Patent ID: 8601778
Filing Date: 2013-12-10
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. A harvesting header, comprising: a crop cutting assembly comprising a series of rotary cutters that define a laterally extending generally planar cutting zone along which crop material is severed from the ground by the cutting assembly; a discharge opening through which the cut crop passes as it moves rearwardly in the header; a pair of laterally extending crop conditioning rolls defining a nip therebetween that is spaced upwardly and rearwardly from the cutting zone and placed forward of and having a length of the discharge opening so as to condition crop before it passes through the discharge opening; a helper roll positioned rearwardly of the cutting zone and forwardly of the conditioning rolls and having a length greater than the length of the conditioning rolls, said helper roll having an interior ribbed portion configured to urge the crop material rearward toward the nip of the conditioning rolls and outer portions having auger flighting configured to urge the crop material laterally inward, wherein the auger flighting extends outwardly from the ribbed portion such that the auger flighting is positioned outwardly of the conditioning rolls and discharge opening, and wherein the axis of rotation of the helper roll is above the plane of the cutting zone, and wherein the auger flighting extends below the plane of the cutting zone.