CPC A01D 41/1243 (2013.01) [A01D 69/00 (2013.01); A01F 12/40 (2013.01); A01F 12/48 (2013.01)] | 18 Claims |
1. 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 comprising at least one sieve having a rear edge from which the second material is discharged;
a weed seed destructor section for receiving the second material from the rear edge of the sieve, the weed seed destructor section comprising:
a housing mounted at the rear edge of the sieve extending across the combine harvester for receiving both the chaff and weed seeds from the sieve as the chaff and weed seeds pass over the rear edge;
a horizontal transfer member extending along the housing 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;
the horizontal transfer member including a drive shaft along the longitudinal axis;
at least one weed seed destructor for receiving both the chaff and weed seeds comprising destructor components in the housing which cause devitalization of the weed seeds so as to reduce a number of the weed seeds that can germinate;
at least one discharge outlet at an angularly restricted location in the housing facing radially outwardly of the longitudinal axis; and
fan components on the horizontal transfer member for rotation therewith driving the chaff and weed seeds outwardly through the at least one discharge outlet.
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