A crop ramp for use in a combine header is provided. The crop ramp includes a flat section, a curved section, and a flange. The flat section facilitates coupling the crop ramp to a cutterbar of the combine header. The curved section extends from the flat section. The curved section is configured to facilitate transfer of crop to a belt system of the combine header. The crop is transferred in a first direction defined from the flat section to the curved section. The flange extends from the curved section. The flange is configured to hover above the belt system of the combine header to prevent dirt from flowing in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

A crop ramp for use in a combine header is provided. The crop ramp includes a flat section, a curved section, and a flange. The flat section facilitates coupling the crop ramp to a cutterbar of the combine header. The curved section extends from the flat section. The curved section is configured to facilitate transfer of crop to a belt system of the combine header. The crop is transferred in a first direction defined from the flat section to the curved section. The flange extends from the curved section. The flange is configured to hover above the belt system of the combine header to prevent dirt from flowing in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

An agricultural machine includes a cutting assembly, a forming assembly including a swathboard and/or a forming shield, at least one actuator, and a controller. The actuator is configured to change a position of the forming assembly. The controller is in communication with the actuator, and is configured to change the position of the forming assembly responsive to an expected or measured crop density. A method of operating an agricultural machine includes propelling an agricultural machine through a field and changing a position of the forming assembly based at least in part on an expected or measured crop density. The forming assembly may be adjusted to maintain an approximately constant windrow height or to produce windrows that are expected to be ready for baling or raking at the same time (e.g., after a period of drying).

An agricultural machine includes a cutting assembly, a forming assembly including a swathboard and/or a forming shield, at least one actuator, and a controller. The actuator is configured to change a position of the forming assembly. The controller is in communication with the actuator, and is configured to change the position of the forming assembly responsive to an expected or measured crop density. A method of operating an agricultural machine includes propelling an agricultural machine through a field and changing a position of the forming assembly based at least in part on an expected or measured crop density. The forming assembly may be adjusted to maintain an approximately constant windrow height or to produce windrows that are expected to be ready for baling or raking at the same time (e.g., after a period of drying).

In order to reduce crop losses in the region of the knife bar, a double knife cutting system (11) includes a first part of the knife blades (18a) present on the cutting unit (2) are fastened to a first knife back (20a), this first part of the knife blades (18a) together with the first knife back (20a) forming the upper knife (22), a second part of the knife blades (18b) present on the cutting unit (2) being fastened to a second knife back (20b), this second part of the knife blades (18b) together with the second knife back (20b) forming the lower knife (24), the upper knife (22) and the lower knife (24) being driven in opposite directions, and, of the rocker arms (34), a first rocker arm (34) being drive-connected to the upper knife (22) and a second rocker arm (34) being drive-connected to the lower knife (24).

In order to reduce crop losses in the region of the knife bar, a double knife cutting system (11) includes a first part of the knife blades (18a) present on the cutting unit (2) are fastened to a first knife back (20a), this first part of the knife blades (18a) together with the first knife back (20a) forming the upper knife (22), a second part of the knife blades (18b) present on the cutting unit (2) being fastened to a second knife back (20b), this second part of the knife blades (18b) together with the second knife back (20b) forming the lower knife (24), the upper knife (22) and the lower knife (24) being driven in opposite directions, and, of the rocker arms (34), a first rocker arm (34) being drive-connected to the upper knife (22) and a second rocker arm (34) being drive-connected to the lower knife (24).

A harvesting apparatus includes a crop conditioning element and an associated hood for conditioning crop material. The hood is moveably mounted to a frame of the harvesting apparatus, at a position located above the crop conditioning element. The hood is moveably mounted to the frame for movement toward and away from the crop conditioning element to adjust a gap therebetween. A swathboard is attached to and moveable with the hood. The swathboard is moveable relative to the hood between a plurality of operating positions. The swathboard is operable to maintain its position relative to the hood during movement with the hood toward and away from the crop conditioning element to form a consistent swath while moving the hood relative to the crop conditioning element to adjust the gap therebetween.

A harvesting apparatus includes a crop conditioning element and an associated hood for conditioning crop material. The hood is moveably mounted to a frame of the harvesting apparatus, at a position located above the crop conditioning element. The hood is moveably mounted to the frame for movement toward and away from the crop conditioning element to adjust a gap therebetween. A swathboard is attached to and moveable with the hood. The swathboard is moveable relative to the hood between a plurality of operating positions. The swathboard is operable to maintain its position relative to the hood during movement with the hood toward and away from the crop conditioning element to form a consistent swath while moving the hood relative to the crop conditioning element to adjust the gap therebetween.

A forage harvester includes a shear bar and a panel that directs the crop material downstream of the shear bar. A processing component is disposed downstream of the panel. An impact sensor is coupled to the shear bar and operable to detect data related to a magnitude of a force applied to the shear bar. The panel is moveable from a first position to a second position. The first position of the panel forms a channel for directing the crop material in the direction of crop processing along a first path toward the processing component. The second position of the panel alters the channel to direct the crop material along an alternative path not including the processing component. In response to a sufficiently high impact force applied to the shear bar by debris moving with the crop material, the panel is moved from the first position to the second position.

A forage harvester includes a shear bar and a panel that directs the crop material downstream of the shear bar. A processing component is disposed downstream of the panel. An impact sensor is coupled to the shear bar and operable to detect data related to a magnitude of a force applied to the shear bar. The panel is moveable from a first position to a second position. The first position of the panel forms a channel for directing the crop material in the direction of crop processing along a first path toward the processing component. The second position of the panel alters the channel to direct the crop material along an alternative path not including the processing component. In response to a sufficiently high impact force applied to the shear bar by debris moving with the crop material, the panel is moved from the first position to the second position.