Patent ID: 8695315
Filing Date: 2014-04-15
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. A draper header, comprising: a main draper frame extending substantially a full width of the header and having left and right sides extending transversely outwardly from a central portion of the main draper frame and each side including a transversely extending lower rear member and a plurality of transversely spaced knife supports joined to and extending forwardly from each said lower rear member; a transversely extending reciprocating knife being supported at a forward end of said knife supports; a left side draper conveyor located above the plurality of knife supports of the left side of the main draper frame; a right side draper conveyor located above the plurality of knife supports of pivotally the right side of the main draper frame; wherein the left and right side draper conveyors are respectively comprised of, a left and right side draper conveyor frames, at least one hinge coupling the left side draper conveyor frame to the lower rear member of the left side of the main draper frame and defining a transverse left hinge axis about which said left side draper conveyor frame may pivot between a lowered operating position and a raised belt-changing position, at least one other hinge coupling the right side draper frame to the lower rear member of the right side of the main draper frame and defining a transverse right hinge axis about which said right side draper conveyor frame may pivot between a lowered operating position and a raised belt-changing position, a first set of first and second rollers respectively being supported on an inner end and on an outer end of, and forming part of, the left side draper conveyor frame, a second set of first and second rollers respectively being supported on an inner end of and on an outer end of, and forming part of, the right side draper conveyor frame, left and right endless belts respectively extending about and supported on the first and second rollers of each of said left and right side draper conveyor frames, each endless belt having an upper surface disposed to receive crop severed from the ground by said reciprocating knife and to transport it laterally toward said central portion of the main draper frame, each endless belt further defining a forward edge disposed to move in a recirculating path adjacent to the reciprocating knife, and each endless belt further defining a rear edge disposed to move in a recirculating path adjacent to the associated one of said at least one hinge or said at least one other hinge, and at least first and second height adjusters each having an adjustable working length and being respectively mounted relative to the left and right hinge axes to act between the main draper frame and the left and right side draper conveyor frames so as to pivot the left and right side draper conveyor frames respectively upward about said left and right hinge axes, relative to the knife supports and the reciprocating knife, between a lowered operating position and a raised belt-changing position, when the working length of the at least first and second height adjusters is changed.