In a sickle cutting system, it has been found that a significant reduction in average stubble length, which is calculated based on the distance crop is pushed forwardly without cutting occurring, can be obtained by a combination of the features where the length of the cutting edge of each knife blade from a transverse rearmost cutting line at which a cutting action occurs is increased to a length greater than 2.2 inches; the width at the rear of the ledger surface of each guard is increased to greater than 1.2 inches; and the front edge of the blade is formed with an apex to shed crop material to one or other side of the apex.

In a sickle cutting system, it has been found that a significant reduction in average stubble length, which is calculated based on the distance crop is pushed forwardly without cutting occurring, can be obtained by a combination of the features where the length of the cutting edge of each knife blade from a transverse rearmost cutting line at which a cutting action occurs is increased to a length greater than 2.2 inches; the width at the rear of the ledger surface of each guard is increased to greater than 1.2 inches; and the front edge of the blade is formed with an apex to shed crop material to one or other side of the apex.

A draper belt assembly for an agricultural harvester header (100) comprising an endless draper belt (120) that includes an outer surface (322) and an inner surface (324) opposite the outer surface. The draper belt further includes elongated members (326) each extending from the outer surface and having a lateral face (328) substantially facing a longitudinal midline (ML) of the endless draper belt. The draper belt assembly additionally comprises a drive mechanism (332) operatively engaged with the endless draper belt. The lateral faces of the elongated members act as shelves that inhibit sliding of grain and other crop material from the bottom of the belt, thereby reducing plugging at the bottom of the belt adjacent the cutter bar and floor sheets. In addition, the elongated members more evenly distribute grain and other crop material across the width of the belt.

Systems and methods for automatically configuring a cutterbar between a flexible configuration and a rigid configuration in response to actuation of a gauge wheel are disclosed. The cutterbar is coupled to the gauge wheel such that extension of the gauge wheel causes the cutterbar to move into the rigid configuration and retraction of the gauge wheel causes the cutterbar to move into the flexible configuration.

A universal crop head assembly is carried at the front of and by a harvester. The new crop head assembly includes a frame assembly, an intermediate multi-crop reel assembly carried by the frame assembly and having selectively extendable and retractable fingers for small grain harvesting. A lower cutter bar assembly is carried by the frame assembly and for cutting grain stalks. An upper forward cutter bar assembly is carried by the frame assembly and supports an upper cutter bar for cutting corn stalks about an upper end, an adjustable air knife assembly for blowing against severed corn stalks upper ends; and a lower draper belt assembly carried by the frame assembly and for moving grain cut by the lower cutter bar assembly.

A universal crop head assembly is carried at the front of and by a harvester. The new crop head assembly includes a frame assembly, an intermediate multi-crop reel assembly carried by the frame assembly and having selectively extendable and retractable fingers for small grain harvesting. A lower cutter bar assembly is carried by the frame assembly and for cutting grain stalks. An upper forward cutter bar assembly is carried by the frame assembly and supports an upper cutter bar for cutting corn stalks about an upper end, an adjustable air knife assembly for blowing against severed corn stalks upper ends; and a lower draper belt assembly carried by the frame assembly and for moving grain cut by the lower cutter bar assembly.

A combine header includes a header frame and a set of reciprocating knives at a front of the combine header. The combine header includes a driveline for driving reciprocating movement of the knives, the driveline including a transverse drive shaft at a back of the header frame, a bevel gearbox, a lateral drive shaft, and a transmission near the knives. The lateral drive shaft is coupled respectively to the bevel gearbox and the transmission by first and second universal joints. An inlet axle of the transmission is integral with or fixed to a flywheel configured to stabilize rotation of the lateral drive shaft. The second universal joint includes two orthogonal forks coupled by a cross-piece One of the forks is integral with or fixed to a flange that is attached to a surface of the flywheel that faces the lateral drive shaft. The flange is configured to contribute to the stabilizing function of the flywheel when the flange is attached to the surface.

A cutter bar skid shoe for a header of an agricultural harvester. The cutter bar skid shoe includes a skid plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, a fore end and an aft end. The cutter bar skid shoe further includes a cutter knife clip integral with and extending forwardly of the fore end of the skid plate for engaging a cutter knife blade.

A cutter bar skid shoe for a header of an agricultural harvester. The cutter bar skid shoe includes a skid plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, a fore end and an aft end. The cutter bar skid shoe further includes a cutter knife clip integral with and extending forwardly of the fore end of the skid plate for engaging a cutter knife blade.

A knife drive assembly for use in a harvesting header may be mounted near the center line of the cutter bar of the header. Mechanical power from the power unit behind the header (typically the combine power output shaft) may be translated for application to two knife assembly sections in the cutter bar at the front of the cutter table. Movement of the two knife assembly sections with this apparatus can be fully synchronized and 180 degrees out of phase, to maximize cutting effectiveness and minimize vibration of the header. The unitary drive assembly may allow for rapid repair and manufacture, and the size and weight of the knife drive assembly may represent a significant weight and balance advantage over the prior art.