Abstract: A harvesting system includes a header pivotally attached to a combine. The header includes a center section to which a left wing and right wing are pivotally attached. A suspension system of the harvesting system includes first and second engageable states that enable dynamic wing behavior and reduce structural load. The first state corresponds to a harvesting configuration of the header in which the wings are allowed to pivot to allow the header to follow changes in terrain. The second state corresponds to a configuration in which the header is elevated relative to the ground. In the second state, the ability of the wings to pivot is minimized as compared to the first state, which allows the header to be maintained in a substantially flat configuration while minimizing the amount of dynamic load imparted by the header on the combine during non-harvesting transport of the header.

Abstract: Feederhouse gearboxes are provided for installation on combine harvesters. In embodiments, the feederhouse gearbox includes a gearbox housing, an output shaft rotatable about an output axis, and a primary drive input. The primary drive input is mechanically linked to an engine of the combine harvester when the feederhouse gearbox is installed thereon. A reverser drive input is mechanically linked to a reverser motor of the combine harvester when the feederhouse gearbox is installed on the combine harvester. The feederhouse gearbox further includes a selector mechanism within the gearbox housing and movable between a primary drive position and a reverser drive position, a primary gear train transmitting rotation from the primary drive input to the output shaft when the selector mechanism is in the primary drive position, and a reverser worm drive transmitting rotation from the reverser drive input to the output shaft when the selector mechanism is in the reverser drive position.

Abstract: A harvesting system includes a header pivotally attached to a combine. The header includes a center section to which a left wing and right wing are pivotally attached. A suspension system of the harvesting system includes first and second engageable states that enable dynamic wing behavior and reduce structural load. The first state corresponds to a harvesting configuration of the header in which the wings are allowed to pivot to allow the header to follow changes in terrain. The second state corresponds to a configuration in which the header is elevated relative to the ground. In the second state, the ability of the wings to pivot is minimized as compared to the first state, which allows the header to be maintained in a substantially flat configuration while minimizing the amount of dynamic load imparted by the header on the combine during non-harvesting transport of the header.

Abstract: A distributed electrohydraulic system includes an electrical power source, electrohydraulic modules, and a control system. Each of the electrohydraulic modules includes one or more hydraulic components and one or more electrically-operated components which affect an operation of the one or more hydraulic components. The one or more hydraulic components of each of the electrohydraulic modules is hydraulically isolated from the one or more hydraulic components of another one of the electrohydraulic modules The one or more electrically-operated components of each of the electrohydraulic modules is electrically coupled to the electrical power source to receive electrical power. The control system includes one or more processors and memory devices electrically coupled to the electrical power source and the one or more electrically-operated components of the electrohydraulic modules.

Abstract: A rephasing system may include a first hydraulic cylinder, a second hydraulic cylinder, a first rephasing valve, a second rephasing valve and a controller. The first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder include first and second pistons, respectively. A first hydraulic fluid line connects a hydraulic supply to a first side of the first piston while a second hydraulic fluid line connects a second side of the first piston to a first side of the second piston. The first rephasing valve fluidly couples the first side of the first piston to the first side of the second piston while the second hydraulic fluid line fluidly couples the second side of the second piston to the hydraulic supply. The controller selectively opens and closes the first and second rephasing valves to re-phase the first and second pistons.

Abstract: A harvesting system includes a header pivotably attached to a combine. The header includes a center section to which a left wing and right wing are pivotably attached. A wing locking system of the harvesting system includes first and second engageable states that enable dynamic wing behavior and reduce structural load. The first state corresponds to a harvesting configuration of the header in which the wings are allowed to pivot to allow the header to follow changes in terrain. The second state corresponds to a configuration in which the header is elevated relative to the ground. In the second state, the ability of the wings to pivot is minimized as compared to the first state, which allows the header to be maintained in a substantially flat configuration while minimizing the amount of dynamic load imparted by the header on the combine during non-harvesting transport of the header.

Abstract: A wing locking system for a harvesting header is provided. The wing locking system includes an accumulator, a fluid cylinder operably attached to a wing of the harvesting header, a hose fluidly connecting the accumulator and the fluid cylinder, and a valve operably disposed between the accumulator and the fluid cylinder. The valve includes a first selectable position configured to permit a first fluid flow rate between the accumulator and the fluid cylinder and a second selectable position configured to permit a second fluid flow rate from the accumulator to the fluid cylinder. The first fluid flow rate is greater than the second fluid flow rate.

Abstract: Feederhouse gearboxes are provided for installation on combine harvesters. In embodiments, the feederhouse gearbox includes a gearbox housing, an output shaft rotatable about an output axis, and a primary drive input. The primary drive input is mechanically linked to an engine of the combine harvester when the feederhouse gearbox is installed thereon. A reverser drive input is mechanically linked to a reverser motor of the combine harvester when the feederhouse gearbox is installed on the combine harvester. The feederhouse gearbox further includes a selector mechanism within the gearbox housing and movable between a primary drive position and a reverser drive position, a primary gear train transmitting rotation from the primary drive input to the output shaft when the selector mechanism is in the primary drive position, and a reverser worm drive transmitting rotation from the reverser drive input to the output shaft when the selector mechanism is in the reverser drive position.

Abstract: A distributed electrohydraulic system includes an electrical power source, electrohydraulic modules, and a control system. Each of the electrohydraulic modules includes one or more hydraulic components and one or more electrically-operated components which affect an operation of the one or more hydraulic components. The one or more hydraulic components of each of the electrohydraulic modules is hydraulically isolated from the one or more hydraulic components of another one of the electrohydraulic modules The one or more electrically-operated components of each of the electrohydraulic modules is electrically coupled to the electrical power source to receive electrical power. The control system includes one or more processors and memory devices electrically coupled to the electrical power source and the one or more electrically-operated components of the electrohydraulic modules.

Abstract: A harvester head may include a position adjustable reel having a first segment and a second segment, a hydraulic supply comprising a pump and a reservoir, a first plurality of hydraulic cylinders coupled to the first segment to reposition the first segment, a second plurality of hydraulic cylinders coupled to the second segment to reposition the second segment, a first bidirectional valve operably coupled between the hydraulic supply and the first plurality of hydraulic cylinders, a second bidirectional valve operably coupled between the hydraulic supply and the second plurality of hydraulic cylinders, at least one sensor to sense relative positioning of the first segment and the second segment and a controller. The controller may output control signals to the first bidirectional valve and the second bidirectional valve based upon signals from the at least one sensor to synchronize positioning of the first segment and the second segment.

Abstract: A draper header for a combine, the draper header including an attachment frame adapted for attachment to the combine. A harvesting assembly includes a plurality of sections and a plurality of belts operable to feed crop material into the combine. The draper header is operable in a first mode that allows the plurality of sections to float relative to the attachment frame for ground following during harvesting, and in a second mode in which the attachment frame is raised to lift and support the harvesting assembly to be spaced above the ground. A hydraulic leveling system includes at least one leveling actuator. A valve is operable in response to the movement of the draper header into the second mode to direct pressurized hydraulic fluid into the at least one leveling actuator to automatically level the plurality of sections of the harvesting assembly when in the second mode.

Abstract: A harvesting system includes a header pivotably attached to a combine. The header includes a center section to which a left wing and right wing are pivotably attached. A wing locking system of the harvesting system includes first and second engageable states that enable dynamic wing behavior and reduce structural load. The first state corresponds to a harvesting configuration of the header in which the wings are allowed to pivot to allow the header to follow changes in terrain. The second state corresponds to a configuration in which the header is elevated relative to the ground. In the second state, the ability of the wings to pivot is minimized as compared to the first state, which allows the header to be maintained in a substantially fiat configuration while minimizing the amount of dynamic load imparted by the header on the combine during non-harvesting transport of the header.

Abstract: A wing locking system for a harvesting header is provided. The wing locking system includes an accumulator, a fluid cylinder operably attached to a wing of the harvesting header, a hose fluidly connecting the accumulator and the fluid cylinder, and a valve operably disposed between the accumulator and the fluid cylinder. The valve includes a first selectable position configured to permit a first fluid flow rate between the accumulator and the fluid cylinder and a second selectable position configured to permit a second fluid flow rate from the accumulator to the fluid cylinder. The first fluid flow rate is greater than the second fluid flow rate.

Abstract: A harvesting system includes a header pivotally attached to a combine. The header includes a center section to which a left wing and right wing are pivotally attached. A suspension system of the harvesting system includes first and second engageable states that enable dynamic wing behavior and reduce structural load. The first state corresponds to a harvesting configuration of the header in which the wings are allowed to pivot to allow the header to follow changes in terrain. The second state corresponds to a configuration in which the header is elevated relative to the ground. In the second state, the ability of the wings to pivot is minimized as compared to the first state, which allows the header to be maintained in a substantially flat configuration while minimizing the amount of dynamic load imparted by the header on the combine during non-harvesting transport of the header.

Abstract: System and method for a lock valve for a hydraulic actuator. The lock valve includes a valve housing coupled to the hydraulic actuator. The valve housing defines a chamber in selective fluid communication with a hydraulic circuit. The lock valve includes a valve body received within the chamber and responsive to the hydraulic circuit to move to an unlock position in which the lock valve is unlocked. The valve body includes a rod having a first end and an opposite second end. The valve body includes a head coupled to the rod between the first end and the second end. The head is responsive to the hydraulic circuit to move the valve body to the unlock position, and in the unlock position, the first end of the rod extends outwardly from the valve housing to visually indicate the lock valve is unlocked.

Abstract: A draper header for a combine, the draper header including an attachment frame adapted for attachment to the combine. A harvesting assembly includes a plurality of sections and a plurality of belts operable to feed crop material into the combine. The draper header is operable in a first mode that allows the plurality of sections to float relative to the attachment frame for ground following during harvesting, and in a second mode in which the attachment frame is raised to lift and support the harvesting assembly to be spaced above the ground. A hydraulic leveling system includes at least one leveling actuator. A valve is operable in response to the movement of the draper header into the second mode to direct pressurized hydraulic fluid into the at least one leveling actuator to automatically level the plurality of sections of the harvesting assembly when in the second mode.

Abstract: A rephasing system may include a first hydraulic cylinder, a second hydraulic cylinder, a first rephasing valve, a second rephasing valve and a controller. The first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder first and second pistons, respectively. A first hydraulic fluid line connects a hydraulic supply to a first side of the first piston while a second hydraulic fluid line connects a second side of the first piston to a first side of the second piston. The first rephasing valve fluidly couples the first side of the first piston to the first side of the second piston while the second hydraulic fluid line fluidly couples the second side of the second piston to the hydraulic supply. The controller selectively opens and closes the first and second rephasing valves to re-phase the first and second pistons.

Abstract: A harvester head may include a position adjustable reel having a first segment and a second segment, a hydraulic supply comprising a pump and a reservoir, a first plurality of hydraulic cylinders coupled to the first segment to reposition the first segment, a second plurality of hydraulic cylinders coupled to the second segment to reposition the second segment, a first bidirectional valve operably coupled between the hydraulic supply and the first plurality of hydraulic cylinders, a second bidirectional valve operably coupled between the hydraulic supply and the second plurality of hydraulic cylinders, at least one sensor to sense relative positioning of the first segment and the second segment and a controller. The controller may output control signals to the first bidirectional valve and the second bidirectional valve based upon signals from the at least one sensor to synchronize positioning of the first segment and the second segment.

Abstract: System and method for a lock valve for a hydraulic actuator. The lock valve includes a valve housing coupled to the hydraulic actuator. The valve housing defines a chamber in selective fluid communication with a hydraulic circuit. The lock valve includes a valve body received within the chamber and responsive to the hydraulic circuit to move to an unlock position in which the lock valve is unlocked. The valve body includes a rod having a first end and an opposite second end. The valve body includes a head coupled to the rod between the first end and the second end. The head is responsive to the hydraulic circuit to move the valve body to the unlock position, and in the unlock position, the first end of the rod extends outwardly from the valve housing to visually indicate the lock valve is unlocked.

Abstract: An anti-siphon arrangement for a hydraulic system with a reservoir includes first and second flow paths providing hydraulic communication between the reservoir and a lower area. Each flow path includes an anti-siphon portion extending at least partly above a fluid level of the reservoir. First and second valves are configured, when configured in open states, to allow gas to flow from a gas source to the anti-siphon portions of the first and second flow paths, respectively.