Patent ID: 8833044

Claim:
A harvesting head ( 104 ) with conveyor drive system, comprising: a frame ( 106 ) configured to extend perpendicular to a direction of travel (“V”) during the harvesting process; a first conveyor deck ( 108 ) supported on the frame ( 106 ) for linear translating bidirectional movement with respect to the frame ( 106 ) in a first deck axis of translation normal to the direction of travel, the first conveyor deck ( 108 ) comprising at least a first roller ( 126 ) and a second roller ( 128 ) supporting a first conveyor belt ( 114 ) for recirculating movement and a first motor ( 124 ) coupled to the first roller ( 126 ) to drive the first conveyor belt ( 114 ) in recirculating movement; a third motor ( 136 ) coupled to the first conveyor deck ( 108 ) to drive the first conveyor deck ( 108 ) alternately in two opposing directions that are both parallel to the first deck axis of translation as selected by the operator; a second conveyor deck ( 110 ) supported on the frame ( 106 ) for linear translating bidirectional movement with respect to the frame ( 106 ) in the first deck axis of translation, the second conveyor deck ( 110 ) comprising at least a third roller ( 132 ) and a fourth roller ( 134 ) supporting a second conveyor belt ( 116 ) for recirculating movement and a second motor ( 130 ) coupled to the third roller ( 132 ) to drive the second conveyor belt ( 116 ) in recirculating movement; a fourth motor ( 138 ) coupled to the second conveyor deck ( 110 ) to drive the second conveyor deck ( 110 ) alternately in two opposing directions that are both parallel to the first deck axis of translation as selected by the operator; and a conveyor drive system coupled to the first, second, third and fourth motors ( 124 , 130 , 136 , 138 ) and configured to reduce hydraulic fluid flow through the first and second motors ( 124 , 130 ) while shifting either or both of the first and second conveyor decks ( 108 , 110 ).