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Abstract

A crop harvesting header for a self-propelled combine. The header includes a 'floating' flexible cutterbar movable vertically relative to the header frame to cut a standing crop (soybeans, for example) close to the ground to minimize crop losses. The cutterbar is connected to a plurality of runner structures pivotally mounted on the header frame. A spring system is operative on the runner structures to resiliently counterbalance the cutterbar. Structure is adjustably operative on the runner structures to selectively limit the range of movement of the cutterbar or to lock it against movement. Elongated skids are connected between adjacent pairs of runners to effectively extend along the length of the header. The skids are mounted to permit individual movement of the runners relative to each other as the cutterbar flexes over uneven ground across the harvesting path. The skids are selectively shiftable by crank pins to vary the cutting height of the cutterbar. The header includes a floor structure having portions mounted for upward pivotal movement to provide access to the crank pins when skid adjustment is desired. The header frame includes vertical end walls. A crop divider is disposed adjacent to each end wall. Each of the dividers is mounted on the respective end runner and also connected to the respective end wall so as to be movable up and down in a relatively constant attitude commensurate with cutterbar movement.

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