The complete grain-cleaning mechanism located in the lower rear section of a combine harvester. It typically consists of a powerful fan and a set of oscillating sieves or screens. The fan blows a stream of air through the falling crop material, carrying lighter chaff out the back of the machine, while the heavier grain falls through the sieves into the clean grain auger.
I had to adjust the fan speed on the cleaning shoe because we were blowing too much good wheat out the back.
Also heard as
- shoe
Related terms
Cleaning sieve
The bottom screen in a combine harvester's cleaning shoe that performs the final separation of grain.
Chaffer
The upper adjustable sieve in a combine harvester that separates grain from heavier plant debris.
Combine harvester
A large self-propelled machine that reaps, threshes, and cleans grain crops in one pass.
Winnow
The process of using airflow to separate heavy grain from lighter chaff and dust.