Importance

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Abstract

A harvester having a mobile base unit adapted for movement over the ground, a transversely extending crop harvesting header supported from the base unit for allowing pivotal movement about a generally fore-and-aft axis of the machine, and a lateral flotation system for pivoting the header about the generally fore-and-aft axis is disclosed wherein the lateral flotation system includes a two way hydraulic actuator means extending between the header and the base unit for pivoting the header in the one or the other direction and positioning the header in a nominal position intermediate opposed extreme positions prior to starting flotation operation, a pressure source coupled by a pair of pressure fluid supply lines to the hydraulic actuator means, and energy storage means connected to the hydraulic actuator means. The energy storage means is in the form of a hydro-pneumatic accumulator coupled to each one of the pressure fluid supply lines and pressurized at a pressure greater than the working pressure of the hydraulic actuator means for pivoting the header in the one or other direction, such that, when the header is positioned at a nominal position and meets an obstruction, said header is permitted to temporarily pivot in the one or other direction away from its nominal position for moving over said obstruction.

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First Claim