Deere & Company

Travis L Bunde

Duane M Bomleny

Jay T Hulscher

An agricultural windrower includes a vehicle chassis, a lift frame movably mounted to the vehicle chassis, and a crop harvesting header coupled with the lift frame. The header includes a main frame and an integrated header float system. The header float system has at least one float cylinder coupled with the main frame. The header also includes a suspension which may be selectively mounted to one of a plurality of differently configured types of agricultural harvesters, such as a combine or windrower.

Floating header with integrated float system for use with an agricultural windrower or combine

In an agricultural combine, a header float system using a floating header having a frame, a support member supporting the frame from the ground, and a suspension variably supporting the frame from the combine. The suspension comprises a sub-frame removable attaching to the combine, links movably attaching the frame and the sub-frame, and one or more float cylinders moveably supporting the frame from the sub-frame. A float circuit connects to the float cylinder, and a float valve connects the float circuit to a main hydraulic circuit. A pressure sensor connects to the float circuit, and a controller communicates with the float valve and the pressure sensor. The controller maintains pressure in the float circuit at a target value by continuously reading the pressure sensor and commanding the float valve to add or subtract hydraulic fluid in the float circuit until pressure equals the target value.

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Shakopee, MN, United States of America

Travis L Bunde