A01D41/145

Control System and Method for Agricultural Harvester
20220232771 · 2022-07-28 ·

A control system for controlling pivoting of a header of an agricultural harvester. The control system includes first, second, and third header height sensors, each for mounting to a respective point on the header, each configured to provide a respective header height signal representing a respective measured header height of their respective point on the header above a ground plane. The control system further includes a header angle sensor configured to provide a header angle signal indicative of a pivot angle of the header about an axis; and a processor configured to: receive the signals; calculate an estimated first header height based on the pivot angle and the second and third header heights; determine a replacement first header height by selecting the smallest of the estimated and the measured first header height; and generate a control signal based at least on the replacement first header height.

Combine headers with fold up cutterbars
11395457 · 2022-07-26 · ·

A draper header includes a draper frame and a reel arm. The reel arm is coupled to a reel and pivotally coupled to the draper frame. The draper header further includes a cutterbar pivotally coupled to the draper frame. The reel arm and the cutterbar are configured to pivot about the draper frame to adjust a side profile aspect ratio of the draper header from a first aspect ratio to a second aspect ratio. A height of the first aspect ratio is less than a height of the second aspect ratio, and a width of the first aspect ratio is greater than a width of the second aspect ratio.

FORAGE HARVESTER

A forage harvester is disclosed that includes a cutterhead assembly and two frame parts between which the cutterhead assembly is rotatably suspended. The forage harvester assembly is held on both frame parts by a clamp bearing that defines a rotary axis. Contact points between an element on the frame part side and an element on the assembly side of the clamp bearing lie on a spherical surface centered on the rotary axis.

Controlled float on an agricultural harvester for header leveling

A header assembly for an agricultural harvesting machine comprises a first frame assembly, a second frame assembly that supports a cutter, and is movable relative to the first frame assembly, a float cylinder coupled between the first frame assembly and the second frame assembly, an accumulator, a controllable reservoir, and fluidic circuitry. The fluidic circuitry comprises a first conduit forming a first fluid path that provides a flow of pressurized fluid under pressure to the float cylinder, so the float cylinder exerts a float force on the second frame assembly, a valve mechanism that is actuatable to inhibit fluid flow along the first fluid path between the accumulator and the float cylinder, a second conduit forming a second fluid path fluidically coupled to the controllable reservoir, the controllable reservoir being controllable to add fluid to the float cylinder.

Floatation adjustment array for harvester and methods of using the same
11191213 · 2021-12-07 · ·

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

LOCKOUT SYSTEM FOR HEADER
20210368681 · 2021-12-02 ·

Systems and apparatuses for articulating float arms of a harvester header between a flexible configuration and a rigid configuration are disclosed. The systems and apparatuses include a locking tube that experiences no torque or approximately no torque when the float arms are in the rigid configuration. Further, the systems and apparatuses also avoid adjustments to ensure that float arms are fully retracted, such as into abutting contact with another portion of a header.

Harvester head support torque transfer mechanism
11350558 · 2022-06-07 · ·

An agricultural vehicle header having: a frame, a support arm having a proximal end rotatably mounted by a support arm pivot to the frame and a distal end spaced from the proximal end, a torque transfer anchor rigidly attached to the frame, a support torque rod having a distal end rotationally fixed to the support arm, and a proximal end rotatably mounted to the torque transfer anchor to rotate about a first axis, a frame torque rod having a proximal end rotatably mounted to the torque transfer anchor to rotate about a second axis and a distal end rotationally fixed to the frame, and a drive linkage connecting the support torque rod to the frame torque rod at the torque transfer anchor, to transfer a rotational motion of the support torque rod about the first axis into an opposite rotational motion of the frame torque rod about the second axis.

AUTOMATED HEADER FLOATATION ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM FOR AN AGRICULTURAL MACHINE
20220117143 · 2022-04-21 ·

An agricultural machine includes a controller disposed in communication with a implement linkage system, an output, and an input. The controller is operable to identify a selected work implement from a plurality of different work implements. A desired operating condition is then solicited from an operator via the output. A selection command is received from the operator via the input indicating which of a float operating condition and a fixed height operating condition is the desired operating condition. The controller may then automatically determine a recommended operating setting for the implement linkage system for the selected work implement and the desired operating condition and notify the operator of the recommended operating setting for the implement linkage system for the selected work implement and the desired operating condition via the output.

WINDROWER HEADER FLOATATION SYSTEM HAVING ASSISTED DOWNFORCE CONTROL
20220117159 · 2022-04-21 ·

An agricultural machine includes a float cylinder interconnecting a header linkage system and a frame. A rod side accumulator is in fluid communication with a rod side fluid port of the float cylinder. A float control valve is selectively controllable between an open position allowing fluid communication between a pressure source and the rod side accumulator, and a closed position blocking fluid communication between the pressure source and the rod side accumulator. A downforce accumulator is in fluid communication with a piston side fluid port of the float cylinder. A downforce control valve is selectively controllable between an open position allowing fluid communication between the pressure source and the downforce accumulator, and a closed position blocking fluid communication between the pressure source and the downforce accumulator.

WINDROWER HEADER FLOATATION SYSTEM HAVING ASSISTED DOWNFORCE CONTROL WITH DOWNFORCE RETURN VALVE
20220117160 · 2022-04-21 ·

An agricultural machine includes a float cylinder interconnecting a header linkage system and a frame. A rod side accumulator is in fluid communication with a rod side fluid port of the float cylinder. A float control valve is selectively controllable between an open position allowing fluid communication between a pressure source and the rod side accumulator, and a closed position blocking fluid communication between the pressure source and the rod side accumulator. A downforce accumulator is in fluid communication with a piston side fluid port of the float cylinder. A downforce control valve controls fluid communication between the pressure source and the downforce accumulator. A downforce return valve controls fluid communication between the downforce accumulator and the tank.