Abstract: A transportable agricultural combine header includes a frame and a wheel assembly attached to the frame. The wheel assembly includes: (a) at least one spindle to which a wheel is configured to be mounted; (b) a rotatable arm connected to and extending from the spindle; (c) a frame attachment structure attaching the at least one spindle and the rotatable arm to the frame; and (d) a suspension system interconnecting the rotatable arm and the frame attachment structure for reducing stress on the frame as the agricultural combine header is transported.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle header includes a frame supporting components of the agricultural vehicle header. A reel is mounted to the frame such that a weight of the reel produces a bending moment on the frame in a first direction that can cause the header to droop toward a ground surface. A gauge wheel is mounted to the frame such that a normal force, which is produced by the gauge wheel on the ground surface, is transmitted to the frame to cause a bending moment on the frame in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction in order to either limit or prevent drooping of the header toward the ground surface.

Abstract: A header for an agricultural harvester comprising a chassis and an auger having a tube extending in end to end relation with and rotatably supported by the chassis. The header further includes a drive mounted adjacent a mid-portion of the auger and operatively engaged with the mid-portion of the auger for driving rotation thereof. The header thus provides an auger which is driven at its mid-portion, thereby eliminating the hydraulic complexities of augers that are driven at their ends. In addition, when the auger tube is continuous, the mid-portion driven, continuous tube auger eliminates the crop dead spot that typically occurs when split augers are deployed.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle header suspension having a frame, a plurality of supports extending forward from the frame, an anchor plate, a frame pivot joining the frame to the anchor plate to be rotatable about a frame pivot axis, a frame actuator connected between the anchor plate and the frame and configured to resiliently hold the frame at a predetermined position relative to the anchor plate, and to allow the frame to move through a range of motion relative to the anchor plate, upon compression and/or extension of the frame actuator. The frame actuator may be, for example, at least one single-acting hydraulic actuator, mechanical spring, or a pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: A harvesting reel assembly for a header of an agricultural harvester is disclosed. The harvesting reel assembly includes a central rotatable shaft, a plurality of support members, a cam assembly and an extendable reel arm. The plurality of support members extend widthwise across the reel assembly and connect to the central rotatable shaft for rotation therewith. The cam assembly guides rotation of the plurality of support members. The extendable reel arm includes a first end engaged with the central rotatable shaft for rotation therewith. The extendable reel arm also includes a distal end opposite the first end connected to one of the plurality of support members.

Abstract: An attachment system for an agricultural vehicle including a feeder housing and a header. The attachment system includes at least one feeder connecting member configured for being located on and movably connected to the feeder housing, and at least one header connecting member configured for being located on the header. The at least one feeder connecting member is automatically connectable and securable to the at least one header connecting member as the feeder housing lifts the header.

Abstract: An illumination system for a harvesting implement including two or more lighting devices, each lighting device coupled to the harvesting implement and configured to illuminate an area of crop engagement, a path of the harvesting implement, or both. The illumination system additionally includes a controller coupled to the harvesting implement and communicatively coupled to the lighting devices. The controller is configured to control an operation of the illumination system to provide a first pre-set illumination pattern based on a first operating state of the harvesting implement. The controller is further configured to receive an input indicative of a change in the operating state of the harvesting implement. Further, the controller is configured to, in response to receipt of the input, control the operation of the illumination array to provide a second pre-set illumination pattern based on the change in the operating state.

Abstract: A clean out system of a header for an agricultural vehicle including at least one cover having a plurality of perforations and at least one actuating member connected to the at least one cover. The at least one actuating member is configured for moving the at least one cover between a first position to completely cover at least one cutout of the frame of the header for blocking the unwanted material from exiting the header, a second position to at least partially uncover the at least one cutout for permitting the unwanted material to pass through the at least one cutout, and a third position to align at least one perforation of the plurality of perforations with the at least one cutout for permitting the unwanted material to pass through the at least one cutout and the at least one perforation of the plurality of perforations.

Abstract: A clean out system of a header for an agricultural vehicle. The header includes a frame with a floor having at least one cutout for allowing an unwanted material to pass therethrough. The clean out system includes at least one door configured for pivotally connecting to the floor and selectively engaging with the at least one cutout, a latching mechanism connected to the at least one door and configured for securing the at least one door to the frame, and at least one actuating member operably connected to the at least one door and configured for selectively latching the latching mechanism and pivoting the at least one door in between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: A cleaning system of a header for an agricultural vehicle. The header includes a frame with a floor having at least one cutout therein. The cleaning system includes at least one door, an elongated member operably connected to the at least one door, and at least one actuator connected to the elongated member. The elongated member is rotatable by the at least one actuator to slide the at least one door between a first position for covering the at least one cutout and a second position for at least partially uncovering the at least one cutout and allowing an unwanted material to pass through the at least one cutout.

Abstract: A draper belt system is provided that includes first and second draper belt assemblies. The first draper belt assembly includes first and second rollers, and a draper belt looped around the first and second rollers. The first roller defines a first roller diameter, a first central longitudinal axis, and a first plane extending through the first central longitudinal axis. The second draper belt assembly includes third and fourth rollers, and a draper belt looped around the third and fourth rollers. The third roller defines a third roller diameter dimensioned smaller than the first roller diameter, a second central longitudinal axis, and a second plane extending through the second central longitudinal axis. The third roller of the second draper belt assembly is disposed adjacent to the first roller with the first central longitudinal axis extending parallel to the second central longitudinal axis, and the second plane offset from the first plane.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis and a header carried by the chassis. The header includes: a frame coupled to the chassis; a cutter bar assembly connected to the frame; a plurality of linkage arms connected to the cutter bar assembly; and a plurality of sacrificial connectors each connected to a respective one of the linkage arms and the frame, each of the plurality of sacrificial connectors including at least one sacrificial region configured to deform or shatter upon an overload force acting on the respectively connected linkage arm.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle including a chassis, a feeder housing supported by the chassis, and an attachment. The attachment includes a header coupled to the feeder housing. The header has a top support beam and a pair of lateral ends. The attachment also includes an auger that has an axis of rotation and is configured to rotate about the axis of rotation. The auger is pivotally connected to the header and is pivotable about a pivot axis. The auger is selectively pivotable between a stored position and an operating position such that in the stored position the auger does not obstruct a line of sight of an operator.

Abstract: A draper belt system is provided that includes a first draper frame pivotally coupled to a second draper frame at a pivot joint. The pivot joint includes a central longitudinal axis about which rotation at the pivot joint occurs. The draper belt system includes a draper belt assembly including a first roller rotatably coupled to the first draper frame, a second roller rotatably coupled to the second draper frame, and a third roller rotatably coupled between the first and second draper frames. The third roller includes a central longitudinal axis about which the third roller rotates. The central longitudinal axis of the third roller is the same as the central longitudinal axis of the pivot joint.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis and a header carried by the chassis. The header includes: a frame coupled to the chassis; a cutter bar assembly connected to the frame; a plurality of linkage arms connected to the cutter bar assembly; and a plurality of sacrificial connectors each connected to a respective one of the linkage arms and the frame, each of the plurality of sacrificial connectors including at least one sacrificial region configured to deform or shatter upon an overload force acting on the respectively connected linkage arm.

Abstract: A draper belt system is provided that includes a first draper frame pivotally coupled to a second draper frame at a pivot joint. The pivot joint includes a central longitudinal axis about which rotation at the pivot joint occurs. The draper belt system includes a draper belt assembly including a first roller rotatably coupled to the first draper frame, a second roller rotatably coupled to the second draper frame, and a third roller rotatably coupled between the first and second draper frames. The third roller includes a central longitudinal axis about which the third roller rotates. The central longitudinal axis of the third roller is the same as the central longitudinal axis of the pivot joint.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle that includes a chassis and a header with at least three header frames, including a center section, a first wing section, and a second wing section carried by the chassis. The header includes: at least three knife assemblies; and at least three knife drives, each of the knife drives being drivingly coupled to at least one of the at least three knife assemblies.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle including a chassis, a feeder housing supported by the chassis, and an attachment. The attachment includes a header coupled to the feeder housing. The header has a top support beam and a pair of lateral ends. The attachment also includes an auger that has an axis of rotation and is configured to rotate about the axis of rotation. The auger is pivotally connected to the header and is pivotable about a pivot axis. The auger is selectively pivotable between a stored position and an operating position such that in the stored position the auger does not obstruct a line of sight of an operator.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a chassis and a header carried by the chassis. The header includes: a center section supporting at least one center cutter and having a pair of lateral ends; a wing section linked to one of the lateral ends of the center section and supporting at least one wing cutter, the wing section being vertically moveable relative to the center section between a harvesting position and a transport position, the wing section being pivotable about a generally vertical pivot axis in the transport position and substantially prevented from pivoting about the pivot axis in the harvesting position; and an actuator linked to the wing section and configured to vertically move the wing section from the harvesting position to the transport position.

Abstract: A draper belt system is provided that includes first and second draper belt assemblies. The first draper belt assembly includes first and second rollers, and a draper belt looped around the first and second rollers. The first roller defines a first roller diameter, a first central longitudinal axis, and a first plane extending through the first central longitudinal axis. The second draper belt assembly includes third and fourth rollers, and a draper belt looped around the third and fourth rollers. The third roller defines a third roller diameter dimensioned smaller than the first roller diameter, a second central longitudinal axis, and a second plane extending through the second central longitudinal axis. The third roller of the second draper belt assembly is disposed adjacent to the first roller with the first central longitudinal axis extending parallel to the second central longitudinal axis, and the second plane offset from the first plane.