The present disclosure provides systems and methods of harvesting a shrub from a base of the shrub proximate a ground surface utilizing a shrub harvester. The methods include dislodging the shrub from a base of the shrub proximate the ground surface via a shrub dislodging system on shrub harvester. The methods also include receiving the shrub via a shrub release system on the shrub harvester. The methods further include grasping the shrub via the shrub release system on the shrub harvester. The methods also include releasing the shrub via the shrub release system, which can include a plurality of catch members.

A dual-cam linkage system controls the orientation of tines on a reel of a crop harvesting header. The dual-cam linkage system includes a stationary, substantially circular first cam track that has a rotational center that is offset from the rotational axis of the reel. A second cam track is located in a support plate on which a tine-supporting member is mounted. The dual-cam linkage system also includes a pivoting linkage having a crank, an arm. The crank has a first end fixedly attached to the tine-supporting member. The arm has an outer end attached to a second end of the crank. The first cam follower is attached at an inner end of the arm and engages the first cam track. The second cam follower is attached to the arm at a position between the first cam follower and the crank and engages the second cam track.

A reel for use in an agricultural header has an axis of rotation and comprises a bat and a finger. The bat is mounted to rotate around the axis of rotation to gather crop, and has a non-circular cross-sectional profile. The finger is mounted to the bat to rotate with the bat around the axis of rotation to gather crop. The finger comprises a tine and a clamshell mount to which the tine is coupled and that surrounds the bat to mount the finger to the bat against rotation about the bat.

A reel for use in an agricultural header has an axis of rotation and comprises a bat and a finger. The bat is mounted to rotate around the axis of rotation to gather crop, and has a non-circular cross-sectional profile. The finger is mounted to the bat to rotate with the bat around the axis of rotation to gather crop. The finger comprises a tine and a clamshell mount to which the tine is coupled and that surrounds the bat to mount the finger to the bat against rotation about the bat.

A crop harvesting header includes a cutter bar arranged across a forward edge of a header frame structure, a draper or auger transport arrangement for transporting the cut crop for further processing, and a reel with a reel drive mechanism for driving rotation of the reel including a variable speed drive motor and a drive transmission having two different drive ratios for high and low speed reel operation. The transmission is mounted in a housing with a readily removable cover part allowing access to a chain and sprocket drive system where the chain can be loosened to allow it to be transferred from one set of cooperating sprockets to another. The reel shaft is movable to release the chain tension and adjusted by a cam and ratchet arrangement.

A crop harvesting header includes a cutter bar arranged across a forward edge of a header frame structure, a draper or auger transport arrangement for transporting the cut crop for further processing, and a reel with a reel drive mechanism for driving rotation of the reel including a variable speed drive motor and a drive transmission having two different drive ratios for high and low speed reel operation. The transmission is mounted in a housing with a readily removable cover part allowing access to a chain and sprocket drive system where the chain can be loosened to allow it to be transferred from one set of cooperating sprockets to another. The reel shaft is movable to release the chain tension and adjusted by a cam and ratchet arrangement.

A cam reel for use on a harvesting header that can be configured in both operating and transport positions is provided. The reel comprises a plurality of finger-bearing reel bats disposed evenly around the reel shaft, each rotatably attached through the distal ends of radial arms extending outwardly from the reel shaft. A cam disc is attached to the frame and engages each reel bat by a cam follower, to provide rotational movement of the reel bats relative to the radial arms, during rotation of the shaft in the operating position. The cam has at least one operating position, and a transport position in which the engaged reel bats will be pivoted into transport mode that substantially reduces the risk of damage to the fingers.

A cam reel for use on a harvesting header that can be configured in both operating and transport positions is provided. The reel comprises a plurality of finger-bearing reel bats disposed evenly around the reel shaft, each rotatably attached through the distal ends of radial arms extending outwardly from the reel shaft. A cam disc is attached to the frame and engages each reel bat by a cam follower, to provide rotational movement of the reel bats relative to the radial arms, during rotation of the shaft in the operating position. The cam has at least one operating position, and a transport position in which the engaged reel bats will be pivoted into transport mode that substantially reduces the risk of damage to the fingers.

An assembly for rotating a chain or toothed belt includes a shaft and a sprocket rotatably mounted on the shaft. The sprocket includes a plurality of teeth configured to engage the chain or toothed belt. The assembly further includes a shield assembly covering at least a portion of the sprocket. The shield assembly has an interior groove formed therein defining an enclosed interior space. Each of the teeth of the sprocket rotate through the enclosed interior space during a full rotation of the sprocket.

An assembly for rotating a chain or toothed belt includes a shaft and a sprocket rotatably mounted on the shaft. The sprocket includes a plurality of teeth configured to engage the chain or toothed belt. The assembly further includes a shield assembly covering at least a portion of the sprocket. The shield assembly has an interior groove formed therein defining an enclosed interior space. Each of the teeth of the sprocket rotate through the enclosed interior space during a full rotation of the sprocket.