Patent ID: 7552578

Claim:
A combine header automatic latch comprising: an in-line gear box having a telescopically retractable jack shaft extending therefrom and being connected to said gear box by way of a universal joint, and said gear box also having extending therefrom a rotatable jack shaft for coupling to a combine header's first drive shaft, and said telescopically retractable jack shaft also being connectable to a separate coupler for a combine header's second drive shaft, and said gear box having a third jack shaft extending therefrom for connecting to a combine feeder main PTO shaft, said combine header automatic latch being mountable at the interface of the combine header and feeder, and said latch being activated by a double hydraulic cylinder and rod, master-slave assembly, which extends, or in the alternative, retracts or extends the gear box in cooperation with telescopically extending or retracting the telescopically retractable jack shaft, upon the hydraulic activation.