Abstract: A hydraulic system for a detachable implement such as draper platform for a combine utilizes a platform-mounted pump supplied with return oil from the existing reel drive motor. The system utilizes the existing combine hydraulic connection for the reel drive to supply oil to the draper belt drive motors. Oil from the combine powers the reel drive motor and then flows into a manifold block (mixing chamber) before entering the inlet of the draper belt drive pump. This pump is sized to provide sufficient oil flow to power the draper belt drive motors, arranged in series. Return oil from the belt drive motors is routed back to the manifold block where it can mix with incoming oil from the reel drive pump before returning to the combine reservoir or being recirculated to the belt drive motors. The hydraulic system avoids the need to equip the platform with a complete hydraulic system and avoids the need to modify the existing hydraulic system of the combine.

Abstract: A connector assembly for a draper belt in a harvesting machine having first and second connecting bars on opposite sides of belt end flanges. One connecting bar has a plurality of bores while the other has a plurality of fixed studs. The studs project through the apertures in the belt end flanges and the bores in the first connecting bar. The connecting bars are held together by lock nuts. By fixing the studs to the connecting bar, separate bolts are eliminated and only one wrench is needed to drive the nuts. Lock washers are eliminated by the use of lock nuts.

Abstract: A draper belt tensioning mechanism for a harvesting platform includes a linkage having a bell crank coupled to the belt idler roller to move the idler roller away from the drive roller when the bell crank is rotated to tension the draper belt. A strut coupled to the bell crank and a spring biasing the strut produces the force to tension the belt. The linkage, except for the spring, is enclosed within the belt envelope. A spring gauge is positioned adjacent the spring to readily determine if the spring is compressed to the desired length. In a preferred embodiment, the spring and gauge are located to be visible by a machine operator.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a detachable implement such as draper platform for a combine utilizes a platform-mounted pump supplied with return oil from the existing reel drive motor. The system utilizes the existing combine hydraulic connection for the reel drive to supply oil to the draper belt drive motors. Oil from the combine powers the reel drive motor and then flows into a manifold block (mixing chamber) before entering the inlet of the draper belt drive pump. This pump is sized to provide sufficient oil flow to power the draper belt drive motors, arranged in series. Return oil from the belt drive motors is routed back to the manifold block where it can mix with incoming oil from the reel drive pump before returning to the combine reservoir or being recirculated to the belt drive motors. The hydraulic system avoids the need to equip the platform with a complete hydraulic system and avoids the need to modify the existing hydraulic system of the combine.

Abstract: A tumbler drive mechanism having a rotatable tumbler body mounted on a shaft and a plurality of tumbler lugs removably mounted on the tumbler body. The shaft has a longitudinal axis about which it and the tumbler rotate. The tumbler body includes a center drum and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart radially projecting drive flanges. Each one of the plurality of tumbler lugs is mounted between and in engagement with two adjacent ones of the plurality of drive flanges. Each of the tumbler lugs engages the shoe lugs of a crawler track as the tumbler body rotates to drive the crawler track. The tumbler lug is mounted on the tumbler body at a selectively variable radial distance from the axis of the tumbler body. The radial distance at which the tumbler lugs are mounted on the tumbler body is accomplished by providing one or more shims positioned between the lug and the tumbler body.