Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine includes a first gathering element adapted to be driven by a first drive mechanism so as to gather crop and feed the crop in a direction substantially opposite to a direction of motion of the harvesting machine. A second gathering element is adapted to receive the crop from the first gathering element and is further adapted to be driven so as to transfer the crop in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of motion. Intake elements are adapted to receive the crop from the second gathering element. The second gathering element and intake elements are adapted to be driven at related rates. The first gathering element is driveable at a rate independent from a driven rate of the second gathering element and the intake elements.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine is includes a first gathering element (14) adapted to be driven by a first drive mechanism (161) so as to gather crop and to feed the crop in a direction substantially opposite to a direction of motion of the harvesting machine. A second gathering element (16) is adapted to receive the crop from the first gathering element (14) and is further adapted to be driven so as to transfer the crop in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of motion. Intake elements (20, 21, 26, 27) are adapted to receive the crop from the second gathering element (16). The second gathering element (16) and intake elements (20, 21, 26, 27) are adapted to be driven at related rates. The first gathering element (14) is driveable at a rate independent from a driven rate of the second gathering element (16) and the intake elements (20, 21, 26, 27).

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine is disclosed comprising: a) a first gathering element 14 adapted to be driven by a first drive mechanism 161 so as to gather crop and to feed said crop in a direction substantially opposite to a direction of motion of said harvesting machine; b) a second gathering element 16 adapted to receive said crop from said first gathering element 14 and adapted to be driven so as to transfer said crop in a direction substantially transverse to said direction of motion; and c) intake elements 20,21,26,27 being adapted to receive said crop from said second gathering element 16; wherein said second gathering element 16 and said intake elements 20,21,26,27 are adapted to be driven at related rates and said first gathering element 14 is driveable at a rate independent from a driven rate of said second gathering element 16 and said intake elements 20,21,26,27.