Abstract: In a harvester/header combination according to the invention, the header is a crop pick-up header (2) coupled to a forage harvester (1). The header comprises a frame (10) and a rotatable reel (13) configured to collect crops from the ground, a rotatable auger (20) provided with two oppositely wound helicoidal flights (26), and one or more windguard rolls (15). The auger is rotatable with respect to a pair of support arms (21) which are themselves pivotable relative to the frame, so that the pivoting movement of the arms results in lowering or raising the auger (20). According to the invention, the header comprises at least one set of actuators (18, 19) capable of actively raising the auger and the windguard roll(s) and the harvester/header combination comprises a control unit (46) configured to execute a sequence of steps for removing a foreign object from the header, after detection of the object and stoppage of the harvester's feed rolls (51).

Abstract: A pickup assembly (2) for an agricultural harvester (1) comprises a pickup assembly frame (200), a pickup unit (10) carried by the pickup assembly frame (200) and configured to pick up crop from a field, and a feeding auger (11), rotatably coupled to an auger arm (10). The pickup assembly (2) further comprises a feeding auger drive (300) for rotating the feeding auger (11). The feeding auger drive (300) comprises an auger pulley (302), mounted to the auger arm (110) and defining a rotational axis of the feeding auger (11), a drive pulley (306), connected to a drive shaft (308), and a drive belt (301), coupling the auger pulley (302) to the drive pulley (306).

Abstract: A pickup assembly for an agricultural harvester includes a pickup assembly frame, a pickup unit carried by the pickup assembly frame and configured to pick up crop from a field, a feeding auger, and a wind guard assembly. The wind guard assembly includes a wind guard frame with a top section and a front section, the top section being pivotably coupled to the pickup assembly frame, the front section extending downwards from the top section. A wind guard shield is carried by the wind guard frame to cover at least a portion of a top and a front of the pickup assembly. Additionally, the pickup assembly includes a wind guard shield return surface, extending downward and rearward from the front section of the wind guard frame and configured to guide crop falling of the feeding auger back to the pickup unit.

Abstract: A header for an agricultural vehicle includes: a header frame; a windguard assembly carried by the header frame, the windguard assembly including a windguard roller coupled to a windguard arm that is pivotably coupled to the header frame; and a tracking wheel assembly carried by the header frame and including a tracking wheel coupled to a tracking fork. The tracking fork is pivotable from a first position to a second position and includes a projection that contacts the windguard arm as the tracking fork pivots from the first position to the second position such that contact of the projection with the windguard arm causes the tracking wheel to rotate to an orientation where the tracking fork abuts against the windguard arm to inhibit rotation of the tracking wheel when the tracking fork is in the second position.

Abstract: A pickup assembly for an agricultural harvester includes a pickup assembly frame, a pickup unit configured to pick up crop, a feeding auger configured to receive the crop from the pickup unit and feed the crop towards a crop inlet of the harvester, and a wind guard assembly. The wind guard assembly includes a wind guard frame and a wind guard lifting mechanism coupled to the pickup assembly frame and the wind guard frame and including an actuator for lifting the wind guard frame from an operational configuration to a lifted configuration. The pickup assembly further includes a lock switch and an electronic circuit, operatively coupled to the lock switch and the actuator. The electronic circuit blocks control instructions from reaching the actuator when the lock switch is in an activated state and allows control instructions to reach the actuator when the lock switch is in a deactivated state.

Abstract: A pickup assembly of an agricultural harvester comprising a pickup assembly frame and tracking wheels. The tracking wheels are each supported for rotation by a tracking wheel support mechanism attached to the pickup assembly frame. The tracking wheel support mechanism comprises a support arm and a support member. A proximal end of the support arm is rotatably connected to the support member (320) about a support member axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the tracking wheel. The support arm is restrained against rotation relative to the support member by a frangible member which is configured to break when exposed to a predetermined load condition.

Abstract: In a harvester/header combination according to the invention, the header is a crop pick-up header (2) coupled to a forage harvester (1). The header comprises a frame (10) and a rotatable reel (13) configured to collect crops from the ground, a rotatable auger (20) provided with two oppositely wound helicoidal flights (26), and one or more windguard rolls (15). The auger is rotatable with respect to a pair of support arms (21) which are themselves pivotable relative to the frame, so that the pivoting movement of the arms results in lowering or raising the auger (20). According to the invention, the header comprises at least one set of actuators (18.19) capable of actively raising the auger and the windguard roll(s) and the harvester/header combination comprises a control unit (46) configured to execute a sequence of steps for removing a foreign object from the header, after detection of the object and stoppage of the harvester's feed rolls (51).

Abstract: A control system for an agricultural harvester includes a crop inlet with infeed rollers for collecting crop from a pickup assembly connected to the harvester; and a lift assembly for moving the pickup assembly from an operational configuration, in which the pickup assembly is operable to pick up crop from the ground and to convey the picked-up crop to the crop inlet of the harvester, to a non-operational configuration. The control system includes a detector for detecting a foreign object in the collected crop; and one or more controllers configured to (i) receive a signal from the detector that is indicative of a foreign object in the collected crop while the pickup assembly is in the operational configuration; and (ii) control the lift assembly to raise the pickup assembly, away from the crop on the ground, to the non-operational condition, in dependence on the received signal.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a header with a pickup mechanism for picking up crop from a field and a feeder for feeding the crop into the agricultural harvester for further processing. The feeder is pivotably connected to a chassis of the agricultural harvester via at least one lift cylinder. The header is connected to the feeder for pivoting therewith and includes a pickup mechanism supported by a frame. The header further includes at least one wheel for supporting the frame on the ground. A sensor is configured to detect a ground surface composition in an area behind the pickup mechanism, while a control system is operably coupled to the at least one lift cylinder and the sensor, and configured to operate the at least one lift cylinder to adjust a pressure that the header exerts on the ground in dependence of the detected ground surface composition.

Abstract: A pickup assembly (10) for an agricultural vehicle (1) includes: a frame (200); a pickup drum (210) carried by the frame (200) and carrying a plurality of tines (211); and a windguard assembly (220) carried by the frame (200) and comprising a first roller (221) and a second roller (222) carried in front of the pickup drum (210), the first roller (221) and the second roller (222) each being pivotable relative to the frame (200) to adjust a respective relative position to the pickup drum (210). The first roller (221) is pivotable about a first pivot (223) defining a first pivot axis (FPA) that is coaxial with an axis of rotation (SAR) of the second roller (222) when the second roller (222) is at a position closest to the pickup drum (210) such that the relative position of the first roller (221) is adjustable without adjusting the relative position of the second roller (222) when the second roller (222) is at the position closest to the pickup drum (210).

Abstract: A pickup assembly (10) for an agricultural vehicle (1), in particular a forage harvester or a baler, includes: a frame (200); a pickup drum (210) carried by the frame (200) and carrying a plurality of tines (211); and a windguard assembly (220) carried by the frame (200) and including a roller (221) carried in front of the pickup drum (210) and defining a roller axis (RA). A guidance plate (230) is provided that is pivotable about a pivot axis (PA) that is coaxial with the roller axis (RA).

Abstract: A pickup assembly for an agricultural harvester includes a pickup assembly frame including a forward portion and a rearward portion. A pair of gauge wheels are attached to the forward portion of the pickup assembly frame, and at least one support wheel is attached to the rearward portion of the pickup assembly frame. The relative position of the support wheel is adjustable with respect to the pickup assembly frame.

Abstract: A crop discharge speed control system for a harvesting vehicle having a crop accelerator and a spout that receives crop material and directs the crop material to a targeted destination. The crop accelerator imparts an increased velocity to the crop material. The control system includes a crop velocity sensor, a controller, and a variable speed drive. The sensor is coupled to the spout of the vehicle for detecting a velocity of the crop material in the spout. The sensor produces a velocity signal representative of the velocity of the crop material. The variable speed drive is drivingly coupled to the crop accelerator. The controller varies the speed of the crop accelerator by controlling the variable speed drive, as it controls the variable speed drive to maintain a selected velocity of the crop material dependent upon a modulation of the velocity signal.

Abstract: A crop discharge speed control system for a harvesting vehicle having a crop accelerator and a spout that receives crop material and directs the crop material to a targeted destination. The crop accelerator imparts an increased velocity to the crop material. The control system includes a crop velocity sensor, a controller, and a variable speed drive. The sensor is coupled to the spout of the vehicle for detecting a velocity of the crop material in the spout. The sensor produces a velocity signal representative of the velocity of the crop material. The variable speed drive is drivingly coupled to the crop accelerator. The controller varies the speed of the crop accelerator by controlling the variable speed drive, as it controls the variable speed drive to maintain a selected velocity of the crop material dependent upon a modulation of the velocity signal.