An agricultural harvesting machine has a cutting apparatus formed as a header for cutting and picking up crop of a crop stand, an inclined conveyor downstream of the cutting apparatus and in which a temporal layer height flow is adjusted, and a driver assistance system for controlling the cutting apparatus. The driver assistance system has a computing device and a sensor arrangement with a crop sensor system for generating crop parameters of the crop stand and a layer height sensor for generating the temporal layer height flow. The computing device simultaneously generates the cutting apparatus parameters of the cutting table length, horizontal reel position and vertical reel position so as to be adapted to one another and conveys them to the cutting apparatus to implement a harvesting process strategy in ongoing harvesting operation.

A method for operating a self-propelled agricultural harvester with a cutting unit and a self-propelled agricultural harvester are disclosed. A driver assistance system associated with the agricultural harvester includes a memory that saves data and a computing unit for processing data saved in the memory. The driver assistance system and the cutting unit form an automated cutting unit. A harvesting process strategy is selected from a plurality of harvesting process strategies saved in the memory and at least one cutting unit parameter is selected. The at least one cutting unit parameter may be determined autonomously by the computing unit to implement the at least one selected harvesting process strategy and may be specified to the cutting unit. While the automated cutting unit is being controlled according to the selected harvesting process strategy, responsive to detecting a harvesting process situation on a field to be worked, with the harvesting process situation indicative of deviating from the at least one harvesting process strategy, regulation sequences, which temporarily override the execution of the harvesting process strategy, are executed.

Method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable media for detecting reel-crop engagement for a header of a harvester. The header includes a reel configured to draw crop from a crop field toward the header as the harvester moves through the crop field and at least one crop detector mounted to the reel. Data is received from the at least one crop detector mounted on the reel, processed, and used to detect reel-crop engagement.

Method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable media for detecting reel-crop engagement for a header of a harvester. The header includes a reel configured to draw crop from a crop field toward the header as the harvester moves through the crop field and at least one crop detector mounted to the reel. Data is received from the at least one crop detector mounted on the reel, processed, and used to detect reel-crop engagement.

A system for controlling harvesting implement operation of an agricultural harvester includes a harvesting implement defining a longitudinal axis extending between a forward end of the harvesting implement and an aft end of the harvesting implement. The harvesting implement is configured to be coupled to the agricultural harvester. Moreover, the harvesting implement includes a frame, a reel, and a cutter bar. A controller is configured to receive a first input indicating that a harvesting operation has ceased. Furthermore, the controller is configured to initiate a first adjustment to at least one of a fore/aft tilt angle defined between the longitudinal axis of the harvesting implement and a field surface, a position of the reel relative to the frame, or a position of the cutter bar relative to the frame upon receipt of the first input.

A system for controlling harvesting implement operation of an agricultural harvester includes a harvesting implement defining a longitudinal axis extending between a forward end of the harvesting implement and an aft end of the harvesting implement. The harvesting implement is configured to be coupled to the agricultural harvester. Moreover, the harvesting implement includes a frame, a reel, and a cutter bar. A controller is configured to receive a first input indicating that a harvesting operation has ceased. Furthermore, the controller is configured to initiate a first adjustment to at least one of a fore/aft tilt angle defined between the longitudinal axis of the harvesting implement and a field surface, a position of the reel relative to the frame, or a position of the cutter bar relative to the frame upon receipt of the first input.

A header for an agricultural vehicle includes: a header frame; a flexible cutter supported by the header frame and including a plurality of cutting edges; a reel including a plurality of reel sections movably supported by the header frame, each of the reel sections including a plurality of tines and being independently movable from the other reel sections; and at least one rigid link connecting the flexible cutter to one of the reel sections, the at least one rigid link being configured to transmit flexing forces acting on the flexible cutter to the connected one reel section such that a substantially constant separation is maintained between the flexible cutter and the connected one reel section.

A header for an agricultural vehicle includes: a header frame; a flexible cutter supported by the header frame and including a plurality of cutting edges; a reel including a plurality of reel sections movably supported by the header frame, each of the reel sections including a plurality of tines and being independently movable from the other reel sections; and at least one rigid link connecting the flexible cutter to one of the reel sections, the at least one rigid link being configured to transmit flexing forces acting on the flexible cutter to the connected one reel section such that a substantially constant separation is maintained between the flexible cutter and the connected one reel section.

A header (200) for an agricultural system (100) includes a frame (201), a bracket (228) movably coupled to the frame (201), a reel assembly (220) coupled to the bracket (228), and a cutter bar assembly (210) rotatably coupled to the frame (201) and coupled to the bracket (228) such that movement of the cutter bar assembly (210) relative to the frame (201) is configured to drive corresponding movement of the bracket (228) and the reel assembly (220) relative to the frame (201).

A header (200) for an agricultural system (100) includes a frame (201), a bracket (228) movably coupled to the frame (201), a reel assembly (220) coupled to the bracket (228), and a cutter bar assembly (210) rotatably coupled to the frame (201) and coupled to the bracket (228) such that movement of the cutter bar assembly (210) relative to the frame (201) is configured to drive corresponding movement of the bracket (228) and the reel assembly (220) relative to the frame (201).