Abstract: An improved crop conveying drum for a drive disc cutter mounted directly to the drive shaft mechanism providing rotational power to the cutterbar. The crop conveying drum includes a pair of mating segments, each forming a half of the drum. Each segment is formed from a single piece of plate material and stamped into the desired curvilinear configuration. A central mounting portion of each segment is contoured to match the drive shaft mechanism and allow connection thereto. Holes in the central mounting portion allow insertion fasteners to connect the drum segments directly to the drive shaft mechanism so that the crop conveying drum rotates in unison with the drive shaft. By forming the drum segments from a single plate of material, material characteristics can be more easily selected or more quickly modified compared to the fabricated weldments known in the art.

Abstract: A cutterbar drive mechanism cover for use in a specialty crop harvesting header to optimally direct severed crop material from the cutterbar to a crop conveying apparatus which then laterally converges the crop material from outboard ends of the cutting header toward an interior discharge zone for formation of a windrow or for further processing. Crop flow smoothing by the drive cover also reduces disturbances to the crop material during movement within the header which reduces seed loss in seed-bearing specialty crops.

Abstract: A flexible tall crop knockdown barrier for use with rotary cutting headers in harvesting specialty crops such as grass seed. The knockdown barrier comprises a support frame mounted to the front of the header that extends forwardly and upwardly ahead of the header. A flexible barrier supported by the frame extends downwardly during idle conditions and downwardly and rearwardly as the header is propelled through the crop. The flexible curtain may be rolled around a lower spool and stowed on the support frame when not in use to improve visibility. The knockdown barrier serves to gently lean the crop forward before cutting so as to minimize seed shatter due whipping of the seed head.

Abstract: A curtain for directing severed crop movement in a cutting header in an agricultural harvester. The curtain optimizes crop movement between a cutterbar to a crop conveying auger for lateral movement of the crop material from outboard ends of the cutting header toward an interior discharge zone for formation of a windrow. The curtain also reduces the tendency for clogging that occurs when crop approaches conveying augers on both sides of an axial centerline by directing all crop material toward the trailing side of the rotating auger and by preventing airflow generated by the auger from disrupting crop approaching the auger. Crop smoothing by the curtain also reduces disturbances to the crop material during movement within the header which reduces seed loss in seed-bearing specialty crops.

Abstract: A crop conveying apparatus for laterally urging crop from outboard ends of a cutting header on an agricultural harvester toward an interior discharge zone for formation of a windrow or for feed to a subsequent crop processing apparatus. Helical flighting extending radially from a transversely disposed, rotatable central core defines a first profile for the auger apparatus adjacent each outboard end of the header and extending inwardly to a position near, but not co-extensive with the width of a crop discharge zone in the header. Auger flighting in the central portion of the header co-extensive with the width of the discharge zone opening features a variable profile that tapers from the first profile to a minimum profile centrally located between the side edges of the discharge zone opening to provide optimal movement of severed crop material into the discharge opening, resist entanglement and clogging of the crop material, and minimize the loss of seed from the crop stem.

Abstract: A flexible tall crop knockdown barrier for use with rotary cutting headers in harvesting specialty crops such as grass seed. The knockdown barrier comprises a support frame mounted to the front of the header that extends forwardly and upwardly ahead of the header. A flexible barrier supported by the frame extends downwardly during idle conditions and downwardly and rearwardly as the header is propelled through the crop. The flexible curtain may be rolled around a lower spool and stowed on the support frame when not in use to improve visibility. The knockdown barrier serves to gently lean the crop forward before cutting so as to minimize seed shatter due whipping of the seed head.

Abstract: A crop conveying apparatus for laterally urging crop from outboard ends of a cutting header on an agricultural harvester toward an interior discharge zone for formation of a windrow or for feed to a subsequent crop processing apparatus. Helical flighting extending radially from a transversely disposed, rotatable central core defines a first profile for the auger apparatus adjacent each outboard end of the header and extending inwardly to a position near, but not co-extensive with the width of a crop discharge zone in the header. Auger flighting in the central portion of the header co-extensive with the width of the discharge zone opening features a variable profile that tapers from the first profile to a minimum profile centrally located between the side edges of the discharge zone opening to provide optimal movement of severed crop material into the discharge opening, resist entanglement and clogging of the crop material, and minimize the loss of seed from the crop stem.

Abstract: A cutterbar drive mechanism cover for use in a specialty crop harvesting header to optimally direct severed crop material from the cutterbar to a crop conveying apparatus which then laterally converges the crop material from outboard ends of the cutting header toward an interior discharge zone for formation of a windrow or for further processing. Crop flow smoothing by the drive cover also reduces disturbances to the crop material during movement within the header which reduces seed loss in seed-bearing specialty crops.

Abstract: A curtain for directing severed crop movement in a cutting header in an agricultural harvester. The curtain optimizes crop movement between a cutterbar to a crop conveying auger for lateral movement of the crop material from outboard ends of the cutting header toward an interior discharge zone for formation of a windrow. The curtain also reduces the tendency for clogging that occurs when crop approaches conveying augers on both sides of an axial centerline by directing all crop material toward the trailing side of the rotating auger and by preventing airflow generated by the auger from disrupting crop approaching the auger. Crop smoothing by the curtain also reduces disturbances to the crop material during movement within the header which reduces seed loss in seed-bearing specialty crops.

Abstract: An improved crop conveying drum for a drive disc cutter mounted directly to the drive shaft mechanism providing rotational power to the cutterbar. The crop conveying drum includes a pair of mating segments, each forming a half of the drum. Each segment is formed from a single piece of plate material and stamped into the desired curvilinear configuration. A central mounting portion of each segment is contoured to match the drive shaft mechanism and allow connection thereto. Holes in the central mounting portion allow insertion fasteners to connect the drum segments directly to the drive shaft mechanism so that the crop conveying drum rotates in unison with the drive shaft. By forming the drum segments from a single plate of material, material characteristics can be more easily selected or more quickly modified compared to the fabricated weldments known in the art.

Abstract: A seal mechanism for a transverse crop conveying auger in a header that incorporates a flexible-sealant-filled labyrinth at each end of a tube-like auger central core that allows rotation of the auger without allowing entry of dirt, debris, or other contaminants into the bearing housing area positioned inside of the tube-like central core of the auger.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump drive is mounted to the tongue of an agricultural implement. Connecting components between the pump and the drawbar extender of the towing tractor aim the pump input shaft toward the tractor. A short telescoping PTO assembly connects the pump shaft to the tractor PTO shaft using conventional PTO components operating in a nominal equal angle configuration.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump drive is mounted to the tongue of an agricultural implement. Connecting components between the pump and the drawbar extender of the towing tractor aim the pump input shaft toward the tractor. A short telescoping PTO assembly connects the pump shaft to the tractor PTO shaft using conventional PTO components operating in a nominal equal angle configuration.

Abstract: The apparatus is a crop conditioner frame in which both conditioning rollers and the torsion bar assembly forcing them together are interchangeable with other such parts of different designs. The interchangeability of the rollers is accomplished by simultaneously changing the bearings for the rollers and the mounting fixtures holding the bearings, but constructing all the mounting fixtures at any location to be attachable by the same fasteners.

Abstract: A drive system for the auger of a crop-harvesting header that includes a slip clutch to slow or stop auger rotation upon encountering a slug or foreign object of sufficient size, and pawls on the drive sprocket that engage a ratchet wheel on the auger drive shaft when the drive is reversed to provide positive power to the auger in reverse to eject the obstruction.