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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. 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 to vary the cutting height of the cutterbar. The combine includes a hydraulic system for raising and lowering the header. An automatic system raises and lowers the header in response to sensing the position of the cutterbar relative to the header.

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First Claim