Patent ID: 8141331

Claim:
Support apparatus for a divider of a header for an agricultural plant cutting machine, comprising: an adjustable torsional preload mechanism configured for connecting a divider to a frame of the header for upward pivotal movement relative to the frame about a pivotal axis, the mechanism including a first element configured for carrying the divider, and a second element configured for connection to the frame, at least one resilient biasing element disposed between the first element and the second element, wherein the second element and the biasing element share a common axis, and the common axis is substantially centered about the pivotal axis, further wherein the second element and the biasing element are substantially horizontally aligned with the first element, the first element being configured for creating a torsional loading condition on the second element and the biasing element operable for resiliently biasing the biasing element so as to exert a preload force in opposition to the torsional loading condition, and a preload adjusting mechanism in connection with at least one of the first element and the second element and operable for selectably increasing or decreasing the biasing of the at least one resilient biasing element in a manner for adjusting the preload force.