A cutting unit (1) that has a cutter bar (6) that is operated rigidly or flexibly, depending on the harvest conditions, which can be operated in at least two different operating modes, wherein the cutting unit (1) includes a first sensor assembly (1) disposed on the cutting unit (1) that can be deactivated, which is for operating the cutting unit (1) in a first operating mode, and a second sensor assembly (17) for operating the cutting unit (1) in a second operating mode, wherein, when switching between the at least two operating states, the first sensor assembly (13) or the second sensor assembly (17) is activated without interruption in operation, to execute a distance determination, depending on the selected operating mode.

A system and method for capturing grain on a header of an agricultural vehicle either before, during or after raising the header in a headland sequence. The header includes (i) a cutter bar, (ii) either an auger or belt positioned adjacent the cutter bar, (iii) a reel positioned at an elevation above the cutter bar, and (iv) a device that is configured to adjust a gap between the reel and the cutter bar. During a harvest mode, the gap is set to a first distance, and, during the headland sequence, the gap is set to a second distance that is less than the first distance. At the second distance, tines on the reel are positioned to sweep crop off the cutter bar toward either the belt or the auger.

A ground contour sensing system and method for a vehicle with a mowing head. The system includes a sensor system that measures a ground contour in front of the mowing head, and generates contour measurement signals; and a controller that determines whether to move the mowing head based on the contour measurement signals, and generates movement commands for the mowing head when it determines to move the mowing head. The mowing head can include tilt and lift cylinders, and the controller can determine whether to move the mowing head using the tilt or lift cylinders. The sensor system can include a pivot arm that moves in response to changes in the ground contour, and an angle sensor that measures an angle of the pivot arm. There can be one or more sensor systems positioned between the right and left sides of the mowing head.

An agricultural vehicle header having a frame having a main truss extending in a lateral direction, at least one support arm extending from the frame in the forward direction, a cutter assembly attached to a respective distal end of each at least one support arm, and a linkage connecting a respective proximal end of each at least one support arm to the frame. The linkage includes a virtual pivot located below the main truss, and at or behind the main truss with respect to the forward direction. An agricultural vehicle having the header is also provided.

An agricultural vehicle header having a frame having a main truss extending in a lateral direction, at least one support arm extending from the frame in the forward direction, a cutter assembly attached to a respective distal end of each at least one support arm, and a linkage connecting a respective proximal end of each at least one support arm to the frame. The linkage includes a virtual pivot located below the main truss, and at or behind the main truss with respect to the forward direction. An agricultural vehicle having the header is also provided.

An agricultural system includes an arm that supports a cutter bar assembly and is coupled to a fluid-filled biasing member such that the fluid-filled biasing member imparts a torque onto the arm. The agricultural system further includes an actuator and a controller. The actuator is coupled to the fluid-filled biasing member and is configured to move the fluid-filled biasing member relative to the actuator to change the torque imparted by the fluid-filled biasing member onto the arm. The controller is configured to determine a target position of the arm associated with a leveled configuration of the cutter bar assembly, receive an input to set the cutter bar assembly in the leveled configuration, and output a signal to instruct the actuator to set the fluid-filled biasing member relative to the actuator based on the target position upon receiving the input to set the cutter bar assembly in the leveled configuration.

Method and apparatus for controlling the height of a header for use with an agricultural harvester. The header height is controlled by detecting a first height value of the header with respect to ground, detecting a second height value of the header with respect to ground, selecting a representative height value (e.g., the smallest height value) from the first and the second height values, and controlling the position of the header with respect to the agricultural harvester responsive the selected representative height value.

A header for an agricultural harvester includes: a header frame; a flexible cutterbar carried by the header frame; a plurality of flex arms coupled to the cutterbar; and a flex arm drive assembly coupled to at least one of the flex arms and configured to selectively, linearly displace the at least one coupled flex arm in a vertical direction relative to the header frame.

A header for an agricultural harvester having a cutterbar lockout control mechanism that can be set in flex or rigid modes independent of the position of the cutterbar assembly. The cutterbar lockout control mechanism may be set to flex or rigid modes without the operator having to reach under the header, and the operator may reposition the cutterbar assembly without leaving the cab. Also, a method for setting the operating mode of a cutterbar assembly of a header for an agricultural harvester, and a method for repositioning a cutterbar assembly of a header for an agricultural harvester.

A header for an agricultural harvester having a cutterbar lockout control mechanism that can be set in flex or rigid modes independent of the position of the cutterbar assembly. The cutterbar lockout control mechanism may be set to flex or rigid modes without the operator having to reach under the header, and the operator may reposition the cutterbar assembly without leaving the cab. Also, a method for setting the operating mode of a cutterbar assembly of a header for an agricultural harvester, and a method for repositioning a cutterbar assembly of a header for an agricultural harvester.