A mowing sickle drive system comprises a knife bar supported by a frame and drive apparatus operable to drive the knife bar in a reciprocating linear motion at a variable drive frequency. A spring is coupled to the knife bar for applying a restoring force to the knife bar toward a neutral position when in motion. The spring has a variable modulus of elasticity that is controlled dependent upon the drive frequency.

A header for an agricultural harvester comprising first and second drive arm assemblies for connecting to respective cutting assemblies, and a drive unit consisting essentially of a hydraulic motor operatively connected to the first and second drive arm assemblies. Operation of the drive unit results in substantially linear and opposed oscillating motion of the cutting assemblies.

A header for an agricultural harvester comprising first and second drive arm assemblies for connecting to respective cutting assemblies, and a drive unit consisting essentially of a hydraulic motor operatively connected to the first and second drive arm assemblies. Operation of the drive unit results in substantially linear and opposed oscillating motion of the cutting assemblies.

A boom mower attachment that moves a cutting mechanism in a first movement, a second movement, and a third movement by only using two motions of a single control and method of use thereof is provided. The boom mower may include a frame, a boom assembly carried by the frame, a cutting mechanism operably engaged with the boom assembly, and at least one translation assembly operably engaged with the boom assembly and the cutting mechanism that moves the cutting mechanism in one or more of the first movement, the second movement, and the third movement. An implement control system including a control, at least one function switching mechanism, and an implement is also provided. Activation of the control is operative to move the implement in a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode by only using two motions of the control.

A boom mower attachment that moves a cutting mechanism in a first movement, a second movement, and a third movement by only using two motions of a single control and method of use thereof is provided. The boom mower may include a frame, a boom assembly carried by the frame, a cutting mechanism operably engaged with the boom assembly, and at least one translation assembly operably engaged with the boom assembly and the cutting mechanism that moves the cutting mechanism in one or more of the first movement, the second movement, and the third movement. An implement control system including a control, at least one function switching mechanism, and an implement is also provided. Activation of the control is operative to move the implement in a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode by only using two motions of the control.

A boom mower attachment that moves a cutting mechanism in a first movement, a second movement, and a third movement by only using two motions of a single control and method of use thereof is provided. The boom mower may include a frame, a boom assembly carried by the frame, a cutting mechanism operably engaged with the boom assembly, and at least one translation assembly operably engaged with the boom assembly and the cutting mechanism that moves the cutting mechanism in one or more of the first movement, the second movement, and the third movement. An implement control system including a control, at least one function switching mechanism, and an implement is also provided. Activation of the control is operative to move the implement in a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode by only using two motions of the control.

A boom mower attachment that moves a cutting mechanism in a first movement, a second movement, and a third movement by only using two motions of a single control and method of use thereof is provided. The boom mower may include a frame, a boom assembly carried by the frame, a cutting mechanism operably engaged with the boom assembly, and at least one translation assembly operably engaged with the boom assembly and the cutting mechanism that moves the cutting mechanism in one or more of the first movement, the second movement, and the third movement. An implement control system including a control, at least one function switching mechanism, and an implement is also provided. Activation of the control is operative to move the implement in a first mode, a second mode, and a third mode by only using two motions of the control.

The cutter bar of a header including two sickle bars is driven by a center drive system including a rotary input drive member driven by a motor, first and second rotary members each driven by the drive member about a generally upstanding first rotational axis. Each of the rotary members has an eccentric drive system for driving a respective sickle bar. A flywheel is driven by the rotary input drive member for common rotation therewith and the first and second rotary members are driven by a common drive sprocket to rotate in the same direction about the first and second rotary axes.

A sickle header has right and left cutter bar assemblies each having a knife assembly configured to move in a reciprocating motion. A first transfer plate connects the knife assembly of the right cutter bar assembly and a second transfer plate connects the knife assembly of the left cutter bar assembly. A center sickle drive assembly includes first and second epicyclic drives connected to the right cutter bar assembly translate rotational movement of a drive motor gear into linear oscillating motion of output cranks that are connected to the first transfer plate. Third and fourth epicyclic drives connected to the left cutter bar assembly translate rotational movement of the drive motor gear into linear oscillating motion of output cranks that are connected to the second transfer plate, such that the cranks of the epicyclic drives simultaneously drive the knife assembly of the respective cutter bar assembly in a reciprocating motion.

A mowing sickle drive system comprises a knife bar supported by a frame and drive apparatus operable to drive the knife bar in a reciprocating linear motion at a variable drive frequency. A spring is coupled to the knife bar for applying a restoring force to the knife bar toward a neutral position when in motion. The spring has a variable modulus of elasticity that is controlled dependent upon the drive frequency.