Tailings return for an axial flow combine

Abstract

Grain and other small particles are separated from the stalks in a transverse cage and cylinder of an axial flow combine and pass through the concave and small radial openings in the cage. Distribution augers below the cage convey the threshed material to a pair of accelerator rolls, by way of a feeder slot, which accelerate the threshed material downwardly across a layer of rearwardly directed air. The grain is separated from the chaff in the cleaning section where clean grain auger delivers the clean grain to an appropriate elevator which in turn delivers the grain to a grain bin. The heavy material or tailings which does not pass through the sieves, such as grain or seed not completely removed from the hulls or pods, moves to a tailings auger which connects to a tailings elevator. The tailings elevator moves the tailings upwardly to one end of one of the distribution augers. The tailings are conveyed to the accelerator rolls by the distribution auger by way of the accelerator rolls feeder slot thus avoiding a second pass through the threshing cylinder and the attendant cracking of seed or grain.