It is generally beneficial to minimize straw and stalk damage during the threshing phase. Then there is less load of MOG on the cleaning system. Also, for those that want to bale the MOG or collect bio-mass, they have better straw and stalks to work with. Consequently, those operations coninue to be frequent buyers of strawwalker combines. Rotary threshing and separation tends to be more agressive, with more broken straw, sometimes to the extent that choppers are not even needed. Our objective with the Bi-Rotor was to minimize straw damage by using a constant radial clearance all around the rotor and get the threshing done in a shorter distance. This was accomplished by eliminating the constrictive front transition cone (IH- version) (Now improved via tri-steam on JD STS version) by feeding a full width concave area up front, followed by open concave grates within 10" of the feederchain (as now proven effective by APS on lexions) The XBR2 then had 360 degrees of concave so threshing and separation could be completed in a shorter distance (4') using higher Fc generated by the rotating concave plus mat speed. Subsequently, we could discharge better straw quality since there was less relative speed needed between the co-rotating rotor and concave. Radial concave clearance can be adjusted, if needed by moving the conical concave forward over the conical rotor. Not all no-till or minimum till farmers want their MOG segmented _ chopped, but if needed a chopper and _ or spreader option would have been available to them. We used a Crary spreader on the XBR2 when we wanted a wide spread pattern back in 1994. The Cat track system with low compaction was also beneficial to no-till operations, then as well as today. Frankly, the current Cat half track with fore-aft oscillation and the new suspension system and large rear tires is a good, if not better alternative to full tracks as used on the XBR2. Especially when crossing gullies and over the top of some terraces. The new 500 Series lexion track system is very impressive, well built and a nice ride. The overall XBR2 system would have worked excellent in no-till practices because the same power unit could have been used for planting, spraying and harvesting as shown in patent 5,499,948 Figures 5(Threshing module) , Figure 6 (sprayer module) , and Figure 7 (Planter module). We had tested and validated the up front planter concept on Claas 228CS combines using Great Plains no-till drills at Purdue in 1992. The GPS track used and recorded for planting could have been dupicated during subsequent spraying and harvesting since all functions would have been in the same relation to the satellite receiver, ie just in front of the cab. The Tri-Rotor may sound complex. The SpaceShuttle is complex, built by a large organization. On the otherhand, SpaceShipOne is rather simple and built by a much smaller and more creative team. We were making rapid progress on the XBR2 project up through 1995, when Agri-Technology sold it to John Deere. I was opposed to that path at the time. I think all of the other team members signed a non compete, non disclosure agreement with John Deere in 1995 and continued a few years of testing with them. I think I was the only team member who was leary of selling to John Deere. On one hand, we figured their check would be good for the investors, but on the otherhand, I felt that their stories of needing a rotary combine on tracks was just the words that Mark and Ralph wanted to hear. Yeah, right, they had the STS on the CAD CAM already and didn't want to risk renegade competition coming out of a green field in Kansas. John Deere, Ralph, and I did not see eye to eye on their future test and development plans for the JD XBR2 XBR3 Bi-Rotor project (That's another ten page .ppt). Consequently, I did not sign their not compete, non disclosure agreement with John Deere like the remaining Agri-Tech team members had to in 1995. Consequently, I just try to abide by general business ethics and speculate at will. In the mean time, I have enjoyed working on Tructor development, Cat lexion combine launch and factory start-up in Omaha, Machinerylink in Kansas last year, built a few 1_4 scale combines and created some landlogo images. That sure made 10 years go by at a nice pace. Even JD introduced the 9610s and 50 and 60 series STS during the past ten years. We wouldn't think they would let the seventeen Bi-Rotor patents just set on the shelf all that time, would weIJ If I'm lucky enough to be around to see 2015, we might have to have another book like the Dream Reaper, ie, the "Bi-Rotor twenty years later". 2015 will be here pretty quick and we've all got a lot to do on the XTR3 and centerline header drives. Take Care. Enjoy all the great friends and good things that you have to be Thankful for next week. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, FarmBuddy friends and foes.
