Abstract: A draper cutting platform for use in an agricultural harvester includes a platform section having an elongate belt. The belt includes opposite ends, a pair of side edges defining a width of the belt therebetween, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced cleats extending crosswise between the side edges. Each cleat has a length which is less than the width of the belt. A seam joins the opposite ends of the belt. The seam includes a splice bar and a pair of lacings. The splice bar has a length which is approximately the same as the cleat length. Each lacing is disposed in an area between a corresponding end of the splice bar and a respective side edge of the belt.

Abstract: A reel finger for use on a harvesting header for an agricultural machine includes an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end. The elongate member has a retaining member located at the proximal end. A plate member is connected to the elongate member with the distal end of the elongate member extending beyond the plate member. The plate member has a continuous smooth front surface for engaging a crop in a direction of crop engagement that covers a portion of the elongate member not extending beyond the plate member. The plate member has a back surface opposite to the front surface.

Abstract: A draper cutting platform for use in an agricultural harvester includes a platform section having an elongate belt. The belt includes opposite ends, a pair of side edges defining a width of the belt therebetween, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced cleats extending crosswise between the side edges. Each cleat has a length which is less than the width of the belt. A seam joins the opposite ends of the belt. The seam includes a splice bar and a pair of lacings. The splice bar has a length which is approximately the same as the cleat length. Each lacing is disposed in an area between a corresponding end of the splice bar and a respective side edge of the belt.

Abstract: A draper platform includes a frame, a cutter bar, at least one conveyor assembly with two rollers, and a conveyor belt surrounding both rollers. Each of the rollers are mounted to a respective support frame that is independently pivotally mounted to the frame around a transverse axis at its rear end. An assembly for guiding the conveyor belt on the rollers is provided. It includes a ridge on an interior side of the belt and a groove within the roller. The ridge and the groove are provided in the vicinity of the rear end of the rollers.

Abstract: A cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvester includes at least one platform section. Each platform section includes a frame, a cutterbar assembly defining a leading edge of the platform section, an endless belt, and a plurality of float arms pivotally attached to the frame. The cutterbar assembly is movable in a localized manner in upwards and downwards directions. At least one float arm carries a roller which supports the endless belt and is positioned within a loop of the endless belt. Each roller is pivotable or removable relative to the corresponding float arm.

Abstract: A draper platform includes a frame, a cutter bar, at least one conveyor assembly with two rollers, and a conveyor belt surrounding both rollers. Each of the rollers are mounted to a respective support frame that is independently pivotally mounted to the frame around a transverse axis at its rear end. An assembly for guiding the conveyor belt on the rollers is provided. It includes a ridge on an interior side of the belt and a groove within the roller. The ridge and the groove are provided in the vicinity of the rear end of the rollers.

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 cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvesting machine includes a plurality of platform sections. At least one platform section includes a cutterbar assembly movable in a localized manner in upwards and downwards directions, an endless belt having a leading edge, a plurality of belt supports mounted to the cutterbar assembly, and a plurality of belt guides. Each belt support is at least partially positioned under the leading edge of the endless belt, and includes at least one upwardly extending clip. Each belt guide partially overlies the leading edge of the endless belt. Each belt guide includes at least one clip hole for receiving a corresponding clip, and a rear surface which is attached to a belt support or the cutterbar assembly.

Abstract: A connector assembly for a draper belt in a harvesting machine having first and second connecting bars on opposite first and second sides of belt end flanges and a flat belt splice along the leading or trailing edge of the draper belt. By providing a flat belt splice along the leading edge, the draper belt can be located underneath a belt cover to prevent grain from leaking out onto the ground.

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 seamless draper belt formed from an elongated flat base structure of fabric and rubber. Transverse cleats having a structural core embedded in rubber are connected to the base. The elongated base structure and cleats are cured and adhere to one another except for end sections to form a flexible elongated structure, the ends of the base structure being overlapped and cured to form a seamless belt. An elongated guide is integrally formed on the base structure face opposite the face containing the cleats.

Abstract: A cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvesting machine includes a plurality of platform sections. At least one platform section includes a cutterbar assembly movable in a localized manner in upwards and downwards directions, an endless belt having a leading edge, a plurality of belt supports mounted to the cutterbar assembly, and a plurality of belt guides. Each belt support is at least partially positioned under the leading edge of the endless belt, and includes at least one upwardly extending clip. Each belt guide partially overlies the leading edge of the endless belt. Each belt guide includes at least one clip hole for receiving a corresponding clip, and a rear surface which is attached to a belt support or the cutterbar assembly.

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.