U.S. patent application number 13/337996 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-27 for flexible draper head providing reduced crop residue accumulation.
This patent application is currently assigned to AGCO CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Brian Heath, Michael Huseman. Invention is credited to Brian Heath, Michael Huseman.
Application Number | 20130160417 13/337996 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48653228 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130160417 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Huseman; Michael ; et
al. |
June 27, 2013 |
FLEXIBLE DRAPER HEAD PROVIDING REDUCED CROP RESIDUE
ACCUMULATION
Abstract
A harvesting header includes a header frame, a flexible
cutterbar assembly, and a draper assembly. The cutterbar assembly
is mounted to the header frame and includes a plurality of skids.
The draper assembly includes a draper belt with upper and lower
runs, and a run support panel is provided below the lower run. The
run support panel is spaced from the skids to define a residue
opening therebetween through which any crop residue falling onto
the skids is permitted to pass.
Inventors: |
Huseman; Michael; (Campbell
Hill, IL) ; Heath; Brian; (Eldorado, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Huseman; Michael
Heath; Brian |
Campbell Hill
Eldorado |
IL
IL |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
AGCO CORPORATION
Duluth
GA
|
Family ID: |
48653228 |
Appl. No.: |
13/337996 |
Filed: |
December 27, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
56/181 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01D 41/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
56/181 |
International
Class: |
A01D 43/00 20060101
A01D043/00 |
Claims
1. A harvesting header operable to harvest crop, said harvesting
header comprising: a header frame; a flexible cutterbar assembly
mounted to the header frame to extend lengthwise in a lateral
direction relative to the normal direction of travel of the header,
said cutterbar assembly including a plurality of skids configured
to engage the ground and thereby cause flexing of the cutterbar
assembly along the length thereof in response to changes in terrain
as the header is advanced; and a draper assembly including an
endless flexible draper belt configured to receive severed crop
materials from the cutterbar assembly and convey the materials
laterally, said draper belt presenting laterally endmost margins,
with upper and lower runs extending between the margins; and a
lower run support assembly located below the lower run of the
draper belt and at least partly over the skids, said lower run
support assembly including a run support panel extending laterally
along the lower run, said run support panel being spaced from the
skids to define a residue opening therebetween through which any
crop residue falling onto the skids is permitted to pass,. said
residue opening being defined under the run support panel so that
crop residue passes underneath the run support panel and above the
skids.
2. The harvesting header as claimed in claim 1, said draper belt
being supported on the header frame to flex with the cutterbar
assembly as changes in terrain are encountered.
3. The harvesting header as claimed in claim 2; and a plurality of
laterally spaced apart pivotable support arms being attached to and
cooperatively supporting the flexible cutterbar assembly, each of
said support arms being pivotally coupled to the frame for swinging
movement about a laterally extending axis, said draper belt being
carried on multiple ones of the support arms so as to flex with the
cutterbar assembly.
4. The harvesting header as claimed in claim 1, said lower run
support assembly being attached to and supported by at least one of
the skids.
5. The harvesting header as claimed in claim 4, said lower run
support assembly including a plurality of upright legs spaced along
the lower run, said legs interconnecting the run support panel and
the at least one skid.
6. The harvesting header as claimed in claim 5, said legs sloping
upwardly and rearwardly from the at least one skid.
7. The harvesting header as claimed in claim 4, said residue
opening having a minimum cross-sectional dimension measured between
the run support panel and the at least one skid, said minimum
cross-sectional dimension being about two inches.
8. The harvesting header as claimed in claim 7, said skids having a
forwardmost edge, said cutterbar assembly including a sickle
assembly mounted to the skids adjacent the forwardmost edge, said
run support panel presenting a forward margin, said forward margin
being spaced rearwardly about five inches from the forwardmost
edge.
9. The harvesting header as claimed in claim 8, said draper belt
presenting laterally extending, spaced apart leading and trailing
edges relative to the normal direction of header travel, said
leading edge of the belt being spaced forward of the forward margin
of the run support panel.
10. The harvesting header as claimed in claim 4, said skids each
presenting a cutterbar-supporting forward section and a
ground-engaging aft section, said run support panel being
positioned substantially entirely above the ground-engaging aft
section.
11. The harvesting header as claimed in claim 10, said lower run
support assembly including a platform that is attached to the aft
section of the at least one skid and supports the run support
panel.
12. The harvesting header as claimed in claim 11, said platform
presenting upper and lower ends, with the lower end being attached
to the aft section of the at least one skid and the upper end being
attached to the run support panel, said platform projecting
upwardly and rearwardly from the lower end toward the upper end so
that the run support panel is spaced upwardly and rearwardly
relative to the at least one skid.
13. The harvesting header as claimed in claim 1, said draper belt
presenting laterally extending, spaced apart leading and trailing
edges relative to the normal direction of header travel, said run
support panel being spaced entirely rearwardly from the leading
edge of the draper belt.
14. The harvesting header as claimed in claim 13, a plurality of
belt guards attached to and disposed along the cutterbar assembly
to accommodate and move with the cutterbar assembly during flexing
thereof, with each of the guards extending from the cutterbar
assembly to a location adjacent the leading edge of the draper
belt, said run support panel being spaced entirely rearwardly from
the belt guards.
15. The harvesting header as claimed in claim 1, said skids each
presenting a cutterbar-supporting forward section and a
ground-engaging aft section, said skids each including a
fore-and-aft rib extending between the forward and aft sections to
restrict relative flexing between the forward and aft sections.
16. The harvesting header as claimed in claim 1; and a plurality of
laterally spaced apart pivotable support arms being attached to and
cooperatively supporting the flexible cutterbar assembly, each of
said support arms being pivotally coupled to the frame for swinging
movement about a laterally extending axis, said skids each
including a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket being attached
to a respective one of the support arms so as to be swingable with
the one support arm about the laterally extending axis.
17. The harvesting header as claimed in claim 16, said mounting
bracket being pivotally attached to the one support arm to pivot
relative thereto about a fore-and-aft axis.
18. The harvesting header as claimed in claim 16, said skids each
presenting a cutterbar-supporting forward section and a
ground-engaging aft section, said skids each including a
fore-and-aft rib extending between the forward and aft sections to
restrict relative flexing between the forward and aft sections.
19. The harvesting header as claimed in claim 18, said mounting
bracket and said rib being interconnected to cooperatively provide
skid reinforcement structure that restricts relative pivotal
movement between the forward and aft sections.
20. The harvesting header as claimed in claim 1, said run support
panel presenting a forward margin that is spaced entirely from the
skids so as to define an entrance to the residue opening.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a harvesting
header. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention
concern a harvesting header with a flexible cutterbar and a draper
conveyor.
[0003] 2. Discussion of Prior Art
[0004] A traditional grain harvesting implement or machine, such as
a self-propelled combine, is used to harvest a variety of grains,
such as wheat, soybeans, and rice. Combines typically include a
harvesting header that cuts the crop and gathers the crop material
into a feeder house for threshing and other operations. For some
grains, such as wheat, the sickle of the header can be spaced from
the ground during the cutting operation. For other grains, the
sickle must be positioned close to the ground, often with the
header in sliding contact with the ground, in order to collect most
of the grain. Flexible headers are used to follow the natural
contours of the field while cutting the grain.
[0005] Turning to FIGS. 1-5, a prior art harvesting header H is
depicted and includes a header frame F, with draper arm assemblies
DA and end tilt arm assemblies E pivotally secured to the frame F.
The assemblies DA and E support cutterbar assembly C. The cutterbar
assembly C includes a flexible cutterbar B and skids S carried on
the forward ends of the assemblies DA and E. The header H also
broadly includes a draper assembly A with side drapers SD and
center draper CD. The header H includes a lower belt support
assembly L. Additional details of the prior art header are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,836,671, issued Nov. 23, 2010,
entitled FLEXIBLE DRAPER AND CUTTER BAR WITH TILT ARM FOR CUTTERBAR
DRIVE, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference
herein.
[0006] Prior art crop harvesting headers suffer from various
limitations. For example, it has been found that the illustrated
header H tends to become clogged with crop residue in ways that
adversely affect header operation. For instance, the area below the
leading edge of side drapers SD and above the belt support assembly
L tends to collect crop residue from the drapers until the crop
residue interferes with smooth draper belt movement. This residue
can also migrate into the area between the belt runs, which is
problematic. In particular, such excessive residue collection can
cause binding of the belt and can restrict belt rotation.
SUMMARY
[0007] The following brief summary is provided to indicate the
nature of the subject matter disclosed herein. While certain
aspects of the present invention are described below, the summary
is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
[0008] Embodiments of the present invention provide a harvesting
header that does not suffer from the problems and limitations of
the prior art harvesting header set forth above.
[0009] A first aspect of the present invention concerns a
harvesting header operable to harvest crop. The harvesting header
includes a header frame, a flexible cutterbar assembly, and a
draper assembly. The flexible cutterbar assembly is mounted to the
header frame to extend lengthwise in a lateral direction relative
to the normal direction of travel of the header. The cutterbar
assembly includes a plurality of skids configured to engage the
ground and thereby cause flexing of the cutterbar assembly along
the length thereof in response to changes in terrain as the header
is advanced. The draper assembly includes an endless flexible
draper belt configured to receive severed crop materials from the
cutterbar assembly and convey the materials laterally. The draper
belt presents laterally endmost margins, with upper and lower runs
extending between the margins. A lower run support assembly is
located below the lower run of the draper belt and at least partly
over the skids. The lower run support assembly includes a run
support panel extending laterally along the lower run. The run
support panel is spaced from the skids to define a residue opening
therebetween through which any crop residue falling onto the skids
is permitted to pass.
[0010] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will
be apparent from the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0011] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in
detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures,
wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front perspective of a prior art harvesting
header;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary rear perspective of the prior art
harvesting header shown in FIG. 1, showing the cutterbar assembly
and side draper;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top view of the prior art harvesting
header shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of the prior art
harvesting header shown in FIGS. 1-3, with the header being
cross-sectioned to show the side draper and cutterbar assembly;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary rear perspective of the prior art
harvesting header shown in FIGS. 1-4, showing a skid of the
cutterbar assembly and a belt support panel;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a front perspective of a harvesting header
constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention, with the header including a header frame, draper
arm assemblies, end tilt arm assemblies, a cutterbar assembly, a
draper assembly, and a belt guard assembly;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary rear perspective of the harvesting
header shown in FIG. 6, with multiple draper arm assemblies and
belt guards being removed and portions of the draper belt and upper
run support panels removed to depict the lower belt run support
assembly and the cutterbar assembly;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top view of the harvesting header
shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, with belt guards being removed and portions
of the draper belt and upper run support panels being removed to
show the upper and lower run support panels positioned relative to
the cutterbar assembly;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of the harvesting
header shown in FIGS. 6-8, showing the cutterbar assembly and
draper assembly cross sectioned to show a skid of the cutterbar
assembly with the lower run support assembly mounted thereto, with
the lower run support assembly and skid cooperatively defining a
residue opening that permits crop residue to pass from the draper
belt along the skid; and
[0021] FIG. 10 is a fragmentary rear perspective of the harvesting
header shown in FIGS. 6-9, showing the skid of the cutterbar
assembly and a lower run support panel exploded from a platform of
the lower run support assembly.
[0022] The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to
the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The
drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being
placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the preferred
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Turning initially to FIGS. 6 and 7, a harvesting header 20
is operable to be used with a powered combine (not shown) to
harvest various crops. In particular, the header 20 is operable to
sever crop in close proximity to the ground surface and to collect
the severed crop material. At the same time, it has been found that
the illustrated header 20 operates without accumulating harmful
amounts of crop residue at critical locations in the header
mechanism, particularly along the draper belts.
[0024] The harvesting header 20 broadly includes a header frame 22
(similar to header frame F), draper arm assemblies 24, end tilt arm
assemblies 25 (similar to end tilt arm assembly E), a cutterbar
assembly 26, a draper assembly 28, which includes side drapers 30
and center draper 32, and a belt guard assembly including a
plurality of belt guards 31. The header 20 also includes a central
collecting auger 33 and a reel (not shown) that extends the length
of the header frame 22 and is operable to direct upstanding crop
into the header 20. The illustrated cutterbar assembly 26 and
draper assembly 28 are preferably flexible so that the header 20 is
configured to closely follow an undulating ground contour. However,
for some aspects of the present invention, one, more or all of the
drapers could be substantially inflexible relative to the header
frame 22.
[0025] With respect to the header frame 22, draper arm assemblies
24, end tilt arm assemblies 25, center draper 32, and belt guards
31, additional preferred features of these components are disclosed
in the above-incorporated '671 patent.
[0026] Turning to FIGS. 6-9, the draper arm assemblies 24
preferably include pivot arms 34 that are spaced laterally along
and pivotally mounted to the header frame 22 for pivotal movement
about a lateral pivot arm axis. The pivot arms 34 extend along the
fore-and-aft direction to present a front end 36, with a spacer 38
being mounted on top of the pivot arm 34 adjacent the front end 36.
As will be discussed, each of the pivot arms 34 is attached to a
corresponding skid.
[0027] The cutterbar assembly 26 preferably includes a cutterbar
40, sickle assembly 42, and skids 44,46. The illustrated cutterbar
40 comprises a unitary, flexible metal strip and extends laterally
along the length of the header. The cutterbar 40 is attached to and
supports the sickle assembly 42.
[0028] The sickle assembly 42 comprises a split sickle that
includes a pair of flexible sickle bars 48 and knives 50 that are
attached to and spaced along the length of the flexible sickle bars
48. The sickle assembly 42 also includes knife guards 52 attached
to the cutterbar 40, with the sickle bars 48 and knives 50 being
operable to slide in a reciprocating manner relative to the
cutterbar 40 and flex with the cutterbar 40. The sickle bars 48
preferably reciprocate in opposite directions relative to one
another. However, it is within the scope of the present invention
for the cutterbar assembly 26 to include a single continuous sickle
bar. Additional features of the sickle assembly 42 and the sickle
drive mechanism are disclosed in the above-incorporated '671
patent.
[0029] The skids 44,46 are configured to slide along the ground and
thereby support the cutterbar 40 so that the cutterbar assembly 26
can travel in close proximity to the ground surface. The skids 44
each preferably include a skid plate 54, a pair of reinforcing ribs
56, end connectors 58, and a central bracket 60. The skid plate 54
preferably includes a cutterbar-supporting forward section 62 and a
ground-engaging aft section 64 (see FIG. 7). The sections 62,64 are
preferably formed as part of a unitary plate structure, with the
sections 62,64 being joined along a laterally extending bend 66.
However, it is also within the scope of the present invention where
the sections 62,64 comprise separate plate elements that are
fastened together. Preferably, the sections 62,64 are arranged so
that the forward section 62 presents an angle .theta.1 relative to
a normal direction of travel T along the ground and the aft section
64 presents an angle .theta.2 relative to the normal direction of
travel T, where angle .theta.1 is greater than angle .theta.2 (see
FIG. 9). The skid plate 54 also includes an upright section 68 that
is attached to and angled relative to the forward section 62 (see
FIG. 9). The skid plate 54 further includes a rearwardmost section
70 that is attached to and angled relative to the aft section 64.
For some aspects of the present invention, the skid plate 54 could
be alternatively configured without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
[0030] The bracket 60 is elongated and unitary and presents forward
and aft portions 72,74 that are angled relative to one another. The
aft portion 74 is attached to the forward section 62 of the skid
plate 54 and the forward portion 72 is attached to the cutterbar
40. Thus, the bracket 60 preferably interconnects the skid plate 54
and cutterbar 40 so that the skid plate 54 presents upper and lower
surfaces 76,78.
[0031] The ribs 56 are also elongated and unitary and present fore
and aft ends, with the ribs 56 presenting a height dimension that
varies along the length of the rib 56. The ribs 56 are attached to
the upper surface 76 of the skid plate 54 along a lower edge of the
ribs. Thus, the ribs 56 serve to restrict flexing between the
forward and aft sections 62,64. Preferably, the ribs 56 are welded
to the skid plate 54, but could be attached thereto by other
suitable means, e.g., where the ribs 56 are attached with
fasteners.
[0032] Turning to FIGS. 7, 9, and 10, the skids 46 each preferably
include a skid plate 80, a pair of reinforcing ribs 82, end
connectors 84, a bearing 86, and a central bracket 88. Similar to
skid plate 54, the skid plate 80 preferably includes a
cutterbar-supporting forward section 90 and a ground-engaging aft
section 92. The sections 90,92 are preferably formed as part of a
unitary plate structure, with the sections 90,92 being joined along
a laterally extending bend 94. However, it is also within the scope
of the present invention where the sections 90,92 comprise separate
plate elements that are fastened together. Preferably, the sections
90,92 are arranged so that the forward section 90 presents the
angle .theta.1 relative to the ground G and the aft section 92
presents the angle .theta.2 relative to the ground G. The skid
plate 80 also includes an upright section 96 that is attached to
and angled relative to the forward section 90. The skid plate 80
further includes a rearwardmost section 98 that is attached to and
angled relative to the aft section 92. For some aspects of the
present invention, the skid plate 80 could be alternatively
configured without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0033] The bracket 88 is elongated and unitary and presents forward
and aft portions 100,102 that are attached to one another. The aft
portion 102 includes upright sides 104 and a central web 106 that
extends laterally between and interconnects the sides 104. The
forward portion 100 is attached to and projects forwardly of the
central web 106 along a fore-and-aft direction.
[0034] The bracket 88 preferably interconnects the skid plate 80
and cutterbar 40 so that the skid plate 80 presents upper and lower
surfaces 108,110. In particular, the forward portion 100 is
preferably attached to the cutterbar 40 with conventional
fasteners.
[0035] The ribs 82 are also elongated and unitary and present fore
and aft ends, with the ribs 82 presenting a height dimension that
varies along the length of the rib 82. The ribs 82 are attached to
the upper surface 108 of the skid plate 80 along a lower edge of
the ribs. Preferably, the ribs 82 are welded to the skid plate 80,
but could be attached thereto by other suitable means, e.g., where
the ribs 82 are attached with fasteners. For some aspects of the
present invention, the skids 44,46 could have an alternative shape
and/or configuration without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
[0036] The illustrated skids 44,46 are preferably positioned in an
alternating arrangement where each pair of adjacent skids 44 has a
skid 46 located therebetween and each pair of adjacent skids 46 has
a skid 44 located therebetween. The skids 44,46 are shiftably
interconnected by slidably positioning each end connector 58 in a
corresponding slot 111 formed by the skid plate 80 and the
respective end connector 84 (see FIG. 10). Thus, each pair of
engaged connectors 58,84 cooperatively form a joint that preferably
permits relative sliding movement and relative pivotal movement
between the corresponding adjacent skids.
[0037] The skids 44,46 are preferably attached to and move with the
draper arm assemblies 24. In particular, the skids 46 are each
preferably attached to a corresponding pivot arm 34 by attaching
the bearing 86 to the front end 36 with a bolt. In this manner, the
skid 46 is pivotally mounted to the pivot arm 34 so as to be
pivotal relative to the pivot arm 34 about a longitudinal arm axis.
Thus, the pivot arms 34 also serve to support the skids 44 and the
cutterbar assembly 26.
[0038] Again, the draper assembly 24 preferably includes side
drapers 30 and center draper 32. Each side draper 30 broadly
includes oppositely spaced inboard and outboard rollers 112, front
and rear upper run support panels 113, a side draper belt 114, and
a belt tensioning mechanism (not shown).
[0039] Each of the rollers 112 is rotatably mounted to a
corresponding draper arm assembly 24. The rollers 112 are
preferably mounted so as to pivot with the respective draper arm
assemblies 24 about the lateral arm pivot axis. Additional features
of a side draper with an exemplary arrangement of draper belt
rollers is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,971,419, issued Jul. 5,
2011, entitled DRAPER BELT SUPPORT PANELS FOR FLEXIBLE DRAPER
HEADER.
[0040] Turning to FIGS. 7-9, the upper run support panels 113 are
preferably elongated metal strips that extend laterally between the
rollers 112. The upper run support panels 113 are cooperatively
supported by respective draper arm assemblies 24 and serve to
evenly support the weight of the side draper belt 114 and any
severed crop material on the side draper belt 114. The illustrated
side draper belt 114 is a substantially endless belt that is
particularly configured for conveying the severed crop material
toward the center draper. The side draper belt 114 is rotatably
mounted to surround the respective rollers 112 and the
corresponding draper arm assemblies 24. The leading edge of the
draper belt 114 is covered by belt guards 31, with the belt guards
31 extending from the cutterbar assembly 26 to a location adjacent
the leading edge.
[0041] The side draper belt 114 presents opposite endmost margins
defined by the rollers 112. Furthermore, the side draper belt 114
presents upper and lower runs 114a,b, with the upper run 114a
extending over the upper run support panels 113 so that the panels
113 restrict the upper run 114a from sagging. The lower run 114b of
the side draper belt 114 extends below the panels 113. The outboard
roller 112 is powered by a drive (not shown), with the outboard
roller 112 driving the side draper belt 114 so that the upper run
114a of the side draper belt 114 moves inwardly toward the center
draper. While the illustrated embodiment includes left and right
side drapers 30 separated by a center draper, it is within the
scope of the present invention, for at least some aspects of the
present invention, where an alternative conveyor mechanism is used.
For instance, multiple end-to-end side drapers could be used to
convey crop material.
[0042] The header 20 also includes a lower run support assembly 116
associated with each side draper. Each lower run support assembly
116 is operable to support the lower run 114b when part of the
lower run 114b sags from the tensioned belt condition as depicted
(i.e., the lower run is not depicted as sagging). It will be
appreciated that the tensioned draper belt 114 loses tension over
time. Thus, as the belt loses tension, a central portion of the
lower run 114b can sag below the depicted position of the lower run
114b. As the lower run sags, the lower run support assembly 116 is
operable to engage the sagging belt run.
[0043] The lower run support assembly 116 preferably includes lower
run support panels 118 and platforms 120. The panels 118 each
include an elongated metal strip that extends between opposite ends
thereof. The panels 118 each present standoffs 122 formed in the
metal strip and spaced along the length of the strip. The panels
118 also present an upper support surface 124.
[0044] The illustrated panels 118 are preferably arranged in a
general end-to-end overlapping relationship (see FIG. 7). In this
manner, the panels 118 preferably extend continuously from a
location adjacent the inboard roller 112 to a location adjacent the
outboard roller 112. However, for some aspects of the present
invention, the lower run support assembly 116 could present one or
more locations between the rollers where the lower run 114b is not
supported by a panel 118. The panels 118 are preferably spaced
entirely rearwardly of the belt guards 31. Furthermore, the panels
118 are preferably spaced entirely rearwardly of the leading edge
of the draper belt 114 so that any crop residue from the draper
belt 114 is restricted from falling onto the panels 118.
[0045] Preferably, platforms 120 are used to position and support
the panels 118 below the lower run 114b and over the skids 44,46.
Each platform 120 preferably includes a top 126, forward legs 128,
and aft legs 130, with the legs 128,130 being attached to and
depending from the top 126.
[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the platform 120 is attached
to a corresponding skid 46. In particular, the lower ends of legs
128,130 are preferably attached to the aft section 92 so that the
legs 128,130 project upwardly and rearwardly from the aft section
92. Furthermore, the platform 120 is preferably positioned
laterally between a corresponding pair of ribs 82.
[0047] The panels 118 are attached to corresponding platforms 120
with removable fasteners. Thus, the panels 118 are preferably
mounted to and supported by respective skids 46. Furthermore, as
the cutterbar 40 and skids move with the terrain as the header is
advanced, the panels 118 generally move and flex with the skids 46.
However, it is within the ambit of the present invention where the
illustrated panels 118 are mounted so as to be supported by
structure other than skids 46. For instance, structure other than
pivot arms 34 could be mounted to the header frame 22 to extend
forwardly to support the panels 118 above the ground.
[0048] The panels 118 are preferably positioned so that the panels
118 and skids 44,46 cooperatively present a residue opening 132
therebetween. The residue opening 132 extends from an entrance 133
adjacent a forward edge 134 of the lower run 114b and generally
below the panels 118 to a location adjacent the rearwardmost
sections 70,98 (see FIG. 9). The illustrated opening 132 is
preferably configured so that any crop residue falling onto the
skids 44,46 is allowed to pass rearwardly along the upper surfaces
76,108 of the skids (as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 9) and
beyond the rearwardmost sections 70,98.
[0049] The panels 118 are preferably positioned so that a forward
margin 136 of the panels 118 is spaced rearwardly from the upright
sections 68,96 of the skids to define a longitudinal panel spacing
dimension (measured in a fore-and-aft direction). The longitudinal
panel spacing dimension is preferably in the range of about three
(3) to seven (7) inches. Most preferably, the longitudinal panel
spacing dimension is about five (5) inches.
[0050] The panels 118 are also preferably mounted relative to the
skids so that the opening 132 has a minimum cross-sectional
dimension P measured between the panel 118 and the skid. The
minimum cross-sectional dimension P preferably ranges from about
one (1) inch to about four (4) inches. More preferably, the minimum
cross-sectional dimension P is about two (2) inches.
[0051] In use, the illustrated header construction permits crop
residue to pass efficiently in the rearward direction along the
upper surfaces of the skids. As the header 20 is advanced along the
ground to harvest the crop, severed crop material passes over the
cutterbar assembly 26 onto the draper assembly 28, with some of the
crop material being conveyed by the side drapers 30 onto the center
draper 32. As the header 20 continues to advance and crop material
is conveyed, crop residue can collect along the leading edge of the
side drapers 30. The crop residue can then fall from the leading
edge of the side drapers 30, or perhaps other locations adjacent
thereto, onto the skids 44,46. Header movement and vibration urges
the crop residue to travel rearwardly along the skids 44,46 so that
crop residue can be deposited beyond the rear of the skid and/or to
either side of the skid. In this manner, the illustrated
arrangement restricts crop residue from collecting to an extent
where the crop residue on the skids hinders normal belt
operation.
[0052] The preferred forms of the invention described above are to
be used as illustration only, and should not be utilized in a
limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention.
Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove
set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0053] The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the
Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair
scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not
materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the
invention as set forth in the following claims.
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