A system and method for determining the relative position of a header with respect to a chassis of a self-propelled agricultural harvester. Single or dual axis inclinometers are secured to the header and the chassis respectively and signals generated in combination with a stored relationship to header position are used to determine the header position, whether that be the pitch and/or the roll degrees of freedom.

A slope mower includes a mower body, drive wheels, left and right mower decks and left and right support wheels mounted on support arms pivotally mounted to the mower body with hydraulic actuators acting on the left and right support arms to maintain the mower body vertical. An inclinometer measures the tilt angle of the mower body and a controller reads the angle and controls a leveling valve to supply hydraulic fluid from a supply line to the leveling actuator toward which the inclinometer indicates the mower body is leaning to move the mower body back to vertical. The system can be programmed to actuate a leveling actuator only when the detected tilt angle exceeds a minimum angle. Lockout valves can be actuated by the controller to block the flow of hydraulic fluid to or from both actuators if a maximum allowed tilt angle is exceeded.

A control system for controlling pivoting of a header of an agricultural harvester. The control system includes first, second, and third header height sensors, each for mounting to a respective point on the header, each configured to provide a respective header height signal representing a respective measured header height of their respective point on the header above a ground plane. The control system further includes a header angle sensor configured to provide a header angle signal indicative of a pivot angle of the header about an axis; and a processor configured to: receive the signals; calculate an estimated first header height based on the pivot angle and the second and third header heights; determine a replacement first header height by selecting the smallest of the estimated and the measured first header height; and generate a control signal based at least on the replacement first header height.

Systems and apparatuses for articulating float arms of a harvester header between a flexible configuration and a rigid configuration are disclosed. The systems and apparatuses include a locking tube that experiences no torque or approximately no torque when the float arms are in the rigid configuration. Further, the systems and apparatuses also avoid adjustments to ensure that float arms are fully retracted, such as into abutting contact with another portion of a header.

An agricultural vehicle header having: a frame, a support arm having a proximal end rotatably mounted by a support arm pivot to the frame and a distal end spaced from the proximal end, a torque transfer anchor rigidly attached to the frame, a support torque rod having a distal end rotationally fixed to the support arm, and a proximal end rotatably mounted to the torque transfer anchor to rotate about a first axis, a frame torque rod having a proximal end rotatably mounted to the torque transfer anchor to rotate about a second axis and a distal end rotationally fixed to the frame, and a drive linkage connecting the support torque rod to the frame torque rod at the torque transfer anchor, to transfer a rotational motion of the support torque rod about the first axis into an opposite rotational motion of the frame torque rod about the second axis.

A mower deck hillside adjustment system includes an angle sensor such as an inertial measurement unit mounted to the mower deck for measuring the angle of the mower deck on the roll axis. The angle from the sensor is used to command a left actuator and a right actuator to raise or lower the left side or right side of the mower deck respectively so each side of the mower deck is at the same height to compensate for tire squat and eliminate step cuts.

An agricultural harvester includes a controller configured to receive at least one wing angle signal indicative of an angle at least one wing with respect to a center section of a header. The controller is also configured to receive a wing height position signal indicative of a distance between the at least one wing and a soil surface, determine whether the angle of the at least one wing exceeds an angle limit threshold based at least in part on the wing angle signal, and output a tilt signal to a tilt actuator in response to determining the angle of the wing exceeds the angle limit threshold. The tilt signal is indicative of instructions to maintain the distance between the at least one wing and the soil surface within a target distance threshold.

An arrangement for controlling the height and/or incline of a combine header for harvesting thin-stemmed crops includes a control system which is connected to a sensor for detecting the height of the combine header above the ground, and to an actuator for controlling the height and/or incline of the combine header and which can be operated to control the actuator in dependence on signals of the sensor. A mulching appliance with a cultivating tool for shredding plant stumps is attached to the combine header in a vertically movable manner following the contour of the ground, and the sensor is set up to detect the position of the mulching appliance relative to the combine header.

An agricultural harvester includes a controller configured to receive at least one wing angle signal indicative of an angle at least one wing with respect to a center section of a header. The controller is also configured to receive a wing height position signal indicative of a distance between the at least one wing and a soil surface, determine whether the angle of the at least one wing exceeds an angle limit threshold based at least in part on the wing angle signal, and output a tilt signal to a tilt actuator in response to determining the angle of the wing exceeds the angle limit threshold. The tilt signal is indicative of instructions to maintain the distance between the at least one wing and the soil surface within a target distance threshold.

A harvesting header for traversing a field to perform a harvesting operation includes a first frame assembly adapted to be coupled to a work machine and a second frame assembly suspended forward of the first frame assembly. The second frame assembly may pivot relative to the first frame assembly. A suspension system is coupled to the second frame assembly and provides a suspension force to the second frame assembly. A controller is operably coupled to the suspension system, and a slope detection system is disposed in electrical communication with the controller for communicating a slope of the field to the controller during the harvesting operation. The controller operably controls the suspension system by adjusting the suspension force based on the slope of the field.