An agricultural work machine is provided comprising a surroundings detection device for detecting a surroundings in sections, and one or more controllable working elements, wherein the surroundings detection device generates surroundings detection signals, which can be processed in a control and regulating device assigned to the agricultural work machine, wherein the surroundings detection device is designed as a scanner, which scans the surroundings in scanning planes, and wherein each scanning plane is assigned to the control of working elements.

In one embodiment, a computer-controlled method for adjusting a height of a header reel, the method comprising: measuring a rotational speed of the reel; measuring a force opposing rotation of the reel; determining a target load for the reel based on the measured rotational speed and the measured force and a first input; and causing movement of the reel according to the target load based on a change in load on the reel.

A harvesting system includes at least one modular unit coupled to a harvester includes a drying unit to dry a harvested material introduced into the harvester including at least one rotating drum, a number of appendages extending from the at least one rotating drum, at least one sensor to determine at least one environmental state within the drying unit, and at least one environmental state adjustment device to adjust at least one environmental attribute within the drying unit. The modular unit also includes a collection unit to collect the harvested material into a unit, a first conveyor mechanism to convey the harvested material from the drying unit to the collection unit, and a control system to control at least the harvester, the drying unit, the collection unit, the first conveyor mechanism, the sensor, and the environmental state adjustment device based on a signal received from the at least one sensor.

A harvesting system includes at least one modular unit coupled to a harvester includes a drying unit to dry a harvested material introduced into the harvester including at least one rotating drum, a number of appendages extending from the at least one rotating drum, at least one sensor to determine at least one environmental state within the drying unit, and at least one environmental state adjustment device to adjust at least one environmental attribute within the drying unit. The modular unit also includes a collection unit to collect the harvested material into a unit, a first conveyor mechanism to convey the harvested material from the drying unit to the collection unit, and a control system to control at least the harvester, the drying unit, the collection unit, the first conveyor mechanism, the sensor, and the environmental state adjustment device based on a signal received from the at least one sensor.

An agricultural harvester header including a first reel, a second reel adjacent the first reel, and a variable speed reel drive between the first and second reels and operatively connected to at least one of the first reel for rotatably driving the first reel and the second reel for rotatably driving the second reel. The variable speed reel drive can include: a variable speed motor, and a multi-speed gearbox operatively coupled to the variable speed motor and at least one of the reels; a motor, and a continuously variable transmission operatively connected to the motor and at least one of the reels; or a motor, and a planetary gear drive operatively coupled to the motor and at least one of the reels.

An agricultural harvester header including a first reel, a second reel adjacent the first reel, and a variable speed reel drive between the first and second reels and operatively connected to at least one of the first reel for rotatably driving the first reel and the second reel for rotatably driving the second reel. The variable speed reel drive can include: a variable speed motor, and a multi-speed gearbox operatively coupled to the variable speed motor and at least one of the reels; a motor, and a continuously variable transmission operatively connected to the motor and at least one of the reels; or a motor, and a planetary gear drive operatively coupled to the motor and at least one of the reels.

A reel assembly for an agricultural header includes a reel arm configured to rotatably couple to a frame of the agricultural header and configured to support a reel of the reel assembly. The reel assembly also includes a bracket extending from the reel arm and configured to support a device. The reel assembly further includes a cable assembly configured to maintain an orientation between the device and the frame of the agricultural header as the reel arm rotates relative to the frame of the agricultural header.

Method and apparatus for detecting crop field parameters with a header of a harvester. The header includes a reel configured to draw crop from a crop field toward the header as the harvester moves through the crop field and at least one distance sensor mounted to the reel. Data is received from the at least one distance sensor mounted on the reel, processed, and used to detect crop field parameters.

A multi-segment sprocket assembly including a sprocket hub and a multi-segment sprocket. The multi-segment sprocket includes a first partial annular sprocket having a first end that includes a first flange, a second partial annular sprocket having a second end that includes a second flange, and at least a first fastener for releasably securing the first and second partial annular sprockets to the sprocket hub. Also disclosed is a harvester reel including a reel drive mechanism that includes a shaft, and the aforementioned multi-segment sprocket attached to the shaft. Also disclosed is a method for changing speeds of a drive mechanism of for a header of and agricultural harvester. The method includes removing the aforementioned multi-segment sprocket having a first overall diameter from a shaft of the header, and replacing the removed multi-segment sprocket with an aforementioned multi-segment sprocket having a second overall diameter that differs from the first overall diameter.

A harvesting reel assembly for a header of an agricultural harvester is disclosed. The harvesting reel assembly includes a central rotatable shaft, a plurality of support members, a cam assembly and an extendable reel arm. The plurality of support members extend widthwise across the reel assembly and connect to the central rotatable shaft for rotation therewith. The cam assembly guides rotation of the plurality of support members. The extendable reel arm includes a first end engaged with the central rotatable shaft for rotation therewith. The extendable reel arm also includes a distal end opposite the first end connected to one of the plurality of support members.