Abstract: An agricultural system for determining a header throughput of a harvester includes a header having a frame and an auger assembly supported relative to the frame. The auger assembly includes an auger configured to direct a flow of harvested materials through the header, and an auger support assembly, the auger support assembly having an auger support member configured to support the auger relative to the frame, with the auger being rotatable relative to the auger support member. The agricultural system further includes a sensor associated with the auger assembly, where the sensor is configured to generate data associated with a load-related parameter of the auger support assembly. Additionally, the agricultural system includes a computing system communicatively coupled to the sensor and configured to receive the data generated by the sensor and to determine a header throughput based at least in part on the data.

Abstract: An agricultural system for determining the throughput of a header configured for use with a harvester may include a frame and a material transfer device configured to direct a flow of harvested materials through the header, with the material transfer device being supported relative to the frame. The agricultural system may further include a sensor having a field of view directed toward the flow of harvested materials through the header, with the sensor being configured to generate data indicative of an amount of harvested materials being directed through the header. Additionally, the agricultural system may include a computing system communicatively coupled to the sensor, with the computing system being configured to receive the data generated by the sensor and determine a header throughput based at least in part on the data.

Abstract: A header for an agricultural harvester including an infeed conveyor having a fore end and an aft end, a center knife drive disposed adjacent to and forwardly of the infeed conveyor, and a knife drive cover covering the center knife drive. The knife drive cover includes a main body substantially covering an entire width of the center knife drive, and a seed saver extending rearwardly from an aft end of the main body. The seed saver is substantially planar, includes a width substantially the same as a width of the infeed conveyor, and defines a plane substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the infeed conveyor. The seed saver is integrated with the knife drive cover. As such, the seed saver is secured to the header without need for metal brackets and other associated mounting hardware.

Abstract: A multi-segment sprocket assembly including a sprocket hub and a multi-segment sprocket. The multi-segment sprocket includes a first partial annular sprocket having a first end that includes a first flange, a second partial annular sprocket having a second end that includes a second flange, and at least a first fastener for releasably securing the first and second partial annular sprockets to the sprocket hub. Also disclosed is a harvester reel including a reel drive mechanism that includes a shaft, and the aforementioned multi-segment sprocket attached to the shaft. Also disclosed is a method for changing speeds of a drive mechanism of for a header of and agricultural harvester. The method includes removing the aforementioned multi-segment sprocket having a first overall diameter from a shaft of the header, and replacing the removed multi-segment sprocket with an aforementioned multi-segment sprocket having a second overall diameter that differs from the first overall diameter.

Abstract: A draper belt assembly for an agricultural harvester header (100) comprising an endless draper belt (120) that includes an outer surface (322) and an inner surface (324) opposite the outer surface. The draper belt further includes elongated members (326) each extending from the outer surface and having a lateral face (328) substantially facing a longitudinal midline (ML) of the endless draper belt. The draper belt assembly additionally comprises a drive mechanism (332) operatively engaged with the endless draper belt. The lateral faces of the elongated members act as shelves that inhibit sliding of grain and other crop material from the bottom of the belt, thereby reducing plugging at the bottom of the belt adjacent the cutter bar and floor sheets. In addition, the elongated members more evenly distribute grain and other crop material across the width of the belt.

Abstract: A header for a combine harvester includes a conveyor belt for conveying crop material in a conveyance direction, and an adjusting device for adjusting a tension of the conveyor belt. The adjusting device includes a cable that is movable with respect to a frame member of the header. A portion of the cable that is either directly or indirectly attached to one end of a roller for the conveyor belt extends either parallel to or substantially parallel to a tensioning direction of the conveyor belt for adjusting the tension of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt may be an infeed conveyor belt or a lateral conveyor belt of a draper header, for example.

Abstract: A header for a combine harvester includes a conveyor belt for conveying crop material in a conveyance direction, and an adjusting device for adjusting a tension of the conveyor belt. The adjusting device includes a cable that is movable with respect to a frame member of the header. A portion of the cable that is either directly or indirectly attached to one end of a roller for the conveyor belt extends either parallel to or substantially parallel to a tensioning direction of the conveyor belt for adjusting the tension of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt may be an infeed conveyor belt or a lateral conveyor belt of a draper header, for example.

Abstract: A multi-segment header for an agricultural harvester including a multi-segment chassis and a backsheet supported by each of the multi-segment chassis. The multi-segment header further includes a backsheet extension assembly that has a backsheet extension mounted adjacent a top end of each backsheet, and an articulating joint extending between adjacent backsheet extensions. The articulated backsheet extension assembly follows upward and downward movement of the backsheets of the multi-segment chassis and blocks grain from passing over the backsheets and going unharvested.

Abstract: A header for an agricultural harvester including a knife drive disposed at a forward end of a feeder conveyor. An infeed drive is disposed adjacent the feeder conveyor, the infeed drive having an input and an output. An input shaft is drivingly connected to the infeed drive input, and an output shaft has a first end connected to the infeed drive output and a second end drivingly connected to the knife drive. The knife drive can be a center knife drive and the infeed drive, the input shaft and the output shaft operate as a fully mechanical drive power supply for the center knife drive which overcomes the deficiencies of hydraulically-driven knife drives.

Abstract: A transport system for a harvesting header including at least one dolly wheel being laterally shifted towards the main header frame with an acute angle relative to an elongate tongue where the acute angle allows the centerline of the harvesting header to travel essentially colinear with the centerline of the towing vehicle. The transport system may be further provided with gauge wheels being repositionable for use as a trailing wheel assembly and/or the at least one dolly wheel.

Abstract: A header for an agricultural harvester including a knife drive disposed at a forward end of a feeder conveyor. An infeed drive is disposed adjacent the feeder conveyor, the infeed drive having an input and an output. An input shaft is drivingly connected to the infeed drive input, and an output shaft has a first end connected to the infeed drive output and a second end drivingly connected to the knife drive. The knife drive can be a center knife drive and the infeed drive, the input shaft and the output shaft operate as a fully mechanical drive power supply for the center knife drive which overcomes the deficiencies of hydraulically-driven knife drives.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester header including a first reel, a second reel adjacent the first reel, and a variable speed reel drive between the first and second reels and operatively connected to at least one of the first reel for rotatably driving the first reel and the second reel for rotatably driving the second reel. The variable speed reel drive can include: a variable speed motor, and a multi-speed gearbox operatively coupled to the variable speed motor and at least one of the reels; a motor, and a continuously variable transmission operatively connected to the motor and at least one of the reels; or a motor, and a planetary gear drive operatively coupled to the motor and at least one of the reels.

Abstract: A multi-segment sprocket assembly including a sprocket hub and a multi-segment sprocket. The multi-segment sprocket includes a first partial annular sprocket having a first end that includes a first flange, a second partial annular sprocket having a second end that includes a second flange, and at least a first fastener for releasably securing the first and second partial annular sprockets to the sprocket hub. Also disclosed is a harvester reel including a reel drive mechanism that includes a shaft, and the aforementioned multi-segment sprocket attached to the shaft. Also disclosed is a method for changing speeds of a drive mechanism of for a header of and agricultural harvester. The method includes removing the aforementioned multi-segment sprocket having a first overall diameter from a shaft of the header, and replacing the removed multi-segment sprocket with an aforementioned multi-segment sprocket having a second overall diameter that differs from the first overall diameter.

Abstract: A multi-segment header for an agricultural harvester including a multi-segment chassis and a backsheet supported by each of the multi-segment chassis. The multi-segment header further includes a backsheet extension assembly that has a backsheet extension mounted adjacent a top end of each backsheet, and an articulating joint extending between adjacent backsheet extensions. The articulated backsheet extension assembly follows upward and downward movement of the backsheets of the multi-segment chassis and blocks grain from passing over the backsheets and going unharvested.

Abstract: A transport system for a harvesting header including at least one dolly wheel being laterally shifted towards the main header frame with an acute angle relative to an elongate tongue where the acute angle allows the centerline of the harvesting header to travel essentially colinear with the centerline of the towing vehicle. The transport system may be further provided with gauge wheels being repositionable for use as a trailing wheel assembly and/or the at least one dolly wheel.