A flexible harvesting header having multiple sections supported by support arms, with the height of each arm being adjustable in response to a changing load. Load sensors at first ends of the arms sense loads and generate electronic load signals. Hydraulic cylinders at second ends of the arms are actuatable to raise and lower the first ends. A controller receives the load signals, determines whether actuating one or more of the hydraulic cylinders is warranted due to a changing load, and if so, changes a hydraulic pressure to raise or lower the first ends to offset the changing load. Actuation may be warranted if the changing load exceeds a predetermined value. Further, the entire flexible cutter bar may be raised in response to an electronic raise signal, and the controller may actuate all of the hydraulic cylinders to raise the front ends of all of the support arms.

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.

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.

A method for dynamically operating a header float system of an agricultural vehicle having a header movably mounted to a frame of the agricultural vehicle by an actuator. The method includes: determining a target ground reaction force between the header and a ground surface located below the header, determining an actual ground reaction force between the header and the ground surface, comparing the actual ground reaction force to the target ground reaction force, and upon determining that the actual ground reaction force differs from the target ground reaction force by a predetermined amount, operating the actuator to reduce a difference in value between the actual ground reaction force and the target ground reaction force. An agricultural vehicle having a header operated as described above is also provided.

A method for dynamically operating a header float system of an agricultural vehicle having a header movably mounted to a frame of the agricultural vehicle by an actuator. The method includes: determining a target ground reaction force between the header and a ground surface located below the header, determining an actual ground reaction force between the header and the ground surface, comparing the actual ground reaction force to the target ground reaction force, and upon determining that the actual ground reaction force differs from the target ground reaction force by a predetermined amount, operating the actuator to reduce a difference in value between the actual ground reaction force and the target ground reaction force. An agricultural vehicle having a header operated as described above is also provided.

A harvesting machine feederhouse that comprises an outer body connectable to and between a head unit and a thresher of the machine. The feederhouse additionally comprises a liner disposed across a bottom surface of the outer body, and at least one conveyor rotatably disposed within the outer body for conveying harvested plant product received from the head unit along the liner into the thresher. Each conveyor includes a first guide, a second guide, a pair of conveyor transports that extend between, and are disposed around, the first guide and the second guide. Each conveyor additionally includes a plurality of plant product sweeps disposed across and connected to the transports. Each sweep is sized to contact the liner as the conveyor transports are rotated around the first guide and second guide, thereby conveying plant product received from the head unit along the liner into the thresher.

The present invention relates to a cutting mechanism (4) for attaching to a harvesting machine (2), comprising a frame (6) that is connected to a plurality of rocker arms (16) spaced apart from one another, facing in the working direction (A) and are movable vertically. In each case, a plurality thereof being configured at least in some portions as a leaf spring assembly (20) includes a plurality of leaf springs (22), and the front ends of these rocker arms (16) are connected in each case via a connecting component to knife angle bracket profiles (24), the cutting elements (18) of the cutting mechanism (4) being fastened thereto. For mounting of the knife angle bracket profiles (24), a connecting joint (26) with attachment means (28) on its sides facing transversely to the working direction (A) in order to connect an adjacent knife angle bracket profile (24) to connecting joint (26).

The present invention relates to a cutting mechanism (4) for attaching to a harvesting machine (2), comprising a frame (6) that is connected to a plurality of rocker arms (16) spaced apart from one another, facing in the working direction (A) and are movable vertically. In each case, a plurality thereof being configured at least in some portions as a leaf spring assembly (20) includes a plurality of leaf springs (22), and the front ends of these rocker arms (16) are connected in each case via a connecting component to knife angle bracket profiles (24), the cutting elements (18) of the cutting mechanism (4) being fastened thereto. For mounting of the knife angle bracket profiles (24), a connecting joint (26) with attachment means (28) on its sides facing transversely to the working direction (A) in order to connect an adjacent knife angle bracket profile (24) to connecting joint (26).

A cutting knife includes a base coupled to a head unit of an agricultural combine harvester. The cutting knife includes a blade extending away from the base. The blade includes an edge and a plurality of cutting teeth formed from the edge. The plurality of cutting teeth includes a first grouping of teeth positioned along the edge having a first pitch. The plurality of cutting teeth includes a second grouping of teeth positioned along the edge having a second pitch less than the first pitch. The first grouping of teeth is positioned closer to an end of the blade opposite the base than the second grouping of teeth.

A cutting knife includes a base coupled to a head unit of an agricultural combine harvester. The cutting knife includes a blade extending away from the base. The blade includes an edge and a plurality of cutting teeth formed from the edge. The plurality of cutting teeth includes a first grouping of teeth positioned along the edge having a first pitch. The plurality of cutting teeth includes a second grouping of teeth positioned along the edge having a second pitch less than the first pitch. The first grouping of teeth is positioned closer to an end of the blade opposite the base than the second grouping of teeth.