Patent ID: 8291685
Filing Date: 2012-10-23
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. A harvesting header, comprising: a cutter mechanism to cut crop; a discharge opening through which the cut crop passes as it moves rearwardly in the header; at least one pair of conditioning rolls forming a nip therebetween to condition crop material cut by the cutter mechanism as it passes between said pair of conditioning rolls, said pair of conditioning rolls placed forward of and having a length of the discharge opening so as to condition crop before it passes through the discharge opening; and a helper roll parallel to and having a length greater than the length of the at least one pair of conditioning rolls, said helper roll having an interior ribbed portion configured to urge the crop material rearward toward the nip of the conditioning rolls, said ribbed portion of the helper roll extending the length of the pair of conditioning rolls, and wherein the helper roll has an outer portion having at least one auger flight configured to urge the crop material laterally inward, wherein the auger flight extends outwardly from the ribbed portion such that the auger flight is positioned outwardly of the at least one pair of conditioning rolls and discharge opening.