Abstract: A clutch assembly includes: a drive hub having a spline configured to couple to a gearbox; a clutch housing coupled to the drive hub and having an end face defining an opening therein; a clutch hub disposed within the clutch housing and having a portion that extends out of the opening, the clutch hub being rotatable with respect to the clutch housing during a slip condition; a primary seal disposed between the clutch housing and the clutch hub; a quantity of purging compound disposed between the clutch housing and the clutch hub; and an end washer coupled to the clutch hub and facing the end face, the end washer and the end face defining a purge gap therebetween such that rotation of the clutch hub relative to the clutch housing causes some of the purging compound to eject from the clutch housing through the purge gap.

Abstract: A header which is couplable with a base unit of an agricultural harvester. The header includes a rotatably driven first sub-system, a rotatably driven second sub-system, a first input drive, and a second input drive. The first input drive is mechanically couplable with the base unit. The first input drive is configured for driving the first sub-system at a first operating speed. The second input drive is mechanically couplable with the base unit. The second input drive is configured for driving the second sub-system at a second operating speed which is independent of the first operating speed.

Abstract: A row unit for a header of an agricultural harvester is provided that includes a first longitudinally extending stripping plate and a second longitudinally extending stripping plate each mounted on a frame and each having opposed stripping edges which define a gap between the first stripping plate and the second stripping plate. The row unit includes both operator-selected macro adjustment of the gap and automatic micro adjustment of the gap. The micro adjustment occurs on both deck plates. The micro adjustment is achieved through resilient members positioned functionally between the deck plates and the row unit frame.

Abstract: A row unit system for a corn header of an agricultural harvester, the row unit system including a plurality of row units and a plurality of chopper assemblies. A first row unit and an adjacent second row unit are each coupled to the corn header, with each row unit having a first and second leg. The first and second legs are substantially a mirror image of each other. The chopper assemblies are positioned proximate to the legs of the row units and include a chopper assembly nested between the second leg of the first row unit and the first leg of the second row unit.

Abstract: A row unit system for a corn header of an agricultural harvester, the row unit system including a plurality of row units and a plurality of chopper assemblies. A first row unit and an adjacent second row unit are each coupled to the corn header, with each row unit having a first and second leg. The first and second legs are substantially a mirror image of each other. The chopper assemblies are positioned proximate to the legs of the row units and include a chopper assembly nested between the second leg of the first row unit and the first leg of the second row unit.

Abstract: A row unit for a header of an agricultural harvester is provided that includes a first longitudinally extending stripping plate and a second longitudinally extending stripping plate each mounted on a frame and each having opposed stripping edges which define a gap between the first stripping plate and the second stripping plate. The row unit includes both operator-selected macro adjustment of the gap and automatic micro adjustment of the gap. The micro adjustment occurs on both deck plates. The micro adjustment is achieved through resilient members positioned functionally between the deck plates and the row unit frame.

Abstract: A row unit for a header of an agricultural harvester is provided that includes a first longitudinally extending stripping plate and a second longitudinally extending stripping plate each mounted on a frame and each having opposed stripping edges which define a gap between the first stripping plate and the second stripping plate. The row unit includes a gap adjustment mechanism for adjusting a size of the gap that includes first and second linkage assemblies. Each of the two linkage assemblies have an elongated linkage extending substantially parallel to the respective longitudinally extending stripping plate, and a connection mechanism connecting the elongated linkage to the longitudinally extending stripping plate. The row unit further includes a control arm connected to the first and second linkage assemblies for moving the first and second linkage assemblies between first and second positions.

Abstract: A header which is couplable with a base unit of an agricultural harvester. The header includes a rotatably driven first sub-system, a rotatably driven second sub-system, a first input drive, and a second input drive. The first input drive is mechanically couplable with the base unit. The first input drive is configured for driving the first sub-system at a first operating speed. The second input drive is mechanically couplable with the base unit. The second input drive is configured for driving the second sub-system at a second operating speed which is independent of the first operating speed.

Abstract: A header for an agricultural harvester includes a plurality of row units, a plurality of feed/snapping units, and a plurality of chopping units. Each feed/snapping unit is associated with a respective said row unit and operable at a first operating speed. Each chopping unit is associated with at least one respective feed/snapping unit and operable at a constant second operating speed, independent of the first operating speed.

Abstract: A corn ear harvester which comprises two deck plates and two gathering chain devices. The gathering chain devices each comprise an endless chain which forms a chain loop which comprises a straight operational part; a corn ear paddle and paddle connector which connects the corn ear paddle to the chain. The device further comprises a corn stalk channel having a deck plate channel section extends between the deck plates and a gathering chain channel section between the gathering chain devices. The deck plate channel section is too narrow for a corn ear to pass through. The corn ear paddles are arranged adjacent to a deck plate on the side of the ear blocking surface of said first deck plate and the endless chains of the gathering chain devices are arranged adjacent to the deck plates on the opposite side.

Abstract: A row unit for a header of an agricultural harvester is provided that includes a first longitudinally extending stripping plate and a second longitudinally extending stripping plate each mounted on a frame and each having opposed stripping edges which define a gap between the first stripping plate and the second stripping plate. The row unit includes a gap adjustment mechanism for adjusting a size of the gap that includes first and second linkage assemblies. Each of the two linkage assemblies have an elongated linkage extending substantially parallel to the respective longitudinally extending stripping plate, and a connection mechanism connecting the elongated linkage to the longitudinally extending stripping plate. The row unit further includes a control arm connected to the first and second linkage assemblies for moving the first and second linkage assemblies between first and second positions.

Abstract: A header for an agricultural harvester includes a plurality of row units, a plurality of feed/snapping units, and a plurality of chopping units. Each feed/snapping unit is associated with a respective said row unit and operable at a first operating speed. Each chopping unit is associated with at least one respective feed/snapping unit and operable at a constant second operating speed, independent of the first operating speed.

Abstract: A combine including a harvesting head position control system is disclosed herein. The control system includes a position sensor assembly for producing signals representative of the location of the head relative to the combine, operator control switches, and a controller coupled to the position sensor assembly and the operator control switches. The position sensor assembly preferably includes between 3 or more position transducers located along the harvesting head and a comparison circuit. The comparison circuit selects the signal produced by the sensor associated with the smallest distance between the head and ground, and applies this signal to the controller. Based upon the signal, the controller controls the position of the head.

Abstract: A snap-away auxiliary tine for harvester reels. The tine is attached to its supporting shaft by a split cylinder which partially encloses a shaft fitting. Rounded axial grooves in the inside of the split cylinder interlock with splines on the shaft fitting and prevent normal rotation of the tine. Extreme force on the tine, such as that when the tine hits a hard object, causes the split cylinder to spread slightly, disengage the grooves and rotate on the shaft, thus preventing tine breakage. Manual rotation repositions the tine.

Abstract: A plastic tine comprising a solid molded body adapted for mounting on a harvester crop pickup reel bat and having a finger portion of predetermined length extending from the tip of the bat at least half the length of the finger portion being of constant thickness in the front to rear flexure direction and of greater width than thickness for more than half the finger length, the finger width decreasing progressively from the edge of the bat to the tip of the finger, whereby the upper portion of the finger will flex in the fore-and-aft direction but not sideways except under extreme load, and will be resistant to breakage, distortion or taking a set.

Abstract: A spider arm journal and bat section connecting means for harvester reel pick-up bats which permits a limited amount of axial, angular and transverse flexure between the bat sections and the journal shaft to which the bat sections are mounted, the said means comprising a bat retainer assembly onto which the end of a bat is fastened and into which an end of the journal shaft is received with sliding fit engagement, and a connecting link integral with and normal to the journal connected adjacent its outer end with an attachment plate comprising the end of said assembly adjacent the journal.