Multi-row crop header

Abstract

A multi-row crop header for a forage harvester has a central rear discharge outlet, a transversely extending consolidating auger and a plurality of fore-and-aft extending crop dividers. The crop dividers define forward crop passageways and rear crop passageways extending from the forward crop passageways. At least some of the rear crop passageways are angled inwardly from front to rear, toward the longitudinal centerline of the header. Disposed within each of the rear crop passageways is a set of butt-gripping chains that grip the butt-ends of the stalks and convey the same rearwardly toward the central discharge outlet. As the butt-ends are conveyed inwardly toward the central discharge outlet, upper directing chains on the header direct the upper intermediate portions of the stalks inwardly toward the longitudinal centerline of the header and upper guide arms on the header direct upper more remote portions of the stalks inwardly toward the centerline of the header The cooperation between the auger, the angled rear passageways, the lower butt-gripping chains, the upper directing chains and the upper directing guide arms tends to orient the crop stalks in a generally fore-and-aft direction as they reach the middle or central section of the auger where the stalks are fed rearwardly through the rear discharge outlet and thereby promotes butt-end feeding of the stalks which results in a more efficient harvesting operation.