WO2015052563A1

WO2015052563A1 - Combine grain elevator

Info

Publication number: WO2015052563A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/001964
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Figger; Robert A. Matousek
Original assignee: Agco Corporation
Priority date: 2013-10-10
Filing date: 2014-09-30
Publication date: 2015-04-16

Abstract

A crop harvester (20) collects clean grain and includes a threshing mechanism (24), a cleaning system (26), and a conveyor assembly (28). The cleaning system (26) is positioned at least partly below the threshing mechanism (24) to clean separated grain and remove material other than grain (MOG). The conveyor assembly (28) includes an elevator (100) and a lateral conveyor (98) that cooperatively move clean grain dropped from the cleaning system (26).

Description

COMBINE GRAIN ELEVATOR

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field

[0002] The present invention relates generally to crop harvesters. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention concern a grain conveyor to convey clean grain from below a cleaning shoe to a harvester storage bin.

[0003] 2. Discussion of Prior Art

[0004] Self-propelled crop harvesters have long been used to sever crop material and process the severed material to produce clean grain. Typically, the harvester has a threshing and separating system that receives the severed material and separates the grain from material other than grain (MOG). The clean grain is collected by a clean grain auger below the separating system. The auger moves the clean grain to an elevator, which transports the grain upwardly to a storage bin of the harvester. Prior art elevators have an auger that runs at an incline so that grain is discharged generally centrally within the storage bin. The stored grain can be selectively offloaded from the storage bin to a grain-hauling vehicle.

[0005] However, prior art clean grain conveyors have certain deficiencies. For instance, clean grain augers are known to be bulky and heavy. To provide the required grain throughput, such augers must have a relatively large auger diameter. This large diameter, in turn, requires equipment above the auger (such as the threshing and separating system) to be positioned high off the ground. Conventional clean grain conveyors with clean grain augers are also notoriously difficult to clean. Yet further, clean grain conveyors can project across the storage bin such that the conveyor interferes with folding of grain bin extensions.

SUMMARY

[0006] The following brief summary is provided to indicate the nature of the subject matter disclosed herein. While certain aspects of the present invention are described below, the summary is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention provide a crop harvester that does not suffer from the problems and limitations of the prior art crop harvesters set forth above.

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention concerns a crop harvester operable to collect clean grain. The crop harvester broadly includes a threshing mechanism, a cleaning system, and a conveyor assembly. The threshing mechanism separates grain from chaff. The cleaning system is positioned at least partly below the threshing mechanism to clean the separated grain and remove any remaining material other than grain. The conveyor assembly includes an elevator and a lateral conveyor that cooperatively move clean grain dropped from the cleaning system. The lateral conveyor is at least partly below the cleaning system and is operable to move clean grain to the elevator. The elevator is operable to receive clean grain from the lateral conveyor and move clean grain upwardly. The lateral conveyor includes an endless driven element and conveyor members attached to and spaced along the length of the driven element to form opposite conveyor and return runs, with the conveyor run being operable to move clean grain to the elevator.

[0009] A second aspect of the present invention concerns a crop harvester operable to collect clean grain. The crop harvester broadly includes a threshing mechanism, a cleaning system, and a conveyor assembly. The threshing mechanism separates grain from chaff. The cleaning system is positioned at least partly below the threshing mechanism to clean the separated grain and remove any remaining material other than grain. The conveyor assembly includes an elevator and a lateral conveyor that cooperatively move clean grain dropped from the cleaning system. The lateral conveyor is at least partly below the cleaning system and is operable to move clean grain to the elevator. The elevator is operable to receive clean grain from the lateral conveyor and move clean grain upwardly. The elevator includes an endless driven element and conveyor members attached to and spaced along the length of the driven element to form opposite conveyor and return runs, with the conveyor run being operable to move clean grain upwardly. The elevator includes a swingable elevator section positionable in multiple angular positions.

[0010] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: [0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a crop harvester constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the harvester includes a wheeled chassis, a rotor assembly, a cleaning shoe, and a conveyor assembly with a lateral conveyor and an elevator;

[0013] FIG. 2 is an upper fragmentary perspective of the crop harvester shown in FIG.

1 , showing a storage bin of the chassis, a collection pan, the conveyor assembly, and a conveyor actuator;

[0014] FIG. 3 is an upper fragmentary perspective of the conveyor assembly shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2, showing a trough, stationary elevator housing, swingable elevator housing, and a conveyor operably mounted within the trough and elevator housings, with the conveyor including a drive shaft, a drive sprocket, driven shafts, driven sprockets, a pair of endless roller chains drivingly engaged with the sprockets, and paddle assemblies mounted on and spaced along the length of the roller chains;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross section of the crop harvester shown in FIGS. 1 and

2, showing the elevator extending upwardly through the storage bin; and

[0016] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross section of the lateral conveyor taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.

[0017] The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Turning initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a crop harvester 20 is constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the usual manner, the harvester 20 is operable to sever crop from a field (not shown). The illustrated harvester 20 produces clean grain from the severed crop material by separating the clean grain from material other than grain (MOG). The crop harvester 20 is preferably configured to harvest a variety of crops, such as wheat, soybeans, milo, oats, or corn. Preferably, the illustrated crop harvester 20 broadly includes a wheeled chassis 22, a threshing and separating rotor assembly 24, a cleaning shoe 26, a conveyor assembly 28, and a conveyor actuator system 30.

[0019] Preferably, the crop harvester 20 comprises a self-propelled machine that collects the separated grain and generally discharges MOG onto the field. Thus, the wheeled chassis 22 preferably includes a harvester frame 32, wheels 34, operator enclosure 36, and an engine (not shown) that powers the harvester 20.

[0020] The wheeled chassis 22 also includes a storage bin 38 operable to store clean grain separated from MOG. The storage bin 38 is conventional and includes a floor 40, sides 42, and foldable extensions 44. The illustrated floor 40 and sides 42 are rigidly attached to one another. The sides 42 form an upper lip 46 that defines an open top 48 of the storage bin 38. In the usual manner, the extensions 44 are swingably attached to the sides 42 by hinges 50 and are shiftable between an extended position (see FIGS. 1 and 2) and a lower storage position (not shown). In the lower storage position, each of the extensions 44 preferably project inwardly from a corresponding one of the sides 42 to extend along the open top 48.

[0021] The rotor assembly 24 is operable to receive severed crop material from the header via a feederhouse 52 and process the severed crop material. In particular, the rotor assembly 24 broadly includes a rotor 54, separating grates 56, and concaves 58. The rotor 54 preferably presents a rotor axis that extends along a longitudinal direction defined by the crop harvester 20. After passing through the rotor assembly 24, separated grain and MOG are further processed by the cleaning shoe 26 located generally below the rotor assembly 24.

[0022] The cleaning shoe 26 preferably includes a chaffer and a sieve. However, it is also within the ambit of the present invention where the harvester 22 includes alternative structure for use with the chaffer assembly 20 to thresh the cut crop material and separate grain from MOG. A fan 60 urges air flow in a rearward direction above and below the cleaning shoe 26. Clean grain falls through the cleaning shoe 26, into a collection pan 62, and into a trough 64 of the conveyor assembly 28.

[0023] Turning to FIGS. 2-5, the conveyor assembly 28 preferably includes a conveyor housing 66. The conveyor housing 66 is operable to contain powered conveyor components of the conveyor assembly 28 and cooperate with the powered components to direct clean grain into the storage bin 38. The conveyor housing 66 preferably includes the laterally-extending trough

64, a stationary elevator housing 68, and a swingable elevator housing 70.

[0024] The stationary elevator housing 68 includes side walls 72 that cooperatively present an upright passage 74. The stationary elevator housing 68 also includes an intermediate wall 76 that extends through the upright passage 74. The intermediate wall 76 divides the upright passage 74 into supply and return passages 74a,74b (see FIG. 4).

[0025] The swingable elevator housing 70 includes side walls 78 that cooperatively present a shiftable passage 80. The swingable elevator housing 70 also includes an intermediate wall 82 that extends through the shiftable passage 80 to divide the shiftable passage 80 into supply and return passages 80a,80b (see FIG. 4). The swingable elevator housing 70 presents an outlet 84 through which clean grain (not shown) is preferably discharged from the conveyor assembly 28.

[0026] Preferably, the swingable elevator housing 70 is pivotally mounted to the stationary elevator housing 68 adjacent an upper end thereof with a shaft 122b that interconnects the housings 68,70 (see FIG. 4). The swingable elevator housing 70 is preferably pivotable through a range of positions between upper and lower elevator positions (not shown) so that the outlet 84 can be selectively located relative to the storage bin 38 (see FIG. 4). As will be discussed, the conveyor actuator system 30 is preferably operable to shift the swingable elevator housing 70 among the range of positions.

[0027] The swingable elevator housing 70 and stationary elevator housing 68 are preferably pivotally connected so that the supply passages 74a,80a fluidly communicate with one another and the return passages 74b,80b fluidly communicate with one another. Thus, the illustrated swingable elevator housing 70 and stationary elevator housing 68 cooperatively provide a housing for powered components of the elevator.

[0028] The trough 64 is elongated and presents opposite ends 64a,b. The trough 64 also presents a lateral passage 86 that extends continuously between the ends 64a,b (see FIG. 5). The lateral trough 64 preferably includes a bottom 88 and sides 90 that form the passage 86, where the passage 86 has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape (see FIG. 5). However, it is within the ambit of the present invention where the passage 86 has an alternative shape. The trough 64 is attached to the stationary elevator housing 68 so that the lateral passage 86 communicates with the upright passage 74.

[0029] The illustrated trough 64 is attached to a lower end of the collection pan 62 so that the pan 62 communicates with the passage 86 and grain is permitted to flow from the pan 62 into the passage 86. Again, the trough 64 is preferably located below the threshing and separating system so that grain can fall into the passage 86.

[0030] Turning to FIGS. 2-4, the conveyor actuator system 32 is operable to move the swingable elevator housing 70, along with the conveyor located therein, through the range of swingable elevator housing positions. The conveyor actuator system 32 preferably includes a linear actuator 92 and proximity sensors (not shown) attached to and spaced vertically along the storage bin 38. [0031] The proximity sensors are positioned and configured to sense whether grain is located adjacent thereto in the storage bin 38. Thus, the proximity sensors can be used cooperatively to determine the level of grain in the storage bin 38.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the linear actuator 92 preferably includes a body

94 and a slidable piston 96 (see FIG. 4). The linear actuator 92 preferably comprises a linear motor, Part No. 71460561, supplied by AGCO Corporation. However, an alternative actuator, such as a servo motor, a hydraulic cylinder, or a pneumatic cylinder, could be used to shift the swingable elevator housing 70.

[0033] The illustrated linear actuator 92 is mounted so that the body 94 is pivotally attached to the floor 40 and the piston 96 is pivotally attached to the swingable elevator housing 70. Thus, as the piston 96 slides into and out of the body 94, the swingable elevator housing 70 moves downwardly and upwardly relative to the storage bin 38.

[0034] The linear actuator 92 is operably coupled to a controller (not shown) so that the operator can manually operate^, the actuator 92 and thereby manually move the swingable elevator housing 70. Preferably, the controller is operably coupled to the proximity sensors so that the controller can determine the level of grain in the storage bin 38. The controller can output this data to a user visual interface (not shown) so that the interface can depict grain level indicia (not shown) corresponding to the sensed grain level. Thus, the operator can see the grain level indicia corresponding to the sensed grain level without looking into the storage bin 38 to visualize the actual grain level. The controller can also use the determine value of grain level to automatically adjust the height of the outlet 84 so that the outlet 84 is positioned above the grain level.

[0035] The swingable elevator housing 70 can also be selectively swung into the lower elevator position (not shown) entirely below the open top 48 formed by the upper lip 46 of the storage bin 38. With the swingable elevator housing 70 below the upper lip 46, the foldable extensions 44 can be folded into the lower storage position.

[0036] The conveyor assembly 28 also preferably includes conveyor components to transport clean grain from the passage 86 to the outlet 84. In particular, the conveyor assembly 28 preferably includes a lateral conveyor section 98 and an elevator 100 that includes a stationary elevator section 102 and a swingable elevator section 104. As will be discussed, the lateral conveyor section 98 provides a compact and efficient mechanism for moving clean grain from underneath the cleaning shoe 26 to the elevator 100. [0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral conveyor section 98 and the elevator

100 are preferably formed by a pair of endless chains 106 and a plurality of paddles 108 attached to and spaced along the length of the chains 106. Preferably, the chains 106 each comprise a conventional endless roller chain. However, it is within the scope of the present invention where an alternative endless drive element (such as an alternative chain or a belt) is used to support and propel the paddles 108. It will also be appreciated that an alternative number of chains 106 (e.g., one chain or more than two chains) could be positioned side-by-side to extend along and form the lateral conveyor section 98 and the elevator 100.

[0038] Each paddle 108 preferably includes a generally planar, rectangular paddle wall

1 10 and brackets 1 12 attached adjacent opposite ends of the wall 1 10 (see FIG. 5). Also, the paddles 108 preferably extend transversely to the longitudinal axis of the chains 106. However, the paddles 108 could be alternatively configured (e.g., paddles could be retractable to move out of the transverse position, particularly along bends in the conveyor and/or along the return run). The paddle walls 1 10 are preferably shaped and positioned so that a side edge 1 14 and end edges 116 closely conform to corresponding surfaces presented by the bottom 88 and sides 90 of the trough 64 (see FIG. 5). However, the paddles 108 could be alternatively shaped and/or configured without departing from the present invention. For instance, the paddle wall 110 of each paddle 108 could have a bucket-like shape (i.e., where the paddle wall is concave or otherwise shaped to present a bucket opening) to collect and transport clean grain along the conveyor housing 66.

[0039] The illustrated brackets 1 12 are preferably secured to corresponding ones of the chains 106 so that each paddle 108 is cooperatively supported between the chains 106. However, it is within the ambit of the present invention where paddles 108 are alternatively attached to the chains 106. For instance, if the conveyor assembly 28 includes only a single one of the chains 106, the chain 106 could be attached to the paddles 108 at a midpoint between the end edges 1 16 of the paddles 108.

[0040] The chains 106 are preferably supported on a drive shaft 1 18, a pair of drive sprockets 120, driven shafts 122a,b,c,d,e, and pairs of driven sprockets 124a,b,c,d,e mounted on the conveyor housing 66 at corresponding locations (see FIG. 4). The drive shaft 1 18 and drive sprockets 120 are preferably powered by a motor (not shown) and serve to power the chains 106, with the driven shafts 122 and driven sprockets 124 being freely rotatable and powered by the chains 106. However, the lateral conveyor section 98 and elevator 100 could be alternatively powered without departing from the scope of the present invention. While each of the shafts 1 18,122 support a corresponding pair of sprockets (to thereby support the corresponding chains 106), it will be appreciated that the shafts 1 18,122 could each be configured to support a single sprocket or more than two sprockets (e.g., to support one or more corresponding chains).

[0041] The illustrated chains 106 and paddles 108 preferably form a supply run 126 that extends continuously from the drive sprockets 120 to the driven sprockets 124c and runs along the indicated supply direction (see FIG. 4). The chains 106 and paddles 108 also preferably form a return run 128 that extends continuously from the driven sprockets 124c to the drive sprockets 120 and runs along the indicated return direction (see FIG. 4).

[0042] While the illustrated endless chain-and-paddle conveyor is preferred, the principles of the present invention are applicable where an alternative endless conveyor is provided to transfer grain from below the cleaning shoe to the storage bin. For instance, one or more endless draper belts could be configured to transfer grain from the passage 86 to the outlet 84.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the supply run 126 is preferably located below the return run 128 along the trough 64, with the remainder of the supply run 126 being generally located outboard of the return run 128 along the elevator 100. However, it is within the scope of the present invention where the supply run 126 is located above the return run 128 along the trough 64 and inboard of the return run 128 along the elevator 100. In such an alternative configuration, the return run 128 of the lateral conveyor section 98 could be located below the trough 64 and the supply run 126 of the lateral conveyor section 98 could be positioned within the trough 64.

[0044] Thus, the supply run 126 and return run 128 preferably provide the entire powered conveyor mechanism for the conveyor assembly 28 and define the lateral conveyor section 98 and the elevator 100. That is, the conveyor assembly 28 preferably is provided only by the illustrated supply run 126 and return run 128. However, for some aspects of the present invention, multiple endless conveyors could be arranged generally in an end-to-end configuration to transport grain along the length of the conveyor assembly 28.

[0045] For instance, the supply run 126 and return run 128 could be configured to extend only along the lateral conveyor section 98. In such an embodiment, the elevator sections 102,104 could be formed by another endless conveyor (e.g., a chain-and-paddle conveyor) that extends generally from a location adjacent the trough 64 to the outlet 84. In other words, the conveyors for the lateral conveyor section 98 and the elevator 100 could be generally arranged end-to-end. Yet further, each elevator section 102, 104 could have a corresponding endless conveyor. Thus, one alternative embodiment of the conveyor assembly 28 could involve the lateral conveyor section 98 and elevator sections 102,104 each having a corresponding endless conveyor, with the conveyors located roughly in an end-to-end arrangement. Also, such end-to- end conveyors could be drivingly connected to one another so that the conveyors are all powered by the drive shaft 1 18.

[0046] Also, one or both of the elevator sections could include an alternative conveyor mechanism other than a chain and paddle conveyor (e.g., a rotating auger). Yet further, for some aspects of the present invention, the lateral conveyor section 98 could be provided by a rotating auger.

[0047] In operation, the crop harvester 20 advances over a field (not shown) to sever crop and process the severed crop material. In particular, the severed crop material is introduced to the rotor assembly 24 where the crop material is threshed and grain is separated from at least some of the MOG. Grain and MOG then fall onto the cleaning shoe 26 where grain is further separated from MOG, with clean grain falling onto the collection pan 62 and into the trough 64.

[0048] The conveyor assembly 28 is operated by powering the drive shaft 1 18 which, in turn, drives the supply run 126 generally toward the outlet 84 along the supply direction, and drives the return run 128 generally away from the outlet 84 along the return direction. Thus, clean grain falls into the trough 64 by passing between adjacent paddles 108 of the return run 128.

[0049] Clean grain within the passage 86 of the trough 64 is carried by the supply run

126 from the trough 64, through the stationary elevator housing 68, and through the swingable elevator housing 70 until the grain is discharged through the outlet 84 and into the storage bin 38. In the usual manner, grain located in the storage bin 38 can later be selectively transferred from the storage bin 38 to a grain-hauling vehicle (not shown).

[0050] The swingable elevator housing 70 can be selectively pivoted relative to the storage bin 38 by shifting the actuator piston 96 into and out of the actuator body 94. By moving the swingable elevator housing 70, the outlet 84 can be selectively positioned (e.g., to locate the outlet 84 above the grain level in the storage bin 38). The swingable elevator housing 70 can also be selectively swung into the lower elevator position so that the foldable extensions 44 can be folded into the lower storage position.

[0051] The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0052] The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A crop harvester operable to collect clean grain, said crop harvester comprising a threshing mechanism for separating grain from chaff, a cleaning system positioned at least partly below the threshing mechanism to clean the separated grain and remove any remaining material other than grain and a conveyor assembly including an elevator and a lateral conveyor that cooperatively move clean grain dropped from the cleaning system, said lateral conveyor being at least partly below the cleaning system and operable to move clean grain to the elevator, and said elevator being operable to receive clean grain from the lateral conveyor and move clean grain upwardly, said lateral conveyor including an endless driven element and conveyor members attached to and spaced along the length of the driven element to form opposite conveyor and return runs, with the conveyor run being operable to move clean grain to the elevator.

2. The crop harvester as claimed in claim 1 , said endless driven element including an endless chain, each of said conveyor members including a paddle member attached to the endless chain, with the paddle member being operable to engage and move the clean grain.

3. The crop harvester as claimed in claim 2, said return run being located generally above the conveyor run along the lateral conveyor, with the return run permitting clean grain to fall through the return run and onto the conveyor run.

4. The crop harvester as claimed in claim 2 or 3 said paddle members extending transversely to the endless chain.

5. The crop harvester as claimed in any preceding claim, said conveyor assembly including an elongated trough extending laterally underneath the cleaning assembly system, with the trough presenting a passage to receive clean grain from the cleaning system.

6. The crop harvester as claimed in claim 5, said conveyor run located at least partly within the passage so the conveyor members within the passage follow the trough and move clean grain along the trough and toward the elevator.

7. The crop harvester as claimed in any preceding claim, said endless driven element and conveyor members cooperatively forming the elevator and the lateral conveyor.

8. The crop harvester as claimed in claim 7, said conveyor assembly including an elongated trough extending laterally underneath the cleaning system, with the trough presenting a passage to receive clean grain from the cleaning system, said conveyor assembly including an elevator housing that presents an outlet through which clean grain is discharged from the elevator, said conveyor and return runs extending continuously from the passage to the outlet.

9. The crop harvester as claimed in any preceding claim, said conveyor assembly including a swingable elevator housing presenting an outlet through which clean grain is discharged from the elevator, said swingable elevator housing being swingably mounted relative to the lateral conveyor to shift the outlet up and down relative to the lateral conveyor.

10. The crop harvester as claimed in claim 9, said elevator including a swingable elevator section operably mounted in the swingable elevator housing.

11. The crop harvester as claimed in claim 10, said swingable elevator section being defined by the endless driven element and conveyor members.

12. The crop harvester as claimed in claim 10, said conveyor assembly including a stationary elevator housing, with the swingable elevator housing being swingably mounted to the stationary elevator housing.

13. The crop harvester as claimed in the claim 12, said elevator including a stationary elevator section operably mounted in the stationary elevator housing.

14. The crop harvester as claimed in claim 13, said stationary elevator section being defined by the endless drive element and conveyor members.

15. The crop harvester as claimed in claim 14, said swingable elevator section being defined by the endless driven element and conveyor members.

16. The crop harvester as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 15, an actuator attached relative to the swingable elevator housing, with the actuator being operable to swing the swingable elevator housing and thereby shift the outlet up and down.

17. The crop harvester as claimed in claim 16, a grain bin located above the lateral conveyor and operable to received clean grain from the elevator; and a proximity sensor mounted relative to the grain bin to sense the level of grain in the grain bin, with the actuator being operable to swing the swingable elevator housing to shift the outlet up and down in response to the sensed level of grain.

18. A crop harvester operable to collect clean grain, said crop harvester comprising, a threshing mechanism for separating grain from chaff; a cleaning system positioned at least partly below the threshing mechanism to clean the separated grain and remove any remaining material other than grain, and a conveyor assembly including an elevator and a lateral conveyor that cooperatively move a clean grain dropped from the cleaning system, said lateral conveyor being at least partly below the cleaning system and operable to move and clean grain to the elevator, and said elevator being operable to receive clean grain from the lateral conveyor and move clean grain upwardly, said elevator including an endless driven element and conveyor members attached to and spaced along the length of the driven element to form opposite conveyor and return runs, with the conveyor run being operable to move clean grain upwardly, said elevator including a swingable elevator section positionable in multiple angular positions.

19. The crop harvester as claimed in claim 18, said endless driven element including an endless chain, each of said conveyor members including a paddle member attached to the endless chain, with the paddle member being operable to engage and move the clean grain.

20. The crop harvester as claimed in claim 19, said paddle members extending transversely to the endless chain.

21. The crop harvester as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20, said endless driven element and conveyor members cooperatively forming the elevator and the lateral conveyor.

22. The crop harvester as claimed in claim 21 , said conveyor assembly including an elevator housing that presents an outlet through which clean grain is discharged from the elevator, said conveyor and return runs extending continuously from the passage to the outlet.

23. The crop harvester as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 22, said conveyor assembly including a swingable elevator housing presenting an outlet through with clean grain is discharged from the elevator, said swingable elevator housing being swingably mounted relative to the lateral conveyor to shift the outlet up and down relative to the lateral conveyor.

24. The crop harvester as claimed in claim 23, said conveyor assembly including a stationary elevator housing, with the swingable elevator housing being swingably mounted to the stationary elevator housing.

25. The crop harvester as claimed in claim 24, said elevator including a stationary elevator section operably mounted in the stationary elevator housing.

26. The crop harvester as claimed in claim 25, said stationary elevator section being defined by the endless driven element and conveyor members.

27. The crop harvester as claimed in claim 26, said swingable elevator section being defined by the endless driven element and conveyor members.

28. The crop harvester as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 27, and an actuator attached relative to the swingable elevator housing, with the actuator being operable to swing the swingable elevator housing and thereby shift the outlet up and down.

29. The crop harvester as claimed in claim 28, a grain bin located above the lateral conveyor and operable to receive clean grain from the elevator, and a proximity sensor mounted relative to the grain bin to sense the level of grain in the grain bin, with the actuator being operable to swing the swingable elevator housing to shift the outlet up and down in response to the sensed level of grain.