Abstract: In an example embodiment a harvesting header has a cutter mechanism to cut crop material, a discharge opening through which the crop material may be discharged, at least one conditioning roll to condition crop material cut by the cutter mechanism that passes through the discharge opening, and a helper roll extending laterally outward of the discharge opening. A support may be provided at the discharge opening for rotatably supporting the helper roll. In one example embodiment the helper roll comprises a first sub-helper roll and a second sub-helper roll that are rotatably coupled to a bearing assembly mounted at the discharge opening.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a harvesting header includes a helper roll having at auger flighting configured to move crop material laterally inward. The auger flighting may be outboard of a crop receiving area. The helper roll may be placed rearward of a cutter mechanism and forward of a conditioning roll of the header. The axis of rotation of the helper roll may be positioned slightly above a cutting plane of a cutting bed so that the auger flighting extends vertically past the cutting plane. In an example embodiment, at least a portion of the auger flights are positioning outboard of a conditioning roll of the header.

Abstract: In an example embodiment a harvesting header has a cutter mechanism to cut crop material, a discharge opening through which the crop material may be discharged, at least one conditioning roll to condition crop material cut by the cutter mechanism that passes through the discharge opening, and a helper roll extending laterally outward of the discharge opening. A support may be provided at the discharge opening for rotatably supporting the helper roll. In one example embodiment the helper roll comprises a first sub-helper roll and a second sub-helper roll that are rotatably coupled to a bearing assembly mounted at the discharge opening.