In a combine harvester, the forward-directed driveline from the combine is coupled to the transversely oriented header drive axle through a transverse gearbox that is mounted on a moveable cradle frame onto which the header is mounted. In addition, the housing of the gearbox or at least the portion of the housing including the input axle of the gearbox is rotatably arranged relative to the cradle frame, about a rotation axis oriented transversely to the combine's forward direction. A mechanical link is furthermore provided between the rotatable gearbox housing (portion) and the feeder housing, configured to control the orientation of the input axle of the transverse gearbox, so as to maintain the alignment of the input axle relative to the driveline of the combine.

In a combine harvester, the forward-directed driveline from the combine is coupled to the transversely oriented header drive axle through a transverse gearbox that is mounted on a moveable cradle frame onto which the header is mounted. In addition, the housing of the gearbox or at least the portion of the housing including the input axle of the gearbox is rotatably arranged relative to the cradle frame, about a rotation axis oriented transversely to the combine's forward direction. A mechanical link is furthermore provided between the rotatable gearbox housing (portion) and the feeder housing, configured to control the orientation of the input axle of the transverse gearbox, so as to maintain the alignment of the input axle relative to the driveline of the combine.

A platform header (10) for harvesting agricultural crops in a field includes a header frame (12) extending between a front portion (14) and a rear portion (16). A cutting assembly (24) is attached to the front portion for cutting the crops. A belt feeder assembly (34) includes a front drum (42), a rear drum (46) and a conveyor (48) tensioned therebetween for carrying the crop from the cutting assembly to an agricultural machine. The front drum includes a plurality of radially extending fingers (44) operatively coupled between a fixed shaft (78) and extending through slots (67) formed in the front drum such that the fingers protrude at varying distances as the front drum rotates about the fixed shaft to pull crops under the front drum to the rear portion of the header while avoiding interference with the conveyor.

A platform header (10) for harvesting agricultural crops in a field includes a header frame (12) extending between a front portion (14) and a rear portion (16). A cutting assembly (24) is attached to the front portion for cutting the crops. A belt feeder assembly (34) includes a front drum (42), a rear drum (46) and a conveyor (48) tensioned therebetween for carrying the crop from the cutting assembly to an agricultural machine. The front drum includes a plurality of radially extending fingers (44) operatively coupled between a fixed shaft (78) and extending through slots (67) formed in the front drum such that the fingers protrude at varying distances as the front drum rotates about the fixed shaft to pull crops under the front drum to the rear portion of the header while avoiding interference with the conveyor.

A lock proving system provides a positive indication when a locking mechanism has correctly latched a removable attachment to an agricultural machine, the attachment being a header for a combine harvester for example. The locking mechanism includes a locking element that is shiftable into a locking position in which, provided the attachment is mounted to the machine with the correct alignment, the locking element acts upon a lock proving mechanism that is mounted to the attachment. The lock proving mechanism delivers mechanical feedback to the machine, the action of which is detected by a sensing device mounted upon the machine.

A lock proving system provides a positive indication when a locking mechanism has correctly latched a removable attachment to an agricultural machine, the attachment being a header for a combine harvester for example. The locking mechanism includes a locking element that is shiftable into a locking position in which, provided the attachment is mounted to the machine with the correct alignment, the locking element acts upon a lock proving mechanism that is mounted to the attachment. The lock proving mechanism delivers mechanical feedback to the machine, the action of which is detected by a sensing device mounted upon the machine.

A combine harvester with a feeder house assembly, the assembly including a feeder house with an inlet end; a tilt frame surrounding the inlet end of the feeder house and in pivotal arrangement relative to the feeder house; a gearbox attached to the tilt frame; and a first dog clutch operably coupled to the gearbox.

A combine harvester with a feeder house assembly, the assembly including a feeder house with an inlet end; a tilt frame surrounding the inlet end of the feeder house and in pivotal arrangement relative to the feeder house; a gearbox attached to the tilt frame; and a first dog clutch operably coupled to the gearbox.

A system and method of clearing a lump of cut crop material from an internal conveyor of the feeder house of an agricultural combine and an auger conveyor of a belt pickup mounted on the feeder house by ejecting the lump of cut crop material to a position forward of the auger conveyor, then shredding the lump of cut crop material by the auger conveyor and feeding the shredded portions of the lump of cut crop material into the internal conveyor, and then accelerating a belt conveyor on the belt pickup located immediately in front of the auger conveyor to its full harvesting speed.

A header drivetrain coupling system including a harvester driveline mounted to a harvesting vehicle and a header driveshaft mounted to a detachable header. The harvester driveline is supported for rotation at an inboard end on a feederhouse and at an outboard end on a header tilt frame even when the header is detached therefrom. The harvester driveline comprises a telescopic portion which permits a coupling member on the outboard end to be moved into and out of engagement with a coupling member on the header driveshaft. A sliding support assembly is provided to support a bearing housing which holds the outboard end of the harvester driveline on the tilt frame. An actuator is configured to move the bearing housing with respect to the tilt frame to selectively engage and disengage the coupling members.