(19)Fresh off Patent
(45) Week of Oct 19, 2026 No. 7 3,667 lapsed 70 listed
Food, farm & garden tech · lapsed Sep 4, 2026

Harvester-mounted device that separates and deposits chaff onto straw

A mechanical attachment for combines that separates discharged harvester waste into straw and chaff, sends straw to a ground chute and conveys chaff through an annular trough to deposit it on top of the straw. It is used by grain farmers at harvest to concentrate chaff and weed seed on top of straw windrows on the field. The trough depth is specified as greater than 150 mm and the plate directs straw into the chute.

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(57) What the patent covered

This write-up was generated by AI from the patent's text and may contain mistakes, so check it against the original patent before relying on it.

The main independent claim covers a device for a harvester comprising (1) a plate that separates straw waste from chaff waste after discharge and directs the straw into a chute that deposits it to the ground, and (2) an annular trough with a means for transporting material along its length that catches, transports, and deposits the chaff on top of the straw, where the trough has a depth greater than 150 mm.

Distinguishing feature: Requiring an annular trough deeper than 150 mm that transports chaff separately and deposits it on top of the straw collected via a plate-and-chute system.

Novelty 3/5. Combines and rear-discharge attachments that separate straw and chaff were known; the novelty is an integrated trough transport and specified trough depth to place chaff onto a straw deposit.

Manufacturing

Fabricated steel plate and trough (laser-cut or press-bent sheet), welded frame, fitted conveyor element (belt or auger) with bearings; painted or coated finish; bolted to harvester discharge with hand assembly.

Materials: Rolled steel or sheet metal for plate and trough, welded steel framing, rubber or polymer conveyor elements (belts/paddles), fasteners and bearings.

Manufacturability 4/5. Several stamped/bent metal parts, a conveyor element and standard bearings; requires welding and mounting brackets but no electronics; moderate assembly effort.

Market demand

Comparable products are on sale; this exact design was not found. Typical retail price: $50. One US-based parts retailer lists a straw/chaff spread shaft compatible with Case IH combines; price shown is $50.

Demand check by web search, week of Oct 12, 2026. Listings change frequently.

Buyers: Grain farmers and contractors who operate combine harvesters.

Sourcing

Factories list this type of product on supplier marketplaces, at about $2.99–$339.00 per unit with a typical minimum order of 4 units. Factory cost is roughly 6–678% of the typical retail price, before shipping, duties and marketplace fees. Listings are conveyor components and attachments that relate to residue handling and chaff/straw conveyors; none are exact OEM harvester chaff troughs but represent similar product families (conveyors, troughs, belts) from Chinese manufacturers suitable for OEM/private-label work.

Supplier prices are from public listings found by web search, quoted before customization, shipping and duties. Use them to decide whether to request a quotation.

Before manufacturing

No related continuation or divisional patents in force were found. Design patents, trademarks and unrelated patents may still cover the product.

Patent has lapsed; check whether specific mechanical tolerances, trough depth (>150 mm), or mounting interfaces are described narrowly in the file history; practical risks include added weight, mounting compatibility with different combine models, and clogged material flow.

About 1.5% of lapsed patents are later revived by their owners. This page is a research lead, not legal advice. Obtain a freedom-to-operate opinion before manufacturing.

Claim 1, as granted

1. A mechanical weed seed management device for use on a harvester, the device comprising: a plate to separate straw waste from chaff waste after their discharge from the harvester; a chute to catch, direct, and deposit the straw waste to the ground; and an annular trough comprising a means for transporting material through its length, for catching, transporting, and depositing the chaff waste on top of the straw waste on the ground, wherein the trough is of a depth greater than 150 mm, and wherein the plate directs the straw waste from the harvester to the chute.