Intermediate header height on self-propelled windrower for operation at high road speed

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12501858-B2
Application number	US-202217840014-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 14, 2022
Priority date	Jun 14, 2022
Publication date	Dec 23, 2025
Grant date	Dec 23, 2025

Abstract

An agricultural machine system for moving a header of a self-propelled windrower at road speed. A lift device selectively moves the header between a low position, a high position, and an intermediate position such that the header occupies the intermediate position when the agricultural machine system is in a mode of operation associated with road speed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An agricultural machine system, comprising:
an agricultural work vehicle including a lift device, wherein the agricultural work vehicle is a self-propelled windrower; a header coupled with the lift device, the lift device configured for selectively moving the header between a plurality of positions associated with a header height including a low position, a high position, and an intermediate position therebetween such that the header occupies the intermediate position when the agricultural machine system is in a predetermined mode of operation that is associated with a predetermined road speed.

2 . The agricultural machine system of claim 1 , further comprising a control system operatively coupled with the agricultural work vehicle and the header, the control system including:
a sensor configured for:
sensing a header position;
outputting a header position signal corresponding to the header position;
a controller system configured for:
receiving the header position signal;
determining a header adjustment based at least in part on the header position signal, the header adjustment being associated with moving the header to the intermediate position;
outputting a header adjustment signal, based at least in part on the header adjustment, to an actuator configured for adjusting the header position.

3 . The agricultural machine system of claim 2 , wherein the controller system is configured for determining the header adjustment based at least in part on receiving a first signal associated with one of:
(1) a first input directing that the self-propelled windrower be operated in the predetermined mode of operation; and (2) a second input directing the header to be placed in the intermediate position.

4 . An agricultural work vehicle of an agricultural machine system, wherein the agricultural work vehicle is a self-propelled windrower, the agricultural work vehicle comprising:
a lift device, the agricultural work vehicle configured for being coupled with a header, the lift device being configured for selectively moving the header between a plurality of positions associated with a header height including a low position, a high position, and an intermediate position therebetween such that the header occupies the intermediate position when the agricultural machine system is in a predetermined mode of operation that is associated with a predetermined road speed.

5 . The agricultural work vehicle of claim 4 , wherein a control system of the agricultural machine system is operatively coupled with the agricultural work vehicle and configured for being operatively coupled with the header, the control system including:
a sensor configured for:
sensing a header position;
outputting a header position signal corresponding to the header position;
a controller system configured for:
receiving the header position signal;
determining a header adjustment based at least in part on the header position signal, the header adjustment being associated with moving the header to the intermediate position;
outputting a header adjustment signal, based at least in part on the header adjustment, to an actuator configured for adjusting the header position.

6 . The agricultural work vehicle of claim 5 , wherein the controller system is configured for determining the header adjustment based at least in part on receiving a first signal associated with one of:
(1) a first input directing that the self-propelled windrower be operated in the predetermined mode of operation; and (2) a second input directing the header to be placed in the intermediate position.

7 . A method of using an agricultural machine system, the method comprising the steps of:
providing an agricultural work vehicle and a header, the agricultural work vehicle including a lift device, the header being coupled with the lift device, wherein the agricultural work vehicle is a self propelled windrower; and moving selectively, by way of the lift device, the header between a plurality of positions associated with a header height including a low position, a high position, and an intermediate position therebetween such that the header occupies the intermediate position when the agricultural machine system is in a predetermined mode of operation that is associated with a predetermined road speed.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the agricultural machine system further comprises a control system operatively coupled with the agricultural work vehicle and the header, the control system including:
a sensor configured for:
sensing a header position;
outputting a header position signal corresponding to the header position;
a controller system configured for:
receiving the header position signal;
determining a header adjustment based at least in part on the header position signal, the header adjustment being associated with moving the header to the intermediate position;
outputting a header adjustment signal, based at least in part on the header adjustment, to an actuator configured for adjusting the header position.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the controller system is configured for determining the header adjustment based at least in part on receiving a first signal associated with one of:
(1) a first input directing that the self-propelled windrower be operated in the predetermined mode of operation; and (2) a second input directing the header to be placed in the intermediate position.

Assignees

• Cnh Ind America Llc

Inventors

• Fasick Gregory
• Fay Ii Jeffrey

Classifications

• A01D41/141 Primary

  Automatic header control · CPC title

• A01D41/145 Primary

  Header lifting devices · CPC title