Abstract: A header assembly for an agricultural harvesting machine comprises a first frame assembly, a second frame assembly that supports a cutter, and is movable relative to the first frame assembly, a float cylinder coupled between the first frame assembly and the second frame assembly, an accumulator, a controllable reservoir, and fluidic circuitry. The fluidic circuitry comprises a first conduit forming a first fluid path that provides a flow of pressurized fluid under pressure to the float cylinder, so the float cylinder exerts a float force on the second frame assembly, a valve mechanism that is actuatable to inhibit fluid flow along the first fluid path between the accumulator and the float cylinder, a second conduit forming a second fluid path fluidically coupled to the controllable reservoir, the controllable reservoir being controllable to add fluid to the float cylinder.

Abstract: A harvester includes a frame and a header coupled to the frame. The header includes a center segment, a wing coupled to the center segment, and an actuator between the wing and the center segment. The wing includes a ground-engaging component configured to bear a first variable portion of the weight of the wing and a wing sensor coupled to the wing. The actuator is configured to transfer a second variable portion of the weight of the wing to the frame. A controller is configured to receive a signal from the wing sensor and to send a signal to the actuator to vary a ratio of the first variable portion of the weight of the wing to the second variable portion of the weight of the wing.

Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for articulating float arms of a harvester header between a flexible configuration and a rigid configuration are disclosed. The systems and apparatuses include a locking tube that experiences no torque or approximately no torque when the float arms are in the rigid configuration. Further, the systems and apparatuses also avoid adjustments to ensure that float arms are fully retracted, such as into abutting contact with another portion of a header.

Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for articulating float arms of a harvester header between a flexible configuration and a rigid configuration are disclosed. The systems and apparatuses include a locking tube that experiences no torque or approximately no torque when the float arms are in the rigid configuration. Further, the systems and apparatuses also avoid adjustments to ensure that float arms are fully retracted, such as into abutting contact with another portion of a header.

Abstract: A header has a position controlled gauge wheel that is controlled using a position actuator. The position actuator is locked when the gauge wheel is in a selected position, relative to a mainframe of the header. An operator input, changing the position of the header, is detected and the position actuator is unlocked to accommodate movement of the header, based on the detected operator input signal.

Abstract: A harvesting header for traversing a field to perform a harvesting operation includes a first frame assembly adapted to be coupled to a work machine and a second frame assembly suspended forward of the first frame assembly. The second frame assembly may pivot relative to the first frame assembly. A suspension system is coupled to the second frame assembly and provides a suspension force to the second frame assembly. A controller is operably coupled to the suspension system, and a slope detection system is disposed in electrical communication with the controller for communicating a slope of the field to the controller during the harvesting operation. The controller operably controls the suspension system by adjusting the suspension force based on the slope of the field.

Abstract: A harvesting platform is connected to a combine for movement with the combine over the ground surface. The harvesting platform includes a cutter bar that cuts a crop being harvested, and a reel that presses the crop against the cutter bar during harvesting. The cutter bar moves between a cutter bar harvesting position and a cutter bar transport position, and the reel moves between a reel harvesting position and a reel transport position. A controller receives a first signal from a user via a user interface, sends a second signal to the cutter bar to move the cutter bar between the cutter bar harvesting position and the cutter bar transport position in response to the first signal, and send a third signal to the reel to move the reel between the reel harvesting position and the reel transport position in response to the first signal.

Abstract: A header assembly for an agricultural harvesting machine having a traction unit comprises a cutter, a main frame that supports the cutter, a float cylinder configured to be coupled between the main frame and the traction unit, an accumulator, and fluidic circuitry that fluidically couples the accumulator to the float cylinder. The fluidic circuitry is configured to provide a first flow of pressurized fluid under pressure to the float cylinder, so the float cylinder exerts a float force on the main frame, and, based on a control input that corresponds to a lifting operation of the header assembly, provide a restricted flow of fluid, that is restricted relative to the first flow, between the float cylinder and the accumulator.

Abstract: A header assembly for an agricultural harvesting machine comprises a first frame assembly, a second frame assembly that supports a cutter, and is pivotable relative to the first frame assembly, a float cylinder coupled between the first frame assembly and the second frame assembly, an accumulator, and fluidic circuitry that fluidically couples the accumulator to the float cylinder. The fluidic circuitry is configured to provide a first flow of pressurized fluid under pressure to the float cylinder, so the float cylinder exerts a float force on the second frame assembly, and based on a control input that corresponds to a lowering operation of the header assembly, provide a restricted flow of fluid, that is restricted relative to the first flow, between the float cylinder and the accumulator.

Abstract: A header assembly for an agricultural harvesting machine comprises a first frame assembly, a second frame assembly that supports a cutter, and is movable relative to the first frame assembly, a float cylinder coupled between the first frame assembly and the second frame assembly, an accumulator, a controllable reservoir, and fluidic circuitry. The fluidic circuitry comprises a first conduit forming a first fluid path that provides a flow of pressurized fluid under pressure to the float cylinder, so the float cylinder exerts a float force on the second frame assembly, a valve mechanism that is actuatable to inhibit fluid flow along the first fluid path between the accumulator and the float cylinder, a second conduit forming a second fluid path fluidically coupled to the controllable reservoir, the controllable reservoir being controllable to add fluid to the float cylinder.

Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for articulating float arms of a harvester header between a flexible configuration and a rigid configuration are disclosed. The systems and apparatuses include a locking tube that experiences no torque or approximately no torque when the float arms are in the rigid configuration. Further, the systems and apparatuses also avoid adjustments to ensure that float arms are fully retracted, such as into abutting contact with another portion of a header.

Abstract: Systems and apparatuses for articulating float arms of a harvester header between a flexible configuration and a rigid configuration are disclosed. The systems and apparatuses include a locking tube that experiences no torque or approximately no torque when the float arms are in the rigid configuration. Further, the systems and apparatuses also avoid adjustments to ensure that float arms are fully retracted, such as into abutting contact with another portion of a header.

Abstract: A system for a header assembly that has a center frame configured to pivot relative to an adapter frame about at least one center axis, a center actuator coupled to the center frame to selectively provide a biasing force thereto, a first arm assembly configured to pivot relative to the center frame about at least a first arm axis, a first actuator coupled to the first arm assembly to selectively provide a biasing force thereto, a controller in communication with the center actuator and the first actuator to selectively alter performance characteristics of the center actuator and the first actuator, and a user interface in communication with the controller and having at least a first option and a second option. Wherein, the controller adjusts the performance characteristics of both the center actuator and the first actuator when the user interface is transitioned between the first option and the second option.

Abstract: A float cylinder and accumulator are coupled between a header main frame and an attachment frame. The float cylinder is orientated so that its mechanical advantage in applying a float force to the header varies with the position of the main frame relative to the attachment frame. Similarly, the pressure exerted by the cylinder varies inversely with its mechanical advantage.

Abstract: A harvesting platform includes a first section and extends along a first section plane that is substantially parallel to a ground surface along which the harvesting platform moves with a combine. A second section is connected to the first side of the first section, and rotates with respect to the first section within a range of angular positions. A locking mechanism retains the second section in a position with respect to the first section while activated, and permits movement of the second section with respect to the first section while deactivated. A controller receives a first signal indicative of the position, and sends a second signal to deactivate the locking mechanism in response to the position being at a positive non-parallel angle with respect to the first section plane. The second section moves toward the first section plane in response to gravity while the locking mechanism is deactivated.

Abstract: A harvesting header for traversing a field to perform a harvesting operation includes a first frame assembly adapted to be coupled to a work machine and a second frame assembly suspended forward of the first frame assembly. The second frame assembly may pivot relative to the first frame assembly. A suspension system is coupled to the second frame assembly and provides a suspension force to the second frame assembly. A controller is operably coupled to the suspension system, and a slope detection system is disposed in electrical communication with the controller for communicating a slope of the field to the controller during the harvesting operation. The controller operably controls the suspension system by adjusting the suspension force based on the slope of the field.

Abstract: A harvesting head for a combine and method of operating. An attachment frame at an aft end of the head attaches with a combine feederhouse. A main frame of the head is movably connected to the attachment frame, and the main frame has a range of travel with respect to the attachment frame. A resilient float element is provided between the attachment and main frames. A flexible cutterbar on the main frame operates to cut crops. The cutterbar is supported on the main frame by a plurality of pivoting arms distributed across a width of the head. With the main frame in a nominal intermediate position within the range of travel, the plurality of pivoting arms have 10 percent or less of total available travel as upward travel and at least 90 percent of total available travel as downward travel when the head is set in the nominal position.

Abstract: A harvesting platform is connected to a combine for movement with the combine over the ground surface. The harvesting platform includes a cutter bar that cuts a crop being harvested, and a reel that presses the crop against the cutter bar during harvesting. The cutter bar moves between a cutter bar harvesting position and a cutter bar transport position, and the reel moves between a reel harvesting position and a reel transport position. A controller receives a first signal from a user via a user interface, sends a second signal to the cutter bar to move the cutter bar between the cutter bar harvesting position and the cutter bar transport position in response to the first signal, and send a third signal to the reel to move the reel between the reel harvesting position and the reel transport position in response to the first signal.

Abstract: A harvesting platform includes a first section and extends along a first section plane that is substantially parallel to a ground surface along which the harvesting platform moves with a combine. A second section is connected to the first side of the first section, and rotates with respect to the first section within a range of angular positions. A locking mechanism retains the second section in a position with respect to the first section while activated, and permits movement of the second section with respect to the first section while deactivated. A controller receives a first signal indicative of the position, and sends a second signal to deactivate the locking mechanism in response to the position being at a positive non-parallel angle with respect to the first section plane. The second section moves toward the first section plane in response to gravity while the locking mechanism is deactivated.

Abstract: A system for a header assembly that has a center frame configured to pivot relative to an adapter frame about at least one center axis, a center actuator coupled to the center frame to selectively provide a biasing force thereto, a first arm assembly configured to pivot relative to the center frame about at least a first arm axis, a first actuator coupled to the first arm assembly to selectively provide a biasing force thereto, a controller in communication with the center actuator and the first actuator to selectively alter performance characteristics of the center actuator and the first actuator, and a user interface in communication with the controller and having at least a first option and a second option. Wherein, the controller adjusts the performance characteristics of both the center actuator and the first actuator when the user interface is transitioned between the first option and the second option.