A control system and method for operating an articulating header of a combine harvester in a failsafe mode. The method includes monitoring the articulating header, alerting a user when a fault condition is detected in the articulating header, and converting the articulating header to a non-articulating header in response to the fault condition so that the combine harvester may be operated in a failsafe mode.

A header floatation system that includes a header, a floatation mechanism which includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, an adjustment array which includes at least a first contact point, a bracket which includes at least a second contact point, a skid shoe, and a fastener. The first end of the floatation mechanism can be mechanically linked to the adjustment array. Either the adjustment array or the bracket can include a third contact point. The adjustment array can be mechanically linked to the skid shoe. The fastener can be positioned adjacent to, on, or through at least the first or second contact points aligning contact between the bracket and the adjustment array.

A header floatation system that includes a header, a floatation mechanism which includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, an adjustment array which includes at least a first contact point, a bracket which includes at least a second contact point, a skid shoe, and a fastener. The first end of the floatation mechanism can be mechanically linked to the adjustment array. Either the adjustment array or the bracket can include a third contact point. The adjustment array can be mechanically linked to the skid shoe. The fastener can be positioned adjacent to, on, or through at least the first or second contact points aligning contact between the bracket and the adjustment array.

A harvesting head for an agricultural combine includes a frame and a support arm coupled to the frame. The support arm is configured to move between an unlocked state in which the support arm is moveable relative to the frame and a locked state in which the support arm is fixed relative to the frame. The harvesting head includes cutting teeth supported by the support arm relative to the frame. The cutting teeth are configured to move relative to the support arm in a reciprocating motion along a longitudinal axis of the frame. The harvesting head includes a gauge member coupled to the frame. The gauge member is configured to sense a height of the frame relative to a surface. The harvesting head includes a control assembly configured to move the support arm into the locked state based on the height of the frame relative to the surface.

A crop harvesting header having a frame mounted on a propulsion vehicle has a cutter bar carrying a sickle knife and a draper transport. The draper is guided at its front edge by a longitudinally extending rail mounted on the frame for movement therewith. The cutter bar is mounted on the frame at spaced positions by spring blades attached to a fixed beam at the rear which allow up and down flexing movement of the cutter bar relative to the draper engagement member. At the center discharge the cutter bar is carried on shorter blades which are carried on a beam in front of the front draper roller. The small amount of flexing of the cutter bar combines with a balanced three piece header frame to provide effective ground following.

A crop harvesting header having a frame mounted on a propulsion vehicle has a cutter bar carrying a sickle knife and a draper transport. The draper is guided at its front edge by a longitudinally extending rail mounted on the frame for movement therewith. The cutter bar is mounted on the frame at spaced positions by spring blades attached to a fixed beam at the rear which allow up and down flexing movement of the cutter bar relative to the draper engagement member. At the center discharge the cutter bar is carried on shorter blades which are carried on a beam in front of the front draper roller. The small amount of flexing of the cutter bar combines with a balanced three piece header frame to provide effective ground following.

A system for controlling an operative parameter of a harvesting platform of an agricultural harvesting machine comprises a sensor adapted to provide downed crop information indicative of a characteristic of downed crop in a field to be harvested and an electronic control unit adapted to control an operative parameter of at least one of a reel and a cutter bar table position of the harvesting platform based upon the downed crop information.

A flexible header for an agricultural vehicle including a frame, at least one cutter bar movably coupled to the frame, and an adjustment system coupled to the frame and the at least one cutter bar. The adjustment system is configured to adjust a position of the at least one cutter bar. The adjustment system includes at least one linkage assembly. The linkage assembly includes a first link member and a second link member. Each of the first and second link members are rotationally coupled to the frame. The adjustment system also includes at least one fluid spring coupled to the first link member and the second link member such that the at least one linkage assembly translates a substantially linear movement of the at least one fluid spring to adjust the at least one cutter bar.

The present invention relates to a method for operating 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.

The present invention relates to a method for operating 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.