Abstract: A double ended extendable driveshaft (106) comprises a first shaft portion (152, 154) that has a proximal end and a distal end; a first shaft coupler (110, 112) fixed to the distal end of the first shaft portion (152, 154); a first rotary coupler (160, 160?, 162) supported for rotation on the proximal end of the first shaft portion (152, 154); a second shaft portion (152, 154) having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the second shaft portion (152, 154) is slidingly coupled to the proximal end of the first shaft portion (152, 154); a second shaft coupler (110, 112) fixed to the distal end of the second shaft portion (152, 154); a second rotary coupler (160, 160?, 162) supported for rotation on the proximal end of the second shaft portion (152, 154); and an actuator (158) coupled to the first rotary coupler (160, 160?, 162) and the second rotary coupler (160, 160?, 162) to extend and retract the first shaft portion (152, 154) with respect to the second shaft portion (152, 154).

Abstract: A sectional driveshaft arrangement of a corn head comprises a first row unit that is driven by a first driveshaft. The first row unit in turn drives a second driveshaft that drives a second row unit.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester (100) comprises a self-propelled vehicle (102); a feederhouse (104) disposed on the front of the self-propelled vehicle (102); a driveshaft (114), the driveshaft (114) having a proximal end supported for rotation on the feederhouse (104) about an axis of rotation, the driveshaft (114) having a distal end that is extendable from the proximal end; and a first coupler (116) fixed to the distal end, said first coupler (116) being configured for engagement with a second coupler (118), said second coupler (118) being disposed on an agricultural harvesting head (106) to drive a reciprocating knife of the agricultural harvesting head (106).

Abstract: A control system (210) is provided for an agricultural harvester (200), the agricultural harvester (200) having an agricultural harvesting vehicle (202) and a harvesting head (204) mounted thereon, the harvesting head (204) further comprising a left side endless belt conveyor (214) driven by a left conveyor motor (312), a right side endless belt conveyor (218) driven by a right conveyor motor (310) and a center endless belt conveyor (220) driven by a center conveyor motor (314), the control system (210) comprising an electronic controller (300) configured to receive an electronic signal indicative of a roll angle of the harvesting head (204), and to electronically change a relative speed of at least one of the right conveyor motor (310) and the left conveyor motor (312) based at least upon the electronic signal indicative of a roll angle of the harvesting head (204).

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a load on an agricultural harvester (100) comprising a first sensor (124, 126, 128, 130) to sense a first load, a second sensor (132, 134, 136, 138) to sense a second load, an electronic control unit (200) coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor, the electronic control unit (200) being configured to determine a difference between the first load and the second load, and to either (a) raise a harvesting head (102) or (b) stop the agricultural harvester (100), or (c) both, when the difference exceeds a threshold load.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester (100) comprises a self-propelled vehicle (102); a feederhouse (104); a driveshaft (114) supported on the feederhouse (104), the driveshaft (114) having a first coupler (116) fixed to one end of the driveshaft (114), the first coupler (116) comprising a coupler body (420), a piston (416) disposed in the coupler body (420), and a first key (302) mechanically coupled to the piston (416) to be extended or retracted by the piston (416) to engage a mating coupler on a second driveshaft (120) of an agricultural harvesting head (106) that is supported on the feederhouse (104).

Abstract: An articulated harvesting head load sensor arrangement is provided that includes two harvesting head sections (102, 104, 106) that are coupled with a first pivot pin (162) that is a load pin.

Abstract: A ground force control circuit (162) for an articulated harvesting head is provided that comprises, an ECU (164); and a first hydraulic control valve (166, 170) driven by the ECU (164), wherein the first hydraulic control valve (166, 170) is coupled to at least one actuator (158, 160) and is configured to maintain a constant pressure in the at least one actuator (158, 160).

Abstract: A drive coupler (102, 104) for coupling a reciprocating knife (106) to a drive member (112, 114) is provided, wherein the reciprocating knife (106) includes at least one elongate bar (120, 122, 180, 182) having a longitudinal extent and fixed to a plurality of blades (138), wherein the at least one elongate bar (120, 122, 180, 182) is supported on support members (140) that constrain the at least one elongate bar (120, 122, 180, 182) to reciprocate in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal extent of the at least one elongate bar (120, 122, 180, 182), the drive coupler (102, 104) comprising: a first elongate strap (146, 162) configured to be attached to the at least one elongate bar (120, 122, 180, 182); a second elongate strap (146, 162) configured to be attached to the at least one elongate bar (120, 122, 180, 182); and a means (152, 164, 187, 189, 193, 200) for (i) flexing the first elongate strap (146, 162) with respect to the second elongate strap (146, 162), (ii) for flexing the first elongat

Abstract: A double ended extendable driveshaft (106) is provided comprising: a first shaft portion (152, 154) that has a proximal end and a distal end; a first shaft coupler (110, 112) fixed to the distal end of the first shaft portion (152, 154); a first rotary coupler (160, 160?, 162) supported for rotation on the proximal end of the first shaft portion (152, 154); a second shaft portion (152, 154) having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the second shaft portion (152, 154) is slidingly coupled to the proximal end of the first shaft portion (152, 154); a second shaft coupler (110, 112) fixed to the distal end of the second shaft portion (152, 154); a second rotary coupler (160, 160, 162) supported for rotation on the proximal end of the second shaft portion (152, 154); and an actuator (158) coupled to the first rotary coupler (160, 160?, 162) and the second rotary coupler (160, 160?, 162) to extend and retract the first shaft portion (152, 154) with respect to the second shaft portion (152,

Abstract: A sectional driveshaft arrangement of a corn head comprises a first row unit that is driven by a first driveshaft. The first row unit in turn drives a second driveshaft that drives a second row unit.

Abstract: A harvesting head (104) with conveyor drive system comprising a frame (106), on which are mounted a first conveyor deck (108) and a second conveyor deck (110) includes a plurality of hydraulic fluid flow control elements that are configured to reduce hydraulic fluid flow through at least one conveyor belt drive motor (124, 130) while shifting at least one conveyor deck (108, 110).

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a load on an agricultural harvester (100) comprising a first sensor (124, 126, 128, 130) to sense a first load, a second sensor (132, 134, 136, 138) to sense a second load, an electronic control unit (200) coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor, the electronic control unit (200) being configured to determine a difference between the first load and the second load, and to either (a) raise a harvesting head (102) or (b) stop the agricultural harvester (100), or (c) both, when the difference exceeds a threshold load.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester (100) comprises a self-propelled vehicle (102); a feederhouse (104); a driveshaft (114) supported on the feederhouse (104), the driveshaft (114) having a first coupler (116) fixed to one end of the driveshaft (114), the first coupler (116) comprising a coupler body (420), a piston (416) disposed in the coupler body (420), and a first key (302) mechanically coupled to the piston (416) to be extended or retracted by the piston (416) to engage a mating coupler on a second driveshaft (120) of an agricultural harvesting head (106) that is supported on the feederhouse (104).

Abstract: An agricultural harvester (100) comprises a self-propelled vehicle (102); a feederhouse (104) disposed on the front of the self-propelled vehicle (102); a driveshaft (114), the driveshaft (114) having a proximal end supported for rotation on the feederhouse (104) about an axis of rotation, the driveshaft (114) having a distal end that is extendable from the proximal end; and a first coupler (116) fixed to the distal end, said first coupler (116) being configured for engagement with a second coupler (118), said second coupler (118) being disposed on an agricultural harvesting head (106) to drive a reciprocating knife of the agricultural harvesting head (106).

Abstract: A sensor arrangement for an agricultural harvesting head comprises a sensor attached to a cutter bar in the place of a skid shoe.

Abstract: A harvesting head (104) with conveyor drive system comprising a frame (106), on which are mounted a first conveyor deck (108) and a second conveyor deck (110) includes a plurality of hydraulic fluid flow control elements that are configured to reduce hydraulic fluid flow through at least one conveyor belt drive motor (124, 130) while shifting at least one conveyor deck (108, 110).

Abstract: A hinged row crop harvesting head (100) has two frame sections (110, 112, 114) coupled together with at least one hinge (186, 188) that permits the two frame sections (110, 112, 114) to pivot with respect to each other as the hinged row crop harvesting head (100) travels through a field harvesting crops.

Abstract: An agricultural combine has a header height control circuit supplied with hydraulic fluid from a closed center pump. The pump has a variable displacement. The pump displacement is controlled by a control line connected to the pump. The control line is supplied with fluid from the feederhouse lift cylinders that passes through a valve. The valve supplies hydraulic fluid at the feederhouse lift cylinders to the control line of the pump. Upon receiving fluid from the valve the closed center pump rapidly changes its outlet pressure to match the pressure in the feederhouse lift cylinders and thus reduces the response time of the closed center pump.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement for an agricultural harvesting head comprises a sensor attached to a cutter bar in the place of a skid shoe.