Abstract: A frame for a harvesting header has a top beam extending across substantially a full width of the harvesting header and has ends arranged adjacent respective ends of the harvesting header and a midpoint in a center area of the harvesting header. The header frame has a bottom beam substantially parallel to the top beam extending less than the full width of the harvesting header and having a midpoint in the center area of the harvesting header. Vertical main structures connect the top and bottom beams. Diagonal truss members connect the ends of the top beam and interfaces of the bottom beam and vertical main structures. The vertical main structures form a feederhouse interface at the center area of the harvesting header. The top beam and bottom beam are continuous through the center area of the harvesting header. Header drive assemblies are mounted at the ends of the bottom beam.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a header control method for an agricultural machine, the method comprising receiving, through a graphical user interface, operator input corresponding to a first set point and a second set point for flotation pressures corresponding to independently controllable first and second header portions, respectively; and automatically causing first and second sets of hydraulic valves to increase or decrease pressure to the first or second header portions to meet or at least approximate the first and second set points, the first and second sets each comprising opposing-action hydraulic valves, the causing responsive to sensed pressure at respective first and second accumulators associated with respective first and second float cylinders.

Abstract: A cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvesting machine includes at least one platform section. Each platform section has a cutterbar assembly movable in a localized manner in upwards and downwards directions, an endless belt with a leading edge, and a plurality of skid shoes. Each skid shoe extends rearwardly from the cutterbar assembly and has an upper surface defining a belt support for the leading edge of the endless belt.

Abstract: A draper header has an endless belt conveyor supported on two arms that pivot with respect to the frame of the draper header. Both ends of the conveyor belt are supported on the arms such that the ends of the conveyor belt can rotate about respective generally vertical axes to thereby reduce uneven tension across the fore and aft width of the conveyor belt and reduce wear on the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A harvesting header includes a header frame, a flexible cutterbar assembly, and a draper assembly. The cutterbar assembly is mounted to the header frame and includes a plurality of skids. The draper assembly includes a draper belt with upper and lower runs, and a run support panel is provided below the lower run. The run support panel is spaced from the skids to define a residue opening therebetween through which any crop residue falling onto the skids is permitted to pass.

Abstract: A harvesting header includes a header frame, a cutterbar assembly mounted to the header frame, and a conveyor assembly supported behind the cutterbar assembly to receive crop severed by the cutterbar assembly. The conveyor assembly includes a pair of side conveyors and a fore-and-aft draper located between the side conveyors. The header further includes a central crop-conveying member that overhangs the rear margin of the fore-and-aft draper and a floor pan that at least partly defines a transition area. The floor pan presents a forwardmost edge adjacent to and rearward of the rear margin. The forwardmost edge is located above a lower run of the draper to direct severed crop materials from the upper run of the draper and to facilitate crop material flow through the transition area.

Abstract: A draper platform (100) has a center endless belt conveyor (118) that is supported on and between two adjacent support arms (246A, 246B) that pivot with respect to each other and with respect to the frame (102, 104, 106) of the draper platform (100) to which the two adjacent support arms (246A, 246B) are pivotally connected.

Abstract: A conveyor belt hold down for a draper platform comprises a planar portion having a front edge, a rear edge, a left edge, and a right edge, wherein one of the left and the right edges defines a first slot or groove structure, and the other of the left and the right edges defines a first tongue structure, wherein the first tongue structure is configured to be engaged in a second slot or groove structure of a similar hold down disposed immediately adjacent to the first tongue structure, and wherein the first slot or groove structure is configured to receive a second tongue structure of a similar hold down disposed immediately adjacent to the first slot or groove structure.

Abstract: The invention provides a guidance system for guiding a towed agricultural implement such as seeders, planters, sprayers and the like, along a preferred path between rows of growing crop or standing stubble by sensing the rows of growing crop or standing stubble with a uniquely designed paddle-like sensor means which does not engage the ground.

Abstract: A motor support system including a motor having a shaft rotatably secured to and maintained in a substantially axial alignment with a second shaft configured to change angular orientation along at least one plane of travel perpendicular to the axial alignment. The second shaft has a first pivot point with respect to a frame, the motor being secured to the frame by a cantilevered flexible member to maintain the motor shaft in substantial axial alignment with the second shaft.

Abstract: A header assembly for a combine harvester includes a header carried by an adapter on the feeder house of the combine and on a pair of gauge wheels which can be adjusted from inside the cab to change a height of the cutter bar from the ground. This is used in combination with an Automatic Header Height Control so that the main suspension is adjusted to carry approximately 90% of the header weight, the header is dropped on the ground until the gauge wheels contact the ground, and causes the header to “float” with respect to the main carrier frame and the AHHC is set so that the combine feeder house stops lowering when a pre-set amount of header to adapter separation (float) is achieved with the AHHC operating to maintain this set amount by controlling the height of the feeder house.

Abstract: A harvesting header includes a header frame, a flexible cutterbar assembly, and a plurality of laterally spaced apart support arms that are attached to and cooperatively support the flexible cutterbar assembly. The header also includes a draper assembly with a side draper carried on multiple ones of the support arms so as to flex with the cutterbar assembly. The side draper includes an endless flexible draper belt presenting laterally endmost margins, with upper and lower crop-conveying runs extending between the margins. The header further includes pivoting structure mounted relative to the header frame at a rear pivot location so that the pivoting structure projects forwardly from the rear pivot location.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus that harvests crops as the apparatus moves in a direction of travel across a field. The apparatus includes a crop harvesting assembly configured as a line of implements, the line being transverse to the direction of travel. First and second devices for adjusting a vertical position of left and right sides of the apparatus, respectively, are independently operable. Adjustment of a vertical position of at least one of the left and right sides of the apparatus results in tilting the line of implements relative to a horizontal plane defined at a ground surface under left and right ground contacting elements. In other aspects, a method and system are disclosed for automatically positioning a line of implements of an apparatus to follow a ground surface proximate the line of implements.

Abstract: An header of the extendable type comprises a main frame and an extendable cutterbar table, which is mounted to the main frame by means of telescopic assemblies comprising an inner member mounted for sliding movement inside an outer member. One of the inner and outer members has longitudinal, inclined side walls that are engaged by inclined slide surfaces of guide means connected to a wall of the other of said outer and inner members, opposite said inclined side wall.

Abstract: A harvesting header having a flexible cutterbar assembly utilizes draper belts behind the cutterbar assembly to gently consolidate the severed crop materials and deliver them to a point of discharge and delivery, such as to the feederhouse of a combine harvester. The cutterbar assembly is supported by pivotable support arms such that it is operable to flex along the length thereof in response to changes in terrain as the header is advanced. One embodiment has draper assemblies and a central conveyor fixed relative to the flexible cutterbar assembly, while another has the draper assemblies and central conveyer flexible with the cutterbar assembly.

Abstract: A combine head frame includes a laterally-extending upper beam adjacent to the top of the combine head and a laterally-extending lower beam adjacent to the bottom of the combine head. A left lateral beam has first and second ends, wherein the first end is coupled to a left central portion of the upper beam and the second end is coupled to a left end portion of the lower beam. A right lateral beam has third and fourth ends, wherein the third end is coupled to a right central portion of the upper beam and the fourth end is coupled to a right end portion of the lower beam.

Abstract: A flexible cutterbar header for an agricultural plant cutting machine, includes a plurality of elongate, telescoping support arms pivotally connected to a floor of the header and supporting a flexible cutterbar for upward and downward, and fore and aft movements relative thereto, apparatus extending between at least some of the support arms configured and operable for controlling the telescoping thereof substantially uniformly, and a preload adjusting system configured and operable for applying a preload force against the cutterbar through the support arms in a manner to automatically increase as the support arms telescopically increase in length, and automatically decrease as the support arms telescopically decrease in length.

Abstract: A stabilization system used with a crop harvesting header includes a frame carrying a belt to deliver a crop to the header. The frame is independently movable between a first angle between the frame and the header and a second angle between the frame and the header. A member has an inside surface connectable in substantially non-rotational contact to a first structure of one of the frame or the header, and an outside surface connectable in substantially non-rotational contact to a second structure of the other of the frame or the header. In response to rotational movement of the first structure in substantially non-rotational contact with the inside surface, rotational movement of the first structure occurring with respect to the second structure in substantially non-rotational contact with the outside surface, the member provides a stabilizing torsional force between the frame and the header between the first and second angles.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for controlling height of a header of a work machine such as an agricultural windrowing machine or a harvesting machine, which includes height control cylinders jointly or individually operable for raising or lowering the opposite ends of a header to achieve a desired overall height or angle of tilt in relation to the surface of a field or pasture to be cut, and which allow the header to be raised, and lowered to the previously selected cut height, without changing the lengths of the cylinders, so as to be usable in combination with an optional header lift and/or float system.

Abstract: A draper platform (102) with an elongate, laterally extending frame (110), has a suspension system has two independent hydraulic circuits (502, 504), that can be independently filled and emptied to selectively lift the left side and the right side of the draper platform (102). Two hydraulic cylinders (306, 406) are disposed on the left side of the draper platform (102) in fluid communication with a gas-charged accumulator (506) to form the first hydraulic circuit (502), and to support the draper platform (102) on a gauge wheel (218) and the left side of a feederhouse (104). Two additional hydraulic cylinders (510, 512 are disposed on the right side of the draper platform (102) in fluid communication with the second gas-charged accumulator (514) to form the second hydraulic circuit (504), and to support the draper platform (102) on a gauge wheel (220) and the right side of the feederhouse (104).

Abstract: A cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvesting machine includes at least one platform section. Each platform section has a cutterbar assembly movable in a localized manner in upwards and downwards directions, an endless belt with a leading edge, and a plurality of skid shoes. Each skid shoe extends rearwardly from the cutterbar assembly and has an upper surface defining a belt support for the leading edge of the endless belt.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester comprises an agricultural harvester vehicle and a harvesting head mounted on the vehicle, the header height control system including at least one sensor disposed to sense the height of the ground in the path of a drive wheel of the agricultural harvester vehicle, and a header height control system including an electronic circuit configured to lower the harvesting head as a wheel or wheels approach or engage a protrusion on the ground indicated by the sensor, and to raise the harvesting head as the wheels approach or engage a depression in the ground indicated by the sensor.

Abstract: A system for supporting a cutterbar of a crop harvesting header includes a first arm pivotably secured to the header and including a first portion configured to support the cutterbar, and a second portion including a torsion device connected to an adjustment assembly, the second portion configured to be pivotably rotatable about an axis by the adjustment assembly to selectably increase or decrease a force appliable to the first portion in order to raise or lower the first portion with respect to the header. The adjustment assembly includes a second arm interconnecting the torsion device and a first adjustment device having a first segment, the first adjustment device configured to movably receive a second adjustment device. The first segment follows a predetermined path in a first or second direction with respect to the axis in response to movement of the second adjustment device with respect to the first adjustment device.

Abstract: A crop harvesting header includes a center portion mounted on two spring arms and two separate wings pivotally connected to the center portion. The wings are connected to the center portion by interconnecting linkages which transfer weight from the wings to the spring arms each including a balance beam arranged to balance the lifting force from the spring arm with the downward forces from the center portion and wing such that the downward force on a skid plate of each portion on the ground varies automatically as the total downward force is varied. The balance beams apply force to the linkages by a compression member to reduce forces. The movement caused by floating of the header and the change of angle of the header are compensated at the balance beam to ensure that the force to the wings is reduced as the requirement caused by changes in geometry reduces.

Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly and operable to receive severed crop material from the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a center draper that delivers crop material to a feeder house of the harvesting machine and oppositely spaced side drapers that deliver crop material to the center draper. The harvesting header is operable to flex and thereby follow an uneven terrain.

Abstract: The draper canvas of the header includes a strip of a resilient material that stands outwardly and forwardly of a front edge thereof and has an outer barrier surface, an inner barrier surface, and a front barrier surface received and contained in structure of a cutter bar and a front draper support plate having a plurality of barrier elements in face-to-face closely spaced relation with the barrier surfaces to form a multiple sided barrier interface between the cutter bar and draper fabric for excluding cut crop from the interior of the header. The strip runs within the container structure with minimal contact to reduce friction and wear.

Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a center draper that delivers crop material to a feeder house of the harvesting machine and oppositely spaced side drapers that deliver crop material to the center draper. The center draper includes a draper frame swingably supported on the header frame at a pivot to project forwardly therefrom and a draper belt supported on the draper frame to present a rearwardly moving run for conveying the crop rearwardly. The center draper includes a counterbalance mechanism coupled between the header and draper frames to counteract the weight of the center draper about the pivot so as to reduce the load of the center draper on the cutterbar assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically controlling a header lift system of an agricultural harvesting machine, particularly a windrower, to put a header of the machine into a transport mode wherein the header is raised to an elevated transport position, under certain specific conditions. Such conditions can include, but are not limited to, the machine operating in a high-speed range, the header not operating, the speed of the machine being above a predetermined level, and the last inputted control command being a header raise command. When in the transport mode, the lift system can also be operated in a float mode. Further, the header lift system can be returned to a normal mode when certain criteria are present for doing so.

Abstract: The invention is a combination of a short ground sensor arm mounted close to the cutter bar and a longer rod mounted towards the rear of the header. The short front sensor and long rear sensor are connected by a linkage which translates motions from either sensor to the other sensor. A second linkage translates the motions of both sensors rearward to a protected area under the header which contains the potentiometer. This configuration transmits useful ground position signals to the header height controller in both low and high cutting heights. The invention advantageously reduces the likelihood of damage to the short front sensor when the machine is reversed since the longer rear sensor arm pulls the shorter forward sensor arm up by means of the linkage to a position where damage is unlikely.

Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly and operable to receive severed crop material from the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a center draper that delivers crop material to a feeder house of the harvesting machine and oppositely spaced side drapers that deliver crop material to the center draper. The harvesting header is operable to flex and thereby follow an uneven terrain.

Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly and operable to receive severed crop material from the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a center draper that delivers crop material to a feeder house of the harvesting machine and oppositely spaced side drapers that deliver crop material to the center draper. The harvesting header is operable to flex and thereby follow an uneven terrain.

Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly and operable to receive severed crop material from the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a center draper that delivers crop material to a feeder house of the harvesting machine and oppositely spaced side drapers that deliver crop material to the center draper. The harvesting header is operable to flex and thereby follow an uneven terrain.

Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly and operable to receive severed crop material from the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a center draper that delivers crop material to a feeder house of the harvesting machine and oppositely spaced side drapers that deliver crop material to the center draper. The harvesting header is operable to flex and thereby follow an uneven terrain.

Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly and operable to receive severed crop material from the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a center draper that delivers crop material to a feeder house of the harvesting machine and oppositely spaced side drapers that deliver crop material to the center draper. The harvesting header is operable to flex and thereby follow an uneven terrain.

Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly and operable to receive severed crop material from the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a center draper that delivers crop material to a feeder house of the harvesting machine and oppositely spaced side drapers that deliver crop material to the center draper. The harvesting header is operable to flex and thereby follow an uneven terrain.

Abstract: A cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvesting machine includes at least one platform section. Each platform section has a cutterbar assembly movable in a localized manner in upwards and downwards directions, an endless belt with a leading edge, and a plurality of skid shoes. Each skid shoe extends rearwardly from the cutterbar assembly and has an upper surface defining a belt support for the leading edge of the endless belt.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for controlling height of a header of a work machine such as an agricultural windrowing machine or a harvesting machine, which includes height control cylinders jointly or individually operable for raising or lowering the opposite ends of a header to achieve a desired overall height or angle of tilt in relation to the surface of a field or pasture to be cut, and which allow the header to be raised, and lowered to the previously selected cut height, without changing the lengths of the cylinders, so as to be usable in combination with an optional header lift and/or float system.

Abstract: The vertically swingable header of a farm machine utilizes a flotation mechanism having a torsion bar as the source of lifting force. The torsion bar is mounted on the header rather than the base machine and is operably coupled with the base machine through loading apparatus that includes a cam and cam follower system. An alternative embodiment utilizes a cam track fixedly mounted on the base machine.

Abstract: A cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvesting machine includes a plurality of platform sections. One or more of the platform sections include a cutterbar assembly which is movable in a localized manner in upwards and downwards directions. An endless belt has a leading edge. A plurality of belt guides each have a rear edge with an upper surface and a lower surface. Each lower surface partially overlies the leading edge of the endless belt. Adjacent belt guides have an overlap with a smooth upper transition and/or smooth lower transition at the overlap. A smooth upper transition has an absence of any discontinuities extending above adjacent upper surfaces, and a smooth lower transition has an absence of any discontinuities extending below adjacent lower surfaces.

Abstract: A cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvesting machine includes a plurality of platform sections positioned in end-to-end juxtaposed relation to each other. At least one platform section includes a frame, a plurality of float arms movably coupled with the frame, an endless belt carried by the plurality of float arms, and a cutterbar assembly carried by the plurality of float arms and movable in a localized manner in upwards and downwards directions.

Abstract: A cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvesting machine includes a plurality of platform sections. One or more of the platform sections include a cutterbar assembly which is movable in a localized manner in upwards and downwards directions. An endless belt has a leading edge. A plurality of belt guides each have a rear edge with an upper surface and a lower surface. Each lower surface partially overlies the leading edge of the endless belt. Adjacent belt guides have an overlap with a smooth upper transition and/or smooth lower transition at the overlap. A smooth upper transition has an absence of any discontinuities extending above adjacent upper surfaces, and a smooth lower transition has an absence of any discontinuities extending below adjacent lower surfaces.

Abstract: A cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvesting machine includes a plurality of platform sections, with each platform section including a leading edge. At least one platform section includes a cutterbar assembly movable in a localized manner in upwards and downwards directions, an endless belt, and a plurality of belt guides positioned partially above the endless belt adjacent the leading edge. The belt guides are movable relative to each other.

Abstract: A crop harvesting header includes a center portion mounted on two spring arms and two separate wings pivotally connected to the center portion. The wings are connected to the center portion by interconnecting linkages which transfer weight from the wings to the spring arms each including a balance beam arranged to balance the lifting force from the spring arm with the downward forces from the center portion and wing such that the downward force on a skid plate of each portion on the ground varies automatically as the total downward force is varied. The balance beams apply force to the linkages by a compression member to reduce forces. The movement caused by floating of the header and the change of angle of the header are compensated at the balance beam to ensure that the force to the wings is reduced as the requirement caused by changes in geometry reduces.

Abstract: A curved arm coupled to a rotating shaft in a sensor for detecting the height of an apparatus, such as used in agriculture, traveling over the ground is comprised entirely of a high strength, lightweight, flexible and resilient elastomeric material such as thermoplastic polyurethane. An upper end of the sensor arm is attached to the shaft, while a lower portion of the arm engages the soil and undergoes vertical displacement as it traverses irregular terrain. The height of the apparatus above the soil is measured in terms of the rotational displacement of the shaft. The strength, flexibility and resiliency of the sensor arm allows it to withstand large applied forces. As the arm traverses the soil and engages various obstructions such as ruts, terraces, rocks, roots, etc., it undergoes deflection (in all directions), twisting, compression and stretching, yet assumes its original configuration, size and shape to provide accurate height measurements.

Abstract: A method for controlling and modifying the drop rate of a header on an agricultural harvesting machine by providing a programmable electronic control unit capable of receiving operator input through an input device. The programmable electronic conrol unit generates output signals based on the operator input to raise and lower the header according to a corresponding output drop rate signal.

Abstract: A cutter mechanism (1) for a combine-harvester comprises a frame (2) forming a trough (6) from a rear wall (3), two side walls (4) and a floor (5) used as a cutting table, which frame (2) receives an adjustably inserted cutter bar (7) on the input side of the trough, connecting points for holding outer dividers (9), side cutters (10) or the like in the end regions of the cutter bar or side walls (4), a reel (12) of the reaper which is displaceable via actuating drives (11) above the cutter bar (7), and a feed screw (15) which is situated within the trough (6), with the floor (5) being transversally divided and being composed of a rear floor part (16) fixed to the frame for the purpose of adjusting the cutting table length to the respective reaping conditions and of a front floor part (17) which is guided in a slide-adjustable manner relative to the frame in the direction of the travel, and with both floor parts overlapping each other along the path of displacement.

Abstract: A high-capacity harvesting machine includes a first harvested crop take-up arrangement attached to the front of the harvesting machine and a first harvested crop processing arrangement arranged within the harvesting machine to which crop harvested by the first harvested crop take-up arrangement can be conveyed. A second harvested crop take-up arrangement is provided that is separated by a space from the first harvested crop take-up arrangement arranged offset to the side and to the rear in the direction of operation from the first harvested crop take-up arrangement, and the crop harvested by the second harvested crop take-up arrangement can be conveyed to the second harvested crop processing arrangement arranged within the harvesting machine. In the case where the crop processing arrangements are choppers, there is provided a central discharge arrangement to which the crop from both processing arrangements can be conveyed.

Abstract: A hydraulic lift/flotation system for the header of a crop harvesting machine wherein each side of the header is supported by a single cylinder, which performs both the flotation and lift functions. To accommodate unbalanced headers (center of gravity not centered between the lift arms), hydraulic oil is sent to the return side of the lift cylinder on the lighter side of the header, thus resulting in even raising, lowering and float.

Abstract: A knee joint assembly for an agricultural implement or a vehicle includes a relatively short knee casting with an apertured end of rectangular cross section which is inserted in a mating steel knee tube. The apertures in the casting end align with beveled apertures in the side walls of the knee tube. Steel pins of length approximately equal to the spacing of the side walls are pressed into the casting through the beveled apertures. Groove welds then secure the steel pins to the knee tube. The casting is relatively small and does not require any welding. Inexpensive ductile iron and common steel tubes can be used for most or all of the assemblies on a machine. The apertured end of the casting includes concave walls to accommodate knee tube concavity and weld flash on the inside of the knee tube.

Abstract: A support wheel for an agricultural implement includes a support frame connected with an agricultural harvesting machine and its receiving device; and at least one support wheel connected with the support frame. In a preferred embodiment, the support frame includes first and second supporting arms. The second supporting arm is oriented in a generally vertical direction and is variable in length. In one arrangement, the second support is a lifting cylinder or a telescopic arm and is provided with a damping element. In another arrangement, the support wheel assembly includes at least one steerable support wheel that is pivoted on a pivot shaft by a steering cylinder. A preferred embodiment includes first and second steerable support wheels connected by a coupling mechanism and pivoted about first and second pivot shafts by a common steering cylinder.