Header height control system for an agricultural harvester

Abstract

An improved automatic height adjustment system for use with a header of an agricultural harvester is provided. The system includes apparatus and methods utilizing detection of a light beam at or near the skid plate of a header to adjust the height of the header relative to the ground surface. The apparatus includes an emitter for emitting a beam of light to a receiver. An apertured sensor guide is positioned between the emitter and the receiver. The sensor guide is in communication with a controller. If the body of the sensor guide is detected as blocking passage of light to the receiver then the controller operates an extensible actuator to raise or lower the header relative to the ground surface. The system provides rapid header height adjustment in response to detected changes in elevation of the skid plate as the harvester traverses a crop field.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]The subject application relates generally to headers for agricultural harvesters. In particular, the subject application relates to an improved automatic header height control system.[0002]Agricultural harvesters such as combine harvesters are well known apparatuses for harvesting grain crops. An agricultural harvester is typically a self-propelled vehicle which includes a feederhouse and mechanisms downstream of the feederhouse for separating grain from other crop material. A header is attached to the front of the harvester and includes mechanisms for cutting crop, gathering crop and delivering crop to the harvester's feederhouse. A typical crop cutter includes knives which shears crop near the ground. After cutting, the crop is gathered e.g., by a harvesting reel which feeds the cut crop to a conveyor system that transports the cut crop to the harvester's feederhouse.[0003]As an agricultural harvester passes over the ground surface, it oftentimes encounters substan...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]In addition, unlike electromechanical sensor mechanisms, the positions of the emitter and receiver require little to no user adjustment. Moreover, with the sensor guide(s) and receiver being located on or closely adjacent to the skid plate rather than rearwardly thereof, there is little lapse in time from when the skid plate experiences a change in topography and the controller instructs the extensible actuators(s) to make an appropriate change in elevation and / or tilt of the header. Therefore, there is less likelihood that the cutter bar would contact soil and experience possible damage or result in a less than optimal cut of the crop to optimize crop recovery.

Problems solved by technology

In addition, unlike electromechanical sensor mechanisms, the positions of the emitter and receiver require little to no user adjustment.

Therefore, there is less likelihood that the cutter bar would contact soil and experience possible damage or result in a less than optimal cut of the crop to optimize crop recovery.

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