Row-crop harvesting header

Abstract

A self-propelled forage harvester has a forward transversely elongated header that includes a plurality of row units mounted on the header frame for removing crop material from a plurality of rows as the machine advances and delivering it rearwardly to a transverse auger on the header, which converges the crop and delivers it rearwardly to the forage harvester through a central crop transfer opening in the header. Each row unit includes a supporting structure extending forwardly in cantilever fashion from the header frame and a pair of belt type gathering elements having opposite rearwardly moving inner runs with intermeshing projections that clamp the stalks of row planted crops to move the stalk rearwardly. A reciprocating cutter is mounted on the supporting structure below the forward intake ends of each pair of gathering elements and the rearward discharge end of each pair gathering elements is disposed directly under the auger to positively feed the butt of the severed stalk under the auger. The row units are laterally shiftable to accommodate different row spacings, and crop dividers are mounted on the row units and extend between adjacent row units, outer dividers being provided at the opposite sides of the header. A pair of upright, driven rollers are mounted at the rearward ends of the outer two dividers in front of the sides of the header frame to facilitate feeding of the crop past the front edges of the header sides, and an upper stalk control structure is mounted on the frame and includes a transverse member forwardly and above the auger for engaging the upper portion of upright stalks so that the stalks are fed under the auger.