IP Library Granted Patent US 12,501,858
Granted Patent B2
US 12,501,858 · App. 17/840,014 · Granted Dec 23, 2025

Intermediate header height on self-propelled windrower for operation at high road speed

Inventors: Gregory Fasick (Mohnton, PA); Jeffrey Fay, II (Oxford, PA)
Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
A01D41/145A01D41/141
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,501,858
App. No.
17/840,014
Granted
Dec 23, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An agricultural machine system for moving a header of a self-propelled windrower at road speed. A lift device selectively moves the header between a low position, a high position, and an intermediate position such that the header occupies the intermediate position when the agricultural machine system is in a mode of operation associated with road speed.

Claims (41)

1 . An agricultural machine system, comprising:

an agricultural work vehicle including a lift device, wherein the agricultural work vehicle is a self-propelled windrower;

a header coupled with the lift device, the lift device configured for selectively moving the header between a plurality of positions associated with a header height including a low position, a high position, and an intermediate position therebetween such that the header occupies the intermediate position when the agricultural machine system is in a predetermined mode of operation that is associated with a predetermined road speed.

2 . The agricultural machine system of claim 1 , further comprising a control system operatively coupled with the agricultural work vehicle and the header, the control system including:

a sensor configured for:

sensing a header position;

outputting a header position signal corresponding to the header position;

a controller system configured for:

receiving the header position signal;

determining a header adjustment based at least in part on the header position signal, the header adjustment being associated with moving the header to the intermediate position;

outputting a header adjustment signal, based at least in part on the header adjustment, to an actuator configured for adjusting the header position.

3 . The agricultural machine system of claim 2 , wherein the controller system is configured for determining the header adjustment based at least in part on receiving a first signal associated with one of:

(1) a first input directing that the self-propelled windrower be operated in the predetermined mode of operation; and

(2) a second input directing the header to be placed in the intermediate position.

4 . An agricultural work vehicle of an agricultural machine system, wherein the agricultural work vehicle is a self-propelled windrower, the agricultural work vehicle comprising:

a lift device, the agricultural work vehicle configured for being coupled with a header, the lift device being configured for selectively moving the header between a plurality of positions associated with a header height including a low position, a high position, and an intermediate position therebetween such that the header occupies the intermediate position when the agricultural machine system is in a predetermined mode of operation that is associated with a predetermined road speed.

5 . The agricultural work vehicle of claim 4 , wherein a control system of the agricultural machine system is operatively coupled with the agricultural work vehicle and configured for being operatively coupled with the header, the control system including:

a sensor configured for:

sensing a header position;

outputting a header position signal corresponding to the header position;

a controller system configured for:

receiving the header position signal;

determining a header adjustment based at least in part on the header position signal, the header adjustment being associated with moving the header to the intermediate position;

outputting a header adjustment signal, based at least in part on the header adjustment, to an actuator configured for adjusting the header position.

6 . The agricultural work vehicle of claim 5 , wherein the controller system is configured for determining the header adjustment based at least in part on receiving a first signal associated with one of:

(1) a first input directing that the self-propelled windrower be operated in the predetermined mode of operation; and

(2) a second input directing the header to be placed in the intermediate position.

7 . A method of using an agricultural machine system, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an agricultural work vehicle and a header, the agricultural work vehicle including a lift device, the header being coupled with the lift device, wherein the agricultural work vehicle is a self propelled windrower; and

moving selectively, by way of the lift device, the header between a plurality of positions associated with a header height including a low position, a high position, and an intermediate position therebetween such that the header occupies the intermediate position when the agricultural machine system is in a predetermined mode of operation that is associated with a predetermined road speed.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the agricultural machine system further comprises a control system operatively coupled with the agricultural work vehicle and the header, the control system including:

a sensor configured for:

sensing a header position;

outputting a header position signal corresponding to the header position;

a controller system configured for:

receiving the header position signal;

determining a header adjustment based at least in part on the header position signal, the header adjustment being associated with moving the header to the intermediate position;

outputting a header adjustment signal, based at least in part on the header adjustment, to an actuator configured for adjusting the header position.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the controller system is configured for determining the header adjustment based at least in part on receiving a first signal associated with one of:

(1) a first input directing that the self-propelled windrower be operated in the predetermined mode of operation; and

(2) a second input directing the header to be placed in the intermediate position.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 7, 2026
From: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
To: BLUE LEAF I.P., INC.
Reel/Frame 075345/0217 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 14, 2022
From: FASICK, GREGORY; FAY, JEFFREY, II
To: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
Reel/Frame 060194/0310 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230397534A1 · Dec 14, 2023
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