A windrowing work vehicle with a swath flap arrangement is disclosed. The swath flap arrangement includes a swath flap that is supported for movement by a support structure between a raised position and a lowered position. The swath flap is configured to at least partially shape a windrow of a crop material. A method includes receiving, by a processor of a control system from a memory element, a stored position setting that corresponds to a position of the swath flap relative to the support structure. The method further includes processing, by the processor, a positioning control signal based, at least in part, on the stored position setting. Also, the method includes moving, with an actuator, the swath flap relative to the support structure between the raised position and the lowered position according to the positioning control signal.

A work vehicle system includes at least one harvesting work vehicle with a harvesting arrangement. The harvesting arrangement is one of a conditioning arrangement configured to condition a crop material and a windrowing arrangement configured to form a windrow of the crop material. A method includes receiving, by a processor of a control system from a memory element, a stored setting for a variable parameter of the harvesting arrangement. The method also includes processing, by the processor, a control signal based, at least in part, on the stored setting. Furthermore, the method includes changing, with an actuator, the variable parameter of the harvesting arrangement according to the control signal.

A forming shield arrangement configured for a windrowing work vehicle is supported for movement by a support structure. The forming shield arrangement is configured to at least partly shape a windrow of a crop material. A method of operating the forming shield arrangement includes receiving, by a processor of a control system from a memory element, a stored position setting that corresponds to a position of the forming shield arrangement relative to the support structure. The method also includes processing, by the processor, a positioning control signal based, at least in part, on the stored position setting. Moreover, the method includes changing, with an actuator, the position of the forming shield arrangement according to the positioning control signal.

A swathing unit (12) for an agricultural mower (4) includes at least one side deflector plate (14) that defines one side of a discharge opening (18) and is adjustable between a wide swath configuration and a narrow swath configuration. The side deflector plate (14) is attached to a pivot mechanism (30) and is angularly adjustable about a pivot axis (X) between an inner position and an outer position. The side deflector plate (14) comprises a first plate element (20) that is attached to the pivot mechanism and a second plate element (22) that is attached to the first plate element and is adjustable to adjust the overall length of the side deflector plate. The second plate element is attached to a control element (32) that cooperates with a guide element (42) to control adjustment of the length and the angular position of the side deflector plate. Movement of the control element relative to the guide element causes simultaneous adjustment of the length and the angular position of the side deflector plate (14).

A swathing unit (12) for an agricultural mower (4) includes at least one side deflector plate (14) that defines one side of a discharge opening (18) and is adjustable between a wide swath configuration and a narrow swath configuration. The side deflector plate (14) is attached to a pivot mechanism (30) and is angularly adjustable about a pivot axis (X) between an inner position and an outer position. The side deflector plate (14) comprises a first plate element (20) that is attached to the pivot mechanism and a second plate element (22) that is attached to the first plate element and is adjustable to adjust the overall length of the side deflector plate. The second plate element is attached to a control element (32) that cooperates with a guide element (42) to control adjustment of the length and the angular position of the side deflector plate. Movement of the control element relative to the guide element causes simultaneous adjustment of the length and the angular position of the side deflector plate (14).

A crop harvesting header having a frame mounted on a propulsion vehicle has a cutter bar carrying a sickle knife and a draper transport. The draper is guided at its front edge by a longitudinally extending rail mounted on the frame for movement therewith. The cutter bar is mounted on the frame at spaced positions by spring blades attached to a fixed beam at the rear which allow up and down flexing movement of the cutter bar relative to the draper engagement member. At the center discharge the cutter bar is carried on shorter blades which are carried on a beam in front of the front draper roller. The small amount of flexing of the cutter bar combines with a balanced three piece header frame to provide effective ground following.

A crop harvesting header having a frame mounted on a propulsion vehicle has a cutter bar carrying a sickle knife and a draper transport. The draper is guided at its front edge by a longitudinally extending rail mounted on the frame for movement therewith. The cutter bar is mounted on the frame at spaced positions by spring blades attached to a fixed beam at the rear which allow up and down flexing movement of the cutter bar relative to the draper engagement member. At the center discharge the cutter bar is carried on shorter blades which are carried on a beam in front of the front draper roller. The small amount of flexing of the cutter bar combines with a balanced three piece header frame to provide effective ground following.

A crop harvesting header having a frame mounted on a propulsion vehicle has a cutter bar carrying a sickle knife and a draper transport. The draper is guided at its front edge by a longitudinally extending rail mounted on the frame for movement therewith. The cutter bar is mounted on the frame at spaced positions by spring blades attached to a fixed beam at the rear which allow up and down flexing movement of the cutter bar relative to the draper engagement member. At the center discharge the cutter bar is carried on shorter blades which are carried on a beam in front of the front draper roller. The small amount of flexing of the cutter bar combines with a balanced three piece header frame to provide effective ground following.

A cut stock measurement system and method for a work machine that cuts stock. The cut stock measurement system includes distance sensors that generate distance measurements to the cut stock, and a geolocation unit that generates a machine geolocation. The system computes a stock width measurement, and a stock geolocation. The distance sensors can include left and right distance sensors coupled to the left and right sides of the machine, or coupled to left and right foldable arms. The foldable arms can be coupled to the machine, and have ends that trail the machine as it moves forward. An adjustable leveling apparatus with left and right leveling blades can be coupled to the left and right foldable arms with a hinge pin in-between. Left and right leveling mechanisms can adjust heights of the left and right leveling blades above the ground.

A cut stock measurement system and method for a work machine that cuts stock. The cut stock measurement system includes distance sensors that generate distance measurements to the cut stock, and a geolocation unit that generates a machine geolocation. The system computes a stock width measurement, and a stock geolocation. The distance sensors can include left and right distance sensors coupled to the left and right sides of the machine, or coupled to left and right foldable arms. The foldable arms can be coupled to the machine, and have ends that trail the machine as it moves forward. An adjustable leveling apparatus with left and right leveling blades can be coupled to the left and right foldable arms with a hinge pin in-between. Left and right leveling mechanisms can adjust heights of the left and right leveling blades above the ground.