A system for monitoring a condition of a sickle of a header of an agricultural machine. The system includes a knife guard mounted to the header, a knife section of the sickle that is configured to move either along or with respect to a surface of the knife guard, and a sensor either mounted to the knife guard or another surface of the header for sensing the condition of the knife section.

The cutter guard assembly includes a cutter bar assembly, a window frame, and a floor sheet. The cutter bar assembly has a cutter bar and a reciprocating knife assembly operatively connected to a knife drive. The window frame is rigidly attached to the cutter bar. The window frame includes an opening through which a knife arm of the reciprocating knife assembly extends through. The floor sheet extends rearwardly from the cutter bar and pivots relative to the window frame.

The cutter guard assembly includes a cutter bar assembly, a window frame, and a floor sheet. The cutter bar assembly has a cutter bar and a reciprocating knife assembly operatively connected to a knife drive. The window frame is rigidly attached to the cutter bar. The window frame includes an opening through which a knife arm of the reciprocating knife assembly extends through. The floor sheet extends rearwardly from the cutter bar and pivots relative to the window frame.

A sickle guard counter-knife insert includes a pair of counter-knives. Each counter-knife defines a channel for an operable sickle bar between mutually-coupled upper and lower portions. The counter-knives and a connecting crossbar are formed together as an integral unit.

A sickle guard counter-knife insert includes a pair of counter-knives. Each counter-knife defines a channel for an operable sickle bar between mutually-coupled upper and lower portions. The counter-knives and a connecting crossbar are formed together as an integral unit.

A method for mapping a height of a crop in a field divided into a plurality of areas includes determining a height of a cutting bar of an agricultural machine and receiving data from a crop height sensor. The height of crops sensed by the crop height sensor is determined based on the height of the cutting bar and data from the crop height sensor. The crop height is then associated with one of a plurality of areas of the field based on a location of the crop height sensor. In one embodiment, the height of a reel of the agricultural machine is also used in determining the height of crops. The crop height data is used to generate a field map that is used to generate a field treatment plan.

A method for mapping a height of a crop in a field divided into a plurality of areas includes determining a height of a cutting bar of an agricultural machine and receiving data from a crop height sensor. The height of crops sensed by the crop height sensor is determined based on the height of the cutting bar and data from the crop height sensor. The crop height is then associated with one of a plurality of areas of the field based on a location of the crop height sensor. In one embodiment, the height of a reel of the agricultural machine is also used in determining the height of crops. The crop height data is used to generate a field map that is used to generate a field treatment plan.

An improved cutter assembly for use with a header of an agricultural harvester is provided. The assembly includes a pair of oppositely directed knife blades or cutter bars and a center knife drive. A crank shaft drives both knife blades in linear reciprocating paths with no fore and aft movement. As a consequence, harmful fore and aft vibration is eliminated. The assembly is simple and durable in design, less susceptible to vibration-induced wear and tear, and comparatively simple to manufacture and repair.

An improved cutter assembly for use with a header of an agricultural harvester is provided. The assembly includes a pair of oppositely directed knife blades or cutter bars and a center knife drive. A crank shaft drives both knife blades in linear reciprocating paths with no fore and aft movement. As a consequence, harmful fore and aft vibration is eliminated. The assembly is simple and durable in design, less susceptible to vibration-induced wear and tear, and comparatively simple to manufacture and repair.

The present invention provides a switchable cutting blade paired with a harvester knife guard. The switchable cutting blade comprises a switchable cutting blade assembly in which a knife guard is not included and which is provided with notches, so that waste blockage can be cleaned automatically. The switchable cutting blade assembly comprises a cutting bucket steel plate and a plurality of cutting blade bottom frames which is arranged on the cutting bucket steel plate and is closely connected. Each cutting blade bottom frame comprises a triangular part A and a groove frame which is integrated with the triangular part A. Each of the groove frames and the corresponding cutting blade bottom frame form an ┘ shape; each two adjacent cutting blade bottom frames are fixed by a crossbar to form a new knife guard. Each cutting blade bottom frame is provided with a cutting blade component. Each cutting blade component comprises a blade part and a mounting part arranged at the rear end of the blade part. Each mounting part comprises a groove which is fixed on the corresponding groove frame. The switchable cutting blade disclosed by the present invention has the main advantages that a mounting face C and the corresponding cutting blade bottom frame can be fixed at the cutting bucket steel plate together by screws. A new knife guard can also be directly welded on the cutting bucket steel plate.