Abstract: A knife head drive assembly for a header of an agricultural harvester including a knife head assembly for attachment to a forward end of the header. A first pivot arm and a second pivot arm are carried by the knife head assembly and are pivotably connected by a linkage. A rotating crank is operatively connected to and extending substantially transverse to the knife head assembly for engagement with a drive. A reciprocating shaft is connected to the rotating crank and either of the pivot arms or the linkage. Operation of the knife head drive assembly results in substantially linear, opposed oscillating motion of cutter bars carried by the knife head assembly.

Abstract: A knife head drive assembly for a header of an agricultural harvester including a knife head assembly for attachment to a forward end of the header. A first pivot arm and a second pivot arm are carried by the knife head assembly and are pivotably connected by a linkage. A rotating crank is operatively connected to and extending substantially transverse to the knife head assembly for engagement with a drive. A reciprocating shaft is connected to the rotating crank and either of the pivot arms or the linkage. Operation of the knife head drive assembly results in substantially linear, opposed oscillating motion of cutter bars carried by the knife head assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting existence of a failed or broken shear bolt supporting all or a portion of a concave of a threshing system of an agricultural combine and utilizing information relating to rates of movement and absence of movement of a concave to determining the existence and non-existence of a failed or broken shear bolt supporting the concave. More particularly, the present system and method is operable to diagnose existence of a broken shear bolt from a rapid downward movement of the concave and non-movement of the concave during operation of a driver for repositioning the concave. Also, existence of a false broken concave condition can be diagnosed by movements of the concave responsive to operation of the driver.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting existence of a failed or broken shear bolt supporting all or a portion of a concave of a threshing system of an agricultural combine and utilizing information relating to rates of movement and absence of movement of a concave to determine the existence and non-existence of a failed or broken shear bolt supporting the concave. More particularly, the present system and method is operable to diagnose existence of a broken shear bolt from a rapid downward movement of the concave and non-movement of the concave during operation of a driver for repositioning the concave. Also, existence of a false broken concave condition can be diagnosed by movements of the concave responsive to operation of the driver.

Abstract: A system and method for positively discharging crop residue from a combine for precisely and consistently delivering crop residue from the threshing and separating area of a combine to the combine's residue handling system or outwardly from the rear of the combine and onto the harvested field below as a windrow. The present invention can include, or operate in cooperation with, a discharge mechanism, such as a conventional discharge beater, which delivers at least some of the crop residue to a conveying mechanism of the system. The system also includes a guide mechanism including a door arrangement configurable in several alternative configurations for receiving and merging and regulating crop residue flow from the discharge mechanism and the conveying mechanism, and directing the merged flow to a desired processing mechanism, such as, but not limited to, a chaff spreader, a straw chopper and/or spreader, etc.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting existence of a failed or broken shear bolt supporting all or a portion of a concave of a threshing system of an agricultural combine and utilizing information relating to rates of movement and absence of movement of a concave to determine the existence and non-existence of a failed or broken shear bolt supporting the concave. More particularly, the present system and method is operable to diagnose existence of a broken shear bolt from a rapid downward movement of the concave and non-movement of the concave during operation of a driver for repositioning the concave. Also, existence of a false broken concave condition can be diagnosed by movements of the concave responsive to operation of the driver.

Abstract: A system and method for positively discharging crop residue from a combine for precisely and consistently delivering crop residue from the threshing and separating area of a combine to the combine's residue handling system or outwardly from the rear of the combine and onto the harvested field below as a windrow. The present invention can include, or operate in cooperation with, a discharge mechanism, such as a conventional discharge beater, which delivers at least some of the crop residue to a conveying mechanism of the system. The system also includes a guide mechanism including a door arrangement configurable in several alternative configurations for receiving and merging and regulating crop residue flow from the discharge mechanism and the conveying mechanism, and directing the merged flow to a desired processing mechanism, such as, but not limited to, a chaff spreader, a straw chopper and/or spreader, etc.