Patent ID: 8069640
Filing Date: 2011-12-06
Classification: A01D

Abstract:
1. A crop harvesting header comprising: a header frame arranged to be transported across ground on which there is a standing crop for harvesting; a cutter bar mounted on the header frame across a width of the header for movement across the ground for harvesting the standing crop; a plurality of generally horizontal cutter disks mounted on the cutter bar at positions spaced transversely of the header with the disks being mounted on the cutter bar for driven rotation about respective generally upright axes spaced along the cutter bar; each disk having mounted thereon at a position spaced outwardly from the respective axis thereof at least one cutter blade such that rotation of the disk about its axis causes a standing crop to be cut by the blade as it rotates around the axis on the disk; a common auger member extending across the header behind the cutter disks and including at each end a respective auger element arranged generally longitudinal of the cutter bar so as to carry the cut crop longitudinally of the cutter bar behind the cutter disks, each auger element including a rotating surface with a flight on the surface; the common auger member being arranged to rotate in a direction with a front face thereof turning upwardly and rearwardly; a conditioning system behind the common auger member; the common auger member being arranged such that a horizontal top tangent to the rotating surface is at a height no greater than 20 cms (7.5 inches) above the cutting plane of the cutting blade.