Flexing Row Crop Header With Float System for Steep Back-Slopes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing row crop headers struggle to efficiently harvest crops on farmable terraces with steep back-slopes due to their inability to fit or contour to the terrain, leading to reduced harvesting efficiency and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A row crop header with independently pivotal side wing sections and a float system, including hydraulic and spring float systems, allows the header to contour to the field surface by pivoting relative to a center section, ensuring consistent crop harvesting across varying terrains.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a typical header frame is used for harvesting row crops, then harvesting efficiency is improved through larger equipment size, but the header cannot fit into or contour to farmable terraces with steep back-slopes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting efficiencyVSAvoidability to contour to terrain

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The header frame is divided into a center section and multiple side wing sections that can independently pivot relative to each other. This segmentation allows the header to maintain a large overall size for harvesting efficiency while enabling individual sections to adapt to varying terrain contours on farmable terraces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The side wing sections are designed with independent pivotal movement capability relative to the center section, transforming the rigid header frame into a dynamic structure. This allows the header to actively contour to the terrain by pivoting sections independently, resolving the contradiction between maintaining large size and adapting to steep back-slopes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a larger header frame is used for increased harvesting efficiency, then productivity increases, but the header cannot fit into the existing back-slopes of farmable terraces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharvesting efficiencyVSAvoidability to operate on back-slopes

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the header into a center section and multiple side wing sections with independent pivotal movement, the header maintains its large size for high productivity while enabling individual sections to navigate and fit into the constrained back-slope areas of farmable terraces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic pivotal connection between center and side wing sections allows the header to adjust its configuration in real-time, enabling operation on steep back-slopes without sacrificing the overall large size needed for harvesting efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the header is designed to contour to varying terrain, then adaptability to farmable terraces is improved, but the structural complexity of the header increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to contour to terrainVSAvoidheader frame structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The header frame is segmented into modular center and side wing sections connected by pivotal joints. This segmentation provides the necessary adaptability to contour to terrain while maintaining a relatively simple structural design compared to more complex active control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pivotal connections between sections provide the required dynamic adaptability to varying terrain through mechanical movement, avoiding the need for complex active control systems, sensors, or actuators that would significantly increase device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The header effectively navigates farmable terraces with steep slopes, maintaining efficient harvesting and minimizing damage by allowing the side wing sections to pivot and float over the surface, thus enhancing operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

A float system is operatively coupled between the center and side wing sections to reduce weight on the side wing sections as the side wing sections engage the surface of the field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS20250344640A1Flexing header with float system

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 MACDON INDS

AI summary

A row crop header for harvesting crop in a field comprises a header frame having a center section and a pair of side wing sections operatively coupled to the center section. An upper link is pivotally coupled between the center section and each one of the side wing sections adjacent the top portion thereof. A lower link is pivotally coupled between the center section and each one of the side wing sections adjacent the bottom portion thereof. The upper links and lower links provide independent pivotal movement of the side wing sections relative to the center section to contour to the surface of the field of crops to be harvested. An automatic float system is operatively coupled between the center section and each one of the side wing sections to adjust the weight of the side wing sections on the surface of the field and allow the side wing sections to float relative to the center section.