crop a first material

comprising straw and a second material comprising chaff and weed seeds, the

separation system including at least one sieve;

a straw spreading section for receiving the first material and spreading

the first material at least to sides of the combine harvester; and

a weed seed destructor section comprising:

a destructor housing arranged to receive the second material;

means for causing devitalization of the weed seeds so as to

reduce a number of the weed seeds that can germinate;

at least one destructor discharge mouth for discharge of the second

material after the devitalization,

wherein at least the weed seed destructor section is movable in a

direction rearwardly of the combine harvester away from the sieve from an operating

position to an access position to allow an operator access to a position between the

weed seed destructor and the at least one sieve of the combine harvester.

36. A combine harvester comprising:

a separation system for separating from harvested crop a first material

comprising straw and a second material comprising chaff and weed seeds, the separation system including at least one sieve; a straw spreading section for receiving the first material and spreading the first material at least to sides of the combine harvester; and a weed seed destructor section comprising: a destructor housing arranged to receive the second material; means for causing devitalization of the weed seeds so as to reduce a number of the weed seeds that can germinate; at least one destructor discharge mouth for discharge of the second material after the devitalization, wherein the weed seed destructor section is connected to the straw spreading section and both the weed seed destructor section and the straw spreading section are movable together in a direction rearwardly of the combine harvester away from the sieve from an operating position to an access position to allow access of an operator to a position between the weed seed destructor and the sieve of the combine harvester.

37. The combine harvester according to claim 35 or claim 36, wherein

said destructor rotor arrangement comprises two rotors each having an upstanding

axis of rotation with the two rotors arranged side by side across the combine harvester

and wherein said at least one destructor discharge mouth comprises two discharge

mouths at spaced positions across the combine harvester.

38. The combine harvester according to any one of claims 35 to 37,

wherein the straw spreading section comprises: a chopper housing arranged to receive from the separation system the first material containing straw; a chopper rotor mounted in the chopper housing having a plurality of chopping blades for chopping the straw for discharge from the chopper housing; and a spreading device for receiving the straw discharged from the chopper housing and spreading the straw to a rear and the sides of the combine harvester.

39. The combine harvester according to claim 38, wherein the

discharge mouth is oriented to direct the second material onto the fins.

40. The combine harvester according to any one of claims 35 to 39,

wherein the straw spreading section and the destructor rotor housing comprise a

common assembly having a common frame and/or common housing arranged for

common mounting on the combine harvester.

41. The combine harvester according to any one of claims 35 to 40,

wherein the straw spreading section comprises a chopper rotor and a straw spreading

drive input member for driving the chopper rotor from a mechanical drive output of the

combine harvester, wherein the weed seed destructor section comprises a destructor

drive input member for driving the destructor rotor arrangement from the mechanical

drive output of the combine harvester, and wherein there is provided at least one

the straw spreading drive input member for receiving drive from the mechanical drive

output of the combine harvester.

42. The combine harvester according to any one of claims 35 to 41,

further including a guide wall component movable between positions including a first

position and a second position where in the first position the chaff and the weed seeds

are directed by the guide wall component into the weed seed destructor, while the

straw enters the straw spreading section and in the second position the chaff and the

weed seeds are directed by the guide wall component to bypass the weed seed

destructor section.

43. The combine harvester according to any one of claims 35 to 42,

wherein the destructor means comprises a rotor arrangement mounted in the

between the rotor and stator surfaces.