Abstract: A method for automatically controlling a cut height of a header of an agricultural harvester. The method includes positioning the header to a predetermined cut height set point, measuring a ground speed of the agricultural harvester, measuring a height of the header relative to a ground surface at a plurality of positions along a length of the header. The method further includes lowering the header towards a first adjusted cut height threshold if a measured height of one of the plurality of positions is above the predetermined cut height set point and the measured ground speed is less than a first predetermined ground speed. The subject application allows the automatic header height control software on an agricultural harvester to automatically deviate from the predetermined cut height set point. This allows better control of the header at higher speeds and allows more crop to be gathered without manual intervention.

Abstract: A wheel-supported frame for an agricultural mower having a tongue, a pivotally connected frame having a pair of main wheel, and a pair of a retractable transport wheels connected to the frame. A mechanism is provided for each transport wheel to deploy the transport wheels and support the mower, the transport wheels being oriented for travel 90 degrees to the direction of travel of the main wheels. The pivoting tongue connection with the main frame provides for at least a 90 degree rotation of the frame relative to the tongue between operating and transport positions so that the mower may be pulled for transport with the mower moving in the direction of its normal lateral width. The transport wheel mechanisms also position the transport wheels where they will not interfere with mower operation, especially pivoting of the tongue.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling a cut height of a header of an agricultural harvester. The method includes positioning the header to a predetermined cut height set point, measuring a ground speed of the agricultural harvester, measuring a height of the header relative to a ground surface at a plurality of positions along a length of the header. The method further includes lowering the header towards a first adjusted cut height threshold if a measured height of one of the plurality of positions is above the predetermined cut height set point and the measured ground speed is less than a first predetermined ground speed. The subject application allows the automatic header height control software on an agricultural harvester to automatically deviate from the predetermined cut height set point. This allows better control of the header at higher speeds and allows more crop to be gathered without manual intervention.

Abstract: A wheel-supported frame for an agricultural mower having a tongue, a pivotally connected frame having a pair of main wheel, and a pair of a retractable transport wheels connected to the frame. A mechanism is provided for each transport wheel to deploy the transport wheels and support the mower, the transport wheels being oriented for travel 90 degrees to the direction of travel of the main wheels. The pivoting tongue connection with the main frame provides for at least a 90 degree rotation of the frame relative to the tongue between operating and transport positions so that the mower may be pulled for transport with the mower moving in the direction of its normal lateral width. The transport wheel mechanisms also position the transport wheels where they will not interfere with mower operation, especially pivoting of the tongue.

Abstract: An adapter for connecting a agricultural implement swivel hitch to a drawing hitch on a towing vehicle that enables relative pitch and roll movement between the implement and vehicle at a single, pinned joint. Elongated openings in a first portion of the hitch adapter receive a transversely aligned connection pin. The openings are sized to allow limited pin angular movement about a vehicular roll axis. A second portion of the hitch adapter is also connected to the connection pin and configured to allow limited relative angular movement about a transverse pitch axis. The connection between the first and second portions at the connector pin allows relative angular movement therebetween about generally co-planar pitch and roll axes. The connector pin is formed from a softer material than the surrounding first and second portions thereby providing an inexpensive and easily replaceable weak link in the hitch adapter assembly.

Abstract: An adapter for connecting a agricultural implement swivel hitch to a drawing hitch on a towing vehicle that enables relative pitch and roll movement between the implement and vehicle at a single, pinned joint. Elongated openings in a first portion of the hitch adapter receive a transversely aligned connection pin. The openings are sized to allow limited pin angular movement about a vehicular roll axis. A second portion of the hitch adapter is also connected to the connection pin and configured to allow limited relative angular movement about a transverse pitch axis. The connection between the first and second portions at the connector pin allows relative angular movement therebetween about generally co-planar pitch and roll axes. The connector pin is formed from a softer material than the surrounding first and second portions thereby providing an inexpensive and easily replaceable weak link in the hitch adapter assembly.

Abstract: A conditioner roll tread pattern comprising a plurality of equally circumferentially spaced ribs separated by grooves extending across the axial length of the conditioner roll. The ribs are angled relative to the axial centerline, either with a fixed positive/negative angle or a continuously varying angle alternating between positive and negative extremes. The conditioner roll is configured to work in conjunction with a paralley disposed roll of similar tread pattern configuration, reversed end-for-end so that the ribs of one roll intermesh with the grooves of the adjacent roll. The location of the transition points at which the angle reverses along the axial length are coordinated with the transverse locations of converging and diverging crop flows being discharged from a forwardly disposed rotary disc cutterbar in a manner that results in a crop mat having more uniform thickness being discharged from the conditioner.

Abstract: A conditioner roll tread pattern comprising a plurality of equally circumferentially spaced ribs separated by grooves extending across the axial length of the conditioner roll. The ribs are angled relative to the axial centerline, either with a fixed positive/negative angle or a continuously varying angle alternating between positive and negative extremes. The conditioner roll is configured to work in conjunction with a paralley disposed roll of similar tread pattern configuration, reversed end-for-end so that the ribs of one roll intermesh with the grooves of the adjacent roll. The location of the transition points at which the angle reverses along the axial length are coordinated with the transverse locations of converging and diverging crop flows being discharged from a forwardly disposed rotary disc cutterbar in a manner that results in a crop mat having more uniform thickness being discharged from the conditioner.

Abstract: Windrow shields that pivot adjacent the forward ends thereof into and out of the path of crop material to control the width of the windrow. An electric motor and linkage to the shields allows the special relationship between the shields to be adjusted on-the-go from the operator's location.