Abstract: The reel of a harvesting machine is rotatably supported at its opposite ends by a pair of fore-and-aft extending arms. Carrier assemblies adjustably couple the reel with the arms such that the reel may be adjustably positioned in fore-and-aft directions along the arms. The reel drive at one end of the reel is totally supported by the carrier assembly at that end of the reel such that all parts of the drive remain in aligned operating relationship with one another regardless of the fore-and-aft position of the reel or any unintended skewing thereof.

Abstract: The apparatus for harvesting crops, particularly seed crops, comprises a mobile support structure (20) and a crop stripping device in the form of a rotor (30), which may be attached to height adjustable arms and is driven by drive means (22). The rotor (30) carries transverse rows of crop stripping elements (1) which may be combined with transverse ribs. The crop stripping elements have prominent leading edges, for example each formed at the junction between two faces which are acutely inclined with respect to each other. The drive to the rotor is so arranged that during forward movement of the apparatus the crop engaging elements (32) are propelled progressively through the crop, moving upwards at the front region. Seeds and other plant parts detached by the action of the rotor are impelled into a crop flow passage (27) under a crop guide cover (21). A transverse auger (83) transfers the detached material into a duct (84) where an elevator (85) moves it over a screen (86) for separation of the seeds.

Abstract: A header frame for a combine harvester having a linkage connection between the crop reel and the auger, whereby the auger may be automatically and mechanically raised from the header floor by raising the reel for purposes of unplugging wedged crop material. The linkage includes a lost-motion connection so that the reel can be moved vertically as required during harvesting without affecting the auger, and the auger is also capable of floating action during operation. A sprocket and chain drive for the auger includes a spring-biased idler sprocket for maintaining proper chain tension and uninterrupted operation of the auger at all times. An adjustable wedge is also provided for fixing and limiting the minimum spacing between the auger and the header floor.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing the efficiency of sunflower harvesting by combine consists of a sunflower header attachment secured over a reciprocating sickle bar assembly at the front end of the combine. A plurality of spaced apart pans are secured over the sickle bar assembly to extend forwardly from the combine. Pivotally mounted at the forward end of each pan is an elongated snout tapered to a rounded tip at its front end. The snouts have smooth sides and rounded edges to allow the combine to gently engage sunflower stalks during the harvesting operation. A reel is rotatably mounted transversely over the pans and is driven to rotate on a generally horizontal axis for urging sunflowers into the combine. Preferably, the reel has only two wings, the axes of which are substantially coplanar, so that in operation the reel does not prevent a combine operator from observing a significant degree of the sunflower gathering and cutting operations.

Abstract: In a combine harvester header, a modified hydraulic cylinder for controlling reel height includes a cylinder rod sub-assembly having a threaded portion permitting rotation of the cylinder rod to make adjustment of the cylinder rod effective length for fine or supplementary adjustment of the harvester reel relative to the platform cutterbar. A dual purpose member, pivotably captive on a rotatable nut portion of the cylinder rod sub-assembly, is swingable between an approximately horizontal position in which it serves as a wrench handle for rotatably adjusting the cylinder rod threaded portion and, downwards, into a safety stop position where it is engageable with the end of the body of the hydraulic cylinder to prevent inadvertent lowering of the reel from a fully raised position.