Abstract: A row unit assembly for use with a corn harvester includes a first drive having an output shaft, a stalk roll that extends along a first axis and rotates about the first axis via the output shaft of the first drive. A second drive rotates a first drive member about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. A first conveyor extends around the first drive member and moves about the first drive member in response to rotation of the first drive member. A third drive rotates a second drive member about a third axis that is substantially parallel to the second axis. A second conveyor extends around the second drive member and moves about the second drive member in response to rotation of the second drive member.

Abstract: The height of a header of a self-propelled harvesting machine is controlled by a closed loop header position control system. A sensitivity control system receives parameters related to header position error (e.g., an accuracy parameter) and machine stability (e.g., a stability parameter) and automatically identifies a sensitivity metric indicative of a sensitivity with which the header position control system controls the header height, based upon the received parameters. The sensitivity metric is provided to the header position control system. The header position control system performs closed loop header position control with a sensitivity level based upon the sensitivity metric provided by the sensitivity control system.

Abstract: A harvesting system includes a header pivotably attached to a combine. The header includes a center section to which a left wing and right wing are pivotably attached. A wing locking system of the harvesting system includes first and second engageable states that enable dynamic wing behavior and reduce structural load. The first state corresponds to a harvesting configuration of the header in which the wings are allowed to pivot to allow the header to follow changes in terrain. The second state corresponds to a configuration in which the header is elevated relative to the ground. In the second state, the ability of the wings to pivot is minimized as compared to the first state, which allows the header to be maintained in a substantially flat configuration while minimizing the amount of dynamic load imparted by the header on the combine during non-harvesting transport of the header.

Abstract: A row unit assembly for use with a corn harvester includes a first drive having an output shaft, a stalk roll that extends along a first axis and rotates about the first axis via the output shaft of the first drive. A second drive rotates a first drive member about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. A first conveyor extends around the first drive member and moves about the first drive member in response to rotation of the first drive member. A third drive rotates a second drive member about a third axis that is substantially parallel to the second axis. A second conveyor extends around the second drive member and moves about the second drive member in response to rotation of the second drive member.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine includes a header, a feederhouse and a draper belt configured to transport agricultural material to the feederhouse of the agricultural harvesting machine. The agricultural harvesting machine also includes a motor configured to drive the draper belt and a draper belt control system configured to determine a distribution of crop across the header of the agricultural harvesting machine and, based on the distribution of crop, generate a control signal for the motor to modify an operating characteristic of the draper belt.

Abstract: The height of a header of a self-propelled harvesting machine is controlled by a closed loop header position control system. A sensitivity control system receives parameters related to header position error (e.g., an accuracy parameter) and machine stability (e.g., a stability parameter) and automatically identifies a sensitivity metric indicative of a sensitivity with which the header position control system controls the header height, based upon the received parameters. The sensitivity metric is provided to the header position control system. The header position control system performs closed loop header position control with a sensitivity level based upon the sensitivity metric provided by the sensitivity control system.

Abstract: A harvesting system includes a header pivotably attached to a combine. The header includes a center section to which a left wing and right wing are pivotably attached. A wing locking system of the harvesting system includes first and second engageable states that enable dynamic wing behavior and reduce structural load. The first state corresponds to a harvesting configuration of the header in which the wings are allowed to pivot to allow the header to follow changes in terrain. The second state corresponds to a configuration in which the header is elevated relative to the ground. In the second state, the ability of the wings to pivot is minimized as compared to the first state, which allows the header to be maintained in a substantially fiat configuration while minimizing the amount of dynamic load imparted by the header on the combine during non-harvesting transport of the header.

Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine includes a header, a feederhouse and a draper belt configured to transport agricultural material to the feederhouse of the agricultural harvesting machine. The agricultural harvesting machine also includes a motor configured to drive the draper belt and a draper belt control system configured to determine a distribution of crop across the header of the agricultural harvesting machine and, based on the distribution of crop, generate a control signal for the motor to modify an operating characteristic of the draper belt.

Abstract: In a draper harvesting head having a frame, a left side conveyor supported on the frame, a right side conveyor supported on the frame, a central conveyor supported on the frame and disposed between the left side conveyor and the right side conveyor, and a reciprocating knife fixed to the front of the frame and extending laterally across the frame, a method of controlling slippage between an endless conveyor belt of one of the left side conveyor and the right side conveyor and a crop mat carried on the endless conveyor belt is provided, including determining a speed of the endless conveyor belt and a speed of the crop mat; comparing a difference in the speed of the endless conveyor belt and the speed of the crop mat with a first threshold speed difference; and changing the speed of the endless conveyor belt based upon the step of comparing.

Abstract: In a draper harvesting head having a frame, a left side conveyor supported on the frame, a right side conveyor supported on the frame, a central conveyor supported on the frame and disposed between the left side conveyor and the right side conveyor, and a reciprocating knife fixed to the front of the frame and extending laterally across the frame, a method of controlling slippage between an endless conveyor belt of one of the left side conveyor and the right side conveyor and a crop mat carried on the endless conveyor belt is provided, including determining a speed of the endless conveyor belt and a speed of the crop mat; comparing a difference in the speed of the endless conveyor belt and the speed of the crop mat with a first threshold speed difference; and changing the speed of the endless conveyor belt based upon the step of comparing.