Patent Description:
An agricultural harvester known as a "combine" is historically termed such because it combines multiple harvesting functions with a single harvesting unit, such as picking, threshing, separating, and cleaning. A combine includes a header (which can also be referred to as a head) which removes the crop from a field, and a feeder housing which transports the crop matter into a threshing rotor. The threshing rotor rotates within a perforated housing, which may be in the form of adjustable concaves, and performs a threshing operation on the crop to remove the grain. Once the grain is threshed it falls through perforations in the concaves onto a grain pan. From the grain pan the grain is cleaned using a cleaning system, and is then transported to a grain tank onboard the combine. A cleaning fan blows air through the sieves to discharge chaff and other debris toward the rear of the combine. Non-grain crop material such as straw from the threshing section proceeds through a residue handling system, which may utilize a straw chopper to process the non-grain material and direct it out the rear of the combine. When the grain tank becomes full, the combine is positioned adjacent a vehicle into which the grain is to be unloaded, such as a semi-trailer, gravity box, straight truck, or the like, and an unloading system on the combine is actuated to transfer the grain into the vehicle.

More particularly, a rotary threshing or separating system includes one or more rotors that can extend axially (front to rear) or transversely (side to side) within the body of the combine, and which are partially or fully surrounded by perforated concaves. The crop material is threshed and separated by the rotation of the rotor within the concaves. Coarser non-grain crop material such as stalks and leaves pass through a straw beater to remove any remaining grains, and then are transported to the rear of the combine and discharged back to the field. The separated grain, together with some finer non-grain crop material such as chaff, dust, straw, and other crop residue are discharged through the concaves and fall onto a grain pan where they are transported to a cleaning system. Alternatively, the grain and finer non-grain crop material may also fall directly onto the cleaning system itself.

A cleaning system further separates the grain from non-grain crop material, and typically includes a fan directing an airflow stream upwardly and rearwardly through vertically arranged sieves which oscillate in a fore and aft manner. The airflow stream lifts and carries the lighter non-grain crop material towards the rear end of the combine for discharge to the field. Clean grain, being heavier, and larger pieces of non-grain crop material, which are not carried away by the airflow stream, fall onto a surface of an upper sieve (also known as a chaffer sieve), where some or all of the clean grain passes through to a lower sieve (also known as a cleaning sieve). Grain and non-grain crop material remaining on the upper and lower sieves are physically separated by the reciprocating action of the sieves as the material moves rearwardly. Any grain and/or non-grain crop material which passes through the upper sieve, but does not pass through the lower sieve, is directed to a tailings pan. Grain falling through the lower sieve lands on a bottom pan of the cleaning system, where it is conveyed forwardly toward a clean grain auger. The clean grain auger conveys the grain to a grain elevator, which transports the grain upwards to a grain tank for temporary storage. The grain accumulates to the point where the grain tank is full and is discharged to an adjacent vehicle such as a semi-trailer, gravity box, straight truck or the like by an unloading system on the combine that is actuated to transfer grain into the vehicle.

Headers of combines can be used to harvest various types of crop material, such as corn. Such headers can include a plurality of row units each of which receives a respective corn stalk. A respective row unit can include two gathering chains each including paddles, two deck plates which are spaced apart from one another to form a gap therebetween, and two rotating stalk rolls. The gap between the deck plates receives the corn stalk, and as the corn stalk is pulled down between the deck plates by the stalk rolls ears attached to the stalk can strike the deck plates and thereby be stripped from the stalk and be moved onward toward the interior of the combine by the paddles of the gathering chains. Positioned generally between these gaps are a plurality of row dividers spaced apart laterally across the front of the header. At each lateral end is a respective row divider, each of which can be called an end row divider, thus providing a left end row divider and a right end row divider. End row dividers serve to divide the crop material between the crop material that is to be harvested in the current pass from the crop material not to be harvested in the current pass. Mounted on each end row divider can be a respective auger extending substantially in a longitudinal direction of the header. Such augers are intended to move crop material rearwardly and inwardly. A problem exists, however, with such augers, namely, that of transporting laid over crop material rearwardly and the wrapping of crop material about the augers. To address such wrapping, auger strippers have been employed, to prevent such wrapping. For instance, a known auger stripper extends a full length of the auger and is placed in a location in line with an inside edge of a hood of the end row divider. This location, however, has been found to be a less than optimal location to strip the crop material from the auger, while also not optimally assisting in transport of the crop material away from a leading edge of the auger. Documents <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> describe known agricultural headers with auger strippers.

What is needed in the art is a way to improve the stripping of crop material from the auger and the transporting of the crop material away from the leading edge of the auger.

The present invention provides a transitional auger stripper of a corn header of a combine, the transitional auger stripper being angularly disposed relative to a centerline of the auger.

The invention in one form is directed to an agricultural harvester including: a harvester frame; and an agricultural header coupled with the harvester frame, the agricultural header including: a header frame; an end row divider coupled with the header frame; an auger mounted to the end row divider and configured for moving a crop material rearwardly, the auger including a centerline; and an auger stripper coupled with the end row divider and configured for stripping the crop material from the auger, the auger stripper being angularly disposed relative to the centerline.

The invention in another form is directed to an agricultural header of an agricultural harvester, the agricultural harvester including a harvester frame, the agricultural header being coupled with the harvester frame, the agricultural header including: a header frame; an end row divider coupled with the header frame; an auger mounted to the end row divider and configured for moving a crop material rearwardly, the auger including a centerline; and an auger stripper coupled with the end row divider and configured for stripping the crop material from the auger, the auger stripper being angularly disposed relative to the centerline.

The invention in yet another form is directed to a method of using an agricultural harvester, the method including the steps of: providing a harvester frame and an agricultural header coupled with the harvester frame, the agricultural header including a header frame, an end row divider coupled with the header frame, and an auger mounted to the end row divider and configured for moving a crop material rearwardly, the auger including a centerline; and stripping, by way of an auger stripper coupled with the end row divider, the crop material from the auger, the auger stripper being angularly disposed relative to the centerline.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides improved stripping of the auger in a lead in area of the auger and thus fewer instances of wrapping of the auger.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for better rearward transport of crop material from the leading edge of the auger.

The terms "grain", "straw" and "tailings" are used principally throughout this specification for convenience but it is to be understood that these terms are not intended to be limiting. Thus "grain" refers to that part of the crop material which is threshed and separated from the discardable part of the crop material, which is referred to as non-grain crop material, MOG (Material Other than Grain), or straw. Incompletely threshed crop material is referred to as "tailings". Also, the terms "forward", "rearward", "left" and "right", when used in connection with the agricultural harvester and/or components thereof are usually determined with reference to the direction of forward operative travel of the harvester, but again, they should not be construed as limiting. The terms "longitudinal" and "transverse" are determined with reference to the fore-and-aft direction of the agricultural harvester and are equally not to be construed as limiting. The terms "downstream" and "upstream" are determined with reference to the intended direction of crop material flow during operation, with "downstream" being analogous to "rearward" and "upstream" being analogous to "forward.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to <FIG>, there is shown an embodiment of an agricultural harvester <NUM> in the form of a combine which generally includes a chassis <NUM> (which can be referred to as a harvester frame <NUM>), ground engaging wheels <NUM> and <NUM>, header <NUM>, feeder housing <NUM>, operator cab <NUM>, threshing and separating system <NUM>, cleaning system <NUM>, grain tank <NUM>, and unloading conveyance <NUM>. Front wheels <NUM> are larger flotation type wheels, and rear wheels <NUM> are smaller steerable wheels. Motive force is selectively applied to front wheels <NUM> through a power plant in the form of a diesel engine <NUM> and a transmission (not shown). Although combine <NUM> is shown as including wheels, is also to be understood that combine <NUM> may include tracks, such as full tracks or half-tracks.

Header <NUM> (which can be referred to as a head, a header assembly, or an agricultural header) is mounted to the front of combine <NUM> and, in this example, is a corn header <NUM> (which can also be referred to as a corn head or a corn header assembly). Header <NUM> is coupled with harvester frame <NUM>. Header <NUM> includes a header frame <NUM> (shown schematically in <FIG>), a plurality of row dividers <NUM> coupled with header frame <NUM> and spaced apart across the front of header <NUM> (the left-most row divider <NUM> being shown in <FIG>, the left- and right-most row dividers <NUM> also being referred to as end row dividers 111A, 111B, respectively, and being at the lateral ends of header <NUM>), and a plurality of row units <NUM> (<FIG>) coupled with the header frame <NUM>, each row unit <NUM> being generally operatively positioned between two respective dividers <NUM>. Row dividers <NUM> serve to divide the crop material between the crop material that is to be harvested in the current pass from the crop material not to be harvested in the current pass. Row units <NUM> separate the ear of corn from respective stalks in a field during forward motion of combine <NUM> and move the ears to an auger <NUM>, such as a double auger <NUM> (disposed transversely across header <NUM>), which feeds the severed crop (here, an ear of corn) laterally inwardly from each side toward feeder housing <NUM> (it can be appreciated that other types of conveyors can be used besides double auger <NUM>, such as a draper header). Feeder housing <NUM> conveys the severed crop to threshing and separating system <NUM>, and is selectively vertically movable using appropriate actuators, such as hydraulic cylinders (not shown). The header of the present invention can be flexible, rigid, and/or articulating. For illustrative purposes, omitted in <FIG> is auger <NUM>, but it is understood that an auger <NUM> is mounted to end row divider 111A.

Threshing and separating system <NUM> is of the axial-flow type, and generally includes a threshing rotor <NUM> at least partially enclosed by a rotor cage and rotatable within a corresponding perforated concave <NUM>. The cut crops are threshed and separated by the rotation of rotor <NUM> within concave <NUM>, and larger elements, such as stalks, leaves and the like are discharged from the rear of combine <NUM>. Smaller elements of crop material including grain and non-grain crop material, including particles lighter than grain, such as chaff, dust and straw, are discharged through perforations of concave <NUM>. Threshing and separating system <NUM> can also be a different type of system, such as a system with a transverse rotor rather than an axial rotor, etc..

Grain which has been separated by the threshing and separating assembly <NUM> falls onto a grain pan <NUM> and is conveyed toward cleaning system <NUM>. Cleaning system <NUM> may include an optional pre-cleaning sieve <NUM>, an upper sieve <NUM> (also known as a chaffer sieve or sieve assembly), a lower sieve <NUM> (also known as a cleaning sieve), and a cleaning fan <NUM>. Grain on sieves <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> is subjected to a cleaning action by fan <NUM> which provides an air flow through the sieves to remove chaff and other impurities such as dust from the grain by making this material airborne for discharge from a straw hood <NUM> of a residue management system <NUM> of combine <NUM>. Optionally, the chaff and/or straw can proceed through a chopper <NUM> to be further processed into even smaller particles before discharge out of the combine <NUM> by a spreader assembly <NUM>. It should be appreciated that the "chopper" <NUM> referenced herein, which may include knives, may also be what is typically referred to as a "beater", which may include flails, or other construction and that the term "chopper" as used herein refers to any construction which can reduce the particle size of entering crop material by various actions including chopping, flailing, etc. Grain pan <NUM> and pre-cleaning sieve <NUM> oscillate in a fore-to-aft manner to transport the grain and finer non-grain crop material to the upper surface of upper sieve <NUM>. Upper sieve <NUM> and lower sieve <NUM> are vertically arranged relative to each other, and likewise oscillate in a fore-to-aft manner to spread the grain across sieves <NUM>, <NUM>, while permitting the passage of cleaned grain by gravity through the openings of sieves <NUM>, <NUM>.

Clean grain falls to a clean grain auger <NUM> positioned crosswise below and toward the front of lower sieve <NUM>. Clean grain auger <NUM> receives clean grain from each sieve <NUM>, <NUM> and from a bottom pan <NUM> of cleaning system <NUM>. Clean grain auger <NUM> conveys the clean grain laterally to a generally vertically arranged grain elevator <NUM> for transport to grain tank <NUM>. Tailings from cleaning system <NUM> fall to a tailings auger trough <NUM>. The tailings are transported via tailings auger <NUM> and return auger <NUM> to the upstream end of cleaning system <NUM> for repeated cleaning action. A pair of grain tank augers <NUM> at the bottom of grain tank <NUM> convey the clean grain laterally within grain tank <NUM> to unloader <NUM> for discharge from combine <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown a perspective view of header <NUM>, with portions broken away. Header <NUM> includes row dividers <NUM>, with a right end row divider 111B and an adjacent row divider <NUM> positioned laterally inward of end row divider 111B. End row dividers 111A, 111B are substantially identical to one another except that one mirrors the other; with this in mind, a description of one serves as a description of the other, except where mirroring occurs in view of each being positioned at a respective lateral end of header <NUM>. Header <NUM> further includes row units <NUM> (which are known and will not be described in further detail), an auger <NUM> (which can be referred to as a side auger or an end row divider auger), and an auger stripper <NUM>. End row divider 111B includes a snout <NUM> and a body <NUM> coupled therewith and positioned rearwardly thereof, as is known. End row divider 111B further includes a pocket <NUM>, in which a front portion of side auger <NUM> is positioned. Snout <NUM> includes a rear wall <NUM> which slopes downward. Side auger <NUM> includes a shaft <NUM> and flighting <NUM> coupled with shaft <NUM>. A respective side auger <NUM> is mounted on a respective end row divider 111A, 111B (thus forming left and right side augers <NUM>), such that a description of one serves as a description of the other, though left and right side augers <NUM> can mirror one another; for instance, while right side auger <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) rotates counter-clockwise (viewed from cab <NUM> and thus looking generally right-to-left (forward) down side auger <NUM> shown in <FIG>) in order to move the crop material rearwardly and inwardly, left side auger <NUM> rotates clockwise. Auger <NUM> extends substantially in a longitudinal direction of header <NUM>. Auger <NUM> thus is configured for moving the crop material (i.e., corn) rearwardly and inwardly. Auger includes a front end <NUM> and a rear end <NUM>.

Auger stripper <NUM> is coupled with end row divider 111B. Like side augers <NUM>, a respective auger stripper <NUM> is mounted to a respective end row divider 111A, 111B (thus forming left and right auger strippers <NUM>), such that a description of one serves as a description of the other, though left and right auger strippers <NUM> can mirror one another (the right auger stripper <NUM> being shown in <FIG>). Auger stripper <NUM> is attached by way of fasteners to a side sheet <NUM> of body <NUM> (more specifically, to side sheet <NUM> of an end row divider hood of body <NUM>) and also to rear wall <NUM>; the fasteners can be any suitable fasteners (by way of example and not limitation, hexagonal-head screws or bolts) configured for attaching to end row divider 111B, which can include a plastic material to which the fasteners attach. As shown in <FIG>, stripper <NUM> is attached to an inboard side of end row divider 111B. Stripper <NUM> is configured for stripping the crop material from auger <NUM> by way of stripping segment <NUM>, which generally stands upright and includes a free edge <NUM> (<FIG>) which performs the stripping of the crop material from auger <NUM>. Stripper <NUM> is associated with front end <NUM> of auger <NUM> but not rear end <NUM> of auger <NUM>; front end <NUM> can include approximately the front half or the front <NUM> percent of auger <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown a top view of header <NUM>, with portions broken away. A portion of auger <NUM> is shown, including front end <NUM>. Auger <NUM> is shown to have a centerline <NUM>, which also is a rotational axis of auger <NUM>. The portion of stripper <NUM> shown in broken lines in <FIG> is generally blocked from view by way of the top view and is thus at least somewhat under auger <NUM>. Stripper <NUM> is shown to include stripping segment <NUM>, connecting flange <NUM>, and intermediate segment <NUM>, all coupled to one another. Stripping segment <NUM> (which is described even further below) is angularly disposed relative to centerline <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. That is, free edge <NUM> of stripping segment <NUM> (facing the viewer of <FIG>) makes a predetermined acute angle with centerline <NUM> (and thus also a predetermined acute angle with side sheet <NUM>, which may or may not be the same as the angle made with centerline <NUM>); this angle likely provides a more optimal relation to auger <NUM>. Because of this angular disposition and enabled by a curvature <NUM> (which can be referred to as a curved portion <NUM>, a concavity <NUM>) (<FIG>) of free edge <NUM> of stripping segment <NUM> (visible in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>), proceeding front a front end of free edge <NUM> to a rear end of free edge <NUM>, free edge <NUM> proceeds under auger <NUM>, as best seen in <FIG> and <FIG>. In this way, stripper <NUM> performs an improved stripping action and movement rearward of the crop material relative to auger <NUM>. Connecting flange <NUM>, which is connected to stripping segment <NUM>, is connected to rear wall <NUM> by way of a suitable fastener. Intermediate segment <NUM>, which is also connected to stripping segment <NUM>, includes a top surface that faces generally upward toward auger <NUM> and an opposing bottom surface that faces toward end row divider 111B.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown a perspective view of auger stripper <NUM>. Stripper <NUM> can be made of any suitable material, such as a metal (for example, stainless steel, or aluminum) or a polymer (it is assumed herein that stripper <NUM> is made of stainless steel). Stripper <NUM> includes intermediate segment <NUM>, connecting segment <NUM>, stripping segment <NUM>, and connecting flange <NUM>. Intermediate segment <NUM> is a generally horizontal segment when stripper <NUM> is attached to end row divider <NUM> and connects stripping segment <NUM> and connecting segment <NUM> together. A width of intermediate segment <NUM> at a front end of stripper <NUM> (the left side of stripper <NUM> in <FIG>) is greater than a width of intermediate segment <NUM> at a rear end of stripper <NUM> (the right side of stripper <NUM> in <FIG>), the width of intermediate segment <NUM> thus tapering, such that when stripper <NUM> is attached to end row divider 111B stripper <NUM> tapers toward auger <NUM> and thus also into side sheet <NUM> (as also shown in <FIG> and <FIG>). Connecting segment <NUM> depends from intermediate segment <NUM> and serves to connect stripper <NUM> to side sheet <NUM> by way of suitable fasteners using fastener holes <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>, connecting segment <NUM> can include two such holes <NUM> (though more or less may be used). Further, stripping segment <NUM> is connected to and upstanding relative to intermediate segment <NUM>. Stripping segment <NUM> includes free edge <NUM>, which descends in height relative to intermediate segment <NUM> as free edge <NUM> progresses from the front end of stripper <NUM> to the rear end of stripper <NUM>. Free edge <NUM> includes curvature <NUM> (best seen in <FIG>), which is concave. Free edge <NUM> is concave so that free edge <NUM> can follow closely and constantly the outer diameter of flighting <NUM> as shaft <NUM> of auger <NUM> rotates. Connecting flange <NUM> extends from a front end of stripping segment <NUM>. Connecting flange <NUM> also includes a fastener hole <NUM> for receiving therethrough a suitable fastener for attaching connecting flange <NUM> to rear wall <NUM>. Connecting flange <NUM> makes any suitable angle with stripping segment <NUM> so that connecting flange <NUM> connects with rear wall <NUM>, for example, <NUM> degrees (+/- <NUM> degrees), which positions connecting flange <NUM> in line or parallel with a front edge <NUM> of intermediate segment <NUM>. Auger stripper <NUM> further includes a leading edge portion <NUM> of free edge <NUM>. Leading edge portion <NUM> cooperates with rear wall <NUM> for improved stripping of the crop material from auger <NUM>. That is, rear wall <NUM> can begin to strip crop material from auger <NUM>. But as soon as rear wall <NUM> encounters stripper <NUM>, stripper <NUM> performs the stripping action. Leading edge portion <NUM>, together with the specific curvature/concavity (<NUM>) of free edge <NUM> and the descending height of stripping segment <NUM> moving rearwardly, provides for a smooth transition from a slope of rear wall <NUM> (which can be said to form a first angle with a horizontal line) to a slope of stripping segment <NUM> formed by curvature/concavity <NUM> running from leading edge portion <NUM> (which can be said to form a second angle with a horizontal line, wherein the second angle can be substantially identical to the first angle, or within a predetermined degree of difference so as to provide for a gradual or smooth transition from rear wall <NUM> to free edge <NUM>), which thus provides for continuous stripping of crop material from auger <NUM> extending rearwardly and thus beyond pocket <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown a front view of auger stripper <NUM>. Shown are front edge <NUM> of intermediate segment <NUM>, connecting segment <NUM>, connecting flange <NUM>, and stripping segment <NUM>. Further, stripping segment <NUM> is shown to include free edge <NUM>, which forms a curvature/concavity (which is labeled <NUM> in <FIG>). The angles between intermediate segment <NUM> and connecting segment <NUM> and between intermediate segment <NUM> and stripping segment <NUM> can, depending upon the needs for attaching stripper <NUM> to end row divider <NUM>, each be <NUM> degrees, less than <NUM> degrees, or greater than <NUM> degrees; <FIG> shows that the former angle is less than <NUM> degrees, and the latter angle is greater than <NUM> degrees. Further, <FIG> shows that auger stripper <NUM> can include a substantially Z-shaped configuration with respect to connecting segment <NUM>, intermediate segment <NUM>, and stripping segment <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown schematically a front, cross-sectional view of auger <NUM> and auger stripper <NUM>, taken approximately along line <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>, with portions broken away. Auger <NUM> is shown schematically, in that only the outer diameter of flighting <NUM> is shown. Further, because auger <NUM> is here a right side auger <NUM> and the view is taken looking front to rear, auger <NUM> is shown to rotate clockwise by way of directional arrow <NUM>. Further, auger stripper <NUM> is shown schematically, in that only stripping segment <NUM> is shown. A reference grid <NUM> is also provided in broken lines, reference grid <NUM> having a vertical line and a horizontal line. Reference grid <NUM> delineates four quadrants on the outer diameter of flighting <NUM>, namely, 643A, 643B, 643C, and 643D, proceeding clockwise. <FIG> shows that, when auger <NUM> begins to encounter stripper <NUM> (that is, stripper <NUM> comes alongside auger <NUM>) as shown in <FIG>, stripping segment is located in quadrant 643B. Thus, the stripping action advantageously begins on an inboard side of auger <NUM> and thus on a down-swing of rotation of auger <NUM>, because of directional arrow <NUM>. Further, though close, stripper <NUM> need not actually make contact with auger <NUM>; in this vein, free edge <NUM> (and thus curvature/concavity <NUM>, which can also be referred to as a curved portion <NUM> of stripping segment <NUM>) is configured to form a constant clearance with the outer diameter of flighting <NUM> when auger <NUM> rotates and enables stripper <NUM> to pass under auger <NUM>. For purposes of contrast, <FIG> also shows a prior art stripper <NUM> (shown in broken lines), though it can be appreciated that both strippers <NUM> and <NUM> are not used on the same end row divider <NUM>. <FIG> shows when auger <NUM> begins to encounter stripper <NUM>, which occurs in quadrant 643C, at which point the crop material, disadvantageously, has already begun wrapping about auger <NUM>, as auger <NUM> is on an up-swing of rotation.

Further, auger stripper <NUM> is "transitional. " That is, stripper <NUM> provides the stripping capability immediately after (rearward) pocket <NUM> in a plastic hood of end row divider 111B. Further, stripper <NUM>, as described above, shifts from this location - that is, an inboard side of auger <NUM>, based on centerline <NUM> - to an outboard side of auger <NUM> over a length of stripper <NUM>, which can be about one foot long, for example and not limitation. Upon reaching its terminating longitudinal extent (rearward), stripper <NUM> has transitioned to nothing (that is, stripper <NUM> has terminated) for a remaining length of auger <NUM>. During testing, it was found that nearly all wrapping of crop material about auger <NUM> occurred at a front end <NUM> of auger <NUM>, or, more specifically, from the leading edge of auger <NUM> to approximately one-third of an initial length of auger <NUM> (starting from the leading edge of auger <NUM>). Further, curvature/concavity <NUM> of free edge <NUM> of stripper <NUM> is provided because of the transition of stripper <NUM> from the inboard side of auger <NUM> to the outboard side of auger <NUM> over the length of stripper <NUM>. Further, in view of curvature/concavity <NUM>, stripper <NUM> is cut to allow for clearance <NUM> as stripper <NUM> passes under auger <NUM> to side sheet <NUM>. This provides for good stripping action with respect to crop material that may begin to wrap auger <NUM>, and also provides good crop material transport away from the leading edge of auger <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown a side view of a metal blank <NUM>, which is to be bent or folded so as to form auger stripper <NUM>. Blank <NUM> includes intermediate segment <NUM> (with front edge <NUM>), connecting segment <NUM>, stripping segment <NUM>, connecting flange <NUM>, fastener holes <NUM>, free edge <NUM> which defines curvature/concavity <NUM>, and leading edge portion of free edge <NUM>. Further, during manufacture of stripper <NUM>, stripper <NUM> can be formed by way of a stamping operation. Blank <NUM> can be cut from a larger piece of metal, in the shape shown in <FIG>. Blank <NUM> is flat at this stage. Then, blank <NUM> can be formed into stripper <NUM> by way of bending or folding along fold lines <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, into the shape shown in <FIG>, for example.

In use, stripper <NUM> is manufactured using a stamping process as described above. Stripper <NUM> is attached to a respective end row divider <NUM> (for example, end row divider 111B) using fasteners and holes <NUM>. As an operator of combine <NUM> harvests corn through a field, end row divider 111B encounters stalks of corn, which may encounter auger <NUM>. Auger <NUM>, by way of its rotation, moves the crop material rearwardly and inwardly. In so doing, the rotation of auger <NUM> can tend to cause crop material to wrap around auger <NUM>, which can be particularly exacerbated in weedy, damp, and/or early season harvesting conditions. However, because of the location and design of stripper <NUM>, crop material is prevented from (at least substantially so) from wrapping around auger <NUM>, because stripper <NUM> strips crop material from auger <NUM>, and is helped in being transported away from the leading edge of auger <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An agricultural header (<NUM>) for an agricultural harvester (<NUM>), the agricultural header (<NUM>) comprising:
a header frame (<NUM>);
an end row divider (<NUM>, 111A, 111B) coupled with the header frame (<NUM>);
an auger (<NUM>) mounted to the end row divider (<NUM>, 111A, 111B) and configured for moving a crop material rearwardly, the auger (<NUM>) including a centerline (<NUM>); and
an auger stripper (<NUM>) coupled with the end row divider (<NUM>, 111A, 111B), wherein the auger stripper (<NUM>) is configured for stripping the crop material from the auger (<NUM>), characterized in that
the auger stripper (<NUM>) is angularly disposed relative to the centerline (<NUM>).